MEMORIES of FAMOUS TRIALS One Who Probably Attended More Trials During The

MEMO RI ES

O F FAMO US T RI AL S

V Y B A BY M S . L . E E L N RN A . " N U . C . . , , O O

' ‘ A n o t n on m an s m 1 0 mm: o anon " :

SE CON D [ MFR 3 551 0”

LON DON

’ S I SL E Y S LTD .

DUKE STREET CH RI N G cnoss w. c . 9 , A ,

1 90 7

TO TH E R IGHT HON OURABLE R I CH ARD EVE RARD B R ALV E RSTON E , A ON ,

" E LORD cnI Er J U STICE 01 N GLAN D, - I N REN EI I ERAN CE A SIN CERE TR I EN DSII I P or FI ETEEN

YEARS, DURI N G wmcn TIME H E R EPRESEN TED m

ISLE OT WIGHT I N EARLI AN EN T, Tms won:

13 AFFECTI ON ATELY DEDICATED 8? ms

H OLD FRIEN D , TH E AUT OR.

March 1907 .

TH E v E vel n H nr l is Burna has Re . y e y Vi lebo by been a constant attendant at celebrated trials fo r nearl w l e y half a ce ntury . H is father as the at R ev . us ta us B urna o f mer H all G v by So by , ’ e ices ershire for man ears rec o r o f Pe e r s L t , y y t St t ,

B e f rd and Can n of Mi le ham H is m he r d o , o dd . ot w as a s is er o f Maria isco un ess lentworth who t , V t G ,

was died three years ago in her I O I st year. She the au h er o f Mr H enr illeb is the uire o f d g t y V o , Sq ’ ’

Marham o rfol . Mr Burnab s mothe r s famil , N k y y w ere e n f llo w rs f h e h s H is ran father e o e o t c a e . k g d ,

Mr H enr ille b is hun e a ac o f s ta hound s y V o , t d p k g i n orfol H is bro he r Mr re e rick illebo is N k. t , F d V , w as Mas er o f the ra en fr m 1 8 1 8 1 and t C v o 3 3 to 5 , le f the ac of houn s to the co unt ma in t p k d y , k g ample provisio n by his will fo r the H untsmen and

V ill b is h un h H hi s Mr ru man e o te t e H . . W p . T d

8 r H nr lle b is f h x fro m 1 80 2 to 1 3 7 . M e y Vi o o t e ne t — generatio n commo nly known as The Squire

h h l W H un - n hun e t e e . . . c r 1 8 0 a d t d w o V o t y , 5 5, was twice Master o f the West Norfo lk from 1 859

8 - H e en e the rs on l 65and 1 7 577 . joy d pe a frie nd shi of the in whe n Prince of ales to wh m p K g W , o he i n ro uce arso n ac Rus sell the w ell- no wn t d d P J k , k

e nshire s r s man and it is ell remem re D vo po t , w be d ix x TO TH E READER

’ ha hen a isi r at an ri n ham on N ew ears t t, w v to S d g Y

E v e Parso n ac w as anc in the old ear o ut and , J k d g y

the ne w ear i n i h the rese n uee n he y w t p t Q , — — remarked to her then Pri ncess of Wales with the

c ur es O f the o ld sch o l hich alas " is no w in o t y o w , dy g out My dear I am the only man who will be ” able sa he has had his ho n ur the Pri nces s to y t o ,

a e him her han and sai You are u i e ri h g v d d, q t g t, Mr Russell ; no o ne else has eve r danced the o ld ” ear o ut and the ne w ear i n i h me e l n y y w t . Ev y

was e uca e at on he re he was a c n em rar d t d Et , w o t po y

h D r ll Mr A B l r f u e O f A . f ur he l o t e . a t a k gy , J o , E o f l in the rese n D uke of eaufo r the la e E g , p t B t, t

L or Rand o l h Churchill L rd Ro s ebe r Sir d p , o y ,

Re inal Po le - C are and rnes i ian no w L r g d w, E t V v , o d

w nsea— his life - lon fri n Af r ra n S a g e d. te g duati g with honours at O xford he became recto r o f

B rro u h - u- th —H ill L i s h u o e e ce e rs ire . H i s ﬁrs ife g , t t w ,

ho m he marrie i n 1 8 1 was Miss Wi nifre Crak w d 7 , d e, ’ a cousin o f the las t years captai n o f the H arrow l n She was r no n E eve . e w ed fo r he r beauty and c harm o f manner and ie at o merb H all in 1 8 d d S y 73 ,

at the a e of we n - two af er c hild r h i . H e g t ty , t b t

marrie se c n l the H on Mar are Ca d o d y . g t the ri ne

rskine au h e r of oh n Ca walla e r the four h E , d g t J d d , t

Baro n rs i ne and rea - ran - au h e r o f he E k , g t g d d g t t

fam us L r rskine the L r Chanc ll o o d E , o d e or o f

n lan . B his sec n marria e he had issue an E g d y o d g ,

l chil and au h e r Mr urnab i on y d d g t . B y s as fo nd o f his Dandie Di nmont dogs as Lord Brampton was TO THE READER xi

“ o f his errier ack and o e alias Mr mi h t J , J , S t a riz e- inner and usie are well kn n i n the p w , S ow ’ Mr B urn b e s o f n lan . a s r her the W t E g d y b ot , ce le ra e C o l nel re urna c mman e the b t d o F d B by, o d d

H rse uar s and was sai to be the s ro n es man o G d , d t g t

h i ish r Am n s ries of his f s f i n t e Br t A my . o g to eat o s tre ngth w as one of his carrying a pony unde r each

rm u the s airs of the ca alr barracks at Win s r a p t v y d o .

A s is ell kn n C l nel u rna ma a succes s w ow , o o B by de — ful trip i n a balloon across the Channel alone and with only a bis cuit and a bottle o f Apolinaris for

n H is h s i ue aine him he s b s us tena ce . p y q g d t o ri

H enan H e c n es Birmi n que t o f e . o t ted gham i n the Co nservative i nte re st i n 1 880 agai nst

Mr B ri h and Mr Chambe rlain and a mo numen g t , t ﬁfty feet high was erected to hi s me mo ry by

h o r i n men of the co ns i uenc The l n t e w k g t t y. Co o el w ill i n 1 8 a h a - as k ed 85 t t e B ttle of Abu Kle a. ’ The au ho r s l er sis er Mrs Manners- u o n t e d t , S tt , was probably the mo st beautiful woman o f the

r mar i n 1 h las cen u . She r e i 8 n H e nr t t y d, 53 , Jo y

M nn rs Su n s uire of elham a e s . tto , E q K , Nott Their house was destroyed by ﬁre soon after the

marria e and was rebu il Si r Gilber c g , t by t S ott . Mr Manners - S utton represented N ewark in the

Li ral in eres the c ns i uenc hich ﬁrs re urn be t t, o t t y w t t ed

Mr la s one arliamen as a C nse r a i G d t to P t o v t ve. The B urnabys claim to be the oldest family in

Leices ershir O n f heir ances rs re res n t e. e o t to p e ted N orthamptonshire in a parli ament of Edward the

Second.

P RE FAC E

Mv readers may wonder why I have attended so m x n rials Let e e lai . I n th many famous t . p e middle of the las t century the Ass iz e week gene rally brought i nto the county towns representatives of the ell- n wn families in the nei h urho and w k o g bo od, my ﬁrs t appe arance i n a C rown court was at the

rin Ass iz es of 1 8 6 he n I was a n b m Sp g 5 , w t ke y y mother to hear three cases tried be fo re Mr Jus tice ’ resswe ll in the o ld hi re H all facin Paul s C S , g St

C hurch and a inin the old rammar School at , djo g G

fo r was here ha r ram n Bed d. It t t Lo d B pto was

m ha mo m n edu cated. Fro t t e t I took a kee n i n eres i n the law c u r s and the ac uain t t o t , q tance of m famil i h m ear o ld frien Mr us y y w t y d d , J tice

Wi h man hel e increase ha i nt r e s . M g t , p d to t t e t any a time I ha e sat b him hen he was r i n cases v y w t y g , and as a lad I accompanied him on the old No rfolk i I t c rc uit. was a pleasure to me to attend the Old Bailey Sessio ns and listen to the speeches of famous a ca es e n a e o n ei her s i e and dvo t g g d t d , note the gradual unfolding o f the evidence generally — circumstanti al at the s ame time gathering an in s ight into the ex trao rdi nary and marvello us co m xiv PREFACE

binatio n o f good and evil in the characters of real

rama for I ha e ne er et met a c riminal in ho m d , v v y w was no t so me inh re n there e t good . — I have bee n asked by several friends amongst

wh m I number Mr Cec il Cha man no w the o p , exemplary Metropolitan Magistrate o f TowerStre et

— lace o n rec rd m me m ries o f famous rials to p o y o t . I am ve ry muc h inde bted to Mr Thomas ’ Ca lin the f rme r c ur eo us ed i o r of L lo d s t g, o o t t y

eekl N ew s a er i n hich m reminiscences W y p p , w y

e i n art a eare for man e ails co nnec e hav p pp d, y d t t d

h ral o f the rials and it has bee n m i n n wit seve t , y te tion in each o ne to prese nt any po ints o f law that

ha e arise n and re fer to cas es out o f th may v , to e co mmon whic h have bee n h eard within the old

f he Cen ral C riminal C ur and elsewh r walls o t t o t e e . H aving enj oyed the frie ndship of many j udges

a ne enera i n I ha e ven ure i e o f bygo g t o , v t d to g v anecdotes i n regard to many me mbers o f the

icial ench and it is i h feelin s of ra i u e j ud b , w t g g t t d and affe ction that I dedicate this book to my sincere

n the Lo r hief us i ce o f n lan —kn n frie d , d C J t E g d ow to all old C ambridge friends as Dick - a great

s un la e r and c mman in si nce his ele a and o d wy , o d g, v

the e nch the res ec of e er membe r f tion to B , p t v y o

b c n all the B ar and the pu li ge er y.

Altho u h we ma no t at the re se n ime g y , p t t , possess on the Bench the eloquence o f an Erskine carle s ill whils we can b as o f such a l 3. e o r S tt, t , t o t b

ud es as r Al ers ne the Mas ero f the lls j g Lo d v to , t Ro , PREFACE xv

Mr us ice Gran ham m alue fri en Mr us i ce J t t , y v d d J t

D a Mr us ice Bi ham Mr us ice elf and y , J t g , J t J man o hers and hils we ha e at the Bar such y t , w t v me l n as Sir s . in a ar Car n Sir . Edw d o , R B F d y , illie Ma he s Mr Rufus saacs and hers W tt w , I ot of the same s am w e nee ne er e s air h a t p, d v d p t t th e dignity and maj es ty of the law will no t be main aine t d. I n bidding an affectionate fare well to my friends

o n th e ench at the Bar and o n the ress wh se B , P , o

name is le i n I en ure to ho ha hese m g o , v t pe t t t , y i m erfec t m m ries ma be rea i h s me p e o , y d w t o i nterest by some with whom the links o f friend ship

ha e e en se ere for a ime and al ho u h it is v b v d t , , t g

“ impo ss ible to recover the years that the locust ” ha e ea en I ul fain ho u h in ain sa i n v t , wo d , t g v , y the wo rds o f the Latin po e t

O s i proe teritos re ferat mihi J upiter annos . V A LE .

EVELYN H EN RY VI LLEBOI S BURN AB Y.

Mart/I 1 90 7 .

CO N TE N TS

C HAPTER I

‘ ‘ SOME RANDOM RE COLLE C I I ON S OF THE OLD BAI L E Y, INCL UDING R EFEREN CE TO TH E MAN Y LEADING CH AR ACI ER S WH O H AVE PLAYE D A PR OH I N EN T PAR T I N THE

C HAPTER II

E AR LY “ COLLE CTION S AND GI AN T J UDGES OF TE E PAS T.

CHAPTER III GE S —C GRE AT J UD OCKB URN, B RE TT, B LACR B URN , H ARTIN

CHAP TER IV — v L OTHE R FAMOUS JUDGES SI R m z R o KE LY, LORD O E N MR STICE S E PHE N H R STICE KR A ‘I ‘ I N G MR B W , JU T , JU , STICE MA HE H R AR ON H AN N E LL LORD ALVE R JU T W, B C , ST N STONE , H R JU ICE KE N E DY, MR JUSTICE DAR LING, AN D

H R JUSTICE GRANTHAH .

CHAPTER V TICE H A K NS LORD B R A H R JUS W I ( H PTON ). CHAPTER VI

CHAPTE R VII

‘ ‘ DETE CTIVE S AND TH E A RD LA MON I MYSTE RY TR IAL.

CHAPTER VIII

E " PE RT E VIDE NCE .

C HAPTER IX TH E PAL H E R P OISO N IN G CAS E D I D COOK D I E FROM STR YCH NIN E ?

CHAPTER "

TH E ROAD MURDE R “ STER Y .

CHAPTER XI

TH E TRIAL OF H ULLI N S .

CHAPTER XII TH E TR IAL OF MU L LE R

" V II xviii CONTENTS

CHAPTER XIII THE FLOWE RY LAN D CASE AN D THE LE N NI E MUTINY CASE

CHAPTER XIV — TE E PE LI ZZI ON I CASEf A MAN WRON GFU LLY CON VICTE D OF

MURDE R . TH E NE E D FOR A CO URT OF CRIMINAL APPE AL .

CHAPTER XV

‘ ' THE TICH B ORN E CIVIL CASE , TE E E L I E AM MUR DE R AN D

THE PIMLICO MURDE R .

CHAPTER XVI R TE E WAIN WR IGH T T IAL. CHAPTER XVII

TE E YE OVIL MURDE R AND TH E N ETHE R BY H ALL MURDE R .

CHAPTER XVIII

TE E PE NGE MYSTE RY .

CHAPTER XIX 1 89 ’ D R LA N SON . POI SONING B Y ACONITINE . LOR D BRAMPTON S W A A ’ ‘ TH E ORY AS To H OW I T S DMI N I S I E RE D , AN D TH E

C ASE OP LE FR OY .

CHAPTER XX ’ E E R E RE R AN D H H LE E , TH E RON O D MU D R J USTICE w 1N s S

LAST H U RD E R TR IAL.

CHAPTER XXI ’ THE B L GH ASE H LORD E RSK N E S DE FE N E OP I C , WIT I C

H A DEI E LD AN D TH E B R I TL AN D CASE .

CHAPTER XXII

TE E E AE EACOMB E MYSTE R Y .

CHAPTER XXIII TH E TR IAL OF J AME S CAN E AM RE AD AN D SOME AN E CDOTE S

OF THE LATE DE AN H OLE .

CHAPTER XXIV F D R —AN THE C ASE O E CA LOS ALIE N . TE E SE QU E L TO

THE PE CEN I I PAR K MURDE R, AND SHORT RE FE RE NCE TO

CON CLUSI ON

MEMO RI ES O F FA MO US T R I A LS

CHAPTER I

S E R REC EC I OF E B I E OM ANDOM OLL T ONS TH OLD A L Y, INCLUDI NG REFERENCE To THE MANY LEADING CH ARACTERS WHO HAVE PLAYED A PROMI NENT PART I N THE TRIAL S THEREI N

N ow that the old landmark of our City Bastille

a e—has n r m and a new n ral Newg t bee e oved, Ce t

riminal ur has ak n its la it will of C Co t t e p ce, be i nterest to recall some of the famous tri als that h ave been held withi n the ancient building during the las h alf ntur and li n r r the t ce y, to ge ove memoriSs of h s i an u s of th e as ser t o e g t j dge p t,

eants- at- law uns l rn rs of the old ris n j , co e , gove o p o ,

Cha lains m i al fﬁ rs and x r s who la e p , ed c o ce , e pe t p y d so conspi cuous a part in the famous dramas enacted

i n s e ld year by year within th e prec ct of th O Bailey . Amongst the governors of th e Gaol I knew poor 2 MEMORI ES OF FAMOUS TRI ALS old nas i n mi h and l n l Mi llmmx the Jo , S d ey S t Co o e , two former of whom h ave joined the majori ty .

Amongst th e Recorders of my acquai ntance were — Mr Russell Gurney probably the best crimi nal — j u dge we have ever h ad Sir Thomas Chambers — who well repreS ented th e digni ty of the City and

Mr mmi ssi n r rr who on one asi n Co o e Ke , occ o I heard tell a prisoner (who had defended himself)

ha if th e l arn uns l who h ad a ar for t t e ed co e , ppe ed the h r man had sh wn half th e a ili the ot e , o b ty prisoner had he would have secured an acquittal for hi s cli ent I also remember th at on one sultry d ay in August h e i nformed th e j ury th at if any man w as brought before hi m for setting ﬁre to the Old

aile ur s he ul let him off i h l asur B y Co t wo d w t p e e, as they were a di sgrace to the City of London

The la Sir h arl s all who h ad r i usl te C e H , p ev o y

en Attom e - neral th e rin o f al s be y Ge to P ce W e , su cceeded Sir Thomas Chambers as Recorder of the City of London Hi s tenure of oﬂi ce was not lon and on hi s a h at an arl a e Sir r s g, de t e y g Fo e t

ul n who had a nsi ra l ra i at the F to , co de b e p ct ce

d aile and h l the oﬂi oe of mm n r eant Ol B y e d Co o Se j ,

ﬂi ce was elected by they Cit to ﬁll th e vacant o .

Generati on after generati on of al dermen and RECOLLECTIONS OF THE OLD BAILEY 3

sheriffs Whom I have known have pas sed away

and as ri the fami li ar ﬁ ur of Sir hn , I w te, g e Jo Bennett- whom I last saw on the racecourse at

s m m un on his h s nu h rs hi s s e Ep o , o ted c e t t o e, p c tacles lifted over hi s ﬂori d face- comes before my mi nd ; he was a regular attendant at the Old

ai l and one of the di s ens rs of h s i ali in B ey, p e o p t ty

th e arl ur. h n a ai n Sir r ler one p o T e g Robe t Fow , of the most popular members of the House of

mm ns and h s h ar lau h us mak Co o , w o e e ty g ed to e

’ the r alls of h n s sha has in ve y w St Step e ke, jo ed the majori ty The geni al Si r Franci s Lycett i s als n and ames u th e r h r of m o go e ; J J dd, b ot e y

arold fri n illi am u of n n r has de e d, W Mew J dd Ve t o ,

i And hil left a blank n th e City . w st I have been penni ng my memories my fri end Quartermai n East has le us he was sh ri ff uri n the n ri al ft ; e d g Pe ge T , and during the whole of that case I sat next to him

n h h r i h th e la r on the Be c . Toget e w t te Lo d Rivers and Mr Guildford Onslow he was a ﬁrm believer in the Ti chbom e Claimant to th e last ;

hi s i no argument could shake bel ef. He is the

’ al ir r he us to clar h n ha re S Roge , ed de e w e I c tted with him in hi s charmi ng hotel twenty-ﬁve years a o at the ran ill at ams a and as la e as g G v e R g te, t 4 MEMORI ES OF FAMOUS TRI ALS si x ars a o h n he r si r th e f r un s ye g , w e p e ded ove o t e of the Central Hotel at Portsmouth and sat with hi s hat on in the rastaurant recognisi ng old friends

I h ave reason to be grateful to him ; th e last time I vi sited hi s hotel and was proceeding to take my d ar old fai hful — a an nam Mr e t dog D dy, by e

’ mi h ali as a reS ent r m m fri n S t , Joe, p f o y e d — Perci val Luckrnan to my room the lady in the oﬂi ce remarked that the ch arge for dogs in a bed

ni m r m was a uin a a h . r ns ra and oo g e g t I e o t ted,

ar old as wh o had rhear the n rsa i n de E t , ove d co ve t o ,

r r the a rin a la of m a for o de ed p ge to b g p te e t Joe,

a the la r on the h a and sai wi ll p tted tte e d, d, He sl in ur r m at m h l er ni h Mr eep yo bed oo y ote ev y g t,

urna fr of har I n the reS ent r B by, ee c ge p Lo d

a r Sir illi am r l ar ha a hi f M yo , W T e o , we ve c e magi strate of whom the City of London may — be prou d o ne whose beneﬁ cence is well known and the prestige of th e City for bounty and hospi tality will be fully mai ntai ned duri ng his tenure of oﬁ ce and the cri l Chil r n ill l ss hi s , pp e d e w b e memory .

T e ha lai ns Mr avi s and Mr n s are h c p , D Jo e ,

h n li e Dr i s n the fam us ris n bot go e , I be ev ; G b o , o p o surgeon h as passed away . All who have attended RECOLLECTIONS OF THE OLD BAILEY 5 th e Old Bailey during the latter half of th e last of th e Ti mes reporter seated at his desk with a lam r it un er th e n h at one xtr m end p ove d Be c e e e , n r a in hi s s off his n s and in eve t k g eye ote , jott g down every particle of evi dence wi th a stoli dity

c ul n i that o d ot be Shak en . I am afra d that I myself mus t have hastened the death of th e apoplecti c door-keeper who was supposed to pre vent persons from enteri ng the Bench door with out

r im ha hi m an r . an a ush o de M y t e ve I p ed by , and hi s as thmati c gasps as he ordered me to come

a ha no u led hi s ini n the b ck, I ve do bt, to jo g majori ty earlierthan he otherwise might have done With th e passing of th e Old Bailey the curtai n falls on scenes that will not be forgotten by those

e h r ill who wi tn ssed them. T e e w no longer be any

rials in the old dim ur s no m r u i ns t , co t ; o e exec t o

withi n the walls of Newgate ; and the bells of St Sepulchre Church will no longer toll the solemn note for those who have expi ated their crimes on

ff l ill th e r ll i of Old the s a . n c o d St , eco ect o New

a and the Old ail and th e am us ri als ha g te B ey, f o t t t — have taken place there with the great men who 6 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS one who probably attended more trials during the

Probably the interior of the prison was famili ar

h ir a al i som . T e as t was all to e B d C ge W k, c ed, was a covered passage that led direct from the the pavements were interred the remai ns of the many malefactors who expiated their crimes

wi hin the alls of a Un outsi de or t w Newg te . wittingly many a convicted murderer on his last journey from the court to the prison thus passed

r th e s h r his r mains r to i ove pot w e e e we e be bur ed.

Each spot in th at ghastly passage was marked by an ini i al on the all for Mii ller for t w M , W i ai n r h and so on . l r an de W w g t, F owe y L d noted th e res ting- place of the ﬁve pirates whose public execu ti on in less ci vili sed times than our own attracted one of th e largest crowds to the Old

ai l h n ri al s un s mi h ha n h ar B ey, w e b d o d g t ve bee e d during th e long night from th e crowds whi ch seethed and yelled wi thin the pali ngs that were

r u i un e ected o ts de the prison . Thes e so ds must undoubtedly have reached the ears of the con

8 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS ann un ha the ur er a r so a ro o ced t t j y w e g eed, p

s si n was at n r anis h a the or ce o o ce o g ed, e ded by L d

a r l rm n and Sheriﬁ s in h ir ur l and M yo , A de e t e p p e red r s f ll the ha lai n of a obe , o owed by c p Newg te carrying hi s gown on hi s arm ready to don it and seat himself besi de th e j u dge in order th at he might pronounce the ﬁnal Amen whi ch conclu des the

r sen n of la d ead te ce th e w . The scene inside the court was an impres sive one The long procession entered by th e door at the r m end of th e n h in h ral ext e e Be c , be g e ded by three lou d knocks whi ch were made by an asth ma i old r er who sat urin the r a r t c doo keep , d g g e te

ar of th e da on a s l and had the r a es p t y too , g e t t diﬁ cult in tin n but on th s asi ns y get g dow , e e occ o was ali ve to th e dignity of hi s posi ti on and an n un th e a r a h of th h i Th o ced pp o c e aut ori t es . e buz z of excitement whi ch ran round th e court on the return of the j ury to the box was hushed by the names of the j urymen bei ng read over by the la Mr r th e es m l r of rrai ns te Ave y, tee ed C e k A g ,

hil the unf r una riminal losel uar w e o t te c , c y g ded by a ev of ar rs o his la in the faci n b y w de , to k p ce dock g th h n e j udge . T e came the verdict of Guilty th e formal question of the Clerk of Arrai gns as to RE COLLECTIONS OF THE OLD BAILEY 9 whether the pri soner had anythi ng to say why sen nc of h sh ul not be ass u n him te e deat o d p ed po , while the chaplai n of Newgate made his way as best he could along the ﬂoor of the Bench .

Then came the remarkable proclamation by the hi f usher O ez l O ez l O ez l m c e . y y y y

’ Lords th e Queen s Justi ces do stri ctly charge an d comman d all persons to keep silence while th e sentence of death is passing upon the prisoner at

d sa th e th e bar upon pai n of impri sonment . Go ve

’ Queen and my Lords th e Queen s Justices " The

’ j u dge s clerk stood at hi s right han d during thi s

r lam a i n r a la th e la ca on th e p oc t o , e dy to p ce b ck p wig of the j udge ere he pronounced the ﬁnal sentence whi ch th e law of England orders to be passed u n all r i r po pe sons convi cted of th e cr me of mu der. No remini scences of the Old Bai ley would be c m l i h u r f r n Sir r is of o p ete w t o t e e e ce to Geo ge Lew ,

El r f la . His fa h r th e r a f un o th e y P ce t e , g e t o de

ﬁrm ma th e nam of is am us and if nl , de e Lew f o , o y Sir George could write a book what Skeletons in

cu ar s ul be un ar h and how man pbo d wo d e t ed, y families who now sleep th e sleep of the j ust would h ave their sleep disturbed by the revelati ons that might possibly be made Sir George Lewis owes I O MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS hi s succes s more to a knowledge of human nature and mm n n ual l al n l co o se se than to act eg k ow edge . I can illustrate what I mean by the following in i n h n nsul o ne asi n c de t . W e co ted n o occ o by a lady i n regard to a proposed separation from her husband she was asked whether She could bear the

r al the i n s s- and she hesi a in her o de of w t e box, t ted i r l to the u s n . Sir r is wi h u ep y q e t o Geo ge Lew , t o t

in in ail sim l a his ini n Com go g to det , p y g ve Op o ,

Sir George Lewis has ﬁgured in nearly every fam us as urin the las ﬁf ars m o c e d g t ty ye . If y memory serves me n i ght he was engaged in th e

Durham case ; he was solicitor for Mr Whi taker

’ Wright who received a sentence of seven years — penal servitude from Mr Justi ce Bigham one of the stronges t j udges on th e Bench at the present m ti e . It is exactly forty years si nce I ﬁrst made the acquai ntance of Mr Lewi s (as he then was) in the sitting-room on th e ground ﬂoor of the Crown

l ar r u a m ani h . him af r Hote , Sc bo o g I cco p ed te wards to a ball at the hotel and I can now picture him as he danced with a friend to the strai ns of

The Holly Bush Polka. During the maz e of the dance he got involved wi th th e ski rts of the RECOLLECTIONS OF THE OLD BAILEY I I

man rass i s who iz n wi h i am n s y g w dow , bed e ed t d o d , w ere di sporti ng themselves with th eir cavali ers Wi th a desperate eﬂort he managed to get disen

r co ni s the am us soli ci r me with a e g ed f o to , eyed l of sc rn h n all out Mr wi s ou ook o w e I c ed Le , y

ill ha s w ve them all as cli ent yet . CHAPTER II

EARLY RECOLLECTIONS AN D GIAN T J UDGES OF THE PAST

MY father was in the habit of entertaini ng Her

’ Majesty s j udges when on circuit at dinner at our

’

ar old h m on r s r n df r . de o e St Pete G ee , Be o d What memori es are recalled by th e recollection of th e old house " It seems but yes terday that we were i n the garden one summer eveni ng an d a

n r h ul n t balloo passed ove our heads . I S o d o

“ nder sai m fa h r if r is not in ha wo , d y t e , F ed t t

An d r r all n . su n u h he was fo a u b oo e e o g , bo t

mi ni h the h useh l was istur and d g t o o d d bed, I

’ h ar m r h r s i alli n all a o r e d y b ot e vo ce c g, H o , G ve

nor h r are am d n in the all n i h , e e we ; c e ow b oo e g t ” il fr m df r had s ar r th m es o Be o d . He t ted f om e

a alr arra s at nds r h r the lu s r C v y b ck Wi o , w e e B e we e

uar er and th e in had r u h h m in the q t ed, w d b o g t t e directi on of our home Amongst other j udges of the past who visited

us at the r r ma m n i n Si r ohn r i s ecto y I y e t o J Je v , I 2 GIANT JUDGES OF THE PAST 1 3

hi f us i of th e mm n l as and his C e J t ce Co o P e ,

r ir l als hi f ha su ss S . r o now cce o , W E e, o c ef t t

u and ma m n i n a s r of in ers j dge, I y e t o to y t e t

Crown Court at Lewes a gan g of card- sh arpers were

i The a of ards i h tr ed by him . p ck c wh c was

ro u a ar er e l nuin an d rr p d ced ppe ed p f ct y ge e co ect,

l e e r n n . u n th l arn u who b oke dow S dde y ed j dge, h ad n ar full ins in th e ar s as un bee c e y pect g c d , to ded the j ury and the prisoners by informi ng the court that he could tell th e name of any card i n th e pack

sim l l i n at th e a k of th e ar and by p y ook g b c c d, showed the j ury that by a particular ﬂower in th e comerof each card the i denti ty of th e card could be

discovered . The Lord Chi ef Justi ce stated that when at th e B ar he h ad been counsel in the Lord

R s ase and had i s r th de o c d cove ed e tri ck . The prisoners were all convi cted upon the statement of

rl his su s s r l ir . was a s a s r n S W E e, cce o , o t o g

One of the i n s men who r u . li he j dge k de t eve ved,

I went with him once when a boy on the old I 4 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

rf l Cir ui am r l e he No o k c t to C b i dge . He to d m

had hi r h rs s in hi s s a l man of h m as t ty o e t b e, y t e p t

or but a rl ul not all hi m ar w k, L dy E e wo d ow to p t with them as th ey were all looked upon as old

i The im favour tes . last t e I ever saw the j udge

’ was i n Prince s Gardens in London when I was wi th

r me e hi o rs a ri in my fathe . We t th C ef n ho eb ck d g

fa her towards th e Park . My t asked him if there was any:chance of hi s going the Midland circui t

ha summ r as in ha lain m un le who t t e , , be g c p to y c ,

was i h h riff of i s ershi r h a ar he H g S e Le ce t e t t ye ,

would have the pleasure of preachi ng the Assiz e

i r. ans r rm n at e es Si r . se o L c te No, we ed W

rl ou ill ha th e r hi us i of E e, y w ve Lo d C ef J t ce

r t ’ England to preach befo e . Go o Rivi ngton s and

k for a serm n on m rals and i Cock m as o o , g ve bu d ” ve mi nu s sh r an har . ﬁ te , o t S p

It seems but yesterday th at my father enter

n d the late or hi f ar n ll ni r tai e L d C e B o Po ock, Se o

n l r of hi s da at am ri d e—who old man Wra g e y C b g ,

i h ars of a e was r n n for his a ili e g ty ye g , e ow ed g ty,

h r with his r h r i h man at dfor toget e b ot e W g t , Be d

I 6 ME MORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

ile f was all in to u l th e n essi bo d bee c ed S pp y ec ty ,

’ and H er a s s u s ha in ine oﬁ it n M je ty j dge , v g d d , we t h m th e l in d o e to odg gs an slept the sleep of th e j ust . On one occasion I was i nvited to th e Assiz es at

am ri h r Mr us i i h man was to C b dge, w e e J t ce W g t

rs i at a ri al for m The ris n r ow ur r. h p e de t de p o e , ” r lead uil and arri too la eve , p ed G ty, I ved te to h he r c in Th iz i n r an d ar t s . e ss es e p o eed g A be g ove , th e mmissi n da at r i h not in due a co o y No w c be g , cricket match was arranged between th e B ar and

’ the Long Vacation on Parker S Pi ece I was seated on a bench with the learned j u dge and his son- in-law and marshal the la Mr a h , te M tt ew

rn l h n arris rs am and sat n A o d, w e two b te c e dow

l in r the ri al of the m rnin ar s . a ne u T k g ove t o g, they were questioni ng th e emotion of the learned

u who had sh ars in assin th e a h j dge, ed te p g de t sentence Mr Justice Wightman interrupted th e c n rsa i n r mar i n can ll ou n l o ve t o by e k g, I te y , ge t e men he f l i t r mu h but ou not s em , e t ve y c ; y " do e to recogni se him wi thout hi s wig an d To One of my earli est vi sits to the old court was

h n a r ar old ri n of mi n Mr us i w e ve y de f e d e, J t ce

’ i h man a u of the u n s n h i vi si n W g t , j dge Q ee Be c D o , one of the ki ndest and most humane men who ever Mom : lVa I/on Ad a ms] [P ko lm fl ea /1:

T H E A UT H OR A N D H I S FA V O U R I TE DOG S

Taj ace page 1 6

GIANT JUDGES OF THE PAST x7 di niﬁ the n h rs i r a as . Mr g ed Be c , p e ded ove c e

i n a ell- ra is a a at the Old R bto , w p ct ed dvoc te

ail and n rall r ai n for the fen was B ey, ge e y et ed de ce , mak ing a long- winded address to the j ury in regard

the ri s n r il - vi h s u was s lf e n . to p o e , w o e g t e de t

During the course of his speech Mr Ribton repeated i ” hims lf . You sa ha f re in r se Mr e d t t be o , te po d

us i i h man but rha s it i s so l n a o J t ce W g t , pe p o g g

ha ou h a f r n it and wa of rin in t t y ve o gotte , , by y b g g the h an a ru rmina i n m ar old Speec to b pt te t o , y de fri n r mar i h ha e uli ar dra ] in th e e d e ked, w t t t p c w

i ha all who n hi m ill r m m r vo ce t t k ew w e e be ,

”

urn ill m s n Mr i n . My t w co e oo , R bto

My dear old friend di ed i n harness at York at

h d r a the Wi nter Assiz e of 1 862 . He a a ve y he vy

’ al n ar and s m mi s a the h riff s c e d , by o e t ke S e

’ Chaplain omitted the Judge s name in the Bi ddi ng prayer before the sermon at the

i n r us i i h man a ar ha M ster. M J t ce W g t ppe ed to ve f l th e missi n and r mar ha no one n e t o o , e ked t t eeded the prayers of the congregati on more than the

Judge who had such a calendar of prisoners to

r i re the l i n s an deal with . He et d to odg g d Spent the eveni ng wi th hi s daughter di scussi ng his retirement from the Bench and maki ng plans for B I 8 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

iss i h man di d not lik the l a holi day . M W g t e ook

her a her an d h n h r ir h i r r ms of f t , w e t ey et ed to t e oo

at his r an d he ans ri n sai he She knocked doo , we g, d

m rnin h er she l r l ll . fe t pe fect y we Next o g, owev , was awakened by th e butlerwh o begged herto come

’ to her father s room as he had found hi m asleep Th in hi s chai r an d he could not wak e him. e dear old Judge must have passed away gently

r i h u was but a to th e unknown sho e w t o t pai n . I

at the im but f l hi s a h an d can boy t e, I e t de t remember the kindly voice and courteous manner

an d i nit of the old s h l hi h are rarel d g y c oo , w c y evi denced now in these days of soci al equality

th li n its r where e leve ng system has do e wo k .

was one of th e in s ri nds of m h He k de t f e y boy ood,

and r call now af r a la s n arl ﬁ t ars I e , te p e of e y f y ye , the happy breakfasts in his house at 38 Eaton ’ la an d the al s s mins r af rwards P ce w k to We t te te . As we strolled al ong the Bird Cage Walk I can recall hi s stories and an ecdotes till we reached th e

’ Judge s pri vate door faci ng the Abbey leadi ng to

’ the robing-room of the Judges of th e Queen s

h r m rnin af r m rnin n . ha Be c He e, o g te o g, I ve

a h him hi s fai hful Cl r i h ls in a n w tc ed , t e k, N c o , tte d

an r and h n I sat si him on the n h ce, obe, t e be de Be c GIANT JUDGES OF THE PAST 1 9

h r wi h urn hi s hi f and Mr usti w e e, t Cockb , c e , J ce

r m n h h e ar as s i n banco . C o pto , e d c e Among the gi ant j udges of the pas t I may

m nti n aron ar h m n er ll as e o B P ke, w o I k ew v y we

L r nsl al the ﬁrs lif —r a r and o d We eyd e, t e c e ted pee ,

th e r a - r r n r i l g e t g an dfather of th e p es e t Lo d R d ey .

