Carlisle Patriot, 16 Oct 1824 - Local News (2)
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Saturday 16 Oct 1824 (p. 2, col. 5, and p. 3, col. 1-2 + 5-6) [continued]
APPLEBY, OCT 14.—On Monday last, TELFORD, who is now confined in Appleby gaol on a charge of forgery, and Charles O'NEIL, who was convicted at the last Westmorland assizes for robbing the spirit cellar of Mr. BLACKADDER of Templesowerby, attempted to make their escape, and also attempted the murder of a fellow prisoner, an old man, who has been under confinement for some months, having been convicted of petty larceny. For many days previous, the governor, Mr. THWAITES, had been upon the look-out, justly suspecting that something wrong was going on. Monday seemed favourable to the projects of the prisoners, being a stormy day, both for wind and rain. On letting the prisoners out of their rooms in the morning, they observed to the governor, that it was an uncommonly bad day: "Yes," said the latter, "and although it is so bad, I shall have to go from home as far as Brough." This was said in order to throw the prisoners off their guard, thinking they would immediately commence operations upon the supposition that he had left home. The result justified his opinion. Mr. THWAITES continued upon a close watch for several hours, necessarily exposed to the "pelting of the pitiless storm." Mr. TOWERS also lent every possible assistance, and posted himself upon the chapel steps, from whence he could perceive any person that might ascend the walls of the prison. Others were stationed on the outside of the gaol. About two in the afternoon, an outcry was heard from the felon's yard, and the governor immediately burst in upon them. The old man was calling for assistance; and he had reason to to do so [sic]. He informed Mr. THWAITES of what had passed. The other two prisoners had carried on their operations, as they thought, unknown to the old man, who had overheard the following conversation between them, while they were in the privy making preparations. TELFORD: "I am afeard Charley, the old man will raise the alarm." O'NEIL: "Oh, d—n the old blackguard, a single blow will do for him; but how shall we do when we get to the other side? the alarm may be given by some person, and we may be taken again." TELFORD: "The devil o' bit o' that, Charley; if we were once fairly on the other side, they might whistle for us." The old man was sitting near to the fire in the day-room, his head resting upon one of his hands, the other covering an eye which he had recently lost the use of. He fancied he saw the prisoners creeping behind him upon their hands and knees; and being much terrified, jumped upon his feet, and perceived Charley close upon him, with his fist uplifted in order to strike him, when he called out, "Surely, Charles, you will not murder me." The prisoners then said, that if he made the least noise they would do for him; but watching his opportunity, he made a spring past them into the yard, and called out as already stated. Mr. THWAITES then searched the prisoners, and found twined about Charley's body a rope ladder of exquisite workmanship, manufactured out of a piece of linen cloth which had been purchased for TELFORD for a shirt. It was about seven yards long, and at the extremity was fixed, in the most secure manner, an iron crook made from two clog-calkers. The steps were about two feet asunder, and made from the wood of a pair of bellows which they had cut up for the purpose, and the feet of a wooden stool. The spikes which surmount the walls cross each other at right angles, and were therefore well calculated for retaining a firm hold of the crook, and thereby facilitating their escape. The old man has been put into a place of safety, and the offending parties securely ironed. TELFORD observes great taciturnity. On the failure of their plan all that he said was, "D—n the old Blackguard." He is thirty-six years of age; about five feet ten inches high; but a most powerful and athletic man. He is an awkward customer, and may yet make desperate attempts; but the activity and vigilance of the present governor will thwart all his schemes.
