The National Register. — London, England, 1822-08-19 00:00:00

, tell . ''' SLIMMER ASSIZES. TRIAL OF WILLIAM BRIDLE. Wats. THILIIISDAY, AU6. L.—At eight o'clock Mr. Justice Rieke:Uses took los seat, and the ULCII4 were tLwwo open to tke THE EIS° V. BRIDLE. Twelve special jurors—Charles Simpson. George George. John Jones, William Shepherd, Daniel Stanton, William Dam pier, Francis Rogers. Jacob Wilkinson, Slouckburgb Howe, Wiliam Waters, Samuel Halliard, Hwy Foulkes Ed g ed', Lairs. answered to their armee, and were sworn. Mr. &Ivo u opened the pleadings. 'I he information consisted of two distinct charge.; the lirst charge alleged that, on the lbta of November, 113113, the defendant bring keeper of lichee t r gaol, and maliciously intending to injure :Hairy Cuer, a pt ' , slier adder his charge, did, without sufficient or justifiable c coeliac the said Mary Cuer, she basing an infant at her breast, in a cold and unwholesome cell, neglecting to supply her during that confinement with nec,ssary firing, or with the • bread sod water mammary for lien sustenance. The second eliwko alleged that, on the 20th of November, 11320, the defen dant, intending to injure one Thomas Gardner, also a prisoner ibillobeater ganl,put a blister upon Gmclner's bead and a straight waistcoat upon his body, attaining him it the same time in a ao lifary To this information the defendant pleaded Not Guilty. ldr—Sergeaut Pell pened un the pail of the prosecution, and proceeded to call witnesses to his ease. "Mary Cner, examined by Mr. Geselee.—(The witness was a plain looking country woman, about 30 years of age.)—l was in Picketer gaol about three years mid a half ago. A quarrel look ptaoe hetween use and nun of my fellow prisoner's. It was Betty Smith. We were both punished. We were had down and locked up. I continue' , locked up from Thursday to Sun day. This was in November. It was very cold weather.— There was a little sleet and snow on the ground. I l i st at that time an in f ant of four months old at my brand. Thlb was I:10in one month after I went in prison. It was between one and two o'clock ou Thursday. I had on fire till Saturday morning at i l. —there was a stone floor iu the cell, and very cold. I was allowed bread and fold water. I bad not us meek water as I wanted. Our 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 biougl.t is a bucket, and the ['ticket was left in my cell. There was rothing to drink out of, but the bucket. I never had anything to drink out of but the bucket till I came out ; I was let out for about an hour no Saturday morning ; I was not out at all ou Friday. On Thursday evening I came out and went to my bed cell, and drink at the pump iu my way. I was iu the bed-cell all the day un Friday. On Saturday when I got a tire, it was in readier cell ; soy child was with me ail this time ; I had nothing to supply it with during the whole of thie time. I f nand my milk ...fled me, and all Friday night I had no milk for the baby to suck. When I got the teal, ron Saturday morning I drank a great deal, because I was thirsty ; I was w, II when I went in on the Thursday. It was very cold when I was let out ou the Sunday morning, and on Sunday night 1 was very ill iu the middle of the ni g ht, and was obliged to call up Mrs. Hobbs : 1 was very bad in ray bowels—sick and bad Mr. hi.nself it was that locked me up on the Thursday. I know a person nam►d Traganta ; I saw him while I was con fided. It was not the bed cell I wan lucked up in on Thursday; it was not very light or very dark. Mr. Tragaima brought me out of the bed-cell on Tharaday bight, and I remained there all Friday. The place I u►ed it, sleep .in before was up in :re ward with the wo.nea. Cross examined by Mr. C. F. bad been three months in prison altogether. lam not • married woman. I have two children. I have had three. I saw Mrs. Hobbs before 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 basis and cop and sewer in the pantry of the ward with the other women. It was shout two o'clock when I was locked up, and about seven when I was let out to the bed-cell. To go from one cell to the other I passed the pump and chunk. I could not go to the other cell without passing the pump. The basin I had was as liege as a sager b nn. I did not take my basin bo o .use I did not know where I was going. I did not know bow long I was going to be confined down below. 