The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-08-29 00:00:00

ALLEGED INCITING TO MURDER A FATHER
AND BROTRZEL

A case that has excited a great deal of interest in
llertford was heard before the local magistrates in the
Town-ball on Thursday. It was a charge against a young
French gentleman named Paul Bayart, studying in Hert-
ford, that he had solicited Mr. Arthur W. Dickens, of the
same place, to murder his father and mother at Roubaix,
in France.
The charge being read over, the defendant, • well-
dressed and intelligent-looking young man, plaided "Not
Guilty, and the evidence was then taken.
After Supt. Jarrett, of the Hartford Police, had stated
that on the 14th inst. he saw Mr. Arthur W. Dickens,
and received • communication from him,
Arthur William Dickens was examined. He said
he lived at Mr. Moran,, in Hertford, and had been in
Hertford since the 15th of September, 1875. He then
resided at the Rev. Francis Stanfield's, Achille Bayart
was a pupil there then, but the defendant was not.
Witness was placed there by his parents, but not as a
pupil. He left there either in January or February. He
did nothing there, and was not training for any profes-
sion. Achille left either in December or January, and the
defendant came • week afterwards. Witness remained
there with him for • month or two, and they were very
friendly. Witness went to Mr. Koran's in January,
February, March, or April—could not be certain as to
what month. Had not been doing anything in the way
of business there; was simply living on his means. Was
22 or 23 years of age. He had no father living, but his
mother was living somewhere in Italy, he could not say
where. Had frequently been in the defendant's company
and was on very intimate terms with him. Very shortly
after his departure from Mr. Stanfield's he had conversa-
tions with defendant. generally in All Saints' churchyard.
These began about three months ago. He asked witness
if he knew of any poison that would destroy human life
without leaving any trace. Wishing to obtain an Insight
into his plan, witness told him a story entirely of his owe
invention—viz, that the foam collected from the mouth
of a dog poisoned by arsenic was deadly and without true.
lie asked witness to procure him some arsenic, and
witness got from Mr. Lines, the chemist, some arsenical
paste, which he gave to the defendant. In the interim,
about six weeks ago, defendant called on witness, and
they went to All inta' churchyard. Defendant then
said he wished witness to murder lIIJ father and mother;
that he could not afford more than £5OO for the commie. '
sion of the deed; that, although it was • small sum to
offer, he had hopes afterwards of • far greater fortune
accruing to him than he would obtain by the death'of his ,
father and mother. Witness aturst refused. Defendant
said he thought his parents' estate was worth .25,000, but
that as he would have to press the sale he would get less
than that Afterwards, thinking to gain an in-
sight Into defendant's plan, witness said he would
do it. Defendant said that, now he was satis-
fied wastage would do it, he would proceed to perfect his
plan. The interview then closed. On the next day but
one the defendant called on witness, and they went down
West-street. Defendant said he had considered the matter
over, and he could not find any plan better than the com-
mission of the deed by • poisoned poinard, and be asked
witness; if he knew of any means of poisoning steel. Ile
regretted the absence of Mr. Williams, a chemist, in
Hertford. Witness had a conversation with defendant
on Friday, the 4th of August, at Mrs. Moran's. Defend-
ant called to give witness the portraits produced. They
were given to witness in his broom. He wished to
speak to witness privately, and as Mrs. Morgan was in
the room downstairs, witness took him to the bedroom.
He said he had nearly succeeded in raising the .£lO
necessary for witness' expense: to Roubaix, and that
he had an opera glass he would give witness to sell.
On the Monday week following, to the best of his belief,
defendant called on witness at Mr. Moran's, and they
went to All Saints' churchyard. Defendant said he had
succeeded in obtaining nearly the whole of the £lO
necessary for witness' expenses, stating that I:5 had been
given to him that morning by check by the Rev. Mr.
Stanfield, and that Mr. Matthews had advanced him 30s.
on some gold links and studs; that he was expecting 15" s.
for the opera-glass (then in witness's hand). and that the
other money lie had won at whist and cribbage from the
Rev. Mr. Stanfield. (Laughter.) He also said the time
had come to give witness instructions concerning the
habits and whereabouts of his parents in Roubaix. He
said his father wee in the habit of going for a walk in the
fields of an afternoon. He drew a plan of the street in
which his father's house was, and the branch streets by
which his father usually went for a walk. He also wrote
down a name or sign which was over his father's house.
Defendant stated that if he would write out • draught or
note of hand for .2500 he would sign it. Witness told him
to go to the Vine inn, and meanwhile he would procure
the necessary stamp. Defendant did so, and witness went
to the Loudon and County Bank, and, not gettiag a stamp
there, he went and bought a nine shilling bill stamp -the
one produced. He then weet to she Vine motel and
met defendant in the billiard-room. Defendant asked
what witness would drink, and while Mr. Harvey,
the landlord, went for two glasses of beer, witness
wrote out the body of the bilL When signed, the note
was handed to witness by del endant. Defen-
dant also gave witness Be, for the stamp. Witness
then returned home and told Mr. Moran all that
had occurred, showing the .210 and the proofs he had in
his possession. The letter produced was brought to wit-
ness' by Mr. C,obharn, of Ware, on the Monday last spoken
of, between half-put five and half-past six. It was
directed to witness Ile opened it, and asked Mr.
Cobham and Mr. Moran to sign it to certify that they had
seen it opened. The papers contained in the letter were
read, "It you miss the M. gap( to church, go yourself
to church. You will find the K. at the top of the left
aisle till 71, and when there you will take your site as you
like." Witness did not know defendants handwriting,
and could not say if it were his. Witness took the letter
to the Town Hall, gave it to Constable Gardner, and
requested him to take it to Superintendent Jarrett.
