The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1862-07-15 00:00:00

THE FRESTON.. TRAGEDY.

On Monday Jehn Cox, charged with thrr wilful
murder of Adam Stapleton Puckett; surgeon, late of
Bromlwey, was brought up on remand for examina-
tion before the magistrates. The ibterest excited on
the occasion was intense, the County Hall being
crowded to excess, and several were unable to obtain
admission. There were on the Bench H. Williams,
mid (j. T. Bullock, &gm Several medical gentle-
men were also present.
The first witness called was Richard Oox, the
father of the prisoner, who said: I live at Sutton.
On Tuesday last, about three o'clock in the afternoon,
I stood at the gate when Mr. Puckett and Mr.
Whit* came along. I said, "Are you come to take
,away my Son?' He replied, "Yes ;" and I told him
he had not better go ;if he did there would be
danger. He replied, "I'll go in, I dare say I shall
reconcile him." Mr. Puckett went into tho house,
and I, about ten mtnutes afterwards, also went in.
My son was tan Thi rSe was getting into
a rage, and I werg to the blaelunnith's shop, abOut
100 yards distant, to get assistance. The three
whom I left in my hones were Mr. Packett, my
wife, and 80e. When I came back my son was round
behind the ether &gages, about four "lug" off. I
saw M r. Puck ett on the ground, drawing his last breath.
I said "John what have you done?" and he replied
"If you don t be off 11l serve you the same." I then
drew.back. I had hew away about ten minutes.
After he threatened me, he went into the fuel
house and brought out a saw and commenced sawing
off Mr. Puckett's head. 1 did not stop, but went
to meet Mr. White, who had ben to the Ship for
horse and cart. When I came back with Mr. White
my son was gone, and I saw no more of him till he
was in custody. Mr. Prokett's body was lying on
the plot near the house. I said nothing to him when
I saw him COIIIMCIIOe sawing off the head. I had no
conversation with my eon that day cheat being
taken to the Union. I was out of the bongo all day.
I did not hear him say he would prefer the Gaol to
the Union.

Mary Cox said : I am the mother of John Cox,
and wife of the last witness. We have all been
living together at Sutton. I was at home last
Tuesday afternoon when Mr. Puckett came to my
house. We have two rooms in the bones, both on
the ground floor, and my eon was in bed in the
inner room, the door being open. Mr. Puckett had
been attending him about three weeks. l went into
the room with Mr. Puckett, who said, "John, I am
going to take you away as you have not air enough
here., ' said "let me read a chapter first,"
and Mr. Pnokett handed him a testament. My son
topic the &via as if to read, but he cannot read at all.
Mr, Rtickett then asked for a clean shirt to put on
him. I went into the outer more and got a ehirt
and gave it to Mr. Puckett. When I gen it him,
I noticed that Mr. Peekett teemed very much
frightened, and the perspiration stood in large drops
on his face. I immediately went into the road for
assistance, leaving the two alone. When I returned
to tho house I found Mr. Puckett outside holding
the outer door to prevent my son getting out of the
house. My eon was smashing the window, trying
to get out.. 1 oould not ace what he had in his hand.
I was frightened, and ran away. When I again re-
turned to the house Mr. Puckett was lying in the
garden, in front of one of the cottages adjoining
mini, quite dead. My son was then gone. On
Monday, the day before the murder, I heard my
son state he had overheard Mr. Puckett say, he must
go to the Union, but.he added, "I would sooner go
to Prison than to the Union. Bo looked for Mi.
Puckett and Mr. Baker to come in the afternoon,
and he would not dress. .

