The National Register. — London, England, 1823-03-02 00:00:00

(MURDER. ELY ASSIZE COUIU, FRIDAY, Psn. 21. Jytin Rolfe was convicted of the wigul 'hinder (Irian Linden, with a liedge-stake, iu a plantatiou on the farm of Juuatbau Page, EN. in Burnt Pen, parish of Little port. On his first exatniti.tion, Rolfe charged two labouring Fen-men, his neighbours, us accomplices with him in this deed, who were immediately apprehended under a war tont from Sir Henry B. Dudley. Daringly persisting in this charge against them, us being the first who struck another exaniiiiation took place, in the course of which their innocence was so clearly manifested, that at length Rolfe acknowledged the falsehood of Isis villainons tale, by declaring himself to have been the rule lierisetra. for of die deed! After his coudemnatiou on Fridaylast, he became solicit, and regardless of his approaching fate, until a few hours before his execution took place, when lie made the followiugyoluntary confession of this horrible traissitetion, viz : " That he went with Landen, from the house of the latter, 041 the night he committed the murder, to the plantation, where they agreed to take the game; soon after they had arrived there, while Lindell was stooping to set a mere, he Week him with the back part of a cast ing-tool—a kind of fen-spade, which lie had brought with hint from Latiden's house; that he repeated the blows two or three times, though lie believed the that had killed liim, as the only wards he spoke after were—' Oh dear !' that he did not , sit negle at all. The bludgeon Ite said, produced its Court, lie had never seen befure—that Lin den took no stick with him, but cut one on entering the plantation for himself. lie said that lie had determined to kill Leaden two ur three days before lie did it, and that his object was, the booty of the niuney, watch, and his highs shoes, which, lie unlaced and took Irons WS feet ; but that hit was also afraid 'Andel' should prods against him fur /MD: fowls they had stolen together. That the feu-Apade is [licit he brought Lfroan Landen's house, he in tended fur another purpose beside the murder of Leaden, which was to dig his wary, and luny him with it; which lie thought lie had sufficiently done!" Ou Monday, at noon; the miserable wretch was drawn in a cart to the t:top at the usual place of execution; where an immense multitude hail assembled from all parts of the isle. He heard the prayers of the Ordinary with indifference, but before be was turned off. lie uttered a few incoherent words about sabbau raking and poach ing as having led to his ruin. He was then launched into eternity, and after remaining on the gallows the, usual time he :vas cut down, anti his body consigned to a lofty gibbet near Littleport turnpike-road, there to be htu►g its chains conformably to the remainder of his senteime. CORONER'S INQUEST. MELANCHOLY CIXCIMISTANCE.—An inquisition was held on Wednesday before *l'houras Esq. Coroner, at the Rising Sun public-house, Somers Town, on the body of Mr. Alexander Mills, wine and brandy ineichant, residing at No. 8, South-row, New Road, Stnners Towit, who came by Ins death under the following circumstances:— Mr. Wm. Andrew: sworn.—l knew the deceased for . several years. About half past 7 richick, on Monday evening last, 1 was passing along St. John's-street-road, Clerkenwell, when I saw a horse and chaise, and a great crowd assembled around it ; there was a lady at the time with the deceased in the chaise. On recognizing him, 1 went up, but was prevented speaking to him by the lady, and on emptiritq what the matter was, I was in formed that they had been thrown out of the chaise pre viously. The lady at that time held the reins in her hands, and being a friend ul the deceased, I advised the reins to be taken from her, and the horse and chaise to be conducted to the Belvidere Tavern. Site would not give up the grins, but asked me to bring a glass of brandy and water to the deceased; I declined doing so. The deceased was sitting at the driving side of the chaise, with his head leaning on his hand as if he Inel received a hurt. After the chaise was taken to the Belvidere, I left the deceased, and the lady remained tlsere in the company of Mrs. Cook, the landlady of the Belt idere. Mrs. Sophia Powell, swurn.