The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1864-01-05 00:00:00

ROBBERY AND ARSON BY A SERVANT.

At the Shirehall, on Saturday afternoon, before It.
Thoruton and G. T. Bullock, &qrs., • young woman.
named Emily Ashford, • servant in the employ of
Mr. Spurs. of Bradford Pavers,ll, was brought up an
retiond charged with robbing her employer and
tettiiig fire to his house.—Mr. Symonds appeared
for the prosecution.
lease Symes maid : I live at Bradford Farm. The
prisoner has lately been in my services. an indoor
servant. She came this day three weeks, for • month
on triaL She was not suitable for the place, and was
going to Immo on Wednesday. I was home last Tuesday
eight between seven an 1 eight o'clock. I had • grand-
child ill in b‘d, and one of my deughteis hearing her
bedroom bell ring, went to see what was the matter. In
coniequence of what she told me, I went up steles.
where I found a quantity of smoke on the landing. On
opening the door of • spare brliroota opposite 1 found
that the morn was full of smoke, and I could not enter
for some time. When the smoke cleared away I lotted
the bottom art of the wardrobe on fire. One of the
doors of the wardrobe was broken and burnt I did not
.ee fire in any other phew. The clothes in the ward-
robe were burnt, 1111 were also the pins upon which
clothing had been banging. Prisoner was in the house
at the time, and had been so daring the evening.
Miss Elisabeth Byrnes deposed : I was at home last
Tuesday night between seven and eight o'clock, when
my attention tau drawn to the rinsing 01 my Orion's
bell. I went up stairs, when 1 found her room fall of
smoke. TMa room adjoins the spare bedroom. I celled
for woistance,and my mother and faU,er came up. Soon
after the fire was put out I saw Hannah Martin conic to '
our house bringing • bondle with her. I did not open
it then, but I saw a part of a dress which belonged
to my sister Atnells. Soon after the superintendent of
polmo arrived, when the bundle was opened and examined
and plastid under his charge. The bundle now produced
contains a grm en silk dress, and a cloth mantle, which
belong to my sister Aeolus; the brown stuff and cheJt
dresses belong to myself, and the silk mantle belong to
my sister Julia. My dresses and the cloth mantle weld
not in the wardrobe bet kept in a closet in the ePtre
bedroom. The other articles were in the wardrobe.
After the fire was put out I accused prisoner of having
set the place on fire, but she deeled it,
John thartio, a little boy, wad : I Work for Mr. Image
Syniev. Every morning Igo to the Stratton post-
Aloe for letters for him, and go to his house every
evening to nee if thi re are any to post. I did so on
Tuesday afternoon between four and five o'clock. 1
saw the prisoner then. She seised me if I could come
the came night at seven o'clock to take a parcel for her
to the Stratton poet-oaks. I told her I would, and
went to the house about seven o'clock. when she gave
time a bundle wrapped up in an old apron. The
Ream now shown is the same as was round the
bundle. She told use to take it to the
t.not-olSoe, but said I need not do so
that night, but could take it the next morning when
I went after the letters. I was also to ask the post-
master to leave it there until she called for it the next
; day. I took the bundle to my father's house, and re-
mained at home until I heard Mr. Synies's house wag
on fire. My mother and father went to render ands-
Woe at the house, leaving me at home. When my
mother came back I saw her take away the bundle,
which prisoner had given me. from our house.
Rewash Sertin deposed : I live at Bradford, and my
husband, Levi Surtin, works for Mr. Symes. I was
at home when the last witness arrived on Tu, inlay
evening. He brought a bundle with him, which he put
inside the door I noticed that the string use loom,
and I tightened it, putting it away for the to take
the next morning. The string was so slack that I asW
the dress with the wh.te lining. I thought It
was a very valuable parcel to be tied up
In such • in ,over, and to be truated to the care of the
lacy. About five inmates afterwards my other boy told
his father of the fire, and we both went. In consequence
what I heard there I took the bundle into a neigh-
iar's Eyer'e—and than opened and en-
aminixl its contents. There Were four dresses. and I

knew the green one big aged to one of the Missrliyinee's
There were al.o two et t mantles and a silk jschet. I
retied the handle, r arned it to Mr. Byenes'e, and gave
it to Mr. Joseph Spline cs the presenoe of his sates
Elisibeth.