His h m at m hill se n mil s fr m dford o e A pt , ve e o Be , was the scene of man y happy days to me in my

h r ar a er str n boy ood . M Baron P ke was v y o g

u bu ra - one asi n t h ra sen min . On j dge, t e b t ded occ o ,

h n r si din in th e r n ur at L s he w e p e g C ow Co t ewe ,

r in assin a a h sen n ll the fo got, p g de t te ce, to te unfortunate woman by what manner of death she

was to di e You ha mi m l r sai ve o tted, y o d, d

the l r of rrai ns the mos im r an r s C e k A g , t po t t wo d ” am mu h li ou I c ob ged to y ,

sai n ou r mu h d the learned baron ; tha k y ve y c .

i r he is han It qu te escaped my memo y . S to g by th e neck un til her body be dead . It was at thi s Assiz e th at th e famous Bri ghton

i r s n wa r a h r the Rev . r r s p e c e , F ede ck Robe t o ,

’ h i l ud s L r hi S erff s ha lai n . The arn C p e ed j ge , o d C ef

us i e r is and Mr ar n ar on a n in J t c Je v B o P ke, tte d g

i i n s r i c to lis n the ssiz serm n D v e e v e te to A e o , doubtless expecting the usual prosai c address to 20 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

hi h h r a us m s l h ms l es w c t ey we e cc to ed, ett ed t e e v i down in the large civ c pew prepared to slumber.

’ B ut Robertson s address of forty- ﬁve minutes kept thei r attenti on riveted from the commencement

Th u n to the close . e s bject chose was that of

ru h and r m m r r ll the n ludin T t , I e e be ve y we co c g words of the sermon z I commend the subject of truth to those who during the present week will have to do j ustice

e n man and man e n th e er i n and b twee , betw e Sov e g

mm n the s the accused . I co e d ubject to those whom the severe di scipline and trai ning of the

Engli sh B ar have so eminently qualiﬁed to di ssever

m z truth from the a es of falsehood . From the tri al h ur of hris fr m the r ss of the Son o C t, o C o of God, i the ﬁrst lesson s thi s : Be true . And the second i s

n thi s : Be true . A d the third and last is thi s

Be true . r ri The Rev . F ede ck Robertson was a great

r a h r and sh r l f r hi s a h nsul p e c e , o t y be o e de t co ted no less than four eminent medi cal men in Brighton as to the cause of the excruci ati ng pai n at the base

sai ff of his head . Two d he was su ering from h h ndriasis an h r r s ri l uc and ypoc o , ot e p e c bed ett e the fourth recommended an electric battery on

22 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

i F r ha ff n u r li b gamy. o t t o e ce yo a e able to be transported beyond the sea for the term of your

na ural li You sa ha ur ﬁrs if r a t fe . y t t yo t w e t e ted

ou a l and li She did but ou had no y b d y, I be eve , y

i h ak the law in ur o n Y u d r g t to t e yo wn ha ds . o ha

the n l r essi n of the law hi h r res n ob e p of o , w c I ep e t, to appeal to You Should have consulted one of

’ h s bald -h a n l m n si i n n h r t o e e ded ge t e e tt g dow t e e,

’ in in the s li i rs a l who ul ha po t g to o c to t b e, wo d ve

i n ou r li l sa isfa r a vi but ul g ve y ve y tt e t cto y d ce, wo d have referred you to some of the gentlemen in the

l n r s and i s who ha no u ul o g obe w g , , I ve do bt, wo d

ha run ou u a r h a ill and ur as ve y p p etty e vy b , yo c e

ul ha m in ur an d I am un sa wo d ve co e to co t, bo d to y

i t ul a n i a wo d h ve bee dec ded gai nst you . By this time your expenses would have run up to a few

ut hun dred pounds . B you would then have been advi sed by one of those gentlemen to carry your

’ as the ur al and n hi n en c e to Co t of Appe , I do t t k ev

h r ou ul ha far an r h a t e e y wo d ve ed y bette , except t t

ill o ul ha the b f costs wo d ve been about trebled . I thi nk the Court ofAppeal would have been against

ou You ul ha had the n l us y . wo d ve ob e Ho e of d i L r s as a ﬁnal r s r . rson r ou ha not o e o t P e , y ve chosen to take th e advantages whi ch the law has GIANT JUDGES OF THE PAST 23

la e i You ar li a l p c d w thin your reach . e b e to be transported forlife I order you to be imprisoned

for one da hi h m ans ur imm i a r l as y , w c e yo ed te e e e, an d I congratulate you on the line of conduct you

n ther r a ud was Mr usti ce a rs n A o g e t j ge J P tte o , fa h r of l ri d a rs n er n n as t e Co e ge P tte o , bett k ow

l a rs n the mur r ish Co ey P tte o , de ed B op of

lan fa h r was Cha lai n m ran Me esi a. My t e p to y g d

fa h r Mr nr ill is arham at the t e , He y V ebo , of M ,

r i h ssiz in 1 8 0 the u the r n No w c A e 4 , j dge of C ow

urt in Mr us i a rs n who had n Co be g J t ce P tte o , bee

d r h r u a at am ri . an fa who was ed c ted C b ge My g d t e ,

a r eal h man was a l arr out the ve y w t y , b e to c y

’ a an ma niﬁ n l and as the sheriﬁ s arri a p ge t g ce t y, c ge in pomp and splendourwas passing down the streets

of r i h the as l Mr us i a rs n No w c to c t e, J t ce P tte o ,

’ a dressin m a h r in to a a r s h and d g y f t e , po ted b ke S op

nai l r mar The las im saw tha h ve y e ked, t t e I t S op

Mr ha lai n was an un r ra ua at Carnbri d e C p , I de g d te g

r fr m mar r i h an d am We d ove o New ket to No w c , I ash amed to say that I have a recollection of the

an m l a r r a in the la - lass i n t de e de b e k g p te g w dow, and the lives of myself an d compani ons were in CHAPTER III

RE U E —C C BUR BRETT B C BURN G AT J DG S O K N, , LA K , R I U B YLEs MA T N, L SH,

HAVING had the opportunity of knowing many and listeni ng to nearly all of the j udges who have made

their mark on the j u dici al Bench since the year

1 8 I sh ul li sa ha for z al al n 55, o d ke to y t t e , t e t ,

l u n harm of mann r ur ous arin e oq e ce, c e , co te be g, prodigious memory and perfect tact I can ﬁnd

n n who m mi n can m ar wi h Cockbum . o e , to y d, co p e t

His charm of ra r hi h h ul ima in o to y, w c I S o d g e to

akin ha of rs in was i h u e ual in be to t t E k e, w t o t q my experience Without the soli d knowledge of

am ll the s m ha iffusi sua i of C pbe , o ew t d ve v ty

l rid the in i si i rni an rh ri of L r Co e ge, c ve H be eto c o d

uss ll of ill n the n l law of a R e K owe , k ow edge of

ss l or the soun n s s an d s rai h f r ar Je e , d e t g t o w d characteri stics of the pres ent Lord Chi ef Justi ce

who as Sir i har ‘ s er was an in ima ( , R c d Web t , t te

fri n of m own in the ar n slan urn e d y G de I d), Cockb

s ands out as a i an t g t amongst hi s brethren . 24 GREAT JUDGES 25

To him may be referred the words of Homer

’ '' 1J 6ﬂ Bas e 67 51 1 0: 356x435 Ic u ro t ri m " ' 4 v u f anny o ydp f t pom -7 3 m dypop i p .

80 i . Hm . I I . 2 , 4 ,

Li e a ull amon st th e er moves in ma esti c state k b g h d j ,

Toweri far a ove t em all re-eminentl rea ng b h , p y g

’ I n reference to Cockburn s digni ty of speech it might be sai d that hi s language was so choice an d so rna and hi s v i so l ar ha one oul o te, o ce c e , t t c d listen to hi m for hours wi thout fati g ue or strai n . At ti mes hi s ﬂights of oratory were such that one felt one was li steni ng to a Cicero or a Demosthenes . To illustrate what I mean I will quote from two of

- hi s famous addresses to j uries in well known trials . I was pres ent when he summed up to the j ury i n

’ the old Queen s Bench court at Westminster in

86 i n t will 1 7 he Overend 81 Gurney case . It be remembered that the failure of that great ban king ﬁrm caused a pani c on the Stock Exchange and a ﬁnanci al crash involving many families i n hope

i ili t f Overend les s ru n . The stab ty of he house o 8: Gurney was consi dered as secure as the Bank of n lan i s lf and h s who had nsi n E g d t e , t o e co g ed money to their care felt it was as safe as though

t B i n th rl o f i was invested in Consols . ut e wo d

ﬁnance and c mm r as in the rl of li i s o e ce, wo d po t c 26 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRI ALS

en ha r urn crash oft ppens . The Ove end 8: G ey alm s aral s the ra of the untr and the o t p y ed t de co y,

ir t rs r ut u n h ir ri al th e L r hi D ec o we e p po t e t , o d C ef

usti ce of n la i din The ur was J E g n d pres g. co t

r crowded, and it was late on a dreary Novembe

af rn n ha Cockbum ami s r a hless sil n te oo t t , d t b e t e ce,

concluded one of hi s matchless addres ses to the ” ur . en l m n he sai h r is a r a j y G t e e , d, t e e g e t

diﬁ r few e ence between moral and legal guilt . A weeks ago th e men on their tri al were the leaders

of th e aris cra of mm r th e aes ars of to cy co e ce, C

the mm rci al rl but now lik aes ar h co e wo d ; , e C , t ey have fallen so low there is no man to do them

’ r r eve ence .

’ Again I recall the conclusion of Cockburn s

summing up in the Ti chbome tri al , whi ch occupied

r s ur n h rin kb had seve al week . D i g t e hea g Coc um been subjected to scurrilous abuse from the

’ l d hi s ll u s Mr fen an s uns . an a de d t co e He co e g e ,

us i ell r and Mr us i ush had e n J t ce M o J t ce L , b e compared to Scroggs and J eﬁ reys and j udges of

i nf r The summin -u alm amous epute . g p was ost

ra i to The sil n in the urt d w ng a Close . e ce co was

in ense h n Cockbum i h u lif r and t , w e , w t p ted b ow, GREAT JUDGES 27

his ﬁ n uns l for the n eye xed upo co e defe ce, ex

claim Gen l m n ha alm s n . ha ed, t e e , I ve o t do e I ve

been told that the hi story of thi s tri al will be

ri n n an d u l s s it will i h a en w tte dow , do bt e w t p

that will not scruple to lampoon the living and

al I f m i ial m m r c umni ate the dead . y jud c e o y

h all a a and m h n ur r il h n S be tt cked y o o ev ed, t e I leave th e protection of my j udici al memory and

h n ur to the B ar n lan and n o o of E g d, I k ow I l i i shall not appea n va n .

ha h ar the s n n of a h ass f n I ve e d e te ce de t p ed o te ,

but n r wi h m r di ni han Cockb eve t o e g ty t by um . It may not be generally known th at in criminal

’ ri als the ud s n - is un in red x e t j ge ote book bo d , e c pt

hen a a i al Char is i n h ar and hen a w c p t ge be g e d, t

wi h lac in i n is ha r u n l book t b k b d g used . I ve f eq e t y

ser in as s of mur r h n the ur had ob ved c e de , w e j y retired to consider their verdict and the j udge had l the n h ha his l r ul urn the n eft Be c , t t c e k wo d t ote

a to the ﬁrs a an d li h r book b ck t p ge, I be eve t e e is to be foun d there a printed form of th e death

Mr Justice Brett (known to his fri ends as

’ au r win to hi s r nni al u h and Be ty B ett, o g pe e yo t , 28 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS to whom the famili ar words of Virgil might well be

Hic ver perpetuum acque ali enis mensibus e stas was a s r t ong ju dge but always fond of a joke .

At the end of a term he used to say Good-bye

hi s fri nds at the B ar an d as he had n i n to e , bee

oﬁ ce so long they thought he was about to retire

fr m u li lif but he ul sur ris hem o p b c e, wo d p e t by ” a in the r r ds fo the r s n . dd g wo , p e e t On one occasion he brought hi s li ttle gran dson with hi m into court an d introduced hi m to those

” r n us i r p ese t as a new j udge . Mr J t ce B ett

’ Showed hi mself to advan tage in msi pri ces and

riminal a I da as s r c c ses . n hi s college ys he w t oke

of the ara d e i h and on all asi ns he C g E g t, occ o

i i On one was popular w th lad es of Soci ety .

occasion he was asked by a lady for some tickets

for a all at the uil hall and h n s ndi n her b G d , w e e g

the in i a i n he r h ou will smil on v t t o w ote, I ope y e

me and als on the L r a r. , o o d M yo

The la r sh r h n Mr us i r te Lo d E e , w e J t ce B ett,

was asked at the Carlton Club one d ay by another

m m r Di d not see ou wallnn i h ur e be , I y g w t yo

Radi cal son ? At that time Mr Regi nald Brett

3 0 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRI ALS

dangerto the publi c ; that that dangerwas pres ent

in ur mi nds an d h a a tin u n the n yo ; t t, c g po k ow ledge of the effect you thought it would have upon

’ ur mas ers mi nds ou n r in his r a yo t , y e te ed to t g e t — — conspiracy a wi cked an d a dangerous one in ” rd r f r ur mas rs f ll ur ill o e to o ce yo te to o ow yo w . The sentence created a great hubbub among the

ar isans of la ur it was r n un as ruel p t bo ; p o o ced c ,

un us an d un r n and of urs h er w j t p ecede ted, co e t e as

th e usual outcry whi ch expres sed sympathy wi th

i i B ut who can the n n the v ct ms . say se te ce was exces sive if one can realise the grave danger the

publi c were put to ? Another sensational case whi ch came before him shortly afterwards was that of Colonel Valen — tine Baker and oddly enough over this case he

was attacked for the over-leni ency in the sentence

I n whi ch he passed . hi s own words th e j udge

’ des cribed Colonel Valentine Bakers offence as bein g as bad as such a crime could possibly be

’ The uni shm n there was no palli ati on . p e t was

’ a ﬁne of 500 an d twelve months imprisonment as

t- lass mis m anan —who it ma re a ﬁrs c de e t , y be

ark is not em a riminal ris n r m ed, de ed c p o e

he m anin th e ri sons ithi n t 1 86 . w e g of P Act, 3 GRE AT J UDGES 3 1

Colonel Valentine Baker served his sentence in the then Surrey County Gaol in Horsemonger Lane

Of urs an u cr was rai s One law for the co e o t y ed, ” rich an d another for the poor.

Mr Justi ce Brett afterwards took the title of

r sher and h n hi s un r son di Lo d E , w e yo ge ed

aus a aul to uil r hi h r c ed v t be b t, ove w c we e

i i his robes of omoe an d his wife by h s s de . Lady

Esher li ved to a great age ; she was consi dered a most popular hostes s an d regarded as a grande dame d of Society . She an her husband are now lai d to r s in the aul a r rr hi h is in the e t v t bove efe ed to, w c churchyard of the town from whi ch Lord Esher

Mr Justi ce Blackburn was no lover of the fai r

sex an d was res n in urt at as in s hen , I p e t co H t g w he pres i ded over the election petiti on in whi ch

Colonel Somerset Calthorpe attempted to secure

the uns a i n Mr Th mas rass now L r e t g of o B ey, o d

rasse for ri r . er eant allan i n who B y, b be y S j B t e,

led for the r s u i n at the ri al Mii ller p o ec t o t of , was

ﬁrs of the ounsel r ai n and his ar i ali t c et ed, p t ty for

la i s was ll kn wn d e we o . A lady on th e Bench in

’ passi ng the judge s seat became entangled in hi s 3 2 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRI ALS

r s and ther was a r ai n am un of meni ment obe , e ce t o t

on the ar of the B ar at the o rr n p t ccu e ce . I have

’ n er n i n su h a r i am n f r t e ev bee c p ed c e t be o e,

Mr l marked Justi ce B ackburn . We are well

’ a ar of it the s r eant ans r i h a n wi n w e , e j we ed, w t k o g

look . MrBaron Martin pres i ded at th e Derby Winter

Assi z s in the arl si i es h n a as of mur r e , e y xt , w e c e de ,

whi ch had created an extraordi nary amount of

in r s was ri hi m . man ll nn te e t, t ed by A , we co ected,

nam Ge r i r nl was indi for by e o ge V cto Tow ey, cted

the mur rof a un la iss l r n o in de yo g dy, M F o e ce G odw ,

the au h r of l n l Go wi n who li n ar d g te Co o e od , ved e

ir s r h a i urs u s in the a W k wo t , p ct e q e pot Pe k

i The ris n r had f rm an a a hm n distr ct . p o e o ed tt c e t

but hi s a an s re not r i r a or her . f , dv ce we ec p oc ted

Counsel for th e defence submitted that the prisoner

at the time he commi tted the crime was not te

i l for hi s a i ns . Mr ar n ar in os spons b e ct o B o M t , wh e

’ summing- up is recorded in Taylor s Medi cal j uri s

rudence wi h r ar the law of insani was p t eg d to ty,

r m ha i in hi s ir i n the ur and his ve y e p t c d ect o to j y,

’ doctri ne of law as lai d down i n Townley s case may be taken as the rule in all cases where the defence

did not sit n of insanity is set up . I dow to try GRE AT JUDGES 33

thi s as sai the l arn ar n n wi n the c e, d e ed b o , k o g

ef n h a ul rai se wi h u ar ull d e ce t t wo d be d, t o t c ef y

‘ consi dering the law as I shall lay it down to you .

I Sh all exclu de th e ruling of the j udge who tri ed

elli n ham for the mur r of Mr r i al caus B g de Pe c v , be e

I know that that ruling has been objected to ; but

I Sh all tell you thi s : th at if the prisoner knew the

di ff r n n ri h an d r n and n h a e e ce betwee g t w o g, k ew t t

th e act w as n rar to the law of Go d an d man co t y ,

then he was responsible forit The contention of the defence th at he commi tted the act i n a moment

of fr nz h a in l s all r of self- n rol e y, v g o t powe co t ,

really amounts to this : that he was overcome by

the assi n of al us and hi s is one of the p o je o y, t passi ons which th e law of England i s intended to

restrai n orpuni sh . The j ury found George Victor

le uil an d he n n n was se e a h . Tow y G ty, te c d to de t The Home Secretary was inundated with petitions i n hi s fa ur and as a rs ul hi s s n n was com vo , e t e te ce mu one of nal s r i u or l ted to pe e v t de f i fe . The

ris n r h r di d not l n survi for hils p o e , oweve , o g ve, w t at Pentonville he th rew hi mself over the raili ng fr m the hi h s ni dor h r he was nﬁn o g e t co , w e e co ed, and w ill n s as k ed o the pot .

ar n artin was r f n of horseﬂesh and B o M ve y o d , 34 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

was once heari ng a cas e at the York Assiz es in

r ar the arran of a hors h r it w as eg d to w ty e , w e e alleged th at the animal was suﬁ eri ng from a rather

obscure navi cular di seas e An old Yorkshire horse

r was i i n vi n i n the i n ss-box and cope g v g e de ce w t e ,

uns l in uir of the i n ss l as ell m co e q ed w t e , P e e t y

lord an d the court what is a navicular di sease .

i h a n in l and in in hi s h um u W t k ow g ook, po t g t b p

th e udi i al n h the i n ss a You ask to j c Be c , w t e dded,

’ ’ ” l n e i t n i ul is as th o d u h ll e ou . av ar ; w y N c d e e,

th e wa i s a is as of the navi ular ors a hoi by y , d e e c , c p d, bone of the foot

’ Mr Baron Martin 5 love of horseﬂesh may be

d ri n r fr m si ngularly illustrated . He ha dde ove o

nm u h hr u h the rs of an the Mo o t , t o g Fo e t De , to

undari s of the ci of l u s r in c m an bo e ty G o ce te , o p y

i n and marshal the la Mr hn with hi s fr e d , te Jo — Canni ng- Doherty son of the late Chi ef J ustice of

’ ’ The h riff Ireland who tried Mr O B rien . S e s

arri a i h a s l n i eam of la s a hm n c ge, w t p e d d t b ck , co c e

m n i an d r an d the rea an d foot e w gged powde ed, g t

ms lf i h hi s ha lai n had n digni tary hi e w t c p , bee kept

a in e i wai ting on th e bri dge over the ppo t d t me .

who had l s hi s wa in the f res The j u dge, o t y o t,

ha la and the i h h riff who arrived somew t te, H g S e , GRE AT JUDGES 35 had been subjected to ridicule by the li ttle

ami ns the r a si had his m r rufﬂ g by o d de, te pe ed and di d not receive the j u dge with the respect due

’ to the Queen S representative Mr Doh erty was

rmi n h a the i h h riff sh ul a l is dete ed t t H g S e o d po og e ,

’ but the ar n sa in n an a row B o kept y g, I do t w t ,

r Mr ar n ar in was a u Dohe ty . AS B o M t bo t to proceed to the cathedral the Hi gh Sheriff was i ntroduced an d apologi sed to the j u dge and

’ r mar n ur lordshi s l of a hors e ked, I k ew yo p ove e

an d I had secured a matchless team of blacks

’ n hi d n n to do ho our to your lords p . I o t k ow whether you noticed them ” sh ul hi n di d r li the in old I o d t k I , ep ed k d

- m Baron . I never saw a better matched team in y ” life an d sha in han s i h the i h h riff the , k g d w t H g S e j udge entered the carri age to proceed to the cathe

d l e ra i n i h l as ure a h h rs in th e am . , ey g w t p e e c o e te Probably no ki nder j u dge ever sat in the Court

’ of Qu een s Bench than the late Lord Justi ce

ush . ur us i n the rem he won the L Co teo ext e,

r ar n and eg d of the Be ch B ar. He played a

promi nent part in the famous Ti chbom e tri al at

B ar; and I can recall now hi s quiet smile when

the n ri us ui ali as an ren was i n iﬁ oto o L e, L dg de t ed 36 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

was Mr us i ce ush who ad as a convi ct . It J t L

mini st re a h m hrus r u to Dr en al e d o e t t eb ke K e y,

’ th laiman s counsel who eede the limi s e C t , exc d t

of good taste in regard to hi s aspersi ons upon the

r learned j udges consti tuting the Court . D was proceeding to quote from the

i l and su es ha the laiman if con B b e, gg ted t t C t ,

victed mi h a the r s was hun r , g t dopt wo d , I g y, Th and ye gave me no mea etc . e court was

mu h m e and Mr us i ush lo i n s rnl c ov d, J t ce L , ok g te y

’ at the f ndan s counsel x laim Dr de e t , e c ed,

neal ou ha ass all un s of r ri Ke y, y ve p ed bo d p op ety . I am astounded that you should have so grossly

’ and wilfull insul Her a es s u es n y ted M j ty j dg , k ow

in as ou mus ha ou owe a double alle i g, y t do, t t y g

’ ance to Her Majesty s Co A covert allusi on was directed to the fact that it was mai nly owi ng

’ to the Chief s i nﬂuence that Dr Kenealy

’ promoted to the posi tion of Queen s Counsel an d

n th ar The s n in called withi e B . ce e Court was

unri all . was a hot ul da and al h u h v ed It J y y , t o g the lunch n h ur had not arri Cockbum eo o yet ved, announced that after the virulent abuse of counsel it was most expedient in the interests of j ustice

ha the ur sh ul hen a urn ill n t da t t Co t o d t djo t ex y .

CHAPTER IV

ER F U U ES— SIR FITZR E R OTH AMO S J DG OY K LLY, LO D B WE MR U ICE EP E R U I CE O N, J ST ST H N , M J ST E I MR U I CE E W R B R C K AT NG, J ST MATH , M A ON HAN E R ER E R U I CE HE N N LL, LO D ALV STON , M J ST EB R U I CE R I R U I CE N Y, M J ST DA L NG AND M J ST GRANTHAM

ANOTHE R great j u dge of more recent times was Sir

i z r ll the las hi ef ar n of the ur of F t oy Ke y, t C B o Co t

u r Th hi f ar n trum n Excheq e . e C e B o was ins e tal in the r al of th e al Tax and he ai n the epe M t , g ed ti tle of Apple Pip Kelly in a

He was counsel on the Norfolk Circuit at Aylesbury for the ua r Tawel who was in i for a Q ke , d cted

ir n ri us murd r the rs ul of russi aci . S oto o e , e t p c d

i z r ll was r ai n for the f n and F t oy Ke y et ed de e ce, suggested th at the prussi c aci d foun d in the body of the deceas ed mi ght h ave been caused by a love of a les and s all win the a l i s hi ch pp w o g pp e p p , w

ai n u i i i cont ed mi nu te q an tit es of pruss c ac d . Fitz roy Kelly remained on the Bench to a very

al a a r a li r advanced age . He was w ys g e t be eve in a s and on one asi n urin the ro ress d te , occ o , d g p g 38 OTHER FAMOUS JUDGES 39

’ ' of a as at msi nus the h a of the ur r c e p , e t co t ove

am him and he a ar z i n Th c e ppe ed to be do g . e questi on at i ssue was th e deli very of a cargo of

a d tes . Suddenly the Chief Baron woke up an d inquired of th e learned counsel who w as arguing th e as ha di d the ar n ain ? a s c e, W t c go co t D te , m l r w h l im an as t e r . s r sai y o d, ep y Mo t po t t, d the r hi ef ar n and he ras hi s en and Lo d C B o , g ped p was aler i n t throughout the rest of the act o .

The la r n was a ri lli an in ll ual te Lo d Bowe b t, te ect and le r u as sho n the wa in hi h all c ve j dge , w by y w c

a c ses that came before him were deci ded . On one occasi on reference was made to the fact that a

u li sh r who was r di i h ri i n har p b e , c e ted w t d v g d

ar ai ns i h au h rs had uil a hur h at hi s b g w t t o , b t c c

” o Ah n th e old wn ens . sai exp e , d Bowe , story San guis martyrum semen eccles i a The following is a good Specimen of a poetical request

’ for a li ft to the Lord Chancellor s breakfast in

1 88 hi h he a drs s to hi s old fri n Mr 3 w c d e ed e d,

— MY EAR . C . Wi]l ou fr arr D J , y be ee, to c y ’ me esi of h in ur bu ee Selbom e s , b de t ee, yo gg , to tea if r akfas he in n s for on 2 m r , b e t , te d we, Nove be

i h h ndr and i h - hr n V . n u ext D . e g tee ed E g ty t ee 40 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

. . ll . will A D for a B . from orn a G , L dy , C w ,

a sen and sa s ha she ul ra h r see b t be, y t t , wo d t e ,

her hus an ash h an s n to on n b d be, D d D , t e d L do

her bu ee for su h a m lan h l s ree as Sel gg , c e c o y p ,

’ ’ ” m e s ho toast and Selborne s tea .

When Mr Justi ce Stephen retired from the

Bench all hi s brethren attended at the Law Courts and the pres ent Lord Chief Justi ce (then Sir Ri chard Webster) in an eloquent address bade fare

ll ha r a h f was cr a we to t t g e t j u dge . Muc eeli ng e ted

the s ch and r n urnin the la by pee , Lo d Bowe , t g to te

r l ri who was h n r hi f usti Lo d Co e dge, t e Lo d C e J ce,

his r Ma h r no m anin at the B ar w pe ed, y t e e be o g h ” w en I put out to sea .

Lord Bowen was one of the counsel in the

Ti chbom e as but h n he w as rais the c e, w e ed to

Bench he had had very li ttle experience of cri minal

l On hi s ﬁ aw . rst circui t (th e Northern) hi s

ll a u was Mr us i ush and he l the co e g e J t ce L , to d B ar that they mi ght rely on hi s sentences being j ust as he intended to consult Brother Lus in regard to all prisoners brought before him before

in n n pass g se te ce . Mr Justice Stephen was one of the strongest

and a les ri mi nal law ers of the las en ur an d b t c y t c t y, OTHER FAMOUS JUDGES 41

— hi s attempt to codify our law if carri ed out would have materi ally Simpliﬁed our judici al system I was present at Liverpool when he tri ed

Mrs Ma brick an d so a was he in hi s summin y , ex ct g up and so anxious to assi st the j ury in arrivi ng at a right conclusi on th at I was somewhat amused when he suggested to the jury that he would tele graph to the Briti sh Museum for the best dicti onary that could be bad if that would help them to

Petechi e ; but they expres sed themselves as

’ perfectly satisﬁed wi th th e late Dr Tidy s deﬁni ti on that it mean t aborescent spots on the abdomen and di d not trouble his lordship to send for the book .

’ ft r the u s a h his l r hili A e j dge de t c e k, P p Dyke, w became clerk to Sir Francis Jeune . Mr Dyke as an old fri n of mi n and da af r da urin e d e, y te y , d g

’ the Ma bri ck rial at Ge r s all i r l y t St o ge H , L ve poo ,

I sat by hi s si de on the Bench ; after the tri al he

’ sho me the ud s n s hi h n lu i h wed j ge ote , w c co c ded w t the min us r s uil — a h r old o o wo d , G ty de t Poo Dyke di d not reli sh copying out the notes for the

u i e h n r a Home Secretary . Mr J st ce St p e w ote

ni l han as m s lf can s if for had te b e d, I y e te t y, I several letters from him about his book on the law 42 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

vi n and —n in ha in all as of e de ce, Dyke k ow g t t c es

’ of murder it is necessary for a copy of the ju dge s — notes to be sent to the Home Secretary had

an i ci a ha ul r uir of hi m and t p ted w t wo d be eq ed ,

’ night by night he transcribed from the j u dge s note

book the evi dence which had been taken downand

hi h al n fr m l n ra ti was a l w c Dyke o e, o o g p c ce, b e to

h ad a alk in i r l e h read . We w L ve poo aft r t e sentence had been passe d and I Shall never forget

’ the scene outsi de St George s Hall ; th e crowd was enormous and was composed chieﬂy of the Irish

ulati on of i r l who r i n i nan i h pop L ve poo , we e d g t w t

th e u not so mu h on a un of the Ma bri ck j dge, c cco t y

r i but caus Mr us i h n h ad i n ve d ct be e J t ce Step e ,

the Civil Court at Manchester only a few days

’ r i usl d i a as en Mr O B rien an d p ev o y, ec ded c e betwe

Lord Sali sbury in favour of the latter agai nst thei r

un r man and aus Sir h arles uss ll co t y , bec e C R e

s h i r m a ri who h ad fen Mrs al o t e co p t ot, de ded

— row had n Maybrick had been defeated . A bee

’ an i i a and the h riff s arri a i h i ts t c p ted, S e c ge, w t

ma niﬁ n f ur h rs s i h the u ri rs a ai g ce t o o e w t o t de , w ted

the j udge an d Sheriff at one of the si de entrances

’ h n th l arn u to St George s Hall . W e e e ed j dge

i n hi s r es arr i n the la c a i n hi s appeared ob , c y g b ck p / P w fo. Fa ll] COLO N E L FRE D B U R N A B Y

H ero of the R i d e to K iva and brot er of the aut or h , h h [ To face pan 4:

44 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRI ALS

Mr Justi ce Stephen pres i ded over a very curious

as of ns ru i mur er and a rusal of the c e co t ct ve d , pe

A man of the name of Serne was charged with

the mur r of hi s hil r n in the ran the de c d e St d,

l ll rn arl mmi the ri soner. a c e y co tted by p Leg y, Se e was guilty of murder in the same sense as a medi cal man is guilty of murder where death occurs as the

are l h n i i n h s e as s and in hi s one ot to co v ct t e c e , t

against Serne a verdict of Not guilty of murder

r urn e ri l was et ed . Th p soner was subsequent y

ars n f r Mr usti h n o be o e J ce Step e ,

one of the r a s u s of his im and s n n g e te t j dge t e, e te ced

’ n ars nal i d Mr h an . to twe ty ye pe serv tu e . Geog eg

who f nd rn lea Autra oi s ac ui t an d de e ed Se e, p ded f q ,

su s ha the ri son r havi n e n a ui gge ted t t p e , g b e cq tted

the ur on the har of mur r ul not by co t c ge de , co d be

r r tri ed fo ars on . F om a commonsense point of

i he was ri h but the l arn u rrul v ew g t, e ed j dge ove ed

mur r and had not an m ans x res se an de , by y e e p d OTH ER FAMOUS JUDGES 45 opinion as to how th e children had met with their death . Amongst other ju dges whom I have heard

i I must menti on Mr Just ce Keating . He was

Solici tor- General at the ti me when he was pro moted to th e Bench as a j u dge of the Court of

Common Pleas . I am reminded of an amusing trial whi ch was heard by him in the Ni si Pri us Court at i s r h n m usin the la Gen ral Le ce te w e y co , te e

urna who at h a i m was a l n l in the B by, t t t e co o e

Grenadier Guards and was afterwards Member of arli am n for or h i s rshir r u h an P e t N t Le ce te e, b o g t a ti n a ai ns a farm r M usin who was ra h r c o g t e y co , t e

n of li i ati n had s l s m i m r in a fox fo d t g o , o d o e t be co r at B a rave the f n an an d it was ve t gg to de e d t, part of th e bargain that no fenc es should be d amaged in the removal . Consi derable inj ury was done and my cousin brought an acti on to

Mr l r u C . r er ama s . . r r s n ecov d ge B we , Q , ep e e ted the ef ndan an d hi s ross- ami nati n d e t, c ex o of

Eddy was very amusing to everyone in the

unsel as him i f he court . Co ked was not in the habi t of bringing actions agai nst several of hi s

ra sm n hi h m usi n r mar h t de e , to w c y co e ked t at if he 46 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS ordered a speci al coat for the Derby and it did not arri ve in time for him to wear i t at that classi c ra an d hi s ail rs su him for the ri of the ce, t o ed p ce

a he ul of urs r si s a m n h n co t wo d, co e, e t p y e t T e sai Mr ul r armi n u hi s r H ow d B we , w g p to wo k, did ou lan the r es l n l? Lon itu di n y p t t e , co o e g ” m I all r li usin . s ha how the y, ep ed y co t t

Guards stand in the Park ?

