Mr. Crump who occupies a farm near Evesham, called Mount Pleasant, fetched his gun which was loaded, down stairs for the purpose of shooting rooks, &c., on his farm. In the kitchen he encountered his eldest child, a girl about five years of age; and while attending to her infantine talk, lodged the gun against the wall, to which another child unable to walk, crawled and threw it down; the concussion caused it to explode, and the contents were unhappily lodged in the shoulder of the little girl, who died from the injury about a quarter of an hour after the accident.
Also today, at a road-side public-house, at Llwynderw, near Welchpool, a boy had been permitted to have a gun to shoot sparrows, and the juvenile sportsman being unsuccessful in his efforts to kill birds, was good-humouredly taunted by a little girl (daughter of Mr. John Farmer, of the Golſa) about his want of skill, saying that she doubted whether he could even shoot her at the distance at which he then stood. The taunt, unfortunately, could not be brooked; thoughtless of consequences, the boy directed the gun towards the child, drew the trigger, and in an instant the poor child's head was shattered to atoms. An inquest was subsequently held, when a verdict of “Accidental death" was recorded.
Thursday 15 March 2018
Wednesday 14 March 2018
Frightful accident in a paper mill
A shocking fatality occurred at the paper manufactory of Mrs. Mary Crompton, at Collyhurst, Manchester. The sufferers were Eliza Jenkinson, twenty-eight years of age, house-servant to Mrs. Crompton, who was killed on the spot, her body being literally torn in pieces, and Mrs. Crompton herself, who lost her left arm.
It appears, that Mrs. Crompton was at the time engaged in “putting in " to one of the calendars, for Ann Horrocks, a female in her employ, who had just gone to dinner; the deceased servant came into the room to deliver a message. The room is nearly filled with the machinery.
On the left of the entrance was a large water-wheel, and on the right was the calendar at which Mrs. Crompton was employed, a narrow avenue, only sufficient for a person to pass, being left between them. Up to this avenue came two cog-wheels, and in passing the cog-wheels the deceased's clothes were caught by the teeth of the lower wheel. The wheels going at the rate of twelve to fifteen revolutions in a minute, the poor creature was instantly drawn into the hole under the wheel.
Mrs. Crompton perceiving her danger, ran to render what assistance she could, but she also became entangled. The assistance of some of the men being procured, the wheels were reversed, and Mrs. Crompton, who was found laid upon the deceased, was extricated.
She was severely injured, and her left arm was torn from her body, She was conveyed home, and efforts were then made to release the poor girl. The body presented a most frightful spectacle; she was lying under the hole of the wheel; all her clothes were torn off; her body was literally cut in two, from the lower part to the head; her entrails were torn out, and lay upon the floor; part of her face was torn away, and almost every bone in her body was broken. One of her legs was found on the opposite side of the wheel. The body, thus shockingly mangled, was conveyed to the Andrew's Arms, where an inquest was held on the same day before the borough coroner.
Evidence of the occurrence was given, but there was no proof of blameable neglect, except that the cog-wheels might have been partitioned off. The jury found that the deceased “died from lacerations and fractures accidentally received from a cog-wheel,” stating that had it not been for the injuries received by Mrs. Crompton in trying to extricate the deceased, they should have imposed a very heavy deodand on the machinery.
It appears, that Mrs. Crompton was at the time engaged in “putting in " to one of the calendars, for Ann Horrocks, a female in her employ, who had just gone to dinner; the deceased servant came into the room to deliver a message. The room is nearly filled with the machinery.
On the left of the entrance was a large water-wheel, and on the right was the calendar at which Mrs. Crompton was employed, a narrow avenue, only sufficient for a person to pass, being left between them. Up to this avenue came two cog-wheels, and in passing the cog-wheels the deceased's clothes were caught by the teeth of the lower wheel. The wheels going at the rate of twelve to fifteen revolutions in a minute, the poor creature was instantly drawn into the hole under the wheel.
Mrs. Crompton perceiving her danger, ran to render what assistance she could, but she also became entangled. The assistance of some of the men being procured, the wheels were reversed, and Mrs. Crompton, who was found laid upon the deceased, was extricated.
She was severely injured, and her left arm was torn from her body, She was conveyed home, and efforts were then made to release the poor girl. The body presented a most frightful spectacle; she was lying under the hole of the wheel; all her clothes were torn off; her body was literally cut in two, from the lower part to the head; her entrails were torn out, and lay upon the floor; part of her face was torn away, and almost every bone in her body was broken. One of her legs was found on the opposite side of the wheel. The body, thus shockingly mangled, was conveyed to the Andrew's Arms, where an inquest was held on the same day before the borough coroner.
Evidence of the occurrence was given, but there was no proof of blameable neglect, except that the cog-wheels might have been partitioned off. The jury found that the deceased “died from lacerations and fractures accidentally received from a cog-wheel,” stating that had it not been for the injuries received by Mrs. Crompton in trying to extricate the deceased, they should have imposed a very heavy deodand on the machinery.
