seldom had the Kamloops gaol held a more
determined or vicious criminal. Capt.
Vicars, warden of the gaol quickly dis-
covered that James had an uncanny knack of
getting small implements into his possession.
In fact it became part of the gaol routine
to search this particular prisoner daily. He
was legironed all the time he was in gaol,
and as a guard would run his hands over
the murderer’s clothing, James would taunt
the searcher with sneering remarks:

“You're getting hot now,” he would jeer
as the guard got nearer the object of the
search. Eventually some minute piece of
metal would be discovered, something, no
matter how small, which James considered
of possible future value.

A. BITTANCOURT
SHELL SERVICE STATION

Dealer in

ALL SHELL PRODUCTS

Tobacco and Confectionery

Ganges Harbour, B. C.

MOUAT BROS.
LIMITED

*

Dry Goods, Groceries,
Flour and Feed
General Merchandise
Gas and Oil
*

GANGES, B. C.

Salt Spring Island Trading
: Co. Ltd.

Dealers in
GROCERIES, MEATS AND GENERAL
MERCHANDISE

Ganges, British Columbia

On the day before James was due to be
escorted to Vernon for trial, an inquisitive
guard noticed something wrong with the
legirons. A closer inspection revealed that
both shackles had been all but sawn through!
A small portion of a hack saw blade was
found in the instep of James’ shoe, secured
with a piece of adhesive tape.

But while the killer never overlooked a

chance, neither did the police. When he was -

escorted to Vernon he was legironed and
handcuffed between two prisoners. One man
was charged with robbing the bank at Lumby
and the other (Douglas) was to be tried
for the murder of an Italian at Kelowna.

Capt. Estabrook (centre) and officers of the S.S. “Okanagan”.

E. CUDMORE & SON
GROCERIES, HARDWARE AND
GENERAL MERCHANDISE
POST OFFICE
Shell Agents

FULFORD HARBOUR. B. C.

retired for three and a half hours, to return
with their verdict: “Guilty.” ;
Chief Justice Hunter visibly affected as |
he addressed the prisoner, asked James if he
had anything to say before sentence was

Seated on Capt. Estabrook’s right

is Mate A. J. Macdonald, first to enter cabin-34 and discover the dying police officer.

The 24-year-old killer appeared before
Chief Justice Gordon Hunter at Vernon,
and as he sat in the prisoner’s box and
heard his career recounted by various Crown
witnesses, an evil scowl occasionally con-
torted his features. Mr. Rogers, of Van-
couver, delegated by the Crown to represent
James, did justice to his heavy task, but
the evidence was conclusive. The jury

passed upon him. The murderer too had
difficulty in articulating the brief answer:

“No, judge.”

In passing sentence of death, the Chief
Justice told the prisoner that he, “shad been
convicted of a most cold-blooded and
atrocious murder, that his trial had been long
and patient and,” he concluded, “I fully
agree with the verdict.”

*

GANGES, B. C.

Salt Spring Island

McAfee Lumber Company

LIMITED

Logging Operations and Sawmill

Mayo Bros. Timber Company —

TIMBERS
ROUGH CLEARS
SELECT COMMONS

a

LIMITED

PALDI, B.C.

DIMENSION

Page Twelve

THE SHOULDER STRAP