The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1871-01-31 00:00:00

TH3 DUMMY.

The Court re-assembled on board the flagship Duke
of Wellington, on Saturday.
The prisoner was assisted by Mr. Sullen, of the
Western Circuit, instructed by Mr. H. Ford, solicitor,
Portsea. By permission of the Court Mr. Balton read
the prisoner's defenoe. It said the charges resolved
themselves into two forms—the one of fraud and the
other of conspiring; The first alleged that he fraud-
ulently represented to Mr. Articles, the paymaster, on
five separate days, that eertain qaantities of meet had
been received on board, well knowing that smaller
quantities had been delivered. The written evidence
was naturally the ship's books, andlthe prosecutor's
book, kept by Woods, and that kept by Curtis; but
on the latter he respectfully declined to comment. The
two former differed, and he asked the Court which was
likely to be correct. His (the prisoner's) amounts
were made up on the spot; they were open to inspec-
tion; they were submitted to his superiors; they were
made out for the meat actually delivered, and he knew
that their accuracy was likely to be attested by the
officials at the Admiralty. On the other band, Woods'
book, so far as the Bouiewen was concerned, was made
up from memory, and the memory of • man who cisme
before the Court to convict another of fraud by the
evidence of figures, and who confessed he was ores-
worked by servin.; the entire fleet at Portland. Could
such accounts, founded on an overtaxed memory, be com-
pared with his (the prisoasr) amounts, made up at the
time? Moreover, Woods had also confessed that meat
intended for one ship sometime* found its way on board
another, and was detained by that ship, although it
had never been ordered, and if Woods did net know cl
the fact at the time mistakes would inevitably ewer
• in the amounts. Further, Woods admitted that he
(1t.% prisoner)supplied. W
h oohy reli.e.
lUnedofoothetherefore,be
d weight
oof the
placed on Wood's books? The statement he made
when these inquiries were instituted was the defence
he now set op, his (the prisoner's) conduit throughout
had been straightforward; nothing he had said was
incompatible with innocent*, and nothing be had done
was indicative of gni.t. His statement was then, and
is now, that the money he bad received wee for the
Boys' Fund; it bad oaly been handed to hint at the
end of the last year, and after repeated applications to
Mr. Curtis. That there existed • Boys' Fend had been
proved by the witnesses for the prosecution. That it
was an authorised fund there could be no doubt, be-
cause the interest that the commandder of the Butawen
took in it was already proved. That it was an estab-
lished fund was farther shown by the fact that as lately
as last Christmas he (the prisoner) had resolved orders
from the commander to cheek the boys in their MOMS
when teey went on their Christmas leave, but not
to show the checking to the books, so that the money
should be paid to the fend. Mr. Arlldge was told to do
that with regard to the vegetables, and the Paymaster
admitted that he had heard the prisoner say the com-
mander would be surprised at the end of the year at
the amount that would be paid to the Boys' Fund ;
it had also been stated that the commander had given
to the fund £6 as savings during one quarter on potatoes
alone, and the sum of A:193 could not appear 01001111ive
when it was remembered that it was for the saving
during the whole of his stewardship, Curtis having ,
made no previous payments to him. The prisoner then
commented on the character of Curtis, who he said had
proolaimed himself an approver, a character of itself
loathsome and repulsive, and he came before the Court
with anything but clean hands. Having read an extract
from Taylor on Kvicknce with regard to such testimony,
he asked if anybody could believe that this wretched
ibpthnrcfil‘te's:ru, prosecuted
baile ifidh Ismupbroa dn(kti spoken the
dtophoer ionfueyrme wholenaantht information and
itiddlh a°egi nothing
ve
who
thl so nas:e:
from the Admiralty had telegraphed to London for the
money that was due on the csontrect ; and even now the
Admiralty dared not let go thou hold on him, and he
appearei in the unexampled position of • self-eon
victed scoundrel, still under the Ciovernment, which
he had taken every opportunity to rob. Tee prisoner
contended that the evidence of sash a man was en-
tirely unworthy of belief: The prisoner next pro.
seeded to answer the charge. seriatim. With regard
to the first, which alleged that he had falsely repro-
vented that Allb. of fresh beef came on board, that
statement was true. Frederick Maan, rergeaat of
marines, made note of the weights of what game on
board, which he would produce, and would show that
540115. were delivered, or within lib, of the quantity
put down against him. With to the secondcharge, which accused him of fra=intly represent.
log that 941113. were recsived. he should show that
6701 b. were delivered to the Bossawen, and 2751 b. to
the Racer, making a total of 9451 b. In the third
charge_ he was moused of fraudulently representing
that 1,431.0 b. 00.211e1 on board the 13/10LVOCI on the 7th
October, and this he could prove to be earned within
12Abo. On the 7th 1,08711. wore roosived its board

