The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1868-03-10 00:00:00

DORSET LENT ASSIZES.

The Onwrodwdos for bold* time swim wee coma
on Wodsoodiay Wore Mr. Julio Slaokbwra, who woo
•"" bh• High nadir (0. 3. Perim of if...
bury, w o wore • wart ma), _et1044 by tin
sousty'o ask. Immed after, is
iaanlyislerdshlp proceeded
to St. Pew'. thank and wee root it the door
by the Kern VI Cerro*, Seq.), and a large number
of the corporation in their robes of Mies. The prayers
were reed by the Ron.?. 0. Moak:and the sermon was
embed by the Roe. 0. K. Paul, of fiturminster
rdo Elbsrirs cluollia, trout Mathew ii., 3.

CROWN COURT.—TurraIDLY.
(Be/ore Mr. Justic• Bucssum.)
The Court °puma at ten o'clock, lad, after tie natal
preliminaries, the following macaws wars sworn orb
Owl grand jury :
Colonel Sir E. H. OUATHILD, Bart, K.C.B. (foesznen).

J. Moyer, Seq.. LP.
14. 14. Middleton
R. H. 0. Bee Meld
J. R. Wendt
0. W. ?UM
B. H. Bingham
R. Williams
B. 0. Otiodelen
Marwood B. lireetinan
G. P. Maned
J. F. Paleness,

J. B. Meade
J. K. Bridge
K. Williams
B. B. IBM
J. W. T. Pyle,
B. P. Chair"
C. J. T. Banks
R. W. William'
B. Pmeeders
B. POSZOII .ad
J. M. P. Beetsges, Ems.

Her Majesty's prosiamation against Vial and im-
morality having been read, his lordship delivered the
sharp to the grand jury. lie said he wee glad on that
mesesiou to me so !arse an attendance of grand jurors to
perform a duty to their country; there was not only a
fuII grated jury, but he sew several gentlemen in at-
tendance in ease their names were called, and that was
• matter he ought to notice, and to thank them for the
Moto' with which they performed their duels' to the
estuary. He was sorry to say that the number of oases
to be brought before them wan larger than usual in this
county, but, with very few esseptions, they were not atoll
seriout mom There wes no ease of any great maamitede
woe any great wiskedaesa, except, perhaps, No .2 Is do
Wender, in which a labourer named Robert Rill was
charged with an unnatural 011111110. As a general rule
the grand jury investigated ewes to see whether there
was salieleut ground to pat the person on his iris!: but,
In that eland gene% so very meek ndealtid 1111:•• from
a paths Inquiry, whisk was Itself so greet an evil, that
he slimes the grand jury to eoesider them rely
much as if • petty jury trying tle• matter. If
ei
they found the witmeseee brought before them
then was 1 hvidense to lead them, if sating
" • Rotta. 1"7, to everrice, thee would fad
a tree because the law most be eafersed.
but if they felt that they would net etieviet
cut such senoe, he advised them to throw out
the bill, am to macit mischief arose from a rublie inquiry
of that character, sad especially wino it romited bin an
acquittal In this partisular case, it would depend
very much upon how far they tumid trust the accuracy
of the persoe's observation who said he saw the °denies
committed, and of that they would be better able to
judge when they beard tee witness, than one who had
merely read the depositions. With that exception,
there was no ease that required any obeervatioa from
him. They would end that they were oases involving
common sense nether then law—questions of fact
whether the crime was made out, and they would be
able to judge of that without any assistance from him.
There wee another case to which he would call their
atteetioa. No. 26 on the calendar, in which Samuel
Line was charged with setting Are to • shed, and,
looking at the depoOtions, he found that a
man who was with the person indicted swore
that Lino did it • and the question was whether
er not that ;nen was trustworthy. No
doubt the crime was committed, but that man they
toted by his own story to have been as had as the
prisoner. He was, in fact, an accomplice. Although
he wee an admissible witness, ever since the revolution
the rule had been not to accept his testimony if stand-
ing alone, but ouly if the evidence of iodeyendent
witnesses supported it. If they thought there was not
evidence upon which they would senvict, he advised
them to throw out the bill, as if any other fieldmice
was enteequently found, the person could be charged
wale • whereas if the we went to trial and be was
acquitted' further action could not be taken. His lord-
ship also briefly referred to the case whist Robert
Deem for a rape, and said the other oases celled for no
remarks, as they were snob as they were accustomed to
deal with as Pudica of the peace.

