Wrexham Advertiser – Saturday 1 February 1890
ROBBERY OF WREXHAM MASONS JEWELS. THE ACCUSED BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES. This
(Friday) morning, Edward Jones, a tailor, who has been in trouble before, was
brought up at the Chester Police Court charged with stealing two coats, two
bags, and Masonic jewels, together of the value of £60, the property of Mr
Benson and Mr Barton, Wrexham. A meeting, it was stated, of the Cestrian Chapter
of Loyal Arch Freemasons was being held at the Masonic Hall, Chester, on Monday,
and the coats and bags were in the cloakroom, with no one in charge. At ten
o'clock they were missed. Yesterday, while half-a-dozen policemen were searching
different houses in some Chester courts, prisoner took the stolen property to
the Police Station, and delivered it up to Mr Fenwick, chief constable, and
Inspector Farrell, with the remark that a gentleman had given them to him on
Monday night. The house in which prisoner lived is near to the Masonic Hall, and
as a crowd of persons were watching the police, the theory is that the prisoner
got to know what was going on, became alarmed, and so gave the property up. He
was promptly arrested. The Mayor (Mr Salmon), who, with Alderman Charles Brown
and Alderman L. Gilbert, was on the Bench this morning, remanded the prisoner
for a few days.
Wrexham Advertiser - Saturday 08 February 1890
THE MASONIC JEWEL ROBBERY. THE PRISONER COMMITTED. ALLEGED INSANITY As we
recorded last week, Messrs C. K. Benson and T. B. Barton, of Wrexham, were
robbed of their masonic clothing and jewels as well as other articles of attire
while attending the Cestrian Chapter of the Royal Arch Freemasons, on Monday
week, January 27th. The thief was found after an exhaustive search by the
Chester City Police, and was remanded until Tuesday. The prisoner’s name is
Edwin Jones, a tailor, who lodged in Royal Oak Yard, near the Masonic Rooms, and
as stated in our last issue, he surrendered the missing articles to the police
on Thursday, and failing to give a sufficient account, was locked up. On
Tuesday, the prisoner, Edwin Jones, was brought before the Mayor (James Salmon,
Esq.), C. Dutton, Esq, L. Gilbert, Esq., and R. L. Barker, Esq , at the Chester
City Police Court. Mr J, F. Edisbury, of Wrexham, was present during the
hearing, and there was a large attendance of the general public. Mr Cartwright,
jun., appeared for the prisoner. The Chief Constable, Mr G. L. Fenwick,
prosecuted, and in opening the case summarised the evidence which was to be
given. He then called the following witnesses. Charles Kenny Benson said: l am a
grocer, and reside at Wrexham. I was in Chester on January 27th, attending a
Masonic gathering in the Masonic Hall in Queen-street. In the anteroom I left an
ulster, umbrella, hand bag, and a hat. The bag contained my Royal Arch clothing
Masonic jewels, master's jewel, centenary jewel, and others. When I left them in
the anteroom it was 7.45. I came back at one minute past ten, when I found that
all the things had been taken except my hat. I have not seen them again until
this morning. The bag, I find, has been cut open. I find some things in the bag
which belong to Mr Barton, and these were stolen at the same time. The value of
the articles stolen is £50. Cross-examined: All the articles I missed are in the
bags. Thomas Beech Barton said: I live at Wrexham, and am a colliery agent. I
attended the Mason meeting at Chester with the last witness. I left in the
anteroom my overcoat, my brown hat, and a black handbag. The bag contained a
leather case with my Royal Arch clothing, and a few other articles. The anteroom
is reached up a winding stairs from the street. There were other coats hanging
there, but my coat and that of Mr Benson were not hanging on adjoining pegs.
There would be a caretaker there up to a certain hour. When I came back I found
the articles gone, and the shabby black hat (produced) left on the peg where I
had left mine. My bag has been tampered with, and some of my articles are in
that of Mr Benson's. My loss is £10. Cross-examined: I notice that my tobacco
pouch and its contents have been taken altogether. Henry Hinch said: I live at
3, Royal Oak Yard, and am a curled hair spinner. I know the Masonic Hall, which
is about twenty or thirty yards from the yard. The prisoner has been lodging
with me since January 7th. I was at home on the 27th, and the prisoner went out
about seven o'clock. Hs said nothing about where he was going. The prisoner is a
tailor, but has not worked for the last month. He returned close upon 9.45, and
I was in the house when he came. He had nothing with him when he went out, and
was wearing the black hat (produced) which I know, because I had given it to
him. When he came in he was wearing a brown hat. He was also wearing a topcoat,
had another one over his arm, and carried the bags. I asked him about them, and
he said a gentlemen (sic) who had taken his address, and given him a shilling,
had asked him to keep them until he wanted them. He put them down on the mangle,
but I asked him to take them to his own bedroom and he did so. On Tuesday I said
to the gentleman had not written, but the prisoner said he had seen him. On
Thursday I said to the prisoner that the police were in the White Horse Yard in
search of something stolen, and that I did not think the articles he had had
been got honestly. The prisoner, who became flurried, then took the goods away.
Cross-examined: I gave the prisoner the hat when his own became shabby. I was
surprised to see him with the coat on, but I allowed him to leave the things in
the house. I have not known him to be in trouble before, but I have not known
him long. Mary Hinch, wife of the last witness, said: I took the prisoner on the
recommendation of his sister, who promised to pay for him, but I have only
received one 2s piece. On the 27th, I saw the prisoner go out in his ordinary
clothes, wearing the black hat (produced). I saw him again at a quarter to ten,
when he wore a light hat, one top coat, having another across his arm, the bags
and an umbrella. I said "Hello, Ted, where did you get them." Prisoner said "I
got them from an Irish gentleman named Col. Carey to alter," and prisoner being
a tailor I believed him. In reply to my questions on the following day prisoner
said he had to meet the gentleman at the Grosvenor. Ha came back at nine
o'clock, and said that he had not seen the gentleman, but had met an old
school-fellow and had a drop of drink. On Wednesday, the prisoner remained in
bed until tea time and afterwards went out. On Thursday I heard that the police
and detectives were searching in an adjoining yard, and sent my husband to speak
to the prisoner who was in bed. He came down with the articles trembling, and
took them to the police station. Before he went he asked me to send him some tea
if he was fastened. I promised to do so, but did not, for I thought his sister
should attend to him. Inspector Farrell said: On Thursday at four o'clock I was
in the police office downstairs when the prisoner came. He had the two coats,
the two bags, the hat, and umbrella. He said "I want to give these things up to
Mr Fenwick, as I have seen it in the papers I thought it my duty to do so. A
gentleman and lady gave them into my possession. ‘’I told him to sit down and
referred him to Sergt. Gallagher. Detective-sergeant Gallagher said: On Thursday
last six others and myself were searching White Horse yard on warrants granted
for the purpose. This yard is opposite to the Masonic Hall, and near the Royal
Oak Yard. We commenced about 2.30, and there was a lot of people round. I came
to the police office at 4 o'clock, and found the prisoner there and the articles
now in Court. The prisoner made the following statement: — " About 9 50 p.m. on
Monday 27th, I was standing against the Union Hall in Foregate-street, when a
gentleman came and asked me if I resided in the neighbourhood, “I said 'Yes.' He
asked me to take charge of these things until he called for them. He took my
name and address and gave me 1s. I saw about the matter in the Manchester
Evening News on Tuesday, January 28th, and I thought it my duty to bring them
here." I told him that the explanation was very unsatisfactory, and that I
should detain him on suspicion of stealing the property. He said, "I did not
steal them, they were given to me by a gentleman. I saw the thing in the
Manchester Evening News last Tuesday, that is why I brought them here." I tried
the black hat on him and it fitted him. Cross-examined: The prisoner began to
get nervous when charged. Mr Cartwright said he appeared on behalf of the
prisoner's sister and brother-in-law, who were highly respectable people, and he
had to ask the magistrates on their behalf, for they were naturally anxious
about him, that before any steps were taken with him, either to commit him or
otherwise, to allow him to be medically examined as to his sanity. There were
reasons for this, because some years ago he was in the asylum, and he had since
then done extraordinary things. Mr Gilbert: He was very insane in taking the
things, but he was not so insane in giving them up. Mr Cartwright said he did
not know that anything proved his insanity more than giving up the things. He
asked to be allowed to call the prisoner's sister, who would state as to his
conduct. The Magistrates consulted, but declined to hear the evidence. The
prisoner was then formally charged upon both counts, and pleaded "Not guilty,"
and the Magistrates committed the prisoner for trial at the Sessions.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 28 June 1890
An Unsteady Son and Brother — Oliver Pritchard, in custody on a warrant, was
charged by his brother, Albert Pritchard, with using threatening language
towards him. He said defendant bad been in the habit during six or eight months
past of coming home drunk every night and using abusive and threatening language
to all the family, and to him (Albert) in particular; and upon a repetition of
his conduct on Saturday, the 14th, they resolved not to put up with it any
longer. The family did not want him punished for what he had done, but to ensure
his removal from them for the future.— Defendent said he didn't remember
threatening any one at all.— Detective Kenyon said he was called in to 47,
Gloucester-street to arrest defendant on Saturday night, when he found him using
very abusive language and threatening the lives of his mother and brother. —
Defendant offered as an answer to the charge that when he came home his people
had been in the habit of "agitating" him for not bringing home more money. He
paid ten shillings a week. Albert said if he did pay 10s, defendant always had
four or five shillings worth to take away with him. All that they wanted was to
be rid of him, and to ensure that he should not molest them again — Defendant
was dismissed on that understanding, the Mayor admonishing him at to his future
conduct.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 3 January 1891
THE USE OF THE KNIFE. William Aldersey (31), labourer was indicted for having on
the 18th October maliciously wounded John Baldwin with a knife. Prisoner was
undefended. — Mr. E. H. Lloyd, who prosecuted; stated that about eleven o'clock
on the evening of the Saturday in question prisoner was standing at the Cross
with a young woman named Lily Dodd. As the prosecutor was walking down with
James McAndrew, the latter accidently (sic) pushed the woman with his elbow.
This seemed to excite both the woman and the prisoner, and they followed Baldwin
and his companion down Watergate-street, prisoner the while constantly saying he
would fight them. In Watergate-street prisoner struck Baldwin, and .eventually
rushed at him. They both fell down, prisoner being undermost. The woman then
-came up and scratched Baldwin's face. Prisoner subsequently got up and
inflicted a cut with a knife behind Baldwin's ear. Tie woman seemed to have
secured the knife and it was not seen again. Information was given to the
police, and Detective Kenyon visited prisoner's lodgings, saying, "Good evening,
Will. I want you." Prisoner replied, I was thinking as much. It is about that
affair in Watergate-street. I was not going to run away, and was in drink, and I
don't know much about it. She (pointing to the woman Dodd) he knows more about
it than I do." — After hearing lengthy evidence the jury found prisoner guilty,
recommending him to mercy on account of the great provocation he had received at
the hands of the prosecutor. — His Honour had no doubt that what prisoner did
was done under provocation. This was his nineteenth appearance for assaults and
breaches of the peace, and he had been tried at the assizes for shooting with
intent, and had 18 months imprisonment. As he had already been in prison for two
months, he would only sentence him to two months imprisonment, with hard labour.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 21 February 1891
CITY POLICE COURT. Monday. — Before the Mayor (Charles Brown, Esq.), H.
Churton, and H. E. Bowers, Esqrs. Sleeping in an Empty House. — Michael
Sheridan, and Michael O'Brien, two young men on tramp, were charged, on the
information of P.C. Clubbe, with sleeping in an empty house in Seville-street,
the property of Messrs. Frost and Sons, on the previous Sunday morning. The
officer stated he found the two prisoners in the house at 5 o'clock on the
morning in question, they having got through the window. The agent of the
property said that the prisoners had gained admission to the house by breaking a
pane of glass in the kitchen window and drawing back the catch. Fires had been
made in the house, both up and downstairs. Considerable damage had been done by
persons sleeping in the house, and the tenants of the adjoining houses were put
to much annoyance by the noise made by such persons as the prisoners. — They
were each sentenced to eleven days with hard labour
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 28 February 1891
DISGRACEFUL SCENE IN CHESTER. MILITARY VERSUS ROUGHS. A large and excited
crowd congregated in Foregate-street on Tuesday night, in con- sequence of a
serious disturbance at the Brewers' Arms public-house. This week, it appears, a
football team representing the South Staffordshire regiment came into the city
from Ireland, to compete in the fourth round of the Army Cup. The match took
place at Faulkner-street, Hoole, on Tuesday afternoon, and it was between ten
and eleven o'clock the same evening that the row occurred. Acting upon
information received, Police-Sergeant Roe, accompanied by P.C. Clutton,
proceeded to the Brewers' Arms, where they found half-a-dozen soldiers belonging
to the South Staffordshire Regiment engaged in a fight with a similar number of
Chester roughs. The belligerents were not separated without great difficulty,
and on reaching the street the military are stated to have acted in a most
disgraceful and rowdy manner. According to the police report, they were eager
for a fight, and began pushing people about, and making use of bad language. All
of them refused to go away when requested, and one took hold of Roe's stick, and
attempted to wrest it from him. Ultimately the police despatched a messenger to
the Castle, summoning the picket, who very shortly afterwards arrived on the
scene, and removed five of the soldiers to the guard-room.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 28 March 1891
ANOTHER HOTEL ROBBERY IN CHESTER, WAS IT KLEPTOMANIA? A remarkable case engaged
the attention of the Chester City Magistrates on Saturday. A middle-aged man,
named John Daniel Elliot, stated to be related to a well-known family at
Nantwich, Cheshire, walked into the smoke-room of the Grosvenor Hotel on Friday
after-noon, and in about five minutes the hall porter, Thomas Denson, saw him
leave without having any refreshment. After his departure a snuff-box was missed
from the side table in the room, where it had been seen safe less than an hour
previously. The circumstance was reported in due course to the city police, and
Detective Kenyon, with his usual smartness, very soon had the offender in
custody. At 2.40, meeting the prisoner in Foregate-street, proceeding towards
City-road, he hailed him as an old acquaintance. "Here, John, I want you." "What
for?" asked the prisoner. "That snuff-box." Thereupon Elliot produced from his
pocket the snuff-box in question, and, handing it to the detective, pleaded, "
Don’t take any notice; it will ruin me this time.” When searched at the
police-office he was found to have three spoons in his possession, six
pocket-handkerchiefs, and as much as £96 10s. in money. Subsequently the spoons
were identified as also belonging to the Grosvenor Hotel, where a waiter named
Panter saw them at 10.30 the same morning on another side table in the
smoke-room. The snuff-box and spoons were valued by Mr. David Foster, the
manager of the hotel, at 10s. On enquiries being instituted regarding the
handkerchiefs, which were new, it appeared that between two and three o'clock
yesterday after-noon the prisoner entered Mr. Hart Davies's hosiery shop in
Eastgate-street Row, and was shewn a number of handkerchiefs and shirts. He,
however, made no purchases, stating that he would return in half an hour with
his wife in order to decide upon which quantity he would take in either case.
Police-constable Thomas Hughes, who was on duty near the shop, noticed the
prisoner putting what seemed to be a white bundle in his pocket in a suspicious
manner, and after the man left, he communicated to Mr. Davies what he had seen.
On an examination being made it was then found that three out of the six
handkerchiefs discovered on the prisoner's person were taken from the counter.
He stated to Detective Kenyon when questioned that he believed he had brought
them from Liverpool. Mr. Ernest Brassey, who appeared for the defence,
addressing the magistrates, admitted that he could raise no obstacle to a
committal because under the Summary Jurisdiction Act, if an adult was found to
have been previously convicted for an indictable offence, the Bench were bound
to commit. That being so in the present instance, it was the duty of the
magistrates, if satisfied of the prisoner's guilt, to remit the case to the
sessions. He did not propose for a single moment to submit that the prisoner did
not take the things, but, he thought he was justified in asking that some order
should be made for the prisoner to be examined by the medical authority at
Knutsford before his trial. He was a man owning a fair amount of real property
in Liverpool, and who had other interests, and it was through his (Mr.
Brassey's) acting as his solicitor that he received about £90 out of the money
found in his possession. It was very extraordinary that he should have gone
about the town stealing trifling articles. In particular he seemed to have a
perfect mania for spoons, and he thought the Bench would feel very strongly
there was something in the statement that he was suffering from kleptomania. The
prisoner informed him that he had several payments to make with the money in the
way of interest on certain charges on his property, and he was taking it back to
Liverpool with him for that purpose. The prisoner, who throughout the case stood
gazing abstractedly upon the floor, with his head leaning on his hand, was
formally committed to the sessions, and an order was made for the £96 to be
handed over to Mr. Brassey.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 01 August 1891
Presentation to an Old Police Officer - An interesting presentation was made at
the City Police Office yesterday (Friday) morning to ex-P.C. Wm. Burgess, in the
shape of a handsome marble timepiece, bearing the following inscription :—
'Presented to P.C W Burgess by the officers and members of the Chester City
Police Force as a mark of their esteem’. Inspector Price handed the gift to the
recipient, who briefly thanked his old comrades for their kindness. Burgess has
been superannuated after over 27 year’s service. All the members of the Forced
who were off duty were present. "
FATAL RESULT OF A CHESTER QUARREL. ONE OF THE COMBATANTS IN CUSTODY. PRISONER
BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES. On Tuesday evening a fish hawker named Walter
Smith, residing in Lee's Buildings, Princess-street, Chester, was arrested by
Detective Kenyon, of the city police force, on a charge of causing the death of
Thomas Hughes (22), a labourer, who also resided in Princess-Street. Prisoner
was brought up at the City Police Court on Wednesday morning, when before the
Mayor (Alderman Charles Brown), and other magistrates, the serious charge was
preferred against him. The Chief Constable (Mr. G. L. Fenwick) stated that in
this case an application for a remand until the following day would be made. The
prisoner was charged with causing the death of a man named Thomas Hughes, and it
appeared that prisoner and Hughes, along with several comrades, were together
drinking at the Pig and Whistle public-house, Princess-street, on Sunday night,
19th July. On turning-out time they took a bottle of rum with them, and
proceeded to drink it on some waste ground near the Judge's lodgings in
Hunter-street. While there, a quarrel ensued between prisoner and the man who is
dead, and they struck each other once or twice. Hughes fell against the
kerbstone or flags, injuring himself. He was taken to the Infirmary, where his
injures were dressed, but erysipelas set in, then tetanus supervened, and then
death. There would be no dispute as to the facts of the case, and the only
question was one of culpability. An inquest would be held on the body. In reply
to the Mayor, the Chief Constable said Hughes died on Tuesday. The prisoner was
then remanded. THE INQUEST. At the Infirmary on Wednesday afternoon the city
coroner (Mr. J. Tatlock) opened an inquiry into the circumstances attending the
death of Hughes. The prisoner Smith was present at the inquest, and Mr. W. H.
Churton also attended on his behalf. The Coroner, at the outset, explained that
he only proposed to take evidence of identity that day. It would be necessary to
hold a post-mortem examination, and he would therefore adjourn the inquiry. The
only witness called was Jane Traynor, widow, residing at 3, Davenports-court,
Watergate-street Row. She stated that deceased was her son, but he had not lived
with her for about five years. Witness saw him alive at the Infirmary on
Tuesday, and she also saw him on the previous Wednesday when he was in the
market. He had a handkerchief up to his face, and witness went to him and asked
what was the matter. Witness was here proceeding to give her son's answer, but
the coroner stopped her, informing her that he did not wish to hear it then.
Continuing, witness stated that deceased's face and nose were very much swollen,
and she advised him to go to the Infirmary. Cross-examined by Mr. Churton:
Witness next saw her son on Thursday morning, when she gave him a recommendation
for the Infirmary. He did not, however, enter the Infirmary until the following
Saturday. She was not aware why he did not go in the Infirmary on Thursday.
Witness did not know that her son had been employed by Joseph Bowring,
fishmonger, The Market. About six o'clock on the evening of Sunday, 19th July,
she saw deceased coming up Watergate-street with Walter Smith, who was now in
custody. They were both sober, and seemed friendly enough. A juror here asked
witness what answer her son made when she asked him what was the matter. The
Coroner, however, would not permit witness to answer. He stated that he was
informed that there was plenty of evidence to shew how deceased met with his
injuries. At this stage the inquest was adjourned until next Thursday.
THE PROCEEDINGS AT THE POLICE COURT. At the City Police Court, on Thursday
morning, before the Mayor and other Magistrates, prisoner was again brought up.
The Chief Constable stated that as the inquest had been adjourned he should
apply for an adjournment. Mr. Churton, on behalf of prisoner, said he had no
objection to this. He applied for bail for his client, who, he stated, was in
the employ of Mr. Bowring, fishmonger. His master was quite willing to go bail
for him. Proceeding, he said it was a drunken row between the men. They were
both drunk and fighting, but there was no feeling between them, for the next day
they were quite friendly. The Chief Constable: And now one of them is dead. Mr.
Churton: He did not die until ten days afterwards. The Bench intimated that they
were willing to accept bail in £50, and two sureties of £25 each. Mr. Churton
said Mr. Bowring was willing to go surety for the man, and he would deposit £50
in cash. The Mayor: We accept that.
Wrexham Advertiser - Saturday 8 August 1891
The Police and Drunken Men.— During the hearing of a case at Chester Castle on
Saturday, some serious allegations were made as to the conduct of the police
towards drunken men under arrest. Mr. Brassey, solicitor, said the police
treated these men very roughly, and often abused them. In the case in question
(that of a man named Charles Clarke, of Stanlow), the defendant had, it was
stated, been grievously beaten and injured by the police. — The Chairman (Mr.
Trelawny) and the Hon. Cecil Parker thought Mr Brassey should not make such
charges unless he was prepared to prove them. — Mr Brassey retorted that the
charge was not by any means new; in no fewer than three cases in that court he
had been instructed that people had been ill- treated while under the influence
of drink. — Dr. Newbold was called to give evidence as to the defendant's
injuries, and said that some of them might have been caused by the officer's
cane. Two witnesses were called for the defence, but the bench fined defendant
20s and costs for drunkenness (as he had been up before), and 20s and costs for
assaulting the police.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 19 September 1891
TRAGIC DEATH OF A CHESTER POLICEMAN - On Friday evening week, about ten o'clock,
P.C. Darlington, while on duty in Newtown, suddenly expired in
Wellington-street. When he was in George-street some boys began calling him
names, whereupon he ran after them. A whistle was heard immediately afterwards
and a few people hastened to the spot, where they found the officer breathing
his last. Dr. Harrison and Dr. Roberts were sent for, but on arriving at Mr.
Gosmore's house, where deceased was taken, pronounced life extinct. The body was
subsequently taken to the mortuary awaiting the inquest. Deceased leaves a widow
and child, for whom much sympathy is felt. An inquest was held on Monday, at the
Bull and Stirrup Hotel, before Mr. C. W. Tibbits, deputy coroner. — Ralph
Darlington, 9, Lightfoot-street, father of deceased, stated that his son was 23
years old, and was married, and was always a healthy man. P.S. Thomas Leach
deposed to seeing Darlington on Cow-lane Bridge about nine o'clock. Witness then
left him to go on his beat. Deceased seemed in good health. Martha Sands went
down George-street about 9.30 on Friday; night, and saw deceased running some
boys round a lamp post with his stick in his hand, and subsequently saw him fall
in the channel. On approaching, as she did not hear him breathing, she called
for help. Thomas Pickthall, groom to Mr. Smith, Northgate-street, who also
saw Darlington fall, put deceased's head on his knee. He then took him to Mr.
Gosmore's house pending the doctor's arrival. Dr. George Harrison deposed
to finding deceased dead about ten o'clock. He had attended Darlington twice
since he was on the force. The post-mortem examination of the body made it clear
that he died from fatty degeneration of the heart. Detective Crewe searched
the body, and found 24s 6d., a pocket-book, pocket handkerchief, and other
articles. The jury returned a verdict of "Death from natural causes — fatty
degeneration of the heart." On Tuesday after-noon the remains were interred
at the Chester Cemetery. The cortege left the mortuary about half-past three,
headed by 18 police constables, 2 sergeants, and Inspector Farrell.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 24 October 1891
TERRIBLE TRAGEDY IN CHESTER. MURDER OF A PARAMOUR SUICIDE OF THE MURDERER. A
thrilling sensation ran through Chester early yesterday (Friday) morning by the
discovery of a horrible crime unparalleled in the recent history of the city.