xamined.—Witness said he was born at Calcutta,
and his father was a barrister. He left Marlborough
School at 14 years of age, and then was under two private
tutors. Ile then beeame midahipman in Messrs. Money,
Wigram service. He was two years on the Norfolk, and
left through a disagreement with the captain at
Melbourne. The witness objected to Captain Cummings'
tyranny, and left at his own request and with tbe
captain's consent. He went up to Geelong and was a
sort of vagabond, hardly getting his living. Left
Australia at the age of 19 or 20. He was about 17 when
he went to sea, and was about a year in Australia- He
came to England and lived on an allowance from his
mother for a month or two, lie then enlisted in the 6th
Dragoon Carabineer Guards, whence be got his discharge
ten months ago. lie was four months in Bedford Gaol ,
for insubordination in sp_eaking his mind • little too
plainly to his superior olticer, Ile WU at Berlin. lie
could not remember the hotel he stayed at. Left without
paying his debta. He could not say whether he owed
$00(. ; it might be 5,000,000 i. for aught he could
remember. He was at rceen, in Poland, for some months
with • relative. He did not leave there as he left Berlin.
He had not stated there that he was related to Charles
Ifiekeus. If the people there supposed so, he did not un-
deceive them: but he should consider the supposition
rather an insult to him (witness).
Mr. Armstrong—So much for the memory of Charles
Dickens !
Cross-examination continued. —lle loft Father Stanfield
on account of • disagreement. The witness wished to go
coursing early in the morning with Mr. Moran, and told
Father. Stanfield that he should stay over-night at Mr.
Moran s. Father Stanfield flew in a passion. Witness
told him that after his ungentlemanly behaviour he would
never go into his house again, and also that he would
"show him up" and make him repent his deceitfulness to
him. Father Stanfield said "God would reward him if
men did not, and wituess replied "Be hanged; God will
never reward such an hypocrite as you. Witness did say,
' You have done the worst day's work you ever did in your
life; you will never forget it till you are laid in your six.
feet box." Whims' meant that 'he would expose Father
Stanfield in every newspaper in Engbuid, if he could, for
his infamous conduct—not only for that, but for other
things he would state when the time came. Father
Stanfield had complained of witness being out before that
till five o'clock in the morning. He did not charge witness
with pulling off dour-knockers. Waimea was out all
night once, and nearly every night till one and two o'clock.
Witness had frequently said he had no belief in any God
at all, and that he was an infidel. He had said so to
Major Gape. This was possibly a little display of temper.
Witness did not say the same now, lie had said so to U.
Achille Bayer% and they both agreed cm the. point. At
the end of last year or the beginning of this witness
received 41,50 in Russian bonds, which In sold for JAN 10s.
He had spent that. He had never paid Mr. Moran any-
thing • Kr. Moran would not allow him. He had kept
witness out of friendship, and to show Father Stanfield
that be had no mercenary motive in so doing. Ile had no
idea where his mother was. Ile last heard of her through
his solicitor, Mr. Bolton, three months ago. She was then
in Italy. He did not know why she did not communicate
oftener, except that she might have better things to attend
to. Witness had a brother and four sisters. His brother
was not in communication with his mother, so far as
witness knew. For two years his mother's address had
been carefully kept from him, and for four years before
that he had not seen her. Witneu's father died so long
ago that he had forgotten all about the circumstance, lie
believed he died when witness was a week or two old, or
else before he was born. Witness's mother then lived at
Bayswater. Witness took '3O or 40 books away from the
house and some rings belonging to his mother. He did not
ark her leave; the always told hiiu that what was hors was
his, and she had been on very good terms since then.
Witness had not sought the defeudant out himself.
Witness had never contemplated murdering his own
mother.
Is not the fear of that the reason your mother keeps out
of your way!
Witness denied that it warn. Before the defendant had
made the proposal witness had carefully studied his
character. As a study of human nature he had listened to
defendant, and had let out to defendant a character of
himself, lie knew defendant to be capable of 50 times
worse things than that.
What, than murdering his father and mother I If you
can tell me anything that is 50 times worm than murder-
ing a father and mother I should like ta, hear it. Did not
know of defendant having linseed . pocket-book contain-
ing the protraita of his (ether and mother while at the
baths.—Re had used an air gun years ago when • pupil at
Pershore. Thc witness suggested the air gun himself as •
mode of shooting wit) out being heard. Some other
members of the family were to be disposed of besides the
parents and brother.
The case is still Proceeding.

A little girl, spa ate years, named lime Smith, was
bitten by a mad do at Rainton about three weeks ago,
and died on Wedneadu trout hydrophobia in great
agony.n O Wednesday morning, at Bridgwater, a man named
woww genera who had been locked on for disorderly
conduct, was fOUnd to have committed suicide in the
police cell by hanging himself with his waistbelt.
Tsui New Twines Tuser.i...—The new subway between
North and South Woolwich, which was commenced on
Thursday, is estimated to cost £75,009 and will consist of
an iron tube in segments lift. high' with a breadth
ffic suient for four adult.' to walk abreast. It will be
lined with white glared pantiles and be lighted with gas,
and will POWICSAI an efficient system of ventilation.
A singular gun accident Mu just occurred at Pains-hill-
house near Cobham, the residence of Mr. Leith. The
farm %alit!. Mr. Heal, laid a loaded gun on the top f a
corn bin in the stable, and to his great surprise he h:aril
it sometimes afterwards go off. The gun was tired by a
fowl which got on the trigger, and the contents entered
the face of an aged 111411 named Collis, who MINI in the
stable at the time. The sufferer was attended by Dr.
Webb, who was obliged to remove one of his eyes. The
poor old ULM had been employed on the estate for upwards
of 30 yearn

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