The National Register. — London, England, 1822-08-18 00:00:00

-4 OM SUMMER ASSIZES. TRIAL OF WILLIAM BRIDLE. WELLS, THURSDAY, AUG. 13.—At eight o'clock Mr. Justice Richardson took his seat, arid the doors were thrown open to the public. ?HE ZING W. BRIDLE. Twelve special jurors—Checks Simpson, George George, Jobe Jones, William Shepherd, Daniel Stanton, William Dam• pier, Francis Rogers, Jacob Wilkinson, Shockburgb Howe, NV Wien Waters, &meal Rodbard, Harry Foulkes Edi,rll, Eises,asswered to their names, sad were sworn. Mr. Selwyn opened the pleadings. The information consisted of two distinct charge.; the first charge alleged that, on the 18th of Notemter, 1818, the defendant being keeper of Itches ter gaol, and 'maliciously iuteoding to injure Mary Geer, a pri soner ender hi. charge, did, without refficieut or justifial •.1 cause, ooeftee the said Mary Geer, she bevies en infant at her breast, is a cold and unwholesome yell, neglecting to supply ber during that confinement with necessary firing, or with the bread and water necessary for her sustenance. The second charge alleged that, on the 20th of November, 1820, the defea dant, intending to injure one Thomas Gardner, also a prisoner is Ilehester gaol, pat a Mk er sposeardner's head and a 'might waistcoat upon hie body, confining bins at the same time in a so litary cell. maim ~- TO this information the defendant pleaded Not Guilty. Mr. Sergeant Pell opened en the part of the prosecution, and proceeded to call witnesses to his case. Mary Caer, =ruined by Mr. Gaaelee.—[The witness was a plain looking errantry women, shoat SS years of age.]—l was in Ilehester gaol about three years and a half ago. A quarrel took place betweta me and one-of my felow prisoners. It was Betty Smith. We were both punished. We were bad down and looked up. I continued locked up from Thursday to Sun day. This was in November. It r.iur very cold weather.— There was a little sleet mid snow on the ground. I had at that time an infant of four roontlis old at my breast. This was about one month after I went in priaron. It was between one and two o'clock oe Thursday. I bad no fire till Saturday rumning at 11. —There was a stone floor in the cell, and very cold. I was allowed bread and cold water. I had not as mach water as I wanted. One day I was without any. I was locked up all that day, and saw no one to ask for water. This was the Friday after I went in. I got water on the Saturday. It was brought is s bucket, sad the bucket was left in my cell. There was notbia( to drink out of, but the bucket. I never bad anything to drink oat of but the brisket till I came out ; I was let out fur about an hour on Saturday morning ; I was not out at all on Friday. On Thursday evening I came out and went to my bed cell, and drank at the pump in my way. I was in the bed-cell all the day us Friday. On Saturday when I got s fire, it was in another cell ; my child was with me all this time ; I bad nothing to supply it with daring the whole of this time. I f ed my milk foiled me, and all Friday night I had no milk for the baby to suck. When I got the water on Saturday morning 1 drank a great deal, because I was thirsty ; I was well when 1 went in on the 'Thursday. It was very cold when I was let out en the Sunday moraine, and on Sunday night I was very ill in the middle of the night, and was obliged to call up Mrs. Hobbs : I was very bad in my trowels—sick and bad Mr. Bridle himself it was that locked me up on the Thursday. I know a person named Trapeze ; 1 saw him while I was cos• hued. It was not the bed cell I wee locked imp in on Thursday; it was not very light or very dark. Mr. Traganza brought me out of the bed-cell on Thursday eight, and I remained there all Friday. The place I used to sleep ,in „before was up in the ward with the women. Crnas•exsmined by Mr. C. F. Williams.—l had been three meths in prison altogether. lam mot a married woman. I bare two children. I have had three. I saw Mrs. Ilobbs belore I was locked up. I had no tea things at Mr. Hobbs's.— I had my crockery along with the other women. I had a basin and cup and saucer in the pantry of the ward with the other women. It was about two o'clock when I was locked up, and about seven when I was let out to the bed-cell. To go from one ea to the other 1 passed the pump and drank. I could not go to the other cell without passing the pump. The basin I bad was as large as a sager basin. I did nut take my basin be cause I did sot know where I was going. I did not know how long I was going to be confined down below. I was not offered Ars while in the cell, I Dever said 't I'll be d—d if I have soy Ere." I aeversaid " I'll be d--d" bile I was in the prison, I waa not let down to walk on Friday. Betty Smith was also confined, but not with me. Nobody came to inn to the bed-cell on Friday ; I had no additional rug or blanket sent on Friday. Mr. Williams.