AFFECTING SUICIDE.—An inquest was holden at the Moor's-Head, Wandsworth, a few days ago, on view of the body of Mr. Samuel CROSTHWAITE, who came by his death in consequence of swallowing a quantity of laudanum on Thursday night previous. Mr. Louis COLE, of Northampton-street, Northampton-square (brother-in-low [sic] to the deceased), stated that Mr. CROSTHWAITE was a native of Carlisle, and had latterly carried on the business of a cotton-spinner at Paisley to a very considerable extent; in consequence of some losses in trade, it became necessary for him to come to London to effect an arrangement with his creditors, and in which he very happily succeeded, with the exception of one person to whom he (deceased) stood indebted to a large amount, and who refused to give any accommodation whatever. On Tuesday, a letter reached London, informing the deceased that a distress was put on his premises at the suit of the above-mentioned individual. The intelligence had an immediate and most powerful influence on the spirits of Mr. CROSTHWAITE, who, after reading over the unwelcome letter, emphatically repeated—"It is all over now, my next step will be into the Gazette—and, after that, there is nothing for me but desolation and ruin—God help my poor children." On Thursday morning, he rose rather before his accustomed time, ordered breakfast in his own apartment, and on leaving his lodging, he said that he should not sleep at home, as he was going a little way out of town; he then went into the city where he transacted some business with one of his creditors, and in the evening walked to an acquaintance at Wandsworth, from whence intelligence was brought to witness on the following day, that he was no more. Mr. George ALFORD, of Wandsworth, stated, that the deceased came to his house on Thursday afternoon, between the hours of five and six o'clock; he appeared exhausted, and witness pressed him to take some refreshment, but deceased said, in rather a hurried manner, "No, no, nothing at present; I have already drank too much." Witness perceiving that he had not the least sign of liquor, repeated the words "Too much?" and said "You certainly have not drank any thing since you left town?" "Yes, but I have," was his reply, "enough, quite enough—perhaps too much." However, in a short time after, he took some tea and toast; smoked a segar, drank a glass or two of ale, and, at his own desire, was suffered to retire to a room prepared for him, much earlier than his friends could have wished, for he was generally a well informed man, and when in better spirits a most pleasing companion. On the following morning witness, who was to accompany the deceased to town on very urgent business, tapped at his room-door when breakfast was ready. No answer being returned, he entered the apartment, and, to his great surprise, found deceased still in his clothes, and seated in a great chair, apparently in profound sleep. Closer inspection, however, convinced witness that it was the sleep of death; the limbs were stiff and cold—the eyes glazed—the lips colourless—he was no more—and had evidently ceased to exist for several hours. Mr. WHEATLEY, surgeon, examined the body, by desire of his friends on Friday. Nearly one ounce and a quarter of laudanum was lodged in the stomach, and had unquestionably been the immediate cause of dissolution. The jury, after a short consultation, returned a verdict of insanity, produced by excessive relaxation of the animal spirits.
A handsome copper bottomed brig of 132 tons register, was launched from the building yard of Mr. Isaac MIDDLETON, Maryport, on Saturday last, called the Countess of Liverpool, built for Capt. JENKINSON.
The Scipio, BOADLE, (187 tons register) was lowered from Whitehaven Patent Slip on the 6th; the Triton, REDFERN, (72 tons register) on the 7th; and the Antigua Packet, DAWSON (272 tons register) on the 8th, after having undergone repairs. The Monmouth, HARRISON, (107 tons register) was taken upon the Slip on Saturday.
The Crown, Wm. RAE, of this port, from Drogheda, bound to Preston, put into Ramsey, Isle of Man, on the first instant.
The Volunteer, LINDER, from Jamaica at Whitehaven, on the 8th inst., ten weeks passage. Her cargo consists of sugar, rum, coffee, logwood, fustic, &c.
The Hope, INMAN, from Memel at Maryport on the 6th, 58 days passage. On the outward bound passage, William LISTER, the mate, dropped down suddenly on the deck, and instantly expired.
The Jane, WILKINSON, from Quebec at Workington.
Glasgow, October 14.—A letter from Capt. DALZELL of the Eclipse steam packet, arrived from Belfast, has just been received at our Coffee-room. Capt. DALZELL reports that the gale commenced at Belfast on Sunday, with the wind from the East—on Monday it veered to to [sic] the N. E. and all that time continued to blow a perfect hurricane. Thirty vessels took refuge in Belfast Loch, all of which rode out the storm in safety. Considerable damage has been done on shore, trees and buildings being blown down. The oldest of the place do not remember such a long and such a severe gale. The Hero of Whitehaven was wrecked near Howth, crew saved; and the Dwarf cutter was also wrecked in Kingston harbour. Several other vessels injured. The Royal Mail Steam Packet for Holyhead, and a Steam Packet for Liverpool, which sailed on Monday, were compelled to return by the fury of the gale. In crossing the Channel on Wednesday, Capt. DALZELL found the sea much down, and the weather moderate, and saw no vessels that had sustained material injury.—Glasgow Courier.