The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1860-01-03 00:00:00

COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS.

GUILDHALL, Saturday, Dec. 31, 1839.—(Before
H. Williams, Esq., and U. N. Middleton, Fag.

SHOOTING A SWAN.

STURMINSTER NEWTON.

in consequence of Christmas day falling on Sun
day, the principal tradesmen of this town oloaed
their establishments on Monday, the 26th ult., in
order to give their assistanta the privilege of visit-
ing their friends at this festive season.
Daring the week we have been favoured with two
exhibitions of dissolving views, at the Crown Hotel,
by Mr. W. John, author of "Scripture Frag-
ments," and a " Sacred Cantata on the Millen's!
Glory," published by Alfred Novelle. When we
say they are by one of the first houses (Carpenter
and Wesley), it is needless to say more. The sub-
ject embraced scenes mentioned in holy writ, and
and which were very vividly depicted; together
with Arabian desert and mountain scenery. It was
by particular desire that Mr. John gave his second
exhibition, which proved quite a Christmas treat to
those who visited it. On both evenings a very fair
attendance was secured! and had it not been for the
unpropitious state of the weather, we doubt not
the audiences would have been larger.
On Wednesday last the whole of the inmates of
our union were treated to a dinner of roast beef
and plum pudding. This has been the custom
to some extent for many years, but on this occasion
it was done on a more liberal scale, thanks to the
generosity of those who subscribed, and to the
governor of the union for his exertions in collecting
the amount required. Nothing was omitted in the
day's programme to make it a merry Christmas for
them. Dinner was served up in the chapel, which
was prettily decorated for the occasion, and the re-
cipients were kindly waited upon by the guardians
and others. On each man leaving the table a pint
of good old strong beer and an ounce of tobacco
were presented to him; the old women were re-
pled with tea, and in the evening they were all
collected together, and the magic lantern exhibited
to them. We must not omit to mention that the
children were not forgotten on this occasion; for
them a pretty Christmas tree, full of toys and eata-
bles, had been prepared by the Misses. Dashwoods
the Misses Long, and the Misses I iarvey, who not only
generously supplied the articles, but personally
superintended the giving theni away, and we are
quite sure that the warm expressions of thankfulness
by all who partook of thie treat will be quite
enough to encourage the subscribers, and the master
and matron (to whom much praise is due for their ex-
ertions on this emersion) to reperet the same kindness
at a future Christmas. .

William Bendall and William llfaraltallsay, of
West Chickerell, were summoned for maliciously '
shooting a swan, the property of Lord Ilchester.
Mr. Howard, of Weymouth, defended, and Mr.
Basket, of Evershot, prosecuted.
P.C. Kimber said that on the 27th of December,
about II o'clock in the morning, while passing along
the backwater, in the parish of East Fleet, accom-
panied by P.C. Symonds, he saw two swans flying
towards him. lie drew Symonde attention to
them, and be had no sooner done so than he saw a
swan drop. He heard the report of a gun, and saw
also the smoke of it, which came from • boat in the
water. There were two men in the boat • they
pulled off as fast as they could, having hauled the
swan into the boat. There was another man peeping
round a corner. The two rowers shortly afterwards
took the man that was peeping round the corner
into the boat. They then pulled round the corner
of the land as quick as possible. Witness and P.C.
Symonds went after them; and upon getting round
the corner saw the defendants get out of the boat
and hide the swan in some furze, which was near the
water, and covered it up with a slop. One of the
prisoners watched, while another (Marshallsay)
was hiding the bird. When on a rising ground the
witness saw another person, who, findiug himself ob-
served got into the boat again, and pulled away,
taking with him two other men. He (witness) then
went towards the place where the swan was hidden.
lie discovered it, and took it to a farmer, named
Marsh. He left P.C. Symonds there to watch the ,
boat. When the beat came back to the place where
the swan was hidden, the men were taken into
custody.
Cross-examined by Mr. Howard: When be first
saw the boat it was coming down the Fleet water.
He observed the boat ten minutes before he saw the
swans flying about. When he saw the swan drop
he thought it was about twenty yards from the boat.
lie distinctly heard the report of a gun, and would
undertake to swear most positively that the gun was
not fired from the shore, but from the boat on the
water. The prisoners brought the swan on shore,
and William Rendall bid it in the furze. He could
not swear to the third person, but he could to the
two prisoners present, because they were nearer to
him.