Harriet Willis said : 1 live in a cottage
about hundred yards from where Richard Cox
lives. From my garden I can see Cox's house. As
I was in my garden, about 5 o'clock on Tuesday
afternoon, I saw Mr. Cox holding the door u if to
prevent its being opened. I heard a great noise as
if windows were being broken. I immediately saw
Mr. Puckett miming from the doer and John Cox
following biro. Cox had something large in his
hand, which looked like a piece of wood, which he
threw at Mr. Puckett. It hit him, and he fell with
the blow. I remained there till I saw John Cot,
with a stick in each hand, beating Mr. Puckett as'
he lay on the ground. I. instantly ran into the road
for the porpoise of getting assistance. I could not
see anyone except some children, two of wham were
mine, close to the gate of Cox's garden. Having
taken my children home for safety, I returned to the
.gate of the garden again„ John gox had then a
white s!‘irt on, incl.& saw Whicfi" he was using on
some pas of Mr, Puckett's body. I then ran up to
the dairOirten, where I saw Mr. Pope. 1 then
saw John Cox walking fast across a field called the
Cowles**, with his coM thrown across Iris shoulders,
and going in the direction of Osmington.
Zacharmli White said: I am one of the relieving
officers of the Weymouth Union, and the parish of
Preston and Button Points is one of the parishes in
that union. Mr. Puckett , was the resident
officer of that district. On the 20th J me'
last, the father made applicitiOn te motor relief for
his son. It was reported on the following Tuesday
to the Board. Mr. Pockettbed attended Cox before
this. pn Tneuday, the Sth ipat., I accompanied Mr.
Puckett to Preston, for the'purpose of seeing John
Cox. ,pod to. remove him to the Weymouth Union
'Workhouse. As ,we came near the house we saw
ilbe old man. Some conversation took took place on
the purport of our visit. I asked the father if the
non had any implements whereby he could do us an
injury; and he said there was nothing in the room
but the bed and bedstead. I then said to Mr.
Puckett, "We have nothing to fear then; he can't
injure us." Mr. Puckett said "I'll go first, and
prepare him for it a little." He then went in and
I told the old man to go to Mr. Miller for his Levee
and curt immediately. Finding he was kime I went
Myself, and was gone about ten minutes. On my
return I met the old man, who said "He's killed!
he. killed!" The mother then came along, and she
held up her hands, and said "Oh! Mr. White, he
bas killed Mr. Puckett, and is waiting to kill you I"
I went immediately for assistance, and returned with
them to Cox's house. Just before we arrived M the
garden gate I saw a man's hand lying in the road,
and turning round I saw Mr. Puckett's head in the
ditch—they having been severed from the body. I
afterwards saw the body lying in the garden, with
the head, a hand, and a foot gone. Prisoner wee
not there.

Jane Galpin : I am the wife of James (lapin.
ieside itt Sutton, two houses above that of
Richard Cox. There is a small garden in front.
On Tuesday evening I was returning from my
mother's, and saw the late Mr. Puckett holding
the outside of Cox's door by the handle. John
Cox, who Was inside, smashed the window. Mr.
Puckett then tan away towards the garden gate,
and John Cox came out and ran after him. Cox
had in his hand what appeared to boa piece of •
bedpost. I ran into the house of a neighbour,
locked the door, and looked out of the window.
Mr. Pnckett was then lying on the ground, and
John 'COX was beating him aliint the head several
time* with a bedpost. He then went back to the
house and returned with a white shirt on and a
handsaw. As the body was lying on the ground
Cox sawed off the hoed, a foot, and a hand. He
then left the body and returned to the house.
After Cox had gone away, land Mrs. Hanham went
for assistance.

John Fortt: lam engine man, employed at the
Weymouth Water 'Works at Sutton. I was at
Sutton about 5 o'clock on Tuesday evening last, and
in consequence of what I heard from Mr. White, 1
went down to Cox's house. A few yards past COI'S
garden gate I found a hand lying m the road. I
picked it up, and on looking round I saw the head of
Mr. Puckett in the ditch. I picked them up and
placed them beside the body intbe garden. In con•
sequence of what I heard from the neighbours I went
in pursuit of the prisoner to Osmington, and I found
him in the custody of two constables at the Plough.
When lie had been brought back to Sutton, I caked
prisoner where the saw wasi He told me "if you
go into the field through Mr. Pope's orchard, you'll
find it. The saw was found where he stated lie had
put it. On our way back from Oamington pvisoner
told me that when be had knocked Mr. , Puckett
down he took pretty good aare he should not get
up