Tazius ov Palemma&

THZ DOICHZIITSI TOIT OMCZ

James Burgess, 20, post-offies clerk, was indicted for
stealing &letter containing two ball-seeereiges, and also
• second letter containing one halfisovereivi, and 60
penny postage stamps, on the Bth August, belonging to
the Pertmaster-Generat The prisoner, who appeared
mach paler and thinner than when he was oommiteed,
pleaded not guilty to both ehergea Mr. Coley 40.,
and Mr. Viarry prosecuted. and Mr. W. Ffooks de-
fended. This was • prosecution instituted by the Post.
',Kee authorities. The prisoner had been in the service
of lb* Postmaster at Dorchester as assistant clerk for
about Ore month., previously to which he had been
employed at the Reeding Poet-office, and came to Dor-
chester with& very superior oharseter. In consequence
of numerous 'pile:Atkins about missing letters, it was
resolved to investigate the matter. On the 6th of
August Mr. FI ow see, &travelling inspector connected with
the mining letter department in the London ofece, was
despatched on this duty. He went to Weymouth and
enolo ed in • certain letter two halesovereicns, which
he had previously marked. The envelope lie *limed
with gum, and eddressed it to "Mrs. Morris, Liberty
Plait*, East Over, Bridgwatm." He then took the
letter to the Poe-nflice at Poole, and inquired for the
Postmaster. At that time he wee absent, sad Kr.
inlepttt the "beet" heater, with ethers. In an official
en arrested Boom td the Poole Postmaster, and
delivered the packet to the Postmaster's wife. He in-
formed her that Users was money in the letter. On the
following day, when the Postmaster returned, she gave
the packet to him. and his assistant, in his presence,
placed the letter addressed to Mrs. Monis soonest the
Dorchester forwarding letters. and the beg was
despatched by the train leaving Poole at 10.10 p in. on
the 7th Angust. That beg would reach Dorchester on
the Bth, at about 3 a.m., end from 3 ate. to 6 cm. the
piisonerend a stamper named Cousins being the only
persons on duty at the Dorchester office, Burgess would
receive the bag from Poole, take out the letters,
eat them, and should send them on to their destine-
tient. The letter addresed to Mrs. Morris should
have arrived at Bridgwater in the ordinary course
at nine o'clock nest morning. A. the Bridg-
water Postmaster did not find the letter in the
hag. he tionenunicated to Mr. Howson, who, in
company with a policeman named Bingham, connected
with the Post-offoe, immediately proceeded to Dor-
cheater. and had an interview with the prisoner. Mr.
Howson told Burgess he had come to make inquiry
reseeding a missing letter, sad aaked him if he was on
duty that morning between three and six o'clock.
Prisoner replied "Yea." He their mired him it he had
any objection to being searched. and he anseered "No."
—Mr. Weeks objected to Mr. }teems "pumping" the
pretense in that way ; he wan not a policeman, and some
of the judges had very strongly condemned constables
orietiexamining suspected persons in that way.—The
Judp said he should not, the evidence was
perfectly admissible.— • police officer then searched
Burgess, and he took from his waistcoat pocket
• 'sovereign, two half-sovereigns, and • quantity
of silver. Prisoner, in reply to question., said all the
money belonged to him; he could not recollect bow long
he bad sad it, but added "I received my salary from
the Postmaster about two months ago, and have not
had any since." lie also said he sorted the letters from
Poole that morning, and despatched these for Bridg-
water, but did not remember seeing a letter addressed to
"Mrs. Morris," Re. Mr. Howson, having examined the
balf.sovereigns, told prisoner they were the two he bad
marled and put into the letter addressed to Mrs. Morris.
He made no answer. Mr. Howson gave him into
custody. The two half-sovereigns concerned in this
ems were produced, and Mr. Howson pointed out the '