ship. -
in Oetober, because some - -
of the men were going to
heed-quarters, and it wu the commencement of the
quarter. Openrd • new amount in a book of those
who remained, so that the corporal of marines could
enter those who Came afterwards, and as witness was
going on leave. Always entered the weighing from
memory, and not from assistant-steward's accounts,
added up the totals of weighing' himself.
By the Court—Witness attended the weighing of the
meat according to the custom of the service. Some-
times the quartermaster also made the entries in the
book for the information of himself, steward, or assist-
ant'. Had weighed meat by himself. The meat for
the Racer was supplied directly from the contractors,
with the excerption of • few instanter's. Did not recol-
lect any meat going from the Boatmen to the Haar.
Some might have gone when he was on leave. Each
entry in the book was made within half an hour or an
hour after the time of weighing. Did not know if any
.ire else kept an account as he did when he was on
leave. The prisoner was not told that witness Iwo;
keeping the accounts far his own utisfaction Si a
check on the steward and on behalf of the ship's caw
pany. The steward was very seldom present at the
weighing. The weight ef meat in the book refers
ex&usively to that for the Bacasee, that for the
&seer was sent direct from I,e contractor. The sea-
men and marines drew their fall quantities of meat and
cooked it themselves. The prisoner told witness that
the savings were for the Boys' Fund. If there was any
meat due to the seamen and marines, they used to
square tap on Saturday when drawing Sunday's allow-
ance. Did not know if the Boys' Fund had ever re-
ceived money from the steward. Prisoner had spoken
to witness &boat money in lieu of meat:
Henry Prim Collingborti, assistant-steward of the
Boacasen, deposed that beef, when brought on board
from contractor, was weighed in his presence, and he
entered the weight in his book. nodally aceountbook
was made up from entries of meat in his book. On the
let of October 6411 b. were received, on the 4th 6671 b
on the ith 1,0951 b., and these &saute were correct'
Saw the book in the captain's cabin, and saw the pro'
mentor and another person comparing it with some
accounts they had. The supply from the contractor
was made directly to the Racer. Had heard prisoner
say he had been leaving meat bAind with contractor
for Boys' Fund.

Croes-examined : Understood the prisoner's meaning
to be that it would be • good thing for the boy's fund.
Racer was sometimes supplied with a day's meat from
the Boseaweni The boy's fund was formed from boys
savings paid by Government. Woods, assistant to oon-
tractor, sometimes compared his supply•note with
weighings of witness.
James Turf*, master-st-arms, (deposed that fresh
meat was net checked from the messes when men went
on leave from Saturday night till Monday morning.
When they went on longer leave he gave their names
to ships' steward to be checked, and be has seen hint
do It.

Charles Ravenhill, gunner's mate. was caterer of No.
If mess. When men went on leave for 24 hours the
messes were not checked. It has been done lino. the
14th of the present month.
On cross•esamination witness said moues were
checked when men were on leave over 24 hours. Does
not know as to the boys.
By the Court : Kept a check weekly of fresh meat,
and compared it with the ship's steward's account on
every Saturday: Was always satisfied with the cor•
rectoess of the dealings of the ship's steward with
witness as caterer of the mess. and should have known
if he had not got the proper allowance.
Edward Henry Taylor, captain misen top, was caterer
of the mess, and corroborated in every particular the
evidence of former witness.
Commander Grant, tier Majesty's ship Bose' wen, in
answer to the question by prisoner as to character, ko,
said meter as he had an opportunity of judging nothing
could be better than the prisoner's conduct, and both
the paymasters have reported to him most favourably
both of character and ability:
The prisoner here stated through theJudge•Advocate
that his defense was concluded. The Court-house was
steered for the deliberation of the Court on the
evidenee.