1 was nut offered Are while in the cell, I never avid " be d—d if I lace any tire." I neversaid " I'll be d—d" while I was in the prison, I was not let down to walk on Friday. Betty Suitli was a'sii confined, but net with me. Nobody came to rue to the bed-cell of Friday ; I had uo additional rug or blanket sent on Friday. Mr. Widrams.—l now ask you on your oath whether you did not swear before, that you asked for water several times on the Friday, and could not get it t—;do, I never said so ; I allied rot:water on the Satariiay morning when I came out, The questiou was put again, and witness answered It I acid no, your h •noun, I did not see no one on the Friday." I never new any bockats in other evils. I was in no other ci:II but that in which I slept. When I came down on Saturday I saw Mr. raganza, and I said I was cold, and asked for a little fire. 1 tuld bias I wanted to speak to Mr. Bridle. Ile said Mr. Bridle was engaged and had company. I told bim my child was ill.— tie gate the a candle and the lire was lighted. The lire was liglited in the cell where I Lad been on Thursday. There had been Mil in the cell before. He never used me ill before this. I remember his setting a subscription oo foot to release me from prison. I was confined at that lime for taking a few tur nips. It was my mother who went about, and Mr. Bridle who put the last shilling. I can't say Mi. Bridle wrote the paper, Of that he did not wine it. 1 dout know. This was the first time I was in prnmo. When the ina;istrate came alter this I made ro complaint. I saw Mr. Hunt lest Thursday. He bent for me to know whether I was going to the assizes. I know nothvng of Mr. Huat's kindness except his talking. 1 know a Mrs. Shepherd. I temenaher when I was sent tor by Mr. Hut t. don't remember having told lizr that I did not know what he (Mr. Hunt) sent for me for ; for tlist Mr. Bridle always behaved well to air. Mr. Bridle was kind to nie the brat time, and •ntil tae time 1 was locked up. I was locked op fur figlitio4 cc•itb another wouan. Sine called me a d—d liar, and I crock ter. I wight have 'pato to Mrs. Shepherd a...ut Mr. Bridle. I often went down to Squire Hoot. Ile was eery good to me. I used to take gooseberi ire mid other things I used to sell. down iii the gaol. I can't swear that Dlr. Hunt never talked to me about this in Lis cell. 1 spoke Id him last IhursJay about it-- I don't know how many times be ore. lie mentioned it to me tame or twice, when I went down with tiogs, hut I never went u purpose. I was allowed Is. tiid• a week for my child. Re-csainined.-1 did not hat a tint la. 6d. till I mar out of Fnsun. Mts. Jane Hobbs examined by Mr. Adam.--4 was at one time maii..it of Ilch , ster gaol; I was so for nearly live Yeats; I think I left it in ilia year 1620. The duty of tbe matron is in sups., solend the females ; they are kept in dif f erent wards ; 1 teniembei die last witness, Mary Cu, r ot nu; in plison tits,* or I , :us e:rs ago; there was a woruan Lamed S:nitli Caere at the t.:.,e TIMetLJU Maw, Cuu b.ag pat tato e:ose evn• - THE NATIONAL REGISTER fiamuest ; I art not certain as le the day, but it was either a Wednesday or a Tbursd*y ; she had • child at her breast; I don't recollect its age, but I believe about live months; Mary Cuer was absent from her ward until 1 fetched her on a Sunday morning; she was in a cell behind in the back. p..rt of 1/10,011: these cells are for lucking up persona that are dis ordeily ; the cell was a sued damp cell ; 1 did not observe the Iluor ; she complained of being cold ; there was a bed in this cell ; I took her back to the ward, and she still complained of being cold ; I requested the rook to give her some tea or gruel —1 remember her being taken ill on that night. There was an alarm given, and my hueband got up and gave her some medi cine. My husband was the tack-waster 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 hutmend sent fcr the gaoler. I supply ama I articles to the telltales in the ward. They supply themselves with earthenware, and when put into solitary confinement they take all they have with them if they choose. 1 can't speak positively as to whether Mary Cuer did so, but I believe she bad • pint basin with her in the back cell. The cell which Mary ':tier was scut was the same as the other cells iii that part. Mr. Edward CON.* examined by Mr. Selwynn.