The Sun.
London, England, 1846-10-16 00:00:00

SUN, LON DO_,N, FRI 1-)A

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MANSION-HOUSE. S
A POLICEMAN '..ARTIED BY 1119 WlFE.—Elizabeth
Wood, wife of Benjamin Wood, City police-constable
526, was brought before Mr. Alderman Gibbs, charged
with stabbing her husband.
City police-constable Davis stated that on Wednesday
afternoon, about two o'clock, he heard that Woad had
been dangerously stabbed, and had consequently been
taken to St. Thomas's Hospital, and he accordingly went
to Wood's house, in Talbot-court, Gracechurch street,
and saw the prisoner, who said, " If you come up stairs
I will tell you all about it ;" and she then said that she
and her husband had had a quarrel while at dinner, and
that her husband having threatened to knock her down,
she threw a knife at him, which she had in her hand at
the time. Her husband stooped down to pick up the
knife, and she then saw a stream of blood flowing from
the neck. She called out " Murder !" and her husband
went to Mr. Smith, the surgeon.
The knife was produced, a small pointed table knife.
James Roots, police-constable 577, stated that while
on duty in Gracechurch-street, about two o'clock on
Wednesday afternoon, he saw a cab at Mr. Smith's door,
and a mob of people round. On going to ascertain the
cause, he saw Wood, who was in uniform, get in, and
observed blood flowing from a large wound in the left
side of his throat. Ile got into the cab, and accom-
panied Wood to St. Thomas's Hospital, who held all tt.e
way a large lump of lint to the wound. He told the
cabman to drive fast, as Mr. Smith told him to make all
the haste he could, as the wound was likely to preve
dangerous.
Alderman GlBBS—Prisoner, would you like to say
anything ? Prisoner (weeping bitterly)—No, I would
rather not.
Alderman Genns—l have here two certificates, which
compel me to remand you for a week.—Remanded.
GUILDHALL.
CURI3US CHARGE OF BIGAMY.—Mr. William Witt,
described as a surgeon-dentist, was placed in front of
the bar, having been out on his own bail since the last
examination, charged with committing bigamy under the
ollowing extraordinary circumstances :
It appeared, on the last examination, that in the year
1828 the prisoner married a female named Emma Ma-
tilda Murphy, with whom he had lived about two years.
Mr. Witt got into difficulties, and was thrown into the
Fleet Prison, and became acquainted with a terson
named Earle, who was likewise in difficulties. Mrs.
Witt was likewise in the Fleet ; but, as it was asserted,
in consequence of her and her husband not agreeing. she
left him, and went off to Quebec with Earle, since which
the prisoner had heard nothing of her until the present
time. He again married, on the 19th of June, 1841, a
female named Elize Ann Hill, with whom he
had about 5001., but she was also obliged to leave
him about five months after, in consequence of
similar ill-treatment to that which the first wife
received. Mr. Earle had lately returned from New
York, and having made some inquiries, at Mrs. Witt's
request, as to whether her mother was alive, and it
being ascertained that the prisoner had married again,
and the knowledge having been received by the second
wife's family that Mrs. Witt was still residing at New
York, the present proceedings were taken by them.
However, the case was adjourned until to-day, for the
production of Mr. Earle, who was ill at the last exa-
mination.
Mr. lladdlestone with Mr. Hobler appeared on behalf
of the prosecutor, and Mr. Ballantine with Mr. Wontner
for the prisoner.
The evidence taken at the examination was then read
over by Mr. Teague, the chief clerk.
William Earle, of New York, deposed to being pro-
prietor of too theatres in that city. He knew Mrs.
Witt when in the Fleet, and afterwards, he supposed
about a year, resided in some lodgings with her. On
the Bth of June, 1832, tiey departed for America. She
was alive on the 19th of June, 1841, the time defendant
was married to his a- coed wife. Ile was we 11 known
both in America and here, and if proper inquiries had
been made, Mr. Witt would have ascertained whether
his wife was alive or not. When he left New York on
the 22d of July she was then alive. In 1831 or 1832 he
was in trouble.
Cross-examined—Had not come over to this country
professionally, for the purpose of engaging actors or
actresses. He was at Liverpool. but it was at the re-
quest of the Mayor of New York, for the purpose of
consulting the Mayor of Liverpool, and other influential
parties, for the purpose of establishing a mutual plan of
protection, by establishing American policemen at
Liverpool, and English officers at New York, to carry
out the principles of the international treaty. He was
once tried at Neweate, in 1822, for stealing a 50/. bill,
and senterced to be transported, but was immediately
pardoned on its being diecovercd that he was the victim
of a conspiracy. Ile took Mrs. Witt from want and
wretchedness. He also was instrumental in getting Mr.
Witt released from the Fleet prison. He did not tell
