The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-11-05 00:00:00

MISS CASS AND CONSTABLE
ENDACOTT.
THE PERJURY TRIAL Ar THE OLD
BAILEY, LONDON.

The opening of the trial of Constable Endacott
on a charge of perjury at the Central Criminal Court,
on Monday, not unnaturally excited considerable
public interest; for what has come to be known as
"The Cass Case" (though the lady now bears the
name of Langley) is fairly entitled to rank as a cause
ctlebre. All the seats available for sightseers were
filled long before the Court opened, and amongst
the ladies were two or three whose faces
may generally be seen at Old Bailey trials
behind the barristers' seats. Pending the en-
trance of Mr. Justice Stephen the knowing ones in
and about the court eagerly discussed the chances of
the case, and the adjournments from time to titne had
evidently created a belief that something sensational
would be forthcoming. The Solicitor-General, Mr.
Grain, and Mr. F. M. Abrahams appearing for the
prosecution, and Mr. Besley and Mr. Gill for End acott,
were for a while the objects of general curiosity from
the gallery end more privileged seats below, but the
defendant monopolised all attention when he appeared
in the dock, well dressed in plain clothes; and if one
might judge from appearances, not by any means un-
conscious of the serious position he occupied. He in his
turn was forsaken by the public eye when Sir E.
Clarke rose to open the case, a duty performed in
the severely judicial statement form of forensic
oratory. The judge very soon took the opportunity
of declaring that the early history of Miss Cass had
nothing to do with the matter at issue, and the inter-
position caused Mr. St. John Wontner at the Solicitor's
table, and the learned counsel for the defence behind
him, to consult together hastily but earnestly. The
opening statement occupied not more than a quarter
of an hour, and it almost seemed as if the rumour
which had obtained before the opening of the court
—viz., that the case would not last more than three
hours—had some foundation.

For a while the evidence was formal, and the
course of procedure was strictly in keeping with it.
The gentleman who is second clerk at Marlborough-
street Police-court, and the architect who had pre-
pared for the jury the plan of Regent-street (which
hi, lordship hinted was scarcely necessary for the
12 gentlemen in the box), were respectively examined,
and then all eyes were turned to the door when the
usher called Mrs. Elizabeth Langley, née Miss
Cass. She took her place in the witness-
box without hurry or flurry. The com-
plainant was very quietly dressed, in steeple hat
trimmed with sober ribbons, black cloth
jacket, and brown gloves, and is naturally pale in
complexion. Few persons in court could hear her
answers. As a witness she was what lawyers con-
sider a model of brevity, never extending her answers
beyond a monosyllable unless compelled so to do.
Throughout both examination and cross-examination
she betrayed a remarkable, and apparently natural,
solidity of manner, pausing often at considerable
length before replying, and exhibiting no sort of emo-
tion at any time. Endacott sat in the dock during
the whole day. The cross-examination by Mr,
Besley revealed some new evidence, the first
being a statement that the assistant at Shoo!.
bred's walked home with her to Trinity-square,
on the other side of the water, soon after her arrival
in town from the north. The questions as to her
acquaintance with a married gentleman in Stockton
were answered without hesitation, save when the
judge interposed and elicited a fact respecting the
diamond ring numbered amongst the presents.
Once or twice there was some confusion in con-
sequence of counsel trying to pin the witness
down to dates, but it was by-and-bye seen that
she did not remember them, though she might be
clear as to days of the week. In re-examination
the Solicitor-General had just elicited from
her that her husband knew all about her relations
with Mr. Bryan, when the Judge decidedly interposed,
and that line of inquiry was no further pureued. A
question in cross-examination to Madame Bowman as
to the character of her house evoked a strong remark
from the Judge, and amidst a general rustle of sen-
sation in court a fervent "Hear, hear," was heard
from the jury box. The Judge sternly threatened
any such offender with committal, but afterwards
toned down his rebuke, though he made it understood
that it was wrong even for a juror to express approval
of what fell from the Bench.
CROSS-EXAMINATION OF MISS CASS.