Super ntendent Un.lrwood said : In conoequenee of
inforuiation I went t Mr. Symes'a house on Taealay,
between ten and eleven o'clock at night. I received the
bundle now produced from Miss Elisabeth Symes, when
it was opened a. d examined in my presence. It •SI
tiei up in the anion now produced. In consequence of
what I heard I Went to prisoner, who was in the
house. I pad "I should take her in eustodir
for stealing wearing apparel, and atm for setting fire to
article, in the wardrobe, and setting fife to the lionse."
She said "1 hay.: not stolen nothing." I ,aid, "You
have. I have got the thinga" I then examinid the
bedroom. The bed curtains were scorched, but Oil
room was not burnt. The wardrobe had been removed.
On bringing prianner to Dorehester she said, "Where
ate you going to take mar I said, "Dorchester." She
replied, "What will they do with me for this job?" I
cautioned her, telling her she had not better aay any-
thing to men, it would be used agoinirt her. She sail,
"You know, what will they do with me ; what eon they
do with me?' I said, "It won • serious offence to reb
your master, and then art fire to the house." She re.
ried "I done it, and it's all their own fault. If they
uin t incensed me of stealing that 'ere scent bottle in
the morning I shouldn't have done it ; and if I had
known I had to come to Dordiester, I would have hung
muelf at the time."
Elisabeth Illymes recalled, said I missed • scent
bottle on Tuesday morning, and acciiiied primer of
taking it, but she denied that she hat done so. I ion
not aware that any one had been in the spare bedroom
on Tuesday night with • candle. It bad not been
occupied for some nights..
The uaual caution having been given prhioner she
said " I am guilty of stealing the things, but the fire I
knew nothing about until I heard the alarm."—She was
committed for trial at the amines.

WRACELEFORD --fiessodskte Buireouract.—
The estimable and Charitable lady of Wraokrford
Hoer, Hrs. Praire, with her usual liberality and
kindness, gave to about 60 of the poor inhabitants of
Stratton and Wrackleford, • quantity of soup, wl.ich
no doubt wos moat thankfully received. On Christmas
eve about 50 families were also supplied with hod and
ether luxuries through the killdeer of the same lady.
CNltNE.—Pirrrr Sinsatomi, December 70,—Before
J. E. Bfidge, and J. C. Dole, &qrs.
The Beech was occupied a considerable time in bearing
an appeal case against a Lamp Hate made in November
last, for lighting the torn of Genie. The appellant
was Mr. James Ilellyar, end the respondents, the over.
seers of Cam Abbas. The grounds of the appeal were,
that the overseers had overrated the derellinglintre and
premises in Mr. Hellyr's occupation, and had under-
rated the premises in the respective occupations of Me.
James C. Chick (one of the overseers) and Hr. C. J.
Poch*. Sir. Hosard appeared for the appellant, and
after addressing the bench, proceeded to call witnesses
it, to the inf.rinality of the rate, and the value of the
different propertlea. Chimer', by the desire of the
bench, the partial discussed the matter between them.
selves, and the •arerseers consenting to amend the rate
by increasing Si g r,. Chick and Fook's ratings, and to
pay the fees, Ice, tl e cose can settled.
Ambrose le., s, of Glanville. Wootton, was som-
a med on the ii formation of Robert Jeans, of the rine
place, for trespasing on land in the °en:lotion of Mr.
Richard Robert Old, in search of conies. The defendant
being an old offender, wan sentenced to two months
hard labour.—Clitorge Burt, of Piddletrenthida, was
swim ined for breaking • window at that parish, the
propel ty of Mr. Jones 011—Case dinnissed.—Jamee
Sherry, of Bnckland Newton, was summoned by the
pari-h °Sons, for refusing to maintain his mother, whom,
chargeable to that parish.—Case dismissed.--Charles
White, of Rockland Newton. was mummoned under
the New (lame Act, with poaching on lands in the oc-
cupation of Mr. Janme Coll, of Borland Newton.
The car was proved by P.C. Green, who stated that
he saw the defendant put • net at the gateway. leading
into Mr. Call's field, and then went into the leld with
• dog.—He afterwards came and took the net up, and
walked into the high road, where he (the constable)
searched him, and found two nets in his possession.—
Fred 18s. including °DOM.-John Long, of Piddle-
trenthide, and Robert Collins, of Cerne Attu*, were
sainmoned by Superintendent Brown for • breath of the
Highway Act. —Fined 12s. each including co-te.—
Joseph Long and Stephen Payne, both of Piddletren-
thide, were summoned by Superintendent Brown with
being drunk and riotous, at the parish of Piddletren-
thidn—Long was fined 10s. and 5.. costs, and
Payne Is, and 8.. costa—Levi Shiner, of Toiler
Poroorum, was summoned by the police for • breach of
the Highway Act, at the parish of Piddletrenthide.
The case was proved by P.C. Hart, and the defendant
wu lined Lia and 6s. meta Allowed 14 days to pay.
---John Tucker, of Piddletemithide, was ticougbt up
I. custody, charged with stealing a wooden post, on the
214 December, the property of Mr. George Loveless.
of Piddletrenthide.—The priemier pleaded_ guilty, sad
the Beach sentenced him to 14 days' hard labour.
LITTON CHENEY.—Tua HMIS. —On Wednesday
as a man, named Rockland, of North Allington, a
sawyer, and another non. also a sawyer, of Allingtoo, ,
were having dinner together, • disagreement took plow,
and Beeklaad rose for the purser of hitting his sou,
pinion, who immediately streak biro with the knife he
bad in his band, indicting • very serious and somewhat
dangerous wooed, extending from the ear across the
far. Medical aid was immediately rat for and Me.
LOWM wan promptly in attendance, and ward up the
wound.
BLANDIPORD.—EIIth2I.—In ND. Neadim's specch
at the imaivereery meetiagof the Tetaperases Namara
Semiety—Matead of "U. believed there never was a
time when pare evanpideal lambing misheard from the
pulpit, both is and oat of the setebillmesat,'• reed
" He believed there mem wee a time when paw eves-
;shall tembiag, ke.