Briefly stated the circumstances seem to be that John James Jagger, residing at
No. 28, Leadworks-lane, murdered his paramour, Harriet Butterfield, by stabbing
her with a pocket knife, and afterwards hanged himself in the garden. THE
SCENE OF THE CRIME. The house, No. 28, Leadworks-lane, which witnessed the awful
crime, stands about mid- way between Egerton-street and the City-road Bridge, a
two storeyed (sic) building facing the canal, and with nothing between it and
the water but a small garden plot. The house has been widely known throughout
the country, especially to railway travellers, for the past 30 or 40 years. Over
the door hangs the sign, "Evans's original old house at home; tea and
refreshments; beds for travellers." It was familiarly spoken of as "The Old
House at Home," and was kept by a Mrs. Roberts, a widow, as an eating house,
with occasional accommodation for lodgers over night. Mrs. Roberts had a large
circle of acquaintances and patrons, and from her connection with railway porter
and other employees she extended her business by frequent recommendations from
those railway men to belated travellers to spend the night at her house. In this
way she amassed a considerable sum of money, and her daughter, Mrs. Butterfield,
the woman now lying dead, succeeded to her business. MRS. BUTTERFIELD MEETS
JAGGER. Things went on very much in the same way as during Mrs. Roberts's
management, until about nine years ago when Mrs. Butterfield unfortunately made
the acquaintance of Jagger, with whom she has lived ever since. At the
commencement of their cohabitation Jagger, who had formerly been a keeper at the
County Lunatic Asylum at Upton, followed the vocation of a stevedore, and worked
at Liverpool and Birkenhead, but for the past eighteen months he did not do much
work. Latterly he seems to have become madly jealous of his partner, and to have
given way to drink. His full name is John James Jagger, 45 years of age, and the
woman, Harriet Butterfield, was about the same age. THE BEGINNING OF THE
QUARREL. On Thursday evening, after the usual horse fair “The Old House at Home
" was the resort of cattle and horse dealers from the country, who paid their
customary call for tea. During the meal Jagger, who had been drinking all day,
but was just then recovering his sobriety, showered abuse and threats upon his
paramour to such an extent that one or two of the cattle dealers interfered and
gave him what they described as a "good hiding." At 11 o'clock at night they
left the house to catch their trains for home. MRS. BUTTERFIELD'S
PRECAUTIONS FOR SAFETY. Mrs. Butterfield was so afraid of her partner's violence
that she sent for her son-in-law, James Thomas Fraser, a railway guard, who
lives in Bishopsfield with his wife, who is a daughter of Mrs. Butterfield, to
spend the night under her roof. At midnight the whole household retired to rest,
Fraser and his wife sleeping in one bed, and Mrs. Butterfield occupying another
bed in the same room without undressing. The other occupants of the house at the
time were a lodger named George Gallimore, a moulder, and Mrs. Butterfield's
youngest daughter, both of whom had gone to bed before the others. Before going
to bed Fraser fastened the door of the room to prevent the ingress of Jagger,
and shortly afterwards the latter came to the door, knocked, was extremely
violent, and threatened and shouted that he wanted Mrs. Jagger to come out into
her own bedroom. THE MURDERER ENTERS THE BEDROOM. Her reply was that she
would not that night, but as the man continued his violent behaviour Fraser,
anxious to avoid a further disturbance of the neighbourhood, at length consented
to open the door and let him in. Jagger lay down on the bed beside Mrs.
Butterfield without, however, undressing. Fraser and his wife, after hearing the
man's threats and knowing his feelings towards the woman, not unnaturally feared
a serious development, and under the circumstances it is hardly surprising that
they kept awake almost all the night, keeping a pretty strict watch on the other
bed. Being a railway man, who requires to be early on duty, Fraser was knocked
up at five o'clock, and went out to his work. Jagger was now practically ALONE
WITH HIS VICTIM in the bedroom, for Mrs. Fraser was powerless to resist his
violence or protect her mother. Very soon after Fraser's departure Mrs.
Butterfield rose from her bed, and speaking to her daughter regarding Jagger's
objectionable behaviour the previous night said, " I will go to the Town Hall
this morning." Jagger, who had also risen and was at the moment doing something
with his pen knife to his finger nails, or, as the daughter thinks, was cutting
tobacco with a knife, replied " You are to go to the Town Hall this morning are
you ?" "Yes," she rejoined, whereupon Jagger PLUNGED HIS KNIFE into her neck
just under the left ear, accompanying the thrust with the exclamation "Then take
that." The blood instantly spurted all over the room ; the daughter closed with
him, and by some means yet unexplained the wounded woman dragged herself into
the next room, only a yard or two off, and fell on the floor exhausted. She
expired almost immediately after the struggle downstairs, and the neighbours
were under the impression he had got clear away. A story got abroad that
immediately after dealing the fatal blow Jagger made his escape by leaping
through the bedroom window to the garden beneath — not an uncommon mode of exit
for a murderer. Whether it was this belief in the orthodox dramatic style of
departure or not that prompted the story remains to be explained; but the idea
is certainly strengthened by the act that just below this window, which is 14
feet from the ground, the soft soil of the garden is disturbed, and the
footmarks are consistent with a man's leap from the window. The more probable
version of the affair, however, is that the criminal in his desperate flight
stumbled at the top stair and jumped to the landing beneath at one bound.
JAGGER ESCAPED The lodger, George Gallimore, being roused by the
disturbance, after discovering the true state of the case, sent for Dr. Lees,
and himself went to the Police Station, where he arrived at 6 20. Sergeant
Cooper, who was on duty, at once made for the spot, accompanied by Constables
McGowan and Stokes. That all these tragic incidents could have occurred without
attracting the attention of the police is capable of easy explanation. About ten
minutes to six o'clock the city police were changing their beats, the night men
going off and the day men going on, and there would consequently have been some
difficulty in getting a policeman there at the particular moment, even if the
alarm had been raised in sufficient time to prevent the murderer's escape.
RAISING THE ALARM. Dr. Lees, who was the first to arrive, reached the
house about six o'clock, and found Mrs. Butterfield dead, with the jugular vein
severed. The police putting in an appearance a few minutes afterwards, the
search for Jagger was commenced. ARRIVAL OF DR. LEES The circumstantial evidence
surrounding the case shows that the criminal's first intention was suicide by
drowning. Without divesting himself of any of his clothing he plunged into the
canal, which has not even a parapet between it and the garden. Being an
experienced swimmer, however, Jagger found drowning more difficult than he
anticipated, and a few strokes brought him back to the bank. No time was,
however, lost in carrying his determination of self-destruction into effect. At
one end of the small garden stands a stout clothes-pole, some eight or nine feet
high, with a pulley attached to the top. Running alongside this is a palisade
about six feet in height which separates the garden from a small pig-sty at the
gable of the house. Running a rope through the pulley and climbing on to the
paling, the suicide adjusted the noose and swung himself off with fatal effect.
The public in the morning were able to see Jagger's footprints plainly marked
beneath the pole, and so near to the canal stands the post that if he had
chosen, he could have dangled his legs over the water. The police constables
found the criminal suspended from the post, quite dead. His body was removed to
the mortuary, and the murdered woman's corpse still lies in the house. THE
SUICIDE The interiors of the two rooms which witnessed the fatal struggle,
resemble a slaughter house in their gory appearance. Both rooms are bespattered
with blood, and the victim lay for some time, where she had fallen and bled to
death. She was a stout, fleshy woman, and every drop of blood seems to have been
drawn from her body through the terrible wound, the body presenting on a post
mortem view a ghastly and pallid hue. GHASTLY SCENE IN THE ROOM. In an
interview with our representative early in the morning, Dr. Lees said he was
called to the house No. 28, Leadworks-lane, at six o'clock that morning. He
found the woman Butterfield lying in an upstairs room quite dead in a pool of
blood. From all appearance she had been dead no length of time. On the left side
of the neck there was a deep gash about three inches long right across the side
of the neck, evidently severing the large blood vessels. On his first visit the
doctor saw no other marks of violence. He sent for the police at once, and
Constables McGowan and Stokes arrived, and commenced looking for the man Jagger,
whom they afterwards found hanging in the garden. Dr. Lees, who assisted in the
search, found the instrument of the crime in the garden — a black hafted pocket
knife of the ordinary size. It is not quite new, but seemingly has not been used
for many months. It was the small blade that had been used in the perpetration
of the murder. This blade was still open, and there are reddish marks plainly
visible on it, but it is difficult at this time to say whether they are the
results of corrosion or whether they are the remains of a gory encrustation.
THE DOCTOR'S STORY. The wound has a jagged appearance, which would bear out
the story which, according to the neighbours, Mrs. Fraser tells. It is said that
after driving the weapon home, Jagger moved the blade backwards and forwards in
the wound so as to sever the blood vessels completely. The fell speed with which
the murderer despatched his victim, with such an insignificant instrument, and
the significant accuracy with which he selected the vulnerable part of the neck
for the deadly wound, betoken a better knowledge of anatomy than is to be
expected from Jagger's walk of life. If it be true he was formerly a stevedore,
it is just possible he may have acquired some knowledge of pig slaughtering on
board ship, which he has turned to such lamentable service. FIENDISH BUTCHERY.
Some of the neighbours who were annoyed by the disagreement on Thursday evening
offered, it is said, to bring a policeman and have Jagger locked up for the
night, but Mrs. Buttertield, with that clemency which criminal annals shew so
abundantly the ill-treated woman invariably lavishes on her heartless partner,
rejected the offer. THURSDAY NIGHT'S ROW It is an open secret in the
neighbourhood that the partnership of Jagger and Mrs. Butterfield has been a
long tale of domestic unhappiness, and recently their differences have become
even more accentuated. For some reason best known to himself Jagger was madly
jealous of his paramour, and last Wednesday the couple quarrelled In the course
of the altercation Jagger forced a sovereign from Mrs. Butterfield, and
afterwards remarked that he would buy a revolver with it for the purpose of
shooting her. A FORMER QUARREL It is now some years since the customary
quietude of Chester has been shocked by murder. The last event of the kind,
which was most notable for its mysterious surroundings, occurred at Lumley
Place, some three years ago, when an upholsterer's wife was beaten to death by
some unknown hand. The next latest crime happened over eight years ago, when the
murderer was executed by Marwood at Chester Castle. This was the last execution
at Chester. FORMER CHESTER MURDERS Public interest in the gruesome drama
increases as the details are passed from mouth to mouth, gaining and varying
wonderfully in the process. These matters will be all satisfactorily cleared up
at the inquest, which was arranged for three o'clock, at the Town Hall. The
scene was visited early by the Chief Constable (Mr. Fenwick) and Detective
Sergeant Gallagher, who made a full investigation of the case. Ever since the
shocking discovery a police officer has guarded the door of the house against
the entrance of anyone who is not officially concerned in the affair. THE
INQUEST. Another account says : — The deceased man, Jagger, was well known
in the neighbourhood of Leadworks-lane, where not the most favourable opinion
was entertained as to his character and industry. He enjoyed the reputation of a
man who worked only by fits and starts, and spent the intervals in
public-houses. When in drink he was usually very violent, and had frequently
been known to threaten his paramour. For the last two years he appears to have
been almost constantly out of work, living upon the woman's means. His last
employment was at the Birkenhead docks, where he did a spell of a fortnight,
terminating last Saturday night. He then returned home, and, it is stated, had
been drinking freely ever since. On Wednesday night, in a fit of temper, he
demanded a sovereign from the woman, with the threat that he would purchase a
revolver to shoot her with, and, after a stormy scene, he appears to have wrung
the money from her. The sovereign, however, was found in his possession on the
morning of his death by the police, proving that he had not been short of money
for drinking purposes. As to his history, little appears to be known in the
neighbourhood, except that for some time he acted as an attendant at a lunatic
asylum, and began cohabiting with the deceased woman before the death of her
husband, a respected man, who died at Rochdale. THE SUICIDE'S ANTECEDENTS
At the time of the tragedy, a young moulder, named George Gallimore, was staying
at the house, where he had lodged for the past four months. Interviewed by a
representative of the Observer, Gallimore stated that on the day previous to the
murder a number of Irish cattle-drovers, who usually made the "Old House at Home
" their resort during fair- time, had tea in the house. Jagger, who had been on
the spree since Saturday, had been absent from home during the preceding night,
and as early as breakfast time it was evident that he was under the influence of
drink. At tea a quarrel arose between him and two of the Irish-men, who resented
his reflections on one of Mrs. Butterfield's daughters. Blows were freely
exchanged, and Jagger got the worst of the fight, his face being slightly cut.
He after- wards went to sleep for several hours, and on awakening had more
liquor. The Irishmen left by the eleven o'clock mail, and, after their
departure, Jagger renewed the brawl, during which every effort was made to
pacify him. One of his complaints was that his bed was occupied, and that he was
compelled to sleep on the sofa downstairs, which manifestly aggravated him.
Gallimore states that he retired to rest about midnight, and heard nothing more
till between five and six in the morning, when he was startled by screams
proceeding from an adjoining apartment. Mrs. Butterfield then rushed into his
bedroom, blood streaming from a terrible gash in her neck, and exclaimed "
GEORGE, GET UP, I AM STABBED !" At the same time she seized hold of his shirt
with her hand, which left indelible stains of blood on the cloth, and shook him.
He immediately jumped up, and saw pools of blood on the floor. Mrs. Fraser, the
eldest daughter, then led her mother back into the room in which she had been
stabbed, where she fell on her face on the floor. The youngest daughter had
already left the house in search of a doctor, and Gallimore at once proceeded to
the police office, where he gave information of what had occurred. From this
point he knows nothing of what transpired, and told his story to our reporter,
while awaiting a summons to the inquest. From hearsay, he had learned further
that during the disturbance on the previous night, a policeman was sent for on
account of Jaggers violence, but even then Mrs. Butter- field refused to give
him in charge. It was said that he threatened to take her life in the presence
of the officer, but this occurred while Gallimore was in bed and he heard very
little of it. The daughter's husband, Fraser, was in the house during the
night, and did his best to pacify Jagger, but he left for work about five in the
morning, and could say nothing about the tragedy itself. His wife, however, was
present at the murder with her child, who screamed loudly through fright as
Jagger executed his savage work with the knife. The affair created quite a
sensation in the neighbourhood, where people were roused from their sleep in the
early morning by piercing shrieks and the barking of a dog. The horrible news
spread with astonishing rapidity, and a crowd of people soon collected in the
vicinity of the house, which was guarded during the removal of Jagger's corpse
by the police. The neighbours are quite accustomed to domestic brawls at the
"Old House at Home," and no one was unusually alarmed by the uproar on Thursday
night.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 12 December 1891
A YEAR'S CRIME IN CHESTER. The Chief Constable (Mr. G. L. Fenwick) has just
presented to the Watch Committee his report for the police year ended 29th
September last. He says —The police force is the same in the total number, and
the number in each grade, as last year, viz.:— One chief constable, two
inspectors, six sergeants, and 36 constables. Total, 45, or including a
constable exclusively employed by the School Attendance Committee, 46. The total
cost for the year was £3,927 10s. 8d., of which £92 6s. 1d refunded for the
services of Police-constable Bowers, and £1,750 (estimated) as the exchequer
contribution, leaving £2,085 to be provided out of the watch rate.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 19 December 1891
Swindling at Chester Horse Fair. — Yesterday, at the City Police Court, a
suspicious looking character named James Cooper, was charged with stealing a
sovereign by means of a trick. John Bromley, aged 77, a Mickle Trafford
publican, stated that he was negotiating with the prisoner in the horse fair on
the previous day. They adjourned to the Ship Victory public-house, where witness
bid him 30s for a pony. Prisoner said, "Show me a face besides your own."
(Laughter) When witness put down his sovereign the prisoner snatched it up, and
refused to return it. He was arrested by P.C. Thomas Davies, to whom he stated
that the prosecutor had bought the pony for 55s and given him the sovereign on
account. The prisoner, who had been in a similar difficulty at Stockport, was
sent to prison for fourteen days with hard labour, and ordered to pay the costs,
or undergo an additional seven days.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 26 December 1891
A DANGEROUS STREET JUNCTION IN CHESTER. CHILD KILLED. Last week, while
attempting to cross City- road, near the Bars, a little girl named Amy May
Hewitt, five years of age, living at 14, Cecil-street, ran into the horse of a
tram-car, fell on her back, and was crushed by the fore part of the car. She was
conveyed to the Infirmary, but being apparently only slightly injured, she was
taken home. She was seen by Dr. Archer the same evening, and died on Friday. An
inquest was held on the body by the city coroner (Mr. J. Tatlock) at the Black
Lion Inn, Boughton, on Saturday. Mr. John Gardner, secretary and manager of the
Chester Tram-ways Company, represented the company. Police Constable Isaac Jones
was standing at the corner of City-road shortly after three o'clock, and saw the
deceased narrowly escape being run over by a trap at the junction. She then ran
with outstretched arms into one of the horses of a tram car going in the
opposite direction towards the station. Screaming violently, she fell on her
back across the rail, and lay between the fore and hind legs of the horse.
Considerable traffic was passing at the time, and for a moment the officer lost
sight of the child. When he had run round the trap, she was lying up against the
brake block of the wheel. The driver had pulled up within about three yards, but
the loud screaming of people who witnessed the accident startled his horses, and
caused them to start forward, the girl being dragged along about a foot. She was
jammed between the fore part of the tram and the rails. A young man named
Pritchard picked her up and handed her to the policeman. She was not crying, but
was very terrified Dr. Lees was sent for, but was not at home, and the Constable
having taken the child into an adjoining restaurant, went himself to Dr.
Watson's and informed the servant that a little girl had been run over by a
tram. The doctor, however, was engaged, and Jones had to fall back upon Dr.
Archer. The latter came immediately, and thought it expedient to send the girl
to the Infirmary. There were only a few external marks on the body, which were
not of much consequence, and no bones appeared to be broken, but when touched
across the abdomen and chest she suffered great pain. She was conveyed to the
Infirmary in a cab, and examined there by a doctor, who said she was more
frightened than hurt and could be taken home. The same evening Dr. Archer saw
her at Cecil-street. She was still suffering from shock and tenderness in the
parts indicated and her death on the following afternoon was attributable to
shock, due to internal injuries of a very serious nature. In the course of the
evidence, the tram driver, Ellis Otter, said he succeeded in guiding the horses
so that the girl was not trampled under their hind feet. Dr. Archer thought if
the horses had trampled upon the child, the external injuries would have been
more marked, and he had no doubt she was crushed by the tram while being dragged
along the ground. The Coroner said he saw no reason from the evidence to blame
the driver of the tram. The whole affair was an accident. — The police constable
complained that the stone pedestal supporting the big lamp at the scene of the
accident is too large, and hides the approach of vehicles from people crossing
the street. The inference was that if the lamp was supported by an iron pillar
of ordinary dimensions, the space now occupied by the block of stone would serve
as an "island" for foot passengers. The tramway lines run dangerously close to
the pedestal, and there is invariably a great amount of traffic at the point.
The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death."
London Standard – Friday 15 January 1892
News from the Provinces :- Mary Louisa Bowdage, of ladylike appearance, and said
to be respectably connected, aged about 26, was charged at Chester, yesterday,
with forging a cheque, on December 24. She obtained a cheque-book at the North
and South Wales Branch Bank, Birkenhead, on the representation that she was a
Mrs. Salt. She bought goods at Chester of silversmiths and silk- mercers, and
paid with cheques signed "H. E. Laird," receiving the change in coin. Owing to
the intervention of the Christmas holidays, five days elapsed before the
forgeries were discovered. Detective Gallagher, of the Chester Police, arrested
the Prisoner on Wednesday at Llandudno, where she had been living for some time.
She confessed everything, and told the constable how she did it.— She was
remanded for a week without bail.
Morning Post - Friday 29 January 1892
At Chester yesterday a city policeman, who had been suffering for the past
fortnight from influenza, was discovered to have committed suicide by hanging
himself in his kitchen. (Researchers Note – This officer has not yet been
identified.)
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 30 January 1892
SUICIDE OF A CHESTER POLICE OFFICER. On Thursday morning James Stokes, a
police- constable in the Chester force, committed suicide by hanging himself. It
appears that deceased had been ill for a few weeks, and on Wednesday he paid a
visit to the police surgeon (Dr. Harrison). The doctor found him suffering from
a severe cold, and ordered him to stay in the house for a few days. On arriving
at home his wife noticed that he looked very pale and ghastly. And appeared
somewhat strange in his manner, but he spoke quite rationally. After supper Mrs.
Stokes and the other members of the family retired to rest at eleven o'clock,
leaving deceased sitting in an armchair in the kitchen. At about four o'clock
the following morning his wife woke up and found her husband had not been to
bed. Fearing something was wrong, and being rather of a timid nature herself,
she called out to her sister, who was sleeping in an adjoining room, to go
downstairs and ask her husband to come to bed. Her sister went down, and found
him with a muffler round his neck suspended from a hook in the kitchen ceiling.
Assistance was sent for, and the body was cut down by the police, and life found
to be extinct. The deceased joined the Chester Police about 16 years ago, and
was well liked by his comrades. It will be remembered Stokes in company with
another officer, cut the body of Jagger down in the recent murder and suicide in
this City, and kept the rope up to a few weeks ago when he disposed of it. He
said to a brother officer at the time of the occurrence what a fool the man had
been. No cause can be assigned for the rash act. THE INQUEST. An
inquest was held on the body on Thursday evening by Mr C W. Tibbits (deputy
coroner), at the Black Lion Inn, Boughton — Martha Stokes, 9, Tarvin-road.
Boughton, wife of deceased, stated that he was 36 years of age. After supper at
ten o'clock on Wednesday evening the family went to bed, leaving deceased
downstairs. Witness asked him if he was going to bed, but he made no answer. He
looked very pale and ghastly, and witness attributed it to his illness. She was
not aware that he had anything on his mind, but seemed depressed at times. In
reply to the Coroner, witness said that her husband cut the man Jagger down, but
did not think that depressed him. Resuming, Mrs. Stokes stated on waking in the
morning and finding deceased had not been to bed, she sent her sister to look
for him, and the latter came running back and said " Oh, come down, he has got
something round his neck." Witness did so, and found him hanging from the
ceiling quite dead. She was on very good terms with her husband, and there was
no family cause for his conduct. He never expressed his intention of committing
suicide. Replying to Detective Gallagher, witness said it was true deceased had
a brother in the asylum. Her youngest boy was also a little weak in the head.—
Elizabeth Groome, sister-in-law to Stokes, stated that she had been living with
deceased about a fortnight. Witness never saw anything strange about Stokes. She
found him hanging from a hook in the ceiling, with one knee on the chair and one
hand on the back of it. He was quite dead. —Sergeant Culliford deposed that from
information received, he, in company with P.C. Dutton, proceeded to Stokes'
house, and on entering the kitchen he saw deceased hanging by a muffler
(produced) from a hook in the ceiling. His right foot was on the ground, and he
was kneeling on a chair with the left, but the greater weight of his body was on
the muffler. Dutton lifted him up, and witness took him down. He was quite dead.
— Dr. George Harrison deposed attending the deceased as police surgeon on the
20th Jan. for the first time during this illness. He was suffering from a cold,
and he prescribed for him. Witness was called in to see deceased at ten o'clock
that morning, and examined the body. He found no marks of violence beyond an
indentation of the skin at the neck. The cause of death was strangulation.—
The Coroner having summed up, the jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while
temporarily insane."
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 13 February 1892
CITY POLICE COURT. Saturday. — Before Alderman H. T. Brown and Mr. James Salmon.
An Emetic Saved His Life. — John Hughes, who was in a dazed condition, and is a
watercress man from Mold, was charged with being drunk. On Friday afternoon P.S.
Culliford found prisoner drunk in Trafford-street, Newtown, and the man was then
in such a helpless condition, that a handcart had to be obtained to take him to
the police office. When he arrived there Detective-Sergeant Gallagher stated
that precautions had to be taken to save him from being suffocated. The Chief
Constable (Mr. G. L. Fenwick) said prisoner's life was saved by an emetic,
administered when he was at the police office. He thought this was a case for
enquiry as to where the man was loaded with drink to such an extent. He
evidently had it somewhere. — Prisoner was remanded.
Cheshire Observer Saturday 7 May 1892
PRESENTATION TO A CHESTER POLICE INSPECTOR. On Friday week the members of
the Chester city police force presented their old and esteemed comrade,
Inspector Farrall, with a handsome timepiece, on the occasion of Ins leaving the
force, after thirty-one years service. The presentation was made by Dr. George
Harrison in the city police court, in the presence of the Chief Constable (Mr.
