The Sun.
London, England, 1857-03-24 00:00:00

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

OXFORD CIRCUIT, STAFFORD, MARCH 20.
EXTRAORDINARY CASE.
CRIMINAL COURT.—(Before Mr. Justice Willes.)
James Tunnicliff, the keeper of a beershop, called the
Royal Oak, at Thorne?-lane, near Newborough, in this
county, was charged with obtaining divers sums of money,
amounting in all to about 301., from Thos. Charlesworth,
by false pretences—viz., by falsely pretending that the
prosecutor (Thos. Charles worth), his wife, child, cattle,
horses, goods, and chattels were bewitched ; that his
(Thos. Charlesworth's) mother had procured several per-
sons named (Bull and Cotton) to be put upon the spell
and charm of witchcraft ; and that he (the prisoner) had
the power to remove and free them from it. The indict.
ment, of course, negatived the various false pretences.
The case has excited the greatest interest in this coun-
try, not only from the condition of the prosecutor, who
is a substantial farmer, but also from the length of time
the prisoner succeeded in keeping up his absurd delu-
sion, and the substantial profit he derived from it. The
court was densely crowded throughout the trial, the au-
dience including a considerable number of " witches."
Mr. Scotland and Mr. Macnamara appeared for the
prosecution ; Mr. Skinner and Mr. Davis (instructed by
Mr. George Palmer, of Rugeley) defended the prisoner.
Mr. Scotland, in opening the case, stated that it was
one of a most extraordinary character, and probably the
jury would learn for the first time that there were sti.l
living in this country those who believed in witchcraft,
and that there were cunning and designing persons who
were ready to take advantage of such credulity to turn
it to their own profit. The learned counsel then proceeded
to state the facts of the case as they were proved in evi-
dence. It appeared that the prosecutor's milk and cheese
were spoiled, and the dairymaid was ill, and, the prose-
cutor not being able to account for it, he was led by his
servant to believe that the cheese, &c., was bewitched,
and to send for the prisoner to get rid of the bewitch-
ment. The prisoner came, and at once told the prosecu-
tor that be (the prosecutor), his wife, horses, cattle, cheese,
and cheese-kettle—(laughter)—were bewitched, and ob-
tained 71. from him to cure them Of the witchery. The
prisoner succeeded in getting into the prosecutor's em-
ploy, and by working on his delusions he obtained
various sums of money, amounting to nearly 301. The
prosecutor and his wife and servants suffered at
various times from illness of a peculiar nature, which
there was reason to believe was brought on by drugs ad-
ministered by the prisoner. The prisoner told the prose-
cutor that his mother had got three persons, named Bull,
Cotton, and Wilson, to put the spell upon him and
everything in the house. Ultimately the prosecutor's
child died.
Mr. Skinner here said he hoped the learned counsel
was not going to open a charge of murder, as that would
prejudice the interests of the prisoner.
Mr. Justice Willes said he understood the learned
counsel introduced the matter in order to negative the
defence which Mr. Skinner might probably set up, that
the prisoner had the power which he pretended to possess.
Mr. Scotland said he should prove that the prisoner
had in his house certain roots and herbs, usual with per-
sons who pretended to witchcraft, though he did not
suggest that the prisoner had made use of them. The
learned counsel then proceeded to contend that it was
absurd to suppose that there was such a thing as witch.
craft, and said he should show that the prisoner must
have known that what he attributed to witchcraft was
the result of merely physical and natural causes. The
learned counsel was about to contend that it was no de.
fence to say that ordinary prud nce might have protected
the prosecutor from imposition.
Mr. Justice Willes said all the old cases were overruled,
It was sufficient now if there be any false representa
tion, which was sufficient to take anybody in, be he fool
or be be wise.
The following witnesses were then called :
Thos. Charles worth, the prosecutor, a very respect
able-looking young man, was examined by Mr. Macna-
mara. He said—l am a farmer, and live at Bromley
Hurst, in this county. I was married at the end of 1855
My mother at that time was living with me, and left in
the following February. She said she would take my
two little brothers away from me, and I said she should
not. There were some words between us, and she
left. In April we could not get the cheese to turn,
and the dairymaid (Catherine Charlesworth) was
very ill. I could not account for the cheese not
turning. At that time a man named T. Sammons was at
work on my farm. In consequence of a convrsation
with him I went to the prisoner's house, on Saturday the
26th of April. He lived at rhorney-lane, about four
miles from my house. He kept a beerhouse. I had know n
him 7or 8 years. My wife accompanied me. I saw the
prisoner, and told him we could not get the cheese to
curd, and the dairymaid was ill, and that Mrs. Willatti
and Sammons said it was bewitched—(laughter)—and
that Sammons told use he was in the habit of stopping
such things as witchcraft. He said he would come over
in the morning, and he should be able to tell me what
was the matter, and who had done it. He said he must
tell his wife he was coming to look at some calves, or
she would not let him come for that purpose—the stop-
ping the witchcraft. The next morning he came into my
house and saw me. When he cams in be said all my
cows tied up by the neck were bewitched. They gave
the milk. lie said two horses and myself were bewitched,
my wife, the dairymaid, and the cheese-kettle. (Laugh-
ter.) Ile had not seen the cows nor the cheese-kettle.
He said he could stop it by my paying 3s. 6d. for each of
the cattle, 5 for myself, ss. for the dairymaid, and 56.
for the cheese-kettle. (Laughter.) There were 27 co as
tied by the neck. He wanted all the names of the cows
put down. He said he could free my wife by taking one
bit out of her dress. He said my mother had had a broad
hand on me, and had only put her finger on her. He
said it was my mother who had done it. I gave him all
the names of the cows, and paid him the money, amount
ing altogether to about 61. or 71. He asked rue to write
a letter to a man named Conway, in London, for a ape ll-
book, to set the cattle free. I wrote the letter, and he
took it away. He said he must see the horses be-
fore he went. I went with him, and he laid his
hands on them. He then left. He said the da'ry
maid must go away. The next day the dairymaid
was n better, and the cheese was no better.
(Laughter.) I went next day and told him so. He
said he would come over the next morning and see to it.
I had two cups of ale. On my way home I was took
very ill. I had shooting pains in my chest, and my
head was very had. When I got home I was taken
with shaking and shivering. The prisoner came the
next day, and saw me in bed, between 8 and 12. He
said I must get up and have a little brandy. He said
he had been round by Uttoxeter, or he would have been
sooner. He said he did not think I should have been so
bad, but I should soon be better. He did not say why I
had been so bad. He said the reason was because he had
had a contest with old Bull of Yeaverley, and he had bes t
him. He said my mother had done it, and she had set
Bull on. The prisoner then remained several days at
my house. I got but very little better. I continued

