You won’t take me, dead or alive.1929 (2) Some back ground leading up to the shooting of Charles Aiken

The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate. Parramatta NSW. Friday 25 February 1927

SPUN A TALE

Bogus Travellers

"Snowing on Mountain’s''

Three young men went to tile Family Hotel at Rydalmere on the night of January 23.

In support of their application for a drink, they said that they lived in Katoomba, at which popular resort they had slept the night before. They signed the travellers' book to that effect.

"It was snowing up there last night," said one of the trio.

One of the three, William Frances Salisbury, appeared at the Parramatta Police Court on Wednesday, and admitted having falsely represented himself to be a traveler. 

Constable Willson said that the defendant lived at Pennanthills, six or seven miles from the hotel.

Salisbury was fined £5 with 8/- costs- Thomas Niass, another member of the trio, pleaded guilty' later in the day, and was similarly dealt with.

The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate.Parramatta, NSW

6 June 1929

ANOTHER CHARGE

Charles Thomas Aiken, at the Parramatta Police Court yesterday, was remanded for a week on a charge of vagrancy. Sergeant Williamson intimated that a charge of stealing would he preferred against the defendant. Bail was fixed at £10.

The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate Parramatta, NSW. Thursday 13 June 1929

Alleged Theft

Charles Thomas Aiken, at the Parramatta Police Court yesterday, was charged with' having stolen, at Galston on or about May 7th, a pair of white Shoes, a pair of trousers, a lantern, an electric torch, and a cap, the property of Elisha Harvey.

He was charged also with having stolen a gold dress ring, the property 'of Henry Ernest Small, at Dundas between March 1 and 31.

The charge of having stolen the ring was referred also against-Iris Gwendoline Aiken (21).  Both defendants were remanded for a week.

The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate Parramatta, NSW.Thursday 20 June 1929.

"GLIB CUSTOMER"

Old Mall Robbed

HOSPITALITY ABUSED

Elisha Harvey, an old aged pensioner living at Galson, was visited by Charles Thomas Aiken and a lad under 18, on May 7.

When they had gone he missed a pair of white shoes, a pair of trousers, a cap, an electric torch, and a scout lantern.

Aiken and the other at the Parramatta local court yesterday, were charged with having stolen these articles.

Both pleaded not guilty, Mr S P Harvey identified these articles in court as his property and told the story of the defendants visit to his abode.

In reply Mr kemp, he denied that he was drunk at the time.

Mr kemp: Did you have any wine there at all? -NO.

Harvey admitted that he had lent the defendants the lantern on condition that they brought it back. The other defendant, who said that Harvey was drunk, stated that Aiken took the articles.

Aikens story was that Harvey told them to make themselves at home-and help themselves.

Both defendants convicted.

The magistrate said he believed that the younger defendant was under the influence of Aiken “AIKEN” he said “is a glib customer. 

There is no doubt that he stole these articles from this poor old man, who may have had a drop too much “Aiken was fined 10 with 10/- costs. The other defendant released on probation.

The Cumberland Argus and Fruit growers Advocate Parramatta, NSW

Thursday 20 June 1929.

COUSINS CHARGED

Story of Missing Ring

ONE BLAMES THE OTHER

Iris Gwendoline Aiken was employed as a domestic for five weeks at the home of Henry Ernest Small at Dundas.

She left on Easter Saturday, subsequently, Small missed a gold ring, Later the ring was owned by Charles Thomas Aiken, the girl's cousin.  In fact, he pawned it, redeemed it, and pawned it again.

When arrested by Constable McCarthy at his home a West Pennant Hills, Charles declared that Iris had sold him the ring for five shillings.

Taken to the Parramatta police station by Constable Skehan, the girl denied her cousin's story.

Yesterday, at the Parramatta Police Court, they were both charged with having stolen the ring.

Mr. S. P. Kemp appeared for Charles; Mr. F. E. Murray for the girl.

The evidence for the prosecution showed that Charles Aiken had been in Smalls house on two occasions during the period his cousin was working there.

At the close of the case for the prosecution, the girl was discharged.

In the witness box Charles insisted that he had bought the ring from his cousin.

"Although it is a case of grave suspicion against the defendant," said the magistrate, "the evidence is not sufficient to justify me in convicting him of stealing, Charles also was discharged.

The Sydney Morning Herald. NSW.

Wednesday 25 September 1929

ESCAPE FROM LITHGOW LOCK-UP.

YOUTHS SCALE WALL OF

EXERCISE YARD.

LITHGOW, Tuesday.

Two youths, Thomas Charles Aiken, 19, and George Norman Niass, l8, escaped from the Lithgow Lock-up this morning by easing an iron bar from the roof of the exercise yard, scaling a high wall, and dropping into a lane adjoining the station.

Although the police are scouting the countryside, so far no trace of the escapees has been found.

The youths, who are of slim build, apparently stood in turn on each other's shoulders in order to dislodge the cement with a broom handle.

They effected their escape during the hours when exercise was allowed them by the gaoler, Constable Morren.