the Mayor of Liverpool, nor any one else, that he was
come over on a visit to the Queen. He only brought
over a petition for the purpese-of constructing an asylum
for poor people. While in London, Mr. Witt never
made any attempt to induce his wife to go bask to him,
but, on the contrary, encouraged her.
By Alderman WooD—Was he aware that you were
living with her? Witness—He was. I did not instigate
any one to take these proceedings; on the contrary, I am
tin unwilling witness, and was subpreaa( d here.
Eliza Ann hill, the second wife, deposed to being ill-
treated by the prisoner, who said he only married her
for her money. He also told her under what circum-
stances his wife had left him, and she declined marrying
him until he had made the proper inquiries as to her
being dead, which lie pretended to de, and produced
the affidavits of two persons, who asserted that she died
about six years since. About a fortnight or three weeks
since she heard from the' first wife's mother that she
was still living, and her family instituted the present
proceedings.
Mr. Ballantine, in defence, animadverted in strong
terms on the conduct of Mr. Earle, and left it to the
Alderman to say whether the evidence adduced was of
such a credible nature as to induce him to tend the pri-
soner for trial.
Alderman WOOD, after consulting with Mr. Teague,
the chief clerk, said that in a case like the pr, sent,
fraught with cruelty on the ono side, and very objec-
tionable conduct on the other, he was unrolling to place
implicit reliance on Mr. Earle's evidence. And then
the question was, whether Witt had used sufficient
diligence in trying to learn whether his wife was aline.
He had heard the purport of an affidavit which had been
made by Mr. Eccles, the son-in-law of Mr. Earle, to the
effect that she was dead, and under those circumstances
he should adjourn the case until Saturday, for the pro-
duction of that gentleman.
Mr. Witt was then allowed out on his own recog-
nisances, to appear on Saturday.
MARLBOROUGH-STREET.
THE CASE OF MRS. LOMAX.—A benevolent indivi-
dual who had seen the case of Mrs. Lomax in the daily
papers yesterday sent a letter to Mr. Hardwick, dated
from Cheltenham, anti signed, "A Friend to the Dis-
tressed," enclosing a 51. note for the use of Mrs. Lomax.
The money was handed to Mrs. Lomax, who expreased
herself in grateful terms for this timely assistance.
Mrs. Lomax said she had seen some very undeserved
insinuations thrown out against her in a letter bearing
the signature of her father-in-law,- General Lomax, but,
as she believed, really written by another person. The
letter insinuated that she was not Captain Lomax's wife.
To place the matter beyond all doubt, she begged the
magistrate to inspect her marriage certificate.
Mr. 11.eniewecx looked at the papers produced and
fonnd them to be documents authenticating the marriage
of the applicant with Henry Lomax, one of the eons of
General Lomax.
Mrs. Lomax said she had no disposition to conceal any
one circumstance of her life. She readily admitted that
she had lived with Captain Lomax for some time before
she was married to him.. The marriage took place with
the knowledge and approval of the General some time
ago, and she had not only received presents herself from
.General Lomax, but the General had promised to assist
in defraying the expenses of the education of her little
girl. She had experienced nothing but kindness from
General Lomax, and General Lomax had uniformly
expressed himself well disposed towards her, as his
letters to her would show. She had done nothing to
forfeit General Lomax's good epinion,eexcept the hard
necessity which had driven her to make application for
assistance to the parish in which she lived, and the
publicity which this application obtained through the
papers.
Mr. Ilinewecie thought the app'icant could not fairly
be blamed fur having under strong pressure of actual
distress taken the only step within her power—namely,
that of applying for parish relief.
Mrs. Lomax said she had written some letters to
General Lomax, previously acquainting him with her
distressed stete, but these letters had never reached the
General, they having, she feared, been intercepted. It
was her belief that the General would have done some-
thing for her, and would have allowed her a portion of
the stipend he gave to his son, had it not been for the
interference of her brother-in-law. As the General had
refused to give her any assistance, and as she had no
prospect of receiving any portion of the money allowed
to her husband, she feared her only resource was the
workhouse.
Mr. HARDWICK said it was certainly a sad alternative
fur a person who had been accustomed to move in the
better classes of society ; however, he would see, when
the necessity absolutely arrived, whether it was not pos-
sible to persuade the parish authorities to make some
rather more suitable arrangement in her case.
Mrs. Lomax thanked the magistrate for the essentia
notice which he had bestowed on her case, and then let'
the Court.

