The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1881-12-20 00:00:00

THE GREAT CHEATING CASE.

Last Tuesday Frederick sinonons was brought up
again before by. Drew, and J. Mißeige. Req., J.
11,bertion, Earl , T. Abbott, Esq., sad J. E. Robems,
Seq., for fraud upon Mr. and Mrs. Channou.—Mr.
Peilt ilopp-r again appeared for the p•osecutloo, and
the Court was again crowded.—Mr. Hooper said he
ha I to ask on behalf of the 'tie
that another
remand be granted. To,ley be was not in • position to
tender furttoir evidence, for • tele4ram had been
received from London to the effect that ri sergeant of
police, who would prove the previous history of the
prisoner, could not, ~n account of being engaged in
li. duty, get here until six o'clock this evening.
B•ing asked by the Bench, Mr. Hooper said that
officer we. Sergeant Crass, he was absolutely n-cessary
as a witness, and this was the only one he should call.
—Frio ,ner : Id this the only witness which is going to
be produced 2—Mr. Hooper said be remembered there
would be one more, Mr. Thiselton, 01 Weymouth.—
Prisoner: Them ere the only two witnesses f—Mr.
Holier : Yea.—Dr. Drew : Then this case stands
rem.nded until to-morrow. —ln simmer to sir.
Superintendent Vickery, Dr. Drew sal I this prisoner
w all remain in custody here; it wee barfly worth
whd• to take him to Dorchester Gaol until to-morrow.
—Prisoner wee taken to the cells brine, the great
crowd who mustered in Court being apparently diaap-
pointed at the sudden terminatidi of the case for that
dal.

We find that Simmoas actually did go to the
Convict Prieon at Portlint and he applied to be
edm tted ; but not having the usual permit front th•
Home liecret,ry he wits refused. Simmone thou
became very pressing in his request; but the regula.
Haas are like the ewe of the Males and Persians. A
wag, however, remarks that haying failed in hie efforts
with the Governor and officials, Simmoos haa since
taken measure, to gets sight of the Prieoo, and may
prove more successful, the only disadvantage being
that return tickets from that eatabliahmeat are not
applicable to short terms.

On Wedneedar, bet we the Kum, Dr. Drew, D.
Collett, J. Lambe, B. Hopkins, W. Talbot, J. R .bert-
ion, T. Abbott, and J. S. Sobens, Rout, Frederick
Simmons was again bri.ught up on remanci.
Mr. Hooper gild he appeared in the cape of Frederick
Sinn:tons, who was remanded f w the purpos?of the pram.
cotton producirk witnesses to prove prices.. deetituton,
which be had pledged Illote•Of to do. He al.o ictended to
produce an expert in Itandwittiag. to prom be writing of
the letters. _

rumier : Before these 'Ramose are called I admit the

--
-thre—Mayor : In a criminal CMS you can admit nothing.
Prieoner : I cannot admit my own writing!
Tee Mayor: 11.. rt in a criminal cue; you are quite
right to give no tr.euhle; but you cat admit nothing.
Walter Mo,danut Thirwiton: I hare been expert in
handwriting for the last years. 1 have had certain
lettere produced to we numbered one to ten, the that
nine vets pieced Ii my hands for ex irnination. I
ezemined them nioet minutely, and have not the slightest
hesitation in swearing they are in the prisoner's handwrit-
lag. Dual, two non-tiers, 10 and 11, are likewise written
by the same party—that I can swear.
By the Mayor: Same writhes seen Ey the withers' to
be written by prieoner at the Pogt-Odice is in the NIPS
handwriting. The whole of the letters and toe order
written by prisoner at the Poet-Offloe are written by one
and the same pars .n.. .

—liri;o-n-er-Tiirre-e-x-s-Mined the letters, and u.id "Th., are
ail my writing. Prtsoner (handing a letter): Is that letter
written in the same hand I-A. : Although /10[11011illit
cbsg ,se& it is. I believe. written by the same bent.
Q. : On your nttlt is that the same haulier titlngl
Mr. Aiden : lie !lees!' to the beet of his beti.4.

Prisonvr: Your Wor.ship, will you prevent the Clerk of
the Court :altering my queatioa ti the wanes,7 Ta
Ai,lvo : You klep your sown quiet.
Mr. Thiaelton : 1 thoroughly believe it to be writtso by
the same party.
v Priannvr : Can I bare a mark put on this by the official
of thy C tart!
_ _

Toe lt.yoe: Then it mast be in the possession of the
C ~it.

Prig iner : My question is simply to show the fallacy of
tt4 • x •erts in handwriting.
Toe Miyor : It is for you to say; but it you think it 4
sir. II to alopt that course Yon nave admitted the band-
wrt.,ne.
Provner: I want to show the foolist.noss of haviug in
ssp,rt a nen 'writing.
tierge•nt Crane was then called.
Pris •nur: Before this witness is examined, I wish to
&tires. vuu.