—l am clerk of the peace for this county, I have the Occurrence Book" of Ilchester Gaol. Witness turned to an entry of Thursday, November 19, ISIS. '1 nis was in the baud-writing of Air. Biidle. Witness read—" Thursday, November 19, IblS. Put Elizabeth Smith, and Mary Cuer, into solitary couldiemeut fur being disorderly, and fielding in their ward." V. juices was directed to turn to the entry of Sunday, Nov. 22. It was in the baud-writing of Bridle.—Released ltheatheth Smith and 31ary Cuer iron on prunirse of future good behaviour.--See Nov. 19th." The witness was not cross-exemined. Thomas Oaidimer, a smart-louLing, and well dressed lad, examined by Mr. Sergeant Pell.--1 mu nearly led years old.— was a pis:met iu fletiester gaol ; I was there two years ago last alarch ; I sin net now a prisoner: I was released on the 'alth of lut September. 1 have worked as a blacksiutelo. I am liming with my uncle and aunt at Bristol. I remember in November le:20, • charge was made against me in the gaol for Laving picked one of the prisouer's pockets. 111 Consequence el this, a report was made to the governor, and 1 was had in before him on Sunday. Mr. Bridle charged sue with the crime —and 1 told lieu 1 knew nothing at all of the matter. Mr. B. then stopped my wages for it. This was oo the Sunday. On the Monday I was taken very ill out at my work. I hau a very bad pain in lily inside, and a bleeding at the nose. 1 saw Mr. Bridle pass, but I did not speak to him or be to me. In the eight was taken worse. It was a continuation of the same coinelaint. No person came to me. The next time I saw Mr. Bridle after this was the nest day at three o'clock. This was oar die Tuesday. Mr. Bridle asked me what was the matter with me, and I told him I bad a pain in my inside. Mr-Bridle said, be considered I had a fever quite strong on me, and he would fird an hospital for myself. I was then put into a 801ir tary cell by meself. it was a dark cell which we sleep io. It bad a stout floor. I remained there three days, and thee the doctor csine to me. During these three days Mr. Bridle did not come to rue. Calcimine was the name of the doctor who came to rue. After the doctor came, 1 continued in the cell about nine days longer. I saw Mr. Bridle at the end of that time. I had not seen him (twin any part of those nine days. When be came be asked me how I was, and I said I was bet ter, and asked him to forgive we, but tie said be did not think I was quite well enough. Ile then left use, and I returned to the solitary cell. I had been brought down to the door of Mr. Bridle's Louse. In the everting atter, a person of the name of Carter came up and took me into the passage. Carter was a prisoner. He (Carter) was charged with horse-stealing. I , was then set down in the passsge, asd had my hair cut. 'I here was then a lather put on, and my head was shaved There was a to: taring blister put on, and they put on a cap over, aod tied it on. Carter put it on. A man named Pike was there dating the whole time, end saw it all. Pike is a turnkey. I hai a strait jacket put on, and I was pot to bed. Mr. Pik. put the jacket rm. I had the strait jacket put on before my bead was shaved. When I was put to bed, I bad the blister, and the nightcap and the straight waistcoat on, I remained so all night. In the morning Cuter came up, and Pike just at. terwards. I suffered great pain during the night. It was just the same as if needles and pins, or pe :knives, were running into my bead. Curter took the cap otr. They then took of the blister, and said it had not rose. 'they then put it on again. I and tied it on is toe bailie 111d11111:1, and left me. Time studt jacket was taken oft for me to put on my clothes, sod in about a quarter of an hour they put it on again, and left me could not use my bands. About twelve o'clock the blister be came worse, I was crying. and Pike came up. Belau this I rubbed off the blister : 1 rubbed it Mt against the wall. 1 could not use my bands, and rubbed my bead against the wall. My head was then bare. Pike asked me what was the matter with mc, and I told i.im I was very bad. 1 begged him to go down and speak to Mr. Bridle, and asked him to forgive me. He asked rue, did I wish to see Mr. Bridle ? I said I did, and lie went down. Be came back about three o'clock. This was about twelve. He asked me what became of the blister, and where it was ? 