poorly. My mother had been to my Louse on the pre-
vious Sunday. I mentioned that to the prisoner. Be
said she had put a curse on everything, bud he must ha►e
more money to free all the young cattle. Ile charged
me 3s. 6d. a-piece for all the sheep, stirks, and calves,
and ss. for the goods and chattels. (Laughter.) I paid
for 50 sheep, 12 stirks, 11 calves, and 12 pigs. I
paid 3s. 6d. for the pigs. Re charged me ss. for my
baby. (Laughter.) I paid about 151. on this occa,ion.
(This evidence was objected to, but after a long discus-
sion was admitted.) Shortly after this the prisoner
came into ray house as a servant. That was a few
days after. Ile remained till the 7th of February in
this year. During that time I had five attacks of

ness ; the symptoms were generally the same as at the
fint. When I was attacked the second time the

prisoner said my mother had been to a man at
Longton, named Cotton, and she had set Cotton to
do it. He raid he must go and see Cotton, which

I suppose be did.

He afterwards told me he and

hii wife had been to see biw, and it cast him 1/.

I d:d not pay him that. He said Cotton had charged
him 1/. to show books against him. He 'aid he (pri-

enner) had beaten him. On the third attack I conversed
with the prisoner about it, and he said my mother Fad

done it, and eho hail been to a man at Badley Iledg(%
and tht re were two wurhing against me and my wife awl
baby, that they wen putting witchcraft urin me. I

- - -
and my wifo went with him to Fee the man.• We went
to Frogliall station. The prisoner said we must wait at
the elation while be went to see Arnold. Ile went to
Badley Hedge, and then came back and said that A meld
lived at 1.14-re be left us at the rta!iou
boid %%lie inubt not fear if she felt anything. He
asked me for 10e. to get admitted at Arnold's house, to
show books with him. I gave it to him. He stay ed
away bout half-an-hour. He then said :here had been
two at work, and that was why my wife was so bad.
He said he could beat the other man without going o
wife was taken very and likewise the ba',37-
,brihnei. My
syrn
plows were the same as I had bad. She was
taken with shivering and shaking. He said that
there
were two workirg on us at that time, and that was the
reason my wife was 20 On the fourth attack the
prisoner said my mother had been to a man at Burton,
named Phalan:, in Bond street. lie 7 riidbiyulitur.st go
and see PlinaLer. wanted 55. to sc