-1 now ask you on your oath whether you did not swear before, that you asked tor water several times on the Friday, sod could not get it l—No, I never said so ; I asked fur water on the Saturday morning when I came out. — The leestiou was put again, and witness answered—" It I said so, your lernovr, 1 did not see no one on the Friday." I never sew any buckets in other cells. I was in no other cell but that in which I slept. When I came down on Saturday I saw Mr. Trapeze, and I said I was cold, and asked for a little fire. I told him I wanted to speak to Mr. Bridle. He said Mr. Bridle was engaged and had company. I .told him my child was ill.— He gave me a candle and the fire was lighted. The fire was lighted in the cell where 1 had been on Thursday. There had been fuel in the call before. He never used me ill before this. I remember his setting a subscription on foot to release me from from prism. I was confined at that time for taking a few tur nips. If was my mother who went about, and Mr. Bridle who put the lastabilliag. I caul say Mr. Bridle wrote the paper, or that he did not write it. I dont know. This was the first time I was in prison. When the magistrate came aßer Ibis I made no complaint. I saw Mr. Hunt last Thursday. He seat for me to know whether I was going to the assizes. 1 know nothing of Mr. Hunt's kindness except his talking. 1 know a Mrs. Shepherd. I remember when I was scot for by Mr. Hunt. I don't remember having told her that I did not know what he ( Mr. Hoot) sent for me for ; for that Mr. Bridle always behaved well to me. Mr. Bridle was kind to me the first time, and until the time 1 was lucked up. I was locked up for fighting with another woman. She called ma a d—d liar, and 1 struck her. I might hate space to M, a. Shepherd •boat Mr. Bridle. 1 often went down to Squire Hunt. He was very good to me. I used to take gooseberries and oilier thiogs 1 used to sell, three to the gaol. I can't swear that Mr. Hunt never talked to me about this in his cell. I spoke to bins last Thursday about it-- I don't know how many times before. He meistioned it to me °see or twice, when! west down with things, but I never went on partosse. I was allowed Iv. 6d• a week for my child. it-saaareted.-1 did not have the Is. Ikt, till I came out of pt Mon. Mrs. Jame Hobbs examined by Mr. Adam.— I was at one time matron of Ilehester gaol ; I was so for nearly tire years ; I think I left it in the year 162t1. The duty of the matron is b saperiatend the females ; they are kept in dilferrnt wards ; I remember the la.stu lines' Mary Cuer being in prison Otte or lour years ago; there was a woman named Smith there at the ism lima: I remember Mary Cuer bttog put jaw close cva- THE NA linement ; I em not awhile as to the day, bet it was either a Wednesday or a Thursday ; she had a child at her breast; I don't recollect its age, bet I believe about five months ; Mary Cuer was absent from her ward ootil 1 fetched her on a Sunday morning; she was in a cell behind in the back part of the prison these cells are for locking up persons that are dis orderly ; the eel! was a small damp cell ; 1 did not observe the flour; she complained of being cold ; there was a bed in this cell ; 1 took her back to the ward, and she still complained of being cold ; I requested the cook to give her sortie tea or gruel —I remember her being taken ill on that night. There was an alarm given, and my husband got up and gave her some medi oMe. My hominoid was the task-master of the prison. This was in November. It was dry, hot very cold. Cross •examined by Mr. Erskine.—There was a quarrel be tween Mary Cuer and another prisoner, 1 believe my husband sent for the gaoler. I supply small articles to the females in the ward. They supply themselves with earthenware, and %ben put into solitary coulitieurent they take all they bare with them if they choose. I can't speak positively as to whether Mary Cuer did so, but 1 believe she bad a pint basin with her in the back cell. The cell which Mary Cuer was sent was the same as the other mills in that part. Mr. Edward Coles mutinied by Mr. Selwysin.