The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-08 00:00:00

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

NORTHERN CIRCUIT.—.MANCHESTER) Dec. 7.
CROWN COURT.
(Before Mr. Justice Blackburn.)
TRADES UNION OUTRAGE.

William Slater, 25, and Holland Cheetham, 30, brick-
makers, were charged with having, at Reddish, on the 3d
August, maliciously wounded Thomas Wild, with intent to
do him grievous bodily harm.

Mr Pope and Mr Addison for the prosecution ; Mr Ernest
Jones and Mr Cottingham, for Slater; Mr Torr and Mr
Edwards for Cheetham.

Mr Pope said this was one of those cases connected with
trade organisations, and it derived more importance from
such a connexion than the mere fact of the assault would
indicate. It appeared that a master brickmaker of the name
of Meadows, carrying on business at Oldham, used a kind
of hand machinery for pressing bricks. He accepted a con-
tract in the neighbourhood of Stockport, and to carry it out
brought over some of his men and also his machinery for
the pressing of bricks. These men belonged to a trade so-
ciety at Oldham, and they subiequently joined a trade so-
ciety that held its meetings in Stockport. The prisoners
were members of the society, and held office in it. Iu con-
sequence of some unfortunate dispute, originating in the
resistance offered by the society to the introduction of these
brick machines, a strike took place amongst Mr Meadows'
men. This strike lasted five or six weeks, The prosecutor,
who was one of the turnouts, returned to his work before
the termination of the strike, and the dreadful assault which
was subsequently made upon him by a number of men em-
ployed in the same trade arose out of the fact of his thus set-
ting at defiance the rules of the trades union. On the even-
ing of the 2d August the prosecutor was for the first time put
upon a night shift at the beck burning kiln. He went on
duty about six o'clock, and the other men went away from
their work, leaving him alone in the croft. About 12 o'clock
he was awoke by a man, who spoke to him and asked to be
allowed to lie down somewhere upon the cinders, as he was
tired. The prosecutor assented, and then five men ap-
peared from concealment behind the office, and the men
together inflicted upon him an assault of the most murderous
character, and it was only by God's providence that the
man's life was not sacrificed. The men beat him with large
pieces of wood about the head and body, fracturing one
arm, wounding a leg, and covering him with blood to such
an extent that his life was despaired of. Once the poor
fellow escaped from them, but his assailants came back and
renewed the attack, finally leaving him with an expression
from one of them, " There ; he'll burn no more," meaning
more bricks. The prosecutor then managed to drag himself
to his house, having entered which he became insensible.
Outrages of this kind made one pause and fear lest our civi-
lisation had not prospered to the extent sometimes boasted
of. Of the outrage itself there could be no doubt; the
great question for the jury was as to whether the prisoners
were amongst the men who committed it. The evidence
upon this was that the prosecutor himself, at the time of
the assault, recognised and swore to both of them. This
was the only direct and positive testimony as to the identity
of the men in the dock, although there were certain preli-
minary and accessory circumstances which connected them
with the affair. Slater, in company with other men,
waited upon Mr Meadows, and remonstrated with him on
the employment of Wild. There was evidently, on the
part of the society, a determination, if possible, to prevent
Wild resuming his employment. On the afternoon pre-
ceding the outrage Slater came to the brick-croft where
Cheetham was working, and conversed with him some time.
The prosecutor recognised Slater as the man who came up
to him at midnight, and asked to be allowed to sleep some-
where, and recognised clearly both Slater and Cheetham
during the attack. Legs of carts were afterwards found,
indicating that they had been used in the assault.
The first witness for the prose.ution was Mr Thomas
Meadows, brickmaker, who spoke to a contract to make
bricks at Messrs Holdsworth's works at Reddish; to the
turn-out of 26 men on account of the use a machine ;to the
return of Wild end others before the strike terminated ;
and to the interview Cheetham had with him (Mr Mea-
dows), promising that the turnouts should return to their
work if Wild and his companions were discharged ; and
to his refusal to adopt any such course.
John Mulloy and John Cotterill, two lads employed as
brick carriers in the croft, proved that on the 2d August
they saw Slater go to the clayhole where Cheatham was
working (some of the men having by this time returned to
their work), and that both the prisoners conversed toges
thcr for some time,