gave it him. He went away, and shortly afterwards re:
turned. He said he would bring the young man for us
to see, but when he came back he said the young man
would not come, and he had brought the old one. An
old man came with and went into the room with
him. The prisoner on the sth of January appeared
to be taken ill. He came from home, and said
the witchcraft was en himself, and he had had two
very bad nights, and that it was Cotton who was doing
it, and that if be did not go to Longton he
should die. He seemed to be shivering, as I was.
He wanted 3/. 10s. to go to Longton. He said
that was to have the witchcraft taken off. When
be came back he said be was obliged to get the super-
intendent of police to break his (Cotton's) door open,
and that be (the prisoner) had been very ill at Longton,
and obliged to have the doctor. He said it was thrmigh
having had a contest with Cotton. He said he had seen
Cotton, and that the police went in with him, and that
Cotton was very stubborn. Oa the fifth attack (on the
Bth of February) I sent for the prisoner. When he came
he said my mother had been to a man at Derby, that I
must be two or three days, and he would try to beat
him without going to see him. He said my mother had
been to Derby to see a man named Wilson to set the
witchcraft on. On the 10th he saidhe must go to Derby,
and I went with him as far as Burton. My wife went
with him, and said she would go, as she was determined
to see if he (prisoner) was correct. I gave my wife ss.
On his return he said he bad had a contest with Wilson,
but be had been very stubborn, and he would finish him
in three days. (Laughter.) On the Bth of February
the prisoner brought my breakfast into my room. He
left the house shortly afterwards. I was taken very i,l
after he had left with shooting pains in my chest and
pains in my head. I was obliged to have it bathed with
vinegar and water. On the 10th he came againrand on
the 11th he brought my breakfast again. I felt the
same symptoms as before. I sent for a surgeon, Mr.
Higgins. I was very ill. My wife then fetched the
prisoner, and when he came I asked him what was the
reason I had been so ill, and had so many attacks. He
said it was through Wilson dying, and I should be better
new. I afterwards ordered the prisoner not to come on
my premises—that was on the 17th of February. There
had been a complaint by the servants. I was better be-
tore the doctor came.
Crose-examined by Mr. Skinner—ln four hours I was
well. Ido not know whether Mr. Higgins is here, and
that is as true as the rest I.have said.
Mr. Scotland objected to the question in that form.
Mr. Justice Willes said that was a common form.
(Laughter.)
Cross-examination continued—Sammons is not here.
lam 23. lam the owner of the farm, about 40 acres.
My mother seemed to be offended at my marriage. She
did not say that was why she left me. She went to live
with my grandmother. She said I should not make any
cheese, and it would all tumble to pieces. She came
and said I should never do any good, and the cheese
should all tumble to pieces. (Laughter.) I don't know
whether she said she hoped I might lie in bed and rot,
and nobody would come to help me. My wife or servants
told me she said so. When my mother said that the
cheese fell to pieces I recollect four of them fell to pieces.
I did not know what to think of it. I almost think I
went to Tunnicliff the day my mother left. My mother
left on the 10th of March, 1856. On that day her mes-
sage was brought to me. She returned and said the
cheeses should fall to pieces. Tke dairymaid was taken
ill a few days before I went to the prisoner. He told me
I must dismiss the dairymaid ; she must go off the place,
or she would die, and I dismissed her accordingly. He
did not say I must dismiss her because she could not
make cheese. When I went to the prisoner I told him
I thought there was something wrong; that Mrs. Wil-
latts said I was bewitched. I did believe I was bewitched,
or I should not have gone to the prisoner. Mrs. Willatts
is a neighbour. She is as wise as her neighbours, fur
