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SHOP BREAKERS SURPRISED
ONE JVIAN SHOT DEAD.
BROKEN HILL. — While Constable
Neil was arresting two men on Fri-
duy night on suspicion of being about to
commit a felony his revolver went off.
William Schwardt was wounded in the
abdomen, und died in the hospital about
J a.m. on Saturday.
About 10.15 pan. on Friday, aceordiug to
the constable's story, he went to Larson's
grocery store. At tho regj- of the preniises
he found a large hole in the galvanised
iron portion of the storeroom, lie entered
and hearing a noise, said, "Come on; you
can't get away." In response' two men,
ilichard Kcmpc and William Schwardt;
came- through the office doorway. The con
stable drew a revolver, , and said, "1'ut up
your hands.". The men obeyed. Kempe
said, "It's no use doing anything; we are
caught." The constable ordered the men
to walk to the front door, lie still covered
them with his revolver, and held a torch
in his loft hand. Nciir the front door Neil
put the , tprch on the counter, and tho
Jiglit continued to play on the men. He
pulled out his handcuffs, clapped one on
Kempe's -hands, and was about to snap
the other on tho hand of Schwardt, when
it is alleged both men closed on him. The
constable's story is tliat as the men closed
the revolver went off, and Scluyardt fell to
the floor and rolled over. The casualty
ambulance took Schwardt to the hospital
Kempe was placed under arrest, and
charged with .breaking aijd entering the
store, with intent to commit a felony. He
made. a statement, in which lie said the
revolver Went off accidentally while the
constable was trying to lock tho handcuffs
cn his (Kempe's) hands.
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