"William Dyck Positively Identifies Krafchenko As Passenger of Dec. 3," Winnipeg Tribune. December 31, 1913. Page 1 & 2.
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Describes How Robber Forced Him to Drive Away at Revolver Point and Swears He Admitted Shooting Manager H. M. Arnold
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"If you don't drive on, and drive fast, I'll blow your brains out like I did the other fellow's." In words to this effect, William Dyck in the witness stand at the preliminary hearing in the trial of John Krafchenko [pictured] before Magistrate Bonnycastle, last evening at the city police court, declared he was forced at the point of a gun to drive the alleged murderer from Plum Coulee immediately after the tragedy had been enacted on December 3.
When the court resumed after dinner last evening Mr. Hastings, counsel for the crown, declared that William Dyck would be the next witness. As the lawyer said this an expectant hush pervaded the court room, and heads were turned in the direction of the doorway through which Dyck, with heavy tread and stolid of demeanor, came in, escorted by Chief of Provincial Police Elliott. He is a heavy, thick-set man of unmistakable Mennonite type. His large and heavy features were utterly devoid of expression.
The main factors in the story told by the "star" witness were of a most damaging nature. Dyck said he had met Krafchenko on the night preceding the tragedy and had been told that If he did not have his car waiting, little after noon, in the appointed place something would happen to him. At that time, he declared, Krafchenko flourished a revolver at him.
Acted Through Fear
On the day in question, because of fear, he did as he was asked and at a little before one o'clock a man wearing a black overcoat, black beard and black cap, came running, got into the car and tersely ordered him to drive on.
They had not gone far, said the witness, before the man, whom he at that moment recognized as Krafchenko, put a gun to his head and told him to drive fast or be killed. He demurred and a bullet from the gun passed close to his head and out of the side of the car.
The details of the wild ride were told at length. During the journey, which brought them to a point between McTavish and Osborne stations, Krafchenko had removed a false beard and had torn it up. He had also expressed the hope that he had not killed Arnold, whom he had had to shoot "because he followed me up."
The overcoat, produced yesterday, was described accurately by Dyck, who spoke of taking the police to the spot in the willow bushes near Lowe Farm where the accused had deposited it. In the afternoon session most of the time was taken up by the examination and cross examination of Mr. and Mrs. Humboldt, regarding a watch which the accused is alleged to have shown them in their rooms on Hargrave street some months ago. Both witnesses were grilled strenuously by the counsel for the defence, and salient feature of the evidence of both was that when presented with the watch found in the murder car, declared that it was similar, but they were under the impression that Krafchenko's had a slight engraving on the back of the case, and the exhibit had not. Mrs. Humboldt said: "I am almost positive it had."
When the counsel for the defence refused to cross-examine Dyck, Mr. Hastings said he would have to ask an adjournment as he had not expected the witness to get through so quickly, and consequently his next witnesses were not at the court. As the year was almost out and a holiday occurred this week, he would ask for one week's remand. The request was granted and the date fixed for January 6, 1914, at two o'clock, the hearing to be continued in the city police court room.
On resumption yesterday afternoon, before any witnesses were examined, Mr. Hagel made the usual request that all unexamined witnesses be excluded. Mr. Hastings replied that this had already been done.
Wallace Root's Evidence
The first witness called on resumption of the crown's case, was Wallace Root, commercial traveller, residing at Suite 1, Dawson Apartments. Furby street, Winnipeg. Root, sworn, said that in company with another traveller, named Leete, he was in Plum Coulee on the morning of December 3. it was their intention to go to Morden in the afternoon, and to this end they went to Dyck's livery barn. On entering the stable, Root says, he met a man wearing a fur coat. The man was standing near the door and was the only one in sight. The witness asked him if he were the proprietor. He received a reply in the negative, and was told that Duck was seated in a car which could be seen through the doorway, standing on the other side of the road. The two travellers crossed over to the car. William Dyck got out and an arrangement was made, after some conversation, whereby Dyck should take them to Morden at 1.30 in the afternoon. He could not do it earlier, Dyck said, because he had just arranged to take a man about four miles out into the country.
Questioned as to the condition of the car, Root said he noticed that the engine was running, that the top was up, and the curtains lowered.