Tuesday 13 March 2018
Frightful accident at Wombwell's menagerie
Mr. John Martin and a party of friends visited the menagerie a few days since at the Midlent Fair, Staffordshire. During the inspection they were accompanied by the keeper, who cautioned them against approaching too close to the wild beasts. Curiosity, however, induced Mr. Martin to put his hand into the tiger's den, to pat the outstretched foot of the animal, who was then lying at full length. He had scarcely done so, when the tigress, flying at him with all her fury, caught his arm in her teeth, and commenced crushing it. The wretched sufferer, amidst the most piteous moans and cries, endeavoured, but in vain, to draw back his lacerated limb. The keepers were obliged to apply heated irons to the furious animal's mouth and nostrils before it could be forced to let go its grasp. Besides being awfully torn by the brute's tusks, the arm was forced from the shoulder-socket.
Surgical aid was immediately called in, when it was found necessary to amputate the mangled limb. The occurrence is solely attributed to his own rashness, and the keepers were quite blameless.
Surgical aid was immediately called in, when it was found necessary to amputate the mangled limb. The occurrence is solely attributed to his own rashness, and the keepers were quite blameless.
Friday 9 March 2018
Outrage on a young lady
Frequent representations had of late been made to the Lord Mayor, of the alarm excited by a miscreant. who haunted the lanes and lonely places in the neighbourhood of the metropolis, for the purpose of terrifying women and children. For some time these statements were supposed to be greatly exaggerated. However, the matter was put beyond a doubt by the following circumstance.
A Mr. Alsop, who residing in Bearbind-lane, a lonely spot between the villages of Bow and Oldford, attended at Lambeth-street office, with his three daughters to state the particulars of an outrageous assault upon one of his daughters, by a fellow who goes by the name of the Suburban ghost, or “spring-heeled Jack." Miss Jane Alsop, one of the young ladies, gave the following evidence.
About a quarter to nine o'clock on the preceding night, she heard a violent ringing at the gate in front of the house; and on going to the door to see what was the matter, she saw a man standing outside; of whom she inquired what was the matter. The person instantly replied, that he was a policeman; and said, “For God's sake bring me a light, for we have caught spring-heeled Jack here in the lane.” She returned into the house, and brought a candle, and handed it to the person; who appeared enveloped in a large cloak. The instant she had done so, however, he threw off his outer garment, and applying the lighted candle to his breast, presented a most hideous and frightful appearance, and vomited forth a quantity of blue and white flame from his mouth, and his eyes resembled red balls of fire. From the hasty glance which her fright enabled her to get at his person, she observed that he wore a large helmet; and his dress, which appeared to fit him very tight, seemed to her, to resemble white oilskin.
Without uttering a sentence he darted at her, and catching her partly by her dress and the back part of her neck, placed her head under one of his arms, and commenced tearing her gown with his claws, which she was certain were of some metallic substance. She screamed out as loud as she could for assistance; and by considerable exertion got away from him, and ran towards the house to get in. Her assailant, however, followed her, and caught her on the steps leading to the hall-door; when he again used considerable violence, tore her neck and arms with his claws, as well as a quantity of hair from her head: but she was at length rescued from his grasp by one of her sisters. Miss Alsop added, that she had suffered considerably all night from the shock she had sustained; and was then in extreme pain, both from the injury done to her arm, and the wounds and scratches inflicted by the miscreant on her shoulders and neck, with his claws or hands.
This story was fully confirmed by Mr. Alsop and his other daughters. One of the daughters said, that the fellow kept knocking and ringing at the gate after she had dragged her sister away from him, but scampered off when she shouted from an upper window for a policeman. He left his cloak behind him; which some one else picked up, and ran off with.
The Ghost, alias “Spring-heeled Jack" again.
At Lambeth-street office, Mr. Scales, a respectable butcher, residing in Narrow-street, Limehouse, accompained by his sister, a young woman, eighteen years of age, made the following statement relative to the further gambols of “Spring-heeled Jack”:-
Miss Scales stated that on the evening of Wednesday last, at about half-past eight o'clock, as she and her sister were returning from the house of their brother, and while passing along Green Dragon-alley, they observed some person standing in an angle in the passage. She was in advance of her sister at the time, and just as she came up to the person, who was enveloped in a large cloak, he spurted a quantity of blue flame right in her face, which deprived her of her sight, and so alarmed her, that she instantly dropped to the ground, and was seized with violent fits, which continued for several hours.
Mr. Scales said that on the evening in question, in a few minutes after his sisters had left the house, he heard the loud screams of one of them, and on running up Green Dragon-alley he found his sister Lucy, who had just given her statement, on the ground in a fit, and his other sister endeavouring to hold and support her. She was removed home, and he then learned from his other sister what had happened. She described the person to be of tall, thin, and gentlemanly appearance, enveloped in a large cloak, and carried in front of his person a small lamp, or bull's eye, similar to those in the possession of the police. The individual did not utter a word, nor did he attempt to lay hands on them, but walked away in an instant.