On the re-opening of the Court, under the usual
formalities, ~her nearly three hours' deliberation, the
Judge-Advocate. having recapitulated the instructions
for calling the Court Martial as well 44 the charges
against the prisoner, said the Court, rafter having well
weighed mid duly cousidvred the evidence in support
of the prosecution and also that of the defense. And
that the charges have not been proved &galas: the
prisoner, and he is thereby fully acquitted.

DREADFUL ACCIDENT AT WINFRITEI.
We regret to record • shocking and fetal &Acidotic to
r. Robert Trent, jun., of Winfrith. On Weduesday
he was aU the day engaged in cartinr corn from Wool
station to Winfrith, and about hell-past live in the
evening was near Rut Burton cross, riding on the top
of • load, with another man driving. The waggon was
guided to the side of the road to allow vehicle to
pass; in doing this. bye sodden jerk Mr. Trent slipped
from his position, and fell with hie head between
the two wheels. The hind wheel of that side of the
waggon passed over his Mad, fracturing it in s dread-
ful manner, and canning his death instanteonsly.

lomat 7"1 charge slleged that on the 17th there were reosived on
the Bowmen. miff sit the next day the contractor THE GREAT JiWIEL ROBEEE-
delivered 44311). to tbe Racier, making together 1,5301 b. itIa.MISATION OF Ina. TOapsy,
these two cements being isaluded in the temporary re-
ceipts and monthly vouchers for Oeteber. The fourth On Saturday efterooon Martha Torpey, who Ina
eharged with beiog ocemerned in tile
robber
diamonds belonging to Meas. Loodere and -.Li
board the Boacuren 8851b,the daily receipts show that
Ryder,
the Bowmen received 6001 b. and the Race brought up on remand before Mr Mama r 2851 b., aid, at the
making together 885,b. The fifth charge alleged that MerYleheee PA's-court. London.
on the 25th of October be falsely represent Toe priumer, who held her
cd that baby eravel •
once ta a
48811). had been delivered on board the BO4OIIWOII. hl.thnet in her ann.., seemed perfectly self-co
ni
James Parker, assistant to Messrs. Londonstirrdiut•
Sergeant Moon was at that time andsting in the weigh. James
have been in the prowieutors' service
log, and entered the amount, aid from his book it
five years. On the 12th of January hut a neaneithel"
appeared that Mice. were actually received that day,
In asoordance with the ship's daily book, daily receipts, gave the name of Tyrell ea/led at oar shop and ask; te
w. -
and monthly vouchers. From these he submitted that see an assortment of jewellery. A quentity of je jue-
r.
on the third ce was accordingly shown to him, sad he made a
charge there was • balan of 12Ib in his '
' Upgig
favour, and on the fourth charge • balance of 201 b tioa from it. lie gave the address No. 4,
- -
against him ; showing on the five charges taken together Borkeley-etreet, Portman-square, and an sppoina
was made with Mr. Ryder that the jewellery aboal4
a discrepancy of Blb between the amount actually
be sent to show hie oar'. I went to the house abate
naked and the amount represented to have been
hall-pest five o'clock that evening, I had in y
received. Be urged that that could not be regarded as
poneasion a quantity of diamond ornament+ in • zi,
~14..,. of fraud, when among the thousands of pounds
of the value of about I:5,000 or £6,000. Tyrrell o
el meat passing through his bands an error of only Sib
led been made either in the weighing or in the record- the door, and apologised for the aheene• of his Garnet
log of the weights. The two witnesses he should call He ivited me upstairs, I went into the drawing.roog
were above suspicion. Sergeant Mann in performing The prisoner was there sitting by the fire. I opened
the beg, and took out five of the sums cantabile/
ble duty would be more likely to have • leaning to his
,
imperiors than to him (the prisoner), and the assistant-
the jewellery leaving the rest of the ewe in the beg,
, eheeshrd's book had been in the hands of the prosy:iv I pushed the bag under the table at my feet. I steed
near the table. Ty rrel stood opposite to me, and the
ilebse, who declined to avail themselves of the informa-
tion it might have afforded. With referenee to the female clam to him. They admired the jewellery.
explained its relative value, and ultimately Tyrrell said
sixth charge, he submiteed there was not • bit of
evidence to constitute a conspiracy. To a conspiracy
he should like his wife to have a necklace of the veils
there must be two parties, and the only ooninnoo pro- of I:1,100, or a smaller necklace, value £550 with a
diamond pendant value £lOO, and one of two mu'
dead by the prosecution was that of Curtis, who swore
valued respectively at £383 and I:160. Tyrell said he
that he never did anything wrong in any dealings with
thought her sister had better gee them previous to Isse
him (the prisoner).
The first witness for the defence was Frederick decision being made, and he at the same time asked the
Mann, sergeant, ILK. LI., belonging to H. ?LS. Ilu• prisoner to call her sheer for that purpose, and she
Gauen, and in charge of Marines on board the tender thee left the room. Ste returned In about two minutes,
Racer. It was his duty to see the meat weighed on a' 'I -"I h" sister non° be there In a few miaow/,
board the Bowmen he entered the quantities
,i.i. oasis.,). II oae quickly behind me and placed a handker.
-
weighed in a book. Entered 540th. the Ist of October, chit activated with something over nay nose and
mouth ; as she did so the man rushed at are, leg
and was certain that quantity came :on board; went
on leave the same day at 2 p.m. returned on the 9th. clasped rue round the atom whilst the woman Ow
Jo the 17th entered 5891 L, wash was correct. on tinned to hold the handkerchief to my face. I
the 25th, 48811 i , also correct. Had heard the prisoner managed to get free from him. and got the leaadker.
say he was leaving beet behind for boys' fend on *haat away' The man then seized me by the throat
several
occasions
when in
00neemeien
on the
subject, and the woman at the game thus got behind me, and
again applied the handkerchief. I then began to feel a
Cross-examined : It bed been tbe duty of witness to
stupefying sensation. The man continued his hold ofassist in weighing the meet ever since he was in the
Commenced entering bathe books the weighing me. I continued all the time to struggle, In the and
'-
...-., forced - -