G. L. Fenwick), Inspectors Price and Leech, five sergeants, and thirty
constables. The Chief Constable, in introducing Dr. Harrison, said: We have met
to wish an official good-bye to an old comrade. He has been in the force for 31
years, and has advanced through every grade, from third-class constable to
first-class inspector, and now retires upon a well-earned pension. It is a long
time to look back, and one is hardly able to realise it when one tries to look
thirty years ahead. Many of you were not born when Inspector Farrell joined the
force. A little gathering like this is a bright spot in a policeman's life, not
for the value of the memento it is proposed to give him, but because it shows a
nice feeling of good comradeship. It is invaluable in that respect. It has been
suggested that we should ask Dr. Harrison, the police surgeon, to present this
testimonial to Mr. Farrell. Well, I don't like outsiders in such a connection,
but I do not look upon the doctor as an outsider. And I have the less hesitation
in enlisting his good offices now, because, like many others, I think he has
been unfairly treated lately. At least the police have confidence in him, and I
look upon the recent event as a blessing in disguise to him. He will, I have no
doubt, pursue his profession, I hope, as long as his father did, and in the end
be as universally esteemed. In your names I now call upon him to present this
hand some testimonial to Mr. Farrell. (Applause.) Dr. Harrison, in making the
presentation, said: It was with feelings of very great pleasure that I was asked
by Inspector Price, on Wednesday last, to present Mr. Thomas Farrell with this
handsome testimonial on behalf of the members of the Chester city police. The
name of Thomas Farrell has always been held in the greatest awe by the lower
orders, and in the highest respect by the upper classes in Chester; but in all
grades of society I can confidently say that his retirement after a service of
thirty-one years on the streets will be regretted by every one. Ho had always a
kind word for those in distress, and on the other hand, when he gave a command
he meant to have it obeyed, both by those under him and the general public. I
have been called an outsider to-day by the Chief Constable, and though I have
been police surgeon for more than eleven years, I have always considered myself
as much a member of the force as any of you, but I have never felt it so much as
I have done at a little gathering here to-day. It only now remains for me to
present you, Mr. Farrell, with this handsome clock, and to hope that you will be
spared for many years to have it adorn your house, and to enjoy the pension
which you have so worthily earned. (Applause.) The timepiece bore the following
inscription : — " Presented to Inspector Thomas Farrell by the members of the
Chester City Police Force, on his retirement, as a mark of their esteem. April,
1892." — Inspector Farrell responded in a suitable manner, and on the motion of
Inspector Price a vote of thanks was subsequently passed to Dr. Harrison for his
services on his well earned pension.
Liverpool Mercury – Monday 16 May 1892
CHESTER POLICE AND THEIR PAY.-The Chester Watch Committee has decided to
recommend an increase in the pay of the Chester police. If the recommendation is
adopted by the Council, at on Wednesday's meeting, the pay for the future will
be as follow:- Inspectors after two years as Inspector, 38s; ditto after five
year as inspector 40s; sergeants after two years as sergeant, 32s. after five
years as sergeant; 34s; 1st class constables after two years in such class, 29s;
ditto after five years in such class, 30s.
Cheshire Observer Saturday 11 June 1892
CITY POLICE COURT. Wednesday Before the Mayor and Messrs. H. R. Bowers and F. L.
Bagnall. Serious Assault on an Old Woman. Emily Greenwood, a young woman,
living in Love- street, was charged by Margaret Donohue, an old woman, with
assaulting her. On Tuesday evening the prosecutrix was going down Love-street
when she alleged the defendant struck her in the face with a poker. A friend
went for Dr. Archer, who came and stitched up the wound. The prisoner was also
charged by John Donohue, the former complainant's son, with striking him in the
face with a pair of tongs on the same evening.—Police- Sergeant Culliford stated
from information he received he went to Love-street and found about 300 persons
congregated watching the row. He arrested the prisoner in her house, and found a
hatchet, poker, and a bloodstained pair of tongs. Prisoner was sentenced to six
weeks' imprisonment in each case — three months in all.— The Chief-Constable
remarked that he adhered to his statement, made a few weeks ago, that this
street was the most disorderly in Chester..
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 13 August 1892
Death and Funeral of a Chester Policeman. Yesterday (Friday) afternoon the
funeral of Police-Constable John Hill, who had been a member of the City Police
Force for some years, took place at Chester Cemetery. The deceased, who had been
ailing for some time, died on Wednesday. His remains were followed to the grave
by Dr. Harrison (police surgeon). Inspector Price, Ex-Inspector Farrell,
Detective Sergt. Gallagher, Detective Crewe, and 19 police-constables. The
service was conducted by the Rev. B. N. Atkinson (curate of St. Oswald's) and
the Rev. J. D. Scott (of Cholmondeley). The coffin was covered with wreaths,
sent by the members of the City Police Force, Miss Davies-Colley, Mrs. Cross,
Mr. and Mrs. Watkins, and Sissy Price. The deceased leaves a widow.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 20 August 1892
ROMANTIC DEATH AT CHESTER A PAUPER'S LOVE AFFAIR Some men rambling on Sunday
afternoon in a plantation between Curzon Park and the river Dee were startled to
find the dead body of a man on the grass. Beside the corpse lay a tobacco pipe
and an empty pill-box, labelled "Poison— opium, one grain." The police being
immediately communicated with, the body was removed to the Mortuary, where it
was identified as that of Owen Jones, about forty years of age, who had for some
time been an inmate of Chester Work- house, and at the time of his death was
wearing the pauper dress. Some letters found in the pockets throw a little
light on the tragedy. One missive, addressed to "Owen Jones, Chester Workhouse
Hospital," and signed by " Mary Ann," is couched in terms of great endearment,
and contains the protestation that Owen is her first love and always in her
thoughts. On a sheet of paper, presumably shortly before his death, deceased had
pencilled the words "My dearest, I cannot live without you. May God bless you
and send you every comfort, and try to forget me- my own heart's love." Across
the face of an envelope also found on the body was inscribed the verse: Wherever
I go love I ne'er forget thee, Though beauties may smile and try to ensnare me;
But, believe me, I'll never my heart from thine sever, I'll ever prove constant,
my sweet, precious dear”. Another sheet of paper, evidently meant for the
Workhouse master, had the following message : — " Master Turner, — Good-bye.
Give my love to poor old Betsy, my best friend." Subsequent inquiries shew
that on Friday night deceased called at the shop of Mr. Kemp, chemist,
Bridge-street, and purchased some opium pills, regarding the use of which he was
duly cautioned. Deceased was 44 years of age. THE INQUEST. An inquiry
into the cause of Jones's death was held before Mr. Brassey, city coroner, on
Tuesday afternoon, at the Town Hall. The first witness called was Mr. R. C.
Turner, master at the Workhouse, who stated that Owen Jones was an inmate of the
Work- house and he went out on leave on Thursday. He did not return. Deceased,
who was formerly a clerk in the employment of the late Mr. John Jones,
accountant, had suffered from heart disease, for which he had been medically
treated while in the house. The letters produced were in Jones' handwriting. —
William Edward Reece, assistant to Mr. G. Kemp, chemist, Bridge-street, stated
that deceased obtained four one-grain opium pills from his master's shop on
Friday night. Before leaving the shop deceased was cautioned regarding the use
of the pills. Dr. Harrison said he had made a post-mortem examination of Jones.
On examining the brain he found appearances consistent with opium poisoning.
Death was caused by a clot of blood in the pulmonary artery. Four grains of
opium was an excessive dose, and he thought it would kill deceased. If deceased
had taken the four grains of opium he had no doubt it would have accelerated his
death. — Alfred Moore, Olave-street, stated that he met deceased, whom he had
known for many years, on Friday, and Jones then told him that he was going a
very long journey the following day. Deceased shewed him four small boxes which
he said contained four grains of opium each and he stated that he would take,
them the next day. On Saturday, however, deceased told him that ho had thrown
the opium into the fire, and that he was going into the workhouse.
Detective Crewe said after receiving information at the Police Office he
went to the plantation at Curzon Park, where he found Jones lying dead. An empty
pill box, labelled "Poison — opium, one grain," was by his side, and some
letters were in his pocket. — The Coroner read the letters referred to above,
and also one addressed to deceased signed "Your ever loving Mary Ann." The
epistle was couched in the most affectionate terms, and contained the following
passage : " You are my first love, and you are always in my thoughts I am never
content only when you are near."— The witness Moore stated that deceased told
him that Mary Ann had been in the workhouse and used to scour the ward in which
he was Jones had a lock of hair in his possession. — The jury returned a verdict
of "Suicide while temporarily insane." — A juror said he was informed that
deceased was insured in the Victoria Friendly Society, and that there was £S due
on a free life policy. — Mr. Turner pointed out that the relieving officer was
the proper person to deal with the matter.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 9 April 1892
Police Promotions at Chester.— The Watch Committee on Thursday, on the
recommendation of the Chief Constable (Mr. G. L. Fenwick), made the following
promotions in the Chester police force:— Sergeant Leech to be inspector, vice
Inspector Farrell pensioned; River-Constable Steen to be sergeant, vice Leech
promoted.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 13 August 1892
Death and Funeral of a Chester Policeman.— Yesterday (Friday) afternoon the
funeral of Police-Constable John Hill, who had been a member of the City Police
Force for some years, took place at Chester Cemetery. The deceased, who had been
ailing for some time, died on Wednesday. His remains were followed to the grave
by Dr. Harrison (police surgeon). Inspector Price, Ex-Inspector Farrell,
Detective-Sergeant Gallagher, Detective Crewe, and 19 police-constables. The
service was conducted by the Rev. B. N. Atkinson (curate of St. Oswald's) and
the Rev. J. D. Scott (of Cholmondeley). The coffin was covered with wreaths,
sent by the members of the City Police Force, Miss Davies-Colley, Mrs. Cross,
Mr. and Mrs. Watkins, and Sissy Price. The deceased leaves a widow.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 26 November 1892
CITY POLICE COURT. Saturday. — Before the Mayor and Messrs. W. Johnson and L.
Gilbert. Disorderly. — Annie Holmes, Spital-walk, an old offender, summoned by
P.C. Young for being disorderly in Bold-square on Friday evening, was fined 10s.
and costs.
"Dead to all Shame."— Ellen Kilfoil, Canal- side, described as an "unfortunate,"
was charged with using bad language in Foregate-street on Sunday evening. P.C.
Dutton laid the information, and the case having been proved, the Mayor, who
said she was "dead to all shame," sentenced the prisoner to twenty- one days'
imprisonment with hard labour.
Tuesday.— Before the Mayor, Sir T. G. Frost and Mr. F. L. Bagnall. "A Curse to
the City."— Mary Jane Butterfield, an " unfortunate " well known to the police,
was charged by P.S. Riley with using foul language in Bridge-street, on Monday
evening.— The Mayor said prisoner had been fined 21 times, and was " a perfect
curse to the city."— Sent to Knutsford for 21 days.
Serious Assault on the Police.— Jane Sutton, of Richmond-court, Spital-walk was
charged by P.C. Hughes (24) with behaving in a disorderly manner in
Foregate-street, on Wednesday evening. Her husband, George Pimm, who was stated
to have arrived from Birmingham, was also charged by P.C. Clutton with
attempting to rescue his wife. There was also a further charge of assaulting
P.C. Clutton by dislocating his right thumb, and a third charge against Pimm was
made by P.C. Samuel Jones for an assault on the 4tb October, 1890. P.C. Hughes
stated that about half-past twelve on Thursday morning he was on the Eastgate
and Foregate-street beat, where he saw the female prisoner with another woman,
and he told them to go home. They refused and he took them into custody, when
they became violent, and he had to call for assistance. P C Clutton came and
took Sutton into custody while Hughes took the other girl.— P.C. Clutton' who
gave corroborative evidence, added that when near the King's School the prisoner
Pimm came up and asked him what he was taking Sutton up for. Pimm struck him on
the neck, and in a scuffle dislocated his right thumb, which had to be attended
to by Dr Harrison.— The Chief Constable said the man who assaulted a constable
in 1890 ran away, and a warrant was granted for his arrest. He had not been seen
until the present occurrence, but he (Mr. Fenwick) did not wish to press that
charge. — The Bench thought both prisoners had behaved in a most outrageous
manner, and they would mark their sense of it to the full extent. Sutton would
have to go to gaol for one month with hard labour, while Pimm would have to
undergo one month's imprisonment with hard labour for the attempted rescue, and
two months for the assault on the police — three months in all.
A Family Row.— Richard Hall, Margaret Hall, and Jane Owens, of Watergate Row,
were summoned by P.C. Smith for committing a breach of the peace on the 17th
inst. The three defendants, owing to a family grievance, were shouting and
making a great noise in the Row about twelve o'clock at night. They were bound
over to keep the peace for three months.
Yesterday (Friday).— Before Messrs. F. L. Bagnall and WUliam Brown. Abusive
Language.— Mary Ann Shields, of Newells-court, was bound over to keep the peace
for three months, pay the costs of the case, or undergo seven days'
impriaonment, for committing a breach of the peace in Lower Bridge-street on
Saturday evening. P.C. Tutty laid the information.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 17 December 1892
CITY POLICE COURT. Monday.— Theft by a Married Woman. — Annie Douglas, married
woman, living at 26, Seaville-street, was charged with stealing a coat, value
21s., the property of Mr. Edwin Dutton, 105, Foregate-street. The coat was
hanging outside Mr. Dutton's shop on Saturday. It was taken from there, and
afterwards defendant was found offering it for pledge at the shop of Mr. Dawson,
pawnbroker, Foregate-street. She said a woman named Martin had given it to her
to pledge. She could not, however, find Martin, and to give her an opportunity
of finding her, the Chief Constable (Mr. Fenwick) admitted her to bail on
Saturday night, but defendant was still unable to find Martin.— Thomas
Williamson, assistant to Mr. Dutton, stated that a boy was stationed outside his
employer's shop to watch the goods which were hanging outside, but he did not
see any one take the coat.— Joshua West, assistant to Mr. Dawson, pawnbroker,
stated that defendant offered the coat for 12s, stating that it hcost 30s. He
saw what he thought was one of Dutton's tickets on the coat marked 21s, and he
thereupon sent to Dutton's to see if they had missed a coat. Dutton's then sent
a policeman over. — P.C. Price Wynne deposed to receiving defendant in custody.
On being charged with stealing the coat she said "I did not steal it. A woman at
the end of Steven-street promised me two-pence if I would go and pawn it for
her." Witness found 46 pawn tickets, 1½d., and some old coins in her
possession.— The Chief Constable said he believed the pawn tickets were for
articles that belonged to defendant. She had been going down rapidly lately. —
Defendant pleaded not guilty, repeating that the coat was given her to pawn. In
reply to the Bench she said her husband had been working for the Corporation for
the last few days. She had eight children, the eldest being 15. — The Mayor said
that was the first time defendant had been there, and they would give her the
benefit of that to a certain extent!" They had no doubt she stole the coat, but
at the same time the owner was decidedly wrong in hanging the coat outside his
shop on a dark night, as it was an inducement to crime. Defendant would be fined
20s. and costs, with the alternative of 14 days' imprisonment.
Thomas Tynan, an Irishman of clerical appearance, was summoned by P.C. Shires
for being drunk in Foregate-street on Thursday after- noon. He was surrounded by
a crowd of children, and went about from one public-house to another getting
food and drink without paying.— The Chief Constable (Mr. Fenwick) stated that
defendant went to an eating-house, had some food, but did not pay for it.
Defendant when brought in was drunk, but not incapable, and there were a. number
of com- plaints against him. — Defendant : Drunkenness is a relative question.
The sea-sickness had upset me, and I took more than was good for my health. It
was very hard to say that I was drunk. — Fined 5s. and costs, or seven days'
imprisonment with hard labour.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 11 February 1893
STATE OF CRIME IN CHESTER. The Chief Constable of Chester (Mr. G. L. Fenwick)
has issued to the Watch Committee his report for the police year ended 29th
Sept., 1892, and also for three months ended 31st Dec., 1892. By the Police
Returns Act, 1892 the returns annually presented to the Home Secretary will, in
future, be for the calendar year, and as a matter of convenience the Chief
Constable says his yearly report ought to cover the same period. In number and
grade the force is the same as it was last year. A revised scale of pay came
into operation on the 3rd June, 1892, giving a slight increase to inspectors,
sergeants, and constables, after prescribed service in each rank. The total cost
for the year was £3,983 0s. 11., as compared with £3,927 10s. 8d. for the
previous year. Of this total, £67 9s. is refunded by the School Attendance
Committee for the special services of Police Constable Bowers for that part of
the year up to his retirement, and £1,890 (estimated) as the Exchequer
contribution, leaving £2,026 to be provided out of the watch rate. The total net
increase appears to be £55 10s. 3d,; but really there was a considerable
decrease, after debiting the previous year with the clothing account, which was
paid during the year under review. The following members of the force have
retired on pension during the fifteen months, viz.: — 1892: April 1, Inspector
T. Farrall, 31 years service, £65 17s. 4d. per annum; April 7, P.C. W. Salmon,
18 years service, 10s. per week; June 18, P.C. J. Bowers, 26 years service, 21s.
4d. per week; August 26 Sergeant W. E. Good, 25 years service, 22s. 8d. per
week. CRIME. Indictable Offences. — There were 17 indictable offences
reported to the police during the year ended 29th September last, as compared
with 21 during the previous year. Six persons were apprehended for the3e
offences and committed or bailed for trial. The offences were as follows :
Wounding 1, sacrilege 1, house-breaking 4, shop breaking 1. larceny in a
dwelling 1, larceny from the person 3, larceny simple 4, embezzlement 1, forgery
1 ; total 17. The six persons prosecuted for these offences were thus disposed
of : — One penal servitude for three years ; one imprisonment for eight months ;
one, six months ; two, three months ; and one acquitted. Three were old
offenders. During the quarter ended 31st December, 1892, which is also included
in this report, there were 7 indictable offences committed, viz. : —
Housebreaking 1, larceny in a dwelling 2, larceny simple 3, and fraud 1 ; total
7. Five persons were arrested and prosecuted for these, with the following
result: One, six months' imprisonment; one, four months; one, three months ; one
acquitted ; and one still awaiting trial.
Offences Dealt with Summarily : The Magistrates disposed of 1,704 cases, against
1,970 in the previous year — a decrease of 160. A consider- able proportion of
the decrease, 91, occurred under the head of "Elementary Education Acts," &c.
There was an increase of 61 in common assaults; a decrease of 80 in the cases of
drunkenness. The comparative totals of all offences for the last five years
were: — 1888, 1.525; 1889, 1,658; 1890, 1,826; 1891, 1.970; 1892, 1,704; average
for five years, 1.7366. The comparative statement of drunkenness and drunk and
disorderly cases for five years is as follows:— 1888, 224; 1889, 230; 1890, 262-
-1891, 304; 1892, 224. The form of return for the extra quarter of a year shews
a little increase under some heads. The totals are as follow : Number proceeded
against during the year ended 29th September, 1892, males 1,283, females 421,
total 1,704 ; discharged males 290, females 177; convicted males 993, females
244. Of these 818 were fined, 106 were called upon to find sureties or
recognisance’s, 8 were delivered over to the Army or Navy authorities, and 174
received other punishments. For the quarter ended 31st December, 1892, the
numbers proceeded against were males 364, females 100, total 464; discharged
males 68, females 31 ; convicted males 296, females 69; fined 223; to find
sureties or recognisance’s 33 ; delivered over to the Army or Navy authorities 4
; other punishments 65. During the year the Magistrates dealt with 30 persons
under the provisions of the "Probation of First Offenders Act, 1887." Public
Houses. — The number of houses holding retail licences in the city are : — Fully
licensed, 156 ; beer retailers (including 17 licensed to sell for consumption
off the premises), 61; grocers' licences (not including six who hold beer
licences as well), 7; total, 224. There is thus a public or beer house licensed
for consumption on the premises to every 185 inhabitants. The proportion in 90
cities and boroughs having a population of 20,000 and upwards is one to every
237 inhabitants. Chester has, according to this list, a greater number of
public-houses than 71, and a less number than 18 other cities or boroughs.
Twenty-five houses are licensed for music, and only one (the Grosvenor Hotel)
for dancing. During the year the circumstances of 57 cases of sudden or violent
deaths were reported to the City Coroner, in which he held inquests. The
subjects were — males, 35; females, 22. Seventeen were under the age of five
years, and four under one year. And during the months of October, November, and
December, 17 case 3 were reported. The verdicts were : — For the year ended 29th
September, 1892 : — (a) Murder, 1 ; (6) manslaughter, 1 ; (c) accidents (not
otherwise described), 20 ; deaths from natural causes, 24 ; suicide, 6 ; burns
or scalds, 2 ; (d) lead poisoning, 1 ; drowning, 1 ; excessive drinking, 1 ;
total, 57. For the quarter year ended 31st December, 1892 : — (c) Accidents (not
otherwise described). 4 ; deaths from natural causes, 11 ; burns or scalds, 1;
excessive drinking, 1 ; total, 17. [(a) The man against whom this verdict was
found had committed suicide. (6) Although the inquest was held in the city, the
offence was committed in the adjoining county, (c) Five of the accidents
occurred on the railways outside Chester. (d) The case of a female employed at
the Lead- works.] INQUESTS The number of common lodging-houses in the city is
13, and they are registered to accommodate in the aggregate 271 persons. The
number of hackney carriages licensed to ply within the city is 173. The number
of boats licensed to ply upon the Dee is 401, and steamers 6. During the year
and a quarter 118 pedlars certificates were granted, and 7 chimney sweeps'
certificates. The police took to the Infirmary 24 persons found injured and ill
in the streets, 5 to the Workhouse, and 13 to their own homes. Four hundred and
ten houses, shops, &c, were reported unlocked or insecure at night. Twenty-eight
stray dogs were seized and destroyed. VARIOUS. The annual inspection of the
Force was made on the 2nd May, by Sir Herbert Croft, Bart., H.M. Inspector for
the Northern District. I wish I could conclude by congratulating the city upon
these figures as they stand. Upon such of them as relate to what was formerly
considered serious crime, I think l am entitled to do so. The assizes and
sessions calendars bear me out in this. And the petty larcenies dealt with
summarily by the magistrates are, as a rule, of the ordinary kind, committed by
mere boys or discharged soldiers, now thrown upon the country in such numbers,
and sometimes the result of temptation placed in their way by the injudicious
exhibition of goods where they can be easily stolen. But drinking and all that
it entails goes on from year to year, only fluctuating more or less with the
state of trade. Betting, I have little doubt, is increasing. The effect of that
vice, especially upon the young I need not point out to the committee.
Notwithstanding all that has been, and is still being done, both "punitive and
preventive, the vice of impurity is rampant. So that it is only by looking back
upon the state of Chester many years ago that ground is found for thankfulness
and hope. Education will, in time, help largely in the forward movement, and the
various rescue and preventive agencies must leave their mark for good in certain
directions. Best of all, I venture to think, is the care and thought with which
public questions are now approached. The work of public men and public bodies
charged with the administration of the law is no longer looked upon as a kind of
mechanical device for punishing offenders. The higher object — the reformation
of the criminal is kept well in view. It is impossible not to see daily, and in
every direction, that the mere punishment of individuals, who, alas have often
some ground of complaint against a condition of society of which they are the
failures, or, perhaps I should say, the finished products, is no longer looked
upon as the whole duty of man. (Signed) G. L. Fenwick, Chief Constable.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 14 January 1893
POLICE SUPERANNUATION. An allowance of 18s. 7d. per week was granted out of the
police pension fund to P.C. John Higginson, resigned after 25 years' service.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 22 April 1893
THE CHIEF CONSTABLE OF CHESTER. The current number of The Police Review contains
an admirable cabinet half-bust portrait of Mr. G. L. Fenwick, Chief Constable of
Chester, together with the following short biographical notice : — Mr. George
Lee Fenwick, the Chief Constable of the famous border city of Chester, is 56
years of age, and of old Northumbrian stock. He was born at Bishopwearmouth in
the year before the Queen's accession, and was educated privately. In February,
1860, being then only 23 years of age, he was chosen from upwards of 80
applicants for the responsible appointment of Chief Clerk of the Leeds
Constabulary, and in August, 1864, was appointed Chief Constable of Chester,
vice Mr. John Hill, who retired on a pension after 44 years' service. He is thus
only the second Chief Constable of Chester since the establishment of the
police, his service and that of his predecessor covering the long space of 72
years, a fact which speaks volumes for the "ancient and loyal city."