1 told Lim it was is the chamber pot. — Ile said there was d—d impudence!" and that be would so and tell Mr. Bridle, and have another blister put on. No per sou came to me before the everting. My head remained bare el the time, and the strait waistcoat on. in the evening Carter Game to we, and put on a dressing to HIT head- This was on a Tuesday, 1 believe; I reinaiued till the Sunday following in the sauce roll. On that day, Mr. Bridle had me down before him at Lis door. I earnestly asked Lira. if I.e would be pleased to forgive me. He answered he did not think I was quite well enough, and be would have another blister put out. I was then returned to the cell again. Three or four days after this, Mr. Bridle asked me how I was i I told Lim 1 was ready to go to work if be would forgive me.— Ile said it I would own the stealing theesurse, he would forgive tam I told him I knew nothing about that tny more than a baby. The strait waistcoat remained on till the Sunday alter. It abed to be taken off at night to allow me to undress, and was then put on with all my clothes oft. It used to be taken oil in the morning to dress, and then put on again. It remained thus till I was released term solitary confinement, except one morn ing when Mr. Pike took it cif and left it oilier the w hole even ing. During this time I had bread and water. I placed them on the bedstead in the morning before the waistcoat was pot on. When 1 wanted to eat or diink, IL used to get down on my hands acd knees I was released is the morning from the waistcoat to walk. It was then kept on during the day when I was iu the cell. When I was thus *Acing one morning, Mr. Bridle came to the mails and asked how I was' 1 told him I should be glad if he would forgive me. He said I must beg Mr. Datis's (one of the turnkeys) pardon. I did not know for what. I was taken out of the lodge. I did not beg Mr. Davis's pardon. I was out taken hisf.‘4e sn-fmagistrate the day eter this. Foible; was done to ma. Cross-examined by Mr. SS illiams.—l don't know a adagio trate of the name of Quntock, or Slue'key, or Wall. 1 WAS taken before some magistrates a few days aiter I was released. No magistrate came to my cell dining the whole time of my ponishiuent ; I think it was about three days after my punish ment that I was taken before tl:e magibtrates. 1 did out know why I shuultl beg Davir's pardon. 1 did not ask why : I did nut ask any queb.ioos M all. 1 can't say how many times I had committed offences in the prison : it wits nut a great many ; I can't say whether five or six unit a. I never ron s penknife into a man's knee. It was one of the knifes of the prison. Tile 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 bane not told the jory all the poniahments got. 1 have not told the jury all that was done. I never said to the turnkey, Damn all the magistrates in the country. I wish them in hell." All the rest I have paid is as tree as this, and this is us true as all the rest. I never mid •• d— n the ma gistrates" to anybody. I don't know how old I was when I went into prison. I was in prison iu Bristol. 1 was never in any other gtiol hut Bristol and tins. Mr. Nkilliams—What were you sent to Wish.' gaol for ? Am I obliged to tell you ? I don't clause to tell ynu. lam not In with my uncle and aunt in Bristol, because low now living bete in the court. When I went out of Ilehester gaol I went under my aunt's jurisdiction. The question as to living with his uncle end aunt was repent ed, and •11110.11 answered—l lived with my uncle and aunt about a fortnight before I came here. It is about a fortuigit ago since I received a subpoena to attend. Mr. Williams.—Was it then you went to live with your aunt ?—lo it any difference to you, Sir, where I live ? Mr. Williams—But it way tuak.e a great difference to you by and by. With whom did you live before Ibis? I bare been in lodg ings. Be so good as to say where ?—Near Great Gardens, not near Lawford's gate , I have lived near Law.ford's gate. Did you live at your aunts this time could not live at two places at the same time. Do you know what it is to lire upon the cross ?"—I sup pose you know it, Sir, as well as me ; I have knowed it, but have not lived titat kind of life niece I came out. What were you in Ilehester gaol for 2--1 don't wish to tell that at •present, my character goes quite far enough as it is.-- It was not till the dead of the night, after the blister was put on, that it was like penknives iu my head ; it did not fiat at all. Mr. Justice Ilichardson.