’ n n so mu h a u ha sai m I do t k ow c bo t t t, d y

r won hi s ase an d ars Howeve , Eddy c , ye after when I remi nded Mr Bulwer of it h e told me th at my cousi n h ad evi dently not forgotten hi s

- a r ul r h en n cross exami n ti on . M B we t arrated to me a little i nci dent whi ch occurred when he was i n

’ comman d of th e corps of the Devil s Own at

Hi s r i m n d Aldershot . eg e t ha got into some

nfusi n an d a li tl man in a bush wh o was on co o , t e y , the s aff all u hi m an d r ni sin hi t , g oped p to , ecog g s f rm r n n sh u e out I s hi s th e wa o e oppo e t, o t d , t y the uar s s an in the ar ul er? ma G d t d P k, B w It y

’ not be generally known th at the Devil S Own owe

h ir ri in th e r a law r r rs in an d t e o g to g e t ye , Lo d E k e ,

owe h ir ti tle eor h that they t e to G ge IV . S ortly after the formation of th e corps Erskin e was riding OTHER FAMOUS JUDGES 47

i h th e in in the ar an d as a r im n w t K g P k, eg e t passed by th e Ki ng inquired wh at they were .

’ r s sir h a r en l f rm r li e A co p , e, I ve ec t y o ed, ep d ”

rs ine ma u of law rs . E k , de p ye

’ h n all h m th e e il s Own was the T e c t e D v ,

i r m w tty e ark of the King .

Th e las t time I saw Mr J ustice Keati ng was at the Old astl all at a ham hi h is nl a C e H O k , w c o y few miles distant from dear old Somerby an d

urr u h fam us i n the ann als of the sm r B o g , o Cotte o e

u r and the Quorn . AS sual there we e no pri soners for tri al an d the j u dge was presented with a pai r

hi e l es The alls at the l t of w t g ov . w cast e a Oak

ham are h ung with horse- shoes of every possible

d i i s the us m or shape an des gn . It c to f every

sovereign or peer who vi si ts th e town to leave a

h rs -sh an d a l one mar s th e as i n of o e oe, go d k occ o

the vi si t of Queen Eliz abeth when she stayed at ” Burleigh House by Stamford Town .

I have heard Lord Justice Mathew on several

’ h n he was in the u n s n occasions . W e Q ee Be ch

i i si n a man n er ell at n n r a D v o I k ew v y w Ve t o ,

erman b ir h wh o mana a hai r r ssin G y b t , ged d e g

s a li shm n h r h e assi s an s was e t b e t w e e kept two t t ,

the victim of a wicked scheme on th e part of one of 4s MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

h m h s f ll h avi n di s er ha hi s t e T i e ow, g cov ed t t

employer had contracted a second marri age while

hi s ﬁrs if was ali ut the li on hi s t w e yet ve, p po ce

an d he was arres Th e assi s an track ted . t t was evi ntl a tua si nis r m i s an d h u h de y c ted by te ot ve , t o g t if hi s master was convicted he would step i nto the

i The as was h bus nes s . c e ﬁrst eard at the poli ce

ur at w r and th e ﬁrs marri a was co t Ne po t, t ge

r as ha in een n ra in l p oved v g b co t cted Scot and . I am ash amed to say I myself caused a good deal of

’ trouble to the Bench by suggesti ng to the prisoner s solici tor poi nts of the law in regard to Scotch

r m fri n marri a s . e the ar r was ge Howeve , y d b be c mmi for ri al at i n h s r ail for a small o tted t W c e te , b

un ein all the ff n if an ein a amo t b g owed, o e ce ( y ) b g

i h n ri ina i i n r sl o e . a hi h ve y g t I o g ted pet t o , w c was num r usl i n i n the islan and r mi s e o y S g ed d, p o ed th e barber I would attend at the Assi z es an d present

s l i t to Mr Justi ce Mathew my e f . Thinki ng th e case would not come on the ﬁrst day of the Assiz es

not l a n n r. Mr now Sir harl I did e ve Ve t o , C es

a h s who was re ai n for the f n a i se M t ew , t ed de e ce, dv d

i n l a uil an d h n th e u e ro hi s cl e t to p e d g ty, w e j dg p ceeded in solemn tones to pass sentence the hai r

ss r sh u him in rman a n s ra dre e o ted to Ge cce t , P y, OTHER FAMOUS JUDGES 49 m l r va va a va " Mr arna us he y o d, te, te, v te, te B b ,

ri n i i n -morrow l The l arne u b g pet t o to e d j dge, h r on i nu hi s s e h remark ha he oweve , c t ed pe c , n t t would not allow that court to be used for purposes

’ of S i sen n the ar er a da s im ri s n p te, te ced b b to y p o

nd r r hi s imm di r m n a e a el as . On hi s e t, o de ed te e e re urn to n n r ha ni h visi the ar r t Ve t o t t g t I ted b be , but he never forgave me for leaving him in the lur h al h u h h e was s m ha a iﬁ th e c , t o g o ew t p c ed by r i n he met i h at the railwa ecept o w t y stati on . Three ﬁddlers who used to play on the beach met him an d in f r hi s cab s r hi m hi s , go g be o e e co ted to shop to the tune of How h appy could I be with

’ ei h r r h r ar harm r a a . t e , we e t ot e de c e w y Mr Baron Channel] was presi ding i n August

1 8 at the x r ssi z s h n a n ri us a 79 E ete A e , w e oto o b by farm r a in ri for m nni w s ur r. e , A e Took, be g t ed de

He concluded hi s summing-up to the j ury late on

a ur a ni h and at mi dni h h re urn S t d y g t, g t t ey t ed to the court and sai d there was no chance of their agreei ng on th eir verdi ct Now although in all

as of fel n h n in r res s an ad oumment c e o y, w e p og , j can take place over the Saturday the j ury cannot

n inu h ir eli rati n on th e un a s hi h is co t e t e d be o S d y , w c

di es mm in l w Mr B ar n hannel] acc rdin l a a . o C o g y 50 ME MORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

is har th e ur an d th e ris n r was rie d c ged j y, p o e t d

a ai n n i an d s n n a h but the g , co v cted, e te ced to de t , sen n as mm An ob e tion te ce w co uted . j c to the

’ second tri al was made by the prisoner s counsel on the ground that th e woman having been gi ven in

har the ﬁrs ur i h the r s For the c ge to t j y w t wo d ,

’ ris n r now s an s on her li ran and ha p o e t d de ve ce, t t

h r f r the ﬁrs ur was un to h a li r t e e o e, t j y bo d ve de ve ed

h ir i w r as rrul . t e ve d ct, ove ed Lord Alverstone has Shown himself a very i strong j u dge . W thout the marvellous geni us of

Cockbum or th e rh ri of ussell or the sua i , eto c R , v ty of th e sil r- n u l ri he h as mai n ve to g ed Co e dge, yet tai ned i n th e full s r the i ni of th e , e t deg ee, d g ty

Bench as Chi ef J usti ce of th e Hi gh Court . Hi s ri al of nn the arm u h mur r r at the t Be ett, Y o t de e ,

Old ail h n Mr arshall all f nd the B ey, w e M H de e ed

ri s n r r the B ar and the u li h a p o e , p oved to to p b c t t no man was ever more alive to th e dignity of hi s

osi i n or was m r n to do usti n p t o , o e kee j ce betwee man and man an d hi s r n n u of the as , ece t co d ct c e of Rayner at the New Old Bailey for the murder of Mr Whi teley has proved hi m to be an able

Mr now r us i e nn who was at n , Lo d J t c Ke edy, Eto

MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

and the tri al took place on the a3rd December

and h vi t e prisoner con cted on the eve of Christmas . I have heard Mr Justi ce Darling plead many a

day that at th e reques t of Mr Justice Hawkins he — defended a prisoner called Davis otherwise

imm the h s eman - who wi th th r J y C ee , two o e

1 880 for r in an old man of hi s a h and obb g w tc ,

af r ards so it was sai ushin him in the te w , d, p g to

River Wye at Hereford . All three prisoners were

a ui of the har of mur r but r con cq tted c ge de , we e

r vi cted forthe theft of th e watch . M Darling made

a mo su ful s h for his li n and nd r st ccess peec c e t, I wo e if the dapper little j u dge still retai ns the few li nes of approbati on which Mr Justi ce Hawkins threw down from the Bench as a pres age of his prosperous

’ Of th e ﬁfteen common law judges in the King s

Bench Divisi on there is one for whom I have the

ref r to r greatest personal regard . I e M Justi ce

ran ham who is now the seni r ui sn u G t , o p e j dge I saw a great deal of him duri ng th e Maybri ck tri al at i er l h r h e was r si in i n the i il L v poo , w e e p e d g C v OTHER FAMOUS JUDGES 53

ha i n a ur . has his nemi s cause v Co t He e e be , g

en sens of ha is ri h h e i s n his ke e w t g t, g ve ve t to l H opinion and th e truth is not always palatab e . e

ri h a man the l hose r al nam was t ed C p , Po e, w e e

los s i who was nvi e for the mur er of K ow k , co ct d d his - the ur was three wives . His summing up to j y especially luci d and to the point ; the death of th e three women evi dently being caused by the same

fam us ri al of Mr Mr usti ran ham o t Beck, J ce G t

’ appears to h ave reali sed that the prisoner s guilt was not l ar and in man h r ases ri him c e , y ot e c t ed by I have always noticed that he at once gras ped the facts and hi s charges to the jury are always

An amusing inci dent occurred when he was

i r n ur n ci ui Th e pres iding n the C ow Co t o rc t . prisoner told the prosecutri x to go to a place the name of whi ch is unmenti onable Duri ng the

h K. C . a n r r ss f he rial . f o e o t Mr . so o p g t H G S ee, ( the old Serjeant) referred to the incident an d the l arn u remar him Do ou ut in a e ed j dge ked to , y p

m hi s la n a Mr he . ha not ot o m p , S e I ve g t p ce y

n I s i t an wh r on the r a l s ? otes . y e e o d to Ecc e

Mr J usti ce Gran tham told me an amusing 54 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

anecdote whi ch Shows th at a judge minus his robes

an d n at th e Old wig is not always i denti ﬁ ed . O ce

’ Bailey he had tri ed Lady Saltoun s butler for

r r and her son the rs n er had i n obbe y, , p e e t pe , g ve

i n e in th e ri al a r in the da u and ev de c t . L te y j dge

i ness met at th e arl n lu an d ti n in w t C to C b, get g to conversati on Mr J usti ce Grantham referred to the a c se .

B ut n er saw ou in our sai r I ev y c t, d Lo d Saltoun

Oh es ou did r in Mr us i , y , y , ejo ed J t ce

ran ham ou s me for s m im G t , y poke to o e t e ” ans r r al un nl s o No, we ed Lo d S to , I o y p ke ” to my counsel an d th e j u dge .

Mr us i ran h am smil and ui tl a J t ce G t ed q e y dded, ” ha I ppened to be the j u dge .

To Mr J usti ce Gran th am I thi nk the ode of

ra e —famili ar me in m n a s h n m Ho c to y Eto d y , w e y

ar old u r th e r n now th e . r de t to , Rev He be t S ow,

n n f r i i a me . an as n o u ham ni Rev C o Ky to D , t ted — i nto the art of Latin verse writing may ﬁtly be

J usturn et tenacern propositi virum

N on ci vi um ar or rava ubenti um d , p j Non vu ltus instantis tyranni ” Mente quatit solida. MR J USTICE HAWKI NS (LORD BRAMPTON)

R R MP r n n as Sir nr LO D B A TON , bette k ow He y

a ins wh o ri hi s i tl fr m ram n a H wk , de ved t e o B pto , small village i n Hunti ngdonshire and one connected

doubtles s be cousi dere(I one of the strongest j u dges of the last century .

As an advocate and skilled cross-exami ner h e

ad few uals at th e B ar and li hi s fri n h eq , ke e d

Serj ean t Ballanti ne h e soon discovered the weak

’ poi nts of hi s Opponent s cas e and turned them to the bes t advan tage Without the great forensic

ra r of rs in or r u ham li h m o to y E k e B o g , yet, ke t e ,

h e studied the faces of the j uries before whom

h a r and s n a in u h i h h e ppea ed oo w s to c w t t em .

The la Mr ar n ar i n r i hi s su ss te B o M t p ed cted cce ,

and when it is menti oned that h e refused a fee of

ﬁfty thousand poun ds marked on hi s brief it may

be doubted whether any member of the B ar ever 55 56 MEMORI ES OF FAMOUS TRI ALS reali sed so large an income from his profes si onal

I was pres ent at Croydon when he acted as one

’ of the counsel forth e defence of one of my broth ers

l s fri nds th e la l nel al n in a r o de t e , te Co o V e t e B ke ,

wh o was rie f r Mr us i r af rwards t d be o e J t ce B ett, te

r h I am i ch m tri al at Lo d Es er. n the f ous T bo e B ar before the Lord Chi ef Justi ce of England

Sir Al xan r Cockbum Mr us i e ll r and ( e de ), J t c Me o

Mr us i e ush Mr a i ns as he h n was J t c L , H wk , t e ,

represented the Crown wi th the Attorney-General great legal authority once remarked the case would never have been so unduly prolonged had Mr Hawkins had th e sole condu ct of th e case for the

r n an d the frau ul ha een x osed C ow , d wo d ve b e p as s n as the a in e is was rea he and oo W pp g p ode c d, the clai mant identiﬁ ed as the son of a butcher of that place I was present during nearly th e whole of h a fam us rial at B ar at s tmi ns r in 1 8 2 t t o t We te 7 , and can r all as if it r es rda the I ec , we e y te y, shr r ss- ami na i n an ui the ex-co ewd c o ex t o of Je L e, n vi who had re nis the claiman as Sir r ct, cog ed t Roge

Ti chbome and lar he had i c u the , dec ed p ked p mi ssi n aron on ar the Os re h n he was g B et bo d p y , w e MR JUSTICE HAWKI NS 57 su r l pposed to have been lost at sea . I can eca l the chagrin on the face of the notorious witnes s

h n on the stim n of his own if Mr a i ns w e , te o y w e, H wk exposed him as a convict who had undergone

nal servi tu h r he was r l a a ain pe de, to w e e e eg ted g for seven years by the late Mr Justi ce Brett on convi cti on for periury in reference to the Tichbome

as i h the x i n of r ram n r c e W t e cept o Lo d B pto , Lo d

Halsbur and r us i a h n arl all y Lo d J t ce M t ew, e y the actors in that famous tri al have crossed th e

B a r h rial a ins ar. Shortly fte the Ti c bome t Mr H wk was rais the n h and s n ai n the ed to Be c , oo g ed the Charles Peace type found li ttle mercy at his h n o s r is l of a ris n r who a ds . A go d to y to d p o e ma a r mar a li man who arrs him de e k to po ce e ted , and the j u dge inquiring the nature of it the con

l ha did the ris ner sa ? stab e hes i tated . W t p o y

as the u . ll l ase m l r if ked j dge We , p e , y o d, I

’ mus sa i t he x resse a h ha he sh ul n t y , e p d ope t t o d t

f r a old come be o e th t Hawki ns . Lord Brampton pres i ded at many famous of the most notorious criminals who ever expi ated — her cri mes within the walls of Newgate Dr Neil 58 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

ream Milsom and l r as ll as sev ral C , Fow e , we e of the perpetrators of dynami te outrages

Mr Justice Hawkins was a most leni ent j udge in the cas e of women who had been deceived . I remember very well a young woman being sen fenced to death by him on a Friday afternoon at

e ir an r r th e Old Bai ley . Th c cumst ces we e ve y

ai nful and of urs it was a ar n h a the p , co e pp e t t t

ri Th capital sentence would not be car ed out . e chaplain of Newgate informed the j udge that it was customary for the sheriff and other omci als to inform the convict on the Monday morning after the s n n as the da of th e u i The e te ce to te exec t on .

’ i me was sh r but as a r f of the u s i n t o t , p oo j dge k d heart he hi mself at once made a personal vi si t to

the Home Oﬁ ce an d th e reprieve was despatched

to Newgate in time to prevent the pai nful mony .

’ Mr Justice Hawkins love of dogs is well

n wn and his aff i n for his fox- rri r k o , ect o te e J a

who accompanied hi s master on circuit and was

’ al a s s n in the heriff s arri a was r r a w y ee S c ge, ve y g e t .

I n th e summer of 1 885Mr J usti ce Hawkins and Mr

us i i l the la r i el the r J t ce F e d, te Lo d F d, vete an

6o MEMORI ES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

are all ri h now h r m s arr a i ns We g t , e e co e H y H wk and he is sure to have a black cap in his pocket 1’

Another interes ti ng and rather comi cal anecdote in r ar the m r m m On eg d to j udge ay be e e bered . the occasi on o f a di nner at the Temple for the anni versary of one of the Inns of Court the Prince

al s r si and in r si n the as of of W e p e ded, p opo g to t the evening remarked to th e Benchers that it was

” not nl the anni ers ar of the I nn but als o y v y , o of the call to the B ar of hi s Right Honourable fri n ir S nr a ins who was rs n . Mr e d He y H wk , p e e t

Dan o fr the fam us n u rof the r na i er G d ey, o co d cto G e d

uards an who led the r h s ra th e cue G B d, o c e t , took ,

the r si n n h rs an d uni rs ali e i n P e de t, Be c e J o k jo ed

’ heartily in the refrai n of Chevali er s well- known s n How ou fan a ins for ur her o g, do y cy H wk yo ot name ? hi h was hen all the ra th e l arne w c t ge, e d

Another original story within my own memory

’ of the judge s Skill as a cross-exami ner may be

- n s mentioned . A well k own ofﬁcer of the Guard had a h rs hi h was a a h a r u ham o e, w c tt c ed to b o g , MR JUSTICE HAWKINS 61

’ injured near Victori a Station . A doctors carriage

re the r u ham an d the coacbman ullin p ceded b o g , p g

’ up su ddenly the Guardsman s hors e came into

’ contact with the Spikes at the back of the doctor s carri age an d had to be killed . The Guardsman consulted a soli ci tor and Mr Hawkins was retai ned

was a ise to conduct the case . It dv d that a poli te letter should be written the doctor as ki ng for a cheque for one hundred pounds for the loss of the horse A sharp refusal was the only reply and an

The ﬁrs i n ss all acti on ensued . t w t e c ed was the

’ r s a hman an d a i n u a ai l a r docto co c , t k g p d y p pe

and readi ng from the adverti sements Mr Hawkins

r e r a an a man to do a bit of p oce ded to e d, W ted

’ d ri if r i ar ni n mil an u r . n hin g de g, k, d ve eq ed A yt g in your li ne ? he inquired . N o repli ed the

’

old ehu I m a a hman . Ah " r in J , co c ejo ed

the uns l wi h a n l at the ur ou are co e , t kee ook j y, y

man ll me the rul f t the very to te es o he road .

on hi s asi n di d ou ra u ur r i ns Now, t occ o y d w p yo e ” ne han ? N o h r li the i n h o ss . wit d , bot , ep ed w t e ” r e Mr a i ns is it cus omar Now, p oc eded H wk , t y

for the coachmm in front to hold up his whi p to

the driver behind as a Signal th at he i s going to stop Di d you hold up your whip How 62 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS high ? sai d the counsel; and by means of a qui ll pen and magneti c inﬂuence as Mr Hawki ns raised hi s pen he induced the witness to lift hi s hand

un il it had r a he an im ossi l h i h h n he t e c d p b e e g t, w e was at once confronted by the pierci ng look of hi s

r ss- ami n r who i h the si niﬁ an li f in of c o ex e , , w t g c t t g the brow which all who know Lord Brampton

ill remem r as a uli ar hara eristi of him w be pec c ct c ,

man N ow do ou mean sa ou hel de ded, , y to y y d your whi p up so high when a few moments ago you swore you drew your reins up with both hands ? and the cas e was won an d heavy

am ar ai ns the r d ages aw ded ag t docto .

’ r ram n s li l m us s r as i t Lo d B pto tt e o e to y, is alle is r h re a in as a r f of hi s l c d, wo t pe t g p oo ove

or ani m n i was h ar f r hi m f als . A co v ct c ged be o e at th e Old Bailey for the attempted murder of a

ri n ri n r had a li tl p so warder. The p so e kept t e m us in hi s a sl an d hi s had h r o e co t eeve, pet c ee ed

li of hi ll One da the ar r wh the so tude s ce . y w de o brought in hi s di nner caught si ght of the mouse

’ and ill it in he n i n k ed t co v ct s prese ce .

The man nra e alm s ma n ss i , e g d o t to d e , p cked u hi s nife and ma a rush for the ar er p k de w d , who mana e to es a n the ll an d the g d c pe beyo d ce , MR JUSTICE HAWKINS 63

thrust i ntended for him only injured the panel of

the N w a rule f ll r. o o law a man ce doo , by ,

cannot be convicted of an attempt to commit a

rim hi h at the m men was im ssi le c e w c o t po b . Th e late Mr Montagu Willi ams defended th e

ri s n r and at n s iz o n His n the i . p o e , o ce e ed po t

e ti n was fa al to the har e and the ur ere obj c o t c g , j y w

di r to ﬁn d a r i of not uil e i en l ected ve d ct g ty, v d t y l to the sati sfacti on of th e earned j udge .

Mr Justi ce Hawkins was a keen lover of the

has and on one asi n hen on the i lan c e, occ o w M d d

ir ui was the u s of m usin the la n ral C c t g e t y co , te Ge e i urna MP . for r h e s ershir wh o B by, No t L ce t e,

un hi m and a fox i n f un in the rin mo ted , be g o d P ce

of al s er at B a rave the u who r e W e cov t gg , j dge, od

ll i h the u rn was r sen at the ﬁni s we w t Q o , p e ted

i h the rush hi h hi s h s h ad r sse fo hi r m . w t b , w c o t d e d It may be menti oned as a proof that the love of

r is mm n all lass s ha am n s the Spo t co o to c e , t t o g t

’ General s guests at th e ti me who followed the h un s was the Archi eman ri of rs i a wh o o d d te Pe , ,

s i the ei h of hi s r s n ll . de p te w g t obe , we t we With the resignati on of Lord Brampton a long line of i an u s ases—Cockbum rs ki n g t j dge ce , E e,

arl r u ham nman l rson i h Sc ett, B o g , De , A de , W g t 64 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

man ll ram ll arti n re la urn , Po ock, B we , M , B tt, B ckb ,

uss ll of ill en i z am s h n ha all R e K ow , F t i e Step e ve

e gon . When shall we see their li ke agai n ? I am ” no lau a r tem ori s a i but a en h hi h d to p ct , B c w c

can produce such men will ﬁnd it diﬁ cult to secu re giants of the same power to follow in their

The la hn l f re his dea h con te Jo Too e, be o t , ﬁded to me a good story the last time I saw him

apropos of Mr Justi ce Hawki ns .

The u was on the i lan ir ui at j dge M d d C c t,

r an d l h a n to la in at the De by, Too e ppe ed be p y g

h a r in th e n at th e tim an d a hi n t e t e tow e, , c tc g

sight of the features of the actor in the body of

the ur the u s n him a n th e ush r co t, j dge e t ote by e

— ll si in la t -ni EAR ha. o h D JOHNNY , S be tt g te g t

ill ur r m t My di nner w be yo suppe . Co e o the

‘ ” r e la an d ha a h lodgings afte th p y ve c at .

l as an ni n was s n and hen o l A p e t eve g pe t, w T o e

took hi s departure the ju dge held a candle to light

h a are ou i i hi m downstai rs . W t y go ng to g ve

ou ri - da ? sai l lo i n that cove y t ed to y d Too e, ok g

’ ” i n hi n it a bad ase m s l . ll up ; I d d t t k c y e f We ,

i a ins h u h ﬁve ars an d shall sa d H wk , I t o g t ye , I

- ass sen n m rro . han ou sai p te ce to o w T k y , d MR JUSTICE HAWKINS 65

Toole ; I will jus t run round to the newspaper

mo an d ll h m n n r it i a O e te t e the se te ce befo e s p ssed . It is not every actor who is in the know with a ” I sai a ins will n er u . f ou j dge y do d H wk , I ev

“ Oh " I could not miss su h a han sai o l hi n ha a n i c c c ce, d T o e ; t k w t ot e

I shall get for my play if I tell them There was a winkl in hi s hi h a i ns n i t e eye w c H wk ot ced, and he a r i a the si uati n and h s and pp ec ted t o , o t

ri n guest parted good f e ds . I will conclu de with a Short poem

’ illustrates Lord Brampton s career

Amongs t th e judges of great fame ’ The B ar will tell Lo r B ram ton s name d p , A u e im arti al ust and stron j dg p , j g, re all wh will o ro Fea d by o d w ng.

N o kinder heart than his was found ’ W en e er for merc t ere was roun h y h g d, ’ N o erring woman s piteous tale

w a With him as ever known to f il.

’ And now Life s course is nearly run ’ E en as the Sin in of the sun k g . May his closing years be bles t CHAPTER VI

NOTABLE COUNSEL

MR MONTAGU WILLIAMS probably defended more criminals at the Old Bailey than any li vi ng

arris r and i h hi s t i n fri n Mr u las b te , w t w e d, Do g ill now Sir u las rai h Mr . . ( Do g ) St g t, C F G ,

KC an d Mr now Sir harl s a h s was , ( ) C e M t ew , engaged in nearly every celebrated case that took place there

Another well- known ﬁ gure at the Central

ri mi nal ur was m r ar old fri n Mr C Co t y ve y de e d,

i h who di e at n i an l n r. was h Serje t S e g , d Ve t o I w t

f m r hi him but a ew oments befo e s death . I persuaded hi m shortly before that sad event to

in me in a ui di nner at hi h r l rs n jo q et w c Lo d A ve to e,

h n n wn as Sir i char s r r hi ef t e k o R d Web te , Lo d C

n i r ho usti of lan r si . S Ri har w J ce E g d, p e ded c d,

as m r for the slan h n h e am w Me be I d, w e c e to

s ak r mar e u n the leas ur i t a hi m pe , e k d po p e g ve

m one of hi s old mra s- in- arms er eant to eet co de , S j 66

68 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

n r remember him smili ng . He has ow eti red from

the Old ail and it ul in er s in n B ey, wo d be t e t g to k ow

how man unf r una rimi nals he has his y o t te c , by

unim assi n s h s h l c n i p o ed peec e , e ped to o v ct I can conceive no man more Opposi te to the French

avocat than Sir H arry Poland ; no joke or pungent

r mar r li Th as im e k eve escaped his ps . e l t t e I saw

hi m was at r h n he a are f r Bow St eet, w e ppe d be o e

Sir am s I n harn th e hi f ma is ra e ros J e g , c e g t t , to p e cute Burton and Cunni ngham in 1 885for attempt

in l i ri ti g to b ow up V cto a Sta on and the Tower.

For the ﬁrst three days of the heari ng the pri soners

r h ar e nl i h r inar fel n but the we e c g d o y w t o d y o y,

a us l a has h n Mr lan rs s cc ed ooked g t w e Po d, d e ed in hi s usual m urnful a ire and hi h sti ff llar o tt g co , began to fumble over the pages of a musty Old law book and as ked permi ssion to change the indict

inf rm Sir am s I n harn ha ment . He o ed J e g t t there

l Ac t of r was a very o d Geo ge IV . whi ch had never

n r al h r in it was na ha an n bee epe ed, w e e e cted t t yo e ’ — setting ﬁre to any of the Ki ng s arsenals such as — th e Tower could be convicted an d sentenced to

if no li s r l s death even ve we e o t . He added that the Crown intended to charge th e prisoners under

As a ma r of fa th n that Act . tte ct e pri so ers were NOTABLE COUNSEL 69 not so h ar at the Old ail but n r h l ss c ged B ey, eve t e e were sentenced by Mr Justice Hawkins to penal servitu de for li fe and li berated from Portland not l n a o h n h r li ti al ris n rs ai n o g g , w e ot e po c p o e obt ed

h ir fr m t e eedo . — I knew Mr Lockwood afterwards Sir Frank

w — li i r neral h n he n u Lock ood So c to Ge , w e co d cted th e prosecuti on of J ames Canh arn Read at Chelms

r was an ford for the Southend murde . He excellent cross-examiner and an expert at witty

hils ri s m of hes ma re alle . sto e . So e t e y be c d W t a ndi n a re e ti n in n n he i h Mrs tte g c p o Lo do , , w t

w was as the r m of the Lock ood, ked by g oo

h am rs ha name Sir? ari n h a c be , W t , He g t t fun ti nar all out in a an The aci n sh c o y c dv ce, M to and Mrs a i n osh a c r i n h us m M c t , c o d g to Scotc c to ,

Mr w d ui kl r li e ell enn Lock oo q c y ep d, W , 45 L ox

n Gardens and Mrs Lockwood . A other well known story i n regard to poor Lockwood occurred

urin the heari n of th e arn ll mmi ssi n d g g P e Co o ,

rs i e r Sir am s af r ar s r p e d d ove by J e , te w d Lo d, mi h . d r ann n Mr usti e . an M usti H e , J c A L S t J ce

urin th e ri al Mr us i Da Day . D g t J t ce y never

ma a remar al h u h Sir am s annen e de k, t o g J e H k pt

ir r i n i h hi s ll a u S . mi n s . h co ve g w t co e g e, A L S t , 7o MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

af r ar s as r of the lls . o kw te w d M te Ro L c ood ,

sotto voce ni h elle h ni h an d Da , K( g t) t t K( g t) y

Lockwood told me he once defended a notorious

ur lar at r and r i hi s i ns ru ti ns b g Yo k, ece ved t c o direct from his client in the dock . Wh at defence bluntly asked Lock

AW r li the ris ner , ep ed p o ,

’ Sam Weller s li ne of defence . ’ i ” s ha t sai . Let ve , d Lockwood

Could not have put up thi s job was the ans er hi h th e a us a was w , to w c cc ed dded, I a a at ar at the im a- ur in of m w y Redc t e, b y g y

’ - - mother in law .

’ Have you got the undertak er? was counsel s next questi on

Of urse ha he was l an d a r co I ve, to d, ve y

l si le efen w ma H d it n t n p au b d ce as de . a o bee for a er str n summin - u fr m Mr usti a v y o g g p o J ce C ve,

’ who n th e ris ner s an e d n s k ew p o t ce e t , Lockwood

man ff B ut th ur n would have got hi s O . e j y fou d hi m uil and a l n rm of nal s rvi u g ty, o g te pe e t de resulted . CHAPTER VII

DETECTIVES AN D THE ARDLAMONT MYSTERY

I HAVE known a whole host of detectives who i have ﬁgured n famous tri als at the Old Bailey .

It may not be generally un derstood that in the

old e a a s uri n the in r als tw n the N wg te d y , d g te v be ee m n hl s ssi ns i s r m all ar s of the o t y e o , detect ve f o p t

r li s i si th e a l h n the rison rs a ai Met opo v ted g o , w e p e w t ingtri al were drawn up in a li ne on the parade ground and i nspected by acute and lynx-eyed members of the poli ce- force from Scotland Yard in order to

” r c ni s old la s so ha h ir r vi us con e og e g , t t t e p e o victi ons mi ght be proved after their tri al at the

r h ri di al isi s Central Crimi nal Cou t . T ese pe o c v t of th e ti s had no err r forﬁ rs ff n rs detec ve t o t o e de , but th e hardened habi tués di d all in their power by twists and contorti ons of ﬁgure and face to escape the fri endly recogni ti on of the omcers of the law . A nod on the part of th e detective as he spotted hi s man was s l m r urn the ul ri who e do et ed by c p t , 7 r 7 2 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

assin his im un r the nam of mi h a p g t t e de e S t ,

r s an di d not ish i t r m m r P ote t t, w to be e e be ed th at he had done hi s seven years at Portland for

a burglary when he had es poused the Catholi c

ai h un r h i F t de t e name of Rob nson .

