The Sun.
London, England, 1859-09-23 00:00:00

THAMES.

ROBBERY AND ABDUCTION OF A FEMALE.—EXTRA-
ORDINARY CASE.—John Kirkham, a big and dirty-looking
fellow, who said he was 39 years, but is in appearance many
years older, was brought before Mr. Yardley, charged with
stealing a feather bed, a bolster, and a basket of clothes, the
property of a carpenter, named Francis, of No. 2, Green-
field-street, Bromley, Middlesex.
Ann Francis, wife of the prosecutor, said the prisoner's
wife was related to her. She had allowed her daughter to
go backwards and forwards to the prisoner's house to
assist him and his wife in their domestic arrangements.
She was sorry to say that the prisoner had taken advantage
of her daughter, and promised to make a lady of her and
take her to Australia. On the 12th of July last,
while she was absent from home, the prisoner came
to her house with a horse and cart and took
away a feather bed, a bolster, and a basket
of clothes, and also took away her daughter
at the same time. She saw the prisoner again yesterday for
the first time since the robbery, and said to him, " You
scoundrel, give me my daughter 1 where is she ?" He
said she was at Plymouth. She asked where her things
were, and he said they were also at Plymouth. She then
gave him into custody.
In answer to Mr. Yardley the witness said that the pri-
soner had boasted to a great many persons that he had se-
duced her daughter eight months bdore he took her away.
The prisoner here said that 18 months ago the daughter
of the prosecutrix used to take money for him at his veget-
able stand. _ _ .

The prosecutrix.—Yes, that is true. I trusted him as a

father.

The prisoner—Did you not know the goods I took were
bought with my money ?.

- - -
The prosecutrix did not answer the question.
Mr. Yardley—Who bought the things ?
Mrs. Francis—My husband did. I had the bed for 12
years.
The Prisoner—She gave the bed to her daughter.
Mrs. Francis—l did not. I said I would give her a good
bed to lie upon when she got married to the prisoner, whose
wife is living
Mr. Yardley—How old is your daughter, Mrs. Francis ?
Mrs. Francis—Just turned sixteen, sir.
Mr. Yardley—She has a very queer taste. How old is
the prisoner ?
Mrs. Francis—He says .he is 39. His wife says he is
much older.
Elizabeth Baker, No. 1, Greenfield-street, said she was
present when Fanny Francis, the daughter of the last wit-
ness, absconded with the prisoner, and took the bed, bolster,
and clothes away.
The prisoner, in defence, said he left the girl Fanny at
John Jeffrey's, No. 47, High-street, Plymouth, taking care
of a shop. Tho bed and bolster were also there. He had
been connected with the girl more than 10 months.
Mr. Yardley—More shame for you. You are a very
wicked man. You are committed for trial.

THIS DAY'S MARKETS.

CORN EXCHANGE.

To-day's market was but scantily supplied with English
wheat, coastwise and by land carriage, and the general
quahty of the samples was very middling. Nearly all
kinds were in moderate request, and Monday's prices were
supported.
The show of foreign wheat was tolerably good. Good
and useful parcels moved off steadily, at full quotations, but
other kinds ruled inactive, on former terms.
Floating cargoes of grain supported previous rates, but
the business done in them was by no means extensive.
The few fine samples on offer found buyers, at very full
prices, but other descriptions were a dull inquiry.
There was a fair demand for malt, on former terms.
'lmo snow or oat. a., nal trade was navy,
and prices were a shade lower.
Beans and peas were a dull inquiry, but flour was firm in
price.

ARRIVALS THIS WEE):
Wheat. Barley Malt. Oats. Flour.
English 2,570 t 1,180 2,350 ' 860 1,260
Irish - 45,490 ( sko
I 1,970 ble