Old Bailey - Extorting money under an infamous threat. William Arnold (a soldier, aged 20) was capitally indicted for assaulting Thomas Allison, on the 3rd of April, and taking from his person by violence and threats a 1/. note.
The prosecutor deposed that he resided in the service of Surteis, esq. in Montague-square. On Sunday, the 2nd inst., he was returning home from Halkin-street, through Hyde-park, about 8 o'clock in the evening, when he was overtaken by the prisoner at Grosvenor-gate, who suddenly turned round and said, "How do you do? I think I know you, Sir; you live, I believe, in Baker-street, or somewhere thereabouts." Witness replied that he was mistaken, for he resided at No. 31, Montague-square. To this the prisoner rejoined, "Oh yes, 31; why you are the very man I want." Witness answered, with surprise, "Want me! what can you want with me?" The prisoner said, it was concerning that letter he had sent him. Witness asked, what letter? and the prisoner said, it was the letter he had sent him, inviting him to come and spend an evening with him. Witness denied all knowledge of such a document; but the prisoner told him it would not do, and said to him, "I'll tell you what, if you don't come down, I'll croup you'' (have him imprisoned). Witness said, "I suppose 'tis money you want," and gave him a shilling. The prisoner exclaimed, "D n your shilling," and kept following him on, using the most shameful threats, until he reached his master's house. Witness then said to him, "There is the house in which I live; I am not ashamed to show it you." The prisoner upon this said, "I'll be satisfied that you do live there, and I'll see you go in too." Witness was just going in, when he said to him, "Now, I'll tell you what it is; if you give me a one-pound note, I'll never accuse you of such a thing again." Witness said, he had not got a note about him: but the prisoner told him to go and borrow it of his fellow-servants; but he told him he could not do this, but would meet him the next day at half-past 12 o'clock. He agreed to this, and went away. Witness was so alarmed and agitated at the moment, as well as when he got into the house, that he was utterly unable to speak.
His reason for fixing half-past 12, as the hour of meeting him on the following day, was, because the family were going to the country an hour sooner, and he thought in the interim he should have time to acquaint the police-officers. The family, however, delayed some time, and while the carriage was at the door he saw the prisoner at a short distance waiting for him. Witness felt excessive fear and agitation; and, in the hope of getting rid of the prisoner for ever, he went to him and said, "Now, if I give you a 1/. note, will you ever come nigh me again?" The prisoner replied, "Certainly never," took the note, and went away.
Witness thought he had lost sight of him for ever; but on the Thursday evening following, a dirty-looking boy came to his master's house with a letter, directed to " John, the footman." Witness told him John was out with the carriage, but desired him to come again in an hour. When that time had expired the prisoner himself came, and said to him rather angrily, "I sent you a letter an hour since, but you would not read it - there, take it now; go in and read it, and then come out to me.''
Witness went in and read the letter, which ran thus:- "Sir, - The money I received from you I have made rather free with, in drinking, and have stayed too long from my regiment. I fear I cannot join it again, but must go into the country, and something therefore must be done." After a short time witness went out to speak to the prisoner, when he was accosted by two other men, habited in soldiers' great coats. He asked what they all meant by coming there, to charge him with so foul a crime? None of them made any particular answer to this; but one of them observed, he (meaning the prisoner) must leave his regiment, and go into the country; he must therefore have other clothes, and four or five pounds to keep him until he got employment. Another said, "Something must be done, for now we've got you (meaning witness), and you must come down." Witness then promised, that, if the prisoner would meet him the next evening, he would have ready for him a suit of clothes, and he should also look up what money he could. He then gave them a shilling to drink, but they d d his shilling, and he gave them three. They then all went away. Witness could not swear positively to the two other men he saw on this occasion, but he saw the name of one of them in the papers of Wednesday. His name was Thomas Dwyer.
Witness next morning informed Pyall and other officers, together with his fellow-servants, of the transaction, and means were taken to secure the prisoner at night.
The latter came at the appointed hour, accompanied, however, by three other persons. The officers were in waiting at a public-house, and, as soon as the prisoner made his appearance, witness desired one of the servants to give the officers the signal, while he himself desired the prisoner to go to the public-house, where he would give him a nice suit of clothes. He did so, and Pyall coming up at the moment, witness charged him with having extorted from him a 1/. note, and he was secured. The other three men fled upon the instant, and escaped.
