A DRIVE FOR LIFE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 355, 4 March 1902, Page 3

A DRIVE FOR LIFE.

DRAMATIC STORY OF VENGEANCE

IN PARIS.

Paris, January 10.

In spite of the nightly raids of the 11 Iron Brigado ” and the stern measures enforced by M. Lepine to rid the city of the bands of hooligans who givo him so much trouble, certain quarters of Paris are still infested by desperate criminals and cut-throats. Their latest exploit is of an unusually daring character. Early on Monday morning a murderous assault was committed in the ill-famed quarter of Lharonne, but the police could obtain no definite details regarding the occurrence. Yesterday, however, it was discovered that a man named Leca had been admitted to the Thenon Hospital with two bullets in his head. When interrogated as to his injuries he refused all information, and after the departure of the Commissaire of Police, insisted on being taken home.

He was greatly excited and exclaimed, “ I don’t want them to know where I am and that lam still alive.” His head was bandaged up, and accompanied by a male friend and a young woman he was put in a cab and left the hospital. But six or seven individuals who had been prowling around the building armed with daggers and revolvers ran after the cab, shouting threats of vengeance to its inmates. When the wounded man realised that he was followed he called out to the cabman to drive for his life. A mad race ensued, the horse galloping at full speed, and the bloodthirsty pack rushing along behind.

X, When the Rue de Bagnolet was reached the horse stopped exhausted, and the cab came to a standstill. Instantly the armed ruffians surrounded the vehicle. One smashed the window, jumped on the step, and reaching forward plunged a long knife into Leea.

He then stabbed the other mail in the ab, who tried to defend Leca, and both -eived terrible injuries. 'he cabman shouted for help, but the ‘ members of tho gang came up, and as and revolvers were used freely, the woman having her face cut. The passersby fied, the surrounding shopkeepers close it heir premises, and pandemonium reigned. Finally a detachment of police arrived on the scene, and the assassins took to their heels.

The three victims were taken back to the hospital, and it is feared that the two ineu will not survive their injuries. The attack is believed to be due to vendetta vengeance, and the police have organised a hunt after the miscreants.