'lli-chard Bartlett: I am a police constable sta-
tioned at 0 smingtou. On Tuesday last I received
information of a murder having been committed at
Button. In consequence I went to the Plough, and
I there found the prisoner in the stable, and a man
of the name of Joseph Dowden was with him." Cox
had a book in his hand. I charged him with the
murder of Dr. Puckett, and he said be had done it.
I told him I should take him into custody, and that
he need not make any statement unless he liked. I
took him on towards Sutton, and just after we had
started he said, "I have killed him ;" and just as we
entered Sutton Ise said he had sawed his leg, hand,
and heal off. When we got down to the house I
asked the old men where the saw was. The prisoner
replied, " I to in the ditch by the bars whero I got
over out of the orchard." I found the saw where
he stated. It was wet with blood. the two
sticks, broken bed posts, which I now produce,
I received from the landlady of the Plough Inn, at
Osmington. When! I received them prisoner was
present, and pointing to one of the two pieces Baia
"That's the piece I killed the old b—with. There
I is blood nbout-Ilte sag or eh° ,• re whi
. : Poi tee . . •

tome about.--Rdeoner 4 Did you-tako,the atieke.et,
hint Islotle`y : Yea. —.Prisoner : DY4 you
hear me eay that rain word about the old gentleputo?,
Witrmaa : Yea.

• Mrs. Galpin, recalled, said that the sticks prisoner
had in his hand, with which be beat Mr. Puckett,
were similar to those produced by the constable.
Joseph Dowden :1 am amarter in the employ of
Mr. West, at Osmington. My cottage sufjoins.the
torepikelroad between Preston earl Osmington: On
Tuesday evening between 5 and 8 o'clock I wee at
work in my garden and heard my name called out
by some one. I looked up, and raw it was the pet.
weer. I suppose he was then about 100 yards off.
Ho came into the road, and I went out into the
road' and met him. He had on a flannel shirt, a
velveteen coat, a cap, and half boots. He had two
sticks—parts of a bed post--with him; one was in
a bag and the other in his hand. , I asked him to
give me the stick ho had in his hand. Ile took
one out of the bag and gave me, and asked me to go
with hint and see that no one hurt him. I took
Linz to the stables of the Plough publiehouse. After
we were there he told me he bad his trousers and
shirt in the bag, and 1 asked him if 1 should help
him put than on. A man, having the appearanm,
of a sailor, came into the stable after pritoner had
finished dressine, and I told hire to take the sticks
away. I saw blood on the stick prisoner had in his
hand. Bnfore we came to the stable prisoner told
use be bad just killed a man and cut his head off.
The prisoner, on receiving the usual caution, made
no reply in answer to the charge, and he was com-
mitted to the Assizes for the wilful !murder of Mr.
Pickett. .

-
AIÔTSBURY.—THKFAIR..—ThiIfCiF was held
an Friday last, when the usual annual amonnt of
dissipation was indulged' in, and VMS clearly discern-
able among the many who were present, and although
only one man lost his life, very many lost their
power of speecht thought, memory, and limbs on
this occasion, and when we hear so much of Church
Missions we cannot but recommend Ahhotsbury as
a wide field for missionary labour its reforming the
minds of ia class of inent who would, if properly
cultivated, look upon this fair with horror and
disgust, instead of fiendish pleasure.
BURTON BRADSTOCK.....FATAL Carrasraorn
—On Fridaylast as a man named Clark was returning
from Abbotsbury fair, is company with another who
knows but little of what happened, the vehicle in
which they rode was upset, and falling upon Clark
injured him so much as to cause his death. It
appears that be lay a long time in the road before
anyone capable of assisting came to hand. Wo trust
that the cause of the sad end of this unfortunate man
will act ass caution to others.

