The Sun.
London, England, 1830-09-29 00:00:00

CLAPHAM PETTY SESSIONS.

Yesterday a Petty Session was held at Clapham,
at which .1011 N RAVENIIILL and THOMAS. PUCKLE,
Esqrs., the Magistrates, presided, and were occupied
for some time in investigating a charge of a high-
way robbery by Bavarian broom-girls. . •
Peter 6chmidt, Hannah Schl►lidt (a man), Cathe-
rine Schmidt, Maria Schmidt, and Catherina
man, who obtain their living by hawking brooms
about the country with the cry of " Buy a broom,"
were brOught up charged with having violently as-
saulted and robbed Joseph Norris, a gardener, on
the Wandsworth-road, on Thursday night last.
Norris stated that he was a labouring gardener,
and lived near the Antelope Inn, at Wandsworth,
On Thursday night last, about twelve o'clock, he
was going home along the Wandsworth-road, near
Lavender-sweep (a turning leading to Clapham),
when three broom-girls passed him in brown dresses,
such as they usually wear, but the night was so
dark he could not discern their features, but they
appeared to have white handkerchiefs bound over
their heads. He (witness) was going. towards
Wandsworth, and the girls towards town. After
they had passed about ten yards, he turned his head
and saw they were stopping. lle had not pro-
ceeded misty paces farther, when he observed the
prisoner, Peter Schmidt, dressed in a blue smocks
frock, standing with his back against a tree, and
the other prisoner, Hannah Schmidt, stooping be-
hind : just as he passed them, Peter Schmidt came
behind him, and placing his band on his shoulder,
said, " Ilalloo, how much money have you got
atom you ?" The prisoner had a foreign accent.
• Witness said he had none. He then usked if he
had a watch in his pocket ? be answered in the ne-
gative, upon which the prisoner felt his trousers, at
the same time saying it was not likely a young man
like him should be without money or watch: lie
ihen seized him by the collar, and called the other
prisoner, Hannah Schmidt, who came up from be-
hind the tree, but before he came up the other pri-
soner had knocked.him down, and had placed his
hand over his mouth to prevent him calling for as-
sistance. Witness begged for mercy, and said, " For
God's sake don't ill-use me, and I'll give you all I
have." Upon this assurance he allowed him to rise,
and he then turned his pockets inside out,' and
witness gave him 4s. 6d., all the money he had.
At this moment the three broom girls came up, and
stood near whilst the prisoner Peter Schmidt robbed
him. They then desired him to • make the best of
his way home, and swore if lie made any alarm they
would knock his brains out At some distance, lie
came up with two policemen, and he gave infortnu-
don to them of the robbery, and a description of
their persons. He (witness) was quite positive as
to the identity of the prisoners, and they all joined
after the robbery and proceeded towards London.
Magistrate—Dirt they use any further violence
towards you than you have already described ?
Norris—They threatened to murder •me if I made
any alarm, mid when 1 was knocked down my head
was much bruised by the fall.
Magistrate—Are you positive the three broom-
girls were in their society ? Norris—l am quite
sure they were all together.
Cornelius Casey, a policeman, division V. No. 71,
stated that on Thusday night last, about eleven
o'clock, he saw all the prisoners pass through the
town of Wandsworth ; they were going towards
London. The prosecutor met him, and told him of
the robbery, and he and ano►her constable pursued
the prisoners as far us Vauxhall turnpike, but could
not overtake them. Ile gave information to some
• policemen of the L division, who subsequently took
the prisoners into custody. Witness is certain he saw
them pass through Wandsworth.
Thomas Cooke, policeman, division L, No. 50,
stated that on Thursday night, shortly after twelve
o'clock, the prisoners came up to him in Kenning-
ton-Lute, and asked hidf the way to Whitechapel;
he directed them, and they went away. In a few
minutes after he heard of the robbery, and instantly
followed them, and succeeded in apprehending them.
He conveyed • them back to Clapham, where he
searched them, and on the prisoner Peter Schmidt
he found a bag containing 201. 10s., all in silver,
mid sonic coppers. The two male prisoners spoke
English very well.
The prisoners, when called upon for their thlence,
said, in broken English, they were innocent of the
robbery, and declared they had never seen the pro-
secutor before. They, however, admitted they were
on the Wandsworth road at the time in question.

The Magistrate, said the evidence was quite eon-
elusiVe, and he should therefore send the prisoners
for trial.

They were then fully committed to Horsemonger-
lane gaol to take their trial at the next Ausizes.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

MARYLEBONE.