Wild, the prosecutor, was subjected to a long cross-exa-
mination by Mr Jones and Mr Torr, but notlvng materially
different to his examination in chief was elicited. The sub-
stance of his evidence was, that at midnight on Aug. 2, it
being fine weather, Slater came to him in the brick-croft
and asked to be allowed to lie down. While pointing out
a place where he might lie, five other men came from be-
hind the office, headed by Cheetham. They said, " Where
is this presser ?'' He replied that he did not know.
Slater then pulled him on the ground, and Cheetham struck
him with a heavy piece of wood across the eye. The other
men were all the time striking him with heavy pieces of
wood or kicking him. The men went away, but shortly
came back and renewed the attack. Ho again recognised
the prisoners amongst them. He cried out, and Cheetham
swore at him and told him to hold his noise. He managed
to crawl to his cottage, 300 yards off, and there became
insensible. Before the men went away they said, " He'll
burn no more."

The prosecutor's wife spoke to the prostrate state in
which her husband returned home.
Police• constable John Smith stated that on the morn-
ing following the assault ho went to the prosecutor's. who
gave him a description or the prasoncra and their names,
and he went and apprehended them.

Mr N. Ball, surgeon, Heaton Norris, said ho attended
the prosecutor on the day after the assault. Ho was suf-
f.4.3g from a wound under the right eye, bruises on various
parts of his body, a punctured wound upon his right arm,
a fracture of the bone of his arm, a wound upon the left
ship, a broken bone in the long finger of the right hand, and
other injuries which placed his life in great danger. The
cart log found on the ground by Wild's wife might have in-
flicted the wounds. For five days his life was in danger,
Inspector Richmond, of the county police, said ho took
the prisoners to the bedside of the prosecutor on August 4,
and the latter identified them at once, and positively.
Witnesses were called for the defence.
The jury retired, and in 20 minutes returned with a ver-
dict that Slater and Holland were guilty, and they were
sentenced to 20 years' penal servitude.
PRESENTMENT OP THE GRAND JURY.
At the close of their duties this morning the grand jury
made the following presentment-4' The grand jury of the
county of Lancaster at the Manchester winter assizes for
1864 do hereby present that the prospect of public execu-
tions in Manchester consequent on the transfer of the assizes
to Manchester, is to them a matter of great anxiety. The
southern division of the county of Lancaster and adjacent
portions of Cheshire and the West Fading of Yorkshire con.
tain an aggregate population surrounding the city of Man-
chester much larger than is comprised in a district of similar
scenes which took place at a recent execution in the
reasonmetro-
yofLondon ; and looking to the
to fear that public execu-
eptixootlneisns,titnshue:irgaornuacnnhddeisnjtguerrty seewheouclidt
Probably be attended by assem-
blages of such a character as to be dangerous to the public
peace, and beyond all ordinary powers of police control.
The:grand jury therefore desire to convey to her Majesty's
of their hope that measures
Judges of assize, the expression
may be taken for giving power
forgtoovheorindmexenectUtthiornosugh h
the
ee
Hundred of Salford, under pro-
per regulations, within the precincts of the gaol.--R. N.
Philips, foreman. Mr Justice Blackburn intimated that ho
would forward the recommendation to the proper quarter.