Moreover, it will be seen that in point of service he is almost the senior
Chief Constable in Great Britain. Perhaps the most notable event of his official
life in Chester was the part he took in frustrating the projected Fenian raid
upon Chester Castle in February, 1867. At that time there were a million rounds
of cartridge stored there, and 30,000 stand of arms, besides those of the
volunteers in an old "Cock-pit," which numbered 1,000 more. It was arranged by
the "men of action" that these should be seized and conveyed to Ireland to be
used in the rising which really took place in Kerry and the south a few days
biter. Happily, all this was defeated by the opportune disclosures of the
informer Corydon, and although the members of the Brotherhood met in Chester,
1,700 or 1,800 strong, and there was only a small detachment of 60 soldiers in
the Castle at the time, preparations had been so promptly completed, that not
only was no attempt actually made, but the raiders fled in all directions,
scattering ball cartridge, pistols, daggers, &c, as they went. The two
leaders, Captain McCafferty and Captain Flood, were arrested as they entered
Dublin Bay in a collier from Whitehaven, and were tried at the Special
Commission held at Dublin in the following April and May. McCafferty was
sentenced to death for high treason, and Flood to 15 years penal servitude for
treason felony. For his share in this matter Mr. Fenwick received the thanks of
the Home Secretary and the Irish Government. Mr. Fenwick was one of the few
Chief Constables who were called upon to give evidence before a Select Committee
of the House of Commons on the police superannuation question, and has had the
satisfaction of seeing some of his suggestions carried out. He also gave
evidence before the Lords Committee on intemperance. Outside his police
work, the subject of our sketch has been a frequent correspondent of the Times
newspaper during the last quarter of a century on crime, criminals, vagrancy,
licensing reform, drunkenness, and kindred topics. In other directions, too, his
pen has not been idle; and be has attracted some notice as a linguist, being
conversant with four or five modern languages. He is the author of "A German
Grammar," "A First Russian Course," and as a member of the Philological Society
was one of the readers for the colossal work now being published by the
Clarendon Press, and known as " The New Oxford Dictionary."
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 16 September 1893
CITY POLICE COURT. Monday. — Before the Mayor, Mr. Robt. Frost and Mr. E. L.
Bagnall. A Rough Time for a Policeman. — Edward Sweeney, a young man, was fined
10s. and costs, with the option of 14 days imprisonment, for being drunk and
riotous in Boughton on Saturday night. He assaulted a man who was passing the
bottom of Steven-street, and when P.C. Shires went to quell the disturbance
someone warned him that the prisoner had a knife. A crowd quickly collected, and
the prisoner threatened the officer that if he came near him he would run the
knife through him. He appeared determined to carry out the threat, but Shires,
striking him on the hand, caused him to drop whatever was in it, for whether it
was a knife he could not say. Another officer came up, and the obstreperous
youth was removed to the lock-up.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 23 September 1893 PRESENTATION TO A CHESTER
CONSTABLE. INTERESTING SPEECH BY MR FENWICK. THE POLICE FORCE FORTY YEARS
AGO:- The members of the City Police Force met at the Town Hall, yesterday
(Friday), to present a testimonial to Ex-Police Constable Diggory, who is
retiring on a pension after the exceptionally long service of nearly forty
years. The Chief Constable (Mr. G. L. Fenwick) who had been asked to make the
presentation, said:— We have met to-day to wish good-bye to an old comrade who
is laying aside the official harness, and retiring into private life, after
about forty years of faithful and honourable service. I very willingly take a
small part in the ceremony, and, if I may, would like to notice one or two
points which have struck mo in connection with it. Forty years is a large slice
of a man's life-time, even when he reaches three-score years and ten. (Hear,
hear.) When Diggory joined the Chester police I was still in my teens, and many
of you were not born for many years after that time. The police, as we know it,
had only been in existence sixteen or seventeen years, and still wore the top
hat with the glazed crown, the tail coat, and carried the ancient rattle,
without which the authorities of that time thought no constable's outfit
complete. (Laughter.) They had succeeded the ancient "Charlies," who came into
existence in the time of Charles 11, and were nick-named after that estimable
monarch. The principle upon which the “Charlies” were chosen was, as far as I
can make out, old age, unfitness for anything else, whatever may be said of the
police work they under-took, and a good storage capacity for — well, mineral
waters, or other fashionable beverage of the period. (Laughter) The new men wore
a distinct improvement upon them, one qualification, in particular, being
considered essential, namely, that they should be of gigantic proportions, with
some knowledge of "bruising " — (laughter) — or the noble art of self-defence.
All that, you know, is now a thing of the past. (Hear, hear.) I appreciate as
much as anybody a young fellow, intelligent, of good physique and with some
athletic skill, who likes his work and takes an interest in it. An eminent
statesman who died a few years ago, was addressing his constituents, when the
clever elector who is usually present on such occasions, made himself a nuisance
by asking nonsensical questions. "What do you stand upon?" he roared out, and
the candidate promptly replied "I stand upon my head," at the same time tapping
that part of his anatomy with his finger. That silenced his interrupter. Now I
like policemen to "stand upon their heads!" If they are to control the public by
mere brute force, they will, and must fail, if for no other reason than that
they would be over-matched in the proportion of a thousand to one. No; they are
the servants of the public, and should never forget almost the first sentence in
their book of rules, namely, that they are appointed and paid for "the
protection of life and property, and the preservation of public tranquillity."
The recent Police Act under which P.C. Diggory retires, has conferred great
advantages upon us, and we are fortunate, and always have been fortunate, in the
Watch Committee, who have the control of us. While jealous of what the public
are entitled to, the wants of the men receive the most careful and even generous
consideration at the hands of that body. (Hear, hear.) Coming back to the
immediate business in hand, I have no hesitation in saying that Diggory's record
is an extremely creditable one. For 27 or 28 years he has been in charge of the
police office and lock-ups at nights, and during that long period, and although
the duties have been of a very responsible kind, not a single complaint has been
made against him, either by the public, the Inspectors, or Sergeants, or the
prisoners, many thousands of whom he has had in his charge. That I look upon as
a most creditable record. At the last annual inspection I took the opportunity
to present him to Sir Herbert Croft, H.M. Inspector, who, with a perfect
courtesy, complimented Diggory upon his long service and record, and wished him
health and happiness to enjoy his well-earned pension. We all join in that wish
to-day, I am sure— (applause)— and I now in your name present him with the
hand-some timepiece I see on the table. (Applause.) I know he will appreciate
it, coming from his comrades with whom he has been so long associated, and I can
almost fancy I see him, when the Chester Police football team has beaten
Liverpool of Preston, or some of those crack clubs— (laughter)— throwing up his
hat, and calling upon the inscription on this beautiful clock as a witness that
he once belonged to that club. (Laughter and applause.) Diggory I sincerely wish
you long life and happiness on your retirement. (Loud applause.) Mr. Diggory
having feelingly replied, a vote of thanks was moved to the Chief Constable by
Inspector Price, and the interesting ceremony was brought to a close. The
timepiece bore the following inscription - "Presented to Thomas Diggory by the
members of the Chester City Police Force on his retirement, as a mark of esteem.
September, 1893 ". His Superannuated Pension awarded to him the week or son
before his retirement was £1 per week.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 28 October 1893 CHESTER STANDING JOINT COMMITTEE.
The quarterly meeting of this committee was held at Chester Castle on Saturday.
POLICEMEN AND THEIR PENSIONS. During the consideration of three applications for
police pensions, Mr. W. R. Earp said it was desirous that some inducement should
be held out to men who had completed their term of service to remain in the
force. Dr. Hodgson was of the same opinion, and, remarking on the superior stamp
of the new recruits, said there ought to be keen competition among the best
artizans of the day for vacancies in the police force. He thought they should
command the best men in the county. Colonel Hamersley replied that wherever
possible he did his best to retain the services of those who were eligible after
twenty-five years service, and who had risen into the higher ranks. He never
lost a good officer if it could be helped. (Hear, hear.)
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 20 January 1894 ATHLETIC NEWS. LOCAL FOOTBALL
NOTES. The Chester Police Athletic, who had the aid of Porter and Pay, were on
Saturday entirely routed by the Saltney Borderers on the Mount Pleasant
enclosure. Six goals to one is rather a big beating. The Police were in very
poor form, and played nothing like the game they have done lately. The following
were the teams — Chester Police Athletic : J. Pay, goal; Tarran and Davies,
backs; Porter, Johnson, and F. Parker, half-backs; Lunt. Jones, Allmark, Abbot,
and Muirhead, forwards. Saltney Borderers-. Roberts, goal ; E. Jonea and G.
Jones, backs ; C. Burlinson, w' Lindop, and W. Snell, half-basks; Phillps, J.
Parkinson, H. Williams, J. Meredith, and T. McHugh, forwards. Hostilities
were commenced by Williams for Saltney, but the Policemen had the first shie.
Abbot giving Roberts a bit of trouble. The Borderers forced a corner, and
Williams opened the scoring. Two minutes later J. Burlinson added a second. With
the aid of their centre half the Athletic pressed, and at length Lunt put one on
for his side. A long spell of give-and-take play ensued, and just before
half-time Philiips scored a third for Saltney. The Policemen seemed, tired in
the second half, and allowed three more points to be notched against them, the
final score being— Saltney six goals, Police one. The best of the new men on the
Police side was F. Parker, who tackled superbly at half-back.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 10 February 1894 ROBBERY ON THE CITY WALLS A LATE
RAMBLE At Chester Police Court on Wednesday, before the Mayor and Messrs. R. L.
Barker. W. Johnson, and W. Brown, Ellen Kilfoil, (alias Jones) was charged with
stealing £9 from the person of George Parker, commercial traveller, London, on
Tuesday night. Moses Jones, Kilfoil's reputed husband, was also charged with
receiving the money, knowing it to be stolen. The Chief Constable (Mr. Fenwick)
said Parker, who evidently was of an antiquarian turn of mind, took a walk round
the City Walls on Tuesday evening, and when near the Eastgate he met the
prisoner, Kilfoil, who robbed him of his purse and £9, under peculiar
circumstances. George Parker stated he was a commercial traveller, and lived in
London. He was staying at an hotel in City-road, and on the night mentioned he
left the theatre about eleven o'clock and took a walk round the Walls. He met
Kilfoil near the Eastgate. She said "How do you do." He replied "I do not know
you; you have made a mistake." Prisoner said "Oh, I mistook you for a waiter at
some hotel in town." She further asked where he was going, and he replied "Round
the Walls." He allowed her to come with him, and when near the Cathedral she
asked for some money. He pulled a purse containing £9 10s in gold and some
silver out of his pocket, and gave her 2s. They walked a little further, when
she placed her arms around him. She then left him, and witness thought she had
shuffled off rather peculiarly. He felt for his purse and found it had gone. He
ran after her, and she walked down the Eastgate steps. He saw her disappear at
the base and turn to the left, as if making for Boughton. He called two
policemen, P.C.'s. Wakelin and Pryce Wynne, and they, after hearing his tale,
took him down to Davies' court, Steam-mill- street, where the prisoners reside.
They knocked at the door, and after a little commotion in the house the female
prisoner opened the door. Witness recognised the woman, and told the policemen
that she had stolen the purse and money. She denied having taken it, but
confessed she had been for a walk with prosecutor. Despite her denials the
policemen took her into custody, and P.C. Wakelin asked "Where was Moses?'
Kilfoil said he had not come in, but the officer said he 'knew better." He went
upstairs and found Moses in the dark. (Laughter.) P.C. Wynne took Jones into
custody, and while the two prisoners were being taken to the station, Moses
called out to some one in the crowd, "Go in the back, room." After placing the
prisoners in the police station, the constables went down to Davies-court again,
and on going into the back room found the purse and money lying on the floor. It
was the exact amount he (witness) had lost. When prosecutor and the prisoners
saw each other, while the officers were in attendance, Moses Jones said to
Kilfoil, "Give him (the prosecutor) some of his money back," but witness
replied, "No, I want all the money." — P.C. Wakelin stated that about eleven
o'clock he saw the prosecutor and the female prisoner near the Eastgate, and
about 11.15 prosecutor complained to him, and with P.C. Pryce Wynne they went to
Davies-court. When he tried the door he heard steps, as if somebody was going
upstairs, and soon after Kilfoil came to the door. On the way to the police
office, Jones called to the man named O'Brien to go to the back room. — P.C.
Pryce Wynne corroborated, saying that the male prisoner called out to a woman
named “Antrobus” to go to the back room, but the officer said if she did he
would hold her responsible. Jones called about a dozen times to Peter O'Brien to
go to the back room. Witness returned to the back room later on with Sergeant
Culliford and found the purse and money — Jones denied knowing anything about
it. — Ellen Kilfoil on being asked if she had anything to say replied "I took
the money and I put it in the back room."— She was sentenced to four months hard
labour, while the prisoner Jones was remanded till Saturday.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 24 February 1894 LIFE IN CHESTER SLUMS POLICE COURT
PROCEEDINGS DISGUSTING REVELATIONS. Disgraceful disclosures were made at
the City Police Court on Saturday during the hearing of a batch of summonses
against people for keeping lodging-houses without being registered. The
evidence shewed a state of things which could not be worse in the East End of
London, and amply proved the necessity for Mr. B. C. Roberts’ scheme for
building cottage property. The magistrates on the Bench were Messrs. James
Brown, William Brown, and James Salmon, and Dr. Roberts. The Chief Constable
(Mr. Fenwick) explained that the summonses were taken out under the Public
Health Act. The first summons heard was that against Mary Greenwood, of
Hawarden Castle-entry, who it was explained had already been twice fined 20s and
costs for a similar offence. Detective-Inspector Gallagher, who is the inspector
of lodging houses, stated that he visited defendant's house on the 10th inst. at
11.40 p.m. The house, which was not a registered lodging-house, was owned by Mr.
Parry. In the kitchen he found two men named O'Neil and Reardon, who said they
were not lodgers, and were ordered out. There were seven other persons in the
kitchen, including Mrs. Greenwood's son and daughter-in-law, and five other
persons. Upstairs, in bedroom No. 1 there was a man named Hughes, who said he
paid 4d. a night; and in bedroom No. 2 there was a man named Henry Jones, and a
man named John Connor, who also said he paid 4d. a night for some time. There
were three bedrooms in the house, and altogether eight lodgers, and three of the
family. The house was in a bad state of repair and very dirty. In each of the
rooms there were three beds, where, according to the scale under which the
houses were registered, there should only have been one. The Chief Constable
explained that they allowed 400 cubic feet for sleeping space in these rooms. —
Defendant, in answer to the Bench, said she had no other way of getting her
living. She had been a widow for 15 years. The Chairman: We cannot allow this
sort of thing to go on. You were fined 20s. and costs in May and August of last
year. Inspector Gallagher: The house is not fit to be registered.— Defendant: A
gentleman came with Mr. Wharton and said he found no fault with the house.—
Gallagher added that among the people in the house were Harriet Hughes and her
husband, a woman named Mary Morgan, and a woman named Grey. Defendant herself
slept in the scullery.— The Chairman, in imposing a fine of £2 and costs, with
the alternative of a month's hard labour, said defendant had not paid the least
attention to what had happened before, and therefore they doubled the fine.—
Defendant: Thank you. The case against Michael King, 8, St. Olave-street,
was next gone into. Gallagher stated that he visited defendant's house, which
was not a registered lodging-house, about 11. 20 on the evening of the 10th
inst. In the kitchen he found defendant, his daughter (13), his son (15), a man
and wife named Finn, and a man named John O'Leary, a man and wife named Walker,
and three children, upstairs. Altogether there were three bedrooms in the house,
and twelve persona— nine lodgers and the family. The bedrooms were small, and in
a filthy state. There was no yard. In one room there were two beds for four
people, and the room was only fit for one bed. Bedroom No. 2, which was occupied
by the family, was very small, and in the third bedroom there were three beds
for six people. The married couple and the Walkers family slept in the same
room. The house was very dirty, and three bags of chaff, which were in the
fireplace, made things worse.— Defendant said he used to work for the
Corporation, but now he was employed by Mr. Vernon. —The Chief Constable
explained that the house was owned by T. Ibbertson, of Burwardsley, and the rent
was 3s. a week. This being defendant's first appearance he was fined 10s. and
costs, or seven days. Wm. Henry Heath, of 3, Royle's-court, St
Olave-street, was next dealt with. Here Gallagher found in the kitchen, the
defendant his wife, son (17), and daughter (13). Upstairs in a very small room
he found a man. and an “unfortunate”. They said they paid 3s. a week. The house
was very dirty and out of repair- Defendant remarked that that was the
landlord’s fault, not his. The man and woman told him they were married, and
asked him to give them accommodation until they got somewhere to go to. He never
had a lodger in his life — Fined 10s. and costs. In the case of Patrick
Coyle — for whom his wife, a respectable-looking woman appeared—of Hawarden
Castle-entry, Gallagher deposed to finding in the kitchen defendant, his wife,
and child. The kitchen was a small one, and there was a scullery in which
lodgers were formerly kept, though not now. In bedroom No. 1 he found Bridget
Wild, who had been there a fortnight, and paid 2s. a week, and in a corner were
a man named Blake and his wife, who said they had been there for a month. There
were three beds, and six people in one room, which was only fit for two people.
Defendant, his wife, and three children all slept in the same bed. Mr. Parry
owned the house.— The Chairman: It is disgraceful.— We have had several attempts
to improve the entry, but have not succeeded yet.— The Chief Constable:
Defendant has been fined 20s. and costs on one occasion, and 50s. and costs. —
The Magistrates' Clerk (Mr. Sharps): Are these houses fit to live in, I should
say not.— The Chairman: I think some representation should be made. — A fine of
40s. and costs was imposed.— Defendant: My husband is out of work and very ill,
and I have just been confined. — The Chairman: I am not surprised that he is
ill. The house is not fit to live in. Margaret McAndrew, an old woman, lives in
Parry's-entry. Her house, which is not registered, was visited by Inspector
Gallagher on the 11th inst. A man named Morris, who lived with the woman, opened
the door. Defendant was sleeping in the kitchen, and Morris told Gallagher he
had been sleeping there also. In the scullery, which the Inspector described as
a filthy place, there was a woman named Crimes and a man. Crimes is a widow, and
the man said she was his wife. They said they paid 4s. a week, and had been
there for some time. In bedroom No. 1 he found Mrs. Crimes' son, John, who had
been there eleven weeks, and paid. 4d a night, and in the same bed was a man
named Kelly who said he 3d - a night. The house was in a shocking state, and in
the inspector's opinion was not fit for habitation.— Defendant said the parish
was keeping her. She was getting 2s. a week The Chief Constable: What about Mr.
Morris? He is a villain.— Mr. Fenwick: I agree with you.— The Chairman: What are
we to do with this old woman ? — The Chief Constable: If she will give up
keeping lodgers we will not press the case.— Defendant said she could not get
rid of her lodgers, and on the Chairman suggesting that she should go into the
workhouse, she said "I am not going into the workhouse yet. It would be a pity
to put me into the workhouse yet. I wouldn't be in the workhouse long before I'd
be dead. The lodgers keep me with the little I'm getting."— The Chairman: If you
don't get rid of the lodgers we shall put you into prison. — The case was
adjourned for a week.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 3 March 1894 CHESTER POLICE & ST. JOHN AMBULANCE
ASSOCIATION. On Wednesday evening, at the Town Hall, the successful members of
the City Police Force in the St. John Ambulance Class were presented with their
certificates by the Mayor (Alderman Gilbert). There was a large attendance,
including Messrs. A. Hamilton (sheriff), Chas. Brown, J. J. Cunnah, Roger
Jackson, J. P. Davies, J. Jones, T. Brown, R. C. Davies, R. P. Bradbury, and A.
H. Davies, Drs. Roberts and Stolterfoth, and Mr. G. L. Fenwick (Chief
Constable). The Mayor, who presided, said they were met together to shew their
respect to an able and important body of men, upon whom the comfort and well
being of the city was dependent. A policeman's duty was very different from that
of a soldier's. Policemen should be men of great tact, patience, and courage.
They had to contend with difficulties single handed, and were required to deal
with individuals as well as multitudes. He (Mr. Gilbert) had been acquainted
with the Chester force for the past 18 years, and he had never seen such an able
body of men as they had now. (Applause). They were steady men, and their success
in ambulance work, with its many branches, reflected great credit upon them. The
surgeon-major, who examined the men, expressed himself well satisfied with the
men's work. (Applause). Dr. George Harrison, police surgeon, then called the
successful men on to the platform to receive their certificates from the Mayor.
Mr. J. J. Cunnah, deputy chairman of the Watch Committee, in presenting a large
framed photograph of the whole of the present police force to Dr. Harrison, in
recognition of his services during the past year, said it was unnecessary for
him to dilate upon the qualifications of Dr. Harrison. (Applause). He then read
the memorial accompanying the picture. It stated that the notion of presenting
the doctor with something that would shew to him in tangible form their
gratefulness for the kindnesses they had received at his hands, had been
simmering in their minds for some time, but it was probably brought to a crisis
by the series of lectures given by him to the men in connection with the St.
John Ambulance Association. This work he certainly could not be said to have
performed in a perfunctory manner, for he had supplemented the lectures with
numerous instructions and demonstrations in the practical part of the work, and
particularly in stretcher drill. So good was his system and so satisfactory the
result of his teaching that when the examination came round the percentage of
failures was only one in twenty-six. (Applause) For the trouble he thus took,
and for his splendid services to the force and some of their families during the
thirteen years of his association with it, they wished him to accept that
picture as evidence of their esteem. The address was signed on behalf of the
force by F. Culliford, W. Steen, and G. Clutton. Dr. Harrison, in returning
thanks, was pleased to note that at the time the photograph was taken in
December, not one of the men was ill. That could only be accounted for by the
number of young men in the Force who were in the prime of life. (Applause) The
institutions of Chester were generally ancient, but the police force was not.
(Applause) Previous to 1866 the police officers were attended to by the house
surgeon of the General Infirmary, but in March, 1866, Chester thought it would
be the same as other towns, and Mr. John Weaver was appointed the first police
surgeon. He died in 1869, and was succeeded by his (the speaker's) father, the
late Mr. Job Harrison, and on December 8th, 1880, he (Dr. Harrison) was himself
elected police surgeon, and had held the appointment ever since. He wished to
inform the men who had gained the certificates that they should not suppose the
mere possession of those certificates enabled them to render first aid. If they
passed the examination all right they had the tendency to believe that they
could pass an examination at any time. That was a fallacy, and unless they kept
themselves well read on the matter they would find themselves not as efficient
as they thought they were. He had always a weakness for the police and always
liked to see a heavy sentence passed on a criminal who had assaulted a
policeman. He would always look kindly on that picture, and would have great
satisfaction in saying "this is the gift of my boys." (Applause) The Chairman
then asked Mr. Fenwick to accept a similar picture from the men as a token of
the respect in which they held him. The memorial accompanying the presentation
stated that it was not necessary in the case of a gentleman who had been so long
associated with the public service as the Chief Constable to seek for any excuse
for making him the recipient of some slight testimonial of the appreciation in
which he was held by his men. No sooner was the idea mooted than it was warmly
welcomed by all. The Chief Constable had on all occasions taken a fatherly
interest in his men, and had advised them for the best. There could be no doubt
that as long as his officers took his advice they would not go wrong. Whenever
it had happened that a man had had to be noticed or rewarded for any meritorious
conduct one could plainly see the unfeigned pleasure which the Chief Constable
took in the award, and, as it would sometimes happen, even in the best
disciplined force, when it had been his duty to mete out punishment, he had done
so with the greatest reluctance, and only the strictest sense of duty and
justice could make it possible to him. Mr. Fenwick, in acknowledgment, thanked
Dr. Harrison for his great services to the force, and added that since his first
coming to Chester 30 years ago the forces, as well as the City, had made
considerable progress. He remembered when Foregate-street was nearly perfectly
dark, and at night he had to grope his way along. The large boulder stones used
in paving Abbey-street were well in evidence then, and that ancient style struck
him as being very peculiar. The old Exchange was very dilapidated, and all the
talk of the town then was about building a new one. He was more than gratified
to find that he had been able to earn the esteem of his men. (Applause) In
conclusion he proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman, Mr. Cunnah, and those
who bad assisted in the ambulance work. Inspector Leech seconded, and the
compliment was heartily accorded. The photographs, which were admirable works of
art, were produced by Mr. G. Atkinson, Northgate-street. COUNTY POLICE
PRESENTATION TO DR. HARRISON. On Tuesday, at the headquarters of the County
Constabulary, Colonel Hamersley, Chief Constable of Cheshire, in a few very
fitting remarks, on behalf of several members of the force, some of whom had
attended the late ambulance class, presented the police Burgeon with a handsome
Gladstone bag, to mark their appreciation of his services. Dr. Harrison very
suitably acknowledged their kindness.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 14 April 1894 MORE SLUM DISCLOSURES. THE TELEPHONE
MESSAGE At the City Police Court on Thursday, Margaret McAndrew, 2,
Parry's-entry, was charged with keeping an unregistered lodging-
house.—Detective-Inspector Gallagher stated that he had visited the house, and
had found defendant and a man called Kelly. In the scullery was Mrs. Finn, and
there was another man upstairs. — The Chief Constable pointed out that if the
proceedings were not to be reduced to a farce something must be done at once,
and it was decided to ask Messrs. Shone and Adams (who collected rents for
Parry's-entry) to appear as witnesses. Mrs. McAndrew, who is an old woman, was
very distressed, as "she had no father or mother.'' (Laughter.) Susannah
Williams, 33, Watergate-street, appeared on a similar charge. She had large
premises in Watergate-street, and they were visited on Sunday night at 12.30 by
Detective Inspector Gallagher. In one bedroom the officer found a man named
Hassall and three of his children, and in another his wife and five other
children. In a third room was a man called McDermott and a woman, who made a
hasty exit through the roof on to the slates. Two men, who paid 5s. per week,
were found in a fourth room; Edith Williams and her child in another small one,
while McGinty and a woman named Hughes occupied a fifth. The place was dirty and
in a dilapidated condition. Messrs. Shone and Adams collected the rents. At this
point the court waited for some time for the appearance of a representative of
Messrs. Shone and Adams, but ultimately the Chairman (Mr. C. Brown) said that a
telephone message had been received from Mr. Beresford Adams, saying that he had
talked the matter over with Mr. Shone, and they thought it would not be
necessary for them to appear as witnesses. At the instance of Mr. Fenwick the
cases were adjourned till the next day, witnesses' summonses for Messrs. Shone
and Adams being applied for. Michael King, 8, St. Olave-street, was also charged
by Detective-Inspector Gallagher with keeping an unlicensed lodging-house.