The policeman Symonds, who was in company
with the last witness. corroborated his assertions,
and added that Itendall, when apprehended, had a
gun in his hand.
Mr. Basket :—How may yards from the shore was
the boat when the gun was tired?
Witness :—About 60 or 70 yards.
Mr. Supt. Brown :—Tbe bird produced was given
to me by P.C. Symonds, and has been in my care
ever since.

Whilst enjoying the festivities of the season, it is
pleasant to see that our poorer neighbours are not
forgotten ; and we are pleased to record that through
the liberality of our townspeople and some of our
local gentry, the inmates of the Union Workhouse
were on Wednesday last treated to the old English
fare of roast beef and plum pudding, which they had
in abundance and to their hearts' content.

---.
F.. Pitman said that he was in the aervioe of Lord
- - -

Ilchester. His duty was to look after the
swannery and mark the swans. The swan produced
had his mark on it, which WU a hole punched !
through the web of the foot.
The Bench told the prisoners that if they
wished to have this matter settled at once they must
plead guilty, otherwise the case would be remitted
to another tribunal.
Mr. Howard hoped the bench would deal with
thu prisoners as leniently as possible, as they were
men of good character, and had lived at Chickerell
for sonic years, during which time they were never
known to carry a gun.
The prisoners pleaded guilty.
The Bench considered that this was a very clear
and bad case, said worse because they were not
strangers, but men who had lived at Chickerell for
I years; and they (the Bench) thought the least the
prisoners ought to have done was to protect Lord
Ilchester's property instead of destroying it. It
would be wrong if they passed too light a sentence
upon them. They (the prisoners) very well knew
Lord Ilehister's feeling about the matter—that it
was his wish to preserve the swami, not for any pri-
vate good, but in a national point of view, and the
magistrates much regretted that that feeling
had not been better respected.
The prisoners were then sentenced to be im-
prisoned for two calendar months, with hard labour.

RAMPISHAIL

A Cantu. CASK.—Au inquest was held on Friday
week on the body of Thomas Ellis, labourer, aged
.roi years, who was found dead in Rampisham gravel•
pit on the previous Wednesday evening. It ap-
peared that the deceased had been ill of disease of
the heart. When discovered the poor fellow had a
piece of bread in one hand and a knife in the other.
The coroner remarked that he thought there was a
great want of feeling on the part of the pariah antho•
cities, and that death had been hastened in come.
quence of deceased having been obliged to go to
work. The jury returned a verdict of "Found
dead," accompanied with an expression of regret
that more kindness had not been shown towards the
deceased. One of the jurors refused to sign this, as
he did not think the censure sufficiently strong.
The deceased was a very sober, honest man, and has
left a wife and large family to mourn his loss.—
Sherborne Journal.