private marks on them. Is crosieeriamination, Mr.
Howson said in the course of the fortnight preceding
this oesurreece, he bad pet two or three marked half.
sovereigns in letters which peered through the Dorchester
*Km. All were marked differently. Had been in his
present Kam live-aado-balf years. He never marked
two haUeovereigas of the same date alike. The
marks on the half-sovereigns were very small,
and required a magnifying glass to see them. -
Mr. Pfooks examined the half-sovereigns, but said
be *mild not detect the marks; his eyes were
not very good.—The Judge said the jury would
judge by their own eyes, and he had no doubt Mr.
Cole's eyes were much better than Mr. Ffooks'.—By
Mr. Cola: Ile kept • register of the marks, and if be
led • coin he never marked another in the same way.
It was for the interests of the public service that the
arks should be kept meret.—The learned Judge
objected to any secrecy in the matter, as it might
hinder the ends of jostiee—lliz. Moines them said the
mark on the 1869 half-sovereign was an inverted "w"
between "Regina' and "Fid."—By Mr. Ffooks : Had
sometizoee seen • small letter or initial of the coiner on
halfeovereigne but could riot me one on that. By Mr.
Cole: His mark was indented by • steel die especially
Lade for himself. In the 1856 coin the mark was •
figure "9" in the same place as the other. All the
other coins he had passing through the Dorchester
office Calhe to him again.—Mr. Cole having summed up
the WWI for the permeation, Mr. FfOOki addressed the
jury for the defense. He urged that the prosecution
had not conclusively made out the ease against the
Prim:hoc The, had failed to show that the letter was
actually placed in the beg at Poole. It was presumed
that Mr. Derby's assistant pat it into the bag, but she
was not called, and during the time the letter was out
of Use Postmaster's hands an adroit person might have
ehetressee it, though he felt that it was • bomb thing
to reggae such • thing bad been done by that yenta
woman, yet it was his duty to point out that such a
link was wanting is the emblems, and the proseention
ought to have celled her. Ho molted the lure to give
the prisoner the benefit of that importoot doubt
Aseumbig, however, that the letter was actually
enclosed in the Poole tog, they would notice that the
letter would reach Dorchester Poet-office at three
o'clock sad remain there for three hosts. But who
received the mail hag and opened it ? Not the prisoner,
but • man aimed (lousing, wbo was then in the employ
of the Peet-offlos, but was not now. Why had he lett
the service? and why was be sot called for he received
the beg and stamped the IMters. They knew Cousins
was in London, and could readily have milled him, and
that wee another important link which was wanting in
the evidence. He than urged that the identity of the
half-sovereigns was nee Kier, for the mark, on them
were so minute that they weld not be seen without •
&auditing glass, and weld they say they had seen them
with their owu gym for U they had not, then was
mother tinkle, wanting. Them points be urged with
eesseterehis fores, sad appealed le Me jou, seeing the
prisoner's previous good character, to i re him the
hmelit of the doable he had mieset.-11. sailed Mr. CA.
Barrett, of the firm of Eterrett, Kean, and Co., of
Beading, who said he had known the prisoner from
his With, sad had It ref heard or known
thing '"i"i his 01l suer
seter for b T onesty. be
amid jai sain mod up the case, indicakieg that
the poem raised in defence Were progg. but int.
probable, and, atm • few Went.. tonsideraties, the
jury reoused • verdict of guilty.-- Priamer, when
celled upon if he had anything to es,. medo no
Topty.
In patsies emitomoos tho 10°Iie said, I regret to see •
esiting men of your &postman's@ in this padtios, la all
01 pna,mautukilieny, theses% win possoes se poi