Witness visited the house at 12.30 on Sunday night. In the first bedroom he
found King and his wife, in another a man called Walker, his daughter (10), Mrs.
Walker, and two boys, and Edward Finn and his wife. Defendant had been before
the court in February last for a similar offence. He was fined 20s. and costs,
or fourteen days' hard labour. — Mary Ann Acton, 7, Kiln-court, appeared on a
similar charge. Gallagher visited the house at 11.15 on Saturday night. He found
Mrs. Acton and her daughter, and in another room a man and an unfortunate named
Tracy, and their child. The case was adjourned for a week. MR. FENWICK AND
MR. SHONE. A HEATED DIALOGUE. At the City Police Court yesterday (Friday),
before the Mayor, Messrs. Charles Brown and J. Salmon, the case against Margaret
McAndrew was heard de novo. — Detective Gallagher repeated his evidence, and the
Chief Constable added that the house was very filthy and out of repair. Messrs.
Shone and Adams were the agents, and Mr. Parry the owner. — Mr. Shone, on being
sworn, stated the condition of the house was as good as the tenants. He believed
the root of all this evil was the insufficiency of relief given by the Chester
Board of Guardians to the poor. This woman was only allowed 2s. per week, and
out of that she had to pay 2s. 6d per week as rent. (Laughter.) She had to
over-crowd her dwelling in order to live. About 30 years ago the poor of Chester
did receive a fair allowance, and there was considerably less slumdom (sic) then
than now. They could not get a living wage. (Laughter.) According to the health
return there was not a healthier spot in Chester than Parry's Entry. — Mr.
Fenwick: Do you forget that a man was found dead alongside this woman in bed? I
think we are going a long way over the mark. — Mr. Sharpe (Magistrates' Clerk)
said the question was whether this woman should keep an unregistered
lodging-house or not. — The Mayor: She must either keep lodgers or starve. — Mr.
Shone urged that it was not right that owners should exercise a magisterial
judgment over their tenants as to what they should keep. — Mr. Fenwick: I will
perhaps try and bring a conviction home to some of the Chester landlords. — Mr.
Shone (to Mr. Fenwick): That is a threat, but I am quite prepared to meet you at
any time. Mr. Fenwick: l am very much obliged to you as a public officer for the
help you give us. I have got another case in which you are interested. — Mr.
Shone : l am not subpoened (sic) in that case. — Mr. Fenwick : I shall summon
you again then. — Mr. Hughes, clerk to Mr. Shone, deposed that he had collected
the rents of Parry's-entry, but on being cross-examined by Mr. Fenwick, he did
not know what repairs had been done to the houses lately. The defendant's house
was up to the average in Parry's-entry. — Mr. Fenwick : Oh ! — Defendant was
fined 5s including costs. The case against Mrs. Williams, Watergate- row, was
dismissed, the Clerk (Mr. Sharpe) being asked to write to the Public Health
Committee on the subject. — The Mayor did not think this was quite a case of an
unregistered lodging-house, because the defendant's lodgers paid so much per
week, and had been staying with her for a considerable time.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 5 May 1894 Police Promotion in Chester. His many
friends will be pleased to learn that at a recent meeting of the Watch
Committee P C Clutton of the Chester Police Force, was promoted to the rank of
Sergeant.
THE PERILS OF THE STREETS - AN EXPERT FEMALE THIEF. On the night of the 12th
April a respectably- dressed young man named Charles Henry Evans, while walking
along City-road, was accosted by a girl named Catherine Carbishley After
exchanging a "good night " Evans stopped, as he was waiting for his brother,
where-upon the woman put her arm round him. His purse, containing £2 11s., was
then in his back pocket. The woman went down the steps leading to the canal, and
he followed her suspecting that she had taken his purse. He took her hand and
found his purse in it. For time he tried to get it out of her hand, and
eventually he bit her, whereupon she shouted "murder." A man came up and hit him
on the temple with a stick four or five times. Evans retaliated by kicking, and
the man ran away. Eventually Evans became master of the situation, got his purse
back, and left the woman lying on the ground. On Thursday night last a navvy
found his stick in the canal and he had now got it back. He had no doubt the
prisoner in the dock, Catherine Carbishley, was the woman who attempted to rob
him. — Detective-Inspector Gallagher on receiving information of the affair went
the following evening to a house in Steven-street, where he found prisoner in
bed. He examined her right hand, on which there were two distinct teeth marks.
The next morning he went for her, but she had gone. On Tuesday night P.C.
Arthur Hughes arrested the women in the street on a charge of loitering, and she
was brought up at the City Police Court yesterday (Friday).— lnspector Gallagher
added that the young woman was an expert thief, and was wanted on two other
charges of stealing watches from men, but fortunately for her the prosecutors
were married men. — Prisoner tearfully protested that, though she were to drop
dead in the dock, it was not she who stole the purse. In her next breath,
however, she pleaded guilty, and received sentence of two months' hard labour.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 30 June 1894 CITY POLICE COURT. Saturday. — Before
Messrs. H. T. Brown. J. Salmon, R. Frost, and Dr. Roberts. ASSAULTING THE
CHESTER POLICE. At the City Police Court, to-day, Thomas Molyneaux, Handbridge,
who made his 38th appearance, was charged with sleeping out and with assaulting
P.C. George Wakelin. The constable stated he saw prisoner sleeping in an
outhouse on Mr. Jarvis' nurseries at Handbridge early on Friday morning, and on
removing him to the police station Molyneaux kicked him on the legs. Sent to
gaol for a month with hard labour.
Stealing a Dog's Collar. — Benjamin Hughes, carter, Fosbrook-street, Boughton,
pleaded guilty to stealing a dog's collar, value 7s., the property of R. C.
Horswill, tailor, Egerton-street. Horswill missed the collar on Saturday
afternoon. P.C. McGowan subsequently saw Hughes in Brook-street, and upon asking
him for the collar Hughes pulled it from underneath his coat, and said " I took
it off the dog for a lark." — The Mayor said dog collar stealing was very
prevalent in the city, and three or four had been stolen off his own dog's neck.
— Prisoner was fined 10s. and costs, or, in default of payment, fourteen hard
labour. Miscellaneous. — Jane Taff, a brawny Scotch- woman, was summoned for
being drunk and riotous on City-road, on Sunday morning. She was only half
clothed, and had a lot of youths playing round her. Sent to Knutsford for 21
days' hard labour. P.C. Griffiths (27) laid the information. — Margaret Jones
was sent to gaol for a month, and Martha Leek for fourteen days, for loitering
in Foregate-street on Sunday evening. P.C.s Griffiths and Abbot proved the
cases.
Wednesday. — Before Messrs. W. Brown, H. T. Brown, R. L. Barker, and Dr.
Stolterfoth. Suspicious Characters. — Wm. Caldwell, 10, Davies'-court, was
charged with frequenting. P.C. Tarran stated that soon after one on Wednesday
morning prisoner was loitering in George-street. The officer knew that he was an
associate of people of bad repute, and having received information that several
men had tried to open some shutters in Brook-street he arrested him. Prisoner
was unable to give a satisfactory account of himself. The magistrates committed
him to gaol for 21 days, with hard labour. — Michael McGive, 40, Steven- street,
and Thomas Byrne, 3, Steven-street, were charged with sleeping out in
Seaville-street on Tuesday night. P.C. Tarran discovered them sleeping near
Messrs. Frosts Mill. They confessed that they had been in Brook-street with
Caldwell (the prisoner in the last case). They were sent to prison for 14 days
with hard labour.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 29 September 1894 CITY POLICE COURT. Monday.—
Before Mr. W. Brown and Dr. Roberts. The Policeman Excited Her. — Mary
Fairclough, a decently-dressed woman from Newtown, who made her first
appearance, was summoned by P.C. Hughes (24) for riotous and rowdy behaviour in
Thomas -street, Newtown, at twelve o'clock on Saturday night. Fairclough's
husband stated that for the first time in her life, on Saturday, his wife got a
little drink. She was rowdy, and he sent for the policeman to see if that would
quieten her. The presence of the officer, however, made her worse, and she had
to be sobered by a night in a lonely cell. Mrs. Fairclough was released on
promising not to appear again.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 13 October 1894 THE ALLEGED ROBBERY IN PARRY'S
ENTRY. At the Chester City Police Court yesterday (Friday), Before Messrs. R.
Frost and H. Stolterfoth, Anne Lane, of Parry's Entry, was charged with stealing
£18 or £20 from Henry Hinde, a traveller employed at some works at Frodsham.
William McDermott, Parry's Entry, was also charged with receiving a £5 note, the
property of Hind, knowing it to have been stolen. Peter O'Brien, junior,
Boughton was charged with receiving a portion of the note. The Chief Constable
(Mr. Fenwick) said the case was adjourned from Last week. The prosecutor Hinde
repeated his evidence, adding that when he met Lane in the City-road he decided
to go with her to her house. He did not know how he got there; he thought he
must have been drugged. He had had some drink. They retired to bed about twelve
o'clock, and he awoke about ten o'clock next morning. Lane was not in the house
then. All his money (except a £5 note) had gone, and about eleven o'clock, whole
he was sitting in the house in his shirt sleeves, he gave another woman, named
Macleary the £5 note, and asked her to change it. She took it from him but never
returned. He had lost about £25 or £26 altogether. Witness had been out
collecting debts for his employers that day. — Wm. Finchett Roberts, landlord of
the Lord Raglan, stated on the 4th instant McDermott brought five men to his
public-house and paid for some drink for them. He tendered a £5 note, and
witness, thinking something was wrong, made McDermott sign his name at the back.
He signed "J. or F. McDermott, Watergate-street, Chester." — Mary Macleary, the
woman who obtained the £5 note from Hind, was in her house about eleven o'clock,
when the Prisoner Lane asked her would she have a drink. They sent out for two
gallons of ale, and witness tried to borrow some money from Lane. When witness
went into the house where Hinde was, he was sitting round the fire with four or
five other women, and was in his shirt sleeves. He told her his trouble, and
said he had been cleared out of all except the £5 note, which was in his
waistcoat pocket. "Kate the Cook," or some other woman said "Isn't it a shame;
someone has stolen this gentleman's money" Hinde said he thought it was Lane who
had stolen it. Hind gave witness the £5 note, and told her to change it for him.
She went outside the house and gave the note to her husband (McDermott) who ran
away with it. She had not seen her husband since until that morning. — Detective
Crewe arrested the two male prisoners at Crewe. They each had a new rig-out of
clothes, which they had bought in Crewe. — A pawnbroker's assistant, named Pope,
said the prisoner Lane purchased several pounds worth of clothing from his
establishment. She paid in sovereigns, and said she had just drawn her wages. —
The magistrates did not think there was any evidence against O'Brien, and he was
discharged. Lane, who pleaded not guilty, was committed to the Sessions, and
McDermott, who pleaded guilty, was sent to gaol for four months with hard
labour.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 8 December 1894 CITY POLICE COURT. Wednesday.—
Before Mr. J. Thompson and Dr. Stolterfoth. Frequenting. — William Hopkins, who
stated that he had walked from Manchester and arrived in Chester about a quarter
to three in the morning, was arrested in Foregate-street by P.C. Dryland. The
officer thought that prisoner was frequenting with intent to break the eighth
Commandment, and conducted him to the police station, where it was found that a
warrant was out against him for neglecting to appear in answer to a summons
charging him with being drunk in October. He had been before the magistrates
twenty-nine times. Prisoner was sent to prison for one month with hard labour
for frequenting, and ordered to pay 10s. and costs, or seven days, to run
concurrently, for the drunkenness.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 6 July 1895 A Brave Chester Constable. — At the
City Police Court on Saturday morning, the Mayor said it gave him great pleasure
to present P.C. Betts with the Royal Humane Society's certificate on vellum,
which had been awarded him for bravery displayed by the officer some time ago,
in leaping over a wall into the canal to rescue a boy who had fallen in. Betts
was unable to swim, and, in his (the Mayor's) opinion, that was an argument in
favour of good public baths for the city, where everybody who liked could learn
to swim.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 1 August 1885 THE CITY QUARTER SESSIONS- THE CHARGE
AGAINST A POLICE SERGEANT. John Plimmer, a Sergeant in the Chester City Police
Force, on bail, next surrendered to an indictment charging him with indecent
exposure to Elizabeth Jones, wife of Thomas Samuel Jones, at the Flint Boat
House Tavern, Crane-street, on the 22nd June. Great interest was displayed in
the case, the Court being crowded.— Mr B. H. Lloyd prosecuted, and Mr Marshall
defended.— The latter at the commencement of the case, and when the indictment
was about to be read, challenged the form of indictment, that it did not
sufficiently express the "public place" as required by law. The objection was,
however, over-ruled, and the case proceeded. The case having been opened by the
learned counsel for the prosecution, Mr and Mrs Jones and other witnesses were
called, who deposed to the facts as already reported, but which are shortly as
follows: — Mrs Jones deposed that on the night in question she heard a knock on
the table in the parlour, and on going there she saw Plimmer and the woman
sitting behind the door. Plimmer asked for a bottle of ginger beer to mix with
his porter. Witness took the ginger beer, for which Plimmer paid. About six or
seven minutes afterwards, when standing at the back door, she heard a strange
noise in the parlour, in consequence of which she went into the room and saw
Plimmer and the woman behaving in an improper manner. She said "Oh, is that your
little game ; come out of that ! You, above all men! You shall hear more of
this. I’ll let you know if you shall make my house into a brothel." Plimmer said
in a low tone "No harm; no harm done" He then left the woman, who went to drink
the porter that was on the table, but witness refused to allow her to drink it,
and, catching hold of her by the jacket, ordered her to leave the house. Witness
then ordered Plimmer to leave, and after he had arranged his dress they both
went. Neither of them said anything more. Witness said she should report the
matter to Mr Fenwick in the morning. The parlour in question was a public one,
used by customers frequenting the house. Both Mrs Jones and her husband, Samuel
Jones, were subjected to a searching cross-examination, the former going through
the ordeal with her evidence in chief apparently unshaken.— Jones himself was
cross-questioned by Mr Marshall more particularly as to his being prosecutor in
the case. He said he was aware of what had taken place in regard to the prisoner
before the Watch Committee, but be did not think their action was enough; he
wanted a little more. He considered that a man like Plimmer, who had a house of
his own, and who would come into another person's house to commit such an act as
that complained of, was not a fit person to appear before magistrates in a
public place to give evidence; he ought to be kicked out of the police force.
Being questioned as to who was finding the money for the prosecution, and
whether a good deal of sympathy was not shown towards him, the witness said he
had not seen anyone who was helping him as yet. He had said very little of it to
any one.— William Barnett and. John Crimes also gave evidence, concluding the
evidence for the prosecution.—Mr Marshall, for the defence, submitted that there
was no evidence to support the Indictment in regard to three particulars. First,
that there was no evidence to answer that this was a "public place"; secondly,
that there was no evidence to show that it was a wilful exposure, as he
submitted it must be, in order to satisfy the indictment; and thirdly, that the
evidence, supposing Mr’s Jones to be believed, was to the effect that only one
person was present, which was not sufficient to support the indictment. On the
latter point the evidence was clearly insufficient, as no other parson than Mrs
Jones had sworn to what had been suggested. The learned counsel quoted cases in
support of his argument, shewing that the whole burden of the charge consisted
in more persons than one being present. He also argued on the "wilful exposure"
phase of the case, urging that it could not be sustained that this was really
only a private room, and that the landlady herself was only led there by
curiosity, — Mr. Lloyd, in his reply, argued in the negative on the "public
aspect of the question, pointing out that, so far from the room in question
using a private room, it was "a publio room in a public house next to a public
highway." Hs also contended that the "wilful" element was not at all necessary
to constitute the offence. He thought it was unnecessary for him to deal with
this part of the question, because they had two people who were spectators of
the indecency — Mrs Jones and the woman Mary Davies herself. — Mr Marshall was
heard in opposition. He said if the legal aspect of the case was unsettled and
which as even the prosecution themselves allowed was uncertain— the accused
ought most certainly to have the benefit of the doubt— The learned Recorder said
with reference to the first aspect of the case, namely, that the place in
question was a public place, the authorities were somewhat meagre. But this much
must necessarily be conceded, that this was the first room in a public-house,
the doors of which were open during the hours of licence. The arrangement of the
room was also public, and in his opinion it was idle to suggest that a public
parlour in a public-house was not a place within the meaning of the law. With
reference to the next point, that it was not a "wilful" exposure, he did not
suppose any other word in the English language had occasioned so much
difficulty. But he must hold for this purpose that the act was wilful; whilst
also as to the last and most difficult point, respecting the alleged act being
in the presence of a second party, he must, for the purpose of the day,
over-rule that objection also. The learned Recorder, however, intimated that
should necessity arise he would facilitate the statement of a case, as it was
quite time these points were settled — The learned counsel for the defence then
proceeded to address the Court. After alluding to Plimmer's good character in
the Police Force for twenty years, as argued on what he called the "violent
improbabilities of the case." If the tale for the prosecution were true, ha
said, Plimmer might as well have gone on the market-place where the act was
alleged to have taken place. The real facts were, Plimmer dropped a penny and
both he and his niece— the female alluded to— were searching for it when Mrs
Jones rushed in and brought the present accusation. He didn't at all challenge
the bona fides of Mr’s Jones's evidence, but he argued that she was mistaken,
and that the bare assertion even at the act alluded to was ridiculous. In
conclusion, he argued upon the jury that they must be thoroughly satisfied the
case was made out against the accused before convicting him.— He then called
Mary Davies, who said she was cousin to Plimmer's wife. She of course denied all
alleged by the prosecution. In cross-examination she was closely questioned as
to the place of her domicile since the occurrence. She first of all said she
lodged at Plimmer's house and slept there on the night of the 22nd June, but
subsequently modified it by saying she slept at Williams's, where she had been
on approbation for service, but had now left.— The Chief Constable gave the
prisoner a good character for twenty years.— Mr Marshall having addressed the
Court for his client, and Mr E. H. Lloyd having replied, the learned Recorder
summed up the case to the jury, leaving it entirely to them as one of fact.— The
Jury retired at ten minutes to six, and shortly after six returned into Court
with a verdict of "guilty."— The Recorder (addressing Mr Marshall) said in that
case he proposed to postpone the sentence till the points alluded to were raised
in a superior court. In the meantime he would accept bail for the prisoner's
appearance to come up when called upon.— Mr Marshall concurred, observing that
the case could not be argued till after the vacation.— Prisoner's bail, it was
understood, would be found.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 3 August 1895 SMALL POX AT CHESTER. A case of this
malady has occurred at Chester, the victim being Police-Constable Tarran, of the
City Police Force, who was removed by order of the medical authorities to the
special hospital at the Chester Infirmary on Thursday night. Dr. Harrison
(police surgeon) and other medical gentlemen have seen the patient, in order to
diagnose the complaint from which he is suffering. The house where Tarran lodged
has been thoroughly disinfected by the sanitary authorities. It is stated that
Tarran has had his holidays, having visited Blackpool and the Isle of Man, and
left the island for Chester about three weeks ago.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 24 August 1895 PROSECUTION OF A CHESTER PUBLICAN.
FIGHT IN HANDBRIDGE. At Chester City Police Court to-day (Friday), Alfred
Notley, of the Ship Inn, Handbridge, was charged at the instance of P.C. Porter
with permitting disorderly conduct on his licensed premises on Saturday. Mr. F.
Lloyd appeared for the defence. The officer stated that on the day in question
he was on duty in Handbridge, about 9.15 in the evening. He heard a noise and
saw a crowd of about fifty or sixty people outside the Ship Inn. Witness went to
the house, saw defendant standing in the doorway, and enquired what was the
reason for the noise. Defendant replied that he did not want any policemen, and
hinted in rather strong language, that Porter should mind his own business.
Witness went into the bar and found two men, Edward Buckley and Samuel Totty,
stripped to the waist fighting, one was bleeding. He stopped them. He then asked
the landlord his name, to which question the reply was, "You will see my name
over the door." Mrs. Randall, Handbridge, deposed that defendant separated the
men, not Porter. She never beard Nott use any bad language to the officer. He
told the men that a policeman could never be found when one was wanted, and the
officer said, "Here is one." J. Profitt, Welsh Hays, Lower Bridge-street,
deposed that he was in the house and saw the fight, it was a mere "wrostle,"
although one man was bleeding. Notley gave evidence and deposed that it was not
a fight, but a "rough and tumble." The reason he spoke rudely was because he
thought it was a policeman who had insulted his wife about three months before.
— Another case was then gone into, in which defendant was charged with being
drunk on his premises. P.C. Porter deposed that after the row in the last case
he went to Lower Bridge-street and got P.C. Williams to come back to the house
with him. They went and found the landlord in the bar, drunk. They asked him to
go into the smoke-room, and defendant said they could not as it was private.
They went in and found three women and four men in the room. The women were
drunk, also three of the men. Defendant acknowledged that they had had a drop
too much liquor. Porter charged defendant with being drunk, and defendant said
to another man in the bar "Look at their little game; take a note of it." — P.C.
Williams deposed that he did not hear these remarks, but defendant used a
disgusting expression towards him. — Mrs. Randalls and Profitt were again
called. The latter said he did not think defendant was under the influence of
drink, but at first would not be certain. — The Bench considered that the first
case was proved, and ordered defendant to be fined 20s. and costs, or 14 days
hard labour; and in the second case gave defendant the benefit of the doubt,
believing him to be excited. The licence was not endorsed.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 5 September 1885 CHESTER AND THE LIVES OF SOME OF
IT’S INHABITANTS. COMPLAINTS FROM THE MILITARY. REFORMATION IN STORE FOR PARRY'S
ENTRY. At the City Police Court, on Wednesday morning, a lamentable spectacle
was witnessed. The dock was seen to be full of young women, whose ages would
hardly reach twenty summers. It was evident that the police had begun a work
much needed in putting a stop to the loitering which prevails in the city so
extensively. Perhaps few of the spectators were prepared to witness the hardened
bearing of the prisoners, or to bear them refuse the offer of assistance to
"turn over a new leaf." The offer of help was made to the accused again and
again, and was, sad to say, many times refused. The magistrates on the bench
were the Mayor (Ald. C. Brown) in the chair, Dr Churton and W. Johnson, T. Q.