—l am clerk of the peace for this county, I have the " Occurrence Book" of Ilcheater Gaol. Witness turned to an entry of Thursday. November 19, 1818. This was in the hand-writing of Mr. Bridle. Witness read—" Thursday, November 19, 1818.— Put Elisabeth Smith, ■nd Mary Cuer, into solitary coofinement for being disorderly, and lighting in their ward." W Ones* was directed ►o turn to the entry of Sunday, Nov. 22. It was in the band-writing of Bridle.—iteleased Elizabeth Smith and Mary Cuer from solitary confinement, on promise of future good behaviour.—See Nor. 19th." The - witness was not cross-examined. Thomas Gardner, a smart-looking, and well dressed lad, examined by Mr. Sergeant Pell.--1 ant nearly 20 years old.-- I was a prisoner in Ilthester gaol ; I was there two years ago last March ; 1 ant nut now a prisoner; I was released on the 27th of last September. I have worked as • blacksmith. 1 am living with my uncle and aunt at Bristol. I remember in November 1520. a charge was mule against me in the gaol fur having pinked nue of the prisoner's pockets. In consequence ..f this, a report was made to the governor, and I was had in before him on Sunday. Mr. Bridle charged me with the crime —and I told him I knew nothing at all of the matter. Mr. B. then stopped my wages for it. This was on the Sunday. On the Monday I was taken very ill oat at my work. I had a very bad pain in my inside, and a bleeding at the nose. 1 saw Mr. Bridle pass, but I sled not speak to him or be to me. In the night was taken worse, It wu a continuation of the same complaint. No person came to me. The next time I saw Mr. Bridle alter this was the next day at three o'clock. This was on the Tuesday. Mr. Bridle asked me what was the matter with sae, and I told him I had a pais in my inside. Mr. Bridle said, he considered I hal' • fever quite strong on me, nod he would find an hospital for myself. I was then put into a soli tary cell by myself. It was a dart cell which we sleep is. It bad • stone hoer. I remained there three days, and then the doctor came to me. During these three days Mr. Brtdle did not conic to me. Wadley was the name of the doctor who came to me. After the doctor cone, 1 continued in the cell about nine days longer. I saw Mr. Bridle at the end of that time. I had not seen him during any part of those nine days. When he came he asked me how I was, and 1 said I was bet ter, and asked him to forgive me, but he said he did not think I was quite well enough. He then left me, and I returned to the solitary cell. 1 had been brought down to the door of Mr. Bridle's house. In the evening after, a person of the name of Carter cone op and took me into the passage. Carter was a prisoner. He (Carter) was charged with horse-stealing. I was then set down in the passage, and had my hair cut. There was Bier a lather pat on, and my head was abased. There was a torturing blister put on, and they put on • cap over, and tied it on. Carter put it on. A man named Pike was there daring the whole time, and saw it all. Pike is a turnkey. 1 ►ad a strait jacket put on, and I was put to bed. Mr. Pike put the jacket le. I had the strait jacket put on before my brad was shaved. When I was put to bed, I bad the blister, ■nd the nightcap and the straight waistcoat on, I remained so all night. la the m6rning Carter came up, and Pike just af terwards. 1 suffered great pain during the night. It was just the same as if needles and pins, or penknives, were running into my head. Carter took the cap oh). They then took off the blister, and said it had not rose. They then put it on again, and tied it on in the same manner, sad left me. The strait jacket was taken off for me to put on my clothes, and in about a quarter of an hour they put it on again, and left me. I could not use my hands. About twelve o'clock the blister be came worse, I was crying, and Pike came up. Before this I rubbed off the blister : 1 rubbed it off against the wall. I could not use my hands, and rubbed my head against the wall. My head was then bare. Pike asked me what was the matter with me, and I told him I was very bad. 1 begged him to go down and speak to Mr. Bridle, and asked him to forgive me. plc asked me, did 1 wish to see Mr. Bridle 1 I said I did, and lie went down. lie came back about three o'clock. This was alma twelve. He asked me what became of the blister, and where it was? I told him it was in the chamber pot. — lie said there was d—d impudence!" and that he would go and tell Mr. Bridle, and base another blister put on. No per son came to me before the evening. My head remained bare all the time, and the strait waistcoat on. In the evening Carter came to me, and pot on • dressing to my bead. This was no • Tuesday, 1 believe; I remained till the Sunday following in the same cell. On that day, Mr. Bridle had me down before Lim at his door. I earnestly asked him, if be would be pleased to forgive me. He answered he did not think I was quite well enough, and he would have another blister put on. I was then returned to the cell again. Three or four days after Ibis, Mr. Bridle asked me bow I was 1I told bite I was ready to go to work if he would forgive me.