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.
Wednesday, 28 September 2016
Unnatural offences
At the Lancaster assizes, which closed this day, 13 prisoners received sentence of death: John Barlow, for stealing six pieces of calico; Luke Lockard and Peter Higgins, for forgery; James Sidebottom, for stealing a waistcoat, &c. Ralph Bolton, for a burglary; Charles Johnson and Robert Thomas, for forgery; James Yates, for wounding and ravishing Mary Hoyle, of Spolland; Isaac Hitchen, aged 62, for an assault, with intent to commit an unnatural crime on John Knight (he was one of the most affluent men in Warrington; his wealth is said to exceed 60,000l.) James Stockton, Thomas Fox, and Joseph Holland, for a similar offence on Thomas Taylor; and John Powell, for an unnatural crime with John Knight.
The judge (baron Graham,) in the most impressive manner, advised the eight last mentioned malefactors to prepare to meet the fate which the laws of their country had affixed to their heinous offences. Hopes of mercy were held, out to the other five.
It appeared on the trials of Hitchen, Stockton, Fox, Holland, and Powell, that they regularly assembled at the house of Hitchen, on Monday and Friday evenings; and that they called one another brother. The judge very properly ordered that no notes should be taken on these trials, nor any young persons be allowed to be present at them, five of the persons charged with unnatural offences were admitted as evidences for the crown.
Stockton, Powell, Holland, Lockard, Higgins, and Yates were executed on the 13th, on the new drop, erected at the back of the castle.
Stockton first ascended the scaffold; he appeared much agitated, indeed his limbs seemed almost inadequate to their task. Powell seemed much affected, though he did not display such dejection as the former. Holland appeared in a state of the greatest agitation; the contrition of his countenance truly indicated the penitence of his mind; on the scaffold 'his feeling appeared the most acute; he seemed impressed with all the horrors consequent to a situation so awful; and to implore the pardon of Almighty God with the greatest fervency. He was a man advanced in years, of a gentlemanly appearance, and possessed of a handsome property. Yates (a young man) ran up the scaffold steps, and seemed little affected; Lockard and Higgins (young men) appeared greatly dejected, Hitchen and Fox are respited.
The judge (baron Graham,) in the most impressive manner, advised the eight last mentioned malefactors to prepare to meet the fate which the laws of their country had affixed to their heinous offences. Hopes of mercy were held, out to the other five.
It appeared on the trials of Hitchen, Stockton, Fox, Holland, and Powell, that they regularly assembled at the house of Hitchen, on Monday and Friday evenings; and that they called one another brother. The judge very properly ordered that no notes should be taken on these trials, nor any young persons be allowed to be present at them, five of the persons charged with unnatural offences were admitted as evidences for the crown.
Stockton, Powell, Holland, Lockard, Higgins, and Yates were executed on the 13th, on the new drop, erected at the back of the castle.
Stockton first ascended the scaffold; he appeared much agitated, indeed his limbs seemed almost inadequate to their task. Powell seemed much affected, though he did not display such dejection as the former. Holland appeared in a state of the greatest agitation; the contrition of his countenance truly indicated the penitence of his mind; on the scaffold 'his feeling appeared the most acute; he seemed impressed with all the horrors consequent to a situation so awful; and to implore the pardon of Almighty God with the greatest fervency. He was a man advanced in years, of a gentlemanly appearance, and possessed of a handsome property. Yates (a young man) ran up the scaffold steps, and seemed little affected; Lockard and Higgins (young men) appeared greatly dejected, Hitchen and Fox are respited.
Precipitated into eternity
Nottingham. - A dreadful accident occurred yesterday at the Canal Company's wharf, by the explosion of gunpowder in a boat. The vessel was lying in the basin under the arch of the Company's warehouse, and some men were employed in landing the cargo, when in an instant an explosion took place which threw the whole town into consternation, and spread the most extensive devastation throughout the neighbourhood. The report was so tremendous as to be heard at a distance of many miles, and every house in the town was shaken as if by an earthquake.
