The Sun.
London, England, 1832-01-05 00:00:00

UNION-HALL.

Yesterday George Copper, a young man having
a defect in both eyes, was brought before Mr.
CitAstnEns, charged with the offence of bigamy.
Caroline Harrison, a fine tall well-looking young
woman, stated that the prisoner and she lived in the
service of a gentleman of fortune, and that while
there the former prevailed on her to marry him.
They were accordingly married on the sth of Octo-
ber, and it was only within the last few days that
she had ascertained that he had another, if not two
more wives living. The witness added that the pri-
soner introduced his first wife to her as his sister, and
therefore she was ignorant of the fact of his being a
married man.

The first wife, who was present, admitted that
the second wife had asserted that which was true
relative to her having been introduced as a sister of
the prisoner. The reason she was introduced under
that fictitious appellation was owing to the prisoner
telling her that his master had a great objection to
married men, and therefore he had passed as single,
and to keep up appearances she was desired by her
husband to pass as a sister, but by no means as a
wife. The first wife complained that the prisoner
kept her on very short allowance for some time pre-
viously to his marriage with Caroline Harrison, arid
that he deserted her entirely of late.
Mr. ELYARD said that the explanation given by
the first wife completely exculpated her as to the
knowledge that the prisoner was paying his addresses
to Caroline Harrison.

Mr. CIiA3II3ERS expressed some surprise that the
scond wife did not smell a rat upon finding the first
wife, who then passed as his sister, was in the habit
of paying him frequent visits.
Caroline Harrison although vilely deceived by the
prisoner, yet was willing to forego the prosecution,
if assented to by the Magistrates.
The first wife expressed her determination to pur-
sue the prisoner to the very utmost extent of the law.
Toe prisoner loved both the women, and contra-
dicted the assertion of his first wife, as to his having
kept her on short allowance, for on the contrary he
rendered her every assistance in his power.
Pople, the officer, stated that if the prisoner was
rerranded he expected that he should be enabled to

In answer to a question from Mr. Smith, witness
F aid that Clarke had always been hotrst, and he
would lend him money to any amount he could
make out.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said he should examine
no more witnesses against Clarke, and would then
proceed to the case of Patrick Kearney.
Mr. SMITH th,n submitted whether he ought to
go into Clarke's defence, or wait until the evidence
against the other prisoners was taken.

- The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE said the whole case
must be closed, as against all the prisoners, before
the defence of any could be taken. It was convenient
to have the evidence against each given as now, but
as yet it was not possible to tell whether there might
not be evidence against all together.
William Davan, a boy ten years and a half old,
examined—Knew the gaol down in the New Cut,
by the river. Was there on the afternoon of Sun-
day, the 30th of October. Saw a great number of
persons there, and went into the gaol. Had been
there for a short time previously, and stayed until it
was set on fire. A man very like Patrick Kearney
asked him to go in. He had spots on his face. There
was a great hole in the door, but when he went in
the door was open. When he entered he went into
a front place, there he saw the man like Patrick
Kearney. Remained about an hour, and the man
asked witness whether he would fetch some straw for
him when the other went for it. Went for it, and
gave it to the man like Kearney, the prisoner, who
strewed it on the floor and set fire to it. That was
the floor of the room. The man took a !.in from his
?socket, and poured the " turps" over the straw.
There was a lot of pictures in the room, which
were thrown out of the window and destroyed.
The fire burned on, and be stayed until they an went
away, when the place was all in a blaze. There
were a great many people in the gaol. Had been
in the room for an hour with the Mari. Believed him
to be Kearney ; he was very like him, but " arn't
.ure it is him." Never saw ±he man sivce he aaw
him in the gaol; but afterwards, when the constables
came after him, he was asked it that wea the man,
and he said he believed it was. It was, be believed,
an the Tuesday, or only a few days after the straw
was set on fire, that the ennstab;e. Carle. Believed
Patrick Kearney then to be the man. Kearney went
away ten minutes before witness.

Cross-examined—His father lived in London.
Went to school, and was not punished there. Went
to the gaol to see what was doing there. Nev:T saw
the man before. A gen•leman cattle to the gaol and
told them they'd have to pay for it all, when th,y
said they'd have the dock gates down. Could not
be sure that the prisoner was the man.
Charles Salter—Remembered Sunday, the 30th
of October. Was at the gaol that day at about
four o'clock ; stopped about three parts of an hour.
It was on fire when he went in, but he did not see
any fire when he first came. There was a great mob.
Did not go to the Governor's house, but saw people
taking out the Governor's things. Saw a per-on
breaking them. That was Patrick Kearney. Saw
him take the Governor's things, throw them down,
and break them. There were chairs. At that time
the house was on fire.
Cross-examined—Did not know the prisoner's
name, though he had had dealings with him. Had
reason to be dissatisfied; it was about some Irish
cloth. Could not well recollect the time, but it was
when the wild beasts stood in the Grove. It was
last year. Did not know any one named Frank-
ham. Never had any conversation with mortal man
as to any cause of complaint or grudge against
Kearney. Not knowing the prisoner'a flume, he
still knew his person. Upon his solemn oath, with-
out hesitation or doubt, the prisoner was the roan.
Wm. Appleby, a baker, was at the gaol on the
Sunday named. Went in at the front door. It was
then open. There was a mob. Went into the yard
between Mr. Humphries's house and the front door
of the gaol. Part of the Governor's house was
then on fire. Saw one of the prisoners there, the
fifth from witness (Kearney). Prisoner was theft
in the yard, near the front door, breaking and de-
stroying Mr. Hurnphries's furniture and goods. The
people were heaving the furniture out over the steps.
Saw Kearney about ten minutes thus engaged.
Witness stopped about that time hithself. During
that time some of the mob were very busy.
CrosS-examined—ln answer to a gnestion whether
there was anything so peculiarly remarkable in
Kearney as to be the only person he noticed, wi,ness
said he saw Clarke also. He had kilo, n Keatney's
person before, and had seen him in a beer shop. At
the time of the fire believed prisoner wore a different
dress from now, and from the other times he had
seen him. Notwithstanding these differences he
could positively swear to Kearney.
iSaw another
man breaking things. Did nor folloin.
ow
o'clock on Mondav
tion. Was in Queen-,quire about slx 00(: that
evening. Went again about
ed until between slit and sev,n.
morning, and remain
William Thomas—nenm:7d the night in goes-
There was rioting going on at both periods. On