Pyall and others confirmed the testimony of the prosecutor. After the prisoner was taken in charge, he never denied the accusation made against him, but continually said it was another that had led him into it.
The jury, without hesitation, found the prisoner Guilty - Death.
Wednesday 12 October 2016
Monday 10 October 2016
The maniac died a few days afterwards
At Leeds, a strange discovery has lately been made of a human being, who has been incarcerated in chains in the house of his parents, for upwards of 15 years.
The mother of this unfortunate young man, whose name is Benjamin Surr, applied to the committee of the Leeds Workhouse, stating that she was in want of relief for her son, who was not of sound mind. The committee, on investigating the case, found that the family belonged to another township, Seacroft, we believe, and referred her to the overseers of that place. On the following day, the old woman haa fatal accident: while walking in the streets, she came upon piece of ice, and, falling backward, fractured her skull so dreadfully, that after languishing till Friday she expired.
One of the neighbours, moved by her situation, went into the house, and after rendering the last offices to her remains, walked into the cellar to wash her hands. She there heard a moan as from a human voice, and on examination she found that it proceeded from an object, so neglected and destitute, that it was difficult to say whether it was of the human or the brute species.
This discovery was communicated to the neighbours, and a considerable number of persons assembled round the house; but John Surr, the father of the family, had locked the door, and refused to admit any of them. The overseers and constable were then sent for. The old man, probably from an apprehension of the fury of the populace, refusing still to open the door, they were obliged to force their way into the house. On obtaining admission, they proceeded into the cellar, and here they found an unfortunate man squatted under the cellar steps, chained by a leg to the wall, and in so loathsome a state, that it was evident he had not been washed for years. "Sharp misery had worn him to the bone;" a few sacks and a little straw served him for a bed; his appearance was that of a spectre; and his bones had in several places penetrated through his skin, which was much excoriated.
As a first step, the parish officers ordered him to be taken to the workhouse; and on viewing a comfortable bed which had been prepared for him, he exclaimed - "What! is this for me? God bless you! you will go to heaven for this!" and other expressions of a similar import. Sometimes he conversed freely, but frequently incoherently. There was, moreover, a vacuity in his look, which showed a want of mind. He appeared, however, to be perfectly inoffensive and tractable, and it was evident that he knew and felt the difference between his present and his late situation.
When the young man, who seemed to be about thirty years of age, was taken to the workhouse, his father was taken to the prison, and underwent a private examination before the magistrates at the Court-house. The reason, we understand, that was assigned by the old man for keeping his unfortunate son in the situation in which he was found, was, that he was deranged in his intellect, and required restraint. It also appeared that the prisoner had always maintained a good character; and though it is impossible to justify his conduct towards his son, the nature of his offence was not judged to be cognizable by the law; it was therefore determined that he should be discharged.
The maniac died a few days afterwards, in consequence of the change in his treatment.
The mother of this unfortunate young man, whose name is Benjamin Surr, applied to the committee of the Leeds Workhouse, stating that she was in want of relief for her son, who was not of sound mind. The committee, on investigating the case, found that the family belonged to another township, Seacroft, we believe, and referred her to the overseers of that place. On the following day, the old woman haa fatal accident: while walking in the streets, she came upon piece of ice, and, falling backward, fractured her skull so dreadfully, that after languishing till Friday she expired.
One of the neighbours, moved by her situation, went into the house, and after rendering the last offices to her remains, walked into the cellar to wash her hands. She there heard a moan as from a human voice, and on examination she found that it proceeded from an object, so neglected and destitute, that it was difficult to say whether it was of the human or the brute species.
This discovery was communicated to the neighbours, and a considerable number of persons assembled round the house; but John Surr, the father of the family, had locked the door, and refused to admit any of them. The overseers and constable were then sent for. The old man, probably from an apprehension of the fury of the populace, refusing still to open the door, they were obliged to force their way into the house. On obtaining admission, they proceeded into the cellar, and here they found an unfortunate man squatted under the cellar steps, chained by a leg to the wall, and in so loathsome a state, that it was evident he had not been washed for years. "Sharp misery had worn him to the bone;" a few sacks and a little straw served him for a bed; his appearance was that of a spectre; and his bones had in several places penetrated through his skin, which was much excoriated.
