14
Arriving at the station, Miki was anxious to take the train home to Montreal. Upon learning from the stationmaster that the next train wasn't due for another six hours, he purchased a ticket to Ottawa instead, since that train was due in about 20 minutes.After purchasing the ticket Miki sat on a bench in the waiting room, placed his packsack beside him and waited. The sooner he distanced himself from the scene of his latest crime, the better, and Ottawa would do just fine.
15
Miki's route across the Ottawa River to Cumberland Village and to Spears' Bush, Navan, Ontario2004
Cumberland Township, Ontario
16
This map shows Miki's route from the time he took the rowboat from Masson, Quebec late on the night of June 19th to a spot west of the Cumberland Wharf on the Ontario side of the Ottawa River. He walked south along Quigley Hill Road and then turned and walked west along Highway #17 (Old Montreal Road, today). At Frank Kenny Road he turned south and after a short walk, stopped in front of Bill Hodges' farm and slept in the ditch for a few hours.On the morning of June 20th he walked west through Hodges' fields until he came to Trim Road, where he turned and walked south again. Norman Edwards met him along the way and gave him directions to the train station. When Norman got home he called Dent to report Miki's appearance. Miki, in the meantime, had continued south and was eventually given a lift to Navan Village by Edlow Lancaster. From Navan's four corners, Miki walked west about half a kilometre along Smith Road until he arrived at the train station. The time was just before 10 a.m.
17
Norman Edwards1944
Cumberland, Ontario
18
Not long after stationmaster Bill Heintz sold John Miki a ticket for the 10:18 a.m. train to Ottawa, Constable Harold (Hal) Dent was in Rockland when he received a call from his friend Norman Edwards.19
Trim Road looking north toward Navan Village (early 1900s)1900
Navan, Ontario
20
Edwards recounted how he met a stranger at around 9 a.m. that morning on Trim Road, about five miles north of Navan Village. The stranger was alone and had been making his way south when Edwards stopped his Buick to talk to him.The man had a thick accent, appeared to be in his mid-30s and was solidly built – maybe as tall as 6'2" and 200 lbs. He was fair haired and partly balding. He was wearing old grey trousers, a brown shirt, blue - grey coat and heavy boots, the type you'd see a soldier wearing, though they appeared small for a man of his size.
21
Miki (actor) had concealed a Colt .45 revolver under his coat2004
Navan, Ontario
22
The man was carrying a packsack, and while there was no discussion regarding its contents, Norman's suspicions had been roused when he noticed what appeared to be the butt of a large pistol under the man's coat!23
Trim Road looking north toward Navan Village (early 1900s)1900
Navan, Ontario
24
During the short drive to his farm, Edwards determined that the stranger was German (though it was later confirmed that Miki was Finnish). When the stranger asked what he did, Edwards responded that he was a farmer and that he owned all the land on each side of the road. "And what do you do, sir?" he asked the stranger. "I am a seaman and I got off from down on the St. Lawrence, near Montreal, Quebec. Where can I catch a train to Montreal?"Edwards pointed south towards Navan Village and indicated that the station was about five miles due south and a short distance west.
25
Canadian Governor General: The Earl of Athlone, 1940 (Library and Archives Canada)1940
26
Edwards bid the man good day and drove to his farm house. By that time he'd made up his mind to call his friend Harold Dent, one of the local police Constables (the other being Sgt. Perry Harkness), and relate his meeting with the stranger.What, with the war on and the new Governor - General (the Earl of Athlone) due to arrive in Ottawa the next day, Edwards thought it best to alert the police. After all, this man had been carrying a gun!
27
Norman Edwards1944
Cumberland, Ontario
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