sentenced respectively to six months' imprisonment and
seven years' transportation.
The prisoner, who was recognised by the pzlice as an
old offender, was fully committed for trial.
LAM B E 7'H.

Mary 'Shepherd, a well-dressed spinster, was charged
before the lion. G• C. Norton with being drunk and in-
capable of taking care of herself.
James Bradley, 42 L, derosed that between ten and
eleven o'clock on the night before, he found the prisoner
in the Waterloo-road, in such a state of intoxication that
be was obliged to take her to the station-honse.
Mr. NORTON—Did she make any disturbance? Wit-
ness—No, sir, she was pretty quiet, for that,
Mr. NORTON (to the prisoner)—What are you; how
do you get your livelihood? Prisoner—l'm a dress-
maker, your worship.
Mr. NORTON—HOW came you to get so intoxicated as
to be incapable of taking care of yourself? Prisoner—
The fact is, your worship, that I had been taking my
work home into the Strand, and my shoes being rather
thin and unsuited to such a night, my feet got very wet,
and fearing the consequences of a serious cold, and per-
haps being laid up, I took a couple of drops of gin, and
it some way or other overcame me.
Mr. NORTON—WeII, in my time, I have heard of
various excuses for getting drunk, and I must say that
this is not the worst.—(Laughter.) Tlie night certainly
was eery damp, but I think you might have avoided
taking so much of this gin as to reduce you to such a
state ot intoxication. I hope, however, that this, as you
appear to be a decent person, will be a caution to you for
the future.

Prismwr —lndeed it shall, sir.
Mr. NunToN-4 sincerely hope so.
discharged.

You are now

THAMES.

EXTENSIVE PLUNDER.—George Stoddart, a yourg
man about 24 yeas s of age, was charged with plundering
his employer, Mr. David Le Bentillin, to an extent at
present unknown, but the property and moneys imme-
diately recovered amount to nearly 1401.
The prisoner, being observed by the police carrying a
box which they suspected to contain stolen property,
was detained and examined, and a quantity of goods
identified by his employer were found in the box. Va-
rious sums of money were also found in bags belonging
to the prisoner, as also a bank book of the East London
Savings' Bank, with acknowledgments for 301. paid in
up to August 23, 1845, and a letter to the prisoner from
his wife, which, however, had no bearing upon the case.
In answer to Mr. Pelham, who attended for the pro-
secutor,

Mr. Le Bentillin said that the prisoner's salary last
year waS only 351. He had be: about five years in his
service, with an annually-increasing salary.
Mr. Pelham said he would not carry the case further
that day, and the prisoner, who declined saying anything
in his defence, was remanded for a week.

SINGULAR DISCOVERY OF A
ROBBERY COMMITTED FOUR YEARS AGO.