— He said if I would own the stealing the i purse, be would forgive me. 1 told him I knew nothing shout that any more than a baby. The strait waistcoat remained on till the Suuday after. It used to be taken off at night to allow me to undress, and was them put on with all my clothes off. It used to be taken off in the morning to dress, and then put on again. It remained thus till I was released from solitary confinement, except one morn ing when Mr. Pike took it off and left it off for the whole even ing. During this time I had bread and water. I placed them on the bedstead in the morning before the waistcoat was put on. When I wanted to eat or drink, I used to get down on my hand► and knees 1 was released in the morning from the waistcoat to walk. It was then kept on during the day when I was in the cell. When I was thus walking one morning, Mr, Bridle Caine to the rails and asked bow I was ? 1 told hint I should be glad if he would forgive me. He said I must beg Mr. Davis's (one of the turnkeys) pardon. 1 did not know for what. I was taken out of the lodge. 1 did not beg Mr. Davis's pardon. I was not taken before any magistrate the day after this. Nothing was done to - 7 , Gross-examined by Mr, don't know a 'aegis. Irate of the name of Qontock, or Stuckey, or Wall. I was taken before some magistrates a few days after I was released. No magistrate came to my cell daring the whole time of my pun7‘hruent ; I think it was shout three days after my punish ment that I was taken been the magistrates. 1 did not know why I should beg Davies parka. 1 did not ask why : I did not ask any questions at all. I can't say bow many times L had committed off in the prison : it was not a great many ; can't say whether five or six times. I never run a penknife into a man's knee. It was one of the knifes of the prison. The name of the man was Zebedee Beauchamp. It was a bit of a scud (a scratch) • I don't know the difference between a scud and a scratch. I have sot told the kary all the punishments got. I have not told the jury all that was done. I never said to the turnkey, " Damn all the magistrates is the country, wish them in hell:' All the rest 1 have said is as true as this, and this is as true as all the rest. I never said "d—. the ma gistrates" to anybody. I don't know how old I was when I went into prison. 1 was in prison io Bristol. 1 was never in any other gaol hut Bristol and this. Mr. Williams—What were you sent to Bristol gaol for ? Am I obliged to tell you ? I don't chase to tell you. lam not living with my uncle and aunt in Bristol_ because I am now living hero is the court. When I went out of Ilehester gaol I went under my aunts jurisdiction. The question as to living with his uncle and aunt was repeat. ed, and witness answered-1 lived with my uncle and aunt about a fortnight before I cause here. It is about a fortnight ago since I received a solvena to attend. Mr. Williams.—Was it then you went to live with your aunt?—ls it any difference to you, Sir, where I live? Mr. Williams—But it may make a great difference to you by and by. With whom did you live before this ? I have been in lodg ings. Be so good as to say where?—Near Great Gardens, not near Lawford's gate , I have lived near Lawford's gate. Did you live at your aunts this time ?—I could not live at two places at the same time. Do you know what it is to " live upon the cross ?"—I sop pose you know it, Sir, as well as me ; I bare knowed it, but have not lived that kin I of life since I came out. What were you in Ilehester gaol for 1-11 don't wish to tell that at - present, my character goes gnite far enough as it is.— It was not till the dead of the night, elk. the blister was put on, that it was like penknives in my head; it did not rise at all. Mr. Justice Richardson.--We ought to know what the pri. souer was in gaol fur, or know the relative situation of Mtn and the defendant. The question was again asked. Witness.-1 was charged with housebreaking. Was this before your trial or after ?