--We ought to know what the pris soner was in gaol fur, or know the relative aituatiou of hies and the tlt fendant. The question, was again asked. was charged with housebreaking. Was this before your trial or after 1-11efore I broke open the house, Sir. It was after my conviction. Examination continued.—l newer said to • person named Mersin!l or to Pike, or to Wright. or to John Pool, " D—n the Justices, I wish they were iu hell." I never said this to any person. All I said today is as true as what I now say cf Marshall and the rest. I never knew such a person ss Aune 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 wan a good job ; that the blister did not burl me, and that I would wake by it. Mr. Coles, examined by Mr. Gazelee, was desired to turn to the entry in the " Occurrence Book" of November the 4111, 1620. It was in Bridle's hand writing. He read it. " Thos. Gardner's earnings to be suspended for picking the pm krt.: of his fellow prisoner." " Nov. the Gib, Thoinaa Gardner basing been very idle since the suspension 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 exposed for the inspection of the magistrates, when they sell at the gaol ; anti they have power to make inquiries reapectiug an y entries therein. James Brier examined by Mr. Admin.-4 am a surgeon. was surgeon to 11r:herder gaol in tire year Itlo. 1 kept a jour nal of my proceedings in the gaol ; the journal I left iu the gaol. 1 remember • prisoner of the num: of Gardner. I was just going, after making up the medicines and seeing all the people, when Mr. Bridle came thrangh a door (Min a cell to me, and asked me how the people were? I said there were a few patients, but nothing particularly extraordinary. He then said If you can care your 'wheats, 'tis more than I can do. with mine, for 1 have got a very troublesome man in confine ment." MS said can you give him a strung black disc?' said I Lad no such medicine. Ile then said, " What do you ittil.k of a blister 1 1' said, •• You may have a blister, and as his head seems affected von may put it pretty high on the poll." Gardner was the man. I ordered a blister to be spread. I went away, and left the blister to be applied by the attendant. Mr. Adam.—Did you nut visit the prisoner 1 1 ant 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 arid me on that occasion. (A book was here handed to witness.) This the book I kept at the surgery In the gaol. W itneas was asked whether he saw an entry on the 21st of November, 1520—.. A blister to the head, for Thomas Gardner." I made this entry, but not at the time it hears date. belies e iirnight be a month or six weeks after that I made it. Mr. Bridle asked me if I had entered the blister for Thomas Gardner's head. I told Lim I bad not. He said, I think pia had better do so. Upon that I made the entry. I did not bear at the first time that Gardner bad a etrait waistcoat on. By the Court.—L his confinement. Carter, who was toy assistant, wan a on , stoner, and knew nothing of surgery. He only did what he was told. Sometimes my partner went t o and [tom the pito°. when I did not attend. Here the case for the prosecution closed. Mr. Williams then addressed the jury for the defendant at great length, and Witnesses were called on behalf of the defence. El.ealleth Sommers, examined by Mr. Erskine. was a prisoner at Ilehemer in November, itSifi. I remember Mary Cuer being in the gaol. I remember Elizabeth Smith and the quarrel het% e.n her and Mary Cuer. 1 was not present et the nialrel; but I know that Mary Cuer went into solitary confines ent for it. In the course of the sam e evenin g that Cuer m confined, 1 went to the cell where she was. I carried her a , saucen. There was a tire-place in her celt. and fuel. 1..% was pa offered to Mary Cuer by Mrs. Hobbs. who went with Tie to her cell ; but she answered that her time was not long, and that she di not mind it ; site would be —al if he would have ally fire at d all. It aw Mary Cuer m he d r cell ; s she had an earthen jug to drink o tt of. live C r examined by Mr. Sergeant Peel.—Wilness said I use- now in Bath. wheril was born and bred. I went to l i ve iche gaol in August, Ibl 6, on untie on of tobly:ry. I was .trisd and found suilty. and sentenced to transportation for I bare now been twelve month; out of prison. Mary t bad a littie child in es geol. wive ;th 'tickled ; when se cane out of the :olittry lte said en wet e . 111. but I did no: h , v