The Company's warehouse, with all its contents, was completely blown into the air, and not a vestige of the building remains. The fragments were scattered over the meadows to a considerable distance, and the boat was in part shivered to pieces, and the rest sunk. Several roofs were carried off from the adjoining buildings, lead and tiles torn off, window-frames blown out, and hundreds of windows demolished.
But the most dreadful part of the calamity is the extensive destruction of human life, no less than eleven persons, already ascertained, having been precipitated into eternity, besides two taken to the hospital, who are not expected to survive.
The mangled remains of eight men and a boy had been collected last night, and two more were known to be buried amongst the ruins. The bodies presented a shocking spectacle; two men were found lying on the edge of the boat, with their heads completely taken off; two others lay near the gateway of the yard, with their skulls dashed to pieces, and otherwise disfigured; two other bodies were found in the meadows, having been blown across the canal, one to a distance of about one hundred yards, and the other more than three hundred yards, and the limbs and flesh scattered about in different directions; another was taken out of the ruins a complete trunk, with both legs and arms blown off; and the remaining two mangled in a manner equally shocking. Most of them were married-men, and had families.
The accident (as related by a boatman belonging to another vessel lying near, and who happily escaped with a few light bruises) originated by a youth of the name of Cross, the son of a boat-owner, imprudently fetching a hot cinder from another boat, and applying it to some loose powder which lay scattered about, with a view of having a "flash,'' as he termed it. The consequence was, that the fire communicated instantly by a sort of train to the cask from whence it had dropped out, which ignited, and setting fire to five other barrels, the whole exploded with a most tremendous noise.
The damage is estimated at many thousand pounds - some calculations go as high as 30,000/., but certainly it is very great.
Mr. Wilkes, the Agent of the Company, was fortunately from home on a journey, and the bookkeeper had only left the premises about some business not more than ten minutes before the accident happened. The explosion took place about 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
Amongst the property destroyed was a large quantity of corn in the warehouse in sacks and loose. The papers and books were fortunately deposited in a counting-house at some distance from the warehouse, which escaped destruction. A waggon belonging to Mr. Hooton was standing in the yard, and the waggoner, who was near the shaft horse at the time lost his life; the waggon was utterly destroyed, and two of the horses in the team killed on the spot.
The boy that was killed was a son of Mr Howell; he was going on board with the intent of gathering some of the loose powder when the explosion took place; his two companions (boys), who were waiting for him at a short distance, happily escaped without other injury than being slightly struck in the face. The other sufferers were principally boatmen and labourers about the wharf.
Mr. Wilkes's house, which stands near the gateway, sustained comparatively little injury; the windows and the furniture in the house were for the most part demolished; Mrs. Wilkes was thrown with great violence from a table to the other side of the house, but escaped without other injury than what arose from the suddenness of the shock and the fright.
One person crawled out of the ruins unhurt, owing to several beams falling crossways over him, which fortunately preserved his life.
The ground-floor of the warehouse was of stone, and such was the power of the explosion, that a large portion of the pavement was driven six or seven feet into the solid earth.
The bodies of the sufferers now lie at the Navigation inn for the Coroner's inquest.
The Company's warehouse, with all its contents, was completely blown into the air, and not a vestige of the building remains. The fragments were scattered over the meadows to a considerable distance, and the boat was in part shivered to pieces, and the rest sunk. Several roofs were carried off from the adjoining buildings, lead and tiles torn off, window-frames blown out, and hundreds of windows demolished.
But the most dreadful part of the calamity is the extensive destruction of human life, no less than eleven persons, already ascertained, having been precipitated into eternity, besides two taken to the hospital, who are not expected to survive.
The mangled remains of eight men and a boy had been collected last night, and two more were known to be buried amongst the ruins. The bodies presented a shocking spectacle; two men were found lying on the edge of the boat, with their heads completely taken off; two others lay near the gateway of the yard, with their skulls dashed to pieces, and otherwise disfigured; two other bodies were found in the meadows, having been blown across the canal, one to a distance of about one hundred yards, and the other more than three hundred yards, and the limbs and flesh scattered about in different directions; another was taken out of the ruins a complete trunk, with both legs and arms blown off; and the remaining two mangled in a manner equally shocking. Most of them were married-men, and had families.
