The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-01-24 00:00:00

hat
rota, naChe
id Pof and sair he would it:lCeedme wto a
solicitor's to ask his opinion respeeting the marriage
settlement We went to Lewis and Lewis, Ply. place.
There a gentleman tried to reconcile us. He said,
"She won't even show it." I was afraid the
solicitor would give it to the prisoner. The next
day he commenced again. He followed me about
the rarest for • couple of hours an I struck me.
I wont to Marlborough-street Police-court, which
wee close by, for protection. The next (lay I
went to Mr. Dolman, • solicitor, and alien I returned
the prisoner said, " You fool ; where have you been. I
could have saved you all this expense." He then
threatened to break all my furniture, including • new
piano I had just got. I dared him to do it, and more
words ensued. My little boy, who had met with an
accident, was lying in St. Mary's Hospital. I went to
see him. On the sth of June my little boy died, and
the prisoner entered with • black band reaching to the
top of his hat, lie said he intended having a Free-
mason's funeral for my child. I saki, "You are a villain ;
you have DO regard for me or my child, and I dare you
to do anything el the kind, or even to put &hatband on."
He said, " Yes. I nhall ; so don't r.ut yourself out."
lie then sold, " Will you give me that marriage mettle-
merit ? " I replicd, "Never." He then sail,'
VII murder you." lie pitched me through a glue door
and cut my Inn& lie took a poker up to me and
140S0 pCOI/1.3 CAWS al) toy rt Mlle. lie then took up a
knife. I clorged him nt John-street puce station.
its Was subsequen'ly charged before the magistrate
for the assault, and was ordered to find two sureties
in £5O each. For some time he could not find them
and went to prison. He was, however, bailed out on
the 15th of June, 1867. He paid some one £5 to bail
him out. He came back then to the Star Coffee-hpuse.
I had by this time applied for a judicial separation,
and, with my family, left the coffee-house. I had bad
the lease renewed for seven years just before my mar-
riage with the prisoner and he sold it. I insured my
life for my children. He eold all my furniture and
fixturee, and I never saw him until I identified him the
other day at Millbank. He spent about £BO of my
money.

- -
Alexander Goss: lam a licensed victualler. I live
at 102, Bingtield street, Caledonian-road. In 1867 I
was manager of the ",Carlton" Tavern. Kilburn. I
knew Mrs. Arrend, who kept the " Star " Coffee-
house. I was present at the marriage between her and
the prisoner at Pimlico and slgned the register. Soon
after the marriage I lost sight of him. I believe he
wee given into custody. I had a letter from him last
June, signed "John Smith." He wrote a good hand.
The letter was addressed to me at the "Crown,"
King's cross, and was dated from "Carlton" Tavern.
Ile wished me to forward a letter which he had en-
closed to his wife. He said he had been at sea for
some years and had some money which he wished to
Invest in his children's interest. I wrote to Mrs.
Arrend, but she did not call for the letter. The pri-
soner called at the "Crown" on the 2nd of June and
I returned him the letter. I recognize the prisoner as
Captain John Smith.

-
Elizabeth Miller, 2. Cardigan-place, Kilburn, de-
posed that rho wee a friend of him. Arrend's and knew
the prisoner in 1867. He used to attend witnese's
husband's beershop in Praed-street daily, She heard of
the assault case and did not see the prisoner after that
until May, 1873, at her residence. He was dressed as
a sailor and said he had been cruising during the last six
years, chiefly in America. He asked where his wife
was. He stayed with wisness about seven weeks. CM I
the 4th of July he went out at night and did not return
until the next morning. Witness let him Mat six o'clock.
He said be had been robbed of his purse. Witness
said, "I suppose you have no money now," He I
replied that he had not, but he should draw some later
In the day. Witness's husband told her to leave 10s.
on the mantel-shelf, which she did. The prisoner went
out and took the money, saying he was going to the
Bank and should return immediately. Witness never
saw him until she saw him at Millbank Prison. The
shirt produced belonged to her husband and was lent I
to the prisoner. She identihed his clothe/ (found at '
the larlginge in Churchyard-row). He never remained
out all night while staying at her place except upon I
the occasion referred to.
William Small, manager of the "Canton Tavern,"
Kilburn, said he knew the prisoner as John Smith.
Last year he came to the tavern and asked for Mr.
and Mrs. Miller's address. That was on the 27th of
March. Witness gave it to him. He used to come
there day after day up to the 26th of June as a
castomer. He used to read the newspaper at the bar,
and used to speak about the Claimant there with two
customers with whom be became acquainted. Witness
need to hear him say, "What do you think if the
Claimant now—how is be getting on ?" Wh-u Captain
Oatee's evidence was given the prisoner used ta get very
excited and say he was telling lalsehods. One day he
said to witness, "Small, I'll go to Kenealy myself. I
believe I can do the Claimant some good yet." Oa
one occasion he drew a map ef the port at lii, and
showed it the witness. 1-hisoner mid Captain OA -s
was gevtral wiles out in his rei k 'Mug, and explained
whoa- they wed to camp. W taess tore up the map.
He did not see the primoner again until he saw him at
hfillbank. .