"As we stood talking together," said the witness, "a man came down the lane at the back of the livery barn. He was about 300 feet away, and was running slowly. When he came nearer I noticed he had a black full beard. He was wearing a fur coat with the collar turned up. With one hand he was holding the coat closed. It was not buttoned. I also saw he was wearing tan shoes and a black cap."
The man, said Root, came right up to the three, who were standing beside the car. "I am ready now," he said to Dyck, and both got into the car, which immediately drove away. Just as the car moved, the witness noticed that the stranger had dropped some money. Root and his companion picked this up. It comprised a number of $1.00 bills and a bundle of $1.00 bills. He shouted two or three times after the moving car, but the occupants paid no attention.
Questioned as to any other comment that was made, the witness remembered accusing the stranger of wearing a false beard, and his friend noted that the bank was the same direction as that from which the stranger came.
Before allowing the witness to leave the stand, Mr. Hastings said "Look at the prisoner." The witness gave Krafchenko close scrutiny for the space of a minute. Then the crown counsel asked "Can you tell me if you have ever seen this man before?"
"No, sir," came the emphatic reply.
Krafchenko's Watch
Major Humboldt, the showman, was recalled and asked what he knew regarding a watch shown him at one time by Krafchenko. Humboldt then stated that some months ago Krafchenko paid a visit to his rooms on Hargrave street. During the course of conversation, watches were discussed, and Krafchenko produced his as being an excellent timepiece. The witness described the watch as he remembered it. It was a 21-jewel gold watch with open face. He could not remember the exact number, but re-collected that contained in the serial was a double figure. Explaining this, he said he believed that there were two fours running consecutively about the middle of the number, which was a long one.
A watch was produced and Mr. Hastings asked the witness if he could identify it. After handling it for a moment Humboldt handed it back to the counsel, declaring that he could not open it, and would like to see the inside.
Hereupon, Mr. Hagel suggested that Humboldt must have opened the watch on a previous occasion, and should know how to do it now. To this the witness replied: "I have never opened that watch, or Krafchenko's watch. When Krafchenko handed me his it was opened to show the works."
The exhibit was opened and handed back to the witness, who read from the inside an inscription that the watch was a 21-jewel movement, numbered 2,144,375. The witness examined the watch very closely.
"This," he said, finally, "is very much similar, but I was under the impression that Krafchenko's watch had a very slight engraving on the back of the case." He also noticed that the exhibit was equipped with a small lever by which is operated the setting device. He was of the opinion that Krafchenko's was an ordinary stem wind and stem set timepiece.
Mr. Hagel, counsel for the defence, cross-examined the witness at length regarding his examination of Krofchenko's watch. Humboldt, in reply to questions, reiterated his statements that the watch was opened to show the works when Krafchenko handed it to him. He could not tell, he said, the make of the watch. He was not interested in that. It was more or less a cursory examination. Pointing to the lever of the setting device, Mr. Ha- gel said: "You think if that was on the watch you handled, you would have observed it?"
"I believe I would," was the reply.
"Are you aware," continued the counsel, "that there is a double number in the serial of almost every watch that is sent out by the manufacturers?"
"And you never knew the make of Krafchenko's watch?"
"Did you ever see Krafchenko's watch before?"
"Yes; on one or two occasions he showed me the face; but the name was not marked on it, so far as I can remember."
"Can you tell me the make of this watch?" said Mr. Hagel, pointing to the exhibit. "No, I cannot."
"Well, can you read this?" queried the lawyer, presenting the watch to the witness, and showing the face of it.
The witness read "Hamilton Watch Company," which was plainly printed on the face of the timepiece.
Mr. Hagel asked a great many questions regarding the time of the day when Humboldt examined Krafchenko's watch, but the witness was not sure on any point, except that it was sometime during the afternoon.
"Are you sure," asked Mr. Hagel, "that the watch was opened when the accused handed it to you?"
"Yes; there is no doubt of it," Humboldt said. He passed the watch to his wife, after examining it.