The accident (as related by a boatman belonging to another vessel lying near, and who happily escaped with a few light bruises) originated by a youth of the name of Cross, the son of a boat-owner, imprudently fetching a hot cinder from another boat, and applying it to some loose powder which lay scattered about, with a view of having a "flash,'' as he termed it. The consequence was, that the fire communicated instantly by a sort of train to the cask from whence it had dropped out, which ignited, and setting fire to five other barrels, the whole exploded with a most tremendous noise.
The damage is estimated at many thousand pounds - some calculations go as high as 30,000/., but certainly it is very great.
Mr. Wilkes, the Agent of the Company, was fortunately from home on a journey, and the bookkeeper had only left the premises about some business not more than ten minutes before the accident happened. The explosion took place about 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
Amongst the property destroyed was a large quantity of corn in the warehouse in sacks and loose. The papers and books were fortunately deposited in a counting-house at some distance from the warehouse, which escaped destruction. A waggon belonging to Mr. Hooton was standing in the yard, and the waggoner, who was near the shaft horse at the time lost his life; the waggon was utterly destroyed, and two of the horses in the team killed on the spot.
The boy that was killed was a son of Mr Howell; he was going on board with the intent of gathering some of the loose powder when the explosion took place; his two companions (boys), who were waiting for him at a short distance, happily escaped without other injury than being slightly struck in the face. The other sufferers were principally boatmen and labourers about the wharf.
Mr. Wilkes's house, which stands near the gateway, sustained comparatively little injury; the windows and the furniture in the house were for the most part demolished; Mrs. Wilkes was thrown with great violence from a table to the other side of the house, but escaped without other injury than what arose from the suddenness of the shock and the fright.
One person crawled out of the ruins unhurt, owing to several beams falling crossways over him, which fortunately preserved his life.
The ground-floor of the warehouse was of stone, and such was the power of the explosion, that a large portion of the pavement was driven six or seven feet into the solid earth.
The bodies of the sufferers now lie at the Navigation inn for the Coroner's inquest.
Spring guns
Spring Guns. - Yesterday morning died, Charles Grant, Esq., an eminent Russian broker, of Globe-road, Mile-end. On Sunday se'nnight, about 10 at night, he took his usual walk round his ground, previous to retiring to rest. Not being aware his servants had set the spring-gun which had recently been placed there, in consequence of the numerous depredations committed, he trod upon the wire, and received 5 slugs in the back part of his thigh.
Sir W. Blizard extracted the slugs, and faint hopes were entertained of his recovery until Saturday night, the fifth, when a mortification ensued and terminated his existence. He has left a wife and two children.
Sir W. Blizard extracted the slugs, and faint hopes were entertained of his recovery until Saturday night, the fifth, when a mortification ensued and terminated his existence. He has left a wife and two children.
Sunday, 25 September 2016
Most fondly attached
About five o'clock in the afternoon, a dreadful occurrence took place in Portman-square. The Lady of Dr. Charles Dalston Nevinson, after taking her usual walk in the enclosure of the square, had just closed the gate, and was crossing the footway upon her return home, when a horse drawing a gig took fright, and running with great fury, brought the shaft of the vehicle in contact with her head, and literally dashed it to pieces. The blood flowed profusely, and she died in a few minutes after.
The lady was the mother of three children. She was about thirty-three years of age, and extremely interesting.
Her remains were conveyed to her residence, and the scene of affliction which they caused there to a husband and to children who were most fondly attached to her, cannot be described.
The lady was the mother of three children. She was about thirty-three years of age, and extremely interesting.
Her remains were conveyed to her residence, and the scene of affliction which they caused there to a husband and to children who were most fondly attached to her, cannot be described.
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