1•001.E.-1511DDVX DrATII.—We repel to AhhOUDell
the aueajwCArd drnsio, Or B.l.rri Wade 1.q,50 one of
tile botungh magistrates, which took place at hie CO.
silence, Samos-Alert. on Sunday night hot. Th.
.ieccaaed gentleman wax in his semi-tinned I.ealth during
the day, and &V ended church in the moroi,,g.
a Mug ciri le If retelling and friends to eei.lore
Itirtre AT etIURCIL —OO Sunday morning bat the
members of the Poole Rise corps, under the cosonnind
of Lieuteuaut Aldridge, accompanied by their dram
and Me bent, marched to Sts James's Church, according
to anneal custom, being the first Sunday of the year.
BVIOLUIT. -The residence of Dlr. Cortege Cough, of
Lower Tat belt, was broken into on Smoke warning
list whilst lie wag at chapel, and about Ms. stoke
therefrom. The burglar or burglars. who ere toopoved
to be no strangers to the place. ransacked the house
for farther valuable's, and narrowly escaped fielding
about £l7 in gold which was deposited umstairs. nse
police have been engaged, so we expect to bear of their
speeds rnidu",
CHAIIMOUTH. —TRADE:I9OI2I'B BALL—Mr. and
Mrs. Holly's annual tradesmen's ball took place at
the Coach and Horses Inn, on Wednesday evening
the 30th ult. The company comprised some of doe
leading tradespeople, Lc., of Charinouth and
neighbourhood. Every arrangement was MOO
satisfactorily carried out, for which math praise
is due to tbe respected boat and hostess.
fiIIERBORNE. - A conoert of sacred and Beesley
lotoie see given at the Townhall, on Monday evening,.
by several aluateur irocali-ts, on behalf of the Wesleyan!
Sunday School. The hall was very fail, and the con-
cvnt, on tie ishule,went off very well. The programmer
well arranged. but a chore, or two
added to it, would have improved it materially. "sing,
Birdie, Sing," by Gans. and "On Mighty Pens,"
Ilaydn, were sung in Miss Peters' welliknown styli,
and elicited repeated burets of applause and enema.
The other wiles were sung by Messrs. Lovell and Avery,
and Mrs. Pethybridge, en of which were exceedingly
well rendered. Mr. Avery effteientiv presided st the
piano. The funds of the school will be augmented to
some extent by the proceedo of the entertainment.
On Tuesday evening Colonel F Esrilley W,l,not pee
• juvenile lecture at the Townlall. on 'The *racists,
of Plants," illu,trated by a number of diagrams pre.
pared by himself. The rohject less exceedingly well
htndlei by the lecturer, who ei pkined tin, nature and
growth of various plants and ferns, ausbrocieg not only
those cultivated in Englsnil, hot also in Csrisda, India,
Austridia„ Sc. He showed that seeds may be dermant
for a .4.4 number of years, and yet eventually he pro-
ductive of life. There was • very respectable audieueg
or. sent. The proceeds of the lecture are to be given to
the Coal Charity, to increase the funds of that bens-
volent and useful inalitutioo. _