Roberts, and L. Gilbert, Esqrs. The prisoners first called upon were Margaret
Finn, aged 19, and Sarah Ellen Roberts, aged 19, both of Parry's Entry, who were
charged with “loitering." PC. Salmon deposed that about eleven o'clock on the
previous night the prisoners were found behaving in a very disorderly manner in
Eastgate-street; opposite the Grosvenor Hotel. They had a soldier with them, and
they were pushing him about the street, and behaving in an indecent manner, so
they were taken into custody. Both prisoners were known to be prostitutes, and
Roberts, after she was taken in charge, became violent. Inspector Lindsay
corroborated this statement, and said that the conduct of the prisoners had been
the subject of complaint by several persons that evening. Both prisoners had
been previously convicted, and they were now fined 10s and costs each or seven
days imprisonment. Margaret Ann Williams, of 2, Royle's-court, and Mary Ann
Smith, of Castle-street, both very young, were then called upon. The Chief
Constable stated that for the past few weeks a number of that class of girls had
been swarming about the Castle gates and the Grosvenor-road. Complaints had been
received from the military, and also from the residents of Carson Park. The
prisoners had been brought up that day not so much that they might be punished,
but that the nuisance might be stopped And he (the Chief Constable) had received
an intimation that five of the prisoners could be received into a House of
Shelter, if only they were willing to go, for some kind ladies were interesting
themselves in the matter, so that they would be helped to a respectable position
once mere. P.C. Evans then stated that be found both of the prisoners loitering
on the City Walls about six o’clock on the previous evening. They were coming
from the direction of the Grosvenor-road. The Chief Constable also deposed to
having seen the two girls loitering about the Castle for some weeks, in the
company of soldiers. He also saw them arrested on the previous night; they were
sailing out and accosting passers-by. He stated that the prisoner Smith ran away
from her situation in Hoole-road a few weeks ago. Her father was a respectable
man in Shropshire. The Mayor (to Smith): This is very sad, but we will give you
a chance to reform. Will you go to this House of Shelter. The Prisoner : No; I
don't care to go by myself. The Mayor said they could not allow that kind of
work to go on in the streets of Chester, and it was ultimately decided to send
the prisoner Smith home to her parents in Shropshire, and to detain Williams
until her relatives came to fetch her home. Elisa Lamer and Annie Williams, both
of Castle-street and about 19 years of age, were then called up; charged with a
similar offence. The Chief Constable said he saw the two prisoners on the
previous evening loitering on the Grosvenor-road, and be directed that they
should be brought in. Lamer, who belonged to Flintshire, gave a wrong address
The prisoner Williams had been In Chester about eight weeks. She came to this
city to gather strawberries, and during that time she bad been cohabiting with a
man who appeared to have "left her stranded." If the girl Williams would go, he
would be glad to send her to the House of Shelter. The Mayor (to Williams) :
Will you go to the House of Shelter? Yes. She was accordingly sent. Prisoner:
Yes; sir. The girl Lamer was then dealt with. She said her home was at
Prestatyn, but she had been away for some time. She had been in a penitentiary
for about two years, but had returned to her old life again; so she did not know
whether her father would receive her at home or not. — She was fined 5s and
costs or seven days. Mary Ann Pemberton, of Castle-street, who gave her age as
20 years but who looked much younger, was then called up.— The Chief Con-table
said this was a similar case to the last. He had noticed the prisoner for
several weeks past loitering shout near the Castle entry, and complaints had
been made about her by the military authorities. If she was willing to go to the
House of Shelter, he should be glad to get her in — The prisoner ultimately
signified her assent, and this course was resolved upon. Selicia Foster, aged
20, living in Parry's-entry, Foregate-Street, was then charged with a similar
offence. — P.C. J. Lloyd stated that at a quarter past eleven on the previous
night the prisoner was loitering about Foregate-street. She had been cautioned
before. Another woman was with her, but she got away. She was known to be a
prostitute, and was living in Parry's- entry with a number of other prostitutes.
The Mayor : Are you willing to go to this House of Shelter?— Prisoner
(laughing): No, sir. The Mayor : Have you no parents in Chester?— Prisoner : No.
The Mayor: Where do you come from?— Prisoner Manchester. And you are living in
Parry's Entry ?— Yes. The Chief Constable said he thought it right to state, and
to state publicly — that under a recent Act of Parliament the keeper of a
brothel could be dealt with summarily, and the owner or agent of the property
could also be proceeded against, as well as the tenant. The Mayor : Then I think
proceedings should at once be taken against the, owners of the property in
Parry's Entry Mr T. Q Roberts : I think so too, for it Is a serious thing to
allow young people to live there. It is very painful to see these girls brought
here time after time for this offence. I think proceedings should be taken
against the owners at once. The Chief Constable : Very well ; We will give them
notice. Here are three of these girls living in the same house. Mr W. Johnson :
Aye, give them notice, and if you can close the place altogether you will be
doing a good thing. The Mayor (to prisoner) : You have been here three times
before. You are now fined 5s and costs, or seven days. Elisa Gregg, who also
gave the address of Parry's Entry, was then called up and charged. PC. Salmon
said about twenty minutes past eleven o'clock on Tuesday sight he saw the
prisoner loitering under the Grosvenor archway. He had cautioned her previously,
but it was of no use. The Chief Constable : She has a father in Chester who
would be glad to do anything for her, but she will persist in this course of
life. The Mayor : Are you willing to give up this disreputable life? —
Prisoner: Yes, sir. The Mayor : It is very sad indeed to see you here so
repeatedly. We know who your friends are, but as you are willing to go back to
your father, and promise never to come here again, you are discharged. Alice Ann
Hodgkinson, of Back Brook-street, came next. P.C Lloyd stated that he found the
prisoner loitering in Foregate-street at twenty minutes to twelve on the
previous night. She was known to be a prostitute, and as she had been previously
cautioned she was looked up — Defendant stated that she was going home at the
time. Her home was at Waverton, where her father resided. In reply to the Bench
she said she thought her father would receive her back again, and she was
willing to go. She was accordingly discharged. Jane Owens, aged 18, of
Parry's-entry, was charged with being found loitering at the Cross, about twelve
o'clock on the previous night. In connection with this case the Chief Constable
stated that the prisoner had a little sister, aged 15, who was living in service
in Chester. Last Saturday morning at six o'clock this child was missing; it was
found that she had left her situation clandestinely, and upon information of
this fact being given to the police, the girl was traced to Parry's-entry, where
she was staying with the prisoner, who had need her influence to get her to
leave her situation. He (the Chief Constable ) however succeeded in persuading
the girl to go back to her place once more, and the lady kindly allowed her to
do so. There was also another sister whom the prisoner was trying to lead
astray. This prisoner also refused the assistance of the House of Shelter, and
The Mayor, addressing her said: See the effect of your conduct. Not only will
you go astray yourself, but you are leading others astray too; your conduct is
very bad. You are not satisfied with leading an immoral life, but you wanted
your sisters to follow you. There is no shame in you. As you are not willing to
go to a House of Refuge, you are fined 20s and costs or 14 days hard labour. We
hope this will have some effect upon you, I think it should be known in court
that the Chief Constable is doing perfectly right in this matter. We shall take
active steps against all immoral houses in the city. The improvement that was
noticed in Chester some time ago does not seem to have been durable. Both the
owners and tenants or these immoral bosses will be proceeded against, and we
hope that has been done to-day will be a warning to others.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 19 September 1891 TRAGIC DEATH OF A CHESTER
POLICEMAN, On Friday evening week, about ten o'clock, P.C. Darlington, while on
duty in Newtown, suddenly expired in Wellington-street. When he was in
George-street some boys began calling him names, whereupon he ran after them. A
whistle was heard immediately afterwards and a few people hastened to the spot,
where they found the officer breathing his last. Dr. Harrison and Dr. Roberts
were sent for, but on arriving at Mr. Gosmore's house, where deceased was taken,
pronounced life extinct. The body was subsequently taken to the mortuary
awaiting the inquest. Deceased leaves a widow and child, for whom much sympathy
is felt. An inquest was held on Monday, at the Bull and Stirrup Hotel, before
Mr. C. W. Tibbits, deputy -coroner. — Ralph Darlington, 9, Lightfoot-street,
father of deceased, stated that his son was 23 years old, and was married, and
was always a healthy man. P.S. Thomas Leach deposed to seeing Darlington on
Cow-lane Bridge about nine o'clock. Wit- ness then left him to go on his beat.
Deceased seemed in good health. — Martha Sands went down George-street about
9.30 on Friday; night, and saw deceased running some boys round a lamp post with
his stick in his hand, and subsequently saw him fall in the channel. On
approaching, as she did not hear him breathing, she called for help. — Thomas
Pickthall, groom to Mr. Smith, Northgate-street, who also saw Darlington fall,
put deceased's head on his knee. He then took him to Mr. Gosmore's house pending
the doctor's arrival. — Dr. George Harrison deposed to finding deceased dead
about ten o'clock. He had attended Darlington twice since he was on the force.
The post-mortem examination of the body made it clear that he died from fatty
degeneration of the heart. — Detective Crewe searched the body, and found 24s
6d., a pocket-book, pocket-handkerchief, and other articles. — The jury returned
a verdict of "Death from natural causes — fatty degeneration of the heart." — On
Tuesday afternoon the remains were interred at the Chester Cemetery. The cortege
left the mortuary about half-past three, headed by 18 police constables, 2
sergeants, and Inspector Farrell.
Liverpool Echo - Friday 4 August 1893 ASSAULTING THE CHESTER POLICE. CAPTURE ON
THE WALLS. At the Chester Police Court, to-day before Mr. F. L Bagnall and other
magistrates, a young man named John Corbishley, a well-known character to the
Macclesfield police, was charged on warrant with assaulting Police-Constable
Dryland. The officer, when arresting a man named Thomas Dolan on Wednesday night
and who has been sent to prison for two months, was struck twice violently
behind the head by prisoners. Dryland and another officer visited the use whore
the prisoner was lodging in Hawarden Castle-entry. Prisoner immediately rushed
out the house and bolted along Bridge-street on to the Walls, where the officers
captured him. He denied assaulting the officer.— The Chief Constable (Mr. G. L.
Fenwick) said the prisoner had been twenty-one times before the Macclesfield
Magistrates on charges of warehouse robbery, garden robbery, robbery from the
person, assaulting the police and on one occasion received seven days for
throwing his hat at the magistrates, who had convicted him in court.—The
magistrates sent the prisoner to gaol for one month with hard labour.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 28 September 1895 The Cost of a Chester Criminal
Family. — Improvement of the social status of our population, and attempts to
lessen pauperism and criminality (says the British Medical Journal), are matters
of general and widespread interest. Practical measures are needed to counteract
inherited tendencies in certain families, as well as in cases of habitual
drunkards and frequent offenders. The suggestion of such measures is generally
met with the objection of their costliness to the public, without regard to the
expenses thrown upon the public purse by the existing degraded portions of the
population, as well as in other ways. The Chief Constable of Chester has given
the record of John Ogden, recently dead, who made 130 appearances before the
city justices, 86 being for drunkenness and 44 for assaults. Ogden's father
appeared before the Bench 35 times, a sister 67 times, and another sister 29
times. The father, son, and two sisters were charged 347 times. It has been
estimated that, in the expenses of prosecutions, prisons, and poor law
maintenance, the Ogden family have cost the city of Chester £2,000. Such cases
are frequently met with, and demonstrate the grave importance of accurate
inquiry as to the physical and mental conditions of the population. Inquiries
con-, ducted by a committee of the British Medical Association shew that many
such cases may be detected in our schools; which provision for their proper care
in early years, and subsequent provision might prevent much evil. The
consideration of the mentally and morally feeble portions of the population
claims the early attention of the Government.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 12 October 1895 CHESTER TOWN COUNCIL The monthly
meeting of the City Council was held at the Town Hall on Wednesday afternoon,
the Mayor (Mr. W. H Churton) presiding. GRATUITY TO A POLICEMAN. Mr. Cunnah, as
chairman of the Watch; Committee, moved that a gratuity of £16 4s should be paid
out of the Police Pension Fund to P.C. Frank Young, resigned in consequence of
illness. The conduct of the officer had been most exemplary.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 9 December 1893 ROBBING A COLLECTING BOX, John
Walley, from a Foregate-street lodging house, broke open a Hospital Saturday
collecting box in the tap-room of the Old Queen's Head public-house, Chester,
and stole Is. 3d. on Wednesday afternoon. P.C. Isaac Jones arrested the thief,
and he was yesterday (Friday) sent to gaol for a month by the city magistrates.
Liverpool Mercury – Monday 12 March 1894 ANOTHER RAID ON CHESTER LODGING HOUSES.
The activity of the Chester City Police in their crusade against overcrowding
and unregistered lodging houses shows no signs of abating. Another batch of
offenders occupied the attention of the city magistrates on Saturday, when the
evidence of Detective-inspector Gallagher was supplemented by the testimony of
the Chief Constable (Mr. Wenwick) himself, who had visited the squalid and dirty
homes of the persons charged with keeping unregistered lodging houses. The first
case was that of Mary ElIison, of 17, Parry's-Entry, who said she made a living
by making light cakes and selling them at Connah s Quay and Ellesmere Port. Mr
Fenwick’s description of the scene amid which the light cakes are made will be
rather unpleasant reading for the consumers. There were six persons in the
dwelling, which consisted of one kitchen and a bedroom partitioned to serve the
purpose of two, and this was Mr Fenwick's description of what he saw :-‘The
common room for all those lodgers was about the size of this police court table.
It was destitute of furniture, and there were some old boxes as substitutes. In
the midst of all this filth the old woman was engaged making light cakes for
public consumption. What the inspector called a second bedroom is simply a
closet. The whole place is dirty enough to breed fever. You would hardly credit
it, but there was a barrowful of cakes in a heap on these old boxes. The
over-crowding of these places means keeping up the death rate. It is at present
20 per 1000 per annum, and it is admitted that it ought to be only 15, so that
there are 200 deaths which take place each year from causes which are more or
less preventable’ .-The Mayor (Alderman L. Gilbert): It 'is a very disgraceful
state of things. There is a good deal of agitation going on about providing
houses, but this class of people can neither pay rent nor furnish then. How can
you get landlords to build houses for tenants like these who have no furniture
and who are not in a position to pay their rent?- Mr. Fenwick: Take a sample
case which was here a fortnight ago. The defendant, an old woman, was in receipt
of 2s. a week from the union. That was the whole of her income; and yet she had
to pay about 4s. 6d. a week in rent. The consequence was she was bound to take
in lodgers to get the rent.- The Magistrates' Clerk: It is a question of getting
in as many four-pence’s as possible. If there were 500 houses of this class they
would be taken.- Mr. Fenwick: It is a very serious social question. – The Mayor:
It is a serious social question. You are quite right in your action, Mr.
Fenwick; you ought to be complimented for what you are doing. The question is,
what are the Health Committee doing- -Mr. Fenwick : That is a question to be
asked in another place.-Mr. William Brown. The present state of things is an aid
to prostitution, and it is quite time it was stopped. The woman Ellson was fined
20s. and costs, with an alternative of 14 days' imprisonment-Two other cases
were adjourned.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 14 September 1895 CITY POLICE COURT. Monday.—
Before Messrs. R. Frost, H. T. Brown, G. Dickson, and Dr. Stolterfoth. Drunk and
Riotous. — Elizabeth Grogan was charged at the instance of P.C. Wakelin with
being drunk and riotous in Lower Bridge-street at twelve on Saturday night. It
was defendant's first appearance. — A fine of 5s. and costs, or seven days hard
labour, was imposed. Thursday -Before the Mayor, Dr. Stolterfoth, and Messrs. H.
T. Brown and R. Frost. Not so Mad as he Acted. — Paddy Ryan, who must not
be confused with the heavy-weight champion fighter of the world, and whose last
place of abode was Knutsford, was on Wednesday evening, like Noah's dove, with
no place to rest his weary feet. He had just arrived in Chester from his
palatial residence at Knutsford, after partaking of a fortnight's well-earned
rest, but according to his own story the phenomenal sun of September played too
strongly upon his brow, and he knew not what he did. At a quarter-past nine he
was found in Watergate-street by P.c. Isaac Jones stripped to the waist and
challenging all the champions of Chester under ten years and over ninety to
fight him. Luckily for this psuedo aspirant to "P.R." honours he was not
obliged. So enraged, however, was he because he was not "taken on" that he
jumped about the street, laughed, screamed, and called names to the crowd who
watched his antics. — Police-clerk Tilley said prisoner was quite off his head
when he was brought to the cells on the previous evening, but be seemed all
right now. He had just been in Knutsford for fourteen days. — The Mayor: Do you
think fourteen days there would send him off his head? (Laughter.) — Prisoner: I
have been a soldier, sir, and have been to India. I got touched by the sun in
those distant parts, and sometimes I don't know what I do. I was making my way
to Liverpool on Wednesday when the sun attacked me again. — The Mayor: You had
better leave the town for Liverpool at once. — Prisoner: God bless you, sir.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 12 October 1895 CHESTER QUARTER SESSIONS. The City
Quarter Sessions were held at the Town Hall on Thursday, before the Recorder
(His Honour Sir Horatio Lloyd), Mr. John Thompson, and the Sheriff (Mr. John
Jones.) the charge. THE ALLEGED ROBBERIES FROM A PUBLIC-HOUSE. Frederick Lee
(55), labourer and Army pensioner, pleaded "not guilty" to stealing a bottle of
brandy, the property of Henry E. Ostle, and one suit of clothes and a silver
chain, the property of Robert Roberts, at Chester, on June 26th and 27th last. —
Mr. S. Moss, for the prosecution, stated that Robert Roberts was a commercial
traveller, and resided at the time of the robbery at the Four-in-Hand public-
house, City-road. On the evening of the 26th June he went to bed at about eleven
o'clock and left his clothes hanging up in the passage leading to his bedroom.
He left his silver watch and chain in his bedroom, but the door was not locked.
In the morning he missed the clothes, and on going downstairs to inform the
landlady, he saw prisoner leaving the house dressed in the missing suit. He
followed him to Dutton's pawnshop in Foregate-street, and, while he was in the
act of offering the vest, charged him with stealing the clothes. Prisoner asked
Roberts if he would look it over, and offered him a bottle of brandy, which
prosecutor declined, and then sent for a policeman. Prosecutor, Mrs.
Musgrave, formerly landlady of the Four- in-Hand, and P.C. George Wakelin gave
evidence, and prisoner, in his defence, asked the jury not to convict him. He
had been in the Army, had served in India, China, Abyssinia, and while in the
East for 16 years had had sunstroke. He was now a pensioner, and should he be
convicted he would lose pension, friends, and character. He was 55 years of age,
and had been waiting 105 days for his trial. His Honour said it was a lamentable
thing that a man and a pensioner who had served in the Queen's Army, and who had
perhaps been discharged with credit to himself, should so much forget himself as
to become a thief. The case was a pretty clear one. The jury adjourned to the
retiring room to consider their verdict. After a long deliberation, the Foreman
(Mr. B. Pearson) said they had come to the conclusion that prisoner took the
clothes not with the intent of stealing them. They therefore gave him the
benefit of the doubt in that case. — A fresh jury was empanelled, and Lee was
charged with the theft of the bottle of brandy. — Mr. Moss said on June 26th
Miss Ostle, the sister of the licence-holder of the Yacht Inn, missed a bottle
of brandy from the bar. When the bottle was found in prisoner's possession he
said he had bought it. — The jury found the prisoner "Not guilty," and he was
discharged with a warning from the judge.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 14 September 1895 IMPUDENT BURGLARY AT CHESTER
WORKHOUSE - PRISONER DISCHARGED At the County Police Court on Saturday,
before Mr. H. Trelawny and other magistrates, John Reece was again charged with
having broken into and entered Chester Workhouse and stolen a quantity of plate,
valued at £18. — Mr. R. C. Turner repeated the statement he made before Mr.
Dickson on Monday week, and Wm. Bunting, casual at the Union stated that on the
night of August 30th he put prisoner in his cell and bolted the door. Prisoner
if he liked could have got out of the cell by a hole through which stones were
pitched. When witness brought prisoner his breakfast he was asleep, and the men
in the same cell were sleeping around him. The other men in the cell had the
same chance to get through the hole as prisoner had. Prisoner was properly
discharged at seven o'clock with the other men. There was nothing suspicious
about prisoner. Mr. Trelawny asked if the men had to break a quantity of stones
before they left the house. Mr. Turnock -said it was usual to give one- night
casuals a quantity of stones to break, but men staying for four days were
allowed to leave on the fourth day at seven o'clock without breaking any stones.
Willam John Ferril, an inmate, stated that on the evening in question, he was in
a room overlooking the yard, and saw a man climb over a gate leading towards the
yard going to the church. He was dressed in a black frock coat, and wore a round
cap. The yard was not far from the drawing-room. Thomas Wilson, detective in the
Cheshire Constabulary, stated that at twelve o'clock at noon on Saturday he
apprehended prisoner in Foregate-street. When charged with stealing the plate
from the Workhouse, prisoner said he knew nothing about it. The constable
searched him and found a quantity of boot laces and a pocket knife. Witness then
went to look at the marks on the chest of drawers at the Work- house, and they
were of the same width as the blade of the knife. Col Cope said that was all the
evidence the police had at present. The Chairman said the evidence was not
sufficient to convict, and prisoner would be discharged. Prisoner : Thank you,
sir. I am innocent.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 9 November 1895 DROWNING MYSTERY AT CHESTER. WOMAN
FOUND IN THE CANAL. HER COMPANION MISSING. A mysterious drowning case has been
reported to the City Police. Shortly after ten o'clock on Thursday night, two
boys, as they were passing over the Hoole-lane Bridge near the Workhouse, were
alarmed by hearing moans proceeding from the canal below. On making a search
they found a woman lying in the water, and at once ran with the information to
the nearest policeman. On the body being recovered from the canal, life was
extinct. The body was conveyed to the mortuary. THE INQUEST. The inquest was
held at the Bull and Stirrup on Friday evening before Mr. E. Brassey, city
coroner. — The Coroner, in addressing the jury, said the case would demand the
greatest care. There was nothing known as to the woman's identity, nothing had
been found on her person, nor were there any marks of injury, and, therefore,
further examination of the body would be necessary. He proposed, after hearing
evidence, to adjourn the inquiry, and, therefore, as the body would have to be
buried in the meantime, be asked that the remains should be photographed, to aid
in identification. Mary Price, Allen-place, Spital-walk, Boughton, said she saw
deceased on the Hoole- lane Bridge a little after half-past eight on the
previous (Thursday) night. She was leaning over the wall of the bridge looking
towards Chester, and standing behind her was a man. The woman wore a round
sailor hat. Witness did not see the man's face, but from his general appearance
she thought he would be a young man. He wore a black felt hat, and his coat and
waistcoat were black, his trousers being of a light coloured material. He was
leaning on the wall on one elbow, his other hand being in his pocket. When
witness saw them she was returning from Peploe-street to her home. About
half-past ten her brother came in for a rope, and witness went with her sister
to the bridge, where she saw the woman whom she had previously noticed on the
bridge. The woman was taken out of the water near the Lead works. William Edward
Williams, 23, Railway Terrace, a telegraph messenger, had been on postal duty on
Thursday night. He was returning home about ten o'clock with a youth named
Herbert Kenyon. They stopped on the Hoole Lane Bridge, when Kenyon pointed out a
dark object in the water. It was moonlight. Witness and his companion went to
the towing path, and about a yard from the side in the water they saw a round
sailor hat. Across the water by the side of the lane leading to the Lead works
they saw something dark. They also heard a sound, and saw rings in the water
proceeding from the dark object. They ran to Mr. Brett, who keeps a shop across
the way. As he was too busy to come, witness and his companion went to the
lock-keeper's house. Mrs. Baines, the keeper's wife, opened the door, and when
they told her what they had seen she said “It is a pity, but he (meaning her
husband) has just gone to bed." She shut the door, and witness and Kenyon ran to
City-road for a policeman. They did not see or hear any splash, cry, or
struggle. By a Juryman: They told Mrs. Baines that they thought someone was in
the canal, and witness did not hear her call to her husband. The woman in the
canal would be alive when witness first saw her, and her life might have been
saved if the lock-keeper had come out of bed. Herbert Kenyon, 41
Railway-terrace, corroborated. He did not meet anyone coming from the Hoole-lane
Bridge as Williams and he were going home. When they went to Brett they told him
that they thought a woman was in the water. They only stood on the bridge about
a minute before the dark object in the water was noticed. P.C. James Griffith
was on duty in City-road when he was told by Williams and Kenyan that a woman
was in the canal. In company with Sergeant Steen he went to the spot, and found
the woman in the water about 20 yds from the bridge, and a couple of yards from
the wall on the Lead works side. She had evidently got in on the other side. The
water would be about a yard deep where deceased was drowned. The body was got
out of the water by witness, who lowered a ladder from the wall, and then
brought deceased up it. She was quite dead. In her pocket was a brooch
(produced). Detective Crewe had examined the body and clothes. There was no mud
on the boots, and the pockets contained no money whatever. He had not seen the
woman before, and he should judge that she was about 24 years of age, and
apparently a servant girl. She was comfortably clad, and wore another brooch
besides the one that had been produced. The back of her dress was partly covered
with mud, there being one large patch of mud which made it seem that deceased
had sat down on the dirty ground before she got into the canal. The hat had not
been found. Photographs of the body had been taken and would be sent to the
police stations of other towns, and there also would be one on view in the Town
Hall for anyone who liked to see it. As to her personal appearance, deceased was
a strongly-built girl, of good figure, with light brown hair, good complexion,
and grey eyes. Her eyebrows and nose were straight, and her face was wide across
the cheek bones. Her hands were white and smooth. The Coroner said that through
the photographs, and the publicity given to the case by the newspapers,
something would probably turn up in a week or so, and therefore he would adjourn
the inquest until Monday next. THE BODY IDENTIFIED. The body was subsequently
identified as that of Maria Probert, twenty years and eleven months old,
daughter of Sergt. Major Probert, landlord of the Crown Vaults, Seller-street,
Chester. She left home on Thursday evening, and was not again seen alive by any
member of her family. It is said that she had been un-well lately, and had been
under medical treatment for pains in her head.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 29 February 1896 Accident to an Irishman. - On
Monday evening a man who gives his name as McGuff, from Ireland, got a little
excited in Lower Bridge-street, and began to fight "promiscus". His antics were
cut short, however, by a slip from the kerb, as a result of which he fell
heavily, and broke his thigh. Aid was rendered by a passing gentle- man, who
bound up the injured limb in splints, and the man was conveyed to the Infirmary
by Sergeant Steen and P.C.'s Tarran and Abbot.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 13 June 1896 CHESTER TOWN COUNCIL. A monthly
meeting of the Council was held in the Town Hall on Wednesday afternoon,
GRATUITY TO A POLICE CONSTABLE. Mr. J. J. Cunnah (Chairman of the Watch
Committee) moved— "That a gratuity of £60 be paid out of the police pension fund
to Police-constable Samuel Jones, No. 14, incapacitated for further police
duty." Alderman Churton, in seconding, said the amount did not come out of the
rates but out of the police pension fund. The proposition was carried
unanimously.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 26 September 1896 Assaulting the Police. — William
Moran and Charles Moran, brothers, Irish lads, whose parents reside in Chester,
were charged at the instance of P.C. James Dryland with being drunk and riotous
in Foregate-street and assaulting him at 10 30 on the previous evening. The
officer stated that he heard a noise in the street, and on going to see what it
was, saw prisoners in a drunken condition. He was taking them to the Town Hall
when they 'floored' him, and the officer had to hold the two there until P.S.