As a first step, the parish officers ordered him to be taken to the workhouse; and on viewing a comfortable bed which had been prepared for him, he exclaimed - "What! is this for me? God bless you! you will go to heaven for this!" and other expressions of a similar import. Sometimes he conversed freely, but frequently incoherently. There was, moreover, a vacuity in his look, which showed a want of mind. He appeared, however, to be perfectly inoffensive and tractable, and it was evident that he knew and felt the difference between his present and his late situation.
When the young man, who seemed to be about thirty years of age, was taken to the workhouse, his father was taken to the prison, and underwent a private examination before the magistrates at the Court-house. The reason, we understand, that was assigned by the old man for keeping his unfortunate son in the situation in which he was found, was, that he was deranged in his intellect, and required restraint. It also appeared that the prisoner had always maintained a good character; and though it is impossible to justify his conduct towards his son, the nature of his offence was not judged to be cognizable by the law; it was therefore determined that he should be discharged.
The maniac died a few days afterwards, in consequence of the change in his treatment.
Monday 3 October 2016
She fell from a height of more than 400 feet
Paris, July 8 The extraordinary fete, which was some time announced, at Tivoli, took place on Monday night, and has been signalized by a frightful catastrophe. Among the numerous entertainments which had been promised to the public was, the ascent of Madame Blanchard in a luminous balloon, ornamented with artificial fire-works. Accordingly, at half past ten o'clock, this intrepid aeronaut, dressed in white, having also a white hat with feathers, entered the boat. The signal being given, the balloon rose gently, but by throwing out ballast, Madame Blanchard caused it to ascend more rapidly.
The Bengal fire-pots illuminated this brilliant ascent. The aeronaut waved her flag; and the air resounded with acclamations. Suddenly the balloon entered a light cloud, which completely extinguished the fire-pots. Madame Blanchard then ignited the artificial fire-works, which produced the effect expected, when some of the flying fusees were seen to direct themselves perpendicularly towards the balloon, and the fire communicated with its base. A frightful brilliancy instantly struck terror into all the spectators, leaving no doubt of the deplorable fate of the aeronaut.
It is impossible to paint what passed at this moment at Tivoli. Cries of agony burst forth in every direction; a great number of females suffered violent nervous attacks; and consternation was painted upon the countenance of every one.
The gendarmes instantly galloped towards the place where it was presumed she would fall, and the lifeless body of Madame Blanchard was, in a quarter of an hour, conveyed to Tivoli. She fell from a height of more than 400 feet, in the rue de Provence; the body was still in the boat, being caught in the cords by which it was attached to the balloon.
We need hardly add, that at the general command all the amusements ceased, and that no more fire-works were played off. A collection was instantly opened in favour of Madame Blanchard's family. The unfortunate woman was about 45 years of age.
The Bengal fire-pots illuminated this brilliant ascent. The aeronaut waved her flag; and the air resounded with acclamations. Suddenly the balloon entered a light cloud, which completely extinguished the fire-pots. Madame Blanchard then ignited the artificial fire-works, which produced the effect expected, when some of the flying fusees were seen to direct themselves perpendicularly towards the balloon, and the fire communicated with its base. A frightful brilliancy instantly struck terror into all the spectators, leaving no doubt of the deplorable fate of the aeronaut.
It is impossible to paint what passed at this moment at Tivoli. Cries of agony burst forth in every direction; a great number of females suffered violent nervous attacks; and consternation was painted upon the countenance of every one.
The gendarmes instantly galloped towards the place where it was presumed she would fall, and the lifeless body of Madame Blanchard was, in a quarter of an hour, conveyed to Tivoli. She fell from a height of more than 400 feet, in the rue de Provence; the body was still in the boat, being caught in the cords by which it was attached to the balloon.
We need hardly add, that at the general command all the amusements ceased, and that no more fire-works were played off. A collection was instantly opened in favour of Madame Blanchard's family. The unfortunate woman was about 45 years of age.
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