.
The Moroi.; We wish to give every horn. to • pers to
in your pnition.
Prisoner : I object to this eyi lence. My grounds Sr.
that it le immaterial to the case. I out already committed
for 'tied en a chores; I pot this online down at about
WOW lieops. everybody knows stroll this case, the ju-y
will be taken out of this county, and the witnese is put
forward to prejudice in. on my triaL The evidence has
no,hing to do with the present case.
Mr. tiorrpa.: I ask you not to accede ti the prisoner's
requesit, sir; biscuits in my opinion Sergeont Crane is •
it important witoese.
Prisoner! If I were pieeding guilty to this eloarge, end
you were abnlL to set:le it, it would be only right tor you
to have evidence of my sntecedenta Should the jury find
me guilty, it is then for the judge to know my antece-
dents; hut the evidence now an do no wool to the prose-
cution, and it may d sue harm. I oi,n't mind this amp
saying " I know the prisoner admit that.
The Mayor Toere is a geod deal of force in what you
say; but rou are in this position; there are already three
cues against you ; this is s distinct case by itself the
prosecution have mode. You have considerable know-
ledge in these matters, ant for some years there was
sme degree of doubt about it but it was heard and
Orr 'tidily settled in • rem We stop the prosecotini
showing you were • person without means ; but If there
should be any previous conviction against you--
Prisoner: I admit I have been In trouble before.
Tee Mayor: Welt we know it; the witness must avoid
giving evidence of any interim, conviction.
Prisoner wished to avoid it getting into the newspapers
as a previous conviction; he might have been in differeat
sorts of trouble.__ _ .

Yr. [loaner : If I have to prove this man's ante, trisnte
and to negative his arts at. a of mina& I must start by
proving that at some tiro* pat he bad no means.
Drew: You must not Atte any I:marinas conviction&
Prisoner: You are doing what yAI told the witnesa not
to do.

Sergeant William Crass : lain sergeant of the Criminal
Invaetigation Department, ifndon, and know the priaoner.
Have known him eight or on. years. He was, when
hret knew him, a lei living is4e his Satiiss and moths,.
111, lavarnee.-terrace. Bayswater. His brother lived with
him. Hi, father was previously a clerk In a lawyer'.
office, and he nee been in a lawyer's dile, for three
months, which accounta for part of his knew:edge of he
law. tit father got up a system of fraud and has father
used to ride in a brougham. with his beratier i.e servant
The result of my enquiries CM tilt: the family had ao
insane. The father end brother have suffered penal
servitude. .

Witness was hers stopped ; but
Prisoner said: I am surprised at your wo:ship allowing
this kind of thing to be so ng on in a public c,nrc,
Witne.s : He left about May or June, 1879, Avid has
bwm employed at other workout°. Shea.
Hooter: We will go over a perio 1 01 18 months.
What do you know or him she 18M t
Witness: He has been gettog his living by larcenies
and frauds: his brother is nos doing 15 months. On one
occasion he rode with me in a cab, and said the reason
why be carried on in tbie way wee beau. he wee
deatitute; be 'ski he had slept three nighta down an
SUM
Mr. Hooper: When was thh I
Witness: That was shoot —Owning to a book to refresh
hi. mentory)—ln Jane, 1879.
Mr. Hooper: Dui you know his mother
Witness: Yes. sir; she lived at 25, Penton Place,
Kminington. Park Road, L indon, and goes by the name of
Madame O .ta (L cigh ter. )
Prisoner (to Sire. Crane) : Some day you ghat repent
Shit.
__ . . .

.
K. Holgrr : What ars her is.ble mango( subsistence!
—Witness: None, sir.
Mr. Moon.-: Whet general ebarsetsr does she bear
Witness: Very bad jost no. The lest tinted sae her she
said in consequence of the boyi and tile uncle being away,
she vu obliged to do anything she could. She wee not a
person I:1 means still

.—The Mayor: I. the husband living now.
A. : I believe he ie ; be is sot living with her ; some
time he wee in pmal servitude. The only mean. he had
of (ratios a living was committing fraud, slid that was
bow be got his lomat servitude.
Yr. Hooper: Da you know if prisoner is married I—A :
I am tore he is not.
Q : To yonr knoveledgn ha. the primn.r any present
moms of living I—A.: bh, air, he him not.
Q.:
'D3
you know
the nem- ef the prig nor's gramd•
father f—A. ; Ys : it WS4 Fleming
Q. : Did you ever know prirmergn by any other name
than Simmonsf—A. : Yes; he vomet,lnes railed himself
Frederick Fleming. Be is well known in London, and I
could say • great deal more, bat it would bl out of
plies.
The ileYor : Qlite right, prisoner he. rised • very
good.obleetion.
.