Steen came to his assistance.—Defendants were fined 5s and costs each for being
drunk, and 5s and costs for assaulting the police.
Cheshire Observer – 3 October 1896 CITY POLICE COURT. Tuesday.— Before the
Mayor, Messrs. H R. Bowers, George Dutton, and J. R. Thomson. Alleged Theft of
an Umbrella.— Solomon Taylor, a gypsy, was charged with stealing an umbrella,
value 2s. 11d., the property of Mr. Elias Williams, draper, Foregate-street.
Robt. Pritchard, manager to the prosecutor, identified the umbrella produced,
which he last saw safe in the shop doorway on Saturday night at eight o'clock.
Prisoner came into the shop with a piece of cloth, which he asked should be
measured, and then offered it for sale as there was not enough for a suit.
Witness declined to purchase. Prisoner left the shop, and witness followed him
as quickly as possible, as in passing out he had knocked down a box containing
three umbrellas. One of these was the one produced, which was brought back to
the shop by P.C. Hughes — Inspector Tilley stated that at a quarter-past eight
on Saturday night he was walking along City-rood in plain clothes, when he saw
prisoner in front of him with the umbrella produced in his hand. Suspecting he
had stolen it, witness watched him, and saw him enter a shop, where he offered
it for sale. On leaving the shop, he asked witness, "Will you buy an umbrella?"
(Laughter.) He asked him where he obtained it, and be replied, “I deal in them.
I got it from Sheffield." Witness arrested him, and charged him at the police
office with theft. He said, "You are charging an innocent man." When he
apprehended the prisoner the label on the umbrella was intact, but subsequently
he detected the prisoner rubbing part of it off with his fingers.— Prisoner, who
had been previously convicted, stated that he picked up the umbrella at the top
of John-street. He called Bob Taylor, a gypsy, who said he had nothing to say as
he was not there when it was done. (Laughter.) In answer to the Chief Constable,
the witness said the prisoner was his father. Witness went into the shop with
him, and then ran all the way home.— The Chief Constable: What for? — Witness:
To leave my father. — Prisoner was committed to the Sessions for trial.
Wrexham Advertiser – Saturday 24 October 1896 CHESTER. Savage Assault on a
Husband. — At Chester Police Court, on Monday, Sarah Billingham was charged with
assaulting her husband, a chainmaker, at Saltney. Prisoner said she was guilty
of striking her husband on the head with a pint cup, but she had to do it in
self-defence, as her husband was pulling her about by the hair of the head, and
abusing her. The husband wished to withdraw the charge on account of the
children, but Chief-constable Fenwick thought the case was so serious that he
must intervene. He heard the row between prosecutor and his wife in his own
house a quarter of a mile away, and it appeared to him to have been within an
ace of murder. P.c. Thomas Davies said he heard the row between the parties on
Saturday night, and on looking through the window of their house he saw the
prisoner strike her husband over the head with a bottle three times. The bottle
was smashed, and he bled profusely. The daughters came to the door and shouted,
"He's bleeding to death," and witness went in and took him to the infirmary.
Adam Billingham, the husband, gave evidence very reluctantly, saying he believed
his wife struck him twice, but he could not say what weapon she used. He had
kept away from the house by his wife's request for the past three weeks, and he
went there on Saturday to get some clothes. The Chief-constable said the
prisoner had been thirteen times before the court, three of the occasions being
this year. Prisoner was sent to gaol for a month’s hard labour, and the husband
was ordered to maintain the children during their mother's absence and
afterwards.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 21 November 1896 PRESENTATION TO A RETIRED POLICE
INSPECTOR. THE CHESTER POLICE FORCE PAST AND PRESENT. - Yesterday (Friday)
ex-Inspector Leech, of the Chester Police force was presented with a handsome
clock and walking stick by his comrades, as a memento of the esteem they felt
for him after his long service with them. The clock, which was of beautiful
workmanship, bore the inscription : — ' Presented to Inspector Thomas Leech, by
the members of the Chester City Police force, on his retirement after 31 years'
service. October, 1896.' — Mr. G. L. Fenwick (Chief Constable), who made the
presentation, said those occasions were interesting in more ways than one; they
enabled them to instance to halt for a moment and I look back on the way they
had come. Much had taken place in Chester during Inspector Leech's service of
over 30 years. Since he joined, 250 men had followed him, although their number
was only 47 that day. About 200 had disappeared, some had passed away, some had
been pensioned off, and many had left to join other forces. Thanks to several
things, there was now little disposition to change. When Inspector Leech joined
the force was hardly ever full, and there was such a scarcity of candidates,
that advertisements week after week hardly brought any reply. It was different
now. Two or three years ago there were two vacancies during twelve months and
nearly a thousand candidates, and that was still about the proportion. The
police force generally was a more popular service. It was the army of peace, and
equally with the Royal Navy, Army, and Civil Service was looked upon as a
necessary branch of the Government of the country, and notwithstanding what Mr.
Gilbert said in his 'Pirates of Penzance,' the policeman's lot, arduous enough,
was never quite unhappy, and perhaps that was so now more than ever it was. They
were still told, half playfully, no doubt, that ' the policeman was never there
when he was wanted, but against that they might put the fact that he was often
there when not wanted; (Laughter.) The joke hardly raised a laugh now in a
circus, but if he was to believe the newspapers — which on this particular
matter he did not — a county court judge appeared to have stepped into the place
of the clown. "A police- man never sees an accident," he was reported to have
said, and that had gone the round of the Press. Of course it was a joke, and so
was the remark made by a certain professor of logic at Oxford to the effect that
the evidence of three classes — women, foreigners, and policemen — should be
received with caution. If that was not a joke it was unworthy of one who was a
professor by profession. (Laughter) Then there was their industrious old friend
'Pro Bono Publico,' whose communications would be worth more if less personal
and signed by his own name. However, Inspector Leech, with all these little
matters to contend with, had come out of the severe ordeal of 31 years' public
service with credit to himself, and bad earned the respect of everyone who knew
him. He (the speaker) hoped that those whom the inspector left behind would
profit by his example, and at the proper time would retire into private life,
carrying with them not only the esteem of their comrades and the public, but
their clock and pilgrim's staff, such as he had very great pleasure in asking
Mr. Leech to accept. (Applause.) Inspector Leech said he felt very proud in
accepting the presentation and he hoped they would all live and have health and
strength to receive the same some day. The force was far better now than when he
joined. Then a constable got 17s. a week with very little chances of promotion.
There were eight first- class constables in the city in those days, who were
paid at the rate of £1 a week, and it was very seldom that any other promotion
was open. Now, however, there was something for young men in the force to look
forward to; he could retire while he was practically a young man. He thanked
them all very much for the kind way in which they had signalised his retirement.
(Applause.)
THREATENING TO SHOOT HIS WIFE. At the City Police Court, on Monday, before the
Mayor and other magistrates, Henry Aspin, of no fixed residence, was placed in
the dock on a charge of threatening to shoot wife. Prisoner pleaded not guilty.
— Mr. Fenwick said on account of not having sufficient evidence, he would apply
for a remand for a day. Prisoner had been arrested on a commitment, as he had
been fined some length of time ago and had gone away. He returned last week and
bought a loaded pistol from Monk's in Foregate-street, giving 6s. 6d for the
weapon. He shewed it to two men and said he was going to shoot his wife and some
more of them, and as a result they were in fear of their lives. — Detective
Crewe said he had got the pistol from 19, Crook-street. It was then loaded in
three chambers. Prisoner had said he would shoot his wife, her mother, and
himself afterwards. On Saturday morning he threatened to take his mother's life.
Witness could procure evidence by the next day. Aspin was accordingly remanded.
— Prisoner was again placed in the dock on Tuesday. — Complainant went into the
witness box, and was examined by the Chief Constable. She said she had been
married to defendant about three years. He bought a revolver on Saturday night
for the purpose, she believed, of shooting her. He did not tell her so, however,
but previously he had often threatened to take her life. On Saturday morning,
her husband came to her house. Witness did not see him, but he asked somebody in
the house to let him see the baby. After he saw the child he asked to see
witness. She then went and saw him. He asked her to give him back a rabbit and
some money he had given her a day or two ago. — The Chief Constable said the
prisoner was a native of Chester, but had for some time been living at Rochdale
with his wife. She came home in July, and he followed her, and at that time was
brought before the magistrates for threatening her. He was bound over, but did
not pay the costs. He was allowed time to pay, but left the City. He returned on
Saturday, and was arrested on a warrant. Then it came to the knowledge of the
officer who arrested him that he had bought a revolver during the afternoon for
6s., and told a person who would be called as a witness he intended to murder
his wife and mother and then take his own life. The pistol was bought of Mr.
Monk, who would be called. A man who was in a house with the prisoner, managed
to take the pistol from him, and gave it to Detective Crewe, who found it was
loaded in three barrels. — Mr. Monk, gunsmith, Foregate Street, stated that
prisoner came to his shop on Saturday, and asked to ace a revolver. Witness
shewed him two or three, and he took one, the price of which was 6s. 6d. He had
a rabbit with him, and offered witness 5s. and asked him if he would take the
rabbit instead of the balance. Witness at first declined, but at last accepted
the rabbit and 5s. After that prisoner asked witness to give him three
cartridges. He gave him three. Witness asked him what he wanted the pistol for,
and he said he wanted it for a bit of sport. (Laughter). Witness took him to be
a countryman. — Samuel Nuttall, labourer, deposed to seeing prisoner in the
Raven public- house on Saturday evening. He began talking to witness, and
produced a revolver like the one produced. He said be had bought it from Monk,
the gunsmith, and was going to do for his wife, his mother-in-law, and himself.
He then left witness. Prisoner was not sober. — Prisoner (to witness): Did not
you say they all wanted shooting? — Witness: No. — Prisoner: (to the Bench) He
wanted to get a drink from me, and that is the reason he said that. — John
Gilbert deposed to seeing prisoner in The Raven on Saturday night. He had a
revolver. — Edward Sanders saw prisoner in his (witness) brother-in-law's house
in Crook- street about 7.30 on Saturday night. He had a revolver with him like
the one produced. He gave it to witness's wife, and she gave it to witness, who
handed it to Detective Crewe. They all had some larking with it, and did not
know it was loaded. — Detective Crewe stated that prisoner was arrested on
Saturday on a commitment warrant for an offence last year. Witness made
enquiries, and saw the last witness, who gave him the pistol. It was loaded in
three chambers. Witness spoke to prisoner about it, and told him he would be
charged with threatening to shoot his wife and mother-in-law, in reply to which
he said he never saw them. — Prisoner: It is her mother who is putting her up to
all this. I had no intention to injure her at all.— The Mayor: But you should
not have said so. — Prisoner: I didn't say so. The Mayor said prisoner had been
before the court so frequently that the Bench had decided to bind him over for
six months to keep the peace, in his own recognisance’s of £20, and to find two
sureties of £10 each. He would also have to pay the costs, or go to prison for a
month.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 6 June 1896 THE POLICEMAN AND THE DRUNKEN LABOURER.
A DUSTY TWENTY MINUTES A man named Smith, carter and labourer, living at
Hoole, was brought up at Chester Castle on Saturday, on a charge of being drunk
and disorderly, assaulting the police, and wilfully damaging a pair of tweed
trousers of the value of 26s., the property of P.S. G. Farnworth.
Farnworth, in bearing out his evidence given the previous day, said that
when he and prisoner had been struggling on the ground 15 minutes, witness was,
with the assistance of two men, able to get up. Prisoner, however, shook himself
free, and tripped up witness again, another scuffle of about five minutes in
duration taking place on the ground. Smith acted like a madman. Witness’s
trousers (produced) were torn and altogether spoiled, and his coat was splashed
with blood in places. Prisoner knew witness quite well, having said at the
beginning of the affray that he was not going to be taken to the police station.
Mrs. Kate Frearson, a neighbour of prisoner said that at the time stated
her little boy and a lady neighbour had gone up Tomkinson-street, but in a few
minutes came running back, Smith following them. Witness locked the door in his
face, and he began kicking it, partly smashing the lock. He was very drunk.
P.S. Finchett stated that he was called to Farnworth's assistance. Prisoner
was extremely violent, and it took five men to take him to the police-station.
Farnworth was exhausted, and covered with dust. Mr. F. Turner said defendant was
22 years of age, and had recently come into a little money, which had apparently
done him harm, for he had, on going to live in Hoole, got into bad company,
speculated on horseflesh, &c. He admitted being drunk, but his reason for
assaulting the officer was because he thought the latter, who was in plain
clothes, was going to hit him with a stick he was carrying. He did not know the
police officer at the time. The magistrates retired, and on their return the
Chairman said prisoner had had a narrow escape of going to gaol for a month. In
respect of being drunk and disorderly he would be fined 20s. and costs or 14
days; he would have to pay 20s. for the damage to the trousers, and for
assaulting the officer he would have to pay a fine of £3 and costs or go to
prison for a month. The total fine and costs amounted to £6 Is. 4d.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 13 June 1896 Cheshire Observer - Saturday 13 June
1896 - GRATUITY TO A POLICE CONSTABLE. Mr. J. J. Cunnah (Chairman of the Watch
Committee) moved— "That a gratuity of £60 be paid out of the police pension fund
to Police-constable Samuel Jones, No. 14, incapacitated for further police
duty." Alderman Churton, in seconding, said the amount did not come out of the
rates but out of the police pension fund. The proposition was carried
unanimously
Cheshire Observer Saturday 14 November 1896 THE TEMPERANCE AGENT AND THE BAG OF
SOOT. AMUSING CASE. On Saturday, at the City Police Court before Mr. H. T.
Brown and other magistrates, Richard Grant, sweep, of Trinity-street, was
summoned at the instance of P.C. Evans for obstructing the free passage of the
footway in Northgate Street by carrying a bag of soot on the footway on October
30th. Defendant pleaded not guilty to carrying the soot, but admitted carrying
his brushes there.— P.C. Evans stated that at five minutes past eleven he saw
defendant carrying a bag containing soot and a number of brushes, which were
strapped across his back, down the footway of Northgate-street, near St Peter's
Church- yard. The bag and the implements caused considerable nuisance.
Defendant, when near the steps leading to the churchyard, stopped to talk to a
fish woman. He stayed on the foot-path for about five minutes. Witness had
cautioned defendant about the same thing three months ago.— For his defence
defendant called James William Travis, temperance agent, Chester, with whom he
had had a few minutes' conversation on the Market Square just prior to meeting
the constable.— Mr. Travis, on going into the box, addressed the magistrates as
follows .- — Your worships, I find that the ease to which our friend has
appealed to me to come and speak for him, has removed from the position of which
I saw it to somewhere near the Music Hall passage. (Laughter.)— The Chairman: He
is charged with obstructing the footway close to the steps leading to St.
Peter's Churchyard. —The Chief Constable (Mr. Fenwick): We take the whole of the
street; the summons says ' Northgate-street.'— Mr. Travis (again addressing the
Bench) : Of course that removes my ability to be able to speak for him at this
particular place. He was speaking to me and our friend, Mr. Bowles, the city
missionary, opposite the Town Hall. My impression has been that it was for that
particular place (opposite the Town Hall) that he was summoned.— The Chief
Constable (to the Bench) : Do you care to have his impressions? —Mr. Travis: I
am only justified in saying why I am here.— Mr. Fenwick : You are not on the
Market Square, Mr. Travis. (Laughter.) You are bound to give evidence on what
you saw and heard, and not what are your impressions.— Mr. Travis : He had no
soot with him.— The Chairman : It happened by Messrs. Okell's shop, and if you
did not see it there you cannot give any evidence.— Mr. Travis : I should like
to say .The Chairman : You know nothing at all about the circumstances. You
cannot speak, because you know nothing about it— Mr. Travis was leaving the box,
when Mr. Fenwick said he would like to ask him a few questions.— Mr. Fenwick :
What time was this ?— Mr. Travis: Between eleven and twelve o'clock.— Mr.
Fenwick: Had he a bag?— Witness: I did not see a bag at all.— Mr. Fenwick : Was
there any soot in it ? Witness : No.— Mr. Fenwick : You saw this constable
there, and you think he is able to judge whether it was soot ?— Witness : Yes.—
Mr. Fenwick: He is not a 'merit' constable.— Mr. Travis: A 'merit' constable?—
Mr. Fenwick : You know what I mean. — Mr. Travis : Yes, I know perfectly what
you mean.— Prisoner then pleaded for himself. He said he was the last sweep to
settle in the town, and it was very strange that he should be summoned. He did
not know there were any bye-laws objecting to a sweep carrying his machines on
the footpath. Other Chester sweeps did it. They paid for their licences to carry
on their trade, and there was nothing on those licences referring to the
bye-laws. He was ignorant of the bye- laws, and this was the first time he had
ever been before any Bench. He thought the summons was a faulty one. (Laughter )
—Mr. Fenwick : Doubtless. (Laughter.) — The Chairman said the bye-law distinctly
laid down that no person should carry any soot or other offensive matter on the
footways of the city except for the purposes of crossing the footway. It might
become a great nuisance to the public if men licensed to carry on the trade of
sweeps should also carry their instruments and machines on the footway. They
ought to be more careful.— Defendant : I will in future.— The Chairman: You come
and trade in the town, and you ought to know the bye-laws. The magistrates hope
this will be a warning to you, and you will in the future take care what you do.
The case will be dismissed. (The above appeared in our last Saturday Evening
Edition.)
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 5 December 1896 CITY POLICE COURT. Monday.— Before
the Mayor, Messrs. H. T. Brown, J. J. Cunnah, and J. G. Frost. An Audience
or 200.— Elizabeth Ann Burns and Alice Burns, sisters-in-law, were charged
by P.C. McGowan with committing a breach of the peace on Saturday in
Foregate-street by fighting. The constable said prisoners attracted a crowd of
over two hundred persons. — Elizabeth was bound over to keep the peace, and
Alice was fined 10s. and costs, or seven days' imprisonment.
He Wanted a Bit of Thieving.— Luke McLoughlan, of no fixed abode, was
charged with begging in Eaton-road, the previous day. Prisoner denied the
charge. P.C. A. Hughes deposed to seeing the man begging from door to door. When
witness spoke to him he said, 'Then where am I to get a bit of good thieving."
(Laughter.) — Prisoner's record being a very bad one, he was sent to gaol for
seven days without the option of a fine.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 13 February 1897 GRAVE CHARGE AGAINST A CHESTER
COAL DEALER. TRIAL BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES. At the City Police Court on
Wednesday, before the Mayor (Mr. B. C. Roberts), Dr. Stolterfoth, and Messrs. C.
Brown, T. Smith, and J. G. Frost, a well-known Chester coal dealer named John
McGeever, of Hoole-lane, Boughton, was charged on remand with feloniously
assaulting Margaret Gifford, of the Headlands, Chester, on Wednesday, January
27th. Mr. W. H. Churton appeared for the prosecution, while Mr. S. Brassey
defended. The Court was crowded, the assembly in the gallery including a fair
number of women who, at the suggestion of the Mayor, and after a little gentle
persuasion from the police, unwillingly quitted their “coign” of vantage in the
Court for the corridor behind, where they lingered till the case was over. Mr.
Churton said Mrs. Gifford lived at 2, Headlands, which was a little street
running from the entrance to the Grosvenor Park to Dee-lane, there being three
houses in the street, Gifford's being the centre one. Complainant was the wife
of Alexander Gifford, a smith in the employment of Charles Stevenson, of Canal
Side. Defendant was a coal dealer, from whom Mrs Gifford was in the habit -of
getting coal in small quantities — about a hundredweight at a time. On January
27th defendant called at the house at half-past twelve and the complainant
purchased a hundredweight of coal from him. Nothing took place at that time but
at half- past four in the afternoon complainant was in the back kitchen
attending to her household duties, when a loud knock came to the front door. He
(Mr. Churton) might here say that the door was fastened with a snap-lock, and no
one could get in from outside unless they had a key. Complainant went to the
door, and was rather surprised to see McGeever there. Defendant asked if she
wanted any coal, and complainant said, "No, I bought some from you at dinner
time." McGeever then stepped inside and closed the door behind him. Mrs. Gifford
star he was the worse for drink. He caught hold of her, and the assault which
followed was a very violent one, the struggle not being over for half an hour.
Defendant only went when he heard that Gifford himself had a key and could get
in the house from the outside. Complainant was badly hurt, but did not tell her
husband of the occurrence when he returned, as she was afraid he might go out
and do some- thing serious. She became unwell however, and got worse day by day
until a doctor had to be sent for on the Sunday. When complainant's husband was
told of the affair, he went to defendant's house at the corner of Hoole-lane,
and asked McGeever what he had been doing to his wife. Defendant said he had not
seen his wife, but later on he said he would pay for the doctor. He (Mr.
Churton) might say that it was practically impossible for complainant to scream
so as to be heard by the neighbours during the struggle. When defendant was
arrested, he said he had had a bad cold, and took some whisky for it, which made
him drunk, and he did not know what happened. Complainant, in giving evidence,
said McGeever was in the house forty minutes, as she noticed the time to be
half-past four when she went to the door, and ten minutes past five when the
affair was over. Witness did not tell her husband about it for fear of his hasty
temper. She saw McGeever next morning and he wanted to come in. He asked her if
she was hurt, and she told him she was hurt more than he perhaps thought.
Cross-examined: If she had told her husband on Wednesday, he would have murdered
McGeever, if he had seen him. Of two evils she chose the lesser. She told him on
the Saturday morning. She screamed all the time the struggle was going on, but
McGeever prevented her at times, and she became exhausted towards the finish.
She did not suppose that the neighbours would come if they heard her shouting
murder, because they (witness and her husband) were Scotch. Witness had a fall
on the Monday, but that did not account for the bruises on her body, and when
she spoke to a friend about it she did so laughingly. Replying to further
questioning, complainant stated she was a sober woman, but admitted that a bill
had been run up at the Bars Hotel for drink which had been consumed at home. She
owed McGeever for a few hundredweights of coal, but had never asked him to lend
her sixpence. Alexander Gifford, husband of the complainant, stated that his
wife informed him of what McGeever had done on the Saturday. Witness went to see
defendant at four o'clock in the afternoon, his knock bringing one whom witness
took to be Mrs. McGeever to the door. He said he wanted to see defendant, and
stood waiting on the footpath for his appearance. McGeever came to the
lorry-house beyond the house, and witness had to get the key from the stable in
order to unlock the lorry-house door for defendant to come out to speak to him.