As containing the bulk of the new facts brought to
light on the first day of the hearing at the Old Batley,
the result of Miss Cass' s cross-examination by Mr.
Besley, Endacott's counsel, is given in substance
below:

Cross-examined by Mr. Besley : I went to Mrs.
Robertson's at Trinity-square twice in May, the first
time staying three days, and the second a week. On
the first visit I did not go out at all; on the second
visit I went out on Whit Tuesday in the afternoon.
I took an omnibus to the Bank and walked to
Madame Bowman's. Southampton-row, arriving there
between four and five o'clock. I went direct. I re-
mained at Southampton-row half-an-hour, and re-
turned to Trinity-square, going over Westmimter-
bridge, arriving home at eight. I walked
home. I went into a shop to buy some
riband. That was the only time I went out
while staying with Mrs. Robertson. I was out
one evening for ten minutes, and these are the only
times I had been out in London by myself. I knew
a young man named Arthur Settle at Shoalbred's,
and I went there to buy the riband. This was after
five in the afternoon—it was not so early as four. I
wont to Southampton-row first. I told Settle that I
was staying at Trinity-square, and was going to see
about getting a situation. He told me he could not
leave business till 7.30. I said I would come back.
There was no one near enough to bear what was said.
Settle was going to walk with me to Trinity-square.
I returned at 7.30, but had to wait till near eight
for Settle. Between five and 7.30, I was looking
at the shops, and stayed in Tottenham-court-
road the whole time. I slid not go to Oxford-
street. I did not go out of Tottenham-court-
road. The visit with Mrs. Tompkins to Regent-
street was before this. I walked with Mr. Settle to
Tricity-square, arriving at about nine o'clock. I do
not know what streets we went through from Totten-
ham-court-road to Westminster-bridge. I slept at
Mrs. Tompkins, sen.'s, at Romford, about seven
nights. On the Sunday when I went with Miss Scott
to the City I went to church, but did not go out in
the afternoon. I simply went with Miss Scott for a
walk. On the Jubilee night I went with Madame
Bowman, her sister, and Miss Scott to see the illu•
minations. I heard there were to be illuminations
on the night of June 28. On that night I did not
tell Madame Bowman that I was going out to meet
the young man at Shoolbred's. I did not tell her
why I was going out. I went out to buy a pair oi
gloves and to see the illuminations. I did not make
any inquiries at Slaoolbred's for Mr. Settle. Most
of the shops were closed, and I did not see any
glovers' shops. I went up Oxford-street to see thc
illuminations. I did not notice that the omnibuses and
foot passengers were all going towards the City. Tin
pavements were not very crowded. There was a small
crowd at the corner of kegent-street, and I had just
passed it when Endacott took me into custody.
the police-station some water was brought me, but I
did not refuse to take it, nor did I say, "If I want
water I can ask for it." Sergeant Coomber did not
ask my occupation. I did not say to any constable,
"That man (meaning Endacott) has made a mistake.
I have only been up that way twice." As I was being
put in the cell I asked them not to put me there.
did not say anything about bail. I told the policeman
where I lived. I have never before made any statement
in public about walking with Settle to Trinity-square.
I know Jane Elizabeth Whitehead at Stockton. She
was in the same situation as myself. I was on good
terms with her up to my leaving Stockton. She did
not say she would see me off by train, and I did not
tell her that "Bryan" was going to do so. I know
Bridget Costello, a barmaid at Stockton. I saw her on
the Wednesday morning when I left Stockton. A
friend of mine—Mr. Bryan—was with me. He met
me at Eaglescliff Junction. He joined the train at
Eaglescliff to go to York. We arrived at York at
one o'clock and we had luncheon. Ho had not a port-
manteau. I left him at York and came on to London
the same day. I knew he was married. I had known
him for about a year. It was not an accidental
meeting, but by a verbal appointment made on the
Monday before. My father and brother saw me take
my ticket and Ur me off at North Stockton Station.
This was the same tisly that I went to London. I did
not tell Whitehead that Bryan had bought me a
satchel and gloves and was going to see me off. I
bad seen Bryan about twice a week for some time.
Bryan did not give me a satchel, but he gave me &pair
of gloves, a glow box, and a diamond ring. He gave
me the ring just before I came away. My husband
has it now. I never visited Mr. Bryaa's wife.
Bryan never told me that he had been forbiciden his
wife's brother's house because of his acquaintance
with me. Mrs. Bryan came to town at Christmas.
Mr. Bryan did not ask me to cook a goose he had won
at a raffle on Christmas Day. I did not see him on
Christmas Day. I met him on the Sunday after
Christmas on the ice at Norton. I was not with him
in any house. On God Friday I went out for a drive
in a dog cart to Castle Eden. I joined the dog cart
at Norton. Bryan took me for the drive. No one
else was in the deg cart. We met people who knew
Mr. Bryan. At Castle Eden we went to an hotel as
the horse required rest, and Mr. Bryan and I went
into a private room. We had tea, and remained at
Castle Eden an hour. We got back to Stockton at
9 30. I met him on Easter Monday in consequence
of a verbal appointment made on the Fiiday. Ise
got a trap, and we drove to Castle Eden. I
drove all the way there, but not back.
We went by the same road. I have driven with
Mr. Bryan to Seaton Carew. This was before going
to Castle Eden. I have been twice to Seaton Carew.
No one was with us. I was with him about an hour
and a half. I went once by train to Seaton Carew. I
did not know that his wife and family were in Redcar.
I have never been to his house while his wife was
away. I have often walked with him in the lanes
near Stockton between 8 and 9 o'clock in the winter
months when it_was dark.. A Mr. Bevauslidesee me
at 11 o'clock one night at Darlington railway station.
A friend, Mr Terner, was with me. He was not
kissing me. I had been to Darlington to do some
work for Mary Costelloe. On passing an hotel I did
not say, " Zee how I will take him on." I did not
make any sign to any one. I met a young man I
knew in business named Turner, and went with hirq