Amongst well- known detecti ves wi th whom I was a uain ns r ann r will men cq ted, I pecto T e be ti oned and his skill and adroitnes s i n th e Mii ller

as ill allu e ti u h r c e w be ded to . D tec ve B tc e I

’ n ll and in m mi n s can now k ew we , y d eye I see hi s massi ve frame as he stood i n th e gang way of th e old court ready to prove a previ ous

n co victi on against the prisoner i n th e dock . — Detectives Brockwell and Greet the latter an old — fri en d of mi ne played a promi nent part in the

Ardlamont Mystery tri al before th e Lord Justi ce

l r a di n ri is r the C e k t E burgh . He t ed to d cove

her a u s of — ali as en a fri n of w e bo t Scott Swe ey, e d

’ Alfr hn ns n s—th e x r in a h s so ed Jo Mo o e pe t y c t ,

i t was sai an d h s isi to ha l el s d, w o e v t t t ov y pot on the Kyles of Bute was supposed to h ave been

’ ami n ns n s ach The Alef t but h s to ex e Mo o y t, , w o e

r al 7 6k in li f was a n ra m in s an d e e to tte d ce eet g , who was present on th e memorable tenth day of August 1 893 when Cecil H amborough was shot THE ARDLAMONT MYSTERY TRIAL 73

Many a yarn h ave I had with Brockwell an d dear old Greet in the smoke room of th e Royal Hotel at

di n ur h an d can ell r m m r hi s r mar E b g , I w e e be e k to me You u h to ha n the e ti e and , o g t ve bee d tec v I the parson What a merry party we were as

f r a h r a h nin uri n th e ri al we o eg t e ed e c eve g d g t , discussi n the a di i nal evi n r mar in on g d t o de ce, e k g

’ the prisoner s coolness and laying wagers on the — verdi ct all of us shrou ded i n fumes of smoke .

h r er rs n s li i rs wri rs to the i ne T e e w e p e e t o c to , te S g t, the rn r of the a l arris rs rs s- men gove o g o , b te , p e ,

m old fri n Tom c of the Westmi nster y e d, S ott,

Gazette the Star men th e r ura r- i s al and , , P oc to F c all the ﬁnanci ers and representatives of Insurance

m ani s h s assi s an e had n in Co p e , w o e t c bee voked

a r H amborou h ullin one wa an d by M jo g , p g y ,

e il H amborou h and hi s uasi - u or ns n C c g q t t , Mo o ,

ulli n the h r wa to rai s a off p g ot e y , e to p y the mortgage to the Eagle Company an d thus release the estates and provi de a small income for

r hi l Major H ambo ough and s son . Dud ey Harn borough bore th e ordeal of the tri al well and Greet

i n and he became great fr e ds . Nei ther Greet nor Brockwell ever di scovered the whereabouts of

an d da aft r da the ush r at the com Scott, y e y e , 74 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS mencement of the r e di n s ha in all out p oc e g v g c ed ,

' Th e Diet of H er Majesty s Advocate against

lfr hn ns n all i n ai n for to A ed Jo Mo o , c ed v Scott

ma remem r surrender. It y be be ed that Greet and Brockwell were assisted in London by the local

li em n fr m i hna ruai h who s n si x po c e o T g b c , pe t

e s at the Govermnent nse si ht- se in we k expe g e g, but neverSpotted the missing man

I often wonder whether the Ardlamont Mys ter will li e the a mur er s m da y , k Ro d d , o e y be

e r r made clear. N ve Shall I fo get the concluding ’ — words of Monson s fam ous advocate the late — Mr Conni e Thomson in the High Court of

usti i ar at di n ur h th e ur : ma J c y E b g to j y It y be,

n l men h a s m of ou ma hi n h a if ge t e , t t o e y y t k t t, your verdi ct sets thi s man at li berty and h e i s

il h n ni h li m i t i s u e will u u s . e g ty, go p ed Be eve

i i n r n not so t s ra to the rdi nan e of r vi e . , co t y o c P o d ce

There i s a great Go d who i s above all ; He i s

H i n i nﬁni e e i s mni s e . n ean s min I t ; o c t Ve g ce e, I

ill re a sai h the r . w p y, t Lo d

Greet played a promi nent part i n Lord Queens

’ bery s tri al at the Central Criminal Court before

Mr us i nn llins la as r of the lls J t ce He Co , te M te Ro

and no mean su ss r Si r eor ssel now a cce o to G ge Je ,

THE ARDLAMONT MYSTERY TRIAL 75

ff Lord of Appeal Poor old Q . got o with ﬂying — colours Oscar Wilde consenting to a verdi ct of

’ N ot uil hi h was an am un to a mi in g ty, w c t t o t d tt g at th e instigati on of the Public Prosecutor agai nst

il and not all th e a ili of ha r a a a W de, b ty t t g e t dvoc te — — Sir Edward Clarke could break down the case for the prosecu ti on as elicited by Sir Edward

ars n and the ri s n r r i a s n n of C o , p o e ece ved e te ce

’ two years imprisonment with h ard labour from probably the most humane and courteous j udge

allu ir lfre who ever sat on th e Bench . I de to S A d li li Wills who has recently retired from pub c fe . i ” De mortui s nil ni s bonum . Mr Justi ce

Wills passed the extreme sentence under the

Crimi nal Law Amendment Act and regretted that

n n all ina m the se te ce was so tot y dequate . No an ever more richly deserved hi s fate th an th e convi ct

r out hi sen n e in ea in who wo ked s te c R d g Gaol .

His end was a sad one and it is be h ha the , to oped t t — morality of our country whi ch seems to be wani ng

— will be mai n ai n and ha h s who hus t ed, t t t o e t transgress should not escape condi gn punish ment

Greet was instrumental in the convicti on of 76 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

Koz z ula for a mur r in l ms ur the ri s n r de B oo b y, p o e

i n e u e in a e be g xec t d Newg t .

A new generati on of Scotland Yard detecti ves

has s run u u l ss as ill i n h ir r p g p , do bt e Sk ed t e wo k

as h ir r ss rs but n h m not but if t e p edece o , I k ow t e ; my record of those who di d such good work in

clearing the Metropoli s of h abitual cri mi nal s and

thi eves should meet the eye of any I have men

ti oned ul ish add ha alu h ir , I wo d w to t t I v ed t e

i ndn ss a r i a e h ir an s n rni n k e , pp ec t d t e ecdote co ce g th e mysteries they were instrumental in clearing

u an d f en hi n of hem and old unf r en p , o t t k t o gott

days .

78 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

one mi ght almost despai r as to a correct di agnosis

’ here one s h ar li er or lun s r at faul I n w e t , v g we e t

th e Maybrick trial Mr Justi ce Stephen rather

disregarded the medical testimony and di rected

the j ury to pay attenti on to all the facts of the

h a case as li nks in one chai n . T t doctors di ffer

is an axiom th at was clearly proved in the case of

And m f ff Palmer. I ysel have su ered to the extent

of hundreds of pounds i n an action i n the Chancery

Divi sion of the Hi gh Court whi ch I won I had

no less han se n uns l fee and if the as t ve co e to , c e

h ad h ad to be deci ded by the medi cal evi dence I

should undoubtedly have lost ; ﬁ ve medical men

were called an d th ey all di ffered one from the

h r but Mr us i r h a mm n- sens ot e , J t ce No t took co o e m view and I won y cas e .

Old fri n r eant l i h l me a My e d, Se j S e g , to d

i as remarkable story about med cal experts . He w

defending a prisoner at the Old B ailey who was

f hi f n ll i h is ni n charged be ore C e Baro Po ock w t po o g .

Dr eth eb the fam us r and anal s and L y , o expe t y t,

who a im r an evi n in the almer as g ve po t t de ce P c e,

was th e principal witness for the Crown When in the witnes s- box he stated th at he h ad operated on a gui nea- pig (as being in all respects like a man) EXPERT EVIDENCE 79 with the poison whi ch was supposed to have been admi ni stered i n the case whi ch was being tried .

Th e exami nati on- i n- Chi ef lasted ti ll late i n th e af rn n an d the hi f ar n remar e Per te oo , C e B o k d, ha s r h r l i h ou ul li e os on p , B ot e S e g , y wo d k to p tp e your cross- exami nati on of Dr Leth eby until

’ ’ - m m h e can s fa h r who rr rni n . T ser to o ow o g j t t e ,

was a m di al man ra i si n i n arle ree and e c p ct g H y St t,

who h a ene be r s n i n ur i n i e hi s pp d to p e e t co t , v t d

son to me h m and di n i h hi m remar i n co o e e w t , k g

that he thought that he could be of some assi stance

uri n th i th to him . D g e vi s t e doctor poi nted out

to Serj cant Sleigh th at it was reported i n the work

of ar n u i r a fam us r n h m di al au h r B o C v e , o F e c e c t o ,

ha th e ui n a- i had no all la r hi h i s t t g e p g g b dde , w c

Being th us primed th e serj can t commenced hi s

cross-exami nati on of Dr Letheby next day at the Central Crimi nal Court

You hos the ui n a- i r e clai m c e g e p g, docto , x ed

the s r an to the itn ss as i n in all r s s e je t w e , be g e pect like a man ?

I n all r s re th i s ans e e n ss . e pect , w d w t e

I will tak e you through the different organs

” ”

of th e n i nu the ser an . i r? body, co t ed je t L ve 80 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

Lungs ?

Yes .

Ki dneys ?

”

Yes .

Gall bladder?

Yes .

eli sai the ser eant the all la er I b eve, d j , g b dd

plays a prominent part in elimi nation of poison

n Dr Leth eby nodded as se t . ” Now a th e s r eant armi n u , dded e j , w g p to

r h l in m han a r ar n hi s wo k, I o d y d wo k by B o

h a is ur i a as the s un ness of Cuvi er. W t yo de to o d

hi s opini on i I would endorse t .

’ h n n i nu the s r can su osin T e , co t ed e j t, pp g I

were to tell you that Baron Cuviersays a guinea-pig

no all la r wha ul be ur ini n h as g b dde , t wo d yo Op o

’ ’ al a s un rs it had was Dr Leth eb s I w y de tood , y

r rejoinde .

’ Holding up the book to the latter s face the

ant deman ill ou s ar i t has serj e ded, W y we

82 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

i mm n of elaha r r n . f e d, To y Bo d D y St eet He was

nsul the r asur in all ases of au co ted by T e y c topsy .

I often met him at Minehead when he followed the

n and m rs s a h unds h n us t Devo So e et t g o , w e I ed o hun fr m ha h l of h ls Th e lum t o t t ote ote , P e of

’ a h rs of hi ch m fri n Mr o r hri s l Fe t e , w y e d, Ge ge T t e ,

Dr n us to a n i s the host . Bo d ed tte d the late Mr

la s ne and hi s sad end— h n suff ri n fr m G d to , w e e g o a dire di s as — l f the rl the r r and e e e t wo d poo e , I amongst many mourn hi s loss . CHAPTER IX

C THE PALMER POISONING ASE . DID COOK DIE FROM STRYCHNINE

MY r ll i n s a to the ri al of alm r eco ect o goe b ck t P e , the is ner who was arrai n f r the r po o , g ed be o e Lo d

hi f us i of n lan r am ll Mr ar n C e J t ce E g d (Lo d C pbe ), B o Alderson and Mr Justice Cresswell for the murder h of John Parsons Cook . A ost of counsel appeared

for the r wn on the one han and for the n C o d, defe ce

r ir l an r urn h n on the he . S ot A ex de Cockb , t e

Attome - n ral led for the r n and h ad y Ge e , C ow ,

studied chemi stry for three months previously so

th at he mi ght be able to test the value of the evi dence of th e various medical experts who were

And i im called on either si de . w th h were Mr

win ames wh o at ha i m s m ha Ed J , , t t t e, ee ed to ve

a ar er of rilli an f r him unsur asse but c e b cy be o e p d,

stan ces cast hi m down from the pedestal he ought

to h ave occupied ; th e juni ors for the Crown were — — ii my memory serves me ri ght Mr Bodkin and 83 84 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

almer had s cur as hi s Mr H uddlestone . P e ed leading counsel a famous advocate in the person

of the la Mr r can h h s e h for the te Se j t S ee, w o e Spe c

f n u i no less h an ei h h urs and the de e ce occ p ed t g t o , learned counsel was so carried away by hi s feeli ngs

that he was called to order by the late Chi ef Justice

h n in the h a of hi s ar um n he assur the w e , e t g e t , ed

j ury on his own word of honour th at hi s cli ent

r was innocent of the murde . Amongst the leadi ng

x er s for the r wn r Dr es Dr Letheb e p t C o we e Re , y

and Dr Alfr a n a l r au h r of the ll ed Sw y e T y o , t o we

s an ar r on m di al uri s ru b rown t d d wo k e c j p dence .

I remember very well Sitti ng with him alone on the Bench of the New Court at the bewitchi ng

mi dnight hour when the j ury had been deliberating

h rs in a of for three ou cas e murder. Dr Taylor

had been a wi tness and subjected to severe cross

xamina i n and nﬁ me ha h e t o , co ded to t t e wi shed

” ri n hi s he had n r e . aus eve w tt book Bec e, he

a h mak me sa s m hi n dded, t ey e y o et g i n the

witnes s- box and then put in that confounded book to contradict me

The strongest witness for the pri soner was Dr

Benj amin Ward Richardson (who was afterwards

ni h e he was a ar old fri n of min a k g t d) ; de e d e,

86 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

ornot uil and ha f en u er mu h g ty , I ve o t do bted v y c whether Palmer ought ever to have been legally

n i inasmu h as her was a nﬂi of co v cted, c t e co ct medi cal evi dence as to whether the amount of stry chnine found in th e body was sufﬁ ci ent to

’ aus was r a l due to Sir c e Cook s death . It p ob b y

’ Alexander Co ckburn s reply on the part of th e

r n h a alm r hi s n i i n and ha C ow t t P e owed co v ct o , t t

great j u dge is reported to h ave sai d th at the bes t compliment ever pai d to him in hi s life was th at

i en him alm r in the o h n th e g v to by P e d ck, w e ” The j ury had returned a verdict of Guilty .

convicted man threw over a strip of paper to hi s

s li i r Mr mi h in the ll of th e ur i h o c to , S t , we co t, w t

h s rds on it is not the h rs but th e t e e wo , It o e,

” ri in ha di d it allu in in s r in lan ua d g t t , d g po t g g ge to the effective manner in whi ch Sir Alexander

Cockbum h ad conducted the case for the proseou

I t may be interesting to interpolate here a

’ bri ef hi story of Palmer 3 remarkable career whi ch

ulmina c ted in the murder of John Parsons Cook .

Th e la rwas the wn r of a ra h rse l s ar tte o e ce o , Po e t , whose wonderful series of victories on the turf in 1 855 attracted particularly the noti ce of Willi am ‘ THE PALMER POISONING CASE 87

alm r who the arli s r uni of P e , took e e t oppo t ty maki ng the acquai ntance of Cook The two soon race meetings

h r ll u a r the un r . alm r h n a toget e ove co t y P e , t e bo t

hi r ars of a e was a m di al man who had t ty ye g , e c been in practice at the li ttle town of Rugeley i n

aff r The urf h r h a m shir . d r at St o d e t , oweve , o e

ra i ns for hi m han m di in so he ma his t ct o t e c e, de practi ce over to a former assistant and took to

- H horse raci ng for a li ving . e was very soon in dir s rai s for m n an d it ma hi s ﬁrs e t t o ey, to get de t la se in rim f r in the name of hi s m h r p to c e by o g g ot e , who was ssesse of nsi ra l r r po d co de b e p ope ty, to an acceptan ce I n order that thi s Should not be discovered it was necessary th at he must needs go further Palmer di d not hesitate but very adroitly

r n f r h an r h cove ed o e o gery wit othe . T ere were many promi ssory notes in hi s name an d just when he was hi s wife died very suddenly after being seiz ed with

i c l i d in s b ress f ll c nvu s ns . ha , o owed by o o He sured her li fe to th e extent of an d thi s put him right for a time an d enabled him to purchase

two racehorses ; but luck was agai nst him both

as an n r an d as a hacker and h e h n res r ow e , t e o ted 88 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

h h to borrowing money from hi s friend Cook . T oug

the la r n er b r it alm r f r hi s nam tte ev ew , P e o ged e

o h u us hen h r wa li el be t a c eq e . J t w t e e s k y to trouble about th e Cheque and other monetary

transactions Palmer was once more relieved

’ hr u h the m di um of hi s r h r s a h a ai n t o g e b ot e de t , g

fr m si cb ress and nvulsi ns and h m he had o co o , w o

r r n hi im th e insu ed fo a large amou t . T s t e i n surance oﬁ ce made consi derable demur about

a in and hin at the s ran n ss of the a h p y g ted t ge e de t ,

but n hi n ul be r an d n uall the ot g co d p oved, eve t y

m n was ai r to him nl th e wa of o ey p d ove , o y to go y

r ums f r a im forme s . A te t e certai n bill di scounters

who held forged acceptan ces an d promissory notes

began to threaten action Palmer was in desperate

s rai s and astin a ou for a wa out of hi s t t , , c g b t y

’ di fﬁ ul i s saw it n m r in his fri n c t e , o ce o e e d,

hn ns Jo Parso Cook . ’ — — The latter s horse Polestar was entered for

hr ws ur a s on m r 1 1 8 and th e S e b y R ce Nove be 4, 55, two intimates travelled to th e town together and

ut u at the m h l h h ra sa er t e an . p p e ote , w e t gedy beg On the eveni ng of the races they were dri nki ng together an d Cook pres sed Palmer to have some ” m r l ran . un ess ou ﬁnish u as s o e b dy Not l y yo rg ,

90 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

th r m i al men see o lai nin two o e ed c to C ok, exp g

a had for a l n im n si th t the patient o g t e bee ck, an d getting them to ascribe the sudden con h v ulsi ons of the day previous to weaknees . T ey

f ll i r r m ni ills e n with thi s view an d o de ed so e to c p , which Palmer undertook to see properly ad

i r mi n ste ed .

That ni ght two pills were gi ven by Palmer to

who was sh r l af r ards seiz ith Cook, o t y te w ed w

a i in v r was a ai n f h gon s g con ulsi ons . Palme g etc ed

hi s assis an and at n a him s m m r to t ce, o ce g ve o e o e

m i di n mi nu es in . h r ed c e Cook, oweve , ed twe ty t la r te .

’ Th e unfortunate young man s relati ves were

summ n u le and h ir sur ris r o ed to R ge y, to t e p e we e

told that Palmer held a Clai m of £4000 agai nst

’ hi s ar use s ran sus i i ns Cook S estate . T o d t ge p c o

an d eventually a post- mortem exami nation of h ’ t e deceas ed s body was ordered .

Besi des hi s ﬁnanci al difﬁ culties there were

several points of circumstanti al evi dence all tending

i r to prove hi s guilt as the po sone of Cook . Th e

fact of hi s trying to bri be the coroner by a present

of am hi s a m u s the ar hi h g e ; tte pt to p et j w c ,

ar full scaled n n ai n the n n s of c e y dow , co t ed co te t THE PAL MER POISONING CASE 91

’ Cook s stomach and whi ch were going to be sent up to London for analysi s by experts ; and hi s attempt to bribe the post- boy to upset the mai l- cart which

arri t f i i n a c ed he jar. All these acts formed l nks chai n of circumstanti al evi dence which requi red a Ce sar in advocacy to resi st Were i t not for

circumstanti al evi dence crimes must often go un for a man who in nds mmi a detected, te to co t great crime takes care that if possible no human

shall a i t Men m li e n ss of his ac . a eye be w t e y ,

and do li e h n h s if to a uall i n ssi n , w e t ey te t y ct y w t e g

a rim but a a h and a l - s ai n and a c e, w tc , b ood t , bullet corresponding to those used by a revolver in th e possessi on of a prisoner all supply evi dence

’ Cl ar is in and n lusi and as in alm r s e , d t ct co c ve, , P e

as it m s a u sti n not of the alan of c e, beco e q e o b ce — probabili ti es but of proof posi tive admi ttin g of

not the Shadow of a doubt Whether Palmer poi soned Cook by strychni ne

or not Cockbum r un him a so com , wove o d web

plete an d perfect that no counsel could extri cate

the pri soner.

Palmer was evidently no novice in th e art of

crime ; i t will be remembered that Lord George

— a usi n of the r s n u e of r lan Bentia co p e e t D k Po t d, 92 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS — and who used to attend all race meeti ngs di ed

’ was in Palmer s company just before his

ll th r s the death . I can distinctly reca e wo d of

e Old ai l sentence of death . The court at th B ey was a rﬂ in as the ur af r th ir p cked to ove ow g j y, te e nam s had een all out r n un h ir e b c ed , p o o ced t e ” rdi The hr u s havi n ve ct of Guilty . t ee j dge g assum the la ca r am ll hus ed b ck p , Lo d C pbe t a r ss the ris n r: illi am alm r af r a dd e ed p o e W P e , te long and imparti al tri al y ou have been found guilty by a j ury of your own countrymen of the

rim of wilful mur r an d ith ha r i and c e de , w t t ve d ct I m l arn r th rs who so anxi usl ha e y e ed b o e , o y v

a h hi s as n i r l n ur and we hin w tc ed t c e, e t e y co c , t k

he h r the conviction altogether Satisfactory . W t e

thi s is the only crime of i ts ki nd committed by you

n is best b row to Go d and your own conscience . I do not wish to barrow your feeli ngs by any i Y reference to t . ou have been brought to thi s court by speci al Act of Parli ament because of the prej udice whi ch existed against you in the county

Staﬁ ord but for the sa of am l the of , , ke ex p e, sentence should be carried out where the crime

r hi i was committed . The Lo d C ef Just ce then

94 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

n . h jus tice of the sente ce T ey are my murderers . I myself have always thought that Palmer poisoned

an im n and ha mi nu s s of Cook by t o y, t t te do e strychni ne were given towards the end to complete the work . THE ROAD MURDER MYSTERY

ON E of the s r n s ud s of a n n ra i n t o ge t j ge bygo e ge e t o , an d one of the ﬁrst I ever saw pres i di ng at the Old

ail was the la Mr usti i ll s . Of B ey, te J ce W e

the dignity of the Bench . Overwork proved too

r at a s rai n for him an d hi s end was a a s d one . g e t ,

He was ju dge at the Sali sbury Assiz es when

Constance Kent (who was defended by Mr Cole

ri af r ards r l ri d e l a uil dge, te w Lo d Co e g ) p e ded g ty

to th e murder of her li ttle step-brother in the

villa of a n ar r m a rim n i of ge Ro d, e F o e, c e co ce ved jealousy and dislike to her stepmother A great

sensation was created both far and wide ; suspicion

l on inn n rs ns and for a l n ti m the fel oce t pe o , o g e

r th l crime remai ned undiscovered . Afte e apse of

a few ars h r iss n ma a nf s si n ye , oweve , M Ke t de co e o

Mr a n r the ll- k n wn Hi h hur h to W g e , we o g C c clergy man of Brighton and by hi s advice She 96 ME MORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS surr n r h rs l usti c l ade uil and e de ed e e f to j e, p e d g ty, the capital sentence was commuted to one of

a confession to a clergy man or Roman Catholic

ri s is not sa r in the es of the law and if p e t c ed ey , not divulged by the person to whom it is made he

r af e or the rim so y ter th fact f c e . About eight years ago I went over to Road

r m a h on hors a and to h how s on f o B t eb ck, S ow o thi ngs are forgotten I inqui red of three yokels in the village as to where th e father of Miss Kent

had rs id . No one had er h ar hi s nam e ed ev e d of e,

and it was not until I ha d interrogated the oldest inhabitant that I ascertai ned that the large house at the extreme end Of the village was the residence

- of the late Mr Kent . I then saw the dining room

wi ndow from whi ch the body of the child had been r m an d the la h r it was e oved p ce w e e deposited .

sh ws how ui kl thi n s are l i It o q c y g ost s ght of.

The ar n the h us and the l s h r th g de , o e c o et (w e e e body of the boy was found) were at the time of my

i i as h n the ra r v s t j ust w e t gedy occu red. It is not to be wondered at then if startling events are so soon forgotten that there Should have

98 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

— and Willi am had j ust returned from their board

i n - hil r g school. The c d en of the second marri age — were two little gi rls an d a boy of four Franci s Saville Kent

It was wi th th e mysterious di sappearance of

the la r n tte that the se sation commenced . The

ni h f r — ri a un 2 —the fami l ha d g t be o e F d y, J e 9 y

r ir to r s as usual so n aft r ten m . The et ed e t, , o e p little boy an d one of his sisters Slept in cots in a

r m i th a nurs mai liz a th ou h . bed oo w e d, E be G g l f u m . the The la r who r i r a nin . tte , et ed bo t e p , e t

r m r n as usual for Mrs n m bed oo doo Ope , , Ke t to co e in an d ki ss the little ones before She went to rest . Th e room of Mr and Mrs Kent was on the same

ﬂoor Constance Kent and h er brother Willi am occupied separate rooms on the ﬂoor above . At

’ ﬁve O clock next morning Eli z abeth Gough got up

’ to r ss and han in l at the li tl s d e , c c g to ook t e boy cot she saw that it was empty The impression of

’ r mai n on the and ill th e child s body e ed bed p ow, bu r lan was ne and the rl t the unde b ket go , cove et

l n r a l alarm was Carefully fo ded dow G e t y ed, the m r Mr and Mrs n and a sear h ai d oused Ke t, c

h r was was at once made for little Francis . T e e THE ROAD MURDER 99 nothi ng to show in what directi on the child had di sa ar and the nl hin n i was h a ppe ed, o y t g ot ced t t the di ni n - r m r th e in and the shu r g oo doo , w dow tte all of whi ch had been carefully fastened the night — before were a little open Having searched the h us i h u su ess Mr n who ause of o e w t o t cc , Ke t , bec th e stri ct performance of hi s duties h ad made

n mi s am n s the fa r hands am the e e e o g t cto y , c e to

n lusi n ha the hi s fa uri hil h ad co c o t t boy, vo te c d,

l a l ut been sto en to spite him . He ccording y p hi s pony into the trap and drove off to Trowbri dge

re m n Poli ce Stati on . He he infor ed Superinte dent

l of h a had o urr and h a fﬁ r at Fo ey w t cc ed, t t o ce once drove back with him to Road Hill House

B ut whilst the father was away an awful

i s r had n ma . Th e illa ers r us d cove y bee de v g , o ed

the s r an s had huni ed out to sear h for th e by e v t , c

m of hem am th e h u child . So e t c e to o se and went

ar full hr u h the r unds and th e a n i n c e y t o g g o , tte t o of one of them was attracted by a tin y bloods tai n on the seat of a closet si tuated some di stance away from th e house at th e end of the stable- yard ; he

ot a li h and l in th e aul her the g g t ooked to v t, w e body of the poor little boy was found in his ni ght

l an d wra in th e missin lan c othes pped g b ket . The 1 00 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS throat of the unfortunate child had been cut to the

r s in hil h r was a arful ash in the ve y p e, w e t e e fe g l ft si of the se mi n l inﬂi d i h a e de body, e g y cte w t

h ar - in a r or ni f n all s p po ted d gge k e . At o ce was

mm i n and in th e mi s of it the dis ra co ot o , d t t cted father drove up to th e gate with Superi ntendent

Th e la r at n Foley . tte o ce took charge of th e case ; his men hurri l s n for ma a s ar h all r , ed y e t , de e c ove the house and grounds for the instrument wi th

hi h the rim had n mmi but heir w c c e bee co tted, t

r quest proved f uitless . Every i nmate of the house was als s ar h mal or mal s ar h ers but o e c ed by e fe e e c , not a Spot of blood or the slightes t clue tending to in ri mina an one of h m w f n The c te y t e as ou d . table kni ves were all clean and in th eir accustomed places .

Mr n was a fa r ins r at Trowbri d e Ke t cto y pecto g , a town noted for its woollen goods and for its twi ne manufa r the himn s of hi h are r mi n n cto y, c ey w c p o e t landmarks and farrrili ar to all travellers between

ra ause a r a s nsati n in the di s ri t gedy c d g e t e o t ct .

us i i n was rif and h Mr n and S p c o e, bot Ke t the nursemai d were the subject of severe criticism ; a ti ns on h i r ar inn n in h msel s all c o t e p t, oce t t e ve ,

1 02 MEMORI ES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

to m i h h ousands who f r had n r co e, w t t be o e eve

b r l An en own of the exi stence of such a p ace . op verdict was returned at the inques t

h n lan ar u the as and th e T e Scot d Y d took p c e, authori ties oﬂered a reward of £1 00 for the di s

r hi s was cove y of the murderer or murderers . T immedi ately supplemented by another £1 00 offered

Mr n hi by Ke t mself.

li z a h u h the nursemai na urall E bet Go g , d, t y

am in for a h av shar of sus i i n but h u h c e e y e p c o , t o g twice taken before the Wilts magi strates for

ami na i n n hi n ul f un to in l ex t o , ot g co d be o d vo ve herin an n ns an y way a d she was di scharged . Co t ce

n a irl of si x n was als arr s and a n Ke t, g tee , o e ted t ke into custody by Inspector Whi cher of Scotland

ar but he was not a l mak out an as Y d, b e to e y c e

n her an h agai st d she was disc arged . After thi s the cruelles t rumours got into ci rculation and it was openly alleged that Mr Kent

over to Trowbri dge to the poli ce without ﬁrs t making a personal search was alleged to be due to a desi re to get ri d of the weapon with whi ch the mur er had n mmi An a m was d bee co tted . tte pt THE ROAD MU RDER 1 03 su s u ntl ma m ans of a m m ri al si n b eq e y de by e e o , g ed

the inha i an s of Trowbri d e r m an d a h by b t t g , F o e B t , to get an extraordinary corrrrnissi on appointed for the ur s re-exanrini n Mr and Mrs en p po e of g K t,

h ir f t e amily and servants . Th e agitation went on

’ ill un 1 861 h n the ur of u en s n h t J e , w e Co t Q e Be c formally refused to issue an y writ for a new i nquiry or to allow the t e-exami nation of any of the persons ai m t in th e m m ed a e orial .

So the mystery of th e Road murder remai ned un l ril 6 ha th s un il 2 1 8 . On a e o ved t Ap 5, 5 t t d te most i ntense exci tement was aroused in London by a statement in the eveni ng papers th at that afternoon Mi ss Constance Kent had surrendered at Bow Street an d confessed to having comrrritted

Th i nf rma i n w rr th rim . e Th e c e o t o as co ect . e guilty young woman had been for two years a

’ isi r of ar s s i al ri h n h r v to St M y Ho p t , B g to , w e e she came under the inﬂuence of the Lady Superior

’ l s and the . . . a n r of au ri h n . Rev A D W g e St P , B g to

One da to the la r hils in a ﬁt of r li i us y tte , w t e g o

r ssi n she su nl nf s s the mur r and dep e o , dde y co e ed de

t n a i s her to su mi to th e au h ri ti he a o ce dv ed b t t o es .

hi s she r a il ns n an d her a aran c To t e d y co e ted, ppe e

h r at Bow Street was t e esult . Warned by the 1 04 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

seri us hara t r of the s she was a in Con o c c e tep t k g, s ance who was a ir in m urnin and t , tt ed deep o g wor a h a eil m r l her h a and in e e vy v , e e y bowed e d, a ﬁrm i r a out the f ll wi n nfessi n vo ce e d o o g co o ,

hi h She had ri t n on a sli of a r: w c w t e p p pe I ,

ns an milie n al n and unai on Co t ce E Ke t, o e ded, the ni h of un 2 1 860 mur r at a ill g t J e 9, , de ed Ro d H

us il shir one ran i s avill nt . Ho e, W t e, F c S e Ke Before the act was done no one b rew of my i ntenti on nor afterwards of my guilt No one assi sted me in the crime nor in the evasion of di r scove y .

She h n han the a r the hi f l r t e ded p pe to c e c e k, was conveyed to Trowbri dge for examination by the il s ma i s ra s who ul ima l mmi W t g t te , t te y co tted her for tri al the la r a in la at ali s ur , tte t k g p ce S b y

on ul 2 1 f ll in . las us r an h ur J y o ow g It ted j t ove o ,

’ the u Mr us i ill s on the ris n r s l a j dge, J t ce W e , p o e p e of uil in rec r at n assumin the g ty be g o ded, o ce g

d in h black cap an pass g sentence of deat .

I n onsi ra i n of her u h for she was c de t o yo t ,

nl n -one h n ri th e s n n was o y twe ty w e t ed, e te ce

d r li afterwards commuted to penal servitu e fo fe .

CHAPTER XI

THE TRIAL OF MULLINS

R IEF R C and Mr ar n ar i n LO D CH BA ON POLLO K B o M t , son- i n- law of the hi f ar n r h n a C e B o , we e bot e g ged at th e Old ail i n 1 860 h n eor ulli ns B ey , w e G ge M was put on hi s tri al for the murder of a wi dow

I n 1 860 there was no better known personage i n

h o n l the neig bourhood f Step ey than Mrs Ems ey .

i s n ars of a e sses s of mu h A w dow eve ty ye g , po ed c

h us r r She li al n at r a . o e p ope ty, ved o e 9 G ove Ro d

in mi s rl and sus i i us sh e n r adrrritted Be g e y p c o , eve a s ran r her h us n r ans r a n at t ge to o e, eve we ed k ock the door until she had looked from an upstai rs wi n to see wh o the all r a dow c e w s . Every Monday she salli ed forth to collect h er r n s and it was li h a sh e n r r urn e t , be eved t t eve et ed

at ni h wi h u s m 0 or 0 in n g t t o t o e £4 £5 her posses sio . The only person She ever employed to assist her i n

- ll li her rent co ecti ng was Walter Emms . He ved

’ in a a in a ﬁ l all Emsle bri ckﬁeld cott ge e d c ed y S ,

n and his r inar a i n was ha of a Step ey, o d y voc t o t t 1 06 THE TRIAL OF MULLINS 1 07

cobbler. I n hi s way Emms was as much an object

of in r s hi s n i h r Mr l te e t to e g bou s as s Ems ey . He

was r u fai rl ll off hanks the ep ted to be y we , t to

indn ss of hi he e a s m l r. S th w was k e e p oye , by y ,

l all r u be fa ul usl ri h an d was oc y ep ted to b o y c ,

” f n n f o te spoke o as th e Bethnal Green Mi ser. The only other person Mrs Emsley was b rown

rus si mm lli n to t t be des E s was George Mu s . He

was a man ﬁft -ei h ars of a e who had n in y g t ye g , bee

the li e f r e at n and hil an oﬁ cer po c o c Step ey, , w e ,

’ was a fri n of Mr E sl o n af r th e la r e d m ey . S o te tte s

a h ulli ns r i r fr m the li f r and as de t , M et ed o po ce o ce, ,

he w as a a a l las r r and ri la r Mrs c p b e p te e b ck ye , Emsley employed hi m to keep in repai r the many

h lli ns in nse n small h us s s e wn . u u o e o ed M , co q e ce,

had r a a the d la e dy cces s to Ol dy .

