The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-09-02 00:00:00

STOURBRIDGE OBSERVEIL

had said he would do so for %I years. This 'was beainse he
had been accused by Father Stanfield of mercenary malves
In taking Mr. Dickens to his house. Witness had borrowed
money of Achille Bayart, but not of the defendant. He had
not repaid the borrowed money.
iipplied far an adjoartiment to enable
him to procure the aid of counsel, but Mr. Williams opposed
it, stating that hereafter, if counsel were engaged, the Bench
would probably permit him to ask such question as might be
deemed necessary.
The bench refused the application.

Mr. Frederick Ernest Pollard was the next witness. He
said he had known the defendant since Easter last. In Awe
last he had some oonvalsation with him in All Sainte' church-
yard. The defendant asked whether the witness knew any-
thing Of the Italian poisons, he thought defendant said, of
the 13th century. The witness said he believed he had heard
of then The defendant said, "Da you think the icisons
they used left no trace?" and witness said, "No, I attri-
bute the fact of their not being able to fmd traces cf Item
was owing to their incompetence." The defendant asked
It he would lend him books on chymistry, and if he knew
of aty poison leaving no trace. Witness promised the
books and said he thought there was no poison which left no
trace. Afterwards defendant called for the book., which
were lent to him, and witness saw a book with the leaf
turned over at suessuic and antimony, and volunteered the in-
formation that they could be easily traced. The books were
afterwards returned and defendant said they did not contain
what he wanted.

Cross-examined.—lle believed that he made the remark to
defendant in looking at one of the books, "That's what they
popped old Bravo off with." Did not remember anything
being said about the Bravo case when the books were asked
for. He would not swear that the defendant asked him if he
knew of any poisons without trace, but would swear that he
had asked if the pawns of the 18th century were without
trace. •

Mrs. Moran, the wife of a previous witness, stated that she
remembered tho defendant coming to her husband's house to
see Mr. Dickens on the 4th of August. lie and Mr. Dickens
went up to the latter's bedroom, and, when they bad been
there about three quarters of an hour, witness went up and
knocked at the door. They opened it, and she asked if they
would have some tea. They both said "Yes." Witness
saw the two photographs produced !Ting on the table. (They
were those of the defendant's paTents.) She asked Mr.
Bayart whose portraits they were, and he said, "My cousins"
Some weeks before, Mr. Dickens bad mentioned the names
of the defendant's parents. Remembered seeing Mr. Dickens
return home on Monday, the 14th lust, lie had several gold
pieces on the table.
Cross-examined: Was aware that there had been grave
differences between her husband and Father Stanfield, and
Mr. Cobham and Father Stanfield knew that there was a
letter from Cardinal Manning to Mr. Moran as to this dis-
agreement. Witness knew AbtlLe Bayart and had written
to him relative to Father Stanfield. Mr. Dickens had pre-
sented witness with earrings and abrooch and a dress. They
were presented when he was living at Father Stanfield's. On
the 4th of August Mr. Dickens told witness that the defend-
ant wanted him to kill his parents, but at that time witness
refused to believe it.

Mr. Cobham, of Ware, was the next witness. He stated
that at the end of February or the beginning of March he
was at Mr. Moran's when Mr. Dickens told him that the
defendant had the intention to murder his parents. Witness
did not believe it. On the 14th lust. witness went to the Vine
and saw the letter produced handed to Mr. Moran. Afterwards
he saw Mr. Moran hand the letter to Mr. Dickens. He saw
the latter open it and attached his signature to it. He
had a difference with Father Stanfield.

In cross examination, witness said he had tried to persuade
Mr. Moran from writing to tie Cardinal about the difference
with Father Stanfield.

Martha Muffle stated that the defendant bad been in the
habit of having his letters addressed under cover to her
house. They were marked "private," and had two crosses
on them. On the 12th inst. be sold witness some studs and
aleevellnks for 255., stating tint he wanted some money.
The day alter that she asked him had he seen Mr. Dickens
and he said he had. The letters she received for defendant
were from abroad,

Cross-examined :—Defendant said he was in the habit of
sending money to Germany to the person who wrote the
letters. lie had shown her foreign notes which he said he
wanted for Germany. She knew Mr. Dicken). She had heard
him say a few days before the 12th inst. that something
wonld happen they little expected, and that the result be that
Father Stanfteld would have to leave.

Police-constable Alfred Gardiner proved handing a letter
given to him by Mr. Dickens to the chief constable. (It was
the letter marked E left at the Tine.)

_
The Chief Constable was recalled, and stated that he had
communicated with the police at lloubaLic and had received
a r.e.plyt_.... . _ .... . .. .. ._

Mi.- Williams said this was the case for the prosezntlon,
and he asked that the defendant should be committed for
trial.

Mr. Armstrong raid he had witnesses to call who he be-
lieved were now on the road from Roubaix, and he asked for
an adjournment in order that they might 178 called.

- --
The application was granted and the inquiry was ad-
S°°!'ned• _ -

Mr. Williams reminded the magistrates that the charge
had assumed a very serious aspect—second only to one of
murder—and urged that although the defendant was at
present only charged on a summons, it had become necessary
that bail should be offered for the appearance of the defend-
ant.

The magistrates, after a private consultation, announoed
that the majority of the Bench had decided that bail should
be demanded, the defendant in £lOO and two sureties in £5O
each, or one in £l9O.

The defendant then entered into his own recognizance in
the sum of £lOO, and the Rev. Father Stanfield was accepted
as the other surety to the extent of £lOO.

"