Mrs. Humboldt's Testimony
Mrs. Humboldt, wife of the former witness, said she believed she was present all the time when her husband was talking about watches with Krafchenko. In the first part of her examination she corroborated her husband's statements regarding the loan of a fur coat, which was never returned, and also regarding the rifle which Krafchenko requested her husband to take for him to Flum Coulee,
She said she did not examine Krafchenko's watch very closely on the day in question. It was simply handed to her in order that she might feel the weight of it. The watch was closed. She could only describe it as an open-faced gold watch. The exhibit produced previously was handed to her, and upon examining this, she said: "It is very much like it, but I thought it had a small engraving on the back; in fact, I am almost positive."
In cross-examination, Mrs. Humboldt said Krafchenko, she thought, who was wearing neither chain nor fob, simply took the watch from his pocket and handed it to her husband. The latter opened it, took a glance inside, closed it, and handed it to her with a remark about the weight of it.
Watch Found in Car
Sheriff Augustus Charies Doran Piggott, of Morden, spoke of finding the watch produced. He went, he said, to Plum Coulee on December 4, on hearing of the crime, and searched William Dyck's automobile thoroughly. In a kind of toolbox located beneath the rear seat of the vehicle he found a watch. The exhibit was handed him and he identified it as being that which he had found in the car.
Apparently the last man to speak with Manager Arnold before his conversation with the murdered was Ole Lee, station agent of the Midland railway in Plum Coulee. The accused was well-known to Lee, who corroborated the testimony given on Monday afternoon by Lloyd Wagner, the bank ledger-keeper, in regard to Krafchenko's statement about the probable time of day when the Plum Coulee bank would be robbed. On that occasion, he said, during the course of conversation in the Commercial hotel sitting room, Krafchenko had told the witness and Wagner that if a robbery did occur it would not be at night, but rather in the daytime, as this would be easier than to blow a timelock.
During the week preceding the robbery the witness did not see Krafchenko. Lee, on being shown the watch previously produced, said that it looked very much smaller. He remembered that Krafchenko's watch was a gold open-faced, 21-jewel, Hamilton movement with a somewhat unique dial. This description coincided with that of the exhibit.
On the day of the tragedy Lee, on leaving the Commercial, hotel after luncheon, went down past the bank premises at about 12.30 on his way to the station. It was his custom, he said, to put his head in the door of the bank whenever he passed to say good- day to the bank men. On this occasion the storm door on Main street was open, and he looked in and said "Hello" to Manager Arnold, who was seated alone at his typewriter desk. The witness knew no more of the affair of his own knowledge, for, after this incident, he went on to the station.
Money Found in Car
Constable Peter H. Levan, of Gretna, Man., said he took part in the search of Dyck's car when he returned at 8 o'clock in the evening, and found a bag of silver money on the left side of the front seat under the cushion. The bag contained $234.80. In addition, $19.20, in a bag, was found in Dyck's left overcoat pocket. The money was turned over to William Esau, teller of the Bank of Montreal at Plum Coulee.
The latter, re-called, spoke of counting the money and seating it in the bag. The amount stated by the constable was correct.
Constable George McKay, of Plum Coulee, was present when the $12.20 in silver was found in Dyck's left overcoat pocket. The constable produced the side curtain of the car in which there was a small pancture, which he believed to be a bullet hole. On this point, however, he was not sure. At this juncture the court adjourned for dinner.
William Dyck's Testimony
An expectant hush pervaded the crowded room when Mr. Hastings, on the resumption after dinner, announced William Dyck, as the next crown witness. Every neck was craned toward the door of the court room and all eyes were centred upon the thick set figure of the Mennonite livery stable keeper whose startling testimony was expected to create a sensation.
Escorted by Chief of Police Edward Elliott, of the provincial force, William Dyck crossed the room. He is a man of unmistakable European peasant type, with heavy features, dropping moustache and bushy eyebrows, After taking the affirmation his religion forbidding the oath, Mr. Hastings began the questioning of the witness in a slow and measured manner.
The gist of the first questions were to the effect that William Dyck was a livery stable keeper in the village of Plum Coulee. He had been located in the district for about five years and had been in the livery business during the whole of his residence there. He owned a Case automobile and on being shown a picture of the "murder car" declared that it was very similar, and he believed it to be his.
"Do you know the prisoner?" asked Mr. Hastings.
The witness replied in the affirmative and in reply to very careful questions, made the following statement.
