The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1880-09-07 00:00:00

GREAT ROBBERY AT THE QUEEN'S
HOTEL.
£270 stems.

Considerable sensation was caused on Tuesday night
by the news that an extensive robbery had been com-
mitted at the Queen's /14111. about SIM having been
stolen from the bedroom of the proprietor, Mr. Cook.
Information was given to the police about half-past
seven, and • strict enquiry was made, a close watch
kept on all who entered or left the hotel, the reeult
being that two betting man, named Smith and Gibbons,
were followed to the Post-Office, where they were
taken in custody on suspicion of hiving been conosuned
in the robbery. As far as the case at present stands
there seems considerable doubt as to whether the
police have the right parties. On Smith the sum of
£0210.. fid. was found, consisting of two SSD notes, one
SS note, and a quantity of gold. Gibbons, however,
who is well known on the course, and goes by the
name of " Frenchy," had only Bd. in his ion.
The only suspicious evidence seems to be e account
which they give of themselves. Whereas Smith
denies all knowledge of Gibbons (notwithstanding they
occupied the same bed at the Queen), the latter asserts
he is the servant of Smith.

The two men were brought up bet ire the bwough
matratee (Dr. Drew, B. Hopkins, Esq., and W.
Abbott, Bag.), on the charge of being concerned in
the robbery. Both were described OD the charge-
sheet as belonging to London.
As far as appearances rO, the prisoners appear to
be highly respectable, both. being well drafted and of
good appearance. Gibbons Is a much younger man
than kb; companion.

- -
Smith, who had been let out on bail in his own re-
cognisanoe of £6O, answered to his name. Gibbons
had been at the polioe-station all night.
Mr. Supt. Vickery said on the previous evening
there was • report of a robbery at the Queen's Hotel.
It was reported that £270 in notes, gold, and cheques
had been taken. The prisoners were apprehended at
the Post-office and brought to the police-station. They
had been staying at the Queen, both occupying one
bed. When they were taken to the police-station
Sergeant Away searched them, and on Smith he
found £62 10s. 3L, a betting book, and a knife. The
money was partly composed of two £2O notes and one O.
Amongst the property stolen was • £5 note, which
had been changed by a gentleman belonging to
Mialkahain, who had been lodging at Mr. Yearsley'•
lie had telegraphed for the number of the note, but
he had not yet received a reply. Smith had given his
address as Bow-street, London, which he had since
ascertained was his correct address. He had not given
a satisfactory account of the money found on him,
saying he had received it in betting transactions. In
the charge-room Smith denied all knowledge of
Gibbons. He said he had seen him on the c9nnics, but
said he was not connected with him. On the other
hand Gibbons said he was • servant of Smith. From
enquiries made with reference to Gibbuns he could
only find out that he was • moo who frequented
races, and was of • doubtful character. He went by
the name of " Frenchy.''

Sergeant Apsey said on Tuesday night abut
half•past seven he was called to the Queen's
Hotel by Mr. Cook, and from what he told him he
went to his bedroom, and found that the door hod
been forced pen. lie wag shown a black leather bog
and a cash box._ The bag and the caoh.box hal ben

7:;:,:d7p;n7 iWes;l7ll;7l. P.O. Tia-rci;a ;;;ci
Stidtland to watch the holm, and report any sus-
picious circtimstan es. He at once went to the police.
station and gave informa•ion to the Superintendent.
Whilst there he was sent for to go to the Poot-office,
where the two prisoners were pointed out to him.
They had taken a cab and driven to the Post-office,
and the constables had taken another cab and followed
in pursuit of them. At the Post-of/be witness saw
Smith in the act of sending away a letter (produced)
containing a card and a a .vereign. (The address was
withheld.) When Smith had sealed the letter witness
went up to him and told him he should outlet it go,
and requested him to accompany him to the police-
station. Smith then sealed the letter and offered it to
him. He took it and opened it in the cab in Smith's
presence. He found on him two £2O notes, one £5
note. £l5 in gold, and 3d. There was also 104. In
another letter which h!.was about to send away.
. .

Witness also searched Gibbons, who said "I bare ii
money ; my master (referring to Smith) has my
money." He only found on him 81 in coppers, and •
dishonoured cheqae. Smith denied having any con.
noction with him. He was, said, unknown to him,
with the exception of seeing him on the race course.
Mr, Supt. Vickery said this was all the evidence
forthooming at present, and caked for a remand,
Smith also wished the case to be remanded in his
own interest. He said he had attended race meetings
for 15 years, and referred the Bench to Mr. J. Lowman
as to his character.
Mr. Supt. Vickery said he was willing to release
Smith on the same bail (NO) as on the previous night.
Gibbons al-o asked for hall, and the Bench said he
coal I have the game as Smith. This not being forth-
coming he was detained.
Mr. Bupl. Vickery said he had received information
that there was likely to be an hotel robbery, and he
cautioned every hotel-keeper in the town.
Dr. Drew: It is very kind of those who gave the
information. Perhaps Mr. Cook will not keep so
much mosey in his house for the future, considering
there are four banks in the town.
The prisoners were remanded till Friday.
The two men, Smith and Ogslions, who were ta have
been brought up on Friday on the chargeof being oxicerned
in the reeent robbery at the Queen, were released or,
Thursday, Mr. Suet Vickery haying completed hie
ermaities in respect to the men, an I found that the notes
in the possession of Smith were not • portion of the missing
money.
Mr. Cook explained to the magistrates (Dr. Drew and
D. Collett. Esq.). that the money bad been placed in •
small travelling bag—the gold in • leather bag, and the
notes in • separate bag inside. The bag was put in his
bedroom under the bedstead. The door was locked, but it
appeared to have been picked. There were marks on the
bag as if attempts had been made to forcibly open it by
the lamp, and hailing that, it was broken at the leather
end. The two prisoners had been staying at his house with
two others, apparently friends. Gibbon' seemed to make
• apeciel effort to attract his attention between fire and
seven o'clock on the ermine the property musical. He had
several Bank of England note* in the bag, but did not
know the number of any of them.
Dr. Drew said it was • most extraordinary thing to him
that • person should break into • bedroom, break open a
small bag, take out another small bag from the interior
cootaicing gold, and, emptying the whole at • risk of
being heard, leave the two small begs behind. He thought
II the robbery had been committed by • professional
thief he would have taken the small handbag aid gone
away with it. Thie was the roost extraordinary thing he
had heard of.
McCook remarked there was • great deal mme sanitary
enrolling to It than he could understand.
Dr. Drew said the Bench must giro the amused the
benefit of the doubt. and they would be discharged.