BRADFORD ABBAs. —On Sunday week hir..
Weober, of the South-Weetern Railway, while
walking through Bradford Hollow, gathered a large
number of wild flowers of various kinds, and also
wild strawberries fully ripe. Some of the latter
were presented to ourselves, and they were as Sae
fruit of the kind as we ever saw._

-
A bird fancier, of the name of Flakes, residing at
Bradford, has a Belgium canary no. sitting on four
ego. The first was laid on Christmas-day.
ICINGS WOOD. THE MURDER or ?fa COAL
MaVICRIL—We understand that Hicks, who is new in
Deviaes gaol one charge of wilful murder, appear, to
feel very actuely the serious position in which he iá
placed. He camerae/ but little. and his genera)
demeanour proses that be is considerably depreseed.
It is said that Hicks is lamentably ignorant,being
to nad or write. .

BRISTOL. - BROTH'S IGNATIUS. —We beer
that this eccentric and grow:flee personage, "
Monk of the Anglican Church, and whose vagaries
have already brought one injudictose clergymen
into a scrape, with congregation and his Bishop, is.
about to pay Bristol a visit, for the purpose of
appealing for aid in behalf of an asylum for decayed
old clergymen. It is even stated that a pulpit 4
one of the city churches is to be placed at his service
for the °emotion. The Benedictine Brothers, as they
call themeelves,now number twelve, and they intend
building a hoes., oonsisting of a retreat for perish
clergy, who may desire rest, the brothers ender-
takiug to do their duty while they are recruiting
their strength ; a home for decayed old men wine
have laboured in the service of the Church; and a
college for instructing youth in the principles*/ the
Church of England. We suspect than soy clergy-
man who waulti surrender his parish for any time to
the Brotherhood for the purpose of taking • little
rest himself, would find that the step was accom-
panied by anything but rest and repose ; for most
panishioners would make the place, we suspect, too
hot to hold them or him either.
DIJNSTER.—Tits Orogen. —The Provost. and
Fellows of Eton College have presented the Right
Rev. James Chapman, D.D., Fellow of Eton, and
late Bishop of Colombo, to the rectory of Wootton
Courtney, near this town.
GLASTONBURY.—A serious gun accident
happened to Mr. Robert Watts a respectable farmer,
of Bustle, near this town. 01; Chrntmasday, Mr,
Watts, with. few friends, called at Farmer Laver's,
in this town, about twelve o'clock in the forenoon,
to take a draught of cider. While in the hitches
be was standing with both bands on the muzzle of
his gun, when from some cause the gun explodid„
shattering one bend in a shocking manner, and the
other was much injured. The poor fellow was taken
to Dr. Bergess,who immediately attended to him..
We are sorry to say he is in • bad state.
CRANRORE. Moscresr To nix LuTZ Bra E. C.
STRODI. —We have been favoured with an inspectiou of
• handsome mural monument, which is to be placed in
the "'Fish church of Cranmore, in memory of the late
Sir Edward thetham Strode, Admiral of the White,
Commander of the Bath, Knight Commander of the
Royal Hanoverian Guelphie Order, • magistrate and
deputy-lieutenant of Semereet, who died on the 11th
of April, Isca. in the 88th year of his age. The monu-
ment consists of • talil.4, sarmounted by two lags -the
white ensign and union jadt, enfolang • sword and
belt, copied from the one worn by Sir Edward. On
the upper part are the family arms emblazoned. The
work is sculptured in the best Cerra etatuary marble,
relieved by • mantling of black marble. The whole i•
executed with much taste and skill, reflecting great
reedit upon the sculptor, Mr. Tyley, of St Augustine's-
hack, Bristol. The flea are derped with great effect
and the ornamental work on the sword and belt is
reproduced with remarkable accuracy and taste.
BRIDGWATER—Town Cow:cm—A meeting
of this body, under the presidency of tbe Mayor,
(J. Brow. e was held at the Towntiall on
Fridsy.—The report of the Finance Committee
was read, recommending the raising of the sum of
£194 9s. Sd. in aid of the Borough Fund, and a
further sum of rfso in support of the Public
Libraries, making a total of £274 9s. bd. With