dmiket at they would ace hays b.c. amplorod. I
60111 cam Nova amid lavished but bra pima wiatalwaa
for Public proven, mama Itt pobootek sad I amaaot
Pus • Nth* doshisai than Oa yam" poaml sorvituda.
—Tin printout bowed, aad Ills the desk wowed. Ha
had Modally toiriaWi au& • odutiora. The aosood
awls was mat pouwoodod with.

11101141111 T AT 1111130i1111.
Job Priddls, 39, labourer, was indicted for stooling a
quantity of moulding, belonging to Hugh Byikabam,
eohlaet maker, at Sberboros.lfr.W. nooks proassetad,
mel Mr. Pallsa defended. The primmer was employed
lsseeicuaijy Mr. Sydechara. On the day in question
be we. VOTtftif there, and about sir o'clock is the
=4,llth In the frost shoe west out. Mrs.
wont to see why It was, bet amid get no
from the priethar. She netised that
illit=frhaad been removed from its usual plan
to war the dose. The gas ins lighted, and then Kn.
Sydenhant or, the prisoner in the shop, where he had
no business, with a parcel of beading, which be canted
away. The next morning • oonstab% went to prisoner's
house, and there the beading was found. Aceordinit to
the policeman, the prisoner was not very ready to admit
lite property was there, but at keg* panted out where
it was. Prisoesr said ha Intended to tell Mr. Sydamham
about it that ammilag whom Its went to work. It
seemed he had edged the prosecutor about the prim of
same beading, and tie beteg told lii. aloof. said "I think
that will do, ." but there was no sale. —For the defame it
was admitted that prisoner took the beading, but it was
urged it was done without any felonious inteution.—Fle
Wee found guilty and pleaded guilty to • prettooa_„_,.°°°:
viatica in 1860.'—The judge sentenced to "5".
mouths' hard labour.
A 1114311 AT lITUIIIIIITZI STROM.
Sr.°writ Psr.ty, 45, labourer, was *Wood 'li °°
b •tinf
a
re too darsmag.bonaa and ...urn, the property o
Lord Rivers. Mr. W. pools prowtsated. and Nl'
Carter thiseded.—Pater Trowbridge, living on
itharminster Cu...., about 50 yards from where the
house In question ;toed, which was burned on the itth
Ottb, sai
tb.4prisonerof
.t.hdat
dho.drue.
,11.1
and ..t
used
..aron,
out.
h saw lie said
The prisoner was the Da% Porto° -4 se;
"This is • bad job, end prisoner No
It isn't ; this* tto be burnt too. Aso° ing
his judgment Ira originated in the outhouse.
prisoner anid ..yaa it bore, ' and repeated it when some
ono tried to put oat the ire.—Cress-sxamined : The
primmer was oars in the (nerds, hotbed been invalided
out, and had slam been a quiet and inoffensive man.—
Jaw ximorib, u,ing as rdebtod Common, met
=that not re Glow hill, thong from
star. He was " driaky." He told her be was
in trouble sliest the old Loam —Robert Ron, farmer,
weat to the firs. He naked prisoner how it happened.
He replied "They Mame sea and smother for setting it
on ire, sod they may blame me if they like, sad then
they'll blame the right ono." Primmer also said he
should not emoist.in patting it eat; "let the old
boss* burn."—P.O. Ellis also week to the scene, and
beard the prisoner say "Let it 'bide and burn." He
went to prisoner, charged him with Petting Sr.
to the house, and cautioned him. Prisoner replied,
" I did it, it's no use to blame anybody else." Wanes'
asked him on the road why be did it. He said, "The)
got me out and I thought nobody should live there,
and I got a match and set the fuel house on tire."
He further said" I left my basket of thinrs on
the ridge, and went and set fire to the house, and I shall
go and hang myself, as I have no home to go to." He
appeared united from drinking.—P.C. Poynter corro-
borated the Let wastes. Mr. R. R. Harvey, solicitor
and steward to Lord Rivers, said the house in question
was the property of Lord Rivers. Had given prisoner
two notion to leave, but promised to allow him to
remain another year if he would be more punctual In
his payment of the net,. The building stood on an
acre of land, which woe let at the moderate rent of £6
a year. Cress-enadoed : Had done nothiag to
exasperate or provoke prisoner by distraining for rent.
The cottage was well situated, and there would be no
dillealty in obtaining a tenant for it. —Mr. Carter, in
admit, limed that there was no evident* to show that
wham wWully set the house on fire, for his wild
statements made when " drinky" that "he did it"
were quiet consistent with his doing it soidestally.—
The jury found prisoner " guilty on his own evidenv."
—Mr. Carter urged that primmer had been in the Guards,
sad was invalided through en accident at the Tower,
sad that he had been in prison Si. months.—Mr.
rooks said be was Instructed that there was no wish
Ito press the oue.—His lordship said he would take those
matters into consideration, but he could not but paw a
severe sentence on • person convicted of setting Sr. to
aldweiling•houre. Prisoner war sentenced to 12 months'
hard labour.

ALLSOID 10111113 T AT

John Frampton, • young manors' charged with steal.
lug • livery wet and breeches? • brush and two lamps,
belonging to Mr. G. W. Daniell, his master, at Bland.
ford, 10th December—Mr.rooks prosecuted, and Mr.
Collins defended.—The prosecutor said prisoner had
been in his service about • year, arid left unknown to
him. After he had gorse witness found that prisoner
had taken pencil his livery with him--eciat and breeches.
When he engaged him the livery was not to be his
erases he gave it to him, which he might do when
it was worn out if he behaved himself. He also
missed,two singeing lamps and • pair of brashas.—Cross.
examined : Paid prisoner 9e. • week and the reversion of I
the clothes when they were worn out. Prisoner had
previously been in the senior of air J. D'Oyly. Had
worn the livery about& your. Prisoner did not often()
out with witnees.—Re-eiamined : The clothes were not
worn out, and be had not given them to prisoner.—By
Kr. Collins: Had 15s. in hand of prisoner's, but he had
it because prisoner had got into debt. —The judge said
this was immaterial. - Thomson Hishman said prisoner
brought a livery coat to her for sale, and she gave hien
61. for it. She had Jim sold it. Knew the prisoner
was in prosecutor's genii:re—Laura Mellows said
prisoner offered a livery wet for sale at their house.
She did sot buy it, her mother did sobaeq.seutly.—The
boy who bought it from Mrs. liiithman was called, and
said he gave 6s. for it. —William Dodington said
I moiler lodgei at his rcothees. On the 2nd Jsnuary
he took two singeing lamps and some brushes to Mr.
Daniell's. Prosecutor bad sent him after them.—Cross-
essmined : The lamps end brushes had been used to
singe • posy, and were left at his house.—P.C. Moore
spoke to apprehending primmer in Hampshire. Prisoner
said "it's no use telling any lies about it, I was hard
driven, and sold the coat for 2.. 61." As to the singeing
Limps prisoner said he had them to singe • pony, and
told Dodinsion to take them beck.-- Mr. rooks was
proceeding to sum up, when his lordship remarked that
although be could not say there was no evidence to go
to the jury, he did not think it was each as any jury
would convict upon. He therefore directed the jury
to return • verdict of not guilty, sad prisoner was
discharged.