LEAPED IN LEG IRONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2533, 21 June 1909, Page 6

LEAPED IN LEG IRONS.

REMARKABLE STORY OF CONVICT'S ESCAPE FROM RfIC DESIA. 1 Though encumbered with irons, John Creswick, a convict, managed to escape from a moving train in Rhodesia, got nd of his manacles, walked for six rnonths until lie got rid of the Congo Free State, and ultimately reached England, only to fall a victim to an astute detective in the East End. Creswick, who is 40 years of age and a sailor, was charged at. Bow-street with being an escaped convict. Detective-Inspector Belcher said on April 16 he saw the prisoner in Lemanstreet, Whitechapel, and said to him, “I believe you aro John Creswick, and that you escaped from custody in Rhodesia.” Prisoner replied, “Oh, no, I am not the man.” Witness remarked, “The man I want has -the Prince of "Wales’ feathers tattooed on his forearm: Let me look at yours.” Creswick then said, “You are' right. I am the man. I was doing six years for forgery. They were moving me from Gweld to Salisbury, and I jumped the train. Then I made my way though Rhodesia and the Congo Free State"of Leopoldville. I thought I was safe here.” Prisoner was remanded. It is stated that Creswick was wearing leg-irons when he dropped from the back of the train, in which he was being removed to Salisbury Prison, while his guards were asleep. By some means he managed to get rid of the irons. According to his account lie did so by beating them with pieces of stone and hammering them on rocks. It took him about six months to- walk to the Congo State, and he ultimately obtained a ship from Boma to Antwerp, and thence came to L6ndon. At Boma. he changed his prison dress—which must have been well worn —for a pair of grey trousers, a striped jacket t and a cricket shirt.