....Prisoner: I have rained an objectioo, and you have Itt
it to by: you disregarded it.
The Mayor: No, certainly not.
Afterward. the Mayer susg.eled to My Arden; you ten
put in "He bee no means in the tiro-wit:rm.
Prieoder : I think your wonhip tuklit go let, the box,
and be., witness.

--fh-e-Illay-OiT We will give you every licence.
Mr. Hover: I propose to does the ran there, I think
the prosecution have made out a prism /has cats, and any
further evidence I am advised may be oenesary wIl he
nroduced at the trial, and the prisoner of comae will have
due notice
The Mayor thee charged the prisoner with obtaining
board and lodging he helm Pretence..
pr.SOSIOT : That charge is not gone into. I am chsrged
with obtaining • shirt, collars, et and also a twbytrarn.
Mrs. Channon has not be n produced t vday. ant I wish
to crow-examine her. She told to she went to my
mother, and found her living in a dep'orable furnished
room. I have • letter fr,m my mother saying she did not
go into either or her room..
The Mayor: The witne.sys having signed those depoei.
Cons, you will have an opportooky of croee.vaarainatj,
Priunsr I want to cross-examine M. Chinnon, sir.
The Mayor: If there is any part'cular wines, you
wished to be recalled we will do it as • matter of courtesy,
hut not as a mstter of right
Prisoner: I wish Mrs. Chnnon, your Worship.
That lady was then 'walled and directed to remain
where eke WIN, near the
Simmons then commenced his lengthy craea-exami-
nation
Q. Did I mention Alderman Iladley's name before I
maned the agreement for your house I—A : Yea,
deride dly.
Priectuer : Would you allow me • pencil, your
Worship?
A pencil was even to him, and he proceeded, taking
notes or the answers.
Q, : If I had said nothing about having .001) a year
would you have let me the house just the same :
No. certainly not, 1111111.11 yOu had no income,
Q.: Do you remember that letter I wrote in the Q ,pen's
Hotel riving Alderman Radley's name I—A. : I really do
not understand.
In answer to the Mayor, witness said she remem-
bend.
Q. : In that letter did I say I would rather not stay in
your house until my wife nose and matters we battled
—that °odd aot be under ouipioion t—A. : Yak I think
you did.