what I know. (Laughter.) Mr. Charlesworth, of Rikis
end, asy wife's father, had sent for a Mr. Harrison. He
is a wizard. They are not like blackberries. (Laughter.)
I am not a wizard myself. (Laughter.) I have said I was
afraid my father was in the same way as I was. lam
right now, sir. (Laughter.) lam not bewitched now.
I have not been bewitched. I have been dosed. I know
Talbot. I saw him, and he said he would have cured the
A itchcraft for me if he bad been sent for, and he would
have kicked Tunnicliff off the place soon. I thought my
father was bewitched, because he was in a poor low way.
I don't remember that he died of delirium tremens. He
died eight or nine years ago. He used to get drunk
ouletiines. Sometimes I take something to drink. I
get a little fresh sometimes, but not drunk. On the 10th
Feb. I did not get drunk and lose my hat on the way
home. Once I lost my has. The wind blew it off.
Sometimes I keep a bottle by my bedside. It contains
brandy, or perhaps a little gin. Sometimes we have a
little brandy and sometimes a little gin. My " missus
takes a little. (Laughter.) We take it if we are un-
well, sometimes two or three times in the night. I had
upset my trap, but I was not drunk. The horse was
frightened. I did not tell Mr. Hail, the prisoner's land-
lord, that the prisoner had had neither money, cheese,
nor bacon from me, but was working regularly on the
farm. Mr. Hali was going to give the prisoner notice,
because he had heard these tales of witchcraft. This
paper is in my handwriting. I wrote to contradict the
reports in the Uttoxeter newspaper. The prisoner asked
me to write it, and said they
,would transport him if I
did not. I said I would build a house for the prisoner.
The prisoner said he had 1001. he should like to lay out.
I don't recollect saying to Mr. E. Bannister that I never
gave him money, cheese, or bacon. I have so, because
the prisoner said if I saidanythingabout money he would
be transported fur seven years. I should not have gone
against the prisoner if I had not found him out. When
the prisoner left on the 17th of Feb. I reckoned with
him, and found him 18s. 61. in my debt. What I had
paid him to get rid of the bewitchment was not included.
I have been to the prisoner's house, the Royal Oak. I
paid him for what ale I had. I have been there with my
wife and little brother and Mies Coates. I took a little
brandy in my pocket. I had been very ill, and Mr.
Higgins recommended me to have a little brandy. I
never said to Edward Bannister I would sell my wife for
a shilling. I have never been downright drunk in Ban-
nister's presence. Mr. Cope came ono night to my
house. Toe new dairymaid, Ann Richrrdson, toll me
that my dog had gone through the house and appeared
all on fire. She Fail there appeared to be a ball of fire
behind him. Some one said the house was all lighted
by the fire. I was very ill. Mr. Cope came over to me
on the lEls of February. I don't recollect telling him I
was bewitched again. I don't remember his saying
"Oh, nonsense !" He said the dog had bad something
given to her, and she would die. I did not say that the
dog had had rabbits' entrails and had had too much. I
did not say we had drunk all the brandy. My wife
asked if he had any. I did not pour out what there was
and drink it myself. Ido not recollect my wife saying to
Cope that the house would have fa len down just now if
we had not said the Lord's Prayer, for there had been a
noise like an earthquake. I don't undertake to say it
was not said. I have two dogs. I was sober. We
were not all drunk. I bad only a little drop of ale, ar.d
Mr. Cope asked us to have some gin. My w.fe sent for
a lawyer to make my will. That was the night I said
my father was in the same way as myself. Mr. Harvey
was by. Mr. Cope gave us some gin, and I and my
wife took it neat. I bad not told Cope six weeks before
I went to the prisoner that I had been bewitched and
that I attributed it to my mother. I swear I was no

drunk for several days before the 11th. I had a sup on
the 10th —,oine brandy at Burton—with the prisoner.