IWY overpowered, and the man ft me down on to
the sots. Tyrrell was standing over me, and said, "If
you move I will murder you I begged him to locos
the strap acro+l my chest, as the pain was so greet,
and he loosened it a little. I struggled to get mpg/
in a aittimr posture to look round on the table, whir*
wee befoul me, in order to bte what wax bsing done
with the property that was left on the table. Tryroll
foroed in, down, end tied a hendkerchief over my eyes,
Ho said, "If you are quiet some 006 will be sent le
you in tvn minutes." I heard him leave the room. I
oil not hear the female leave the room. Before he
left the room he said to the prisoner, " Quick, Lucy,
quick with aly hat." I heard the street door slain, and
I th.o made an effort to rise. I untied the strap that
bound my wrists with my teeth, and then undid the
other atrium. I got the poker, broke the window and
called for assistance, which Came iii clew minutes, at
imusedi stely.
Mita Emma Jane Goodrich, of Upper 4atien's-
Southampton, said .he knew the prisoner. Hirt:
name was Martha T,rpey. The photograph predated
was a portrait of hsr husband, Michael Torpey. 0.
tbe 16:h of January witnem ree.ived a small parsed 'ad
the following letter : _

L:smington, Jan: 15, 1671.

. -
" My dear Erama,—Just a lino to wish you snug
happy returns of to-morrow. . . lam going to ask
a favour I you--that is, that you will kindly take
charge (for A little while) of • little parcel which I aka
lend y.,tx to-morrow ; keep it cartfally for me, ma
send me a line to let me know whether you received it
safely. . . Baby is getting on 'nicely. and I us
myself again. With kind love to all, believe me to be,
affectionately yours, "Perris."

Witness did not open this packet, but on bearing a
the prisoner's apprehension on • charge of being one.
mined in the jewel robbery delivered it to • magistrate,
in whose presenoe i was opened by Mr Harris, inspector
of the Southampt .0 ,30i0e.
Ur. Lewis sal that upon this evidence he should ink
for • further rrivand.

A solicitor's clerk who app•ared to defend the pri•
saner urged that, as she was acting under her husband,
ahe was by law exonerated from tbe oonsetittenoes of
13.. r set, supposing her to have taken part, am had bees
alleged, in ice robbery.
Mr Mansfield remarked that if this was the law Mrs
Manning was most unjudly banged.
The prisoner was then remanded formally until
Thursdity.