1
Houghay daily of 23/1/18.
SENSATIONAĻ BATTLE WITH THE POLICE 15756
FIERCE FIGHT IN THE HEART OF THE CITY AT MID-DAY,
CHINESE
DESPERADOES
* .
dan
AT BAY IN A HOUSE.
APR 18
215
TWO EUROPEAN OFFICERS, AN INDIAN CONSTABLE AND CHINESE DETECTIVE KILLED,
TWO OF THE OUTLAWS SHOT AND TWO OR THREE ARRESTED.
A most sensational affair, recalling the Sydney Street incident in London a few years back, took place in Gresson Street, Hongkong, yesterday at midday, when a gang of armed desperadoes engaged in a pitched battle with the Police for up- wards of three hours and literally fought to the death. Two European members of the Police Force Detective Inspector O'Sullivan and Detective Sergeant Clarke - as well as an Indian constable and a Chinese detective were shot dead, while Sergeant Wills was wounded in the calf of the leg and the chief Chinese detective was wounded in the arm and leg. Two of their assailants were killed and a third shot himself, rather than surrender, and was taken to Hospital. Two escaped, one of whom is known to have been arrested subs quently, while the other is reported to have been arrested.
The origin of the affray is not clear. There was an armed robbery at 1.30 a.m. on the Praya, a contractor being severely Whether in connec- gasged and bound. tion with this or for some other purpose it is impossible to say, but at about 11.30 a.m. inspector O'Sullivan and Sergeant Clark accompanied by two Chinese detectives, went in the execution of their duty to No. 6, Gresson Street, Wanchai-
short thoroughfare running between Praya East and Queen's Road East. On entering a cubicle at the back of the first- flour the two Europeans were immediately shot dead, one falling practically on top of the other.
of the Chinese detectives, also, was killed, but the other app ars to have escaped by biding him- self underneath a bed,
One
Some men were seen to rush from the building and an alario was raised. Mr. ** Kid ̈' Marriott, who lives near the Con- vent in St. Francis Street, just across the Queen's Road from Gresson Street, heard the shots, and, seizing his Service rifle, ran with his wife into the street, only to be fired at point-blank by a man
Who
was running past them from the
direction of Queen's Road. The bullet, fortunately, missed its mark, and Mr. Marriott promptly gave chase, at the same time preparing to shoot, Just as the fugitive was about to leap down a declina in the hillside, Mr. Marriott fived and brought the man down in a dying condi tion; indeed, just after Mr. Marriott came up to him he expired. He was found to have several revolvers and a quantity of ammunition in his posses- sjon.
other man made uff down Queen's Road in the direction of Happy Valley, it is said, oving soud as they went. One man, who was chased by an Indian con- Babie in the direction of Kennedy Road, turned on his pursuer, and, at a distance of about 20 yards, fired, the bullet enter- ing the constable & head and killing him. The murderer took refuge in a Japanese restaurant, but a watch was set on the place and later he was arrested. It is also said that another man was caught.
Meanwhile Inspector Sim and other Police, having received information of what had occurred, hastened to Gresson Street, and found the house defended by armed men, whose number there was nu
mans of ascertaining. Further re- inforcements arrived, and a regular seiga of the premises commenced. Men armed with fes were posted in the houses on th opposite side of the road and also in the houses at the rear and side of the desperadoes stronghold, and for a couple Cİ MUTE SOULS were freely exchanged be. the opposing forces. A vigilant watch was kept on the house from all points, and, as the desperadues were seen to move from floor to flour they were 'promptly fred at and frequently returned the fire. The advantage, of course, was all on their side because they were pro- tected by the comparative darkness of the house. Various measures, such as smok- ing them out or setting fire to the pre- mises, were suggested but it was impos. sible to adopt them because of the un- pertainty as to the fate of Inspector
twe
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