On n a u us 1 1 860 Mrs Emsle n Mo d y, A g t 3 , , y we t

n h r u r n - ll in r un h e am out o e sual e t co ect g o d . S c e

Th old l ha d back about ﬁve p m . e ady c tted an passed the time of day with one or two tradesmen in the neighbourhood as She went by th eir places of

usin s s th e la ba sh e arri i n as usual b e , b ck g c ed, be g, ,

’ n heavy with coin . At seve o clock that eveni ng she was seen by two ladi es who lived Opposite

Si i n at her i tt g w ndow . 1 08 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

’ Soon after eight o clock th e next morni ng a boy employed by a draper in th e nei ghbourhood called

’ at Mrs Emsley s house with some goods she had ordered on the way home the ni ght before He

n and b r i h u r i i n an r l k ocked ocked w t o t ece v g y ep y,

d at l h r rs ns all on an ast went away . Ot e pe o c ed l business that day with the same result . Wa ter

mms f ll on su essi m rni n s and E o owed two cc ve o g , on Fri da n Mr s a s li i r wh o h ad y we t to Ro e, o c to ,

r at times done legal work for Mrs Emsley . M

’ ose Emms s i ha s m hi n was r n R took v ew t t o et g w o g, a d th n e two went to the poli ce together. The party arri ved at 9 Grove Road about mid da and n a ai n n hr u h th e f rmali y , o ce g we t t o g o ty

of b rocki n m in as f r i h no rs ns . g, eet g, be o e, w t e po e

Then they forced the door and entered th e silent h house . T ey found nothi ng until they reached th e fr n r m of th e s n ﬂ r h r o r old o t oo eco d oo . T e e the p o la la her h a n ar th e r a her dy y , e d e doo w y, body partly on th e landing so as to prevent the door i H h l s n . er a had en smas h i n i n l c o g e d be ed , ev de t y by several powerful blows from some heavy

Two pi eces of wall paper was clenched in the

’ un r una man s han s as h u h sh had fo t te wo d , t o g e

1 1 0 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

crirne as h e hims lf ut it and in isi s ari us , e p , v t to v o

public- houses he announced that he intended to do all he knew as an Old policeman to run the murderer

down and earn the reward .

hi n h r urr unti l m r 8 Not g, oweve , occ ed Septe be ,

twenty- si x days after Mrs Emsley h ad last been

n ali h n ullins ma a bi m see ve T e M de g ove . He

all on i - s r an ann r and sai c ed Detect ve e ge t T e , d,

The game is in our hands . What do y ou

m an ? sai anner. ll r li ullins e d T We , ep ed M ,

ou n as an Old li man ha n i in y k ow, po ce , I ve bee g v g

all m im ra in the mur r rof m m l r y t e to t c g de e y e p oye ,

d r n su i Mrs Emsley . I ha ce tai sp ci ons ; now I th have veriﬁ ed them . I b row e man "

Who is h e ? asked Tanner.

mms " as t l Wh al r w he r . h n y , W te E ep y T e

Mullins went on to tell how that very morni ng he

’ ’ had been watchi ng Emms s cottage at Emsley s

brickﬁeld e n . saw he sai mms , St p ey He , d, E ,

’ en i h and ni n o l l a hi s h us betwe e g t e c ock, e ve o e,

go to a rubbish heap i n the bri ckﬁ eld and take h therefrom a large parcel. Then e returned to hi s

a and ten mi nu s la r am out a ai n i cott ge, te te c e g w th

all r ar l hi h he la i n a di suse s a sm e p ce , w c p ced d hed a li ttle way from hi s dwelli ng . On the big parcel THE TRIAL OF MULLINS 1 1 1

Mullins sai d h e recogni sed a cloth which belonged

l r an ann r o d wn to Mrs Ems ey . Se ge t T e t ok o

’ in s s m n in ri i n an d r mis Mull s tate e t w t g, p o ed to go

’ ’ nin to Emms s cottage next mor g . Don t go ” Y i h u me sai ullins . ou ma r l on w t o t , d M y e y tha sai d th e detective . A ti me was ﬁ xed for

’ the m e in and f r l a in ullins sai I ll e t g, , be o e e v g, M d,

” ma e it all ri h i h ou m ani n ha ann r k g t w t y , e g t t T e should have a share of the reward .

m rni n r an ann r hr li m n Next o g Se ge t T e , t ee po ce e and Mulli ns visited Emms . They searched hi s

a but ul ﬁnd n thin im li a i n hi cott ge, co d o g p c t g m .

Th n h n the sh in i a ulli n e t ey we t to ed d c ted by M s .

r a ain n hi n was f un un il ullins who He e, g , ot g o d, t M ,

’ s m r i sai You ha n half ee ed ve y exc ted, d, ve t

hi n d— d searched . Look be d that slab " They l h r and un a ar el of hi h mms ooked t e e fo d p c , w c E at once denied all knowledge

The ar l was ra in a r i r un p ce w pped p pe , t ed o d i with an Old apron stri ng . Ins de it was anoth er

’ ar l i r un i h h ma r s ax hr p ce t ed o d w t S oe ke w ed t ead .

Thi s parcel contained several metal and silver s ns r a in lasses and a h u for 1 0 poo , two e d g g , c eq e £

8: Co . nan s of h rs and ai her on e , te t e , p d to th 1 1 2 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

Monda She was las se n ali v h y t e e . T en Mullins

urn to i - ser an ann r and sai t ed Detect ve ge t T e d, Are you sati sﬁed ? Qui te " was th e laconi c r l f ll the drama i u ran ep y, o owed by t c tte ce

arres ou or ullins on sus i i n o I t y , Ge ge M , p c o f E h avi ng murdered Mrs msley . Next moment

’ the h an dcuffs clicked on th e astounded man s wri sts

mms was als arrs ann r r assuri n E o e ted, T e e g hi m by the remark that under th e circumstances

ai n him he was bound to det . Mulli ns blustered

ro es but all no ur os uri n th d p t ted, to p p e D g e days when no clue seemed forthcomi ng Tanner had

had en ra uall ot n i l . but sur l n bee d e He be g d y, e y,

r i n u a as a ai ns ulli ns an d the act wo k g p c e g t M , of th e latter i n attempting to implicate Emms

’ ﬁni shed the detective s work .

Tanner had di scovered that on the morni ng of the Monday on whi ch the murder occurred Emms

n ra f r ll c r n s for Mrs Emsle we t to St t o d to co e t e t y ,

r urn ill af r mi ni O h and did not et t te d ght . n t e

han r ullins was at r in u a other d, Geo ge M wo k do g p house belongi ng to Mrs Emsley close to Grove

’ on n a ni n Road unti l si x o clock Mo d y eve g. Wh en he left his work he carried wi th him a heavy

THE TRIAL OF MULLINS 1 1 3 hamm r hi h he had use b r a e , w c d to ock way a i ’ ceiling . At e ght o clock on that Monday ni ght a man named Raymond saw Mullins i n Grove Road

’ in in the i re i n of Mrs Emsle s h use and go g d ct o y o , carrying the h ammer. Just after ﬁve the next m rni n — u s a u us 1 — a sail r nam e o g T e d y, A g t 4 o d

i h ll met ulli ns h m h e n r ssi n M tc e M , w o k ew, c o g

n h di d not s a i r n . but h ell Step ey G ee T ey pe k, M tc n i e ha ulli ns seeme r x i an d ha ot c d t t M d ve y e c ted, t t his r l Th a pockets we e unusually bu ky . e f tal

’ hammer was f un a Mullins l i n n it o d t S odg gs . O

Dr ill wh o was calle see the r mai ns of th e G , d to e mur r man f un l ds ai ns and i ts d e de ed wo , o d b oo t , e g exactly ﬁtted a terrible wound over the left eyebrow

d e an an other on the back of th head . He had no hes itati on in sayi ng that it was the weapon with

i nﬂi r hi h the un s r . r w c wo d we e cted Mo eove ,

Sergeant Tanner h ad found in the blood near th e murdered woman the parti al imprint of a nailed

i e e of ﬂ ri n on hi h i t boot . He had the p c oo g w c appeared carefully cut out . He also found that

ullins s i s hi s l in s in arnsle r M , be de odg g B y St eet,

il End a had r ms at 1 2 i l rf r M e Ro d, oo L tt e O o d

hes on u us 26 r e h ls a . l f St e t, C e e He e t t e A g t ,

hi r n a s af r the murd r and f r h e n t tee d y te e , be o e we t 1 1 4 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

hrew a o i n the dusthole h r th e li ce t b ot to , w e e po

e that of th e murdered woman on it . Also th impri nt in the blood corresponded exactly with the nails in th e hi h r set in a uri usl boot, w c we e c o y irr ular a rn eg p tte .

The tri al of ulli ns c u i two a s r M oc p ed d y , Octobe

’ 2 and 26 1 860 and af r h alf an h ur s li ra 5 , , te o de be ti on th e j ury returned a verdi ct of Guilty on what the Lord Chief Baron des cri bed as some of

the most convinci ng ev i dence ever given in a

mms had en li ra l n for hi s E be be ted o g be e,

ulli ns all us the las was ul x u at M , c o to t, d y e ec ted

a m 1 1 er 860 . Newg te, Nove b 9,

All visi tors to th e Ch amber of Horrors at

’ Madame Tussaud s will remember the decrepi t ﬁgure of a worn old man standi ng up in a corner

of the r m dresse i n r a er and oo , d ve y t tt ed worn

arm n s i h a hat th e rs for ar. ma g e t , w t wo e we It y

not be generally known that Madame Tussau d

was in the habi t of purchasin g the clothes in whi ch

the n i s r rs se on the da of uti n co v ct we e d e d y exec o ,

and in man cases a lar sum i y ge was real sed .

1 1 6 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

though he was positi vely unable to i denti fy the prisoner as th e man .

The story of Miiller begins at a quarter to ten

’ l on the ni h of a ur a ul 1 86 . o c ock g t S t d y, J y 9, 4

A compartment of a ﬁrs t- class carri age was Opened

at Hackney Wick Station on arrival from Fenchurch

ree an d not nl th e ushi ns but th e ﬂ r St t, o y c o , oo ,

the Si des and th e wi ndows were found covered

was at n i n ha a adl with blood . It o ce ev de t t t de y

d urr n the l struggle ha occ ed in it . Beyo d b ood

s ai ns a h at a al i n -s i and a small l a h r t , w k g t ck e t e bag were th e only traces of i ts former occupants Almost at the same moment of the di scovery

at H acb rey Wick an engi ne- driver Observed lyi ng

n the Si x- f wa si th e er aml o oot y , oppo te Tow H ets

r the f m ara e un o a an . wa p d g o d, body He s

sa ura e i h l hi s h a had n a r t t d w t b ood, e d bee b tte ed

in his a h was rrri ssirr and the r n li n of , w tc g, b oke k

a watch - ch ai n hung from hi s buttonhole

I n his re le r dr pocket we tte s ad es sed to T .

i Es . rs r s s s ar s ur i s 8: Co . B gg , q , Me Rob t , C t ,

” Lombard Street . It was soon found that the

i nj ured man was the chief cashi er of the big

an i n s a li shm n in i n b k g e t b e t quest o . Removed to

a a rn an d h n to his resi n but for one t ve , t e ce de ce, THE TRIAL OF MULLER 1 1 7 s asm di ff r at s e h Mr ri s who w p o c e o t pe c , B gg , as si - nin ars of a e remai ne insensi i xty e ye g , d ble unt l he di e on the f ll i n un a ni h d o ow g (S d y) g t .

It was a crime that put the police of London on h Th t eir mettle . e h at found in the carri age

’ and Mr Briggs s mi ssi ng gold ch ain gave them h Th t e ﬁrst clues . e chai n h ad been exchanged

a s af erthe mur er— namel on th e n a two d y t d y, Mo d y f ll i n — for an h er one at the sh of Mr a h o ow g ot op De t ,

a a hmak er and e eller of hea si e . Mr w tc j w , C p d

Death sai d the man wh o made the exchange was unb r wn him but he was nﬁ en he sh ul o to , co d t o d re ni him i hi Th e same da cog se f he saw m agai n . y a tai lor named Repsch saw th e new chai n at his

’ house in th e han ds of a tailor s cutter named

r r T e l er alle h er see a F an z Miille . h att c d t e to

’ eff a l r of R h Mi ller fri en name H a e e sc s . i d d , odg p was noti ced to be weari ng a new hat with a peculi arly low crown

Miiller pawned the ch ain an d gave his fri end

th e h urs a f ll in H effa the pawnti cket . On T d y o ow g

e s h a m ani e Mtiller n n o s R p c cco p d to Lo do d ck , an d l f him on ar the sai li n - ss l Vi ctori a e t bo d g ve e ,

hi h ar e for r on Fri da m rnin w c dep t d New Yo k y o g,

ul 1 lu s all in i n l arl ull r J y 5 C e , po t g c e y to M e , 1 1 8 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

i dentiﬁ ed the hat left in the rai lway carri age as one h e had hims lf u h for Miiller who was a e bo g t ,

’ als m n i n ha Mriller h ad fri end of hi s . He o e t o ed t t

alle at hi s h us on n a ul 1 1 a s c d o e Mo d y, J y , two d y af r the mur r and r u fr m a box a l te de , p od ced o go d

’ At the sam e ti me he gave Matthews s little daughter

i hi s was la eri en iﬁ e the box to play w th . T box t d t d

' by Mr Death as the one he gave to Mirller when

f ai ns m the exch ange o ch was ade .

Mtiller havi n s ar for m ri a as s a , g t ted A e c t ted,

doubtles s felt himself qui te safe B ut he had

shi His sur ri s heref r ma ima i n p p e, t o e, y be g ed

h n as the Vi ctori a n r r har ur w e , e te ed New Yo k bo , she was ar a ar of men and he not bo ded by p ty , only foun d hi mself in the hands of two London

li - ins rs but c nfr n a he s po ce pecto , o o ted by M tt w ,

the a man an d Mr a h the ll r h m c b , De t , jewe e , w o

had the Go vernment sent over to i dentify him .

’ was ari n the murd r man s a h and He we g e ed w tc , amongst other things foun d in hi s possession was

uli l w- r e ha h r the pec ar o c own d t . T i s was afte

1 20 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

Miiller who hr u h u sh e the m s all us , t o g o t ow d o t c o

m an ur hen l an er fr m the o and de e o , t e ed ov o d ck

en un the vi en e as false On the s aff l d o ced e d c c o d, h r us f r th e l was rawn he con oweve , j t be o e bo t d , fesse hi s uil sa i n in rman I ch h a es d g t, y g Ge , be gethan I di d do i t Arrimmense concourse assembled before Newgate to see the execu tion on

Th e la s of tradi i n ha am la sa w ex t o ve, I g d to y ,

en han in h s a s and uenos res be c ged S ce t o e d y , B Ay and the braci ng ai r of th e Atlanti c at San Sebasti an — — th e lovely spot on the Spani sh fronti er are no longer h appy hunti ng- groun ds for fugitives from j ustice who h ad no desire to li sten to th e H olbom trafﬁ c from wi thi n the now demoli shed walls of

ate Newg . CHAPTER XIII

THE FLOWERY LAND CASE AND THE LENNIE MUTINY CASE

PIECED together from the evi dence of th e survivor

of the ra Mr Taﬂir th e se n ma the t gedy, , co d te, story of the mutiny on board the Flowery Land

o i s one of the most horri ble on record . It was n

ul 28 1 86 th a the shi in u s i n left J y , 3 , t good p q e t o

London for Singapore She was over 900 tons

ur n ar ue- ri e and arri e a s eci al ar b de , b q gg d, c d p c go

H r i n was hn of wi ne an d soft goods . e capta Jo

mi h a s i er of r u in th e shi in rl S t , k pp ep te pp g wo d

Th e as a seaman of unusual resource and abili ty .

ﬁrst and second mates were respectively Mr

Karswell an d Mr Tafﬁr the la er as s a e a e , tt , t t d bov ,

ale esi s hese hree being spared to tell the t . B de t t

’ fﬁ rs and the a ain s r her who was i n o ce c pt b ot , be g

arri as a ass n r h r r nl h r c ed p e ge , t e e we e o y two ot e

Englishmen on board. Thi s was th e mi stake i n the ﬁ ndi ng of the

Flo er hin a u h er was as wery Land . Ev yt g bo t good as i t ul e her r who er shi co d be exc pt c ew, w e pped 1 2 1 1 2 2 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS at lower rates than were usually pai d from moti ves of false economy . Six of the men before the mast

- en were h alf bred Spaniards from Manila . Th

h r re a re a ur a r nchman a t e e we G ek, T k, F e ,

rw i an who a as ar n r hre hi na No eg , cted c pe te , t e C men a irm d ll- l ell an a fu d n r . , F , b oo ed eg o W enough Captain Smith mi ght remark to a fri end the da f r he saile can rus the shi y be o e d, I t t p, but such a dago crew as they have gi ven me will wan t watchi ng day and ni ght

H e was ri h in The Flowe g t hi s surmi se . ry

Land had been about three weeks out when the

r an a di be e s u . r ers r so c ew beg to be cy O d we e y d, and it was evi dent th at if navigation was to be

r rl arri e out and di s i li n mai n ai n p ope y c d c p e t ed, strong measures must be taken Th e captai n was a ﬁ ne sail r and a fearless man his ma s r o , two te we e of the sam ali r and h s n h w th e e c b e, t ey oo S o ed re calcitrants th at they meant to be obeyed . Some of the Manila Spani ards and th e Turk who

’ were irnpertinent got a sharp rope s-ending an d

his s m various other small punishments . T ee ed

m eir r hen to cow them . Th e men oved to th wo k w

r r al i in a sullen manner and all seeme o de ed, be t , d

e B it was not ll well on the Flow ry Land . ut we

1 24 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

ri t ain t ed o g the deck . Hi s brother was also s a ea h and n t bbed to d t throw overboard .

The ﬁghting and struggli ng had aroused Mr

Taﬂir the s n ma e who mana ai n the , eco d t , ged to g

deck in time to witnes s the murder of th e captai n

’ d the ai n r h he an capt s b ot er. Seeing the posi ti on

at nc r urn hi s a in h r arm i h o e et ed to c b , w e e, ed w t

a r l er he arri a e himself in r s l e evo v , b c d d , e o v d to sell his li fe as dearly as possible Pres ently the

mutineers came down and parleyed wi th him . H e was th e only man left who could navigate th e shi an d he ff re s ar hi s li f i f he ul p , t y o e d to p e e wo d

ak e h m the i e la hi s he a re . t t e to R v r P te . To t g ed

r a h e th e Then an orgy began . Th e pirates b o c d

wi n an d ra i n drunk and in hi s ndi i n e got v g , t co t o

mutilated one of the Chin amen wi th their b rives in a l th s n terri b e manner. B ut they spared e eco d

ma e an d mana e un r hi s ui dan r t , g d de g ce to wo k

the shi for hr s urin hi h ri nl p t ee week , d g w c pe od o y

n er l n r 2 he o e oth ves se was sighted . O Octobe t y

sa the raz ili an as ten mil s is an and w B co t e d t t,

i rrrrnedi atel ut th e shi a u h an in off and y p p bo t, g g

n ill ni h fall h n he out the a s o t g t T e t y got bo t ,

allowing all the crew to embark except the Chi na

men h m he lef o n i h the shi , w o t y t to g dow w t p, THE FLOWERY LAN D CASE 1 25

le an di n not far fr m the which they scutt d . L g o

n ran of the i r la n one of the e t ce R ve P te, Leo ,

ani ar s l a lausi le al the eﬂect ha Sp d , to d p b t e to t t they were the crew of an Ameri can vessel from

ru hi h had f un re at sea. Mr Tafﬁr the Pe w c o de d , s n ma h er mee i n a man who s eco d te, owev , t g poke

n lish l him th e fa s of the ase an d th e E g , to d ct c ,

Braz ili an authori ti es soon h ad all th e ruﬂi an s

h ir urr r under lock an d key . T e s ende to the

Briti sh Government an d their tri al at the Old i h aile f ll e on ruar 1 1 86 . B y o ow d Feb y 4, 4 E g t

re arrai n at th e same im — six ani ar s we g ed t e Sp d ,

n lan Duranno an s and Marsoli no Leo , B co, , S to ,

s and arl the r Th the ur ar s . e T k V to , C o , G eek

Th r latter w as acquitted . e othe seven were

foun d guilty of murder on the high seas an d

a h Mr ar r sentenced to de t by B on B amwell . Of

these Santos an d Marsolino were repri eved and

r i u or li Th r sent to penal se v t de f fe . e emai ni ng

ﬁ ve— an a mis ra le re ar s of the bject, e b c w, cow d

rs — r u e in one a h wo t type we e exec t d b tc . on

ruar 2 2 1 86 . h ere la e in s ara e Feb y , 4 T ey w p c d ep t

lls h en i ni n and s n out one one ce , t p o ed, e t by to

As he ﬁr a the gallows . t st to ppear would have to wai t some time for his fellows the seemingly 1 26 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

i was braves t was chosen to face thi s ordeal . Th s

nn h s a of Dura o one of the ani ar s . B ut t e e , Sp d

fa s si the all s the sh u in h lin ce oppo te g ow , o t g, ow g

mob was mu h forhim and he so n arl fai n too c , e y ted th at he had to be accommodated with a chai r on

h er arri the u i n the r . Cal craft d op , owev , c ed exec t o through without a hi tch . The late Mr Baron B rarnwell was an intimate him fri end of mine . I have dined with on several

asi ns and hi frmd o e occ o s f an cdote was remarkable .

When I remi nded hi m th at I had ﬁrst met him at the Old ail he r mar Oh ha h rr r of B ey e ked, , t t o o h rr rs The las im saw the ar n who o o t t e I B o , I

li e di at his h m at d n ri d after be ev ed o e E e b ge, ha in en r a e a r was on the i r at as v g be c e t d pee , p e E t boum e on a Bank Holi day . He was seated at the e rem end and l in out sea and h n xt e ook g to , w e I i nqui red the reason of hi s soli tude he remarked th at he was afrai d he mi ght be recognised if h e went among the crowd by old an d not very de

There have been man y terrible stories of the sea l at th e Old ail but few if an ha e to d B ey, , y , v been worse i n ch aracter or more dramatic in i n i n han ha of the Len c de t t t t ni e.

1 28 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS lan ua he trea h m ll as di d the ﬁrs and g ge ted t e we , t s n omcers and h r s l ndi l fed but eco d , t ey we e p e d y ,

n iri s r all o sp t we e owed .

Th e tra was d n i l gedy as sud e as t was terri b e .

On r 1 1 8 the Lenni e had en us Octobe 3 , 75, be j t

a e at sea an d was in th a u e B a of i s a . bo t w ek , y B c y

Th e weather was ﬁ ne an d everything seemed to

in ll The s ar nstan von H e be go g we tew d, Co t y

d n an d the u h nr Trousselot re o ck, D tc boy, He y , we

below attendi ng to their duties when they were

alarmed by a su dden rush of feet and outcri es

V on H donck a e above them . ey tt mpted to get on

r deck but found the h atchways closed . He e mai ned at the top of th e compani on- way and

h n h e h ar th e a ai n in a ch i n ne . li ste d T e e d c pt , ok g

i en un in the r as f r i n mur r rs vo ce, d o c g c ew o e g de e

h n an her h and slaughterers . T e came ot rus and

a loud groan followed by pistol shots Then for

A little later th e hatchways were opened an d

several of the crew came down to the steward an d

h s men r a Car alis ali as th e boy . T e e we e M tteo g ,

r i anni Carcari s ali as the French Pete ; G ov , Joe

Paroscos nsi s as ales Caludes ali as Cook ; Leo ; P c ,

i arr and r e adi s all r s harl s B g H y ; Geo g K , G eek ; C e THE LENNIE MUTINY CASE 1 29

n n and r r n us ri ans and or ius Re ke Geo ge G ee , A t ; Ge g l n e os a ur . he arri l n b ri s s me A g , T k T y c ed o g ve , o of hi h r dri in i h l and i s ls . w c we e pp g w t b ood, p to

Maki ng a ri ng about the steward an d the boy they told the former that th ey h ad settled th e Ofﬁ cers and ha h e as the nl na i a r l f on ar t t , o y v g to e t bo d, mus a e the Lenni e i ral ar h n h t t k to G b t , w e ce t ey

oul r I f r i n n d c d get to G eece . he efused they te de

ill him im s m to k then and there . At the same t e o e of them sugges ted that they h ad better kill the

he l in hi s the as ul n the wa . boy, wo d o y be y At t steward told them that if the boy was i nj ured he

ul not na i a the s s l n if the ill wo d v g te ve e , eve y k ed

r r a nsul a i n the him fo not doing so . Afte co t t o

mu ine rs a re s ar the the s ar t e g ed to p e boy, tew d

ns an von He donck ra man as he was Co t t y , b ve ,

h ad already deci ded on a plan to outwi t the muti

n et s and the was n ssar to it . i n e , boy ece y See g

r mi n l am na l h ir ishes th e stewa d see g y e b e to t e w ,

t e r French Peter told him to se th cou se .

his n H e donck at n e di d but not as h T Vo y o c , , t ey

ima in for i ral ar but for ri s l. g ed, G b t , B to

A few hours later the murderers became suspi ci ous that the course was not as they wan ted I 1 3 0 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIAL S it So they came and threatened Von Heydonck

n m r ith ath an d sh u him and th e o ce o e w de , t boy

h r nl h w r ri s ners o u . tw p T ey we e o y, o eve , p o

h d f h a im th in a s . t e en o e mu rs d y At t t t e t ee ,

ﬁn i n h ms l s in m n ui th e shi d g t e e ve co pete t to g de p, . ’ i in h h n placed t again t e steward s a ds . He once m r set the urs an d hi s im h r u hl o e co e, t t e, to t o o g y

i he r h he d h m for t n as . hen ece ve t e , F e c co t T s r n h e r an d som of th e h rs poke to F e c P te e ot e ,

llin h m tha as hi n s had urne out he te g t e t, t g t d , was in the same boat wi th them to si nk or

i Th e Tro t n i d r d sw m . boy usselo he co s e e

” dan r us if he saw too mu h an d sai he ul ge o c , d wo d l him h s r in hi s h r in t e a a . a ock p e c b To t t ey g eed,

an d the s ar i h a l ush the bo i n tew d, w t b ow, p ed y

the a i n an d th n f ll him as he sai c b , e o owed , d, to

i i l ir he r al n Von g ve him a esson . D ectly t y we e o e ” He donck sai arr ou wri ren h ? y d, H y, y te F c ” An d n li sh als ? Yes sai the . , d boy E g o

” i Von Yes was th e r l . r ll sa , ep y Ve y we , d

He donck her are ens a er and ink h r y , t e p , p p e e — Write down what has happened twelve notes in

r h em F ench an d twelve in Englis . Put th as you

d o h m in h os m tl s in the l r t e to t e e pty bot e ocke ,

r hem i h and r h m ui tl one co k t t g t, d op t e q e y by

1 3 2 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS in the murder of the oﬁ cers ein a mi as , b g d tted

at the Old ail on Ma 2 1 8 6 i nce a ainst B ey y , 7 , ev de g

h r ri son rs —An elos the ur and two ot e p e g , T k,

On May 4 the j ury found a verdict of Guilty

and a is e nsi s and r en r f un K d . L o G e we e o d Not the j udge spoke in high terms of th e action of the s ar Von H e donck who was af rwards tew d, y , te a ard sum o n w ed a f mo ey . The four Greeks were executed withi n th e walls of a on Ma 2 1 8 6 Newg te y 3 , 7 . CHAPTER " IV — THE PELI ZZI ON I CASE A MAN WRONGFULLY CON

V I CTE D OF MURDER . THE NEED FOR A COURT OF CRIMI NAL APPEAL

MR BARON MARTIN was rather strong in hi s

ri a i opini ons . He t ed case wh ch made a great sensa i n h a of Peliz z i oni an ali an wh o was t o , t t , It ,

n i f r him of mur r in affr n ill co v cted be o e de S o H ,

a r the result Of a br wl . M Baron Marti n told the convict that he was as satisﬁed th at the accused h ad committed th e murderas if he had seen him do it with his own eyes . It was afterwards as cer tai ned hr u h the in rv n i n of Mr r i a , t o g te e t o Neg ett , f ll - un r man ha the ris n r was inn n e ow co t y , t t p o e oce t , an h r man ha in nf ss the rim for ot e v g co e ed to c e,

’ which he received a sentence of ﬁve years penal

Th e as of Peliz z i oni was in a uri us c e , deed, c o

r and compli cated one . A few days befo e December

26 1 86 i har ha the landl r of th e l n , 4, R c d S w, o d Go de I 33 1 34 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

n h r a a rn in affr n ill had a is u i h A c o , t ve S o H , d p te w t some of his Itali an customers over a drink bill .

’ v ral rsons the landl r s ar am n s Se e pe took o d p t, o g t

h m ein one i ha l arri n n a n ral t e b g M c e H gto , ge e d al r who was a r ular us m r of the h use e e , eg c to e o

Promi nent amongst th e Itali ans who claimed to have been cheated was a looking- glas s silverer

r ﬁ z The s al art un named Se a no Peliz i oni . t w yo g fellow of twenty- six was very h ot about what he

nsi r hi s r n s and h n arri n t n ma co de ed w o g , w e H g o de some disparagi ng remarks about his nationality he retorted by saying h e could ﬁght si x such

n li shm n and ha he ul s tl i h him E g e , t t wo d et e w t

’ h r r in nn ti yet . T ese wo ds we e remembered co ec on

wi th what followed .

few a s la r— nam l on the ni A d y te e y, eve ng of

m r 26 1 86 — h r was a fre - and- as in Dece be , 4 t e e e e y

l — n i the bagate le room of th e Golden A chor. M chael

arri n t n was res n and as usual was the H g o p e t, , ,

had us heart and soul of the company . He j t ” ﬁni sh sin i n a s n The as - ed g g o g, L t Good bye, when a loud altercation was heard outsi de The next minute a number of Itali ans rushed into the

room striking out right an d left at the inmates . x36 MEMORI ES OF FAMOUS TRI ALS

sen nc to ea h the x u i n ein ﬁxe for te ed d t , e ec t o b g d

ruar 2 2 1 86 . Feb y , 5

er did a as l o la r a ains a man Nev c e o k b cke g t , yet there were several pers ons who believed

Peliz z i oni to be innocent Amongs t th ese was Mr

r i f un r of th e ll- b r n ﬁrm of Neg ett , o de we ow

r i 8: Zam ra l rn i a u Mr Neg ett b , Ho bo V d ct

r ti m in am n s th e ali ans i n affr n Neg et , ov g o g t It S o

Hill h ar r ain hi n s ha aus him to to , e d ce t t g t t c ed go

irmi n ham h r i n d as n r e in a B g T e e E gb to St e t,

’ ’ ar n r s h he f un a usin Peli z z ioni s c pe te S op, o d co of

ri Mo ni Mr i hi m named Grego o g . Negrett charged

point-blank with being the man who killed Mi ch ael

arri n n and l hi m ha he u h not H gto , to d t t o g t to

all hi s usi n to suff r i n hi s s I n the end ow co e tead .

he r ail on r ri ll the ru h and p ev ed G ego o to te t t ,

r u h him n n a in him himself b o g t to Lo do , t k g to

’ King 5 Cross poli ce station on the eveni ng of

dn s da ruar 8 1 86 . r re ri We e y, Feb y , 5 He e G go o

admitted that he was th e only man who us ed a

knife in the row at th e Golden Anchoron December

26 1 86 and ha he us it a ins arri n in , 4, t t ed ga t H gton THE PELIZZI ON I CASE 1 37

Th e r sul was a r s i but not a r ri for e t e p te, ep eve,

Peli z z i oni The latter still remai ned a convi ct

h i ns a of un r s n nce of a h . su de e te de t AS c , te d bei ng han ged on February 22 he appeared at

’ Mo ni s tri al on ar h 2 1 86 i vi n . g M c , 5, to g ve e de ce I n thi s connecti on there was some sensation in

ur h n on be s rn an d la in th e co t w e , n wo p ced

i n ss- h e r li in ans r r ean t w t e box, ep ed, we to Se j

allanti n who led for the r se u i n B e, p o c t o , My

am now un r Chri sti an name is Seraﬁno . I de sentence of death at Newgate . I n the end Mogni was found gui lty of th e manslau h r of arri n n and s n n ﬁve g te H gto , e te ced to

’ years penal servitu de ; but Peliz z i oni was not yet

ut f an r I n th e f al ra l m r 26 o o . a of d ge t b w Dece be ,

1 86 the otrnan Of the l n n h r a man 4, p Go de A c o ,

F r nam h had als en s a . o ed Re beck, o be t bbed

hi s Peli z z ioni who h ad hi s im en re ri t , by t t e be p eved for th e arri n n mur r was ut on hi s rial on H gto de , p t

ril 1 2 1 86 . The tri al las f ur a s the Ap , 5 ted o d y ,

m nﬂi i evidence being ost co ct ng and compli cated.