EXECUTION OF THE HARPER'S FERRY
RIOTERS.
The followiag account of the execution of the re-
maining Harper 's Ferry riotersis dated Charlestown,
December 16 :
Throughout yesterday and to-day there was a greet
influx of strangers and citizens of the country to
witness the last act of the Harper's Ferry tragedy.
There was very little difficulty in getting into the
town, the vigilance not being so great as on the oc-
csaion of Brown's execution. The priaoners were
visited yesterday by the Rev. Messrs. Dutton,
Nassau, North, and Waugh. The services were
participated in by all the condemned men. All
gave unqualified assent to convictions of religious
truth, and each expressed a hope of salvation. They
freely acknowledged their guilt and admitted that
their doom was just, and that in the main they have
been treated with the utmost kindness, though
_they
thought some of the witnesses were rather harsh In
their testimony. Cook and Coppie were equally
earnest in their protestations of religious convictions
and hopes of forgiveness. Mr. Butler, a Quaker front
Ohio, nod an uncle of Cuppie's from Ohio, visited
him yesterday, the interview lasting over an hour.
All was quiet wail eight o'clock last evening, when
the town was thrown into commotion by the report
of a rifle under the gaol wall, followed by several
other shots from the vicinity of the guard-house, in
doge proximity to the gaol. The military were
called to arms, and the excitement was intense
beyond anything that has yet occurred. In a few
minutes the streets were in possession of armed men.
Rumours of every description were afloat, and it was
dangerous for a citizen to go out to ascertain the
cause of the excitement. This morning the com-
munity was early astir. At 9 o'clock the entire
military force were formed on Main street. The
POOLE. companies detailed for the gallows at half.
past nine were in position. The companies
TErrora: Socirry.—The members and friends detailed for escort duty took up their wiel-
d the above society held a tea meeting in the Town- I tion in front of the gaol. At half-past 10
hall on Tuesday evening. After tea, addresses were Green and Copeland were prepared to go to the place
delivered by the Rev. S. Knell, of Throop ; the Rev. of execution. The crowd was very great, at least
J. B. Charles, of Wareham, and others. The chair five times as numerous as on the occasion of Brown's
was occupied by Mr. Joseph Harker, president of the i execution. The religious ceremonies in the cell were
society. very impressive, and were conducted by the Rev.
CHRLSTIIAS ErwriviTici.—On Monday week, the Nleurs. North and Waugh. At a quarter before 11
men in the employ of Muerte T. and J. Richman, the prisoners appeared at the gaol door, accompanied
brewers, and Nlessra. Richman and Hill, corn-fac- by the Rev. Mr. North, and, with their arms
tors, were regaled with a substantial dinner of old pinioned, moved slowly forward toward the vehicle
English fare at the Bell Inn, by their employers. in waiting. They seemed downcast, and wore some
The chair was occupied by Mr. J. Richman, and a of that calm and collected spirit evinced by Brown.
pleasant evening was spent. On Friday morning They were helped into the wagon, and took their
last the workmen employed at Messrs. Howell's seats on their coffins, scarcely looking to the right
foniolry, together with their wives, were enter- or to the left. The escort moved on, and the wagon
taiued by their employers at an excellent dinner, was closely flanked on either side by • company of
Orm-Fx:towsifir.—The half-yearly couituittee- riflemen, marching in double file. At 7 minutes to
meeting of the Poole district of the Manchester 11 the procession entered the field. The prisoners
Unity of Odd-Fellows was held at the Alliance mounted the gallows with a firm step, and were on.
Lodge, Temperance Hall, Market-street, on Tuesday. mediately joined by Sheriff Campbell. After a brief
Business commenced at ten o'clock. There %%as a prayer by the clergyman, the caps were drawn over
large attendance of deb-gates from the various their lauds and the ropes affixed round their necks.
Loges in the district. Mr. George Ye.ttutatt, of During the few moments they thus stood, CupeLand
Wimborne, was elected to fill the office of District remained quiet, but Green was engaged in earnest
Grand Master; and Mr. Wilkins as District Deputy prayer up to the moment the trap was drawn away,
Grand Master, for the ensuing year. and they were launched into eternity. Green died
LATE (;ALES.—The Juns (Captain West), from very easy, his neck being broken by the fall, and the
Fogs, Newfoundland, and the John and Thomas, motion of his body was very alight. Copeland
from Labrador, have both suffered in the masts, seemed to suffer very much, and his body writhed in
rigging, splitting sails, and from the severity of the violent contortions for several minutes. They were
weather through which they have passed this fall. I accompanied on the gallows by the Rev. Messrs.
The John Thunia.s, before leaving the coast of Libra- Waugh, North, aid Leach, to whom they bid an
dor, became so encumbered with ice--being almost affectionate farewell, and expressed the hope of meet-
sunk beneath the constantly accumulating weight on Mg them in heaven. The bodies were placed ni
deck—that she became unmanageable, and drifted poplar coffins, and curried back to the gaol. They
over a ruck, striking heavily thereon several times, will be interred to-morrow, on the spot where the
though happily without stopping, or she must have gallows stands, though there is a party of medical
been lost, and the entire crew would have been students here from trginia, who will doubtless not
drowned—being all benumbed with the intense cold, I allow them to remain there long. At a quarter to
and all more or less frost bitten. The mate of the twelve notice was given to Cook and Coppie that one
vessel is yet unable to walk from the effects of hour wore was allowed them. Religious ceremonies
frost in his feet. ! were belJ in the cell. Since the failure of their
SUNDAY SCHOOL TREAT.—On Friday last, the attempt to escape last night their assumed composure
teachers belonging to the parish church of St. James and apparent resignation had given away. They
partook of an excellent tea, in the school-room, pro- were reserved and rather quiet, but join«l with fer-
ruled for them by their respected curate, the Ilev. I your in the ceremonies. M hen called by the sheriff
J. Barrow. Tito room was tastefully decorated, they stood quietly whilst their anus were pinioned,
After tea several pieces were recited and snug in a and after bidding farewell to the guards of the gaol,
creditable manner. they were helped into the wagon and took seats on
The annual tea and ball of the Philanthropic Lodge their coffins. They seemed to take but little notice
of Otld-fellows was celebrated at their Lodge Room as the procession moved slowly. They ascended the
on Wednesday last, when there was a numerous at- ! scaffold with determined firmness, scarcely surpassed
tendance, and the festivities were kept up with a, by Captain Brown. A brief prayer was offered, the
lively spirit until a seasonable hour in the night. rope adjusted, the cap drawn, and "both launched
POLICE. —Thursaay.—(l3efure the Mayor and .1. into eternity" in seven minutia after they ascended
Goose, Esq.)--.lloey Join', an Irish tramp, was the gallows. After the rope was adjusted Cook ex-
brought up in custody of P.C. Frond, chlrged with claimed, "Be quick—as quick as possible !" which
stealing a fur and au umbrella, the property of Mary was repeated by Coppie. After hanging about 30
Sherwood, of West Howe. It appeared that the minutes both bodies were taken down and placed in
prosecutrix was in the Globe Inti when the prisoner black walnut coffins. That of Cook was put in •
came in offering stay laces for sale. The proses:it- poplar box and directed to Aahbell P. Willard and
trix being asked into another room—leaving her fur Robert Crowley, 104, Willisin-street, New York,
and umbrella behind—she returned in a few minutes ; care of Adams's express. Coppie's body vu placed
for the purpose of getting the things, when she found in a similar box, to be forwarded to his mother in
them one. Thu prosecutrix gave information to i lowa.
P.C. trout!, who apprehended the prisoner at a low
lodging-house with the fur round her neck, and the
umbrella hid away. The prisoner pleaded guilty,
and made a long defence, in a real Irish style. The
Mayor committed her to Puule Gaul for fourteen
days' hard labour.
SATUKDAY. (Before the Mayor.)
Suiherion, a seaman, was charged by P.C. Stone,
with being drunk and incapable. Fined s. aud
costa.