I did not throw my boot at the Fervant that Mr,

Cope has not advised us to eat more and drink less, and

we should be better. Nor did farmer Brown. Brown

said I was a foul for going to Tannicliff, and ought to
kick him off the plAce, for he was doing the witchcraft.

He did not say it was delirium tremens, and it would
kill me if I continued drinking. I told Mr. Pott that
when I was going to Tunnioliff's I saw a wanderer on the

mad, ani ri,y garters came untied, and that I was be-
witched. (Laughter.) I don't know bow they became
untied. (Llughter.) I lost one calf before I went to

_ .
Tunnicliff. Tuumcliff drenched two that were ill and
cured them the first day he came to work. I don't be-

lieve in the witching now, not since my wife went to
a2rby, and fund there was no man named Wilson.
That was the 16 h Feb. I did not tell farmer Pott a

-
fortnight ago that I had got a lamb bewitched.
Putt said the lamb was bewitched, and be had
iticust,ll bccu beAitched several times. The prism,r
has a daughter. She is subject to tits. I had not put on
a white street and gone after her to tho pump to frighten
her. (Tile witness hesitated.) I may have done it to one
of the servants sometimes. I have riot done it to the girl
in be 1. I have heard her complain. I believe she had
two or three tits at our house. She was subject to them
beforo she caint?. One night my wife was shaken very
Ladly with shavers, the same as I was. The prisoner'
worked with me as a labourer. He went borne when
he liked. He (Tuncticlift) gave me this printed paper,
and. said he composed it. (It was some doggrel verses
ab,ut a itchcratt )

Re-ex twined 63r Mr. &Aland—While prisoner was
with me I had two pigs ill, and seven cows dipped their
calves.

By a Juror—The cheeses fell to pieces in a fortnight
after they were made. They cracked as they were on
the floor. Sometimes they did not came well. I never
had a cheeBe crack before.
Elizabeth Chailvsworh, examined by Mr. Scotland,
said the was the wife of the prosecutor. There had been
something the matter with t!.e cheese before we went to