Every effort was subsequently made by the police to discover the author of these and similar outrages, and several persons were taken up and underwent lengthened examinations, but were finally set at liberty,nothing being elicited to fix the offence upon them.
After this time, however, the attacks appear to have been discontinued.
A Mr. Alsop, who residing in Bearbind-lane, a lonely spot between the villages of Bow and Oldford, attended at Lambeth-street office, with his three daughters to state the particulars of an outrageous assault upon one of his daughters, by a fellow who goes by the name of the Suburban ghost, or “spring-heeled Jack." Miss Jane Alsop, one of the young ladies, gave the following evidence.
About a quarter to nine o'clock on the preceding night, she heard a violent ringing at the gate in front of the house; and on going to the door to see what was the matter, she saw a man standing outside; of whom she inquired what was the matter. The person instantly replied, that he was a policeman; and said, “For God's sake bring me a light, for we have caught spring-heeled Jack here in the lane.” She returned into the house, and brought a candle, and handed it to the person; who appeared enveloped in a large cloak. The instant she had done so, however, he threw off his outer garment, and applying the lighted candle to his breast, presented a most hideous and frightful appearance, and vomited forth a quantity of blue and white flame from his mouth, and his eyes resembled red balls of fire. From the hasty glance which her fright enabled her to get at his person, she observed that he wore a large helmet; and his dress, which appeared to fit him very tight, seemed to her, to resemble white oilskin.
Without uttering a sentence he darted at her, and catching her partly by her dress and the back part of her neck, placed her head under one of his arms, and commenced tearing her gown with his claws, which she was certain were of some metallic substance. She screamed out as loud as she could for assistance; and by considerable exertion got away from him, and ran towards the house to get in. Her assailant, however, followed her, and caught her on the steps leading to the hall-door; when he again used considerable violence, tore her neck and arms with his claws, as well as a quantity of hair from her head: but she was at length rescued from his grasp by one of her sisters. Miss Alsop added, that she had suffered considerably all night from the shock she had sustained; and was then in extreme pain, both from the injury done to her arm, and the wounds and scratches inflicted by the miscreant on her shoulders and neck, with his claws or hands.
This story was fully confirmed by Mr. Alsop and his other daughters. One of the daughters said, that the fellow kept knocking and ringing at the gate after she had dragged her sister away from him, but scampered off when she shouted from an upper window for a policeman. He left his cloak behind him; which some one else picked up, and ran off with.
The Ghost, alias “Spring-heeled Jack" again.
At Lambeth-street office, Mr. Scales, a respectable butcher, residing in Narrow-street, Limehouse, accompained by his sister, a young woman, eighteen years of age, made the following statement relative to the further gambols of “Spring-heeled Jack”:-
Miss Scales stated that on the evening of Wednesday last, at about half-past eight o'clock, as she and her sister were returning from the house of their brother, and while passing along Green Dragon-alley, they observed some person standing in an angle in the passage. She was in advance of her sister at the time, and just as she came up to the person, who was enveloped in a large cloak, he spurted a quantity of blue flame right in her face, which deprived her of her sight, and so alarmed her, that she instantly dropped to the ground, and was seized with violent fits, which continued for several hours.
Mr. Scales said that on the evening in question, in a few minutes after his sisters had left the house, he heard the loud screams of one of them, and on running up Green Dragon-alley he found his sister Lucy, who had just given her statement, on the ground in a fit, and his other sister endeavouring to hold and support her. She was removed home, and he then learned from his other sister what had happened. She described the person to be of tall, thin, and gentlemanly appearance, enveloped in a large cloak, and carried in front of his person a small lamp, or bull's eye, similar to those in the possession of the police. The individual did not utter a word, nor did he attempt to lay hands on them, but walked away in an instant.
Every effort was subsequently made by the police to discover the author of these and similar outrages, and several persons were taken up and underwent lengthened examinations, but were finally set at liberty,nothing being elicited to fix the offence upon them.
After this time, however, the attacks appear to have been discontinued.
Thursday 8 March 2018
Death by lightning
We have to record here the death, by a remarkable accident, of Mr. James Walker, of Arbroath. Mr. Walker had been in Montrose on business, and while returning in the evening on horseback, a vivid flash of lightning startled the animal when passing the bridge of Rossie Mills; and, after rearing and plunging for a moment, it sprung over the parapet-wall of the bridge into the den below. The fall, we are informed, is nearly thirty feet; and Mr. Walker survived the accident only a few minutes. The horse was killed on the spot.
This lamentable event threw a great gloom over the entire community of Arbroath. Mr. Walker was an active and enterprising merchant, and took a warm interest in every thing relating to the prosperity of the burgh.
This lamentable event threw a great gloom over the entire community of Arbroath. Mr. Walker was an active and enterprising merchant, and took a warm interest in every thing relating to the prosperity of the burgh.
Concealment of a stolen watch
An extraordinary case was heard at the Dublin police-office. A young gentleman, named Rathbane, charged Ann Lynch with having stolen his watch.
