[. WAS July 11th, 1893. On the moun-
inous slopes overlooking Ramsay Arm a
slice posse warily threaded its way through
ie dense underbrush and thick forest.
Suddenly a figure stepped from behind a
rge cedar tree, a Colt revolver in his hand.
‘hirty yards below him, two policemen
eat their way through the bush. After a
eeting glance the man stepped back behind
ye tree. But in that instant he was seen.
‘he two officers stopped, looked up. For a
1oment they conversed in low tones, then
arted retracing their steps, gradually
vorking behind and above the hidden man.
As they walked they signalled to others.
\ll this was seen by the man behind the
-ee, obviously the object of their search.
The small group of men drew nearer, all
vith guns drawn. Suddenly one man step-
ed ahead of the group.

“Kennedy, will you surrender quietly?”
e called.

The man behind the tree was silent for
moment, then, as he stepped from his
lace, “All right, you win. Tl be better off
live coward than a dead hero, I guess,”
e answered.

Hands in the air, Kennedy walked to:
yards the group.

The leader spoke again. “Ben Kennedy,
arrest you for the murder of John O’Con-
er on June 26th.”

The speaker was Frederick Hussey,
uperintendent of the British Columbia
-rovincial Police.

Honour Where

Honour is Due..

We wish to pay tribute to a force who

after 81 years of continuous service has

proven its worthiness to our citizens.

VERNON HARDWARE CO. LTD.
VERNON, BC.

SUMMER EDITION

By TED FOX, Assistant Editor

Penalty of Life Imprisonment.

Thus, in lonely surroundings, halfway up
a mountain, in what was then British Co-
lumbia wilderness, did Ben Kennedy, the
man who boasted his murder of four people
and his participation in the Deadwood Stage
robbery, as an ally of Jesse James, give
himself up.

Late in the afternoon of June 24th, 1893,
a trim sloop sailed slowly into White Rock
Bay on Reid Island, one of the many Gulf
islands, north of Campbell River. A few
minutes after the anchor was lowered, a
muscular, lean-faced man of about 42,
rowed ashore and started for a small cabin,
a short distance from the sea, which housed
loggers employed at Taylor’s Camp.

Under each arm the man carried a bottle,
which he proffered the men inside after
preliminary introductions. The stranger
was Ben Kennedy, known also as John Meer
and Jack Meyers. In the cabin were James
Burns, John O’Conner, and two other men,
Angus Cameron and O'Neill. In a few
minutes the party was joined by a sixth
man, Salem Hinckley, who, as he entered,
greeted the newcomer whom he had known
before.

WHISKY AND A Doc

During the next few hours Kennedy made
himself at home with the loggers, his wel-
come being warmed with each succeeding
drink. Finally the liquor was finished and
all retired.

Ben Kennedy, Stage Coach Robber and Murderer, Surrenders After Prolonged
Seige to Superintendent of Provincial Police—Wager Over Dog Cause of
Tragedy — Expedition Organized and Cuts Off Escape — Fugitive Receives

At 10 o'clock Kennedy awoke and re-
turned to his sloop for the night.

The next day, Sunday, was spent by most
of the men hunting and drinking. That
night, all worse for liquor, they retired,
except Kenrmedy, O’Conner and Hinckley,
who sat talking.

The subject got around to Kennedy’s
dog, which he had brought with him, and
he boasted proudly of the animal’s capa-
bilities as a watchdog.

“Well, there never was a dog I couldn't
drive away,” commented O'Conner.

Kennedy challenged the claim. Putting
his vest on the floor, with a $5 bill on top
of it, he bade the dog sit on the vest and
told O’Conner he could have the money if
he got the dog away.

For a few minutes O’Conner did nothing.
Then suddenly he grabbed the remainder
of his half finished drink and threw it on
the dog. The animal immediately jumped
up and made for the door.

“T have no use for you, you s— of a
b ,” yelled Kennedy as he grabbed his
six-shooter. He walked towards the door
and shot at the fleeing animal.

“Don’t do that,” protested O’Conner.
“Any animal would run away from that,”
he added as he followed Kennedy out.

“What are you following me for?”
snarled Kennedy, in reply. “Ill give you
one of the bullets if you don’t look out.”

“Oh, no, you won't. You s— of ab 7
I'll turn you inside out if you talk that way

Koval Anne fintel

Kelowna’s Community
Social Centre

J. H. Broad, Mar.

Noted for its hospitality,
service and excellent

cuisine.

Kelowna, B.C.

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