WAREHAM. —DISPUTE BETWEEN A STATION
MASTER AND AN OMNIBUS DRIVER. —At the
Wareham Petty Sessions, on Tuesday, before the
Rev. G. Pickard Cambridge (Chairman), Rev. G. V.
Garland, Captain rylsr, and J. Moslem, Esq.
Richard Rutter was summoned by George Duffed
Row, for an assault committed at the Wareham
Railway Station on Saturday the 7th of June last.
Mr. W. Parr, of Poole, conducted the prosecution,
and Mr. Trevenen, of the firm of Phippard and
Trevenen, of Wareham, for the defence. Mr. Parr
first called George Duffett Row, who deposed—l am
brother to Samuel Row, proprietor Of the omnibus
that runs between Wareham and Swauage. On
Saturday, the 7th of June, I was standing on the
platform of the Wareham Railway Station, when
the 3.8 p.m. down train was expected. Mr. Rutter
came out of the office in a rage, and said, "B.ow,
you have no business here." I said, " How is
that? this is a public platform." He said, "You
were here touting this morning." I bald him
I bad not insulted him, when he' replied,
"You are a liar." He then took 'me by.
the collar and pulled me to the late. I told' him
would walk, and did not resist. /le-Weld fast my
collar, with his knuckles pressing against my neck.
He pushed me outside the gate and nearly knocked
me down—By Mr. Trevenen It WEE at the 3.8
train. I will swear I was waiting for a parcel, but
it did not come. I was also at the 12.41 down train.
Rutter said, "You have no business here." I did
not answer but went away. He has never warned
me before on any occasion. tie did not tell me to
go into the office for the parcel. I did not resist
when he collared me. leant I would go by myself,
but he would not let me go, but pushed me outside
the gate. I did not offer to fight him, neither did I
call him a liar. There was no bruise, but a red mark
in my neck made by his knuckles. Could feel the
pain when I arrived at Swanage. I have nothing at
all to do with the omnibus; it is my brother's. I
have never touted. I went to the station for a
parcel. Other evidence having been given, witnesses
were called on behalf of the defendant to show that
Row was told not to come on the platform, but
persisted in so doing, when Rutter pushed him off.
It was alleged that no blow was struck. At the
conclusion of tho evidence the Bench considered
the assault fully proved, and retired for consult*.
tion. 'ln about ten minutes they returned, when the
chairman said they had taken the case fully into
consideration, and their decision was that Rutter be
fined Is. and lls. costs, or in default of payment
forthwith, three days' imprisonment. The money
was paid.—There was also a cross summons between,
Richard Rutter and George Duffett Row,„thar *fora.
said complaisant,. which was dismissed with costs.