Complainant said he was passing through Marlborough-street, when he was followed by the prisoner, who snatched the watch out of his waistcoat pocket. He seized her on the spot, and had her given up to a policeman who was passing. She was brought to the station-house, and although the most rigorous search was made by a female, who was there for the purpose, it could not be found, and all hopes of recovering it were given up, complainant having concluded that the prisoner had dropped the watch in the street.
In the course of the night, however, she became ill in the station-house, and, without the aid of an emetic, the watch was forthcoming, although she acknowledged that she had completely swallowed it when she took it from the gentleman's pocket. What made the case more extraordinary was, that there were six or eight inches of black riband attached to it. It was a thin fashionable gold watch, but not at all a small one.
The magistrates wished to commit the prisoner for trial, but the complainant said he would not prosecute her, as he was sure, she had already suffered sufficiently. The magistrates said the complainant could not get his watch unless he prosecuted.
Complainant said he was passing through Marlborough-street, when he was followed by the prisoner, who snatched the watch out of his waistcoat pocket. He seized her on the spot, and had her given up to a policeman who was passing. She was brought to the station-house, and although the most rigorous search was made by a female, who was there for the purpose, it could not be found, and all hopes of recovering it were given up, complainant having concluded that the prisoner had dropped the watch in the street.
In the course of the night, however, she became ill in the station-house, and, without the aid of an emetic, the watch was forthcoming, although she acknowledged that she had completely swallowed it when she took it from the gentleman's pocket. What made the case more extraordinary was, that there were six or eight inches of black riband attached to it. It was a thin fashionable gold watch, but not at all a small one.
The magistrates wished to commit the prisoner for trial, but the complainant said he would not prosecute her, as he was sure, she had already suffered sufficiently. The magistrates said the complainant could not get his watch unless he prosecuted.
Tuesday 6 March 2018
Infanticide
Jane Reeves, a young woman, 21 years of age, cook in the service of Messrs. Jones and Chatfield, linen-drapers, No 3, City-road, was charged with having wilfully murdered her infant, one of whose arms had been found in a dust-hole at the residence of her employers in the City-road.
The head, which had likewise been cut off and the body were found in a ditch in the New North Road, Hoxton. There were various bruises on the head and body, which appeared to have been inflicted by knocking the infant against some hard substance.
Alfred William Wise, a serving-boy at the Blockmaker's Arms, Ashley-crescent, stated that about 1 o'clock in the afternoon of the 24th of January he was crossing the Shepherdess-fields with beer, and, opposite to the Bricklayer's Arms, in the New North-road, he saw two boys looking into the ditch, and one of them said, “ here is a child with his head off.” Witness saw the head, and at a little distance the body, wrapped up in a weekly newspaper. The left arm had also been cut off. Witness described certain appearances about the body, from which it was evident that the mother had not had medical attendance at the birth of the child. The neck was jagged, as if the head had been severed by a rough instrument. The body did not appear to have been long in the water; it was wrapped in the half of the Weekly Dispatch, dated July the 8th, 1838. It had no other covering on the body.
He saw no suspicious persons about the spot at the time; but on the previous evening as he was going in the same direction with his beer, he observed a woman near the ditch, with a basket in one hand, and a blue bundle in the other. She wore a brown cloak and white bonnet, and had the appearance of a servant. He heard her sigh heavily, and feared she was going to drown herself.
On seeing him she retraced her steps and passed him. Her hair hung over her face as if for concealment. He went on, and on his return he looked, but saw no more of her.
Mr. Preedy, of Chapel-street, Pentonville, a surgeon, coming by at the time of the discovery, told him to go in and get the head and body out, but before he could do so one of the boys jumped in, and placed both on the bank.
Mr. Preedy corroborated the testimony of the last witness as to the finding of the head and body. His opinion was that the head had been severed by some sharp instrument. He thought the child had been born alive, without receiving the requisite attention at the birth, and afterwards killed by dashing it against a wall, and that the head and arm had been cut off after death.
Police inspector Rawlinson, of the G division, found the arm of an infant corresponding precisely with the mutilated trunk, in the dust-hole, at Messrs. Jones and Chatfield's, on the day after the Coroner's Inquest.
The prisoner, who was the cook, at first denied all knowledge of it, but afterwards acknowledged that she had given birth to, and concealed in the dust-hole, a child, which she said was still-born; and being told that the arm had been found there, she declared that the other parts must be there also. The dust, however, was cleared out, and particularly examined, but nothing further was discovered.
Mr. Chatfield, the prisoner's master, said that about a fortnight before the finding of the body, the prisoner was taken ill and obliged to go to bed earlier than usual, but, on the following day, she resumed her household duties. Her mistress had entertained a suspicion that she was enceinte, and taxed her with it, but she positively denied it.
Elizabeth Reeve, a fellow-servant of the prisoner's, stated that, at the time mentioned by their master, she was aware of the illness of the prisoner, who slept with her, and that she had heard a child cry, but she denied all subsequent knowledge of it.