Mo ni was r u h r m a l as a wi n s s and g b o g t f o g o t e , admitted th at i t was he wh o stabbed the potrnan as ll arri n z z i we as H gton . Peli oni was consequently a ui and li ra on a fr n I cq tted be ted ee pardo . n 1 38 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

is English cri mi nal annals the case is uni que . It the only one in whi ch a convi ct un der sentence of

death has ever given evi dence agai nst anoth er

ris n r and is ma th e s ran r th e fa tha p o e , de t ge by ct t the latter after convi ction should also be called as

I see by the Speech from the Th rone the long needed reform of a Court of Criminal Appeal is li l r u h a u ris n r f r ke y to be b o g t bo t A p o e , be o e s n n e is as the l r of rrai ns if h e has e te c , ked by C e k A g

anythi ng to say why sentence should not be passed .

is not h w r all to u s i n the fa s He , o eve , owed q e t o ct , only any error of law which may h ave taken place

urin th e tri al or an in as r ards i n d g , y po t eg ev de ce

l i h h as en I n hi s inadmi ssib e wh c be given . t case th e pres iding j u dge has power to reserve th e case for th e consi derati on of Crown cases

h r un er a ur of riminal Now, oweve , d Co t C — Appeal such as exists in France i n the Com

de assa i n—fa s ma r nsi r sen C t o ct y be eco de ed,

noes can r i se an d th e h l as re te be ev d, w o e c e

ri in u li and th e m Omce in uir t ed p b c, Ho e q y,

hi h now a es la i n camera ill be w c t k p ce , w

CHAPTER XV

THE IC B R E CI I C E THE E T H O N V L AS , LTHAM MURDER AN D THE PIMLICO MURDER

R IEF U ICE I fa h r of r ill LO D CH J ST BOV LL, t e poo B y,

l r Of ssi z on th e s rn i r ui resi at c e k A e We te C c t, p ded the ﬁrs Tichbom e as Ma 1 1 1 8 1 in hi h the t c e, y , 7 , w c claimant appeared as th e plai nti ff I had often r mar th e u who was an old fri en of e ked to j dge, d mi ne ha he lo r m l ll allu in , t t oked ext e e y we , d g to

ri m l n Y u ill a ha m his ﬂ xi . o w s o d co p e o y t t, y

ar f ll h n am in m coﬂi n but h a de e ow, w e I y , t t horri ble clai mant will be my deat was hi s reply .

hen the lai man le e non-sui or W c t e ct d to be ted, , i n h r r s a u hi s as i h u a r i ot e wo d , g ve p c e w t o t ve d ct , th e r sul was ha the r hi f usti ce h n an d e t , t t Lo d C e J t e ’ h r u s arran mmi him a t e e, by j dge w t , co tted to t ke

’ ill ill the n rial for r ur . u s so his t pe j y B y Bov , j dge ,

r a fri n s of mi n and hi s charm i ng wife were g e t e d e .

Before he acted as clerk of Assi z e on th e Western

i r ui h r his ax m us a h and fi r C c t, w e e w ed o t c e e ce expres si on terri fi ed prisoners as he arrai gned I 4c THE TICHB ORNE CIVIL CASE 1 41 them ill had en a smar Ofi Cer in the 1 th , B y be t s

Hussars . I heard a good story about hi m at Exeter when he a n had s n vi al e w s o circuit . He pe t a jo veni ng with an important member of the municipal council an d an h i Th la r ot er frend . e tte next morni ng made

’ a i al t it ai rin ill c p t ou of . Rep g to Bov s lodgings

f r he n in ur h e l ill who had be o e we t to co t, to d B y, no recollecti on of wh at had occurred th e night

ef re ha he had r ssl insul th e r h b o , t t g o y ted wo t y r rs n a i of th e muni i al and ha ep e e t t ve c p body, t t that functionary was going to complai n to th e

u ill was alarm but on his r mi sin j dge B y ed, p o g to stan d three di nners at the New London

Hotel the mutual fri end offered to square the enemy . He then made off to the house of the muni cipal

ﬁ i al an d sai You are i n a r m o c ss . , d, p etty e

’ You insul a u s son and Cl r ssiz ted j dge , e k of A e to

ill ars he will the a r and s . boot, Bov we go to M yo I f he does you will lose your appointment I h ave

” r t hi s is too ot ou out of man a s a bu mu h . g y y c pe, t c

’ Th e worthy Exeter citiz en s memory was very

had curr th e ni h r haz y as to what oc ed g t befo e .

Will you stand three dinners if I get you out of 1 42 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

e the r and a r the scrape ask d joke , eady assent

i n was g ve .

The three met th at night at a well- known

hotel in the city ; si x di nners had been ordered h and hr e sat n . w er ill and t e t e dow Ho ev , B y worthy citiz en freely forgave the mutual fri end who had h axe h m and o r a ma num of o d t e , ve g

n Ch ampagne all we t merry as a marri age bell. It was to Newgate Pri son th at th e clai mant

a r m m old ri n I ns r nnin w s e oved by y f e d, pecto De g,

hi ef of th e us of mm ns li c af r the c Ho e Co o po e, te

’ sentence of fourteen years penal servitude was passed upon hi m at th e terminati on of th e trial at

B ar on ruar 2 8 1 8 . The ri al was r si , Feb y , 74 t p e ded

over by probably the greatest j u dge of the last

ntur Si r l an r Cockbum i h hom wer ce y, A ex de , w t w e

Mr us i ll r and Mr us i ush the J t ce Me o J t ce L ,

n n in r n un a or in to us m se te ce be g p o o ced, cc d g c to ,

th e s ni r uisn u Mr us i ll r by e o p e j dge, J t ce Me o .

The hi ar r h m n r ll l c ef w de , w o I k ew ve y we , to d me an amusing an ecdote in regard to th e arri val

th at the Claimant should be measured for his

ris n ar r i h th e roa arr w but s p o g b cove ed w t b d o , o

1 44 MEMORI ES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

n h Sir hn l ri l adin for the rown Be c , Jo Co e dge e g C

and th e ri s n r ein ef nd m fri n Mr p o e b g d e ed by y e d,

u les n who f ur ars lat r ec am a u H dd to , o ye e b e j dge,

an d in th e same year (1 875) the last created Baron

as of the Court of Exchequer. It w at this tri al that

uns l for the d fen who had n a s h l co e e ce, bee c oo mas r f r he was all to the B ar and who te be o e c ed , su essfull ai ne an a ui al for was cc y obt d cq tt Pook,

somewh at severely handled by th e Attomey

Th la r i f r General . e tte n o med the jury that he

as too old s h l a ai n and if he di d he w to go to c oo g , would take care th at h e di d not fall un der th e can e

n Mr H of his lear ed fri end uddleston . A tri al whi ch presented some extraordinary f a ures was ha of r ri r a a a wh o e t t t F ede ck T e d w y, was brought before Mr Justi ce Lush in the old court Th e case for the Crown was conducted by — Mr (now Sir) Douglas Straight one of th e most skilful advocates who ever appeared at th e Old

was hi eﬂ due his a le Bailey . It c y to b cross

xaminati n the m i al x r s all on e o of ed c e pe t , c ed

half of th e ri s n r h a the ef n set u be p o e , t t d e ce p by

Mr sl r n and in no ins an e Be ey b oke dow , t ce was th lr t E P o o . lli ott Fry ] LO RD B RAMPTON

" Better known as Mr usti ce H aw kins wit his e t t rier J , h p er

[ To fat e Pag e 1 44

1 46 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS ar a and h r a her h a u n the avin e , t e e be t e d po p g stones until the blood ran from her nose and m outh .

a in the o r man as he i n l Le v g p o wo , ev de t y ima in a h u h it rans ir sh e was nl g ed, de d, t o g t p ed o y l ins nsi l r a a a . m rsons e b e, T e d w y bo ted So e pe

assin a ra t hi s su n a aran fr m p g, tt c ed by dde ppe ce o th e ar a of the h use in anle r and se i n e o St y St eet, e g

Mrs lli ns l in h r in ure a has Co y g t e e j d, g ve c e

r a a a h v r mana lu a ur T e d w y, owe e , ged to e de c pt e for the im i n and a n i n was h en urn t e be g, tte t o t t ed

r ns he had a a r to the pe so tt cked . M Collins was

f un ui d a i h hr ull un o d to be q te e d, w t t ee b et wo ds

Mrs llins h in hi s h a . e r un er m e d Co , ow ve , d edi cal

ar ralli and was s n a l to i m c e, ed, oo b e g ve so e

account of what had happened .

Meanwhile an active search was made for the

mur r r who was a ur at sl r de e , c pt ed I ewo th at a

r la h ur on the ni h of a ur a ve y te o g t S t d y, December

The ri al mm n a 1 6 1 8 6 . t the Old ail , 7 t co e ced B ey

on nes a ruar 1 8 r a Wed d y, Feb y 7 , 77 , T e daway

being charged with the wilful murder of Mr Colli ns

d the a m mur r of Mr ll an tte pted de s Co ins .

The defence set up by Mr Bes ley was that the

rison r was sufferin fr m e il i r i and p e g o p ept c ve t go, , THE PIMLICO MURDER 1 47

ns u n l was un ns i us of ha he h ad co eq e t y, co c o w t

rin the r rs s of the ri al and hils n . u do e D g p og e t , w t his ancée was i in i n the ris n r had a ﬁ g v g ev de ce, p o e

ﬁ t i n the and the ase was a urn for the dock, c djo ed

da Dr i s n of a and Dr mil s y . G b o , Newg te, S e , of ll a ri s n n to hi s assis an i n the Ho ow y P o , we t t ce

and th i r i n di ff r ma eriall as dock, e ev de ce e ed t y to th e nature of th e seiz ure Dr Gibson was under the im ressi n ha it was of an il i hara r p o t t ep ept c c cte , inasmuch as the prisoner had not been susceptible

snuff hi h had n la e u hi s n s hils to w c bee p c d p o e, w t

Dr Smi les was of the Opi ni on that i t was of an

T in hysterical ch aracter. h e po t at i ssue was materi al to the defence .

When the trial was resumed on the following day Mr Justi ce Lush elicited from the medi cal witnesses that because a man suffered from

il s he was not n c ssaril insan al h u h ep ep y e e y e, t o g frequent attacks of epilepsy might produce irr

m it l ar the ur in sani ty . He ade c e to j y hi s sum

nritted un rthe inﬂu n of e il i r i and de e ce p ept c ve t go,

’ commented on the prisoner s statement in regard

to the newspaper report which showed that

Trea a a new wha he was in an w d w y k t do g, d as 1 48 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

ns i us of ha he had on af r th e n co c o w t d e te eve t .

That would not have been the case had be com

mi tted the cri me un der the inﬂuence of epilepti c

The ur f un the ri s n r uil and j y o d p o e G ty,

he was sentenced to death ; but the capi tal puni sh t ment was not carried ou . I have since learnt

fr m a m di al man who was res n at his irth o e c , p e t b , that Treadaway had been subject to epilepsy all

his lif and ha s ral m m rs of hi s famil e, t t eve e be y had also suﬂered from the disease .

When Mr Justi ce Lush was made a Pri vy Councillor it was necessary th at he should attend

r the court with a swo d . He had never been a

fi h i n man and his u l r l me tha he had g t g , b t e to d t the greatest di fliculty in preventi ng his master fr m i n the s r n his l s so tha o gett g wo d betwee eg , t he mi ght present a di gnified appearance at the

Court of St J ames .

1 50 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

’ u two o l on th e af rn n of a urda Abo t c ock te oo S t y,

m er 1 1 1 8 a un man hatl ss and Septe b , 75, yo g , e

r athl ss a ra e c nsi ra l a n i n as he b e e , tt ct d o de b e tte t o

- raced through the streets after a four wheeled cab .

The latter stopped for a moment in Greenﬁeld

re and i u a man but f r th e St et p cked p wo , be o e

young man could reach it it started oﬂ agai n .

f rit n th e runn r and nl n di d he hec A te we t e , o y o ce c k

hi s speed . This was when he saw two poli cemen

in Lea denh all r ulli n u l se to hem St eet . P g p c o t

he sai ha f ur- h el r— ui —s o i t s d, T t o w e e q ck t p , top — — i t parcels two parcels " The policemen looked h at im an d h n lau h risi l . , t e g ed de ve y

. The un man as no fur h r ti m but yo g w ted t e e,

an e af r the cab a ai n ll in it r p t d te g , fo ow g ove

n n ri an d at las am u wi h it as it Lo do B dge, t c e p t

n in th stopped near the Hop Excha ge e Borough . Here there were two more poli cemen This time

he had e l I n in n a r u . as s us as bett ck g p g to e , j t

url ar e man sm i n a bi i ar and b y, be d d , ok g g c g

arr in a ar l s fr m the hi l the c y g p ce , tepped o ve c e, mnner sai d Stop th at man with that parcel " See where

’ he s i h i t " I t s mur r ll ou " goe w t de , I te y ” murder. THE WAINWRIGHT TRIAL 1 51

One of the constables at once followed the man i n ues i n hil the h r a h the q t o w e ot e w tc ed cab .

res n l the ar man s ill sm kin hi s P e t y be ded , t o g

i ar am a - c g , c e b ck to the four wheeler empty handed ; and wi h u a i n an n i of the li m n , t o t t k g y ot ce po ce e li f out the s n ar l and ff ted eco d p ce walked o . Thi s im h h r e was s . h c ns a l s t e, oweve , topped Bot o t b e

’ n u to hi m and one sai ha s i n ha we t p , d, W t t t parcel ? What have you done with the other one ? h n hi s c m ani n GO in th e Hen T e to o p o , to d hi h i ” an ns and see a t is ma . C cke w t , te

’ n ou an hin of the sor sai the Do t y do yt g t, d

i h l . I f 0 man w t the parce You let me go . £5

” is any use to you you can have the money at once . The answer the policeman made to thi s was to suddenly pull asi de the American cloth covering

d i n of the parcel . I n another i nstant he ha S g ed to

hi s m ani n who s iz the url man fr m co p o , e ed b y o

hi n h r was a li of han uffs and nr be d, t e e c ck dc , He y

ai n h ri n the sam ime W wrig t was a p so er. At e t they took i nto custody the other occupant of th e

- hi he man who d en four wheeler. T s was t wo ha be picked up in Greenﬁeld Street and whose name was

Alice Day . Th e man who brought about the dramatic 1 52 MEMORI ES OF FAMOUS TRI ALS

arrest j ust narrated was Alfred Phili p Stokes .

That morni ng he had been asked by Henry Wain

ri h for h m he had f rm rl r to m w g t, w o o e y wo ked, co e

i h him hi s old remi ses 2 1 hi cha el w t to p , 5 W te p

a h l hi m wi h two arc ls and s m h r Ro d, to e p t p e o e ot e

un les la on the ﬂ r of th e m ar h us b d , y oo e pty w e o e wrapped in black American cloth and corded across

’ i h s h r oo h av for one w t trong rope . T ey e t e y to

” arr sai es h n ai n ri h l him c y, d Stok w e W w g t to d to ” i All ri h l h m u . sai his m r p ck t e p g t , d e p oye ,

’ I ll give you a hand with them till we can get a

cab So th e two carried them as far as the church

i n th e hi ha l a ainwri h lainin W tec pe Ro d, W g t exp g on the way th at they were parcels of bri stles for brush - maki ng th at he had managed to secrete from h th his credi tors . At the churc e parcels were

si on the a m n ai n ri h lli n depo ted p ve e t , W w g t te g

Stokes to mi nd them while he went to look for a

uri e cab . Stokes was c ous . Th weight of th e parcels was altogether inconsistent wi th th e story

h a h n ai n ri stles re r h r w t t t ey co t ed b Mo ove , t e e as s m hin a u h m ha mad him shu r o et g bo t t e t t e dde .

h a oﬂ a s r n culi ar ff nsi smell T ey g ve t o g, pe , o e ve He could not see any signs of Wai nwright comi ng

1 54 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

female body ; the other the head and limbs

ten r i i n po t ons all . It was evi dent that death ha d

ak n la a u a ar r de a ha in t e p ce bo t ye befo e, c y v g

en r n the a i n of hl ri of lim be p eve ted by ct o c o de e,

of h l ull deat was abundant y clear. Two b et

un s r in th e rain and in a h ai r ad at wo d we e b , p the back of the head another ﬂattened bullet was

The police were evi dently in the pres ence of a

r a rim and at n e set to r to dis r g e t c e, o c wo k cove

its s f n h n detai ls . Wi th key ound o Wai nwright w e

s ar h and a om ani s h n to e c ed, cc p ed by Stoke , t ey we t

2 1 hi cha l r in the r a r 5W te pe Road . He e g e t wo k

ShO an d ar h us a r m 1 1 fee i n l n h h p w e o e , oo 5 t e gt , t ey

s n un r i n oo fo d furthe ev de ce . About twenty feet from the door they noticed that some boards had

la nd u he tely been taken up a p t down agai n . T y

r m h m and h r un rn a h was an e oved t e , t e e de e t

m ra the m ul of hi h was hi l e pty g ve, o d w c t ck y

s r wn wi h hl rid of lim su h as was a herin t e t c o e e, c d g

in I n to the fragments of the body th e parcels .

i h r the grave three buttons were d scovered . Ot e

hi n s f un r a new s a r c n l us a t g o d we e p de e e t y ed, THE WAI NWRIGHT TRIAL 1 55

Ch r i h s m ﬂes h vil- sm llin ma er oppe w t o e y, e e g tt adh rin it a o - nif n and ith e g to , p cket k e ope , w similar s i ﬂ sh ma r on i t a hamm r and t cky e y tte , e ,

’ The ﬁrst clue to the victim s i denti ty was furni sh f ur a s la r nam l e m er 1 ed o d y te , e y, S pte b 5,

1 8 h r 75. T en a man named Taylor came forwa d and sai d he believed the remai ns to be th ose of his sis r-in-law arri an i h h m ai n te , H et L e, w t w o W

She wright had been on term s of close intimacy . had n mi ssi n sin m r 1 1 1 8 xa l bee g ce Septe be , 74, e ct y twelve months to the day on whi ch Henry Wain

’ arr a l r s s ri i n was wright was ested. T y o de c pt o nri nute an d h n he saw th e r mai ns he at n e , w e e o c i iﬁ di a l r the en h m . So too d Mrs d t ed t e , , T y o ,

’ as w man s is r and her fa h r hn dece ed o S te , t e , Jo

’ Lane . Harriet s connecti on wi th Wai nwright was

ll b r n her fri n s an d on the er da she we ow to e d , v y y was last seen alive She had i nformed them that she

was in 2 1 hi ha l a li h r . go g to 5W tec pe Ro d, to ve t e e

hr s la r ha i n h ar n hi n of her T ee week te , v g e d ot g si s r Mrs a l r all on ai nwri h b r te , T y o c ed W g t to ow

what was the matter with Harri et ? Wai n wright told her that she had left him and had gone to ri h n i h a man nam Freake who had B g to w t ed , 1 56 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

om in for a r n T o m c e fo tu e . w onths later she was

sh n a l ra hi m ss a fr m r hi h ow te eg p c e ge o Dove , w c stated that she (Harri et) was well and was leavi ng

for ran and a da ortwo af er ar s ain ri h F ce, y t w d W w g t read a letter to her purporti ng to come from

arri who sai ha she was n in herself H et, d t t e joy g

wi h a i n i i t fr e d n Par s .

’ With Wai nwright s arrest thes e facts were

r all . The n i h urs too an to r ll ec ed e g bo , , beg eco ect

ro ha on m r 1 0 1 8 th e da f re p ve t t Nove be , 74, y be o

the one on hi h th e mur r was mmi w c de co tted, Wai nwright had purchased a quanti ty of chlori de of lim e . Another proved by his books th at on the same date the prisoner had bought a spade an d

an axe fr m him . n h r a irl nam inn l o A ot e , g ed P e , who li e n ar 21 hi ha l oa r ll c v d e 5W tec pe R d, eco e ted heari ng the shots ﬁred . Facts were indeed strong agai nst th e accused man and r s ill s r n r h n it was r , g ew t t o ge w e p oved th at the telegram from Dover and the letter from

aris ur rti n to m fr m arri an r P , p po g co e o H et L e, we e

s n Th la both e t by Thomas Wai nwright . e tter was promptly arrested as an acces sory to the murder af er the fa and i h hi s r th r was mmi t ct, , w t b o e , co tted

1 58 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

admi ssi ble agai nst th e prisoner as h e was not

present when it was made ; only a statement made

a i n rs n who is n all h of by dy g pe o , beyo d ope

hi ef us i hils refusin a mi the i den e C J t ce, w t g to d t ev c , pointed out to the j ury that she could not have

en in far for she al e a a arr in her be go g , w k d w y c y g

ni h drs s in her ba h r f r she was in g t e g, t e e o e go g to

s n the ni h s me her and wh n she l f her pe d g t o w e, e e t home she proceeded in the directi on of the house

i e B i h of the pr soner at th ar. I n connection w t

dying declarati ons I would refer to a remarkable

ase i na u h r. man was sh c , Reg B tc e A ot

hr u h a lass win the ris n r in u si e t o g g dow, p o e be g o t d ; before the bullet reached him the ﬂash of the gun revealed to him the face of hi s assailant and he

’ ri out as he was m in hi s fa h re s c ed eet g te, T e

r his was a mi vi Butche . T d tted as e dence by the — ju dge who tried th e cas e not as a dyi ng declara

i n but as ar of th e res esta or art of the t o p t g , p

The rial of nr and h mas ain ri h t He y T o W w g t,

hi h las ni n a s mm n e at the w c ted e d y , co e c d Old

ai le on m r 22 and n e em r 1 B y Nove be , e ded D c be ,

r hi f us i Cockb ma 1 875. Lo d C e J t ce um de a point THE WAINWRIGHT TRIAL 1 59 of all in n the ur tr the as speci y go g dow to co t to y c e . After Si r Joh n Holker had completed the case for the r n Mr sl r n the C ow , Be ey p oceeded to ope

r hi f us i e Cockbum as him defence . Lo d C e J t c ked whether he would prefer th at he should interrupt him in th e course of hi s speech with any points of di fﬁculty which suggested themselves to hi s mi n so ha the unsel for the ris n r mi h d, t t co p o e g t

ar n n M Cl h m u as he al . r sle ha in e t e p we t o g Be y, v g e r ss hi s ass n di d not et r far wi h hi s xp e ed e t, g ve y t address when he invi ted the j ury to come to the conclusion that it was a case of sui ci de . I shall never forget hi s look of horror when Lord Chief

us i Cockbum i h ha ui manner hi h J t ce , w t t t q et w c

was uli ar hi m l ani n r ar s uns l pec to , e g ove tow d co e ,

r mar i n an un rt ne and uri e h rs l e ked de o , b d e e

Duri ng the course of the trial I noted that the

Lord Chi ef Justi ce was recordi ng on sheets of

foolscap notes from his book to form th e bas is of

hi s summi n -u to the ur and h ad the uri si g p j y, I c o ty,

on passing hi s chai r duri ng one of the adjourmnents

for lun h n l r the ﬁrs sh of f c eo , to ook ove t eet oolscap

n s hi h he had ma an d r a as f ll s ote w c de, I e d o ow ,

a mar i nal li n i n ra n n and the fa g e be g d w dow , cts of the case being treated i n sequence 1 60 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRI ALS

Henry Wai nwright found in possession of a

”

Dead bod . body . y Dead body muti l

” Dead bod r ated . y ecently di si nterred and

then the further suggestive remark whi ch he

re a e the ur Man f un in ss ssi n of pe t d to j y, o d po e o

stolen property shortly after it is stolen presumed

to be the thi ef . Man found in the possession of a

body evidently murdered presumed to be the

he m sses se o i of how beca e po d f t . — Both pri soners were convicted Henry Wain

ri h oi mur r and h mas ain ri h of w g t de , T o W w g t

i n an a ss r af rthe fa the la rr c i in be g cce o y te ct, tte e e v g

’ n n of s n ars en l i u a se te ce eve ye p a serv t de . As the two pri soners were in the dock awaiti ng the verdi ct of the j ury Henry Wai nwright said to — Thomas and the conversation was repeated to me afterwards by the chi ef warder They will

i me Tom and th ill let ou off . shall conv ct , , ey w y I ’ m ha ou did it . h as r li You are say t t y T o ep ed,

h e i s mur r r unh un but ha ill not t b gge t de e g, t t w be

l n for ou will h un . very o g, y be g to vouch for on the information of the govemor

Th mas ain ri h s n for Mr n mi h o W w g t e t Syd ey S t ,

1 62 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS th e latteri n the most cymcal way that no woman ” could resist hi m .

’ Though Wai nwright s execution was suppose d

ri a e r i ersons r admi e to be p v t , ove S xty p we e tt d by

h sh ff Griﬁ hs who was t e ri s to i ness i t . a r t e w t M jo , oﬂi ci all r sen sa s : am ail out of hi s y p e t, y He c e g y

ll n e l as an l to th e ern r who s ce , odd d p e t y gov o , tood

us o osi and h n alk e ri skl the j t pp te, t e w d b y to e e u i n s ilin h sm as he n al n . here x c t o ed, g we t o g T was a smil on his fa h n it was las se n and e ce w e t e ,

s as the rri le hi c j u t te b w te ap was drawn over i t . CHAPTER XVII

THE YEOVI L MURDER AN D THE NETHERBY HALL MURDER

ON E of the most remarkable cases th at Cockbum

ever tri ed took place at Taunton on the Spring

iz e i en the Ass e of 1 877 . The Chi f Just ce w t

s ern ir ui s i all to tr the ase and We t C c t e pec y y c ,

’ never were the j udge s clear grasp of th e facts of

the case and marvellous ability to place them

f r th e l l is l e li e be o e j ury more c ear y d p ay d . A po c

man narned a hani l was all h a , N t e Cox, eged to ve

been kicked to death by four poachers i n a narrow lane leading down to a railway arch crossed by the

London an d South -Westem Railway at Sutton

in ham off the hi h r a fr m e il re B g , g o d o Y ov to C w

kem e The four prisoners ch arged with murder

r il and e er re Geo . u hi n s th e fa h s we H tc g , t e , G e P t , hi s so d r who all r si e at as ns an has . a e , C B k , e d d E t

er a small villa in m rs shi re . On the Cok , ge So e et ni ght before th e Yeovil fai r th ese four men drove i n a ar al n his r a an d on urnin off the c t o g t o d, t g I 63 1 64 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS mai n road and down over a very steep hill and

hr u h the lan the old man rivi n the ar t o g e ( d g c t) ,

asse the li man Cox and ishe hi m oo p d po ce , w d g d

i i r r h a e in nd n ght . The sto y was t t th y te ed to

ri ha ni h r h s r s m mil s di s an d ve t t g t to Do c e te , o e e t t,

i e h r to br ng back a horse to sell at th e fai r. Th t eo y of the Crown was th at they intended to drive to

l ur ar the rs i d n of the arl of l h s r Me b y P k, e e ce E I c e te ,

as h did not n inu heir ri l n for i t c e , t ey co t e t d ve o g,

am on rai n and the sam ar wi h the f ur c e to , e c t t o

ris n rs ma its wa u the lan h r h p o e de y p e, w e e t ey

re met Cox an d li - ns a l S a we by Po ce co t b e t cey,

m h r wh o atte pted to stop t e cart . A f ee ﬁght an d

’ scuﬂle ensu the li eman s s aff was r n ed, po c t b oke ,

and Cox met hi s death by kicks and blows . Stacey

a ars ha ma a a and the ris n rs ppe to ve de w y, p o e

mana e a us i s me im an d re g d to ev de j t ce o t e, we

afterwards di scovered in a hay -loft belonging to a

farm r nam i hards arr s and h ar e wi h e ed R c , e ted c g d t

’ mur r th e i har s in in i as a ss ri s de , R c d be g d cted cce o e after the fact for harbouri ng them

The as aus the r a s ci men an d c e c ed g e te t ex te t,

Cockbum n in th e as was a sensa i nal one , k ow g c e t o ,

spared no pai ns to gi ve proof of hi s marvellous skill

1 66 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

il I n a h r im he w l be for you to deci de . s o t t e t y

r turn i t is r ar an d as it ul s m e ; ve y d k, wo d ee to

me i h one man ri in and ha man th e l r , w t d v g, t t e de

ri s n r and the h ers r a l al i n u the p o e , ot p ob b y w k g p

hill as the h rs he are nfr n e Cox to e e o e, t y co o t d by

” Th l n ud e and a who s th e ar . e ar St cey, top c t e ed j g

was here very emph atic in laying down th e law .

Every law- abiding Citiz en has a right to use th e

’ u en s hi h a unm l s e an d ha th e li Q e g w y o e t d, t t po ce

i n thi s case had no right to stop the cart wi thout

r as na l r un of sus i i n and h a th e e o b e g o d p c o , t t

person stopped had a righ t to use reas onable

i len e r v o c to p oceed . Cockbum made it very Clear that in thi s case

th e li e r the a r ss rs an d ha a rdi po c we e gg e o , t t ve ct

of mur r ul unsafe and ha the ri m if de wo d be , t t c e,

r ul one of manslau h r. p oved, wo d be g te He

narrated in graphi c style th e parti culars of the

fra and mélée an d in out ha th e ﬁ h y , p o ted t t g t mus h a e a n la hin the ar the t v t ke p ce be d c t, body of the li man i n s r h a r ss the lan po ce be g t etc ed c o e, and h a r a l the l r u hin s who h ad t t p ob b y e de H tc g , dri en n The r o was no ar the u ra . u v , p ty to o t ge j y re ire nsi r heir r i an d the u e t d to co de t ve d ct, j dg r ues hi s l r who was si i n n me eq ted c e k, tt g ext to , THE YEOVIL MURDER 1 67

to write out the sentence of death in th e plural

number should he be called upon to pass it The

ur re urn in a u an h ur an d ami r a h j y t ed bo t o , d b e t

less sil n a r had ur . The l r e ce, to c owded co t c e k

hi s h and on the clasp of a li ttle bag underneath

hi s sea n ai ni n th e la ca but a r i of t co t g b ck p , ve d ct

manslaughter agai nst all four pri soners called for

” ’ ff n a i er n s n . sai urn s d e t e te ce Now, d Cockb

marsh al hi s half- r h r me ou will h ar , b ot e , to , y e

hi n r ﬁn i n somet g ve y e . He was si tt g up last night

’ h in s r n at t e Lodg g p epari g hi s sentence .

ri s n rs at the bar be mm n for th s P o e , co e ced, o e

’ who take man 5 life with mali ce prepense for them

n h e th er i man th e punishme t is death . T n e s

slau h r so l s l on the r rlan of mur r g te , c o e y bo de d de

n li ll am th at pe al servitude for fe must fo ow . I

not in ass on ou h a sen n but one of go g to p y t t te ce,

ar ar ars of s rvi u and can nl we y, we y ye e t de, I o y hope that during your captivity you will repent of

n n on a h and all of your great sin . The se te ce e c you i s th at you be kept in penal servitude for the

’ - a r as er term of twenty four years . B ke ked p

missi n s a and inf rm the ud h a the o to pe k, o ed j ge t t

old man h ad had n hin i h the affra but ot g to do w t y,

had ri n th e ar on and di d not b r ha d ve c t , ow w t 1 68 MEMORI ES OF FAMOUS TRIALS had tak en place unti l himself an d the two sons had in muni a wi h rejo ed him. I will com c te t the m e r ar sai the u and ro Ho e S c et y, d j dge, p bably the old man will be spared the puni shment

fr n r n hin s an d ardo was a Geo . u A ee p g ted H tc g , ,

a curi us ir n of fa th e ld r ris n r who by o o y te, e e p o e , di sh rtl aft r hi s r l as li s si e si in ed o y e e e e, e d by de

The s u of r saw all hr e eq el the sto y is strange . I t e

n m at n n ill ar m r and r lan . O Pe to v e, D t oo Po t d y

’ ’ ri de from Land s End to John 0 Groats I visited

fr m Mrs Baker. Giles H utclri ngs escaped o

ha ham s am the a ma hi s wa a C t , w Medw y, de y b ck

to hi s old h m r the hills a Sherbom e o e ove bove ,

hi d in a mana e lu he rs li wood, g d to e de t Do et po ce,

who r on the al r for him ﬁnall ma hi s wa we e e t , y de y

u ham n cr ss the sl of i h to So t pto , o ed to I e W g t ,

or on a farm at i i n he undercliﬁ was w ked N ton t , recogni sed by a butcher who had known him and

who r un - and o ded on him . He was t e arrested

m l hi s ars of ser i u at r lan h r co p eted ye v t de Po t d, w e e

saw hi m i n the hai n r m a la her the I c oo , p ce w e ir ns and han ff was h n o dcu s are kept . He t e

1 70 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

ri i n n n i n hims lf n i n an di scre w t g, co te t g e by ot g y p ancy in the evi dence of a witness at the tri al with that on the depositions as gi ven before the magi s ra s Mr us i e Da h ad the r uta i n of in t te . J t c y ep t o be g a s er ud but a m r i n -h ar man ne r ev e j ge, o e k d e ted ve

r n er d hi r i r men the li e nor a s u . s v d, t o g j ge By et e t

r r l h u h h e was a Bench suﬁ e ed a g eat loss . A t o g

’ li e er in the cat her can no u he be v , t e be do bt was right in hi s attempt to put down crimes of cruelty and outrage commi tted by h ardened ruﬂi an s He presi ded at th e celebrated Neth erby

all mur er as at arlisl and in a man H d c e C e, , be g Ro

a h li i si the ri s n rs in h ir ll af r C t o c, v ted p o e t e ce te their conviction . I n the annals of burglary few crimes h ave been more daring or more sensational than the Netherby

n e la th Hall o e . Th p ce was e Cumberlan d seat of

Sir r ri rah am n ar Carli sle the ime was F ede ck G , e , t

r 28 1 88 . Octobe , 5 Th e robbery took place while the family were

l r as e at di nner. A adde w plac d agai nst the wi ndow

’ of Lady Hermione Graham s bedroom and the

hi e s ma e an as n ran . One of the mai s t ve d e y e t ce d , h avi n asi n the dr m f un the g occ o to go to be oo , o d

n a f door locked . The it w s ound th at some THE NETHERBY HALL MURDER 1 7 1

’ £400 worth of Lady Hermi one s jewellery

mi ssin r r g . Thus far it was a very ordi nary obbe y ; the sensational element was in what speedily f ll o owed .

As soon as th e burglary w as di scovered mounted

grooms were sent in headlong has te to the county

li an d the la r s ee il rai s the hue- and po ce, tte p d y ed cry for the thieves Sir Frederick Grah am was a

ma na e of unusual im r an e in the is ri g t po t c d t ct,

and the li i h un s al n r i hi n po ce acted w t u u e e gy . W t

an hour from receiving th e alarm constables were

a hi n b - r w tc g the roads an d ye paths for miles ound .