-1 live.: with the de ceased, and was wi.h him its the chaise on Monday evening last ; we set out about four o'clock ; I have been out in the sante chaise several times before; the horse was generally quiet, as far as I know. On turning the curlier of Fore -street, Moot fields, the horse slipped and fell down ; the deceased was instantaneously pitched out of the chaise; he was thrown forward, and Caine down upon his head. I was iminedi.dely afterwarals thrown out sideways, and received several severe hatters. NVe went into a public-house near where the accident occur red, while the shafts of the chaise, which had been broken, were arranging. The deceased bled a good dell from a wound he 'teened in the head ; lie took a bribe brandy and water; I also drank a small quantity. On our way home, the horse was ag ain stopped in Si.John's s.reet-road; I do not know w hy, hut t believe the de. ceased wished to go in another direction; a gentleman at this time took hold of the horse's head, and a crowd assembled around us. Tuns, was after the accident oc curred. I held the reins in my hands, but nut for the purpose of driving. When we arrived at home, the deceased was assisted up stairs, and placed on a sofa. I put a handkerchief over his face, arid thought he went to sleep. I did not send for any anedical assistance, not thinking it necessary; I conceived he was getting better, 1 remained up with him all night, and had litin con veyed into the bed-room about three o'clock. John thilleock swore.-1 ant clerk to Mr. Mills. I saw the deceased go out on Monday; he was accompa nied by Mts. Powell ; they both came house in the chaise ; he appeared as if kneeling down, with his head ou :\ I rs. Powell's breast; he newer spoke a word. I did not perceive lie bad been in jured; 1 assisted in bringing hilltop stairs. About ten minutes before he died, Mrs. Powell Laid me of the accident. I observed the shafts of tile C11.11i4: had been broken, but I had no idea of any accident having taken place. I went to bed a little alter 11111 e o'clock, leaving the deceased on the 4ofa, and two gentlemen in the roues with Mrs. Puwell. I partly undressed him. I knew nothing more until I was called up at half past five next Inman% by Mrs. Powell. and fuund use deceased in the uvxt wow by the lire; he THE NATIONAL REGISTER seemed to me to be snoring ; I helped to pot him to bed, but perceiving his breath to stop, I went of my own accord for a doctor. Dr. Squirrel stated, that he was called in about six o'clock on Tuesday morning ; when' he arrived, he ((mini the deceased lifeless. He was of opinion that the injury received front the fall caused his death. The Coroner observed that great neglect was shewn in not -having called in medical assistance before the unfortnnate gentleman bad expired. It was his opinion that nothing further could be elicited than that the fall was the cause of his death. The Jury, after consulting for some time, returned a verdict of —" Accidental Death." POLICE. BOW STREET. IMPORTANT Dactstort...-George Pearkes, the pro prietor of a shop for the sale of British wines, in Cross Court, Russell Court, Drury Lane, was summoned to answer the complaint of Richards, a constable of St. Alartin's parish, for refusing to receive into his house, or provide accommodation for elsewhere. a private soldier who had been regularly billetted Upon him. Richards stated, that the defendant kept a shop for the sale of British wines, ginger arid spruce beer, and other commodities 01 that description, and as the precept de livered to the constables of Westminster for the regula tion of their conduct in the performance of their various branches of duty, and the primed forms of billets for soldiers, with which they were also furnished to fill up as occasion required, both mentioned " venders of Bri tish wines," as persons liable to have soldiers quartered upon them, he had felt it his duty to send one to the defendant, who had refused to receive him, eta the plea that lie was not liable. The defendant kept his shop open until two or three o'clock in the morning for the sale of wines, while the propiletor.of a public-house was compelled by the fear of heavy penalties, to clo:At: his house soon after eleven, and as he came strictly within the letter of the law, witness thought lie should be guilty of a !meads of duty if ha did not dell with hiin as the precept directed. The defendant in answer to the complaint, contended that lie was not liable, inasmuch as the licence under which ha sold British wines contained tin stipulation Of that kind, whereas that of the , Licensed Victualler ex pressly set forth his liability to have soldiers quartered upon him. if the magistrates considered him liable, • every oilman and grocer iii London, for they all sold British wines, would be equally so. Richards handed in his precept and form of billet, in each of which •• lkaler iu British and Foreign wiues" were mentioned as being liable. Mr. Halls said there could be no doubt that the de fendant, as well as every other person who said British wines was liable to have soldiers quartered upon hint.