They had been arrested at the foot of Mount Victoria Pass early on Saturday morning on a charge of horse stealing at Barry, near Blayney, and were remanded yesterday to appear at Blaney Police Court.

It is alleged that they have been stealing horses throughout the country to assist them in their journey to Lynhurst, where one of them is believed to have relatives.

The police are keeping a close watch on roads leading to Sydney, but have not sighted the escapees. Reports were received by the

Lawson police that two men answering the description of those sought were seen close to the town, but later heard that the suspects had been given a lift in a motor car to Faulconbridge.

Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW: 1888 - 1954)

Wednesday 25 September 1929 

ESCAPEES FROM LITHGOW

ARE STILL AT LARGE

POLICE MAKING SEARCH

Sydney, Wednesday.

Thomas Charles Aiken and George Norman Niass, who escaped from the “Lithgow lockup” yesterday, are still at large.

They were located by the police from Lithgow and Katoomba shortly after 4 p.m. yesterday near Bulwarra, but after a chase they escaped into the bush. 

Organised parties of police are today searching the mountains for them.

The Canberra Times. ACT.

Friday 27 September 1929.

POLICE HUNTING

ESCAPEE STILL MISSING

Brothers Assisting

SYDNEY. Thursday.

A large force of police is now scouring the county side for George Niass.

The other of the Lithgow escapees. Niass' two brothers are assisting the police.

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)

Wednesday 16 October 1929

GEORGE NIASS SENTENCED.

BATHURST, Tuesday.

George Norman Niass, l8, who escaped from Lithgow lockup some weeks ago, and gave himself up at Parramatta police station, after his companion Thomas Charles Aiken, had been fatally shot by a constable at Rooty Hill when trying to evade arrest, was charged at Bathurst Police Court with having stolen a brown  pony mare, the property of George Morgan, at Kelso, on September 10, Niass pleaded guilty.

Sergeant Prior, of Lithgow, stated that when Niass and Aiken were arrested at the foot of Mount Victoria Pass they had four horses in their possession. 

Questioned regarding the brown pony, Niass said that a rabbiter, who was half drunk, made him a present of the pony near Bathurst, saying, "You can have her if you can ride her."

Mr. Rosendahl, who appeared tor Niass, in requesting that the defendant should be dealt with as a first offender, said that Aiken had exercised his influence over Niass, threatening and bullying him, until he became terrified.

They left Sydney together, and tramped the western districts In search of work. Niass was unable to shake off Aiken's influence.

Sergeant Prior said that from his observation of the men Niass was the shrewder and more pugnacious.

Niass was sentenced to three months' hard labour, the sentence being suspended on condition of his finding sureties for good behaviour for two years.

The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate Parramatta, NSW Thursday 30 April 1931

"TO WRITE"

Stole Pencils and Nibs

George Norman Niass, at the Parramatta, (Police court on Monday Pleaded guilty to a charge of having stolen one dozen pencils and a gross of  nibs, at the public school in William street Granville, on April 18.

The magistrate asked, “What were you going to do with all the pencils and Nibs? 

Take them home and write with them.

Niass, who had previous convictions was fined 10, default two months

(Insert at bottom of page)

"Flappers seldom attend church.-The modern miss.”

George Norman Niass Married Ethel Aiken at Ryde in 1932

The Sydney Morning Herald NSW

8 June 1949

NIASS George Norman -June 6 1949 (result of accident) formerly of 

Epping beloved husband of Ethel and dear father of Dorothy George Barbara Janet and Pamela aged 38 years

NIASS George Norman -June 6

1949 dear son in law of Mrs Elizabeth Aiken and brother in law of Ruby, Violet and Will aged 38 years

The Funeral of Charles Aiken soon after his death.

The Sydney Morning Herald NSW.

27 Sept 1929

DEATH.

AIKEN. —September 25, 1929, at Parramatta, Charles Thomas Aiken, dearly beloved husband of Roma Aiken, and beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Aiken, aged 20 years.  

FUNERALS.

AIKEN-The Relatives and friends of Mrs C. T. Aiken and Mr and Mrs C. A. AIKEN and FAMILY are kindly Invited to attend the Funeral of her dearly beloved HUSBAND and their SON and BROTHER Charles Thomas Aiken to leave the Parlours of William Metcalfe and Co Ltd, Church-street Parramatta, TO- MORROW (Saturday) AFTERNOON at 2.30 for Church of England Cemetery, Carlingford per

Motor Service. WILLIAM METCALFE and CO. LTD.

UW8839. Parramatta.

AIKEN -The Relatives and Friends of Mr W AIKEN and FAMILY are kindly Invited to attend  the Funeral of their dearly beloved NEPHEW  and COUSIN, Charles Thomas Aiken to leave the  Parlours of William Metcalfe and Co Ltd 117church-street Parramatta TO-MORROW (Saturday) AFTERNOON at 2.30 for Church of England Cemetery, Carlingford

WILLIAM METCALFE and CO LTD.  

UWB839. Parramatta.

The story of Charles Aiken's shooting..
http://leathemhistory.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/you-wont-take-me-dead-or-alive-life-and.html