Th e ﬁrst glimpse of the burglars was obtai ned by two Oﬁ cers near th e li ttle village of Ki ngstown

They challenged four men coming from the

ir i n of r The an s er was d ect o Nethe by . w two r l er h s th e stran ers l e e s . h n th evo v ot T e g bo t d,

li un di sma e th e ﬁr arms af r hem . po ce, y d by e , te t

ai n the men urn hr of h em hi s i m ﬁrin Ag t ed, t ee t t t e g

e h r and the oﬁ cers re un one i n the tog t e , we wo ded, sh ul er th e h r in the hi h r or l s s o d , ot e t g Mo e e

ri l h still lu il u the has c pp ed, t ey p ck y kept p c e

B ut now e ursu r too ﬂ for h m and th p ed we e eet t e , getti ng down an embanb nent on to the railway li ne soon disappeared i n the di rection of Carli sle 1 7 2 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

’ About one o clock the next morni ng a poli ceman caught sight of th e burglars making for the Carli sle

d i h a r e goo s yard . W t out wo d all four men turn d u n him and s e il a hi m ins nsi le i h po , pe d y be t e b w t

lu n i l h l ft b dgeo s and their p sto butts . Then t ey e the rail a li n for the r a and ma Oﬂ w y e o d, de

ards lum n a illa e n ar nri h . re tow P pto , v g e Pe t He i t was that robbery and assault deepened i nto

The Plumpton constable was a very smart oﬂi cer nam r r er ed By nes . Th e news of the obb y had n r i him an d he was on the a h bee ece ved by , w tc ,

an in eei n st d g under a hedge on th e hi ghway . S g four men approachi ng he called on th em to stop

The only answer he recei ved was a revolver shot

hi f r hi s w ch stretch ed him dead in the road . A te t one of the burglars seems to have separated from hi s m ani ns for hr nl ar in the ne co p o , t ee o y took p t xt scene i n the drama .

hi s curre at nri h s a i n h r T oc d Pe t t t o , w e e

hri s h r Gaddes the uar of a s trai n C top e , g d good ,

us as it was m i n oﬂ saw hr men lim j t ov g , t ee c b into an empty waggon and conceal themselves

li dd h ad h ar of the under a tarpau n . Ga es e d burglary an d the woundi ng and murder of the

1 74 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

dd t Ga es h r was ual to he asi n . , oweve , eq occ o He Whi spered a few words to a platelayer who was

near his van as the trai n stopped . I n a few

rrrinutes a of rail a ser an s latela ers body w y v t , p y ,

si nalrnen etc . h a e the uar ma e a rush g , , e d d by g d, d

r ulin- er F e n on the ta pa cov ed van . or a f w seco ds

th ere was a desperate ﬁght . The robbers tri ed to

use h ir re l rs but h ad n a n too mu h t e vo ve , bee t ke c

eff u l Tw ere ui by surprise to do so ect a ly . o w q ckly

d un ele ra h s Th hi r au h an s . e c g t bo d to t g p po t t d,

r m I h r fo a im ana s a . n th e oweve , t e ged to e c pe

confusion he h ad run up the li ne and concealed

hi mself i n an h r ru The s rai n ot e t ck good t ,

af er the a ur of th e two men m on t c pt e , oved

h r e ri er to Lancaster. T e e th d v saw a man

drop from a truck and make for th e ni ght ex

i h was an in n th e i r ss h s i s a n . p e , w c t d g t t o He

ui e l ass the r al n and the man q t y p ed wo d o g, was arrested j ust as he had entered an empty compartment

Th e hre men a the nam s of ud t e g ve e R ge,

ar in and ak r and r s e il r e to M t B e , we e pe d y p ov d be

r f ssi nal ur lars of the m s s ra i n p o e o b g o t de pe te k d, who had for some time been breaking into various

r ll places i n Cumberland . All we e we known to THE NETHERBY HALL MURDER 1 75

li e ar i n was alrea an e the London po c . M t dy w t d for th e murder of Poli ce- irrspector Syrnmonds near

mf r h m he h ad sh h n an a m was Ro o d, W o ot W e tte pt

u e was made to arrest hi m for a burglary . R dg i en iﬁ as a n ri us hi ef Who h ad n d t ed oto o dog t , do e many terms of impri sonment and who was wanted for robbery and assault committed at Bri xton

a er was a n n m ani n of hi s an d B k k ow co p o t eve , ,

’ under cover of keepi ng a greengrocer s shop in e hnal r n was a r i er of s l n B t G ee , ece v to e

The f ur h man illi am a r no r la i n of o t , W B ke , e t o

the h r ak r was s n af r arres e at Man ot e B e , oo te t d i li h hes er on sus i n . ak n ar sle e was c t p c o T e to C ,

i dentiﬁ ed by one of the constables Who h ad been

un and als s ral rs ns Who h ad s en wo ded, o by eve pe o e

him in the neighbourhood of Netherby on the day

precedi ng the burglary . He had undergone several

s n n es of im ris nm n n a l one for in e te c p o e t, ot b y be g

’ concerned in th e theft of th e Duchess of Montrose s

j ewel case at Newcas tle some three years before

None of th e stolen jewellery was found on the

’ ri s n rs but a few a s la r u s a p o e , d y te R dge tob cco

uch was f un in s m ras s n ar a s a i n po o d o e g e Teb y t t o , 1 76 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

and in i t r all the ls i h the ti n of a we e jewe , w t excep o i diamond star. Thi s was p cked up afterwards

un r a rail a ar h h r u u less hr de w y c , w e e R dge do bt t ew

i t f r th r l at a te e st ugg e Tebay .

The evi dence agai nst the prisoners was of

the m s m l h ara r arli sle in o t co p ete c cte At C ,

the l a - r m h h ad l f a s hi h h n c o k oo , t ey e t b g w c w e Opened were found to contain complete sets

’

of ur lars ls . I n a h w r s are b g too e c , too, e e p

ar ri s hi h fi h ir r l rs The c t dge , w c tted t e evo ve bullets extracted from the body of th e murdered constable Byrn es and from the other wounded ofi cers were such as would be fired from the te volvers found .

After a tri al las ting three days (January

1 8- 20 1 886 u e ar in and ames a r , ) R dg , M t J B ke

ui l and s n n were found g ty e te ced to death .

Willi am Bak er was sent to a term of penal servi tu de . The death sentence was duly carried out in

arli sl a l the e u i n in n a l fr m the C e g o , ex c t o be g ot b e o

err the han rnan had a ar n as fact th at B y, g , b o et

Sir Clau de de Crespigny . It is unders tood th at

rr irri oned u an d ar in Sir while Be y p R dge M t ,

CHAPTER XVIII

TH E PENGE MYSTERY

I REME MBER very well attending the Old Bailey

uri n the fam us n m s er ri al one of the d g o Pe ge y t y t , ﬁrst murder cases over whi ch Mr Jus tice Hawkins

was called upon to presi de The ci rcumstances of

h r d t e case we e peculi ar an are well worth recording .

The ri al ar us the r a es in rs an d urin t o ed g e t t te e t, d g

the h arin hi h u i s ral a s the e g, w c occ p ed eve d y , street outsi de the Sessions House was thronged by

r ds of l a r ai n a mi ssi n hils c ow peop e e ge to obt d o , w t the old court (itself so shortly to be demoli shed) was crowded each day by celebri ties from all

r f i n The e i m n r a h its p o es s o s . xc te e t e c ed culmi nat in in on the las da of th e ri al h n sh r l g po t t y t , w e , o t y b f r mi ni h af r an xhaus i summin - u e o e d g t, te e t ve g p of l n h urs the ur f un a rdi of e eve o , j y o d ve ct

i u n Gu lty against all fo r pri so ers .

Fortune- hunti ng has more th an once gone han - i n-h an wi h ri m but n r in a m r d d t c e, eve o e I 7 8 THE PENGE MYSTERY 1 79 deli berately cruel fashion th an in the Penge case It was in the early part of 1 87 4 th at the vi cti m ﬁrst met th e man who was to bring h er to such a

i n was in h r terr ble end . Harriet Richardso e thirty- ﬁ rst year when she was paying a visit to

ns at al r h h er r la i s Sh e some cousi W wo t . By e t ve was i ntroduced to a young aucti oneer named Loui s

a ar n l di d not hin mu h of Staunton . He pp e t y t k c Harri et Ri ch ardson when h e was ﬁrst introduced

her h u h sh e was not i h u rs nal to , t o g w t o t pe o a ra ti ns and was al a s ll if not fas i di usl tt c o , w y we , t o y,

B ut hi s mann r at n e Chan h n dressed . e o c ged w e he was i nformed that she possessed i n her own

r un of s m 000 r m ha m m n right a fo t e o e £4 . F o t t o e t

Louis Staunton professed vi olent love for Harriet

i har s n and in l ss han hr m n hs af r R c d o , e t t ee o t te maki ng hi s acquai ntance she had agree d to marry him The news of th e forthcomi ng match brought

’ arri s m h r Who had a en a s n hus an H et ot e , t k eco d b d,

Mrs B utterﬁel on the s n to s and was now d, ce e oppo e i he sai ha arri was m n all ak an d t . S d t t H et e t y we

r marri a and as a las h to r n unﬁt fo ge, t ope p eve t the uni on Mrs B utterﬁ eld went to the Court of

han r l adi n ha h er au h r mi h C ce y, p e g t t d g te g t be

l a luna i B u h placed under contro as t c . t t e court 1 80 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

ul not in rf r an d in th e summ r of 1 8 wo d te e e, e 75

he marri a arri at n ass t ge took place . H et o ce p ed

m l l in the han s of her hus an an d so co p ete y to d b d,

di d her r a m n s m 1 00 hi h e dy o ey . Thi s was o e £ 5 w c

she had in a Th e r f her f r un con bank . est o o t e

sis of a re rsi nar in eres in 2 00 hi h ted ve o y t t £ 4 , w c ,

the wa her hus an was n r a l to se ur by y , b d eve b e c e

At ﬁrs t Loui s Staunton an d hi s wife lived in Bri xton

n ar a ri aun n hi s r h r who was an e P t ck St to , b ot e ,

ar i r m m nths af r t st by p ofes si on . So e three o te

’ hi s brother s marri age Patrick Staunton an d hi s

wif r m to Cu ham n ar e n aks . This e e oved d , e S ve o change of domi cile seems to have been the ﬁrs t m in a ia li al famil l for a ri ove d bo c y p ot, P t ck Staunton had parti cularly chosen the house at

Directly Patrick Staunton was settled at Cud ham uis aun n and hi s if r m e , Lo St to w e e ov d to i s ill rw . r a was rn to G p y H , No ood He e boy bo

arri aun n and h r an th r rsona e in H et St to , e e o e pe g th rama a r on th hi s as e d ppea ed e scene . T w Ali ce

’ h is i aun i s s r to a r n s w f liz a . R ode , te P t ck St to e E

Ali ce Rhodes soon became mistress in Loui s

’ aun n s h us the wif in i n r and it is St to o e, e be g g o ed,

1 82 MEMORIES OFFAMOUS TRIALS l a the h use Thi s a h r was lara r n e ve o w tc e C B ow , a r lati who a e as mai -O i - all- r the e ve, ct d d wo k to

aun ns and hos unwilli n i n was one St to , w e g ev de ce

h The of t e pri me causes of their conviction . — wretched woman was by this ti me September

1 8 6—in a rri l s a r o r ha sola 7 te b e t te Mo e ve , w t ce she rrright h ave found in her baby was now taken

m h r d ill fro e . The infant had been neglected an

r a uall i h h rs lf and one da i t di s t e ted eq y w t e e , y

ar d appe ed . On that day i t was taken by Patri ck an

’ Eli z a Staunton to Guy s Hospital in a dyi ng con

he l h diti on . T y to d t e authori ties there that it was the moth erless infant of a workman of theirs named

arris and hen it di th e unna ural fa h er H , w ed t t

an f r th r i i arr ged o e fune al and buried t n that name .

After the death of the baby the conﬁnement of

Harriet Staunton was more ri gorous th an ever.

h r m hi s w as an She was kept entirely to e roo . T

apartment absolutely bare of all furn iture except

’ two builders trestles on whi ch were lai d plank s to

h r was no ma r ss form a rough beds tead . T e e tt e

on th e lan s nl a u l of di r ru s hi h p k , o y co p e ty g w c

r f r una man we e never changed . The un o t te wo

H f was r a was not all to wash . er owed ood b e d,

l a es an d the s ra in s of the la s co d pot to , c p g p te I “ P ho to. . fa u ll 6 Fa r] T H E T I C H BOR N E C LA I MA N T (A R TH U R O RTON)

H I S COU N SE L : DR KE N E ALY i s:

1 84 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

u h alarm now and sur ha som hin M c ed , e t t et g was r wr n Mrs B utterﬁeld n Cu ham ve y o g, we t to d

' and h n i sfa i n to Grey 5 Farm. T ere was o sat ct o for her so Mrs B utterﬁeld n to th e ma istra at , we t g te

arl r u h re li c c ur and l her al M bo o g St et po e o t to d t e, whi ch so impressed him that he set th e poli ce to

h n ri l fa t r . so di s r a us u s wo k T ey o cove ed v o g y c , the ﬁrs t being th e story of the baby and i ts death

' t i in i h n a Guy s Hosp tal the name of Harr s . T e

’ h l arn ha alarm Mrs B utterﬁeld s t ey e ed t t, ed by th e Stauntons h ad removed the latter to a lodging

at Penge Thi s last resti ng-place was reached on

ri l 1 r 1 8 Mrs aun n ein un nsci us Ap , 77 , St to b g co o when sh e was carried from th e train to the vehi cle

h to th e l in s secure whi ch took er odg g d . Louis

aun n l th s who saw her and a r St to to d o e , docto who was f h ha sh e was hi s m h r and had etc ed, t t ot e ,

tr The had a paralyti c s oke . doctor pronounced her as h l s s and on ril 1 two a s af r c e ope e , Ap 3 , d y te her arri al in n a h ut an end to v Pe ge, de t p Harriet

’ s ﬁ eri n s I n c r Staunton s u g . ac o dance wi th the story told him the medi cal man at ﬁrst gave a

a h fr m aral certiﬁcate of de t o p ysis . Mrs B utterﬁeld protes ted and deman ded a post- mortem The THE PENGE MYSTERY 1 85

r iﬁ a was a rdi n l wi h ra n and at ce t c te cco g y t d w , th e autopsy the doctors employed by the Crown had no di ﬂi culty i n arri ving at th e conclusion th at Harriet Staunton had been deli berately starved

h r f r h al a h . All t e ans o the h to de t o g body we e e t y,

Vet the eas i h not ui ﬁ ve s n dec ed we g ed q te to e,

h h h n t oug er ormal weight was nine stone .

Th e aun ns— ui s a ri and li z a St to Lo , P t ck E an d Ali h s r r m l arr s and r ce R ode we e p o pt y e ted, we e com r Th ri al mi tted for trial fo wilful murder. e t

mm n at th e Old ail on m r 1 co e ced B ey Septe be 9,

1 8 and las s n a s th e ris n rs in all 77 , ted eve d y , p o e be g f un ui l on m r 26 and s n n to o d g ty Septe be , e te ced death . Mr Justice Hawkins pointed out to th e j ury th at persons who were bound by law or contract to provi de mai ntenance for another were guilty of mur r if h fail wi h a mali ci us i n n de t ey ed, t o te t,

fulﬁl h ir li a i ns an d ha Ali c h s to t e ob g t o , t t e R ode , if she was an accessory to th e conduct of th e other

hr ri n rs l u ll l s u a ui . His t ee p o e , wo d be eq y g ty l r shi h r r fuse to all m di al o d p, oweve , e d ow e c ex perts to be called for the defence to state their

ini ns as the aus of a h as d u n the Op o to c e de t , b e po s m ms h had heard s ri the ur y pto t ey de c bed to j y , 1 86 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS to set agai nst the evi dence of the doctor called for the r n and who had seen th e as f re C ow , dece ed be o

hi s w r l an err r f u her death . T as p obab y o o j dg m n and or ramw ll who was nsul e t, L d B e , co ted by the m r ar af r the ri al hims lf l Ho e Sec et y te t , e to d me th at i n cases of murder no evi dence tendere d for the a us hi h h u h not chni all cc ed w c , t o g te c y a missi le mi h neﬁ the ris n rs sh ul d b , g t be t p o e , o d be refused .

was n uall ann un on r 0 It eve t y o ced, Octobe 3

1 8 h a the u n u n the r c mm n a i n 77 , t t Q ee , po e o e d t o

W wi r of Sir m . nn r af r a nsul a i n h , te co t t o t Lo d ‘Je e us i es ram ell re and ush and wi h the J t c B w , B tt L , t

n urr n of Mr us i a i ns h ad com co c e ce J t ce H wk , mu the sen n s in the as of hr e of the ted te ce , c e t e

ris ners h a of im ris nm n for li f hil a p o , to t t p o e t e, w e

n free pardo was granted to Alice Rhodes .

It was Dr Jenner wh o attended the Prince

Consort in hi s last illness i n th e fateful December

61 8 was an old fri n of mi n . of 1 . He e d e It was he who ﬁrst informed our adored Queen as

t i rin On th e to he ser ous conditi on of the P ce . — — 1 3th December th e day before he di ed hi s

if earie out i h a hi n as e devoted w e, w d w t w tc g, k d

the great physi cian if she might take a walk in the

1 88 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRI ALS

meeting of hi s followers in a barn in Wales and they

ere sin in a i n l li h ami the en w g g, Le d, k d y g t, d

d l r all wh o n him for no one r ep o ed by k ew , eve des erved the hi ghes t honour that the profes si on of the Law ff rs han he—but li Sir hn ars o e t , ke Jo K

la his h al h r n. ke, e t b oke dow CHAPTER XIX

P I I B Y C I I E . R LAMSON . O SON NG A ON T N LO D ’ BRAMP TON S THEORY AS To H ow IT WAS I I TERE E C E OF EFR ADM N S D, AND TH AS L OY

THE ri al Dr ams n f r Mr us i a i ns t of L o be o e J t ce H wk , at the Old ail was one of the m s r mar a l B ey, o t e k b e

charged with the murder of hi s young brother-in law a li a u h who suﬂered fr m s inal , de c te yo t , o p

a consi derable sum of money would accrue to the prisoner through his wife by V irtue of the law of Joint Tenancy Dr Lamson was in great

It was in this case that Mr Montagu Williams

r a l ma the m s fam us s h his lif p ob b y de o t o peec of e, if we except his defence of Lefroy at the Assiz es at

Mai dstone before the late Lord Coleri dge The — old court was crammed actors an d actresses were

h r in a un an amon h m r a t e e b d ce, g w o we e L dy

an r f th n ari il n Mr u n Sir B c o t ( e M e W to ), S gde , I 89 1 99 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

ﬁgures of th e dramatic world who were all gathered together at the extreme end of the Bench near to where I was si tti ng stu dyi ng real li fe Mr

’ Montagu Willi ams s peroration can never be

h s who h forgotten by t o e eard it . I well remember Mr Jones (chaplai n of Newgate) drawing my a n i n the fa of the fam us u h se tte t o to ce o j dge, w o exp res sion clearly signiﬁed that the evidence

the ri n was r ra agai nst p so er ve y g ve .

Mr n a u illiams ami r a hl s s Sil n e Mo t g W , d b e t e e c and in su u n s n lu his a drs s to bd ed to e , co c ded d e

” the ur : You ma ha r mar sai the j y y ve e ked, d

rea a a in the usk at the los of a h g t dvoc te, d c e e c

’ a s r edi n s a ﬁ ur li a and fra il d y p oce g , g e de c te g e s eal a r ss the hrs h l of the ur the k t c o t e o d co t to doc , and placi ng her hand in that of th e prisoner at the B ar lai m s ur if not oi , exc by ge t e by v ce,

h u h all the rl a ai ns ou ill cli n T o g wo d be g t y , I w g

’ h i a man and h man th ou s ill. S e s a e to y t wo , t t wo

’ prisoner S wife The compilers of the marri age

i of the hur h di d ll to u t l ve ﬁrs for serv ce C c we p o t,

di n is ur r l i s e s f ll . Pro whe e ove , Ob e ce e to o ow

a l n inu Mr illiams no man r b b y, co t ed W , eve enjoyed a greater reputati on as an advocate at the

1 92 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIAL S

h the da is far to my skill as an advocate . I ope y

distant when an English j u dge will so far forget himself as to remember that he had been an advo

n h i r i n r cate whe e s t y g a case for wilful mu der.

ac s are one hi n and lo u n is an ther F t t g e q e ce o ,

and h r mu h our f elin s ma h a een , oweve c e g y ve b wrung by the impassioned addres s in regard to the

’ unf r una ris n r s if us i ul n ver o t te p o e w e, j t ce wo d e

out h s wh o inn n h ms l s hav to t o e , oce t t e e ve , e, I am s rr to sa suﬂer for the ri mes of the o y y , to c il gu ty .

The mm n m n of the s h was fa al co e ce e t peec t , an d I could see Monty now tyi ng up the great bundle of deposi ti ons and looki ng at Douglas

rai h sh wi n his fa e ha i t was all u . St g t, o g by c t t p

And so it was for h urs la r saw Dr amson , two o te I L

H d h i retirement of the jury . a e delayed t until

after hi s convicti on I believe hi s property would

have been es treated to the Crown. It may be interesting to review the sali ent facts

of th e as the vi n i n sin ularl ir um c e, e de ce be g g y c c

n in ne r i us ins d stan ti al . l o an an ha O y p ev o t ce , t t

a r n h one had a ni i n en us for th e F e c , co t e be ed DR LAMSON 1 93

ur e o m p pos s f urder. The crime

Dr Lamson was a peculi arly cold-blooded and

r m di p e e tated one . The accused was an American — surgeon who had marri ed an English wife a Mi ss h John . Throug her he had a reversi onary interest

in a sum of 1 00 hi h ul m him at th e £ 5 , w c wo d co e to

a h of hi s r h r-in-law r al lm ohn de t b ot e , Pe cy M co J Th e la r who was nin n ars of a e was tte , etee ye g , paralysed from hi s wai st downwards through congeni tal spi nal di sease I n spite of hi s age he

was s ill at s h l ein a ar r in th e s a lish t c oo , b g bo de e t b — ment of Mr Bedbrook at Wimbledon previous to whi ch he was at school i n the Isle of Wight Dr Lamson professed a very great interes t in

’ hi s brother-in- law 5 cas e as well as a very strong

aff i n for him and fr u n l isi and ect o , eq e t y v ted

u n him res n s of h la s s s bestowed po p e t c oco te , weet

- and other such school boy luxuries .

n m r 2 1 881 ams n u h fr m a O Nove be 7 , , L o bo g t o

h ad London Chemi st two grai ns of aconi tine . He

ur has s of the ru man y times before made p c e d g,

hi h is rha s the m s adl of all the is ns w c , pe p , o t de y po o

n n sci n and ein a r n hin k ow to e ce, , b g docto , ot g

li l la r appeared at all unusual i n the purchas e . A tt e te N 1 94 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

law a visi and in the res en e of Mr B edbrook t, p c

Lamson r uce som m la in ca sules an d p od d e e pty ge t e p , dila on hem as a n el hi h woul mak e ted t ov ty, w c d the taking of the most nauseous medi ci ne qui te

r ohn had r easy . Pe cy J a g eat dishke to any

ill sh ou sai amson and ro eedi n I w ow y , d L , p c g to ﬁll one wi th some powdered sugar brought for

the ur ose . Now he sai swall ha p p , d, ow t t,

er You ill ﬁnd ha ou cann a P cy . w t t y ot t s te the

Th lad at on sugar. e ce took and swallowed the

d l d n a sul . ha har so h en amson c p e He d y o e w L , l i n at hi s a h sai he mus o as he had to ook g w tc , d t g

a h a rai n for aris and i h an affe i ona c tc t P , w t ct te

- Th goo d bye went OH. e j udge appears to have thought that the capsule was a blind to deceive the r wn and ha the eadl oi s n was not C o , t t d y p o

n ai n h rei n but in a ie e of un ee a e co t ed t e , p c D d c k

hi h the ri son r was ro e have cut OH wi h w c p e p v d to , t

- nd i n to h i own en ni a e t e bo . Had h s p k fe, g v y the capsule contained the poi son the eﬁ ects would

en s e but the rai si ns in the a have be pe dy, c ke probably retarded the acti on of the aconi ti ne and

1 96 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIAL S

’ dis r the aus of r hn s a h and to cove c e Pe cy Jo de t ,

expres sed great surprise and indignation when h e

e was arres ted and charged with th e murder. Th

r r and m r r he had in hi s os we e p oved, , o eove , p ses sion pills an d powders purporti ng to be quinine

re ara i ns but on anal sis r f un n ai n p p t o , y we e o d to co t th i e po son . The defence mai nly turned on the presumpti on

that i t was impossible to prove the presence of a

vegetable alk aloi d in the body twenty- four hours

i en after death . B ut the sc ti sts called in soon di sposed of this and proved that aconiti ne was th e

’ o r Mr us cause f Pe cy John S death . J ti ce Hawki ns

summ u r str n l a ai ns the ri s n r ed p ve y o g y g t p o e , and the j ury promptly returned a verdi ct of l Gui ty .

Earnes t attempts were made to get a reprieve

s ci all Am ri ans— but h r of no a ail e pe y by e c t ey we e v ,

and Lamson was hanged at Wandsworth on the

1 2 8th April 882 .

It i s one of the properties of aconi tine that it may simulate a paralyti c seiz ure of the throat

and a s a h muscles so c u e de t . No doubt thi s fact DR LAMSON 1 97 led its use amson who no u was ll to by L , do bt we aware that a medi cal man would not be sur

’ pri sed to ﬁnd a lad in young John s condi ti on suddenly seiz ed with a further and fatal stroke of i paralys s . My remi ni scences would not be complete wi th out ref r n i al nam e e ce to th e case of Lefroy . H s re e w as er a l n and he was arrai n f r P cy M p eto , g ed be o e the late Lord Coleri dge at the Mai dstone Spring

Assiz es about twenty- three years ago for a murder in man y res pects Similar to the one committed by

M er i e m r o a Mr iill . He was in d cted for th urde f Gold whom he attacked i n a railway carri age on the n n ri h n and u h as ail a Lo do , B g to So t Co t R w y

o r r hils the trai n was f r the pu pose of robbe y . W t going through the Horley Tunnel the prisoner a a the as who was a h a ina i e tt cked dece ed, e vy, ct v man and af r ha in an a ar n l ﬁ r s ru l , te v g pp e t y e ce t gg e succeeded i n getting the better of hi m and then

hr hi s d on the m als h r it was t ew bo y to et , w e e

ima l On the arri al of the rai n at ult te y found . v t

Preston Park the pri soner i nformed the railway oﬁ ci als that he had been attacked in the trai n by

the im no sus and he was wearing no collar. At t e 1 98 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

ici on a ai ns e r wa e ai ut the sub p g t L f oy s ent rt ned, b

’ u n ﬁn in of Mr l s o its condi i on an d q e t d g Go d b dy, t

h r ircumstan es su es ha here had een ot e c c , gg ted t t t b

som fo l la and a m l hai n of circum e u p y, co p ete c stanti al evi dence went clearly to prove the guilt of

the ris ner who was arres tri at Mai dstone p o , ted, ed

u in a l and exec ted Lewes G o . I very well remember how crowded the Assiz e

mi after am s of r f r i h Mr . . h J e He e o d), w t A L S t (

ar s ast r of the lls n u the as for w d M e Ro ), co d cted c e the r n hilst the f n was in the a a le C ow , w de e ce c p b han s of Mr n a u illiams who mad the d Mo t g W , e

ames who ra ll u n i h him hat J , t ve ed p to tow w t t ni h l him ha he li v he had ot the g t, to d t t be e ed g ff ” s un dr l o . r li Mr n a u co e No, ep ed Mo t g

illi ams ha not for r im was W , I ve , eve y t e I

’ maki ng a poi nt in the pri soner s favour I noti ced the Lord Chi ef Justi ce was wri ting down parts of the evi dence whi ch would refute my argu men I myself can vouch for this because I

CHAPTER XX

LEE E R F R UR ERER R U I CE , TH OM O D M D , AND M J ST ’ m wxms s LAST MURDER TRIAL

A REMARKABLE cas e whi ch I heard at the Old

ail was one of a n ri us ur lar for mur r B ey oto o b g de ,

Mr rai n the the rison r in f n . p e be g de e ded by P G , well- known advocate at the Central Cri minal

our and r h r the la Mr rn rai n . C t, b ot e to te Co ey G The pri soner was sai d to belong to a gang of

ur lars and was h ar i h the mur r of an b g , c ged w t de

f r ins r of li at mf r ss . e e pecto po ce Ro o d, E ex B o the case for the defence was concluded I happened to sit next to Mr Grai n in the parlour duri ng the a urnm n and it ma h r m n i n in djo e t, y e e be e t o ed passi ng th at the mutton broth and dry sherry which formed part of the hospitali ty of the City Fathers at the Old Bailey luncheons in those days

r luxuri s r Mr r in we e e to be emembered . G ai n formed me that the pri soner was very anxious that a r ai n la sh ul all on his hal but ce t dy o d be c ed be f, 200 R MF R R 201 THE O O D MU DERE F. the learned counsel refused to accede to the reques t The lady in ques ti on was supposed to ha s l the ris n r a ai r of s c a l s hi h ve o d p o e p pe t c e , w c were thrown away by him i n hi s ﬂi ght after the murder. She would not swear before the magi s

ra s as th e i n i of and Mr rai n t te to de t ty Lee, G , reali si ng th e privilege of the sex to change their min did not wi sh to run th e ri s of u i n her d, k p tt g in th i n - x l Mr to e w t ess bo at the trial . Whi st

lan was r l i n on the ar of the r n Po d ep y g p t C ow , with that close reasoni ng whi ch is hi s speci al

hara ri s i mi in no i n hi h ul c cte t c, o tt g po t w c co d fai rl ur se ur a n i i n and l i n y be ged to c e co v ct o , b ock g u r l h l of s a am r p eve y oop o e e c pe, Lee bec e ve y vi l n r s in ha he had not had fai r la o e t, p ote t g t t p y,

ha n ss s had n t all Mr and t t his wit e e o been c ed .

usti a i ns landl r m ns ra e and at J ce H wk b y e o t t d, las t allowed him to call the good lady wh o had sold him the spectacles . She was one of that class whose appearance denoted much strength of

hara r and as i h ﬁrml - m r ss li s she c cte , w t y co p e ed p

m ra the s am n and r m a la e b ced Te t e t, e oved b ck

l a u si z s too lar for her f l ha g ove bo t two e ge , I e t t t

’ the ri s n r s fa if it r s in her han s was p o e te, e ted d , 202 MEMORI ES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

” Now hen sai Mr usti ce aw ins ask t , d J H k ,

’ her ha ou leas and the rison r at once w t y p e, p e

omm n h ta c e ced t e at ck. Di d you not come to Spri ngﬁeld Gaol and swear before the magistrate you could not be

me 1 he ask ed.

ll di d r li the ura s inster We , I , ep ed obd te p ,

but s ar ou are the man now caus ou I we y , be e y h a let ur r ve no do ou ve yo beard g ow . I ha ubt ab t

’ i t .

Any more questi ons to put to her1 qui etly

' asked Sir Henry Hawki ns ; but th e lady s change of ini n had m l l r m the a c use Op o co p ete y ove co e c d, who allowed th e witnes s to leave the bo x without

During the process of the tri al a little man who

e was seated n xt to me became very exci ted . He i nformed me th at he was the High Sheriﬂ for the

un Of ss and if Lee was nvi he ul co ty E ex, co cted wo d be r s nsi l for his sa n u t h lms r e po b e fe co d c to C e fo d, and asked whether I thought he would be properly guarded . I thereupon introduced him to Colonel

ll a who at on r assur m nervo us Ho ow y, ce e ed y

204 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIAL S

her the hil r n . rsf r f n us visi c d e Ho o d O te ed to t ,

his fa t or rha s e aus of it rsf r ai d t c , pe p b c e , Ho o d p his a n i ns and marri an h r man tte t o to, ed, ot e wo Very Shortly after this marri age Mrs Holmes rem s h r she s ill u a oved to St Neot , w e e t kept p correspondence with her cousin

A letter from her in December 1 897 was to the effect that she was in fear of certai n couse quences through the acquai ntances hi p at Stoneley . TO thi s Hors ford replied to the effect that she nee d not alarm as he ul sen her s m m i in be ed, wo d d o e ed c e

” that would put her right .

On m r 28 1 8 h n a n in mar Dece be , 97 , w e tte d g ket at the n i h uri n n of Thra stone he n e g bo g tow p , we t to a chemi st and as ked for some poison for rats .

si n the is n r is r an d was n uall He g ed po o eg te , eve t y su li i h am n s h r is ns nin pp ed w t , o g t ot e po o , ety

rai ns of str hni n g yc e .

On anuar 1 8 8 Mrs lmes who had J y 7 , 9 , Ho , r i a s al a e r m rsf r n to ece ved po t p ck t f o Ho o d, we t

— to all a aran s —in her usual h al h bed ppe ce e t ,

- An h r la r her was about half pas t nine . ou te

au h r nni was alarm h arin her d g te , A e, ed by e g WALTER HORSFORD 205 m her s r am and in her r m f un her ot c e , go g to oo o d

r a h e at n s n for s me n i h in g e t agony . S o ce e t o e g bours and a doctor. Just as the latter arri ved th e poor woman was seiz ed with terrible con i vuls ons and ﬁve minu s la r i e . , te te d d At the inques t on J annary 8 Horsford swore th at he had neither written to nor had seen the

ec as man af r she had l ft tonele T d e ed wo te e S y . he in u s was a urn for a an d as th e q e t djo ed week, medical evi dence was that th e deceas ed had died from strychnine poisoni ng the poli ce made a search of h er house .

Here evi dence was soon found that Horsford had no l the tru at th e in t to d th ques t. Two

a s r f un one of hi h was m and p cket we e o d, w c e pty the othercontai ned over thi rty grains of strychnine

’ On the la r in rsf r s own ritin was th e tte , Ho o d w g, ”

i n One s . a as l n di rect o : do e T ke to d . O the

m a the n n s of hi h had i n l e pty p cket, co te t w c ev de t y

en us r the r s a in a li l be ed, we e wo d T ke tt e ” i harml ui ss . water. It s q te e

On anuar 1 0 1 8 8 rsf r was arres J y , 9 , Ho o d ted and charged wi th having commi tted perj ury at the in u s and the sam ni n he was l ha q e t, e eve g to d t t

u r he would be prosec ted fo the murder. He was 206 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

ri e at un i n on on un 2 1 8 8 and af er t d H t gd J e , 9 , t

’ hearin Dr v nson s e i den Mr us i ce g Ste e v ce, J t

facts were so irresi stible that the jury di d not ﬁnd it nec s sar r ire and Mr usti ce Hawkins e y to et , J

esi e hom was s a e his if who ov r h er b d w e t d w e, c e ed

heart should have been touched by the piteous

’ hi vi ﬂ in testimony of s ctim s su er g. I beli eve as

ma r of fa ha the ur h n the u had a tte ct t t j y, w e j dge

his a r ss se rall r e n the concluded dd e , ve y w ot dow ” l on sli s of a r word Gui ty p p pe . He was

m rid e aol on un 1 8 u in a 28 8. exec ted C b g G J e , 9

208 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS la ish wa in hi h he arri ou i v y w c c ed t h s du ti es .