prisoner's wee then
tic, cit ct.t on
estpil
tei!nt.rxhc
une prisoners wife wilriehr I a nwt
bals n oln, •rr ik
ng ob, readte could
t at After al! their exoeptiooal Ideals:meow he could nos
master the idea that they I..died on him with a certain
amount of suspicion, end with Solna reason. He might
he misjudgiug them, but still he fancied that little inci-
dent about a yiung men at Taunton was mentioned to
apply to him. Atioot his wife's sieving from him so long
as she had. he could not well cxplato to a lady. He *teat
on to 'peak of his mammas' the mother of seven children,
and Dr. Lennie as knowing a little about him ; but under
all existing circunistaocos he should prefer to remain at
the hotel till the arrival of his wife, which he was oertain
would be to-morrow. He also offer, d the name of Alder
man Hadley,. flour mercbant, as • referenoe.
Prisoner: you remember the evening you received
that letter I—A. : Yea.
Prather went on crost-exandoing the witness with •
view of 'bowies the house was let to him before he gave
the reference.; but Mrs. Channon did not admit this.
Q. Did yol say tome' It you mike • clean breast of
th to ,'ter. and pay the tradespeople I am eluting to for-
glee you the rent I"—Yes.
Q : Was this the first evening you made your suspicions
kn 'ova of me) -Yee. I constantly mode known my sus-
! picions
, Q. : Yet after that you produced the agreement t—Yes.
bee,atia., I teought you had means.
Q.: Did via VIM. point °tit Roves, the linen draper to
me I—A. : Not until y. u -aid y our wile dealt with ll•ditttle
L ',hi.. and I said—'' That is almost like a London
hewn"
Tao Mayor desired the poisoner to proceed so that the
evidence could he taken down by the tuagistrat a' clerk.
Prisoner :I. be not • shorthand writer It is generally
done by shorihaud. (lotughter.)
Another question was put, and, on the answer coming,
prisoner said Mr. Channon is tailing his wife what to ray.
Q.: DI you remembor your saytug at Mr. Luodie's—
" Teat is a very good tradeeman t —A.. : N. I remember
Your asking about various tradespeople. The second day
you came you asked fora taller; you said you wanted one
to make your wile a habit.
Prisoner (folding no • letter): Will you ask the witness
if that is her hand-writing I—Mrs. Cuaonon, having
looked, answered yes, and the letter was marked.
Q. It was after eienine the agreement [Rave you Alder.
Immo H .diey's nano. I—A. : Ni, before; several time*.
Q : You have just told me it was alter. Did I give you
his name as • reference until you sign, d the aareement
:Ye, you Aare him a. • most mm ii friend
Q Di I I give oim us a reference ?—Ys.
tee question was repeated, and the 1111/•ft r persisted in.
Tbe Mayer then put the formal questions to the
prisoner.
Pri.ooer mitt: First of all he pleaded not guilty to the
charges—all of them. Hs was sorry to gay he had had •
little experience In me courts; lint be never saw • case
conductdi as this had been, and ',toyer heard • greater
amount of perjury. Ma C 'snow told teem she went
to his mother's at Sodtaemptonatreet. C.m and
Inund her In • deplorably turnisead rootnA_ but he had
had • letter from her in whine •b• add Mrs. Channon
did not come beyond the peonage. He knew what perjury
was. and was willing to go Into that box—sod of course
petjury would be • far greater crime Mum that he was
charged with—and state an oath that his mother was
tenant of the house the lived in, and has n yearly 'nowise.
The next who committed perjury was Mr. OV•11S, and
prisoner did not care what he said about him, because be
could prove hi. innocence; Lot for • man to get into toe
box and tell moat dasmuns untruths shout prisoner's
mother was something abominable to tidal, about. At
the t me Mr. Crane knew to. mother, the MY a prosperous
milliner, and lie said, a great deal, which upon his trial—
he did not know whether he shnnid conduct it himself
he should prove to be false. Mr. Crane almost hinted
that his mother was of immoral cheracier ; he could not
have pu it plainer; hut prisoner would produce his
mother before tee juilite and jury. From first, to lasts,
said prisoner,
whereas the Bench heal said he had every leniency. He
ought to he allowed ordinary Caniaala•atuse mho' to defend
himself. He objected to Mr. Crane being wiled, and the
Chairman, as • solicitor, he would not any as a magistrate.
must know his objector' was good. Did he sued com-
mitted on any fresh charge on which ibis witness had
wen examined Taey could not say he did. Tee, knew
everything found its way into the prase, and it would
find its way to the jury. Would thsy &low him the last
thing he 'should ask tbern—ihe insane of getung up his
defence— would they allow bine out on Ms Own reaollatr
enc., and if nut, eodld they allow Min out on bail
Another thing he was goinato a.k them, to commit him
to the Winter kaisea, where he should be tried by Lord
Colsrd-I Fr testy were points of te which had to
besustained
hu
set t
:el
di
ar dat
through
rowu: u; hhe e ba
oneralck d,
withoull f
tht we
bestealingtelegraph
ng h.t
If
yaorforr telegram,
y that
therefore be argued tradesmen were under • delusion i.e
supposing stealing a telegram was the some as WWII:lc •
letter. He did admit having the telegram, but not steal-
ing it. For 'lto Asosos he should have to wait until the
of January; but he should prefer heing tried by the
JOler
•.. .

To. 31 syor asked if ths police objects. I to bail(
Ihs Superiusendent sa d ts substautsal but he should
raise nu objection, but csrtainly should tu prisoner's going
out on his own recosnikkoceis.
Tie Mayor sit d it had cuins out that prisoner said he
had kilk) • ye.; he would be called up in to provide tws
sureties in .ClOO eaA, sod himself in am.
Prisoner : Nsw, will you allow no• • oopy of the depo-
sitiLies t

: You have • right to a copy of the &ph-
sitious by paying tel them. It you write to tbe manse
tratei clerk. Weymouth, or the superintendent of ponce,
YOU will be entitled to bare a C
The Miyor: Even if we were willing we have no power
LI cumuli you tor trial to.) the &adze. Wo must commit
you to the Malan&
Praouer : 1), 1 stand committal at the present time On
thr-e charges to the Q donor Ses emus f
Kr. lioopeer said taro woo Mr. liuratord's case, stealing
the telegrem, not toe present!. charge. The telegram, the
laical's, and obtaining goods from different tradesmen.
Prisoner: And what will YOU Charge for the dello-
'Woos . _

: I cannot tell you. It will be 21. a folio of
90 er, rig.

Pnarner : Its+ many folios are triers I
Mr. Arden: You know perfectly well that I have not
counted than, over. Ii wAll not be above us
Mullins' at the oat...lids ; ii will be considerably under
half .caovereujn.
The May sr: We do not require the prisoner any more.
Prisoner) turning to Ssrgeant Crane with • threatening
lurk): I will remember you, Mr. Crane ; I shrill not forget
you.
Me wee thou r•moved.