During the last week a transac;ion, which for four
years has been enveloped in myst, ry, was brought to
light in rather a singular manner. In August, 1842, a
Mr. John Browning posted a letter at Huthin, in North
Wales, containing a bank note for 201., one for 101., and
a Post-otlice order for 1/. 18i. 6d. It was addressed to
his niece, Miss Sarah Browning, 15, Summer-street,
Navigation-street, Birmingham ; and he, in a few days
after, being astonished that no acknowledgment of its
receipt was made to him, wrote to his niece on the
matter. It was then discovered that the letter had not
b en received ; and although lie communicated with the
Post-office authorities, and forwarded the dates, amounts,
and numbers of the notes, of which he had made a ine-
inorandum at the time he posted the letter, and even put
on the hail of the lel. note his initials and the date, no
trace of the letter or its contents could be discovered.
The matter thus remained in mystery until Tuesday last,
when a 101 note was sent from the Bank of England to
the authorities at the General Post office, as one of the
notes which had been contained in Mr. 13rovvning's letter.
A rigorous inquiry was immediately instituted, when it
was discovered that the note had been paid into the bank
of Messrs. Spooner and Attwood, Birmingham, on the
19th of September last. On that day Misses Jordan
and Schofield, milliners, High-street, sent money and an
advice to meet a bill amounting to 141. is. 61., consist-
leg of a 54 note and the rest in cash. A man named
Henry Ivatts, who had been a letter-carrier in 1842, but
had been discharged for some act of insubordinationeand
who was in the habit of going message s for them, took
the money in question to the bank. He came that morn
ing, as he had been requested to do, to go to the bank;
but Miss Jordan, having occasion to go out, went in-
stead. In a few minutes after she had gone, Ivatts came
to the shop, and finding that Miss Jordan had taken the
money, he ran after her, overtook her, and went to the
bank himself. Mr: Edwards, the clerk, took the money,
which then consisted of a 10/. note and some silver, and, as
usual, marked the note. It was then sent to London, and
discovered to be one of the missing notes. Miss Schofield
having been waited on regarding the matter, asked Ivatts
about it, when he said that he had found the note in
New street,. on the Wednesday of Wolverhampton races,
and that wishing to have it changed, lie took the Si.
note and 5/. in cash from the bag in which she sent the
money to the bank, and substituted the note in question.
Ivatts was then apprehended, and brought before the
magistrates (R. Spooner, Esq., M.P., J. James, end
Thomas Beilby, Esqrs.), at the public office on M-tntlay.
Mr. Spurrier appeared for the prosecution, and Mr.
Harding for the defence. The case was gone into at
considerable length, and the note fully identified. The
prisoner had always borne a good character, and it ap-
peared that Stnniner-street was not in his district, al-
►hough it was stated all the letter-carriers sorted the
letters in one room. Tho case was remanded till Thurs-
d cv, when Ivatts was fully committed to the assizes. He
was, however, admitted to bail, being himself' bound over
in 100/, and Captain Leary (under whom Ivatts had
served for twenty-six years), and Mr. C. Purcell, Nel-
son-street West, in 50/..each.—Biriningitam Journal.

cn A lIGES AGAIN ST Mr. W. EVENS,
MASTER OF THE STONEHOUSE WORKHOUSE.

Durihg the past ten days an investigation has been
going on- at the Loyal Hotel, Plymonth, before John T.
Graves, Esq., Assistant Poor-law Commissioner, into the
conduct of Mr. W. Evens. who for sixteen years past
has been the master of the Stonehouse Workhouse. The
charges were made by Lieut. Warren, of Stonchouse, and
were of a very serious character, as will be seen by the
following letter, which was sent by the Assistant Com
missioner to Mr. Evens:—