Grove, an officer, in the waiting-room, stated that the prisoner, in reply to some remark of his, had said, that she had a still-born child and put it in the ditch, but did not know the head was off.
The body, when found, was wrapped in part of the Weekly Dispatch newspaper, of July 8, and Mr. Chatfield said that he did take in that paper; but he did not file it, and could not say anything with respect to a paper of that particular date.
The jury acquitted the prisoner of the murder, but found her guilty of endeavouring to conceal the birth of the child.
The prisoner was sentenced to be imprisoned for two years in the House of Correction, with hard labour.
The head, which had likewise been cut off and the body were found in a ditch in the New North Road, Hoxton. There were various bruises on the head and body, which appeared to have been inflicted by knocking the infant against some hard substance.
Alfred William Wise, a serving-boy at the Blockmaker's Arms, Ashley-crescent, stated that about 1 o'clock in the afternoon of the 24th of January he was crossing the Shepherdess-fields with beer, and, opposite to the Bricklayer's Arms, in the New North-road, he saw two boys looking into the ditch, and one of them said, “ here is a child with his head off.” Witness saw the head, and at a little distance the body, wrapped up in a weekly newspaper. The left arm had also been cut off. Witness described certain appearances about the body, from which it was evident that the mother had not had medical attendance at the birth of the child. The neck was jagged, as if the head had been severed by a rough instrument. The body did not appear to have been long in the water; it was wrapped in the half of the Weekly Dispatch, dated July the 8th, 1838. It had no other covering on the body.
He saw no suspicious persons about the spot at the time; but on the previous evening as he was going in the same direction with his beer, he observed a woman near the ditch, with a basket in one hand, and a blue bundle in the other. She wore a brown cloak and white bonnet, and had the appearance of a servant. He heard her sigh heavily, and feared she was going to drown herself.
On seeing him she retraced her steps and passed him. Her hair hung over her face as if for concealment. He went on, and on his return he looked, but saw no more of her.
Mr. Preedy, of Chapel-street, Pentonville, a surgeon, coming by at the time of the discovery, told him to go in and get the head and body out, but before he could do so one of the boys jumped in, and placed both on the bank.
Mr. Preedy corroborated the testimony of the last witness as to the finding of the head and body. His opinion was that the head had been severed by some sharp instrument. He thought the child had been born alive, without receiving the requisite attention at the birth, and afterwards killed by dashing it against a wall, and that the head and arm had been cut off after death.
Police inspector Rawlinson, of the G division, found the arm of an infant corresponding precisely with the mutilated trunk, in the dust-hole, at Messrs. Jones and Chatfield's, on the day after the Coroner's Inquest.
The prisoner, who was the cook, at first denied all knowledge of it, but afterwards acknowledged that she had given birth to, and concealed in the dust-hole, a child, which she said was still-born; and being told that the arm had been found there, she declared that the other parts must be there also. The dust, however, was cleared out, and particularly examined, but nothing further was discovered.
Mr. Chatfield, the prisoner's master, said that about a fortnight before the finding of the body, the prisoner was taken ill and obliged to go to bed earlier than usual, but, on the following day, she resumed her household duties. Her mistress had entertained a suspicion that she was enceinte, and taxed her with it, but she positively denied it.
Elizabeth Reeve, a fellow-servant of the prisoner's, stated that, at the time mentioned by their master, she was aware of the illness of the prisoner, who slept with her, and that she had heard a child cry, but she denied all subsequent knowledge of it.
Grove, an officer, in the waiting-room, stated that the prisoner, in reply to some remark of his, had said, that she had a still-born child and put it in the ditch, but did not know the head was off.
The body, when found, was wrapped in part of the Weekly Dispatch newspaper, of July 8, and Mr. Chatfield said that he did take in that paper; but he did not file it, and could not say anything with respect to a paper of that particular date.
The jury acquitted the prisoner of the murder, but found her guilty of endeavouring to conceal the birth of the child.
The prisoner was sentenced to be imprisoned for two years in the House of Correction, with hard labour.
Escape from suffocation
A tradesman in Blackman-street, named Caston, carrying on the occupation of a “general dealer,” had a narrow escape from suffocation a few days ago, under singular circumstances.
Amongst some articles he had purchased at a sale was a diving apparatus, to enable the wearer to remain under water for a considerable time. Never having before seen a machine of a similar construction, Mr. Caston determined to try it in the first instance on terra firma, and for this purpose drew, the helmet or cap over his head, and then adjusted that part which fitted the lower extremities. He, however, omitted the most essential part of the apparatus - namely, the valve which admitted the air into that portion which fitted over his head and face.
This neglect nearly cost him his life; for when one of his servants entered the warehouse, Mr. Caston was discovered rolling about on the floor, enveloped in the diving apparatus, apparently in great agony. The servant entered just in time to extricate his master.