—.—
William George Wood, a welder at Chatham Con 1
vict Prison, said be knew the prisoner as John
Lundgren. He was received into the prison on the
7th of August, 18E8, and discharged on the 25th rf
Match, 1573, on a licence. Wittiest saw him in prieon
s miotimes hundreds of times in a day. Ile tohl
witness he was a Belgian. He worked part of the
time in the tailor's slirp and tv'terwards with the
drivers. He said be bad been mate of a vessel for
several years.
George Bonynge, a tailor and warder of the Chatham
Convict Prison, la,d ha knew the prieoner. On the
24th of March he provided him with " liberty " clothes
lefore he was decharged. Ile asked for a sailor's suit
and witneatvgave it to Into. It was the same produced
by Inspector Clarke.
Mr. Poland then called up Mr. Innen, who attended
the Cvurt upon a imbi. mai, to produce letters which
be had received from the prisoner. Mr. Itimell pro-
tinned two. Mr. Ilolond said there was a third which
mast be pniducel upon the next occasion.
John MiMahns, a warder at Millbank Prison, gave
formal evidence respecting the letters written by the
prisoner while in prison.
Mr. Poland then read the two letters. They were
both addressed to Mr. J. Rimell, H, Goldernsquare.
The one dated December 22, 1573, was *se follows

"Dear SD—By thie I beg to acquaint you all that I am
here tatelum% and have heard nothing. Th's is • miserable
lira, and to suffer such all for not being allowed to have my
own way. But what is done cannot be altered. I refer you
to my het from House of D.tention. I had a letter from
Pim; Haft a, wherein was stated that Yoi bad been cent to
Harding. '
---- • • -

The letter coneln led by wishing "Merry Christman to
W., at Plea Madox, and all friends."
Mr. Poland : In that letter he refers to "2W last."
That letter is now produced by Mr. Rimell, and I now
propose to read it. Mr. Toland then read :
House of Detrntcen, Clerkenwell, Saturday, Dec 13.

I " Dear Mr Wm°ll,-1 have now been sent to this place
until next Thnraday, and as I heard yesterday that you was
I could not expect to see you, Mr. Clark brought me
down here and will himself bring me back to now street. I
should like to see Mr. Harding, as he wonld be able to let me
know shout the American and other wltnessee. I saw in the
morning paper that Id'Stahon and Wild had left Renealy
ulnae yes elle) to do the work, and that they were It to
coml. r hope Mrs. Rimell and If las Fanny are welt, and
that they be Veered to accept my compliment. Harding
told me that you had seen the man who Is so like me, and
who hes caused me all this trouble.
The only thing would be to get his brothers over here, so
that this aff sir may be settled. I hope Sir Roger Tichhorne
keeps UP his spirit, although the amount of adversaries are
numerous. Just think what amount of persecnrom I have.
My dear Rimell, I should like to see you on Monday, ac
have something important to *Pk you.
" Yours respectinliy, "JEAN LtTE. •
Mr. Poland said he oropoved to ask for another re-
mand, as he had further important evidence.
Sir I'. Henry: Cannot we go on to-day? Theme
, remands are very in ,onvenient in this court, Yeti
have given ample evidence for a committal.
Mr. Poland said he could not proceed further that
day He deeirei a remand, not so much for the pur-
pose of offering additional evidence, as for another
reason, which he preferred not to mention.
The prisoner wag accordingly remanded.