The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-01-02 00:00:00

BURGLARS AT WORK ON CHRISTMAS
DAY.

At Westminster Police-court, James Thompson, 38,
described as a lightermass, and giving an address at
Notting-hill, was charged with being concerned
with two other men not in custody in breaking and
entering the dwelling-house, 8, Thurloe-place, South
Kensington, and stealing therefrom three £5 Bank of
England notes, four sovereigns, a gold bracelet, eight
gold rings, eight gold brooches, a number of Indian
trinkets, gold pencils, linen, plate, &c.—the aggregate
value exceeding £loo—the properly of Mr. Charles
John Percival. The prosecutor deposed that on
Christmas day he went out, leaving no one in his
house. Previous to leaving he had seen that all the
windows were fastened ana the doors locked and bolted.
The front gate was shut with a spring lock. At a
quarter-past one that (Saturday) morning he arrived
home, and found a policeman in charge of the
premises. The officer said that a burglary had been
committed. Witness proceeded to the drawing-room
and feund that a side-board had been broken open.
That room was occupied by Mr. Alexander Pratt
Barlow, who was away at Brighton. Going up stairs
to the front bed-room, he (prosecutor) found that the
drawers and wardrobes had been forced open—in
fact, everything was in confusion and disorder. The
cash-box had been prised and the bank-notes and gold
mentioned in the charge abstracted. The jewellery,
which was very valuable, was taken from the drawers.
The value of the property stolen fram this room was
£lOO. In Mr. Barlow's bed-room the thieves had
been at work—the cupboard doors had been forced
open, and the silver tops wrenched off the bottles in
his dressing-case. Witness identified a pair of field
glasses, an ulster coat, a plated tankard, a silver cup,
and other articles produced by the police; the articles
belonged to Mr. Barlow, and were taken from the
drawing-room. Mr. Partridge asked when the
prisoner was first seen by him. Mr. Percival said he
did not see the prisoner until he arrived at the
police-station. Police-constable W. Dougal, 476 B,
stated that at a quarter-past five on Christmas even-
ing he was on duty in plain clothes in Thurloe-place
with another constable. He noticed a man—not the
prisoner—walking up and down outside No. 8, Thar-
be-place. Later on he saw another man, not in cus-
tody, come from the gateway and cross the road.
Almost at the same mointent prisoner opened the
front door and came out of the house, carrying the
field-glass and a walking-stick. He was wearing the
ulster produced, and was walking as if lame. Wit-
ness followed him to the Fulham-road, where he
started at a fast walk, Prisoner turned into the
Fulham-road, and thence into Alexander-square. He
gave a double knock at a house in the square, and he
was answered by the servant, who closed the door in
his face. Witness still followed him, and ultimately
took him into custody. Another police-officer, named
Clarke, interrogated him. Prisoner said, "I am
a gentleman, and you have decidedly made
a mistake. I live in Brompton - crescent."
Clarke then asked him where he had put
the field-glass he was carrying. He produced them
from under the ulster, and spid they were his own.
At the station be was searcheN, and a silver drinking-
cup, a razor, a tankard, &c., were found on him. He
had also two wax-candles and a box of silent matches.
Walter Clarke, another plain-clothes officer, con-
firmed the statement of last witness. On the way to
the station the prisoner said, "You have got me all
right, but I am glad to say 'the poke' (the property)
has got away all right. It's a nice little lot." Wit-
ness examined the prosecutor's house with Inspector
Martin, of the B Division, and found a piece of
candle in the hall. The door had been forced open.
Mr. Percival, recalled, identified tlie walking-stick
which was taken from the prisoner. Witness walked
lame. (Mr. Percival was seated during his evidence.)
Prisoner apparently endeavoured to personate him by
walking lame as he left the house. Prisoner was re-
mantled for the police to endeavour to arrest his con-
federates. Mr. Partridge marked the charge-sheet
commending the plain-clothes officers, Clarke and
Doug for the tact and ability they had displayed in
apprehending the prisoner.

The editer of Is Milwaukee paper has been both deaf
and blind since boyhood; nevertheless he has followed
the journalistic profession for half a century, and is
described as being a very diligent worker.