— Ile must receive the man who had been sent to hint, set pay the penalty prescribed by the statute upon refusal. l'he defendant said, he must of course submit to the decision, and lie retired with the soldier. SrRIIIIG AND NEATE.—This match is at length on the eve of being made In. a great slake. The friends of the parties have met, and two gentlemen (backers) will put down the money. It is next to demand amongst the, patrician amateurs that after a forfeit ou each side, the watch must lake place. Spring oilers to aeon 111 l io date the Bristol hero for 200 nr front that to 500 sove reigns, and a meeting will take place to arrange the pre liminaries on• Monday evening. Each wan has plenty of backers at eveu•betting. Fuca.—On Wednesday morning, at half past nine o'clock, an alarming fire broke out in the hat manufac tory of Mr. Bell, residing in Bell.alley, Coleman -street; the flames spread with great rapidity to the dwelling. houses of Mr. Gent anti Mrs. Jennings, both of which, with the factory, were totally cousunied in 3 shot t time. It then communicated to use backs of four houses in White Lion•court, winch are considerably injuted. By the timely lanai of the engines, and a pleannul supply of water, the flames.were got under by twelve o'clock. From the confined situation much damage has been (kite to property by its reu oval ; but Harris in, the Marshal mail, accompanied by the City Police, were very active iu preventift depredations, and were the Meals. of pre. &trying an ii *tense quantity of houschuM furniture to the unfortunate sufferers. 711 NC IIULY C [NC U MSTANCIS —A few days since, a lady of respectability, and elegantly attired, nanu•d Mor tvia, took an inside place in one of Oliver's Pad dunAtoti stages, plying at the Angel I nu, Islington, and ordered to be set down at the corner of Baker Street, in the New ItuJil. A gentleman on the toad wished to proceed with the stage, but on the door being opened, the laity was observed lying on the floor, and on beimi woken to, got up and resumed her place on the seat — Tim gentleman, under these circumstances, would not proceed with the stage, and it therefore proceeded on without any other inside passenger, and stopped as de sired at the corner of Baker Street, when, on opening the door, the lady was attain observed lying on the fluor. and being taken out, it was ascertained she was dead. —The body lay for souse short time at the Globe, the corner of Baker Street, without being recognized ; the n e ws being at tenuih being spread about, came to the knowledge or the deceased lady's son, who resides at N 0.315, Baker Street, and on rushing into the room in which the borly.lay, he recognized i► as his mother, who had been engaged that clay to dine with his family.—A coroner's inquest sat wt the body, by special appoint ment berme Thomas Stirling. Esq. the Coroner, and the Jury, on the evidence adduced before them, returned a verdict of—Died by visitation of God. On Wednesday a gentleman, Mr. Ker, underiook, for a certain sum, to row through all the ashes of Hlackfriars' Bridge in six minutes. He started on the Surrey sidt., at 20 minutes leas: three, and pirlimned Isis task through tee nine arches in lour tontines and two seconds with great case. On his next birthtluy he com pletes his Oulu year. Dits.sotot. Acetossyr.—Tuesda night last an in qzi , Head-alley, was held at the watchhouse, /deco's ead-alley, ewgate•street, before 'l'. Shelton, :.q. on the body of an elderly lady, Wined Bennet,, nimlier to a respectable actress belonging to the Royal Cooing Theatre, who carne by her death ruder the lollownig melancholy en cumstancest—A Mr. Brasier stated, that on Monday evening, about five o'clock, as he was passing through Newitate-street, near St. Martin's-le-Grand, he saw a waggon, drawn by eight horses, coming from New street, St. Martin's•le-Grand, at a slow pace, and as it was turning round the corner into Neevgate-street, the deceased made an effort to cross the road quickly, when she slipped down, with her head between the wheels, and the hinder wheel passed emnpleiely over her head, and crusher) it flat nit the ground, and killed het on the spot. ller body was soma after recoguized b y two fe males.—The Jury returned a verdict of " A ccidental Death," and were of opinion, that nu blame whatever was attached to the waggoner, box a ticodand of ss. was levied on the wheel of the waggon. The Jury were unanimously of opinion, that a representation ought to be Illaltle to the Comnion Connell of the danger arising to passengers f the extreme had and dangerous con dition of the passage at the top of St. Alaniii;le.Graiter, and to apply lion its immediate re at joy its instant repair. The beadle said that the subject- had been that very evening discussed benne the Committee of Sewers, bot.that they, Burling it was not within their jurisdiction, intended to lay a statement of it before the Committee for improvement. The Coroner remarked, that if the nuisance was not remedied, the Jury had it in their power to state the circumstance to the lug:test Commit. tee, who would represent it to the Courr of Aldermen. MENDICITY Soct g•rs.