"I have known Krafchenko for about eight months, but it was only about two months ago since I became acquainted with him personally. The acquaintance was made Plum Coulee. He was staying at the Commercial hotel. He stayed for a week and before he went away he borrowed five dollars from me At that time he represented himself to be a boiler inspector employed by a Winnipeg firm. I saw him in Plum Coulee on the night of December 2nd. It was in a lane at the back of the Commercial hotel at about 7.30 or 7.45 o'clock in the evening. I was going from my barn to the hotel when I ran into him. He said: 'Hullo; Is that you Bill, and I said, 'Yes; is that you Jack?" He flashed a flashlight torch in my face. I ask- ed him to come into the hotel but he refused, saying that he was in trouble and daren't come. The police were after him for some trouble in Winnipeg. He then asked me if I was hard up and I replied 'No.' He then said I want you to make the drive for me tomorrow. When I asked him where to, he said: "There's a friend of mine coming here who is in trouble like myself and he must get away. I said. I could not do it, or I would get into trouble too. Krafchenko said there would be no trouble for me as no one would see this other man. I again said I couldn't do it and he drew gun from his pocket. He flashed the torch on it and pointing it at me said: "That's what you'll get if you don't do as I say. I then promised to do it. This seemed to please him and he then told me to have the car outside the barn pointing north at noon the following day. A man, he said, would come along the back lane and would be wearing a black coat and black whiskers 'like an old jew. I was to take that man out. He told me to have the engine running and he said he would be watching to see that I did exactly as he told me."
"Supposing you didn't agree?" queried Mr. Hastings.
"Well," replied Dyck, "he had the revolver pointing at me all the time, and I promised."
Dyck Was Afraid
"Why did you promise him?"
"Was anything said about keeping the interview secret?"
"He said not to tell anybody about seeing him."
"And if you did say anything to anybody?"
"Well, he had the gun there all the time. He told me if I ever let anything out, he would get me anyway, or else someone else would."
"Then we come to the morning of December 3," continued the crown counsel. "What did you do in reference to your car that forenoon?"
"I looked her over to see if she to wanted any fixing, put some gasoline in the tanks and at the appointed time backed her out of the barn to the place mentioned."
Dyck was talking to two commerclal travellers beside his car when the man in the black coat came upon the scene. He had just arranged to take them to Morden at about 1.30 that day as soon as he returned from his present trip.
"Was the man walking or running when he came along?"
"He was running pretty fast."
"I got into the car," continued Dyck, "and just as I sat down I heard one of the travellers say: 'Hey, guy, you're dropping your money." When I heard this I wanted to get out, but the man came into the car and told me to drive on. I started the car and we drove northward because as soon as he was settled in the car he put a gun up to my head and told me to drive fast."
"And you didn't hesitate?"
"Did you hear any remarks from any of the travellers, except about the money?"
"What is the description of the man who got into your car?"
"He wore a black coat, black whiskers and a black cap."
Continuing the witness said: "I drove north about 175 yards and then he told me to drive east. I did so. As he told me this, I slackened the car up and said I would not drive him any further. He called me a vile name and told me that if I did not drive fast he would blow my brains out. 'The same as I did for the other man,' he concluded. He then fired a shot close to my head and the bullet passed through the car curtain."
"When he fired, what did you do?"
"By that time did you know who the man was who was in your car?" asked the counsel.
"Yes. As soon as he said he would do for me what he did to the other man, I knew it was Jack Krafchenko."
"And your car continued to travel for about a quarter of a mile east and then turned south?"
"Yes. He told me to drive at high speed," continued the witness, "and I did so."
The route of the car, according to Dyck from this point was: one mile south, four miles east, one mile south again, "He then told me to take the best road to Lowe Farm village from there. I went four miles north and turned east one mile, then north again six miles about, and then eastward one mile and then two miles north, which brought us to a road running between Morris and Lowe Farm. We turned toward Morris, eastward."
"During the drive up to the point was there any conversation with you and the accused?"
"Yes. He spoke to me. 'I hope I didn't kill that son of a -------,' he said. I I asked who, and he replied 'Arnold.' He also told me that Arnold had followed him up and he had had to turn and shoot him."
"Was he wearing the beard then?"