MIDLAND CIRCUIT—WARwIcK, Dec. 7.
CROWN COURT.
(Before Mr Baron Bramwell.)
Lucy Thompson, a bridle stitcher, 20 years of ago, was
indicted for killing her own child at Birmingham on the
14th of August by the administration of strychnine.
The case was a melancholy one, the prisoner having been
seduced and abandoned by a militiaman, after the latter had
kept company with her for five years. The facts for the
prosecution were almost entirely comprised in the prisoner's
own version. She said—The people with whom I lodged
turned me out because I had no money, and they said I had
batter go somewhere else. I and the baby had not anywhere
to go, nor anything to eat,
nor had I any money to purchase
anything. I walked about all one day, and could not get
a place. I saw the child's father in the evening. I asked
him to lend me Gd to pay for a night's lodgings for me and
the baby, and his answer was " No." I told-him how I was
situated, and ho told me I could do the best way I could.
He then wont away, I went and sat in St. Paul's-church-
yard, in the Bull Ring, till 5 o'clock in the morning. A
feeling came over me, my senses lett me, and I have no
recollection of what took place till I found myself in the
Moor-street police-station.
It appeared from the evidence that she had spent one
night in the open air, when, on the morning of Aug. 3, in a
fit of despair at not being able to obtain work, she went to a
chemist'es shop in Great Charles-street and purchased a
packet of vermin powder. After administering it, afflicted
by remorse,
she went to her brother and told him what she
had done. The child was taken by her to a surgeon's, but
found to be dead,
It was also deposed in evidence that when apprehended
the prison said " I have done it, and must suffer for it."
The jury found the prisoner guilty of committing wilful
murder while in an unsound state of mind.
The learned Judge said that she should therefore bo de-
tained duds); her Majesty's pleasure.

NORFOLK CIRCUIT—LEICESTER, Dec.
(13cfore Mr justice Mellor.)
THE MURDER AT SYSTOL.
Timothy Baum was charged on the coroner's inquest and
also on an indictment, with the murder of his wife Jane and
daughter Emma,
Mr Inglesent prosecuted—Mr Metcalfe defended.
The prisoner, on coming' into court said " I remember
nothing of it." . A jury were empanelled to try whether he
was in a state of mind to understand the proceedings. They
found he was, and thereupon the prisoner was charged with
the murder of his wife, Jane Baum, and pleaded not guilty.
The facts, which were admitted, were as follows—
The prisoner four or five years ago married Jane Shelton.

He and her had since that time resided with her mother,
Mrs Shelton. Prisoner and his wife lived perfectly happily
together, and two children were born, one of which was
named Emma, with the murder of whom prisoner was:also
charged. A short time after his marriage the prisoner was
ill and in low spirits. This illness passed off, and prisoner
remained in his usual health till some three weeks ago. Ho
then suffered from an inflammation of the eye, and was at-
tended by Mr Robinson. On Friday the 25th Mr Robinson
saw him, and found him to be suffering from inflammation
of the covering of the brain. He saw the prisoner twice
that day, and at his last visit thought him feverish and
nearly delirious. At 9 o'clock on that night Mrs Shelton
came into the prisoner's room to give him some medicine,
She found him and his wife in bed. He spoke to her. She
then retired to bed, and was roused by a scream. On re-
entering the prisoner's room she found him standing up in
his shirt and his wife lying in bed with her throat cut. The
child by her side was wounded. The wife was dead, and the
child died about three hours later. It was proved that both
wife and child were killed by the prisoner with a clasp-
knife, which he had always wittaim.
Evidence was given to show that the prisoner
wished to destroy himself after killing his wife and
child. Mr Robinson, who saw him immediately after
the crime was committed, proved that ho was at the
time of its commission delirious, and not in a state to be
responsible for his acts, The surgeon of the gaol also gave
evidence I hat the prisoner was, when committed to prison,
in the condition of a person who had suffered from delirium.

The jury, on those facts, returned a verdict of Not Guilty,
on the grotmd of insanity, of the charge of murdering Jane
Baum.

No evidence was offered as to the murder of Emma Baum,
and a formal verdict was given of Not Guilty.

OXFORD CIRCUIT.—STAFFORD, Dec. 7.
(Before Mr Justice Bylcs.)