—Before I broke open the house, Sir. It was after my conviction. Examination oontinued.—l never said to • person named Mardi!l or to Pike, or to Wright, or to John Pool, " D—n the Justices, I wish they were in hell." 1 never said this to any person. All I said today is as tree es what I now say of Marshall mild the rest. I never knew such a person es Anne Davies or Davidge. I never said to any woman in person, or any one else, that 1 was up to a thing or two—that this was a good job ; that the blister did not hart me, and that I would make by it. Mr. Coles, examined by Mr. Gazelee, was desired to torn to the entry in the " Occurrence Book" of November the 41b, 1820. It was in Bridle's band tenting. Ile read it. " Thos. Gardner's earnings to be suspended for picking the pocket of his fellow prisoner." " Nov. the 6th, Thomas Gardner having been very idle since the ►uspension of his earnings, and pre tending to be very ill, I ordered him to be confined in a solitary cell". Cross-examined by Mr. Williams.—This is the book expeeed for the inspection of the magistrates, when they call at the gaol ; and they have power to make inquiries respecting any entries therein. James Brier examined by Mr. Adams.—l am a surgeon. I was surgeon to Ilchester gaol in the year 1820. I kept a jour nal of my proceedings in the gaol ; the journal I left in the gaol. 1 remember • prisoner of the name of Gardner. I was just going, after making up the medicines and seeing all the people, when Mr. Bridle came through a door from a cell to me, and asked me how the people were? I said there were a few patients, bat nothing particularly estrisordinsry. He then said o' If yon can cure your patients, 'tis more than I can do with mine, for I have got a very troublesome man in confine ment." He said can you give him a strong black dose ?" I said I had no such medicine. He then said, " What do you think of a blister ? I said, •' You may have a blister, and as his bead seems affected you may put it pretty high on the poll:' Gardner was the man. I ordered • blister to be spread. I went away, and left the blister to be applied by the attendant. Mr. Adam.—Did you not visit the prisoner lam sorry to say I did not. The attendant's name WAS Carter. The con versation which I have mentioned is I believe all that passed between Bridle and me on that occasiute (A book was here handed to witness.) This is the book I kept at the surgery in the gaol. Witness was asked whether he saw an entry on the 21st of November, 1820—" A blister to the bead, for Thome% Gardner." 1 made this entry, but not at the time it hears date. I believe it might be a month or six weeks after that I made it. Mr. Bridle asked me if I had entered the blister for Thorns Gardner's head. 1 told him I load not. He said, I think jou had better do so. Upon that I made the entry. I did not hear at the first lime that Gardner bad a strait waistcoat on. By the Court.—l never visited the 'salient (Gardner) during his confinement. Carter, who was my assistant, was • pri soner, and knew nothing of surgery. He only did what be was told. Sometimes my partner went to and front the prison. when I did not attend. . Here the case for the prosecution closed. Mr. Williams then addressed the jnry for the defordant at great length, and Witnesses were called oa behalf of the defence. Elizabeth Sommers, examined by Mr. Erskine, said-4 was a prisoner at Ilchester in November, 1815. I remember Mary Cuer being in the gaol. I remember Elizabeth Smith and the quarrel between her and Mary Cuer. I was not prevent at the quarrel; but I knew that Mary Cuer went into solitary confine ment for it. In the course of the same evening that Cuer was confined, I went to the cell where she was. I carried be! . a saucepan. There was a fire-place in her cell , an d fuel. I.lre was offered to Mary Cuer by Mrs. Hobbs. who went with me to her cell; but she answered that her time was not long, and that she did not mind it ; she would bc d—al if she would have any fire at all. I saw Mary Cuer in her cell ; she had an earthen jug to drink out of. Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Peel.—Witness said 1 live now in Bath. where I was born and bred. I went to Ilehestet gaol in August, 1618, on suspicion of robbery. I was tried and found g uilty, and sentenced to transportatio n for life.— I have now been twelve months out of prin. Mary Cott . had a little child in the gaol, which site suckled ; when she carne out of the solitary cell ;be said s he way ill, but 1 ditl nut hater@ bu _,~-- "_