Carlisle Patriot, 10 Oct 1818 - Scotland News
Petra Mitchinson
Saturday 10 Oct 1818 (p. 3, col. 6)
SCOTLAND.
On Wednesday, the 7th inst. the Presbytery of Annan unanimously deposed Mr. James HALLIDAY from the office of Schoolmaster in Dornock, and instructed Mr. SLOAN to declare the school vacant, and to adopt the proper measures for filling up the vacancy. By the last act of Parliament respecting schoolmasters, there is no appeal from the sentence of the Presbytery, which is final.
On the night of Sunday last, or early on Monday morning, the barn of Poolscroft, near Annan, belonging to Mr. John CUTHBERTSON, farmer, was broke open by some person or persons hitherto undiscovered, and upwards of twenty corn bags or sacks carried off; but what renders this theft peculiarly mysterious, the thieves had deliberately and carefully emptied the contents out of two of the sacks which were standing full, and some chaff out of the chaff bed, before taking them away. A search has been made without effect.
On Tuesday the 29th ult. the Magistrates and Council of the Burgh of Annan met for the purpose of electing new Magistrates for the ensuing year, when Benjamin NICHOLSON, Esq. was unanimously re-elected Provost; Messrs. Joseph BENSON and George DALGLEISH, Baillies; Robert RICHARDSON, Treasurer; and James IRVING, Dean. And Messrs. George POOL, Cavan IRVING, and James JARDINE, were elected new Counsellors in room of Messrs. Bryce DOWNIE, George OLIVER, and John FORREST, who go out agreeably to the antient sett and constitution of the Burgh. Independently of the noise and bustle made about reform in this neighbourhood some time ago by certain persons, we believe there never were Magistrates chosen with greater unanimity than on this occasion, nor were there ever three new counsellors which seemed to possess a greater share of public confidence and popularity than is deservedly attached to these gentlemen.
Inscribed upon a stone in the old churchyard of Annan:—
qu a d t m p
os nguis irus risti ulcedine avit.
h sa m ch d l
At full length.—Quos anguis dirus tristi mulcedine pavit. Hos sanguis mirus Christi dulcedine lavit.
In English.—Those whom the dread serpent has nourished with his fatal charm, the wonderful blood of Christ has washed in its sweet, refreshing streams.
Extraordinary Confession.—On the morning of Saturday, the 26th ultimo, the mate of a vessel, (Mr. GAMBLES) which had run a-ground at Skinburness, slept in the house of Mr. GRAVES, Innkeeper, there. On examining his pocket-book in the morning, he lost two guinea notes, which he was certain must have been extracted from it during the night. Suspicion instantly fell upon a Scotch lad, named FORSTER, who had been harvesting at Abbey-Holme, and who had likewise slept a part of the night at Skinburness—and this suspicion was greatly strengthened when it was ascertained that FORSTER had left the house immediately after the family retired to rest, refusing to assign any reason, on being questioned by a servant girl who had seen him going out, as to what could induce him to leave her master's house at that unseasonable hour of the night. A pursuit was instantly agreed upon, which was spiritedly supported by Mr. GRAVES and one or two other persons. As it seemed probable that the fugitive had crossed over to the Scotch side, they of course went in that direction, and arriving at Annan, procured a warrant for the run-a-way's apprehension. Having ascertained that he resided somewhere about Priestside, the pursuers, headed by a peace-officer, proceeded thither in a post-chaise, and succeeded in apprehending him. On returning with him to Annan, he was examined by Provost NICHOLSON, and all his personal effects, and every part of his clothes, were minutely searched, in order to find the notes; but they were not found, and FORSTER was liberated. But previous to his leaving the party, having been warmly pressed, he confessed having taken the money, and said that it was in his bed at Priestside: a messenger was instantly dispatched for the money, having been instructed by FORSTER where to find it. During this person's absence, FORSTER prevailed upon the mate to accompany him to some bye corner for a certain purpose, when he made his escape, and was pursued with alacrity to prevent his arriving home before the messenger, and taking away the money. On again searching the house, however, nothing in the shape of money or notes could found, and the pursuit was discontinued. Upon the arrival of Mr. GRAVES and Mr. GAMBLES at Skinburness, they ascertained that the money supposed to have been lost, was perfectly safe in the hands of a gentleman to whom it had been entrusted the night before. On making this discovery, they communicated the same to Joseph COWAN, constable of Annan, who promptly gave publicity to the circumstance, and FORSTER, hearing of it, returned to the bosom of his family, which he had deserted, living like a fugitive on the hills and in unfrequented places, ever since his apprehension.
The Rev. George Baillie RUTHERFORD has been ordained assistant and successor to his father, the Rev. James RUTHERFORD, minister of Hounam, Roxburghshire.
Edinburgh, October 4.—We are concerned to record the melancholy fate of Mr. WILKIE, at Bonnington, in the parish of Ratho. On Monday last, that gentleman having just returned from his ride, proceeded to loosen the girths, in order to take off the saddle, when his mare, a vicious animal, turning suddenly round, bit him in the belly, and lacerated him in a shocking manner. Medical assistance was called in, both from the vicinity of the place and from Edinburgh, but notwithstanding all their efforts Mr. WILKIE died on Tuesday evening, after enduring the most excruciating agony. The same animal bit one of the farm servants severely some time before, but he soon after recovered. A few years ago a brother of Mr. WILKIE lost his life by an infuriated ox.