Geo. Johnson, 19, bootcloser, and Wm. Frost, 22, miner,
were sentenced each to seven years' penal servitude for
setting firo to three ricks of wheat, nine stacks of barley,
and a quantity of other grain, in all 16 ricks. the property
of Edwin Edwards, at the parish of Sheriffhales, on Oct.
27. The prisoners pleaded guilty, and said that they
had committed the crime through want.
Jas. Bullock, 21, and Wm. Moss, 17, both sweeps, also
pleaded guilty to firing a stack of hay at Tillington, on
Sept. 19, and wore sentenced, Bullock to seven, and Mos
to five years' penal servitude.

The Charge of Fraud against a Gentleman.

Yestoraay Arthur Bootle Wilbraham, holding a commis-
sion in the Coldstream Guards, and residing at No. 46,
Brook-street, appeared at tha Marlborough-street Police-
court, before Mr Tyrwhitt, to answer a summons charging
him hith "unlawfully, by means of eortain false and frau-
dulent pretences, obtaining from Mr Charles F. Hancock,
jeweller, of Bond-street, a pearl necklace and other jewel-
lery, value £l,lOO, with intent to dofeaud."
Mr IL Giffard, instructed by Mr E. F, Davis, from the
firm'ef Lawrence, Plows, and Boyer, appeared for the pro-
secution; and Mr Metcalfe, instructed by Mr Walters, of
New-square, for the defence.
The defendant having taken his place before the bar,
Mr Tyrwhitt inquired if the complainant was present.

Mr Giffard—l appear for Mr Hancock. I will tell the
Court at once that this is my position—Last night, in the
absence of Mr Hancock, Mrs Hancock being at home, some
person came to Mr Hancock's house and paid the whole of
the bill. I understand since that the jewels which were the
subject of Mr Emanuel's charge have been tendered to him.
I am therefore instructed by my client to withdraw the
charge of fraud, and, if I can do so with propriety, to with-
draw from the prosecution.
Mr Tyrwhitt—Your experience in these things must be
greater than mine. I do not quite see how I can say you
may withdraw in a case which has proceeded so far.
Mr Metcalfe—No doubt the money has been paid. Be-
fore these proceedings were taken the jewels wore tendered
to Mr Hancock and to Mr Emanuel,
Mr Tyrwhitt—Never mind that.
Mr Metcalf e— That, however, was the fact.
Mr Tyrwhitt—The case put before me is, whether Mr
Emanuel can be prevented from going to the sessions. I
do not see what I have to do with that.

Mr Metcalfe—Had the opportunity offered, we should
have been prepared with undoubted evidence to show that
Mr Wilbraham really intended to be married* to a lady of
considerable property. I believe this turns out to be in-
correct; but certainly Mr Wilbraham believed at the time
that the lady was in a position to pay for the jewels. Mr
Wilbraham was misled that way. No doubt he did raise
money on the jewels, but he intended to get the !ady ulti-
mately to pay for them. I hope therefore to be allowed to
withdraw from the prosecution. I would beg to remind
your worship that you expressed considerable doubts about
the matter at the last examination, and but for the slight
pressure exerted on the part of the prosecutor, you would
perhaps not have held the defendant to bail.
Mr Tyrwhitt—l certainly had a strong feeling on the
merits of the prosecution, and I expressed myself openly on
it. Perhaps I ought to have been more cautious in saying
anything while pi oceedings were going on. I was afraid the
strong feelings I entertained might induce me to overlook
any mere point of law that might bo urged, and it was be-
cause I had expressed an opinion that I was induced to send
the case for trial. But I have no power over the course of
prosecution, The parties have entered into recognisances)
and they aro responsible for what is done further,
Mr Giffard—They will withdraw.

Mr Metcalio—Wo are in a position to prove that Mr
Wilbraham was really about to be married, fm4 that the
uonF,idoriable properly, f.t leant so the represented
her citeunistances to Mr Wilbraham. Th jewels were de-
posited with Mr Morris for a temporary rposo only, the
best proof of which is that he has since pai for them. This
is also a strong proof that Mr Wilbraha hover intended
fraud.
Mr Tyrwhitt—Certainly bills for a larg r amount were
taken from time to time from the defendan
Mr Metcalfe—l trust therefore you wil allow my client
to withdraw from the prosecution.
Mr Tyrwhitt—l can do nothing. I atnVoscoes officii.
I have no power now over Mr Emanuel's case: •
Mr Metcalfe--There was no commitment in that case,

Mr Nokes (tho chief clerk)—Tho depositions have been
taken, and the parties have been bound over to prosecute.
Mr Tyrwhitt—As a criminal lawyer you must know,
better than I can tell you, whether you can or cannot estreat
the recognisances at the sessions.
Mr Metcalfe—You have not returned the recognisances.
You have not cautioned the defendant before asking him for
his answer to the charge.

