Carlisle Patriot, 09 Jul 1825 - Local News (2)

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Saturday 09 Jul 1825   (p. 2, col. 6 + p. 3, col. 1, 2 + 6)     [continued]

 

PUBLIC OFFICE.—On Tuesday last, John WATT, a journeyman bookbinder in the employment of Mr. SLEE of Jollie's Buildings, was brought up in custody at this office, charged with several offences of an unnatural and disgusting nature. No less than five little girls, from six to nine years of age, pointed out the prisoner, and stated to the Magistrates in what manner he had enticed them into bye-places by the gift of halfpence, and a promise to purchase dolls, &c. where he took indecent liberties with their persons. The last case, was on Monday evening, when he inveigled an interesting little creature under the dry arch of Eden-Bridge. In a previous instance, he led another child to an unfrequented part of the Broadmeadows, and was proceeding to extremities of the most atrocious kind, but was happily interrupted and put to flight by the appearance of a woman, who calmed the child's fears, dried her eyes, and set her in the road homewards. This woman, unfortunately, is at present unknown; and all the children were too young to take an oath, so the villain could not be legally committed, though richly deserving of the severest punishment. The fellow, however, having been drunk when taken before the magistrate on Tuesday morning, and, indeed, was drunk when examined, Dr. BLAMIRE convicted him for that offence in the penalty of 5s. and ordered him to go to SLEE, his master, with whom he boarded and lodged, for the money; but as soon as he got outside the Hall, a crowd collected around him, and he was instantly assailed by men, women, and children, and pursued through the Green-market, down Scotch-street, to Jollie's Buildings. The father of one of the children repeatedly laid a heavy hand on the miscreant, and severely cut his head by knocking it against a cart-wheel. We presume that he will find it expedient to leave Carlisle far behind him. He is a single man, about 38 years of age, and told the magistrates he came from forty miles the other other [sic] side of Edinburgh.—On Wednesday, William BELL, alias SCUDAWAY, was committed from this office, charged with stealing various articles from stables, out-houses, &c. at Kirkandrews-upon-Eden, the property of Mr. NORMAN and others. BELL is a notorious character. At a late city session, many of our readers will remember, he refused to plead, pretending loss of speech, but the jury pronounced him wilfully mute, and found him guilty of the offence imputed, upon very clear evidence, and the delinquent was publicly whipped. He soon recovered his speech, when he found that the non-exercise of it was of no service to him. His activity in eluding the officers gained him his surname of SCUDAWAY.—On the same day, Henry GRAY, a cotton-spinner residing in Botchergate, and in the employment of Messrs. SLATER & Co. obtained a warrant against Isabella ROWAN, widow, for beating in the pannels of his door on Monday night, after he and his family were in bed, threatening to murder them by pulling the house about their ears, &c. Mrs. ROWAN soon made her appearance, accompanied by her mother, a lady with a most active tongue. The reason assigned for the outrage was, that GRAY had charged the mother with having left her country because it was supposed she had stolen something; but a little inquiry shewed the true motive. The old woman had provoked GRAY's observation by calling him "a rascally fellow for going in to work while so many others remained out." It further appeared, that Mrs. ROWAN had two children who used to work at Mr. SLATER's mill. The damage to the door was estimated at 5s. The offender was therefore convicted, under the wilful trespass act, in a penalty and costs, to the amount of 15s., and stood committed till the money was paid. The magistrates desired GRAY to apply to them, if he were again assaulted or annoyed on account of honestly and industriously following his occupation, declaring their determination to afford the utmost protection to all persons similarly situated, and to visit the offenders with the severest penalties of the law in order to repress the very pernicious spirit which unhappily actuates so many of the operatives in Carlisle as well as in other places.—A crowd of persons from Ritson's Lane appeared to prefer complaints against two women residing there, venders of smuggled whiskey and  keepers of bad houses. The complainants declared (all talking together at full pitch) that the lane was constantly in an uproar, night and day, with the pranks of lewd and disorderly men and women, and that sober, hard-working persons residing there were worn off their legs for want of due rest at night. They were put in the way of indicting one of the offenders at the City Sessions, on Monday, free of expense, unless she shifts her quarters in the meantime, of which there are some symptoms; the other was committed in default of bail, having been guilty of an assault.

 

The following inquisitions have been taken, since our last, before Richard LOWRY, Esq. coroner:—On Saturday, at Botcherby, on the body of John CONELLY, aged 25 years, who was found lying dead on some hay, in a barn belonging to Mr. John HOLMES, without any marks of violence on his body: verdict, died by the visitation of God.—At Penrith, on Monday last, on the body of Lawson THOMPSON, aged 42 years, who was found in the river Eamont, a little below Brougham Bridge, on Sunday evening. The deceased left his home at four o'clock on Sunday morning, and was not heard of till the evening, when his body was found. His coat and hat, and a pocket-handkerchief, in which was wrapped a knife, with which he had cut the initials of his name on a sod by the river side, and also his name in full on a stick, were found near the scene of suicide. He has left a wife and four children. Verdict, found drowned.

 

Extraordinary instance of canine sagacity.—A few evenings since, while the singers belonging to a church in Westmorland, were practising psalmody, a little spaniel bitch, which usually accompanied the singing master, observed, as is supposed, one of the party (a female) without a book in her hand,—the rest having one each,—the little animal, after ranging about the church for a considerable time, was seen coming up the middle aisle with a prayer-book in her mouth, which she dropped at the feet of the above-mentioned female; at the same time looking up at her, as much as to say, "Now, you can join chorus;" then, wagging her tail, went and lay down!!—Correspondent.

 

The Lord Bishop of Carlisle held his triennial visitation and confirmation at St. Lawrence church, Appleby, on Friday, the 1st. inst. The confirmation commenced at nine o'clock in the morning, continued until eleven, the hour of divine service, and was resumed at one in the afternoon. The sermon was preached by the vicar of Appleby, the Rev. Mr. MILNER, A. M. from the ninth chap. according to St. Luke, and 26th verse. The discourse was most appropriate and impressive. The charge was much the same as that at Carlisle: 925 children were confirmed.

 

On Tuesday last, a coroner's inquest was held at Kirkby Stephen, before R. S. STEPHENSON, Esq. on the body of John LAIDMAN. It appeared that on the preceding evening the deceased was in company with a neighbour of his called WILKINSON, at the White Lion public house, when they quarrelled, and the latter struck the deceased, who fell from his chair, and kicked him with his feet whilst in that situation. The deceased died almost instantly, in consequence of the rupture of a blood-vessel—verdict, manslaughter. WILKINSON has been committed to gaol for the offence.

 

 

[to be continued]