" Totness, Sept. 29, 1846.
"Sir,—The clerk to the guardians undertook to me
give you notice of the inquiry I purpose
to
Ist of October, at two o'clock, P.M., at
worldhe
thahto h
id e
on
n t
the Royal Hotel, Plymouth, into certain charges pre-
ferred against you by Lieut. Warren.
"You are accused of having ill-treated Wm. Horswell,
his wife, and child, while they were in the workhouse,
and also of having by ill -usage accelerated the deaths of
three men, named Eddy, Dodridge, and Aish ton, who
died in the workhouse.
" I think it will be desirable that the medical officer
of the workhouse should be in attendance on Thursday
afternoon, and should have in readiness any books
which may throw light on the cases of the above-named
persons.
" When the case of the complainant has been investi-
gated, if' you should require time to prepare your defence,
or want summonses for witnesses en your behalf, I shall
be prepared to give favourable consideration to any ap-
plication that you may desire to make on those heads.
"I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
" JOHN T. GRAVES,
"A sistant Commissioner."
" Mr. W. Evans, Master of_the Workhouse."
The case has been undergoing investigation from time
to time down to Saturday last, when it closed with the
defence of Mr. Evens. The inquiry was not in open
court, though the Commissioner permitted the press to
attend, on the understanding that the case should not be
published till the whole of the evidence had been gone
through.
William Horewell stated, .I am a scrivener, or ac •
countant. The letter produced, containing the charges
against Mr. Evens, was written by me. I have been in
the East Stonehouse Workhouse four times altogether.
The last time I left was in November last. I went in in
August. I was in a very bad state of health when I
went in. The treatment I had whilst I was in the house
was such as a sick person ought not to have. I was dis-
charged as incurable from Exeter Hospital in June.
When I came into the house Dr. Perry considered that
I was in a very bad state, and ordered me wine. Dr.
Perry saw me at my daughter's, and recommended me to
go into the house, and I consented, thinking that I had
but a short time to live. I expressed a wish to Mr.
Evens that my wife and sister should stay up with me,
because there was no one to assist me in and out of bed.
Mr. Evens said it was not a fit place for women, and
there was a woman in the next room who would bring me
my medicine. This woman was a pauper upwards of
70. I had an abscess forming. I told the doctor of it,
and he ordered me linseed meal. Did not get the linseed
meal for five days. That caused the abscess to break on
the eighth day, and I was ill great pain and never
slept. I complained to Dr. Perry, and he said the
linseed meal should be had. The first day the nurse
(Salter) said the doctor had not put the order on the
book; afterward.; that thera was none in the house. I
complained to the master, but he, turned a deaf ear to it.
I had a seizure in my left leg at the same time, and was
not able to move it, and could not get in or out of bed,
and I curlew:Lined to the master of it, and he s did there
were men enough to do it. I heard Mr. Evens repeat-
edly say I was a great expense to the parish. On the
16th of May, 1846, I wrote to the master from the Cor-
nish ward, in the Devon and Exeter Hospital, request-
ing him to send me up shirts. The shirts were not sent.
I pledged my great coat for five shillings, to buy two
shirts. There was a shirt sent. I was sent back from
the hospital Icy the waggon. This was in June, a very
wet day. That was tlie forerunner of the abscess. I
came to Plymouth by a covered waggon, open at both
ends. I had not a great coat. I said, when told to go to
the waggon, " this is my death warrant." The doctor
visited me eery they during the five days I had not the
Poultiee. I complained to him every day. I saw
Captain Fanshawe, the Chairman, during the five days.
The house committee visited me during those live days.
I cannot say that I complained to the chairman or the
visiting committee about the poultices. When I became
better I made complaints to the house committee on
Monday, but on Thursday I found the doors locked that
divide the male wards from the female. I could not get
to see the board. Mr. Evens knew I wanted to see the
board. I told him that I expected to be called, but I
was not, The complains that I wanted to make was not
being allowed to see my wife, who was ill. I never
afterwards complained. I considered it useless. No
notice will be taken of what a pauper says by the board
of guardians. I never knew the board refuse a hearing
to a pauper. Never said to Captain Toby "I have no
complaint to make."
William Tatem, who had been an inmate along with
Eddy, corroborated the statement of the first witness.