The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-04-13 00:00:00

THE SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST A

CLERGYMAN.

On Saturday afternoon, at the Lambeth Police-court, in
Lupien, the Rev. Richard Arthur Carden, 1) D., was again
charged with unlawfully obtaining various sums of money
with intent to defraud.
• • ••

Mr. George Lewis, jun. appeared to prosecute for the
Charity Organisation Society , and Mr. Montague Witlianis
defended the prisoner. . . .

The prisoner was some time since minister of St.
James's, Kennington Park-road. Upon leaving there
a large number of his congregation followed him, and
an iron church was erected in South Island-place,
Claphaimroad, in which for some time past he has
preached. In November last a letter, signed by the
prisoner, was sent to Mr. G. P. Bidder. It set forth
that a familv, once in comfortable circumstances, had
been brought to deep distress by the father and two
children dying of small-pox, leaving the mother
and three little ones penniless. It was wished, the
prisoner stated, to raise £5O to assist them, and he
appealed for subscriptions for that object. Mr.
Bidder wrote, asking for the name and address of the
family, to which prisoner replied by stating that he had
accomplished all he wished. Notwithstanding that
statement, however, the prisoner again, in January
last, forwarded to other persons an exact copy of the
appeal. One was addre;sed to Colonel Freemantle,
who also desired to know the name of the distressed
family, which prisoner declined to give. Shortly before
his arrest prisoner had sent out a large number of the
same appeals, and in his house were found, amongst
other papers, a nthuber of the appeals addreissed to
noblemen, the alteration being that prisoner
asked for £lOO instead of £5O. It was further
alleged that in December last prisoner sent out a
large number of letters appealing for funds to enable
him to give a dinner to 500 poor children. Ile
had likewise made an appeal. for clothing for
poor children. From various matters that transpires!,
the Charity Organisation Society some time back com-
menced inquiries, which resulted in the present pro-
secution being commenced. In a book found in
prisoner's house was a regularly kept account, in pri-
soner's handwriting, of various sums received. Against
sums amounting to £143 10s. were written the letters
"P. W.," £OO with the letter "D.," and £5l 10s.
with the initials "C. H." These initials, it was con-
tended by toe prosecution, meant "Poor Widow,"
" Dinner," and "Church." The prisoner had, it was
shown, received other sums that had not been entered
in the book, and evidence was forthcoming proving
that the whole of the appeals made by the prisoner
were gross frauds. A summons was first issued againist
the prisoner, but on being served with it is expressed
his determination not to come to the court, and in con-
sequence a warrant was placed in the hands of Detec-
tive Sergeant Haw, who arrested the pri oiler whilst on
his way to church. He has since remained in costody
at Hon•emonger lane Gaol, being unable to obtain the
two bail in £250 each, which the Magistrate had con-
sented to take.
Mr. Loris now called Lord Elliot, who said on or
about the 28th of February, 1872, he received a letter
like the one produced, relating to the small-pox case,
and asking his aid. There was another letter with
it, stating that the appeal had been forwarded to hint
before. He had the former appeal, which he believed
was a lithographed letter.
Mr. Lewis asked if he had that note now.

Lord Elliot said he did not keep begging letters. In
consequence of what he heard he did not respond to
the appeal. He was chairman of the St. Gibes Branch
of the Charity Organisation.
Lieut.-Colonel French said he had received a letter
also signed with the name of prisoner. He sent Ns.
immediately for the distressed family. He believed
the case was a genuine one, or he should not have for-
warded the money.
Major George John White Melville was called, and
said in consequence of a letter he received signed by
the Rev. W. Carden, appealing for help for a case of
dotress, he sent £5 to him for such a case.
'Mr. Bancroft, lesse of the Prince of Wales Theatre,
also gave evidence to the effect that he received a letter
similar to the one mentioned. mid he sent El for the
object named in it. The letter was signed with the
name of Carden. - . .

The Hon. Spencer Lyttelton stated that he resided
in Eaton-terrace, Eaton-square. In December last he
received a letter, signol in the name of the prisoner, ask-
ing for help to give 500 poor chilaren a dinner. He for-
warded or iNfor the object, and had an acknowledg-
ment from the prisoner.
Mr. Lewes said in the book found in prisoner's house
the names of these witnesses were written with the
amount added. _
. . - .

John Thomas Lowen, relieving officer of Lambeth,
said there had bees no small pox case at all is South
Island-place, nor of a widow being left with three
children as described.

..
By Mr. Lewit Could not Ray if there had been such
a case, but he had not heard of it. The widow had
not applied to him for relief.
Miss Bunu said she had officiated at the organ in
prisoner's church on several occasions. She hal never
beard of such a case of distress, or of a dinner being
given to 500 poor children.
William Wayre, printer, Lower Kennington lane,
had known prisoner for about five months. Hai bcen
employed by him to print some circulars. lie printed
1,400.,! the circulars asking for £lOO. Of the circular
asking for clothing for poor people he had printed 400.
Saw prisoner moßtly at his house, and arranged what
was required to be prMterl. Prisoner had never told
him the name and address of the widow and children.

Other evidence having been called as to the circum-
stances and appeals'
Mr. Lewis asked for a further remand, which was
opposed by Mr. Williams on the ground that there was
no case in law against the prisoner, the prosecutor not
having called a single witness to positively show the
false pretence.
Mr. Lewis said the case was supported by the
strongest possible evidence of the falsity of prisoner's
statements. . .

The Magistrate said it must be for a jury to decide
upm such a point. The prisoner would again be re-
manded and the witnesses who had given evidence
could be bound over to save their naving be attend
again.
The prisoner, who throughout theme held his hand
to his head, and appeared to suffer considerably from
the position he was he, was then remanded.