Amongst some articles he had purchased at a sale was a diving apparatus, to enable the wearer to remain under water for a considerable time. Never having before seen a machine of a similar construction, Mr. Caston determined to try it in the first instance on terra firma, and for this purpose drew, the helmet or cap over his head, and then adjusted that part which fitted the lower extremities. He, however, omitted the most essential part of the apparatus - namely, the valve which admitted the air into that portion which fitted over his head and face.
This neglect nearly cost him his life; for when one of his servants entered the warehouse, Mr. Caston was discovered rolling about on the floor, enveloped in the diving apparatus, apparently in great agony. The servant entered just in time to extricate his master.
Friday 2 March 2018
Concealment of Sex
An Inquisition was held in Westminster, on the body of a person who had been known for years by the name of Eliza Edwards, about 24 years of age. The inquiry was instituted by order of the Home Secretary of State.
The deceased and a sister resided in Union-court, Orchard-street, Westminster, and both were supposed to be kept women. Last week the deceased died, and there being no claimants for the body, it was taken to Guy's Hospital for dissection, when it was at once discovered that the deceased was a perfect man. The body had a very effeminate appearance; there was no appearance of a beard beyond that of a boy of 17, and the whiskers seemed as if they had been plucked out with a pair of tweezers. The hair of the head was light brown, and upwards of two feet long behind, of a soft glossy texture, and the whole appearance of the countenance was that of a female.
Dr. Clutterbuck stated, that he had examined the body of the deceased in St. Margaret’s workhouse, at the request of Dr. Somerville, who was desirous that he should identify the body as the person whom he had attended a few weeks before, under the name of Lavinia Edwards, at her lodgings near the Coburg theatre. He had attended the deceased for a dangerous inflammation on the lungs, He had no idea that the deceased was not a woman. He had attended her previously at the request of a gentleman named Thomas Smith, under whose protection the deceased lived, and who paid him several fees for his attendance. The deceased had always a very effeminate appearance, and a kind of cracked voice, not unlike a female.
Maria Edwards, who had passed as the deceased's sister, stated that she was born in Dublin, and was 17 years old. She had lived with the deceased constantly for the last ten years. The deceased was a performer on the stage, and travelled about the country, and played female characters: Witness mostly slept with the deceased. Last Wednesday night she went to bed with a wheezing in her throat and very ill; and about three o'clock called her up and said - “Maria, I am dying; it has pleased God to call me,” about five minutes after which she expired.
The deceased had beautiful long hair which hung in ringlets, and in the country she played under the name of Miss Edwards in the first line of tragedy. She never performed in London. The last place she played at was Tewkesbury. She had played, also, under the name of Miss Walstein. They had been in London about three years. The deceased was supported during this time by different gentlemen.
Mary Mortimer, residing in Union-court, stated, that she had known the deceased about 10 or 11 years, but never knew her sex until the present day. She had every reason to believe that the deceased died a natural death. She always appeared as a most lady-like woman, and had performed at the Norwich theatre. Witness had slept with the deceased repeatedly, and never for a moment supposed that she was a man.
Mrs. Shellett stated, that she collected the rents in Union-court. The deceased and her sister were not very regular in paying their rent. Witness heard the deceased cough, and thought at the time that it was a man. In answer to further questions the witness identified the body to the satisfaction of the Jury.
Juror.-It is almost impossible. Another Juror.- Look at the head of hair, and the ears pierced for ear-rings. Juror.-It is the most extraordinary case I ever met with; I almost doubt the evidence of my own senses. [A long conversation now took place amongst the jury, and, at last, further evidence was called in, and completely satisfied every one as to the identity of the body.]
Mr. Alfred Taylor, surgeon, stated, that he had examined the body of the deceased, and it was the same that he had seen in the dissecting room at Guy's Hospital. On opening the stomach he found it perfectly healthy; but the liver was much diseased, and presented that appearance seen in persons addicted to drinking, commonly called a drunkard's liver. The death was occasioned from disease of the lungs. The deceased was a perfect man. Some other questions were put to the witness, which excited the greatest astonishment from the answers, but the evidence was unfit for publication.
Mr. Ollier, surgeon, corroborated the evidence of the last witness. In addition he said that the body was covered with blotches. As soon as it was known at Guy's Hospital that the deceased was a man, information was sent to the parish authorities, and from that the inquiry took place.
A person here stepped forward, and said that from what he had seen in the newspapers, and understanding that the deceased came from Dublin, he was satisfied that he knew the party. About 12 or 13 years ago the deceased sometimes passed for a man and sometimes a woman. She had lately performed on the stage in the country in some principal tragic characters. He never knew that the deceased had a sister.
The following verdict was returned -
“That the deceased died by the visitation of God, and in returning this verdict, the Jury are compelled to express their horror at the unnatural conduct the deceased had evidently indulged in, and strongly recommend to the proper authorities that some means may be adopted in the disposal of the body, which will mark the ignominy of the crime.”
