Ernest Cashel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ernest Cashel
|
|
|---|---|
Ernest Cashel, from his wanted poster in 1903
|
|
| Born | c. 1882 |
| Died | February 2, 1904 (age 21-22) |
| Cause of death | Hanging |
Ernest Cashel (born around 1882 – died February 2, 1904) was an outlaw from America. He became well-known in western Canada because he kept escaping from police custody.
Contents
Ernest Cashel: The Escape Artist
Daring Escape from Jail
Ernest's brother, John, visited him almost every day. On December 10, John arrived as usual. They pretended to say a sad goodbye, both crying openly.
During this visit, John secretly gave Ernest two revolvers. Ernest hid them carefully. As the guards were changing shifts, Ernest pulled out his guns. He ordered the three guards in the room to give up their weapons.
Then, he made them open his cell. Ernest chained the guards inside his cell. He then left the building and escaped into the night.
John Cashel had left a horse for his brother to use for escape. But the horse got scared when Ernest approached quickly. It broke free and ran off into the cold, dark night.
Ernest realized he needed to find shelter fast because of the freezing weather. He went to a friend's house in Calgary and demanded she hide him. The police, known as the Mounties, also knew Ernest would need shelter. They started searching places where outlaws might hide.
The next day, the horse meant for Ernest's escape was found. John Cashel admitted he helped his brother escape. He was later sent to prison for two years. The three guards involved were fired because they didn't do their duty properly. One Mountie said Ernest's escape was "the greatest blow the Mounties had received."
The Big Manhunt
After the escape, a huge search began. People reported seeing Ernest all over Alberta. Most of these reports turned out to be wrong. However, Ernest was actually seen in Calgary around Christmas time.
Eventually, Ernest needed food and a place to stay. He started breaking into homes. He forced people living there to give him food and clothes. These reports helped the Mounties follow his path.
Later, it was discovered that Ernest had been keeping track of the police search. He did this by reading newspapers. He had never been more than 6 miles (about 10 kilometers) from Calgary during his time on the run.
Capture and End of the Chase
On January 24, 1904, the police received a tip. Someone said Ernest was hiding in the cellar of a farmhouse outside Calgary. A large group of officers was sent to catch him.
On their way, they searched every building they passed. They found a haystack near the farmhouse that had a small living space hollowed out inside it. Convinced they were close, some officers began to search the farmhouse.
One officer started to go down into the cellar. Suddenly, a gunshot rang out from below. As the officer backed away, Ernest came out. There was a short exchange of gunfire, but no one was hit at first. Finally, Ernest was shot in the foot. He went back into the farmhouse cellar.
The main group of police officers quickly surrounded the farmhouse. The officer in charge decided to burn the house to force Ernest out. Ernest called out that he would give up if they promised not to shoot him. They agreed to this. Ernest threw out his guns and surrendered to the Mounties.
Final Days
Ernest Cashel was taken into custody. He was brought back to the very same cell he had escaped from about 45 days earlier. On the way, he told the police he always knew what they were doing. He said he could have escaped back to the United States at any time. But he stayed near Calgary hoping to rescue his brother.
He was quickly taken to court. A new date was set for his hanging, just nine days later.
Ernest Cashel was hanged on February 2, 1904. This happened at the North-West Mounted Police barracks in Calgary. He was buried in an unmarked grave. This grave was in the potter's field section of Calgary's Union Cemetery.