"No, on the way to Lowe Farm he took it off and tore it up, scattering the pieces along the road."
"What did he do with the gun?"
"He kept it in his hand during the whole journey."
"What was he doing in the car?"
"He had the money and was looking it over and putting it into his pockets."
"Did he stay in the front seat?"
"Not all the time. He climbed over while the car was running into the back of the tonneau. He was behind there about five minutes when he returned to the seat beside me."
"How far did you go about, towards Morris?"
"About two miles; we then turned north again and passed through the outskirts of a Mennonite village. About three miles past this we got on to a trail leading through some willow brush. I went and stood there and he got out. He took off the overcoat and carried it into the brush about 35 yards, where he left it."
"Up to this time had he spoken of a watch?"
"Yes, at Lowe Farm he put his hand to his vest pocket and then said, 'Damn it, I've lost my watch.' He looked round the car for it, but could not find it."
"He got into the car again, and I did and we drove on in a northwestern direction to a point about twelve miles from McTavish station and about 15 miles from Osborne station. Here he told me to stop and he got out. He then threatened to break the spark plugs on my car so I could not get home, but when I objected he did not do it. He then instructed me what to say when I got back to Plum Coulee."
Krafchenko's Alleged Instructions
"He told me to say that there were two men in the car, One was wearing a black coat and cap and black whiskers, and the other was a tall thin-faced young man, who sat in the back seat all the time. I was to say the third man got into the car round the corner just out of Plum Coulee. I was also to say that the young man came to the barn early in the morning and ordered the car, and to say that the young man got out of the car at McTavish and the other at Osborne."
"Did he say anything about pay before he left?"
"He had a bag of silver and asked me if I wanted it. I said no and then he grabbed a handful of change and put it into my overcoat pocket. The other in the bag he placed under, the seat with, I don't want this damn stuff, it's too heavy to carry.
"Did he say anything about what would happen if you told the truth?" "He said he would get me later, and If he didn't someone else would, anyway."
"What next,' asked the counsel, as Dyck paused.
"He then told me to turn round and drive slowly back to town. I did so and when I started he struck across the country northward."
"I drove back to Lowe Farm, where I telephoned my wife to say that was coming home."
"When I got into Plum Coulee," said Dyck, "the police were waiting for me. It was about eight o'clock. Constable McKay was there and I went with him to the Commercial hotel. I told him just what Krafchenko had told me to tell him."
"Then the story published in the papers was true as you told it then?"
"Why did you tell this untrue story?"
"I was afraid he would get me or that someone else would."
"You have stayed here from the time you came from Plum Coulee. That was on December 5? Have you remained here ever since?"
"Have you been over any part of the route you took with Krafchenko?"
"Yes. On December 18 we went as far as the road between Morris and Lowe Farm."
Mr. Hastings produced the coat previously exhibited, and the witness identified it as that deposited in the bush by the accused.
"After coming to Winnipeg, did you tell the authorities the same story?"
"You told them the true story?"
"Have you been kept in Winnipeg against your will?"
At this point, Mr. Hagel objected to the style of examination declaring that the subject was not relevant to the issue.
Mr. Bonnycastle said he did not think it would do any harm and the counsel for defence waived objection.
"Have you," continued Mr. Hastings, "been able to go out whenever you wanted to?"
"Were any restrictions placed on your movements?"
Mr. Hagel again interposed. "Oh, say, if you keen on this subject, we may possibly believe some of it," he said sarcastically.
"The evidence you gave tonight was of your own free will?"
"Have you been locked up in the provincial jail in Winnipeg all the time?"
"How did you come to be there at all?"
"I asked protection for I was afraid."
"Oh yes," again interposed Mr. H gel, "I'll bet he just naturally ran up to that jail and tried to break in."
At this sally the court roared.
"Have you been out of the city at any time," asked Mr. Hastings?"
"Yes," concluded Dyck, "I went out shooting rabbits yesterday."
The prosecution were more or less set back on finding that Mr. Hagel had no questions to ask the witness. Mr. Hastings said he did not think Dyck's occupation of the stand would terminate so rapidly and he therefore would have to ask an adjournment. This was agreed to and the court rose to meet again on January 6, 1914, at two o'clock in the court room of the city police court.