the prisoner. We could not get the cheese to come, and
the dairymaid was unwell. Sammons said the prisoner
would Cure it. The prisoner told us to turn the dairy-
maid away. We did that the same night, bat the
cheese continued bad. On the 28th A pril I was very
unwell. I bad a great deal of shaking and pains, and so
had the child toe. The prisoner had been there on the
27th April. We heard knocks that night, but could
not tell where. Another night, on the 28th, we heard
the cows all lament, and the horses prancing, the dog
howling, and a many strange noises. There was some-
thing about 3- o'clock that was louder than the deg. The
men were called up. I asked the men to drive it away.
I heard it no more. In the morning I told the prisoner.
He looked sleepy. He said he knew we shculd have an
awful night, but he dursn't tell us for fear of putting us
in bad spirits. One night be took a knife and p'ate, and
asked me and my husband to go into a room with him
and he would show us all our enemies ; but we were too
ill to go. He would not let Mrs. Copestake go with him.
When he came out of the room there veal a blueness
over him. When he went in he said it would be either
death or glen to him, and when he came out he se 11 he had
succeeded. He said it was his (prosecutor's) mother who
ball done it on us, and the brother on the stock. In bed
one night (the Thursday night) after I was asleep I was
snatched up in bed as straight as I am now, and I was
shaken all to death. The prisoner was in our room
sleeping there. We had no spare room. He said he
would stay with us a few days till we were better. I
asked the prisoner what he was doing, and he lit the
candle. He got out of bed and lit the candle. I was
very iiL The prisoner came to the bed and brought my
Bible. He said it bad been with old Bull, of Yeaverley,
asd that was why I was shaken so. (Sensation.) When
I asked what he was doing he said nothing was the mat-
ter; I must go to sleep again. When the prisoner came
to me I asked him to give me a little sip of brandy. I
was better after that. He said his brother wanted the
Bible to take to old Bull, and that was why I was shaken
so. I had several attacks, all shaking. I saw my husband
pay the prisoner on the 27th, and also a week after. The
witness confirmed the evidence of her husband about their
going to the Froghall station, to see Arnold and another
man ; and also about their going to Burton to see the man
Plimmer to free them ; and as to the prisoner's story
about taking the police to break open Cotton's door at
Losgton. She then gave an account of her going with the
prisoner to Derby to see a man named Wilson. The
prisoner left her at an inn, and returned in half an hour,
and then accompanied her into the town, and pointed
out the house where the man lived. In a week the wit-
netts went to Derby again, to the house next door but
one, and asked who lived in the house pointed out, but
she was told that no person named Wilson lived there.
But she did not apply at the house itself.
Crose-examined by Mr. Skinner---My child was seven
months old when it died. It was nursed by me. It
died of convulsions two days after the prison r brought
me the Bible. Dr. Higgins attended the child. He is
not here. The baby was a very stout baby till I knew
the prisoner. My mother-in-law was not pleased at our
marriage. I believe she wished that we might rot in
bed, and that nobody might come to help us. She said
we should never do any good, and all the cheeses would
tumble to pieces. Before we sent to Tunnicliff we could
not make the cheese come. I engaged a dairymaid fr .m
my mother. There was one cheese very bad before the
prisoner came. The prisoner took four cheeses away.
I don't know that four cheeses were bad. The dairy-
maid came before we sent to Tunnichfr. The dairymaid
was ill and the calves had got "the hoost " before the
prisoner came. We thought they were bewitched. The
prisoner told me if I did not stud the dairymaid away
that night she would be a wanderer. I sent her to my
mother's that night, before 6. She had been in a wild,
queer way. My shakings lasted for two hours. There
were like cats fighting in the room. I can't tell what
shook me, whether it was a spirit or not. No man
could shake me as I was shaken. (Laughter.) I went
lietter altar the prisoner lighted the candle. A little
spirits (brandy) soothed me, and I went better. The
yells were like unto a dog, but louder. The yell
went away when my man (the carman) bid it
go. He is net here to-day. We believed
that we were bewitched from April, 1856, till
February 11, 1857. I never take spirits, except when I
have spasm.. I did not see the fiery dog come into the
house, bat I saw the blaze. I saw our dog, and then a
dog after it on fire. (Laughter.) I sates the blaze, but
not the dog. Our dog then sat down on his hind lege,
with his tongue out, and his paws hanging down.
(Laughter.) It seemed dying. The girl, Ann Richard-
son, who saw the fire dog, is here. She said if I did not
send the prisoner away, she would go. The prisoner
was then dismissed, the day after I had been to Derby.
On the 11th of February I wished my husband to make
his will, but he wished me to tell the man to make haste,
