He was, as may be readily imagined, under the greatest agitation, and as he observed a number of people gathering about, he at last decided to fly.
He jumped over the wall on the other side of the road, and as he did so a packet of letters fell from his pocket, just as he was jumping over the fence.
Mr. Dyson died in about an hour after he had been shot.
Peace managed to effect his escape.
How he contrived to get clean off has been a matter of surprise to everybody; and how he afterwards managed to elude the vigilance of the police and continue his lawless career in London and the suburbs, is still more surprising.
The following is his own version of his movements after the murder.
“I want it to be properly understood,” says Peace, “that, from the moment I left Bannercross on the 29th of September, 1876, I felt sure of making my escape.
“I felt I had no cause to do so, for I knew that I had done nothing wrong; for in the first place when it happened, I came down the passage and stood in the middle of the road not knowing what had happened.
“I did not know whether to run away or walk away, till I heard Kate (Mrs. Dyson) scream; and then not knowing what had happened, I took across the road and fields to Hentcleff (Endcliffe) crescent. I then walked to Broomhill Tavern, and took a cab into Church-street.
“I then went to see my mother, and remained with her for more than half an hour. I then went down to the Attercliffe railway station, and took the train for Rotheram.