respect to the Constabulary £330 was proposed to be
raised, by a rate of 3d. in the pound. The watch-
rate collector, Mr. Jones, had been very energetic
in getting the money,and there were no sums of any
importance outstanding.—Mr. Ruddock proposed
that the report he received and adopted, which was
moonded by Mr. Alderman Smith, and carried.
unanimously.— Various resolutions were pained with
respect to raising amounts to meet the several
demands.—The New Town Hall.—Mr. Alderman
Smith said, is one of the members of the committee
appointed to watch the proceedings in connection
with the New Town Hall, he begged to state that
the work was programing anything but satisfactory
to them. Week after week, ever since the week
had oommenceri,they bad had meetings, and he was
very much surprised to find that on no occasion Wid-
ths contractor thought fit to present himself. But
setting that aside, the work was progressing very
slowly, and at the present rate of doing business,.
instead of hiving the hall completed by Isdrday,
they would have to wait till that time twelvemonth.
The architect was no more satisfied than they
were at the manner in which the work had.
progressed. He thought the contractor ought to
put on more labourers than were employed at the
present time. There could be no excuse now, for
they could not have • finer semen. Ali it was they
went there week after week, and could warmly
discern any progreimion at all. He considered it his
duty, as a member of the committee he referred
to, to Wing the wetter before the Council. (Hear.
hear,) It was • work of public interest„ and he
should liko to hear some ether member* of the
Council pus an opinion with reference to the matter.
—Two or three gentlemen made • few remarks, and
it was suggested that the committee should draw
ups report, and a resolution be passed upon it. The
matter, however, dropped, and the Council brok•
up, after sitting for the space of one hour—We.
would wish to add to our report that Mr. Be-toe was
appointed as commissioner of sewers, and Mt.
Alderman Smith as trustee of the savinp'Unk.
Tilt FIRST OF J•NU•RY.—" A happy new
year" is the oft-repeated wish on this day; yet but
few of its ejaculators are aware that, till within a.
century, the year for all legal purposes commemod.
on the 25th March. The ecclesiastical year has for
many centuries commenced sithAdvent ; but during
the middle ages the civil year began with different
-
days in different countries ; as in Franca!
on Christmas day, December 25; in Hurler) illug•
Switzeriand,at the Cirounacision,Jenuary 1; in
England, and Scotland, on the day of the Annuncia-
tion, March 25; and in Germany, on Faster-day.
Pope Gregory XIII. having reformed the*
calendar in 1682, directed that the year
should henceforth commence on the let of.
January. This was almost immediately .dird
by the Catholic Stake of Europe, and by the rm
tenants of Germany, Holland, and Switserland,
and by England in 1752. Previous to that date,.
however, the reformed mode was in vogue and this
during the seventeenth and the first half of the
eighteenth century. A remarkable example of the
confusion canned by this practice is afforded in the
event of the execution of Markel L ' • by some autho-
rities be is said to have been beheaded on the 30th
of January, 1648, whilst others give it as the aim
day, 1649; both may be said to be correct, but
others state it thus—which is more explanatory
January 1, 1648-9.

Aboe Holt was hangsd at Chester on )(ocular for
murdering her mother by poison. The unfortuaste
woman protested her innocence. The execution (which
was witnessed by about 1,000 persons), took go at
toeonuerninufteleiled"ritsr,6tihan.t.l she we. was naU the
half bar
half
alri-W to the scaffold. Oa the platform eteon her
knees, and moaned isitoously, " Ties Lord havo=
upon one," which she continued to do whilst c
pulled the bolt, The drop only fell partially, and when
it was at last parked down sho swing about partially
r for two throe minuses, the fall not being
enough or o
break wk.

hinted 'ad pnbliehed for the Proprietor, by (Mono
WIIIIITIBILD MI of Dorobookr,
0111“ of r*. Dorm Chardrokool,
Docolosslior, Tomb% &maw