The Express.
London, England, 1862-06-05 00:00:00

EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE OP EXTORTION.

A moat extraordinary case came last Tuesday
before the beech at Markeross, East Sone:, Mews.
Witham), Smyth, and H. Dixon. James Menarge, of
16, Cleaver-street, Kennington-cross, was charged with
threatening to accuse William Dixon of as infamous crime,
with intent to extort money from him, and also, in cow
junction with Robert Wcattrekl, 22, of 1, Brydgesstrest,
C.ovastordee, of conspiring by false peetenees to obtain
large sums of money from the said William Dixon. Mr.
Dixon was formerly the senior partner in the firm of Dixon,
Brook, and Dixon, bankers, of Chu:o6l.oms. The proem
orator produced a bundle of letters in the handwriting of
Menarge and Westfield, but principally the former.
In
these Menne. demanded interviews with Mr. Dixon about
important matters, hinting clerkly that prosecutor
hail injured him, when • boy, at Brighton, and
that if he did not come to terms legal proceedings
would be the consequence. To avoid annoyance sod the
injury to his business which would arise from witch a
charge Mr. Dixon, in an unfortunate moment, consented
to give money to the fellows. From a meanoraodum•book
be read the following items of sums paid by him to the
prisoners and Maynard :—January 11, Meuarge, 501. ; May.
yard, 501. ; March 1, Maynard, 201. • ' Menne, 201. ; 15tn,
Maynard, 01.(es be said he wished to go to Australia); April
1, lieuarge, 601. ; 18th, Menarge, 501. ; May 9, Mensrp
50f. ; June 5. Manama, 701. ; 29, Menarge, 1001. ; July M.
Menarge, 1001. ; August 17, Menarge, 511. ; 29. Maynard,
521. • September 13, Xess!ffe 521. 28, lion•re 5°1.1
October 10, bleump, 1 November 10, unarm
2001.• December 11, Menage, 501. ; 20, Marlins, 20 •
30, Hayseed, 1101. This was all in 1858, but in lfile
still larger sums were extracted from the unhappy victim :
—January 17, Menarge, 4001. ; February 26, Me 4001.
It was with things in this state that Westfield was
epee the soma, he and Maynard tendering their mistimes
to rid Mr. Dixon of the enormous extortions to which he
was subjected by Messer. In some of the letten Mawr
said he " had Mr. Dixon under his thumb, and it
would be folly to let him slip." Arrangements were also
entered into for getting further sums, and especially point•
ing oat what Westfield was to do in the matter. In this
state of things the game of extortion in 1859 proceeded se
follow' :—March 27, Maynard, 221. ; Westfield, 221. ;Zra
3, Maynard, 251. ; Westfield, 251. ; 11th, M
18th, Maynard, IS/. • Westfield, 2.'1. • 19teirMyserd:
501. ; Westfield, 501. • May 8, Westfield, ; 21st, West
field, 50/. ; 29th, Home, 1031. • June 10, Westfield,
1001. ; 11th, Moosup, . • Westfield, 41. 22nd, May.
nerd, Westfield, 41.; Westfield, 2011.; Menarge, 102/4
27th, Menarge and Westfield, 1001.; July 27, Menarge sad
Westfield, HOC; Westfield, lathis state of things Mr.
Dixon, who has been paralyzed for twenty-five years, was.
by the advice of his medical attendant, removed from the
country, and the system of extortion ceased. About a fort•
night ago, however, Mr. Dixon came to Frost, on tae
borders of Kent and Seeress, to see his sitters, who reside
there. Scarcely had he arrived before the prisons
'denary was on his trail, and he actually had the
impudence to tell his story, first to policeman named
Dennis and afterwards to Supetinteadent Bennett,
of the Fan Suave Constabulary. Mr. Beene*
cautioned him, and that evening 14 estfield arrived et
Feint. The wife of a coachman at the Mies Dims' proved
that Menarge bad called at the home to me if there wae any
answer to a letter he had seats lad • lad earned James. &is
told the prissier there was no answer to his letter at all.
He end he should wait eeveral days to see him, Ina gaol
her if she remembered him at Reigate. She told him she
did, because she remembered him and two *then watching
Meacw-howee, Wray perk, for an hour. Miss Dixon was
living there, and Mr. Dixon visited her awe a week. Mr.
Dixon said, " I saw Maynard avid Westfield together
at Reigate. The moneys were given to both at the lams
time. -I pee it becarunthey said they required it to petit
Menarge for sonic crime he had committed upon ahe
boy, which I believed to be true at the toes. The
money I gave to Menarge was to prevent anything that
would be annoying or prejudicial to my pertenm is the
banking business." Mr. Dixon who appears tofirm sod
advanced in years, was sooommedated with a meat on the
bench. Mr. Morgan, of the firm of Morgan sad Humphreys,
Giltapur-street, was for the prmecution, and Mr. Lewis, jun.
(Lewis and Lewis, Ely•plarte), who defended Westfield, mid,
as the prthooers must be committed for trial, be should re.
serve the defence. Westfield wee bailed to appear at the
assizes by his father, Robert Westfield, cab proprietor,
Engle-yard, Holborn, and his putters in the Star Coffee
house, No. 1, Brydgee•street, Covent-garden. a fashioothly•
dressed young woman, who appeared much affected.
M 1004
each. The hail offered for Menage by his father was refused•
and be wee committed for trial at the Sumac amiss&

UNIF ERSITY INTELLIGENCE.
CAMBRIDGE± The
4.
H EBILIW SCHOLARSHIPS. —Theo under.
mistimed hem, after exassiesterm, hese this day Meta
from the Cliadidatal for the meamies is time sc lasW
hoe
C. & Pouter, 8.A., aad H. Y. Leekook, M. A., Jesus College
--mqL dretslam.

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SIINPRCTRD MIINDER NEAR DCDLEY.—Late °
][swig night the inhabitants of Lower Gores], se"
Dudley, wen) disturbed by the intelligence that a yoqi
woman had beets found murdered sear the bottom of
in the colliery field at Rea Hall. The news was
founded, foe a woman, about 20 you'd age, was estricaZei
about half-past eleven io a most pitiable sad fearful weiv
tiou, being almost dashed to pieces. Her mow ids
is Mu!
Ann Hirtgtaa, a domestic *errant, whose parents m
at Sedg ey. It appears that, a few days ago. she 1.44
her place of service, and, on Monday night, an egotist
ance that had subsisted some time ago with one Jmern
ttiewiirreassoresusemened,,
aboutd thanehy.wrerepreouyiot.walkwitithgeafdteacner ‘1,6.10k,
at the scene of the alleged murder, by a policeman muss
Sheldon. We learn that attention was drawn to the Ontf
groans, and as there are some houses sear at hand. sasrsn;7.
was readily given. Polies-constable Sheldon apprehrser.
Bate in a public-house, carousing, some short distamie an!:
When accused of murdering his sweetheart. be tocrie „°C.
eland his innocence, adding that "she jumped is heel,
He wee lodged in gaol.