ATTEMPTED LSCAPE OF COOK AND COPPIL
Cook and Coppie attempted to escape last evening.
They had cut through the wall of the gaol, and
partially succeeded, when they were fired on by the
sentinels. The sentinel near the gaol reported that
at a quarter past eight o'clock he observed a man on
the gaol wall. He challenged him, and receiving
no answer fired at him. Another head was seen
above the wall, but he retreated as soon as the first
had been fired at. The man on the wall seemed at
first determined to jump down, but the sentinel
declared his intention of impaling him on his
bayonet, and he retreated into the gaol-yard with
Coppie, and both gave themselves up without
resistance. Cook afterwards remarked that if he
could have got over ad throttled the guard be
would have made his escape. The Shenandoah
mountains are within ten minutes run of the gaol
wall, and had he reached them, with his thorough
knowledge of the mountains his arrest would have
been difficult, especially as but few of the military
could have followed him during the night. They
hail succeeded after two weeks labour, whenever
alone, and at night, when the bed-clothing muffled
the sound of the saw, which they had made of an old
Barlow knife, in cutting through their iron shackles,
150 that they weld prize them off at any moment.
They had also made a chisel of a bed-screw, with
which they succeeded in removing the plaster from
the wall, and brick after brick, until a space
sufficient to pass through was opened, all to the
removal of the outer brick. The part of the cell in
which they slept, and the bed being pushed against
the wall completely hid their work from view. The
bricks they took out were nom:tided in the drum of
a stove, and the dirt and plaster removed in the
course of their work was placed between the bed
clothing. They had been at work for a whole week
in making the aperture in the wall. The cell being
on the first floor, the aperture was not more than
live feet above the pavement of the yard, and wlien
freed from their shackles their access to the yard was
quite easy. Here, however, was a smooth brick
wall, about fifteen feet, high to scale. This
difficulty was soon overcome with the aid of the
timbers of the scaffold on which Captain Brown was
hanged, and which was intended also for their own
execution. They placed these against the wall and
soon succeeded in reaching the top from which they
could have easily dropped to the other aide bad not
the sentinel on duty checked their movements.
They were arrested in the yard by General Taliafes,
and the oflieer of the day, who rushed to the gaol
the moment the alarm was given. General Taliafero
immediately telegraphed to Governor Wise of the
attempt of the prisoners, lie, in his answer,
directed that the military should immediately take
possession of the interior of the gaol and guard the
prisoners until they were executed. Shenfl Camp-
bell and Captain Avis are much chagrined, especially
as they had resisted all interference of the military
with the interior of the gaol. The prisoners' friends
who were still here were fearful that they might be
suspected of knowledge of their attempt. The
general opinion is that if they had waited till mid-
night. or later, they might have reached the
mountains, but it is presumed they were fearful of
being watched during the night or desired to have
as much an possible of the darkness to gain a good
distance before daylight would allow a general pur-
suit.