The deceased and a sister resided in Union-court, Orchard-street, Westminster, and both were supposed to be kept women. Last week the deceased died, and there being no claimants for the body, it was taken to Guy's Hospital for dissection, when it was at once discovered that the deceased was a perfect man. The body had a very effeminate appearance; there was no appearance of a beard beyond that of a boy of 17, and the whiskers seemed as if they had been plucked out with a pair of tweezers. The hair of the head was light brown, and upwards of two feet long behind, of a soft glossy texture, and the whole appearance of the countenance was that of a female.
Dr. Clutterbuck stated, that he had examined the body of the deceased in St. Margaret’s workhouse, at the request of Dr. Somerville, who was desirous that he should identify the body as the person whom he had attended a few weeks before, under the name of Lavinia Edwards, at her lodgings near the Coburg theatre. He had attended the deceased for a dangerous inflammation on the lungs, He had no idea that the deceased was not a woman. He had attended her previously at the request of a gentleman named Thomas Smith, under whose protection the deceased lived, and who paid him several fees for his attendance. The deceased had always a very effeminate appearance, and a kind of cracked voice, not unlike a female.
Maria Edwards, who had passed as the deceased's sister, stated that she was born in Dublin, and was 17 years old. She had lived with the deceased constantly for the last ten years. The deceased was a performer on the stage, and travelled about the country, and played female characters: Witness mostly slept with the deceased. Last Wednesday night she went to bed with a wheezing in her throat and very ill; and about three o'clock called her up and said - “Maria, I am dying; it has pleased God to call me,” about five minutes after which she expired.
The deceased had beautiful long hair which hung in ringlets, and in the country she played under the name of Miss Edwards in the first line of tragedy. She never performed in London. The last place she played at was Tewkesbury. She had played, also, under the name of Miss Walstein. They had been in London about three years. The deceased was supported during this time by different gentlemen.
Mary Mortimer, residing in Union-court, stated, that she had known the deceased about 10 or 11 years, but never knew her sex until the present day. She had every reason to believe that the deceased died a natural death. She always appeared as a most lady-like woman, and had performed at the Norwich theatre. Witness had slept with the deceased repeatedly, and never for a moment supposed that she was a man.
Mrs. Shellett stated, that she collected the rents in Union-court. The deceased and her sister were not very regular in paying their rent. Witness heard the deceased cough, and thought at the time that it was a man. In answer to further questions the witness identified the body to the satisfaction of the Jury.
Juror.-It is almost impossible. Another Juror.- Look at the head of hair, and the ears pierced for ear-rings. Juror.-It is the most extraordinary case I ever met with; I almost doubt the evidence of my own senses. [A long conversation now took place amongst the jury, and, at last, further evidence was called in, and completely satisfied every one as to the identity of the body.]
Mr. Alfred Taylor, surgeon, stated, that he had examined the body of the deceased, and it was the same that he had seen in the dissecting room at Guy's Hospital. On opening the stomach he found it perfectly healthy; but the liver was much diseased, and presented that appearance seen in persons addicted to drinking, commonly called a drunkard's liver. The death was occasioned from disease of the lungs. The deceased was a perfect man. Some other questions were put to the witness, which excited the greatest astonishment from the answers, but the evidence was unfit for publication.
Mr. Ollier, surgeon, corroborated the evidence of the last witness. In addition he said that the body was covered with blotches. As soon as it was known at Guy's Hospital that the deceased was a man, information was sent to the parish authorities, and from that the inquiry took place.
A person here stepped forward, and said that from what he had seen in the newspapers, and understanding that the deceased came from Dublin, he was satisfied that he knew the party. About 12 or 13 years ago the deceased sometimes passed for a man and sometimes a woman. She had lately performed on the stage in the country in some principal tragic characters. He never knew that the deceased had a sister.
The following verdict was returned -
“That the deceased died by the visitation of God, and in returning this verdict, the Jury are compelled to express their horror at the unnatural conduct the deceased had evidently indulged in, and strongly recommend to the proper authorities that some means may be adopted in the disposal of the body, which will mark the ignominy of the crime.”
Inquest
An inquest was held at Fovant, on the body of Jacob Light. It appeared that on the preceding Thursday evening, about half-past eleven o'clock, he left an inn in the village, for the purpose of proceeding to his dwelling, about a mile from that place.
He had walked as far as Lime-way-road, when, overcomeby liquor, he lay down on the right side of the road, where he remained during the night.
About 6 o'clock in the morning a waggon came down the hill, and the driver, on reaching the spot, heard a crack, as if a wheel had broken. On examination, however, he found that the noise had proceeded from the crushing of the man's head, one of the wheels having passed over it.
The body was taken on to his house, and left in the lower apartments, when, through the neglect of his wife, who it was supposed was intoxicated at the time, one of his dogs (the deceased being a rat-catcher) actually devoured the greater part of the man's head.
Verdict - “Accidental death, with a deodand of 1s, on the waggon.”
About 6 o'clock in the morning a waggon came down the hill, and the driver, on reaching the spot, heard a crack, as if a wheel had broken. On examination, however, he found that the noise had proceeded from the crushing of the man's head, one of the wheels having passed over it.