Defendant, when asked the question, said he had done nothing to witness' wife,
and when questioned as to whether he could explain the marks on her, he said he
never touched her. Witness said he would have to see a doctor, and the Chief
Constable, about the matter, and McGeever rejoined, "That's right, see a doctor,
and I will pay whatever he charges." Defendant reiterated this expression, when
witness was in the act of leaving him. Cross-examined: His wife made some
allusion to him at the beginning of the week to having had a fall. She asked him
to see if there were marks upon her, and he could find none. His wife was sober.
The bill at the Bars Hotel was against witness, and was for drink that had been
consumed in the hotel. — Mr. Brassey: But your wife said it was drunk at home. —
Witness: Well, I might have sent a shillings- worth of spirits home at times.
Continuing, in answer to further questions, witness said he had had no drink at
the Ring O' Bells public- house, and did not know his wife got drink from there.
He did not have to leave his lodgings in Chester soon after he came here through
his wife's drinking and being in debt, nor was his wife's conduct in this way
the cause of their leaving Scotland. McGeever did not say when witness went to
see him that if he (witness) could get a doctor to prove the assault he
(defendant) would be responsible. Dr. Hamilton examined Mrs. Gifford on the
Saturday evening. She complained of pains in certain parts of the body and
witness found she had a large deep bruise on the inner front of the left arm,
smaller ones below the shoulder blades, and another on the hip. The bruises were
quite consistent with complainant's evidence. P.C. T. Hughes arrested McGeever
on the 2nd February] and took him to the police station. When the warrant had
been read over to him and explained, he said "I had a cold, and was told whisky
would do it good. I called at Clarke's vaults and there had three or four
glasses of whisky. It made me drunk, and I lost my senses, so I don't know what
happened."' This concluded complainant's case and Mr. Brassey thereupon
intimated that as the case was one which their worships obviously could not
decide, his client pleaded not guilty, and he reserved his defence. He applied
for bail, and he thought the same amount which had been fixed at the previous
hearing would be suitable on this occasion. — The Mayor: The Bench are of the
opinion that the bail should be doubled. Defendant was committed to the Quarter
Sessions, bail of the amount mentioned being allowed, defendant in £200 and two
sureties of £100 each.. A large crowd waited outside the Town Hall, but beyond a
few feminine expressions of hostility to the complainant there was no
demonstration.
Derby Daily Telegraph - Thursday 4 March 1897 A POLICEMAN STABBED BY A WOMAN.
Chester policeman named Hewitt was the victim a peculiar and dangerous assault
Tuesday at the hands of a Staffordshire virago named Mary Towers. He was taking
her to the police station for being drunk and disorderly, when she snatched a
seven-inch long hatpin from her hair and thrust into his neck, transfixing his
ear, and narrowly escaping piercing the jugular vein. She was Wednesday
sentenced to 21 days imprisonment. (Researchers note: This would appear to be
John Hewitt who joined the City Force in 1893 and retired as Chief Inspector in
1923)
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 19 June 1897 Bicycles for the Police. Mr. Cunnah
(chairman of the Watch Committee) moved the following recommendation of his
committee:—"That the committee be authorised to purchase two bicycles for the
use of the summons officer and the reserve constable." The committee, he said,
recommended that the selection of the bicycles be left to Mr. Holmes, Mr.
Fenwick, and himself. The committee had given the matter considerable
consideration, and they were supported in their recommendation that bicycles
should be bought by Sir Herbert Croft, who, in his annual report, which arrived
on the previous evening, said bicycles had been found of use in the detection of
crime, and in large boroughs they were becoming general. He also said in his
report with reference to the South of England that bicycles are of use in very
many districts, and appear to be of very great service. He had the authority of
the Chief Constable to say that the suburbs of Chester could be much better
looked after if a policeman could go round on his bicycle. They could get
bicycles to carry a sixteen stone man — they wanted a good bicycle for a
policeman, especially as he might bring a prisoner home with him (laughter) —
for £17 each. He proposed that two bicycles be procured at a sum not exceeding
£17 each. Mr. Lamb: Would it not be better if we had bicycles for two?
(Laughter.) Mr. J. G. Holmes seconded, and the resolution was carried
unanimously.
THE FORCE TO BE INCREASED. Mr. Cunnah next proposed that the force be increased
by the addition of three police constables. He explained that two years ago,
when Sir Herbert Croft inspected the police force, he suggested to the committee
an addition of two constables, and that was granted. At the same time, however,
there was a suggestion to the Watch Committee by the men that their leave should
be put upon better terms; they had seven days in the year, and wanted eight.
This concession, which was granted, was equal to two men, so that, so far as the
public were concerned, there was no addition to the force. The distribution at
present, after providing for the office work, the charge of the lock-ups, the
escort of prisoners to gaol, the warrant summonses, and the coroner's and
detective officers, was:- that there were 20 men policing the city from 6 a.m.
to 10 p.m., and they were divided into two sections. From 6 a.m. to two p.m.
there were six men, and from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. there were 14. For night duty
there were twenty men. The cost per constable was £75 per annum, so three extra
men would cost £225. One half of that would come from the exchequer
contribution, leaving £112 10 0 to be provided out of the watch rate. That was
about l-7th of a penny in the £. Mr. W. Denson seconded and it was carried.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 17 July 1897 ATTACK ON A CHESTER CONSTABLE.
ASSAILANT IN THE CANAL. John Shickle, labourer, Union Terrace, was
charged in custody at the Chester City Police Court, on Monday, with assaulting
P.C. Rogers on the previous Saturday night The officer said his attention was
directed to the prisoner, who was drunk, and running about in a semi- nude
condition along the canal side. Witness tried to persuade him to put his shirt
on, and go into his house, but he refused, and kicked the officer violently on
the loins. He then ran away, and jumped into the canal. Witness not knowing
whether the prisoner could swim, jumped in after him and brought him out. The
prisoner was mad drunk, and very violent, and when brought out of the canal
would not be quiet, but jumped in again. He was brought out a second time, but
got in a third time, and witness followed him again. By this time, however,
owing to the pain of the kick and his severe exertions, witness was becoming
very much exhausted, and had to be assisted out by some bystanders! He then
brought prisoner to the police station —The Chief Constable (Mr. G. L. Fenwick)
said prisoner was a Chester lad, and was one of a gang of cornermen. — Prisoner
said he had a drop of drink and did not know what he was doing.— The Chairman
said the magistrates took a serious view of prisoner's ruffianly conduct, and he
must be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for a month.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 31 July 1897 TRAGIC DEATH IN CHESTER-YOUNG MAN
SHOT: A shocking affair was reported to the police on Wednesday evening, when a
young man named Thomas Jarvis, a son of the late clerk of the cemetery,
accidentally shot himself. Deceased, who leaves a widow and two children, lived
at 4, Old Wrexham-road, Handbridge, and at half-past five in the afternoon he
was in the house apparently in his usual health and spirits. A woman from a
neighbouring street was also in the house washing some clothes, and when she
asked him to assist her in removing some article he made no reply, and went into
the parlour. Shortly afterwards the woman heard the report of a gun, and on
going into the room found Jarvis lying dead on the floor, with the gun by his
side. The remains presented a shocking appearance, the top of the skull being
blown off. INQUEST: The City Coroner (Mr. E. Brassey) held an inquest on the
body at the Red Lion Inn, Handbridge, on Thursday evening. Annie Jarvis, widow
of deceased, said that although her husband had been of intemperate habits, he
had lately been steady. She saw him last on the previous afternoon in the Hare
and Hounds. He was quite sober, and there was nothing unusual in his manner. He
came out and walked home. Witness knew no reason why he should commit suicide,
and he had no trouble as far as she knew. The gun was usually kept behind the
door. They had always lived on the best of terms. — Lucy Worsley,
charwoman, deposed to seeing deceased in his house the previous day. She heard
the report of the gun and on going into the kitchen found him lying near the
door quite dead. She did not notice the gun. There were shot marks on the door.
— Thomas Jarvis, brother of deceased, deposed to finding the unfortunate man
lying on his back in the kitchen. He was quite dead, the brains being scattered
about the floor. The gun was by his side, discharged. One barrel was empty, and
the other contained an empty cartridge. If the act was intentional, witness
could not account for it. — P.C. Dryland saw deceased, and noticed no signs of
anything by which the man could set the gun off. The barrel of the gun was
pointing towards his head. — The Coroner remarked that no doubt the act was
self-committed. It was probable that deceased had done it intentionally, and
also, on the other hand, - equally probable that it was an accident. — The jury
gave a verdict of 'Accidental death.'
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 4 September 1897 TRAGIC SUICIDE AT CHESTER. 'BETTER
DEAD THAN LIVING.' Another sad case of suicide with carbolic acid has to be
recorded At midnight on Thursday, P.C. Pruett, of the City Police Force, was
informed by Mr. Price, of 23, Watergate- Street Row, that a man in the Row was
behaving in a suspicious manner. The officer there-upon immediately went to the
Row, being just in time to see the man take the fatal dose out of a bottle. He
shouted to him "What are you doing?" and snatched the bottle from him. The only
reply he received was "I have done it." The bottle was labelled 'Carbolic acid
Poison.' The constable had in the meantime signalled for assistance, and
Inspector Culliford was promptly on the spot. Drs. Hopkins and Harrison were
sent for, and pending their arrival Inspector Culliford and P.C. Pruett gave the
man lime water. Dr. Harrison applied the stomach pump to the man, and after
doing all he could for him, recommended that be should be taken to the
Infirmary, where the unfortunate fellow died He is a stranger, and is aged about
fifty years, his name being unknown. He has dark brown hair, and a beard turning
grey, and was wearing a brown jacket, tweed trousers, low boots, and a soft felt
hat. In his pocket was found a railway notice bill, on which was written the
following pathetic message: — "l am a mechanic out of work. I am knocked up with
tramping from place to place, and cannot get food I am better dead than living."
His photograph was taken before his burial, for the purpose of identification.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 16 October 1897 CHESTER FISHMONGER CHARGED WITH
MANSLAUGHTER. TRIAL OF THE PRISONER. At the Chester City Police Court yesterday
(Friday), before Messrs. William Brown, L. Gilbert, R. L. Barker, and R.
Jackson: Evan Totty, fishmonger, was charged with the manslaughter of Maria
Culm, widow, who resided at 19, Parry's Entry. Mr. E. S. Giles prosecuted, and
Mr. W. H. Churton defended. The case was followed with close interest by a large
number of the general public. Mr. Giles, in opening the case for the
prosecution, said deceased was a dressmaker, and he was told there were several
of her children living in Chester. The charge was that the manslaughter was
committed on October 1st by the prisoner by reason of his having driven a
certain pony cart furiously in Stocks-lane, and run over the woman. He had a
number of witnesses to call, who would be able to tell the Bench exactly what
were the movements of Totty and a companion named Heath on the day in question,
from about three o'clock in the afternoon until nine o'clock in the evening,
when they got back to Chester. The evidence actually of the way in which the
woman came by her death was largely circumstantial, and it was obvious there
were only three persons who did know what took place at the actual moment when
this woman met with her death. Of these three persons one was dead, one was the
accused, and the other was the man Heath. It was only fair to the prosecution
and to the defence that, under the circumstances, Heath should be called and he
thought, after hearing the evidence, there could be no doubt in the minds of the
magistrates that Totty must stand his trial for the manslaughter of this woman.
The reason of her death was that Totty was not in a fit state to take charge of
the pony and trap which he was driving, that he drove that furiously, and that
by careless and furious driving he caused the death of this woman. It was
perfectly obvious there could not be any stronger case against a person in
charge of a horse and cart than that he was, through his own fault, not in a
proper condition to take charge of them properly, and if it was proved that
Totty, through his own neglect and through his own furious and negligent
driving, caused the death of this woman there could be no doubt he was guilty of
the charge. Dr. Giffen said he was summoned to Stock's Lane on the evening in
question, and saw Maria Culm who was dead. She was lying on her back about
two-thirds down the lane, which commenced at Cherry Orchard. Witness had made a
post-mortem examination, finding that three of the woman's ribs were fractured,
one having penetrated the lung, and that her liver and spleen were seriously
ruptured. There was a mark resembling that of a wheel across her cloak, and the
internal injuries were consistent with the wheels of a light trap having passed
over the body. There were no traces of alcohol about the woman, nor were there
any indications of her having fainted The internal injuries could hardly have
been caused by any one man with any instrument without external marks being made
There were no marks which led him to suppose there had been a struggle.
Cross-examined: It was quite possible the woman might have fainted without any
internal signs being visible on his post-mortem examination. A person might have
been the worse for liquor prior to her death without his finding any traces of
alcohol at his examination. Isaac Matthews Jones, city surveyor, produced plans
and described the width of the road. George Emmerson, landlord of the Foresters
Arms, Christleton-road, said deceased was in his house on the day in question,
at about five minutes to seven in the evening. She was perfectly sober, and was
alone. She had a glass of whisky, and stayed about a quarter of an hour. She
told him where she was going. Martha Elizabeth Owen, of Dee Banks, said she was
in Stocks-lane about half -past seven on the evening in question with Edith
Thomason. As they were walking from Christleton-road a two-wheeled trap passed
them, going towards Dee Banks. There were two men in the trap, and it was going
quickly. They afterwards heard somebody groaning, and found a woman lying on her
back. She was then alive. Edith Thomason, of Tarvin-road, corroborated William
Conway, a small boy, living at Boughton Heath, deposed to seeing a trap driving
at a fast rate down the lane on the evening in question. John Parkinson, 17,
Cross-street, butcher's assistant, recognised Totty's trap passing him on Walmer
hill. Totty occupied the driver's seat, but he could not say whether he was
driving. He found deceased lying in Stocks-lane. She was moaning. He raised her
up and spoke to her, but she did not reply. John Ellis, Hawthorne Villa,
Boughton Heath, said when returning from his work in the evening in question up
Stocks-lane, a trap passed him at the junction of the lane with
Christleton-road. It was going quickly towards Dee Banks, and had no lights.
Witness afterwards heard moaning, and on crossing over the lane, he saw deceased
lying on her back. Elizabeth Taylor, wife of John Taylor, the licensee of the
Cherry Orchard Inn, Boughton, deposed to serving the prisoner and Heath on the
evening in question about half-past seven with two small whiskies and a small
soda split. When she served them she did not notice they had had anything, but
afterwards she perceived they had had a little. They did not remain in the house
more than five minutes. Totty asked if she wanted to buy a couple of rabbits,
and she said they did not want any. John Taylor gave evidence to a similar
effect. — Cross-examined: He considered that both Totty and Heath when they came
into the house were in a 'servable ' condition. Emma Gerrard, wife of
Joseph Gerrard, Chapel-lane, Boughton, said she was in her shop on the evening
in question, and saw Totty come out of the Cherry Orchard Inn. Totty and Heath
afterwards went to a two-wheeled trap opposite her shop door, and witness having
previously noticed the pony steaming, told Totty to get in the trap and go home.
Both men were in drink. Finally they drove up Stocks-lane towards Dee Banks.
Cross-examined: A few minutes after they had gone into Stocks-lane, a trap came
from the direction of Stocks-lane, and stopped at her door. It was a bigger and
heavier trap than Mr. Totty's, and like his trap it had no top on. When this
trap got to her shop, Mr. Totty's would be about half-way up the lane. The
second trap stopped at her door only a few minutes and then went up Chapel-lane.
There was a young boy in the second trap, but his back was turned towards her,
and she did- not know who be was. Clifford Wright, a boy living at Sandy-lane,
Boughton, said on this evening, about a quarter to eight, a trap-with two men in
it passed him in Sandy-lane. He could not identify the trap or the men in it.
Samuel Williams, another boy living at Sandy-lane, gave similar evidence. Lily
Parker, wife of John Parker, licensee of the Mount Inn, Sandy-lane, said on this
evening Totty and a friend called at her house and asked for something to drink,
but were refused; Mr. Churton, after having a private conversation, said he was
rather surprised to find that the prosecution did not propose to call Mrs. Reed,
who gave evidence before the coroner as to seeing the deceased woman on
Christleton-road, on the evening in question, with another person. He asked the
Bench to grant a summons, in order that her evidence might be taken. Mr. Giles
said he was not going to call Maria Reed. His friend could call her if he liked.
At the Assizes Mr. Churton knew he could call her without a summons if he liked.
Mr. Churton contended that it was a very important thing for a witness to be
brought before the court below. Mr. Giles thought Mr. Churton was interfering
wrongly now. The Bench granted the summons. Maria Reed, wife of George Reed, 40,
Mount- pleasant, Christleton-road, was then called. — Examined by Mr. Churton,
she said she had known Mrs. Culm for a good many years, and on the night in
question saw her pass witness' shop door about half- past seven to a quarter to
eight. Deceased was in the company of a gentleman. She only saw the back of the
gentleman, but she should say he was a man of about sixty. He had a frock coat
on. Mrs. Culm was laughing and pulled the gentleman's coat as she passed
witness. Deceased was very near witness as she passed, and the gentleman was
walking on the kerb-stone. Witness had no doubt what-so-ever that it was Mrs.
Culm. They were going in the direction of Cherry Orchard, which was about 200
yards away from her shop. Witness thought deceased must have had a little drink
from the fact that as she passed she was laughing. John Heath, fishmonger, 38
Watergate-street, before giving evidence was advised by the Deputy Magistrates'
Clerk (Mr. Davison) that he was not bound to give evidence that might
incriminate himself. Witness stated that on the day in question he joined Totty
at his shop in Brook-street about 20 minutes past two. They arranged to drive to
Mouldsworth. At the time witness had had about two glasses of beer. At three
o'clock witness met Totty, who was in his trap, at the Bars, where they each had
a glass of beer. They then went, Totty driving, to Cherry Orchard, where they
had a brandy and soda each. Thence they went to Christieton, over a bridge,
turned to the right as near as he could say, and went to Mouldsworth. They
called at several public houses and had brandies and sodas and whiskies and
sodas mixed at each place. He remembered being at Mouldsworth, and going up a
private drive, where prisoner bought some rabbits. As soon as they had got the
rabbits in the cart they turned round and started back. He believed they called
at a public-house, and he thought they had a whisky and soda split, for which
witness remembered paying. They stopped for three or four drinks on the way
home, and got to the Cherry Orchard where they had a whisky and soda split.
After having the drinks at Cherry Orchard they got into the trap again and drove
towards Chester. He could not say which way they took, but he believed they went
through Christleton. (Laughter) After they left the Cherry Orchard, witness did
not remember speaking to prisoner about the way he was driving, neither did he
recollect the trap being stopped, nor being attempted to be stopped after they
left the Cherry Orchard. Witness did not recollect taking hold of the reins or
calling at the Mount Inn. He did recollect calling at Mr. Giles' office on the
previous afternoon. (Laughter.) Mr. Giles: I am glad you do recollect
some-thing. (Laughter.) Mr. Churton did not ask the witness any questions.
Detective Price Wynne produced the cloak worn by deceased on the fatal night.
THE DEFENCE. Prisoner was then formally charged, and pleaded ‘Not guilty.' Emma
Parker, wife of James Parker, tester at the Hydraulic Works, living at
Chapel-lane, said on the evening in question, on going to Mrs. Gerrard's shop,
she noticed a small pony and trap by the door. The pony was steaming. Witness
saw Totty and heard Mrs. Gerrard say to him "Now my man, don't go into the
Orchard again; get into the trap and go home." Totty then went into the Orchard
and brought two rabbits out with him. Totty got into the cart and said to some
children "Go and ask that man (Heath) how long he is going to be." He then went
to the door of the Cherry Orchard and called Heath. Afterwards both men got into
the cart and drove right down Stocks-lane. They went quietly enough as far as
she saw them. As soon as they had gone witness heard the sound of another trap
coming out of Stock's-lane. She said to Mrs. Gerrard "They are turning back
again." She went outside the shop, and saw a cart come out of Stocks-lane, and
stop by the shop. This was a much heavier trap than Totty's. A small boy was in
the cart. Cross-examined : She was neither a relation to Totty nor Heath, and
would not know them if she saw them. THE RESULT. The Bench finally committed
prisoner to the Assizes, admitting him to bail on his own security of £80, and
two of £40 each. (Researchers note: The trial was held at Chester Assizes in
November 6th the same year. Totty was charged on the Coroner’s inquisition with
‘manslaughter’. Evidence was heard from all of the original witnesses and
others, including Detective Pryce Wynne of the City Police Force, who said that
he had measured the tyre of Totty’s cart, and it corresponded with the mark on
Mrs Culm’s body. Detective Inspector Gallagher deposed to visiting 107 Bakers
shops owing to the statements made before the Magistrates, in order to find the
cart which had been in Stock’s Lane. The result of the enquiry was that the only
cart which they could trace, was that belonging to Messrs. Price, and driven by
a previous witness. The Jury retired after a trial lasting just over 3 hours.
After only seven minutes later the Jury returned to the Court and announced
their verdict – ‘Reckless driving, but not sufficient evidence to show that he
caused the death.’ The Judge said,-“He is charged with knocking her down and
causing her death by his reckless driving. You had better go back and consider
it again”. The Jury retired again, and after a further lapse of some 35 minutes
again returned with a verdict of “Not Guilty”)
In the same Edition we see: Cheshire Quarter Sessions. BURGLARY IN BROOK-STREET.
PENAL SERVITUDE FOR A LIFE-LONG CRIMINAL, William Lewis, alias Albert Dawson,
pleaded guilty to breaking into the shop of Wm. Henry Lightfoot, Brook-street,
with intent to steal goods therein. Mr. D. A. V. Colt Williams prosecuted and
stated that at half-past four on the morning of October 3rd P.C. Wakelin heard a
wrenching noise, and obtaining assistance, found prisoner on the premises with a
jemmy and a wedge. The Recorder, in passing sentence, said he had a record
before him that shewed that the prisoner for many years had done nothing but
follow a career of crime. He was well known in various places. He began young
and was sent to a reformatory. Shortly after he came out he was taken in custody
and convicted of housebreaking and offences of that kind and with what he (the
Recorder) thought mistaken leniency was sentenced to imprisonment for a day. He
had been to a certain extent taught to follow this course of crime with
impunity, and had had 12 months, 21 months, and similar sentences, all of which
had turned out ineffective. — Prisoner here interrupted to say that the 21
months sentence should not be brought against him, as he was now known to be
innocent. — His Honour, resuming, said, however, that Lewis had been convicted
six times for felony, and had been 24 times summoned, so that a time or two did
not make much difference. He had a duty to perform to the public and he should
remove prisoner for a considerable time. He sentenced him to penal servitude for
five years.
Cheshire Observer Saturday 13 November 1897 CITY POLICE COURT Saturday
Before Messrs. H. T. Brown, G. Dog Stealing at Chester James McCann, a labourer,
of very Irish appearance, was charged with stealing a Pomeranian dog, the
property of Private Arthur Topham, of the 22nd Regiment, on Thursday. — A
military police sergeant said prisoner, who bad the dog with him, asked him the
way into Handbridge. Witness directed him, and he went down Bridge-street. —
P.C. John Wynne also saw prisoner with the dog. McCann, who was also in custody
for alleged drunkenness, was fined 20s. and costs, or 14 days
Tuesday:- Before Messrs. R. L. Barker, Geo. Dutton, and R. Jackson. - A Bawling
Woman - Emily Williams, married woman, living in Chapel-lane, was charged in
custody with committing a breach of the peace in Milton-street the previous day.
P.S. Porter, in proving the case, said prisoner was very drunk, and used abusive
language and quarrelled with people the whole of the afternoon. Her husband came
to her, and she blackguarded him. The Bench bound her over in two sureties of £2
10s. each to keep the peace, and in default sent her to prison for seven days.
Liverpool Echo – Wednesday 2 February 1898 SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO A CHESTER
POLICE-SERGEANT. Sergeant Walter Steen of Chester City has met with somewhat
serious accident. It appears that whilst on night duty he received intimation,
which, however, was incorrect, that some person was enclosed premises of an
establishment next to the National Provincial Bank, for unlawful purpose.
Accompanied other by other officers he proceeded to institute a search, and
walking over the end of the glass used for the purpose affording light to the
lower premises, it collapsed precipitating him some distance below into the
shop. He was rendered unconscious, and received injuries to his head and one of
his feet, which attended to Dr Harrison, the police surgeon.
Hull Daily Mail – Wednesday – Wednesday 7 September 1898 At a meeting of the
Chester Watch Committee yesterday. Detective-Inspector John H. Laybourne, of
Liverpool, was appointed Chief Constable commencing at a salarv of £300 per
annum.