On Monday evening the ease of Martha Adams,
the young woman charged with stealing the child of
Mr. Matthews, of Augusta Cottage, was resumed.
Several respectable persons came forward to speak
in her favour, and she was liberated.
The parish officers of St. Marylebone are endea-
vouring to do away with the brothels with which it
is infested, and at the last county sessions they in-
dicted the house, No. 11, Buckingham-street, Fitz-
roy-square, which is a notorious one, and a true bill
was found against a female, said to be Susan
Faulkner, the keeper of
Burridge, an officer of this place, apprehended
this woman on Saturday night, under a Judge's
warrant, and lodged her io the watch-housg, and
she was brought before MrilLtwutssoN on Monday
morning to be bailed, or committed. A. gentleman
came forward in her behalf, who gave his curd to
Mr. llawlinson, " Mr. T. Parker, surgeon and ile-
poucheur, 60, .Seymour-street, Euston-square."

Mr. RAWLINSON told her, unless she gave security
for her appearance when the case came on for trial,
he should send her to the New Prison.

Mr. Parker offered tO be one of her suretie9, and
in the evening he brought forward a brewer to be
the other.

Mr. RonaNsoN refused to take his security, and
sent her to prison.
Mrs. Ann Waugh, the wife of a young butcher,
who lives in Upper Park-place, Dorsetoprare, was
charged yesterday before Mr. RAWLINSON and. Mr.
6Ru-writ, with threatenincto. murder Charles, her
htoband, or do him softie grievous bodily harm.
Mr. Waugh had broken his knee-pan, and came
upon crutches. The dress of his lady was very
stylish, and her appearance somewhat older than his,
" I think," said. Mr. RAWLINSON to the com-
plainant," when you applied for this warrant, you told
the you had been married but seven months." Mr.
Waugh--Yes, Sir, only seven months, and I haVe
spent six of them in jeopardy.
Mr, ll.4w4msuri.--W hat could you find to quarrel
about so soon? Mr, Wuugh—NothlOg in p,rti..
cular; she will have it all her oast way, and she has
repeatedly taken up a poker, and threatened to knock
my brains out.

'Mrs. Waugh—Never, Charles; never, upon
my oath.
Mr. IlAwuttsuri---Pray be quiet, Madam ; we.
never hear two persons at one time; you shall have
your turn presently. Mr. Waugh. Anti I am in
drover of being starved by her.

Mr. RAWLINSON--.-1 never heard of such a thing !
What 1 starve a butcher, with hie Ileum full of meet
Mr. Waugh—Yrs, Sir; since I met with this ecci.
dent, I have lain upon the sofa, and she ha 4 refused
to Five me necessaries._

Mrs. Waugh—Oh, Charles I tie Charles.
Mr. RAWLINSON.--led a pity your friends don't in-
terfere! and endeavour to bring about a reconciliation.
Mr. Waugh—My friends have all forsaken me,
for fear of her I have not one to my back.
Mr. RAWLINSON begged him to relate the parti-
cular ocetarrence whit:hied him to apply for ft warrant.
He said that Sonday she took Up: a poker, and
brandished it over his bead, and he expected every
moment to be killed by her.
Mr. RAWLINSON (to Mrs. Waugh.)—Why do
you do all this ? Mrs. Waugh---I never did : he

fancies it. I love him to distraction :I am too fond
of my dear Charles to do him harm.
Mr. RAWLINSON.--COme, then, shake hands, and
be friendly again.
Mrs. Waugh—With all my heart. Here, Charles
(presenting her hand).
Mr. Waugh—,No; we must be separated : my
future happiness depends upon it.
Mrs. Waugh—Will you part with me, then,
Charles ? Well, if you wish ►t, I have too great a
regard for your happiness to oppose it; but how is
it to be done ? _ _ _

Mr. ItAwuNsoN-,-Your husband says your own
fortune is settled upon yourself. Mrs. W.augh—lt
is, Sir. -
Mr. Waugh—l want her to be bound over to
keep the peace, will you hear my witnesses ?
Mr.RAwuNsori —I don't think you are in any danger.
She talks very kindly of you, and is much less
powerful than you are.
Mr. Waugh-1 shall go in danger of my life.
Mr. RAWLINSON—Not if you part from each
other, as yuu seem determined.
Mr. Waugh and his lady both asked, at the same
time, how that was to be done.
Mr. ItAwuNtsoN told them, by getting an attorney
to draw up deeds of sep‘ration; and with that de-
termination they left the office.