The body was taken on to his house, and left in the lower apartments, when, through the neglect of his wife, who it was supposed was intoxicated at the time, one of his dogs (the deceased being a rat-catcher) actually devoured the greater part of the man's head.
Verdict - “Accidental death, with a deodand of 1s, on the waggon.”
Sale of a Wife by her Husband.
The inhabitants of Carlisle witnessed the sale of a wife by her husband, Joseph Thompson, who resides in a small village about three miles from the city. He rents a farm of about 42 or 44 acres, and was married at Hexham, in the year 1829, to his present wife. She was a spruce lively damsel, apparently not exceeding 22 years of age, and appeared to feel a pleasure at the exchange she was about to make.
They had no children during their union, and that, together with some family disputes, caused them, by mutual agreement, to come to the resolution of finally parting. Accordingly, the bellman was sent round to give public notice of the sale, which was to take place at 12 o'clock. This announcement attracted the notice of thousands.
She appeared above the crowd, standing oa a large oak chair, surrounded by many of her friends, with a rope or halter made of straw round her neck. The husband, who was also standing in an elevated position near her, proceeded to put her up for sale, and spoke nearly as follows:-
"Gentlemen. I have to offer to your notice my wife, Mary Ann Thompson, otherwise Williamson, whom I mean to sell to the highest and fairest bidder. Gentlemen, it is her wish as well as mine to part for ever. She has been to me only a bosom serpent. I took her for my comfort, and the good of my house, but she became my tormentor, a domestic curse, a night invasion, and a daily devil. Gentlemen, I speak truth from my heart, when I say, may God deliver us from troublesome wives and frolicsome widows. Avoid them as you would a mad dog, a roaring lion, a loaded pistol, cholera morbus, Mount Etna, or any other pestilential phenomena in nature.
Now I have shown you the dark side of my wife, and told you her faults and her failings, I will now introduce the bright and sunny side of her, and explain her qualifications and goodness. She can read novels and milk cows; she can laugh and weep with the same ease that you could take a glass of ale when thirsty: indeed, gentlemen, she reminds me of what the poet says of women in general -
"Heaven gave to women the peculiar grace,
To laugh, to weep, and cheat the human race."
She can make butter and scold the maid, she can sing Moore's melodies, and plait her frills and caps; she cannot make rum, gin, or whisky; but she is a good judge of the quality from long experience in tasting them. I therefore offer her with all her perfections and imperfections, for the sum of 50s.”
After an hour or two, she was purchased by Henry Mears, a pensioner, for the sum of 20s. and a Newfoundland dog. The happy couple immediately left town together, amidst the shouts and huzzas of the multitude, in which they were joined by Thompson, who, with the greatest good humour imaginable, proceeded to put the halter, which his wife had taken off, round the neck of his newly acquired Newfoundland dog, and then proceeded to the first public-house, where he spent the remainder of the day.
They had no children during their union, and that, together with some family disputes, caused them, by mutual agreement, to come to the resolution of finally parting. Accordingly, the bellman was sent round to give public notice of the sale, which was to take place at 12 o'clock. This announcement attracted the notice of thousands.
She appeared above the crowd, standing oa a large oak chair, surrounded by many of her friends, with a rope or halter made of straw round her neck. The husband, who was also standing in an elevated position near her, proceeded to put her up for sale, and spoke nearly as follows:-
"Gentlemen. I have to offer to your notice my wife, Mary Ann Thompson, otherwise Williamson, whom I mean to sell to the highest and fairest bidder. Gentlemen, it is her wish as well as mine to part for ever. She has been to me only a bosom serpent. I took her for my comfort, and the good of my house, but she became my tormentor, a domestic curse, a night invasion, and a daily devil. Gentlemen, I speak truth from my heart, when I say, may God deliver us from troublesome wives and frolicsome widows. Avoid them as you would a mad dog, a roaring lion, a loaded pistol, cholera morbus, Mount Etna, or any other pestilential phenomena in nature.
Now I have shown you the dark side of my wife, and told you her faults and her failings, I will now introduce the bright and sunny side of her, and explain her qualifications and goodness. She can read novels and milk cows; she can laugh and weep with the same ease that you could take a glass of ale when thirsty: indeed, gentlemen, she reminds me of what the poet says of women in general -
"Heaven gave to women the peculiar grace,
To laugh, to weep, and cheat the human race."
She can make butter and scold the maid, she can sing Moore's melodies, and plait her frills and caps; she cannot make rum, gin, or whisky; but she is a good judge of the quality from long experience in tasting them. I therefore offer her with all her perfections and imperfections, for the sum of 50s.”
After an hour or two, she was purchased by Henry Mears, a pensioner, for the sum of 20s. and a Newfoundland dog. The happy couple immediately left town together, amidst the shouts and huzzas of the multitude, in which they were joined by Thompson, who, with the greatest good humour imaginable, proceeded to put the halter, which his wife had taken off, round the neck of his newly acquired Newfoundland dog, and then proceeded to the first public-house, where he spent the remainder of the day.
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