fOn donday the Mayor, Aldermen and other
members of the Council were convened for the
purpose of electing a gentleman to fill the vacancy
occasioned by the resignation of H. Hartley, Esq.,
who some two years ago met with a severe accident
at the clay pits. The choice of the corporation fell
upon Charles Wilcox, Esq., whose elevation to the
Aldermanic gown caused*, vacancy in the list of
common councilmen, which was filled up by the
appointment of Edward Merrier, Esq.
LYTCHETT MINSTER. —On Tuesday, July
Bth, Mr. Vaughan, the Poole Temperance Missionary
and Colporteur, visited this neighbourhood, and
held a meeting in the evening in the National
' School-room, kindly lent by the Rev, B, P. Blunt-,
' Mr. Shave was called to the chair, who, having
made a few forcible and appropriate remarks, intro-.
duced Messrs. Ballom, Andy, Year, and Vaughan.
The addresses were interesting and instructive, each
, speaker resuming his Beat amidst 'lend applause.
The audience was not so large as on former obcasions.
We understand that a sermon will be preached by
the missionary on behalf of the society, in the Inde-
pendent Chapel, on his next visit.
' ' FORDINGBRIDGE.—The LATE MURDER.
The inquest on the body of Miss Hall, which had
been adjourned for a fortnight, was resumed on
Teeeday before Mr. Brown, the deputy coroner, at
the Greyhound Inn, Fordingbridge. Precisely the
same evidence was given as was adduced before the
' magistrates at the examination of the prisoner on
Thursday, with the exception of an addition to the
evidence by Superintendent Stannard. Mr. Stan.
nerd, in his evidence before the magistrates,
omitted a particular fact. After asking Gilbert'
what time he changed his stockings and shoes on
the morning of tile murder, the prisoner replied,
"Before breakfast that morning, and I never left
home till after dinner; I was at my brother's home
all the morning." This is, of course, a rather tot.
portent piece of testimony, as several witnesses were
called who proved that that . was not the fact. Mr.
Staimard also made the following addition to his
evidence :—On ,Tuesday, the 4th July, I was eea-
veying the prisoner to Winchester by train upon
Her Majesty's warrant of commitment for the
murder of Miss Hall. While in the railway carriage
he said to me, "Do you think it will be a hanging
touch?' I replied, "I don't know; it makes the
feel quite ilL' Prisoner said, "So it dots me, I
don't feel right." I told him I should be glad when
I.orit rid of him; and he replied, "This will be the
last time you will have to take me up." 1 have
since measured the distance from the place where
the parasol was found to the body, and it is 50
prices. The Coroner, after all the evidence had been
given, addressed a few words to the jury, who
unanimously returned a verdict of "Wilful
Murder," against George Jacob Gilbert There is
still much excitement in the neighbourhood, and the
question as to whether the prisoner will be con-
iicted, is pretty freely discussed. There is no
i alteration n the demeanour of the prisoner, and be
still maintains an appearance of indifference to his
fearful position. There was a rumour circulated
that the prisoner had made • confeaaien, but that
statement is entirely unfounded. We are informed
that there are three more witnesses to be produced
at the trial, at the Winchester assizes, but the
nature of their evidence has not transpired.
BOURNEMOUTH. —The arrivals at this fashion-
ahle watering place continue to increase, and as soon
as the Exhibition rage is somewhat abated, Bourne-
mouth will again assume it. wonted gaiety.
SWANAGE.—Doetorr APPEAL CAEL—At the
Durham Quarter Sessions, among the several appeal
cases heard before before J. F. Eliot, Esq., and
other magistrates, lad week, was that of the Church-
wardens and Overseers of S'unnage, Dorset. and.
lanes, v. the Overseers of the Township of Redworth.
Durham, respondents. —Mr. Blackwell moved the
court, on behalf of the respondents, to respite this
appeal to the next Michaelmas Quarter Sessions,
upon the ground of the absence if the pauper—a
material witness—who was too ill to attend.—Mr.
Robinson Fowler, on behalf of the appellants,
birth
hr
so
opposed the motion for a respite, and stated that in
settlement
in
Pattlitliilitstthiaiiinthsfehati"ct.oul"Peredsrnpoletnydbeiednenrectsca.eiwvasedattoiat
hopeless case, and the only object of applying for a
respite was to give time to get up evidence which
they had neglected to obtain; ithat in the meantime
an old witness, brought up on behalf of appellants,
might not be living at next Michaelmas Sessions;
that his clients had given every fair and timely
notice of their grounds of objection, and were pre-
hhimt nhei a?1111:b
eeee
ir
were
case,al) opgpp appellant.
born"
elthlhaienenhutianl,.l was
g ''' da n
groundappeal
a
pared to try the appeal. —Mr. Blackwell said
he should like to know who this old
witness was, and he would Gall him as evidence
in favor of respondents.—Ultimately the pauper's
depositions were agreed to he read and taken in his
absence, but were pat aside by the court, who
adopted the objection of Mr. Fowler, that a man
could not give evidence of his own birth. A bap-
tismal certificate, given by the rector of the parish
of Langton Maltravere, Dorset, was also held insuf-
ficient to prove the birth in Swanage ,_• and tho
'svellanta witq not valid on &wove tbair Apr
J •

•
11/ounds showing settlement elsewhere. Mt; Fowler!
then read some correspondence between the solicitors
'for the .different'epartiee, (ruin which it appeared:
that eln the 20th June last, 'appellants' solicitors
ittoterisking for as moch notice as possible, in case'
of ittainlonnient of order of removal, the reply to
n'hich was that as the case seemed perfectly clear
there .ras no intention to 'abandon the order; but
after this, notice or intention to more fur a respite.
of the trial till nest ,Ifichaelmas Sessions was re-
ceived at Swanageon the evening of Tuesday, the
27th, when every arrangement had been made for
the trial at Durham •on the .following Monday.
Orderiquaehod with CoaM. • Gemmel for appellants,
Mt. Robinson Fowler ; attorneys, Meseta. Clavel
and Treeland Fflhitr, bf Wareham, Dorset. For
relpondenta, Mr: Btaikwelt; attetney, Mr. Peaeock,
of Ifarlitigton.