to the station. I had known Turner previously.
I missed the train, but it was quite by accident.
I went to my home in Stockton. Bryan
sent me letters, but I do not know who brought them.
I had known him for about a year. He is no rela-
tion. Miss Costelloe spoke to me about my acquaint-
ance with Bryan. I did tell her that I had broken it
off with Langley, my husband, but it was in answer to
what Miss Costelloe said. I was .narried about
August 17 last. We were married on Friday, and my
husband went to his work at Burton on the Sunday
following. I have been living with my husband since
Saturday last. I wrote to him. I was born at
Grantham. There was another family of the name
of Cass at Stockton, but no relation of mine. I re-
member being introduced to Mr. Simmons by Bridget
Costelloe. I did not meet him afterwards, and I have
never spoken to him since the introduction. It is not
true that I made any appointment to go to his house
on a Sunday afternoon. I have never been to his
house. I have been working for Madame Bowman
since my marriage. I renewed my engagement with
Mr. Langley after June 28.
Re-examined : I have been living in Stockton since
I was seven with my father and mother, Mr. and Mrs.
Cass. I went to school at Stockton. I went to Mrs.
Charlton's to be taught the business of dressmaking,
and remained with her 12 months. I then went tc
Messrs. Carter's, one of the largest establisnments in
Stockton, where I was employed, first as an improver
and afterwards as a dressmaker. I remained there
three yestis and then went to Mrs. Robertson's at
Middlesbrough, where I was employed for 18 months,
after which I went to Mr. Tompkins, and remained in
his employment until he gave up business and came
to London. I was in his employment two years. I
went into the employment of his successor in the
business—Mr, Davis—and remained there until
April 23 last. I gave these particulars to my soli-
citor, and it is to my knowledge that they were fur-
nished by my solicitor to Endacott's solicitor. I have
never walked with nor been in any house with the
man Simmons, except when Miss Costelloe introduced
me to him in his shop. Turner was a commercial
traveller. I had known him in business. I have
never walked with him, except to the Darlington
Station. No one spoke to me about it. I was in-
troduced to Bryan by Bridget Costelloe. Miss Cos-
telloe and I were walking down the High-street and
she introduced him to me as a friend. She did not
know his name. I did not know he was a married
man till three months afterwards. Seton Carew is a
place where excursions are made from Stockton. I
was never in a bedroom with Bryan at Castle Eden
or anywhere else. When we had tea at the hotel
the landlady waited upon us. There was never any
immoral relation between Bryan and myself. I have
told my husband about the ring being given, and all
these matters. Before June 28 my husband was in
emp'oyment at Burton, and is FO Still. I remained in
my situation at Madame Bowman's. I got to London
the same day as I started from Stockton and I did
not stay with anyone else. With the exception of
the shop at York, where we went to get refreshments,
I never went into any place with Bryan. Mrs.
Tompkins met me at King's-cross Station, and took
me to Forest-gate. I have known the young man
Settle for five years. I knew him at Stockton; he is
a draper. While I was waiting for him, after I had
been to Shoolbred's, I did not go out of Tottenham-
court-road. I did not know the names of the streets
in the neighbourhood. Settle walked with me to
Mrs. Robertson's in Trinity-square. At the police-
station I asked them to send for Madame Bowman,
both before and after Sergeant Coomber came in.
Madame Bowman having given evidence, and sub-
mitted to cross-examination by Mr. Besley, Jane
Scott (Madame Bowman's niece) was called and exa-
mined. Mrs. Tompkins went into the box and was
examined respecting Miss Cass's visits to Ronaford ;
and Mrs. Robertson, of Trinity-square, Borough,
gave evidence, when the court adjourned to Tuesday
morning.