—'l'he Anniversary Meeting of this Society took place 011 IVednestlay last, at the Egyp. tian Hall, Nlansion-house ; the Lord Mayor in the chair- The Hall was crowded—the company consisted chiefly of ladies. The Report was then read: it stated, that more relief had been given to the indigent withna the last year than within any period of similar duration, none objects having presented thelnselves to the Society ; but that the funds required more assistance from the opulent, in consequence of those claims. Many cases of gross imposition had been detected by the conductors of. the Institutiou, who still regretted the practice of giving casual relief to beggars in the streets.— ['he Report was received with applause, and • thanks being voted to the Lord Mayor, the meeting adjourned. On Wednesday afternoon, about five o'clock, as a hackney-coach was dm ing at a sharp pace down Gov well-street-road, a line buy about ten years of age, the SOU of a tradesman in the neighbourhood, was unfortu. 'lately, in crossing the street, run dovan by the horses; and the wheels of the coach passing over him, both his thighs were fractured, and his person otherwise severely hint. The little utiliser was carried toSt. Bartholomew IP 11(131)431, with little hopes of recovery. No blame could be imputed to the driver of the coach. MATeit TO NEVIOURY.Mr. West, the amateur; started Iron: Hyde Park at one o'clock on Monday, to perform the distance of I 12 miles, in 2g hours, for WO sovereigus ; he reached Siouan, to miles in four hours ; he went through Alaidenhead (2(i miles) iricog. benne seven, having halted half an boor. He was at heading at nine o'clock, and contimied his journey the other 17 miles, which lie ..ceomplisheal, after a short stoppage, in half an hour less than half the tithe; he here laid down, and passed through Readdsgsm his return, aheut five o'clock, and he stopped at a friend's house at Hare Hatch, where he first felt fatigued. Ile started (rout thence to do the remaining 32 miles in eight hours.— He lost time in et cry hour, and from the badness of the roads, he gave in lb miles front crime, and having less than three hours to do it in. l'he match has beets at tempted by others, bin sieter yet accomplished. The last three hours spoiled the business. TRANSITION CROT4 SPLENDOUR Ti) PCTVERTY.A once dashing lithe, who two years ago was the chit. untie of a gallant batonet, and lolled in her yellow chariot I and greys, attempted suicide on ‘Vednesilay afternoon. —Site was observed wandering alum the batiks of the canal, on the verge of the Regent's Park, and at length she plunged into the water. Two boatmen, who wit nessed the rash act, extricated her Irmo her perilous situation, when animation was nearly suspended. She was taken to the Harp public-house and brought round. Distress was the occasion of the rash attempt. She had lived some weeks in one of the humble 51. huts at Pad dington, in pecemi try want. We understand that her situation will be immediately looked HMO, so as to pre vent a sontlar act. MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT BY POISON.—An inquest was held on Tuesday last, on the bodies of Mary and Elizabeth Tomlinson, the daughters of T. Tomlinson, of Black Intro, who died in consequence of having taken poise i (arsenic) by mistake. Mary the eldest daughter, being. unwell, her mother gave her on Monday morning smite medicine, which she supposed to .•r magnesia, but which happened to be arsenic, 311(1 Eliza, the youngest, wishing to taste it, her mother gave her some also.— They both died in a few hours alter taking it. Verdict —Accidentally poisoned. ExecuTtos.—Wethiesday last, the feelings of hums. oily were again outraged by the exhibition of six nose. table men hurried by sentence of human law -into the presence of their Creator—not one of whom ought by DIVINE law to have been stili t iv.ited to capital l • meat—we do not blame the Exectiive, but we do hold every Member of each branch of our Legislation as guilty of a neglect of duty who suffers (without au effort) our sanguinary code to remain in the horrid, the crimi nal, and disgraceful state it is at present. A New York paper of the 29th Jan. states, that Yarrow, a moor, died at Georgetown, Columbia, on Sunday last, aged 139. The quantity.of foreign corn, &c. remaining in warehouse in Great Britain, on the sth of Janu.try last, was 803,934. quarters.