COrrtsllolittente.
lifUltbEk
orD !aril:Lenox oxt.Ttig 114-WX.

To the Editor of. ill Paraft Oar ty &plass and

Ageicoltural Gazette._
;
SlN—Pone readers are already -acquainted with the
terrible death of Mr. Adam Stapleton Puckett, neediest
officer of the Weymouth Union, by an insane pauper.
I will not, therefore, enter into the details of this horrible
murder and barbarous mutilation but at once beg you
will permit me, through the medium of your valuable
journal, to appeal to the beneeolenceof the public and
medical profession on behalf of (be widow of the
deceased, who is left nearly destitute.
I have known the late Mr. Puckett for npeards of
twenty years be having been the assistant of my
predecessor. feen therefore bear testimony to the fact,
that hetwaeit bard-working, kind-hearted man,—se
apothecary of the old. school,—and as attentive to the
poor as an enormous district, or rather two combined,
which -extended fifteen miles across the country, would
Permit. Why lit hat such a district I must leave the
Poor-law Board and Board of Guardians to answer.
That it WS., cruel to the poor there can be no question,
as some of his pstemte lied to walk nine miles for a
bottle of medicine and as many home again, making
Medical Relief a mere monkery; but I trust the Select
Committee of the House of, Commons on Poor Relief,
before whom evidence on this subject boa alteady been
laid, will recommend to Parliament a material change
In the medicat. arrengementivier.the relief of the
poor.
It was given im•evidenee the +littlest that poor
Puckett only visited the Miffs° twice a week, and in
reality was unaware of his dangerous state, which more
frequent visits would have revealed to him ; but his
enormous district prevented him doing More, AS his
salary of £1.16 per annum, fneludbig exits medical fees
—miserable for such adistifistL-arlipwed him to keep but
one boreal for out of that'silary be had not only to pay
for the 'keep of that holies but had to Mid 4rugs gar
the Wife, and one daegh•
ter to look idler the house enk her mother, ilso boo
been for the last few jears incapable of attending to the
houlebbld duties.
How poorPackett, oat of so miserable • pittanee,
managed to do all this is a niystery, as I know' for I
certainty,' that during the last Mx months his entirs
booking from private praetiei has been only twenty-
three pounds; and 'yesterday I wes assured by a member
of his family that at the time of his death he had but
twenty-one shillings in his possession, besides the few
shillings which the maniac took from liis pocket and
threw into the river. The widow is therefore left nearly
destitute say nearly, as there is a small insurance on
his life, which I was instrumental in his effecting, but
I find that is heavily mortgaged to meet incurnbraoces
occasioned by sickness; and the probability is that the
rest will be swallowed op in funeral expense" and the
payment of debts.
After this brief recital I feel I shall not appeal in
vain to the generosity of the public for a widow whose
husband was so barbarously Miiraered 'and horrib/j'
Mutilated. I have opened an account—" Tex PCCICZTT
Funn,"—at Meagre. Williams' Bank, Weymouth, and
at Messrs, Elfot's Bnlc, Weyrpontfe, where subscriptions
may be forwarded, or they May be sent to me, and I
will act as Treasurer to the Fund until means shell be
devised to place the money in the hands of Trustees
for the benefit of the Widow and if there be sufficient,
each members of the family of the deceased as the
trustees may deem it:desirable to assist. Mr. Puckett
left one son and three 'daughters, all of whom are
incapable of assialing their mother.—! am, Sir, your
obedient Servant,
BICHARD
12, Royal Termed, Weymouth,
12th dilly, 1862.