Mr Tyrwhitt—The defendant reserved his defence. The
case came on upon summons, and it was not necessary to
caution him. I cannot say I have authority over the recog-
nisances. The Quarter Sessions will be able to determ'ne
the matter.

Mr Mezealfo—You simply leave the matter where it was.
Mr Tyrwhitt—That is the case.
The second charge was then withdrawn.

Clever Capture of Two Members of the Long
Firm at Derby,

A case of "Long Firm" swindling was brought before
the Derby borough magistrates on Wednesday. It appears
that on Tuesday last Mr Higginbottom, of the firm of Hig-
ginbottom and Thomson, silk manufacturers, Derby, applied
to the magistrates for warrants against two parties who had
obtained a quantity of silk from them under false pretences.
The warrants were granted and placed in the hands of In-
spector Fearn and Detective Spibey. On Tuesday afternoon
they proceeded to the Derby railway station, and there ap-
prehended a man who gave the name of Wm. Knowles, of
Nottingham. They searched him, and in his pocket found
the following telegram :
" Mays, Birmingham, to Wm. Knowles, Pool's Hotel,
Derby. Meet me at Burton station. Call for a parcel next
train at the parcels office, Derby."
Upon reading this telegram Inspector Foam took the next
train to Burton-upon-Trent, and upon the arrival of the
445 train from Birmingham at that station, he saw a man
get out of a carriage whom he at once suspected was Mr
Mays. Fearn went to him and asked him if his name was
Mays, and ho made no answer. Ho then told him he must
apprehend him, as ho had a warrant against him for obtain-
ing silk by false pretences. On searching him he found the
following telegram from Knowles :

" Wm. Knowles, Derby, to Mr Mays, Telegraph Office,
Birmingham. Have called at luggage department. There
is no parcel gone from Thomson's. I have called upon
Blood and Jepson. Jepson will forward 20 or 30 weight to
London to-day.

Inspector Fearn brought Maya on to Derby by the same
train, and on going into the parcel office ho found that a
parcel had come by the samo train from Birmingham, di-
rected to Knowles. On opening it he found that it contained
half-a-crown, and the following letter:—

"Birmingham, Dec. 6, 1864.
"Mr Wm. Knowles,—l received your message. I have
sent off a small parcel, which you will get by this. As I do
intend going to London this evening, I want you to see that
there is a parcel sent off before you do leave Derby this
evening, that I may not be made a fool of again, and throw
money away. 1 hen, as soon as you see the goods sent off
from Derby, come down immediately to Burton station, as
I shall most likely take you with me to London, and as I
also wish to know your prospects in Derby. Do not fail to
come down as soon as possible. " MAYS and Co."
Inspector Fearn ascertained that " the firm" have had
offices in Nottingham, but on the Saturday previous they
had absconded, and their goods and chattels were in the
hands of the police of that town. Maya had the following
printed address card in his pocket :—" Mays and Co., silk
dyers, High-street. Poplar, London." Knowles said he was
a stockinger by trade, living at Nottingham, and had been
engaged by Mays for the past fortnight.

Mr Higginbottom gave evidence to the effect that the
prisoners obtained from him 10 cwt. of silk under pretence
of taking it to London and dying it by a new process, but
they afterwards found out that the silk had been disposed
of at Nottingham.

Mr Hilton, head constable, asked for a remand for a
week, which was granted.

Great credit is due to Inspector Fearn and Detective
Spibey for the speedy capture of these two "members of
the Long