Nowadays in county towns at the Assiz es the H i gh

Sheriffs owi ng to a diminished rent-roll an d — other Circumstances find it di ffi cult to fu lly mai n ai n the i ni of the ffi but Sir n t d g ty o ce, A drew

al r di d r thi n ell an d hi s arria wi th W ke eve y g w , c ge i ts four horses and mounted out- ri ders fully mai n tained the ma s of th e law as in form r je ty e years .

The prisoner presented a piti able appearance

h n i n the and was fen m old w e dock, de ded by y — fri end Mr Blai r th e Crown bei ng represented by

e A t - the la Mr nr s . C . t om e n ral te H y We t, Q , y Ge e i ’ for the County Palat ne . After hi s wife s death Bli gh placed his children under the care of hi s si ster- i n- law and evidently lived on terms of i n ima i h her Sh e h r was not n n t cy w t , oweve , co te t with th e money that he gave h er and threatened to m lai n to hi s su ri rs hi h ul h a e co p pe o , w c wo d v im meant di smi ssal for h . AS a consequence the unfortunate man took the lives of his three

Chil r n an d a m his o M d d e tte pted wn . r Blai r di hi s best to get hi s cli ent off on the ground of insani but the i n was too s r n and the ty, ev de ce t o g

ud h u h f lin mu h for the ris n r j ge, t o g ee g c p o e , s n n The rn r he e te ced him to death . Gove o of t THE BLIGH CASE 209

a l who was an old fri n of min nli s m g o , e d e, e ted y sympathy on the part of th e convict an d I drew up a petiti on an d obtai ned the si gnatures of nearly every member of the Northern Circui t B arin favour of the mmu a i n of the s n n a resul co t t o e te ce AS t,

Dr as i n the x r was s n fr m the m B t , e pe t, e t o Ho e

fﬁ xami n the n mn man and hi s O ce to e e co de ed , by a i c li h was s n o r adm dv e poor B g e t t B o oor.

The cas e reminded me very much of that of

’ H adﬁeld r r in or am ell s Li ves o , eco ded L d C pb f the Chancellors h m r rs in f n and , w o Lo d E k e de e ded

s h s n r r made one of the most famous peec e o eco d .

H adﬁeld ha in ill hi s hr Chil r n th e , v g k ed t ee d e

re i us ma e a li ra at m a p v o week, d de be te te pt to t ke the li fe of Ki ng George th e Thi rd on the steps of

Hi s a s r main Drury Lane Theatre . M je ty e ed — perfectly calm any visible emotion on his part

i h ha ci the mob u si the h a re m g t ve ex ted o t de t e t ,

’ in which case the culprit s li fe would have been

LORD E RSKINE ’ S SPEECH

n i n l men ha am m r in the I co ce ve, ge t e , t t I o e

person or the witnesses wh o have spoken in 0 2 1 0 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS similar rms ll r m m r ha sin th e te , yet I we e e be t t ce learned j udge has presi ded in this court I ex ami ned for the greater part of a day in thi s very place an unfortunate gentleman who h ad indi cted a m s aff cti na r h r h r i h the o t e o te b ot e , toget e w t

r of an as lum at t n for ha in keepe y Hox o , v g

ris n him as a luna i hil a rdi n hi s p o ed t c w e, cco g to

i a in his was own n he w s rf s ns s . ev de ce, pe ect e e I unfortunately not instructed in what hi s lunacy

nsis al h u h m ins ru i ns l f me no co ted, t o g y t ct o e t doubt of the fact but not having the Clue h e completely failed me in every attempt to expose hi s inﬁrmity You may beli eve I left no means un m l hi h l n x ri nc i a but e p oyed w c o g e pe e e d ct ted,

i h u ff Th da and the . e was as w t o t e ect y w ted,

ros u r the m s aff in hi s r of p ec to , by o t ect g to y

unmeri suﬁ erin a eal the u an d ur ted g, pp ed to j dge j y as the victim of most wanton and barbarous i l ress n . as Dr i in opp o At t S ms came to court .

r m him l arn ha the ers n who un r F o I e ed t t p o , de my long examination had appeared so rational and ill- us li hims lf to the r es us ed, be eved e be Lo d J

hri s not m r l at the im of hi s nﬁn m n C t, e e y t e co e e t ,

hi h was al n n s sar for m d f n but w c o e ece y y e e ce, during the whole ti me he had been tri umphing over

2 1 2 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

i of n on hr u h a ar of hi h he had c ty Lo d , t o g p t w c

at es mi ns er h n he was ross- ami n on W t t , w e c ex ed the ri al in n n as he had en r in r er t Lo do , be befo e o d to os his ma nes s all the B ar and all the exp e d , authori ty of the court could not make lii m speak upon the topic which had put an end to the indic m n f r al h u h he had the same t e t be o e, t o g im r s i n on hi s min as he si niﬁ h se p e s o d, g ed to t o n ar hi m but nsci us of the delusi n ha had e , co o o t t caused his defeat before he persisted in holdi ng it

H vi n at es i was r back . is e de ce W tm nster p oved

a ains him a sh r han ri r and a ai n g t by o t d w te , I g i T directed an acqu ttal . o proceed to the proofs

of insani n the eri of su s uil ty dow to p od ppo ed g t ,

this unfortunate man before you is the father of

an infan of i h m n hs old and ha no u t e g t o t , I ve do bt

that if the boy had been brought into court you would have seen the father writhing wi th the

mo i ns of ar n al aff i n u n e t o p e t ect o , yet po the

Tues day preceding the Th ursday when he went

to the play- house you will ﬁnd his di sease urging him forward with the impres sion that the time has ’ LORD ERSKINE S SPEECH 2 1 3 come when he must be destroyed for the beneﬁt of man i n and i n the li rium of hi s wil n i n k d, de t d co cept o he am to the of the m h r and sna hin it c e bed ot e , tc g from herwas about to kill it in her pres ence when hi s arm was arrested from the dreadful attempt Nothi ng more tends to the security of Hi s Majesty an d hi s Government than thi s scene exhi bits in the calm and imparti al admi ni stration of j ustice I declare to you solemnly that my only aim has been to secure for the pri s oner at the

B ar h s li f an d a h are i n th e al an ha , w o e e de t b ce, t t

la he should be j udged by the evi dence an d the w .

I have made no appeal to your passions (you have

n ri h s a e his is not n o g t to be w y d by them) . T eve a case i n whi ch th e prisoner if found guilty the

Royal mercy Should be counselled to i nterfere . He i s either an unaccountable being or not account

f h n n i f t mis hi f he able . I e was u co sc ous o he c e

was n a in h n he i s not uil but if h n e g ged , t e g ty, w e

the evidence closes you thi nk he was conscious

an d that he mali ci ously medi tated th e treason he

i ch ar i h it is im ssi l to n i a s ged w t , po b e co ce ve

rim m r s a l an d sh ul nsi r th e c e o e dete t b e, I o d co de

' Ki ng s life to be ill attended to indeed if not protected by the full vi gours of the law whi ch are 2 1 4 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

is watchful over the meanest of his subj ects . It

the prisoner and the communi ty of which he is a ” m n l it i h ou . m r. n l m a e be Ge t e e , I e ve w t y

Th e h r ri al was ha of ar Ann B ritlan d ot e t t t M y , who was charged wi th the murder of her para

’ h r two mour s wife by mouse poison . T ere we e

h r un s but h s r not the su of ot e co t , t e e we e bject the ri al in r ar her mur rin her hus an t , eg d to de g b d and daughter in the same way Mr Justi ce Cave

r si d the r n in r rs n Mr p e ed, C ow be g ep e e ted by

d ef n i s n . C . an the rison r was Add o , Q , p e d e ded by

Mr lair T e r d i en l l B . h p osecution ha ev d t y e ected

tr the ri s n r on the a s un and to y p o e we ke t co t, al h u h hi s was so i n was all h t o g t , ev de ce owed to S ow that symptoms preceding death were similar in all

th e ase M n s . r lair in hi s ch for th e d f c B , Spee e e ce, urged upon the j ury the wan t of opportuni ty by

the woman to admini ster the poi son to her victim

h n as a isi r her h us sh e was havin tea w e , v to to o e, g with the deceas ed j ust before her death The

Crown insi sted on the assumpti on that the poison

was admi ni s r in the tea but Mr lai r mai n te ed , B

tai ned ha it was nl r u h i n t t o y b o g t to po so rats .

MARY ANN B RITLAND 21 5

I n hi s summi ng-up the judge remarked that the pri soner had purchased poison suﬁ ci ent to ex

rmina all the ra s in the ci Th r te te t ty . e j u y

r ti r to nsi r h ir i er a ﬁv . m u e . e ed co de t e v d ct bo t p , and I h ad arranged with Mr Blair to di ne wi th hi m

at hi s h us i n x r a at s n- hi rt m o e O fo d Ro d eve t y p .

Shortly before that time the j ury returned into the

ur an d sa i n h r was no han co t , y g t e e c ce of their

a r in han a sli of a r g ee g, ded p p pe to th e ju dge

they being evidently doubtful as to how the

prisoner could get an opportuni ty to admi ni ster

i n h r im T the po so to e vict . he j udge sent the j ury

a h ir r m an d a m ani Mr lai r b ck to t e oo , I cco p ed B

hi s h us he ha in di r hi s uni r to o e, v g ected j o to

in rm us as th e r sul of the ri al s n fo to e t t . We pe t

a l asan ni n and h n the h ur of mi d p e t eve g, w e o ni ght had passed an d no messenger had arrived my host began to think hi s speech had made an

r the l f Man impression on the j u y . AS c ocks o

ar chester were striking the hour of one am . we he d

mi ni h the ur af r t e resul . n a r h t Soo fte d g t j y , te

’ s n h urs li ra i n n m r am in eve o de be t o , o ce o e c e to

n to one min The u ha in in ima comi g d . j dge v g t ted

ha h mus l u for the ni h the t t t ey t be ocked p g t, 2 1 6 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIAL S foreman stated that they were agreed th at th e

ase had di fr m is ni n but th r dece d ed o po o g, ey we e not at one as to the opportuni ty the pri soner had

r rred had to admi ni ster it. M Justi ce Cave refe to hi s n es and ma a few remar s to the ur ot de k j y, who i h u l a in the urt f un the ri s n r , w t o t e v g co , o d p o e

uil an d she was sen n ath and in due g ty, te ced to de

rs u cou e exec ted .

A SCARBOROUGH FRACAS

a r l ar- h ade Mr J usti ce Cave was ve y c e e d j udge . I remember very well his presi di ng at a sensati onal

1 n m n h m ri al at r in 881 . e l a n t Yo k A g t e , w o I k ew

an d for h m a as ail un r r a r a w o I cted b , de g e t p ovoc

ti on dealt a blow to a farmer i n the smoki ng- room of

al t h r Th the Roy Hotel a Scarboroug afte a ball. e

l r fa al and the a us was mmi b ow p oved t , cc ed co tted

ne of the rin i for manslaughter. O p c pal wi tnesses

was Mr ar l min son of an n l min of Edw d F e g, C o F e g

’ i h a l s h s r uar and an n of r St M c e , C e te Sq e, C o Yo k, who was present at the ball and who witnessed the fracas in the smoking- room The man wh o was

ill was a merse shi r farm r and al h u h k ed So t e e , t o g

2 1 8 MEMORI ES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

d li r —c ul r u h u for tri al it was e ve y o d be b o g t p , neces sary that the accused should surrender an d go to prison when the j udge ha d opened th e

m i i at s a and was muc h co m ss on . My bail was t ke I relieved when the Ch ambermai d brought me my tea in the m rni n and h erfull r mar d o g c e y e ke ,

’ Lor sir h ha all n u the as l in , , t ey ve go e p to C t e

H a cab as jolly CHAPTER XXII

THE B AB B ACOMB E MYSTERY

AMONGST the j udges of recent years one of the m soundest lawyers was Mr Justi ce Mani sty . Co menci ng hi s career as a solicitor he afterwards

in th B ar o r i at the jo ed e . It was he wh p es ded

fam us tri al of the B abbacombe mur r r o Lee, de e , whose escape afterwards from the gallows i s one of the m s amaz in an r o t g d d am ati c on record .

I n man a s but hi ﬂ fr m ha urr y w y , c e y o w t occ ed

’ af r th e a us man s n i ti n ha is n n te cc ed co v c o , w t k ow as the B abbacombe murder must be regarded as one of the most remarkable cases in our crimi nal

annals .

Th e i ti m was i ss mma Ke se who h ad v c M E y ,

n a la - in - ai tin u n i ri a an d who bee dy w g to Q ee V cto , at the timc of th e tragedy was nearly seventy

ars of e l ha h h us a . She li in a ar ye g ved ge t tc ed o e,

The l n B abbacombe n ar r ua . The G e , , e To q y h us h l nsi s of si s rs nam k o e o d co ted two te ed Nec , both of whom had been over thi rty years in Miss

’ Keyse s service ; Eliz abeth Harris (the cook) and 2 1 9 2 20 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIAL S her half- r ther hn Lee The la er b o , Jo . tt , a as f man and u ler had e n i n cted oot b t , b e

’ Keyse s employ some ten months when

On the ni h of m r 1 1 88 i ss Ke se g t Nove be 4, 4, M y , who was r mar a l f n of wri in sat u lat e k b y o d t g, p e in th - ar e di ning room making entries in her di y .

The o who had not e n r ll n oﬁ to co k, b e ve y we , we t

arl . The h r s rvan s i h the ce ti on bed e y ot e e t , w t ex p f o liz a r ir us f r mi dni h . Miss E Neck, et ed j t be o e g t

ai on her mistr ss ill n arl one a . m . Neck w ted e t e y , and h w en she went to bed left her still writi ng .

’ Between three and four o clock on the morni ng

of m r 1 1 88 liz a h arris u Nove be 5, 4, E bet H woke p

h i n m and f un her r m full of s . c ok g, o d bed oo oke

She at n ar us th e h r f mal s and all o ce o ed ot e e e ,

hurri h ns ai rs . liz a c all t e ed dow t E Ne k c ed Lee ,

f o man llin him the la was on ﬁre and he o t , te g p ce ,

at once came from hi s bedroom fully dressed .

Th e di ning- room was foun d to be on ﬁre in two

la s and on the ﬂ or in fr n of the s fa la the p ce , o o t o y

body of Miss Keyse wi th her clothes burni ng . A

few u s of a r s eedil ut out the ﬂam s b cket w te p y p e , and j ust as the ﬁre was exti ngu ished the poli ce

arrived .

22 2 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

but i n l r m insi and the oli uld ﬁ nd ev de t y f o de, p ce co

no ra of an m t ur t ce y atte pt a b glary . So th ey

urn h ir a nti n Lee who was r whi e t ed t e tte o to , ve y t

d i n an exc ted . He was oticed to be bleedi ng from

a i wound in the r ght arm. Asked how he h ad

sus ai n his e was at ﬁrs t ed t h t confused . Then he

sai d he had done i t in brealdng the di ni ng- roo m

wi ndow to let the smoke out after Eli z a Neck h ad

m d l m t n ﬁ roused hi an to d hi he house was o re .

’ An exami nation of Lee s trousers showed th at there had been a large quan ti ty of blood upon them

an d that an attempt had been made to wash i t

Hi s s s r als f un s a e i n off. ock we e o o d to be o k d

paraﬂin oil On the empty oil can were foun d

mar s of a l o - s ain han rr s ndi n k b o d t ed d, co e po g

’ i h hum an d ﬁn I exactly to Lee s r g t t b gers . n

these circumstan ces Police- Sergeant Knott told

Lee he Should arrest him on suspicion of havi ng

i his m mur er ss Ke se . r l sai d ed M y At t Lee e e y d,

’ ” s i i n eh ? ha s all ri h Oh on su . h n , p c o , T t g t T e hi h l he shrugged s s oulders and aughed .

r s hi s inn n and main ai n Lee p ote ted oce ce, t ed

a most callous demeanour both at the inquest and

at the ma i s ri si ami na i ns th u h the g te ex t o , o g evi dence brought agai nst him was of the most

n lusi hara r I n r ar m ti at co c ve c cte . eg d to o ve, THE B AB BACOMB E MYSTERY the ri al at the r ssiz es on n a ruar t Exete A Mo d y, Feb y

’ 2 1 88 s hal - si s r liz a h arris a , 5, Lee f te , E bet H , g ve

uli ar i n She s r ha Lee who was pec ev de ce wo e t t , un r n i of dis har l her h a f re he de ot ce c ge, to d t t be o

” l ft r ua he w ul ha e hi s re n ha e To q y o d v ve ge, t t he ul set ﬁre th e la and h n o on the wo d to p ce, t e g ” of t e hill and a i urn top h w tch t b .

The ur af r an a s n of n mi nu s j y, te b e ce twe ty te , r urn a r i of uil a ai ns him and et ed ve d ct G ty g t , the u in assin s n n sai am not j dge p g e te ce d, I surprised that a man who could commi t so barbar ous a crime should mai ntai n the calm a ppearance

’ which you have mai ntai ned .

hi s Lee r li l as m l r the To t ep ed, P e e, y o d, reason I am so calm i s because I trusted to my

God and m n s ha am inn n m , y God k ow t t I oce t, y ” l r h n he al out the i h a o d . T e w ked of dock w t j aunty step an d a smile upon hi s countenan ce . Lee was to have been hanged at Exeter Gaol

n n a ruar 2 1 88 and was ul o Mo d y, Feb y 3 , 5, d y

The la r r r u h out for u i n . h b o g t exec t o tte , oweve , as is ll n n di d not a la th e i r um we k ow , t ke p ce, c c

m s ra r inar hara stan ces being oi the o t ext o d y c cter.

rr was the h an man and the all s was n l Be y g , g ow ew y

ut u ha in n r i h a i its p p , v g bee e ected w t v ew to perman ency . 224 MEMORI ES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

a si nal the l er was dra n but th e tra At g ev w , p

l l er and a di d not fall . n her ul at the A ot p ev ,

’ stamp from the warder s feet on either si de fai led

h mar h off to make t e trap move . Lee was c ed

t a The r s run wi th he cap still over his f ce . d op p g

B ut all right when his weight was removed . when six minu s la er he was a ai n la u n it it te t g p ced po ,

n m r r f was mar h a k o ce o e e used to work . He c ed b c

to the cells while the edges of th e drop doors were

t i h h ai n cut away . At en mi nutes pas t e g t e was ag brought out Agai n the drop failed to act This

i m Lee was a n a the lls and the m t e t ke b ck to ce , Ho e

cr ar was mmuni a i h th e rs ul Se et y co c ted w t , e t

in a r s i for the rison r and the n ual be g e p te p e , eve t commutation of hi s sentence to penal servitude for

I myself have stood on the scaffold and seen marks on the woodwork of the efforts that were

made on that wi nter morni ng to cut away the

ﬂ orin but hi h r of no avail . The ni h o g, w c p oved g t

f r the da ﬁ for the uti n who be o e y xed exec o Lee,

n the ris n ll for he had e n in aol k ew p o we , b e g

f r dr am a r am ha hr a m s ul be o e, e t d e t t t ee tte pt wo d

ma arr out the s n n of the law be de to c y e te ce ,

li ul r and that hi s fe wo d be p eserved .

The r am hi h he r al to ar r d e , w c eve ed W de

2 26 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIAL S

I happened to be in the House of Commons th e same night that the attempt to carry ou t th e

un - sentence on Lee had failed . The der sh eri ff o f

n u n h s h al h the dramati s ne o n Devo , po w o e e t c ce the scaff l had a m s disas r us eﬁ ect r cee d e d o d o t t o , p o to London by th e early Cornish express to repo rt the ma r the la secr ar Sir illi am tte to te et y , W — Harcourt A questi on was put by Mr no w — Lord Cross from the Conservati ve benches to

Sir illi am as to h h r i n ie of ha ha d W w et e , v w w t

urr at e r a l h a m rni n an fur her occ ed Ex te G o t t o g, y t a m ul ma arr out the s n nc tte pt wo d be de to c y e te e .

The r l — i n in a r us a er fo r ep y g ve c owded Ho e, e g

' a debate as to the conduct of H erMajesty s Go vem ment with reference to the death of General Gordon ” in the u an N o sir no sir met i h So d , ; , , w t CHAP TER XXIII

THE TRIAL OF JAMES CANHAM RE AD AN D SOME AN ECDOTES OF THE LATE DEAN HOLE

A TRIAL of a sensational character was that of

am s anham a a l r i n the l i h J e C Re d, c e k Woo w c

dock ar who was har at th e h lmsf r y d, c ged C e o d

ssiz s i n m r 1 8 f r Mr ar n A e Nove be 95, be o e B o

Pollock . The facts of the case were very remark able and the guilt of th e prisoner was brought home to him by a strong chain of circumstanti al

e i n e Sir ran w who had us v de c F k Lock ood, j t

n a in li i r- en ral ros cu for bee ppo ted So c to G e , p e ted

the r n hils the la Mr Cook n e the C ow , w t te defe d d

a was a marri man and on one Re d ed ,

asi n h n on the i r at uth n met occ o , w e p e So e d, by

han Mrs A ri ss a marri man and arri c ce y , ed wo , c ed

n illi r i h h he i n u on a ci t inte course w t er. S trod ced

and it was for the murder of this unfortunate girl th at the prisoner was sentenced to death and executed at Spri ngﬁeld Gaol. 3 3 7 22 8 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

her can no u ha l r n Denn i s T e be do bt t t F o e ce ,

’ ﬁndi ng th at she had been deceived by the priso ner 5

l h h a num r l an d money . A t oug large be of etters

l rams ass n the two a w as te eg p ed betwee , Re d always very careful not to personally hand in th e

el rams at an s - mo but ar full lac e d t eg y po t o e, t y p suﬁ ci ent stamps on the telegraph forms an d

r illar- h the la ter d opped them in a p box . W en t was cleared the form would be taken by the di stri c t

' letter- carrier to the post-oﬁrce and promptly h despatc ed .

s of the l rams—a in in a r n z v us Mo t te eg ppo t g e de o ,

’ and which were found i n the girl s box after her

a h— r s n fr m th e hari n r ss di s ri de t we e e t o C g C o t ct, and th e one making what proved to be the fatal appointment was transmitted from the same

Oﬁ ce i n the n i h urh of hi h it was r d , e g bo ood w c p ove that the prisoner had been for some time up to and before when the message was sent She told her sister that same eveni ng that she was going to m s m on and m n i n the nam of the eet o e e, e t o ed e

rs n but the law of i n the a na ur pe o , by ev de ce ex ct t e of her statement could not be brought out at the tri al or th e name di vulged . The poor girl was not a ai n se n ali her fri nds but on th e f ll in g e ve by e , o ow g

230 MEMORI ES OF FAMOUS TRIALS then wearing the clo thes and boots in every det ail

ter the mur r a havi n al r hi s Af de Re d, g te ed

’ n an illi ci a uai n an i h a milli n r s assistant o t cq t ce w t e ,

h m he dec i and ith h m he was li vi n at w o e ved, w w o g

tham h he a i d nc at Mers w en arres ted . S g ve ev e e the trial and became very much agitated through

Frank Lockwood found it neces sary to ask the j udge th at a screen might be placed between the dock an d th e wi tnes s so that the latter might not

from Mr Baron Pollock the j ury found the pri soner

uil who r sen n of a h was ro g ty, , befo e te ce de t p

nounced lar ha on the ni h in ues i n , dec ed t t g t q t o

he was ﬁfty miles away from the scene of the

murder.

ma in r s in to m n i n ha as a It y be te e t g e t o t t,

r f of his oln s s a r r p oo co e , Re d o de ed ham sandwiches

to sen in hi m r da uri n the ri al be t to eve y y d g t ,

and he sai d he preferred the meat to be cut fro m

he nu l end t k ck e . THE TRIAL OF READ 23 1

’ Mr Baron Pollock s marshal at thi s tri al was

Mr l son of m old fri n the an of Ho e, y e d, De — Rochester the Rose Ki ng of the Mi dlands and the

ear mra harl s i ns . The an who d co de of C e D cke De , had n a n f ll r of the Ruﬁ ord a bee kee o owe P ck, though he was six feet four i nches in height an d

i h r si n s n s was a r a mf r we g ed ove xtee to e , g e t co o t

me i n the s rr of m lif in 1 8 and now to o ow y e 73 , I

’ r r i h ra i u e a m n i l la eco d w t g t t d poe e t t ed So ce,

at the i m whi ch he gave me t e .

F t at olorous ar ene room rom h d d k d ,

’ And in my grief s perplexi ty And oolis nes s I sai : f h , d — He cannot know that si nging bird

a rose u its si e And b d by d , And stooping down I plucked them

“ Sa in T us t e live and ie . y g, h h y d d d I elt a touc e in me And f h b h d , tornh And heard a gentle . ’ B ot er in Go s own ar en r h , d g d ,

Did melt and overﬂow, And I went with my sweet sister ’ Where I hadn t dared to go : 23 2 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

And I saw them in their coﬁ n

i n at rest My sa tly bri de . th bab in i ts chrisom Wi her y , Asleep upon her breast

’ That in God s beauteous garden The blest will sleep at last; B ut ere the ﬁnal lor g y,

Wi th our babe upon her breast.

The and extremely fond of a joke On one occasion h e was preaching a harves t sermon for me in my — parish church at Burrough - on the- Hill As th e

r ssi n of Cl r n r th e hur h— s m all p oce o e gy e te ed c c o e t , s m sh r s m s u s m l an— I and m o e o t, o e to t, o e e y fri n r u h u the r ar and as san the e d b o g t p e , we g

r of the ll- n n h mn i a mi h wo ds we k ow y , L ke g ty

” arm mar hi n as to war an n l as h e y, c g , C o Ho e ( ” r mar to me at th arri h n was e rs . t e ) e ked , Look w o

On the sam o as i n as i h Cl r i h l a e e cc o , e g t e gy t g t y p ck d

i hi n the al ar rai ls r inin i n the h mn w t t we e jo g y ,

” are but li l hil r n ak r fr We tt e c d e we , p ovoked om the an n the r mar ou see the a i s ? C o e k, Do y b b e

234 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

sh ul a n her ali ns who anno t s ea o d be t ke w eby e , c p k

the n lish n u sh ul ha the o rtunit E g to g e, o d ve opp y

A remarkable case was tri ed in 1 885 b y Mr

usti man h o n . was ha a nald w J ce De It t t of M cdo , ,

having taken a passage on a steamer boun d for

ur an ith th e inf rm r ar th e man who D b w o e C ey,

had helped to secure the convicti on of the p e rpe

trators the Phceni x ar utra es h n L or of P k o g , w e d

r d ri a ndi sh was murder ﬁ ll d the F e e ck C ve ed, e

i ar nformer on bo d th e boat during the voy age .

was d nd Sir harl s ussell but e en He efe ed by C e R , v

he ul not r n a r i of uil i f un co d p eve t ve d ct g ty be ng o d,

nal uff r the r m ena t th do d s e ed ext e e p l y of e law .

m s l h ar the as of a e s r who I y e f e d c e K te W b te , . was also tried before Mr J usti ce Denman for a horrible murder perpetrated at Richmond on her

mi ress Mrs h mas h s r mains She il . st , T o , w o e e bo ed

I travelled wi th th e prisoner frequently when she

was being conveyed to and from Wandsworth

during the several remands at the Richmond Police

ur h r she was r u h u ef r her Co t, w e e b o g t p b o e

commi ttal for tri al .

r mar a l ase i h a still m r as ni shin A e k b e c , w t o e to g THE TURF FRAUDS 235 s u l was ri at the Old ai l f r Mr ar n eq e , t ed B ey be o e B o

u dl s n h m n r ll hil at th e H d e to , w o I k ew ve y we w e

B ar d l n ld an a s h n on the h . r o u , o w e Be c Poo H ddy

a r a al of hi s su s s to hi s ll n i owed g e t de cce exce e t w fe, i h a D au h r of the u of l ans . S e L dy , d g te D ke St A b was hi s ns an m ani n on ir ui and h n co t t co p o c c t, w e he tried cases at the Old Bailey she was generally

hi si n h n at un s . ann s the u s fo d by de O ce w e C e , g e t of ar li n u h ss of n r s the was C o e, D c e Mo t o e, cook sus c of ilf ri n an d the l arn ar n at pe ted p e g, e ed b o

h l a a once determi ned to o d court . Se ted under an ran r r c fr m the sun an o ge t ee, p ote ted o by um r lla h e h ar the as amin the i n ss s b e , e d c e, ex ed w t e e

’ d i smiss the fr m her ra s r i an d ed cook o G ce se v ce .

The as at the Old ai l hi h r f r c e B ey to w c I e e , and r hi h he resi was a r mar a l one ove w c p ded, e k b e

Two men nam ns n and rr the f rm r a ed Be o Ke , o e

n ri us h ara r r n i re him of oto o c cte , we e co v cted befo

turf frauds perpetrated on Madame de Goncourt

and sentenced respectively to ﬁfteen and twenty

’ ’ l r i n s years pena se v tu de . Benso career was an

extraordi nary one Under the assumed ti tle of

Count Young he had ingrati ated himself i nto th e

s i of han li n in th e sl of i h but hi s oc ety S k I e W g t,

a s n is r imposture w s oo d cove ed . Whilst under

reman d at Newgate he tried to set ﬁre to himself 236 MEMORI ES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

i in h ll He serv mos f h i s w th a jet lamp is ce . ed t o

ate c nvi and mana im os on the e ut o ct, ged to p e d p y governor of the pri son far more succes sfully than

he had don on Mr i dn mi th rmerl e S ey S , fo y

sham for he had not n r l as fr m ena l , bee e e ed o p

servitu de very long before he was arrested in N ew York on a ch arge of frau d in connecti on with tickets

ai n for a n r i n a am a i and obt ed co ce t g ve by M d e P tt , whilst awai ti ng tri al in the Tombs Prison he com

It will be remembered that before Benson and Kerr were arrested for the turf frauds they secreted themselves in th e peaceful retreat at the Bri dge of

llan in lan and llusi n i h s m of A Scot d, by co o w t o e the detectives at Scotland Yard managed to delay forsome time the executi on of th e warrants against

m hils in ris n in r r to ai n h . a t e W t p o , o de Obt r missi n of h ir s n nces h r un o e o t e e te , t ey o ded n

he i s th e rs ul in ha f ur r min n t detect ve , e t be g t t o p o e t

c lan ar men r arres har and S ot d Y d we e ted, c ged ,

i h one i n n i f r Mr ar n w t except o , co v cted be o e B o — — Pollock the las t of the Barons at the Old

ai l in m r 1 8 and s n n B ey Dece be 79, e te ced to two

’ years hard labour.

238 MEMORIES OF FAMOUS TRIALS

’ x he u r a lish and all m r in one Ki n 5 E c q e bo ed, e ged g

have lived to see the quaint little courts adj oini ng

th e am us ufus all in s mins r dem lish ed f o R H We t te o ,

an d the al urts of us i set u in h i r Roy Co J t ce p t e plac e .

My late brother was a promi nent ﬁgure at th e

nin of the al ur of H ope g Roy Co ts Justice . e was

sil r- s i - in- wai in and it was ar of his du t ve t ck t g, p t y to immedi ately precede her late Majesty across

the great hall of the Law Courts or the salle d c pas perdus when she was about to Open the new Courts in state On the day previous I remarked

h ul li hi r ish to him that I s o d ke to do s wo k . I w ” o a en ou ul it for me was hi s r l t He v y co d do , ep y ,

’ i s i in me n as m li r o a . r y ve g v g pe ce Howeve , he went through the ordeal well and I was informed

’ Mr nnin n of i n ln s I nn i lds who by Pe gto , L co F e ,

n as a s c a r ha r l d was prese t pe t to , t t F ed ooke simply magniﬁcent in hi s full- dress uniform as

Colonel of the Blues . I have lived to see the ofﬁce

r eants- at- Law n a a i h and the of Se j do e w y w t ,

men wh o ha ﬁll ha oﬁ ce man of great ve ed t t , y

n n . ha li to th e whom I k ew, go e I ve ved see

ms of law and ui m r or less m r syste eq ty o e e ged,

is ra i n of us i han v and the admi n t t o j t ce c ged . I ha e

t li h r see the x nses of l al no ved, oweve , to e pe eg CONCLUSION 239

ro din s l s e s n . u r mu h h h r p ce g e e ed I do bt ve y c w et e , wi th all our advanced civili sation and all th at

u a i n has n for the un r rim can ed c t o do e co t y, c e be sai to l wi n in a r d be ess . O g g eat measure to the temperan ce movement and the work of the

Salvation Army I thi nk cases of brutality and h rr r h a n a r ain n r u but o o ve bee to ce t exte t ed ced, with the spread of ci vili sation I think other cri mes have become more reﬁned in method and more

Wh h r are n difﬁcult to detect . et e we a y better nowadays for the innumerable Church services that are held than we were in the good old times

hen ars n ack uss ll of r h n fam w P o J R e , No t Devo e ,

rea h hi s s rm ns on un a hun p c ed two e o S d y, ted three days with the Devon and Somerset stag h un s in the im hen arr hil was o d , t e w H y P pott

ish of r an d a u all ha he ss ss B op Exete , g ve p t t po e ed

the r of hi s arish l a the hi s ri an to poo p , I e ve to to record .

One ma h h a at the ﬁnal ssiz h r y ope t t A e, w e e

us i i s a mi nis r i h m r the rds j t ce d te ed w t e cy, wo Does no man condemn thee Neither do I

’ n mn h ma u r the r a co de t ee, y be tte ed by G e t

Ju dge of all who will admi t any evi dence that

can ssi l i n h h r it admi ssi le po b y be g ve , w et e be b or

not hi h can nua the ui l of h s wh , w c exte te g t t o e o 2 40 MEMORI ES OF FAMOUS T

always lead Him to secure an acqui tta l f o r

Prom t to ard on slow to stri e. p p , k

E N D