or he would not see him alive. We sent for Mr. Cope
on the 11th, because we were so terrified. I cannot tell
what was said, I was so terrified at seeing my husband
so ill, and the noises together. My husband has brandy
sometimes ; be is so troubled with the wind. (Laughter.)
I take it for the spasms, and he for the wind. (Laugh.
ter.) Brandy always relieves us. (Laughter.) I asked
Mr. Cope for a sup of brandy, because we had none in
the house. That night there vas an awful shake at the
door, and we said tie Lord's Prayer. We went over to
Mr. Cope's. I showed my tongue to Mr. Cope to see
how parched up it was. He gave me one glass of neat
gin. I declined the water. The prisoner made this song
and gave me 2s. towards having it printed. It cost 4s.
I never heard it on the dulcimer. The prisoner's daugh-
ter was very bad while she was at our house. I never
saw my husband in a white sheet. She was frightened
at Mrs. Coates's and my husband was there. She had
hysterics that night.
Reexamined by Xr. Macnamara.—The prisoner took
away the four cheese; to bury them.
Elizabeth Heskett, examined by Mr. .Macnamara,
said—l was in the service of prosecutor as nurse in 1856.
I remember on one omasion in April the prisoner asked
me for a plats and knife. He took it into the house. I
saw a blaze and a smoke in the room where he war.
He made wooden crosses and stuck them over the doors.
Cross-examined by Mr. Skinner—When he came out
of the room he appeared as he did before. He worked
regularly on the farm as a servant.
Re-examined by Mr. Scotland—He was a good deal in
the house, and slept there all the time.
Ann Richardson, examined,by Mr. Scotland, said—l
went into the prosecutor's service last New Year's-day.
On the Bth of February my master was taken very ill.
The prisoner took his breakfast to him that morning.
He made the tea and took it with eggs and bacon up
stairs. In about half an hour my master said he felt
very poorly. He complained of his head and stomach..
I was taken ill the same day. The prisoner breakfasted
with me. I had coffee; In about half an hour I felt
poorly. I had pains iu my head arid stomach. I felt
sick. The prisoner went home. I was worse on tee
11th, and my master too. The prisoner came on the
10th and said I should be better after that day. They
went to Derby. The next morning the prisoner made
the breakfast and took it up. The same day the prose-
cutor went out. He returned at 4in the afternoon, and
was taken very ill in his head and stomach. The dog
was very bad. The same night the master was very ill,
and we heard something come into the yard like a car-
riage. Something came in the passage like the wind.
There was our dog and the shape of another dog after it
all in fire. Our dog went behind the door in tee yard
with his tongue out. I did not see what became of the
fiery dog. (Laughter.) The prisoner on Sunday night
asked me to make him some tea. I refused, because I
thought he had dosed me or bewitched me. (Laughter.)
I complained to my master, and after that the prisoner
left on the 17th of February.
Cross-examined by Mr. Skinner—I had some words
with the prisoner. My master and mistress had told me
the prisoner had recommended them to send me away
from my place. He bad said he bad found out some.
thing about me and the cowman, and I gave him a bit
of trey mind. My master only took a meat spoonful of
brandy when he was poorly. My master had had some
drink on the 10th—some little. I don't know how a man
looks when he has had some little—l leave that to your
judgment how you look. (Laughter). Both the dogs
came in together. I don't know what became of the
" shape of the dog." I bad never seen a " fire dog" be-
fore. I saw it quite plainly. Only me and master's
brother saw it. (Laughter.) It came in at the door. I
followed it. It went behind the door that was shut.
I could not think how the dog got through. (Laughter).
I did not smell any brimstone. (Laughter.) Our dog
eat behind the door with his tongue out. It seemed to
me a quarter of a yard long. (Loud laughter.)
John Anderson, examined by Mr. Macnamara, said,
—I am a pelice superintendent at Burton. There is a
place called Bond-end, but not Bond-:street, at Burton.
There is no person named Plimmer lives there.
ebelh Charlesworth, examined by Mr. Scotland,
said—l am a widow and the mother of the prosecutor.
He married in Dec., 1855. I left him in March, 1856.
I have known the prissier by sight, and seen him about.
I have never said anything to him about bewitching or
witchcraft. I have never attempted to do any injury to
my son by witchcraft. Ido not know anything of a
man named Arnold or Balt of Yeaverley, or Wilson or
Plimmer at Burton, nor have I mentioned their names
to the prisoner.
Cross-examined by Mr. Skinner—l was not dissatis-
fied with my son's marriage. I never said my son would
never do well, nor that he would never make any cheese
—it would all tumble in pieces. I did not care about
the marriage. I left because I thought I would give
place to her. I never threatened the cheese. I had
had a few words about taking away the two lit-le boys.
My husband was ill eight mouths.
By the Judge—l have lived eight years with my son.
I managed the bowie for him.
Edis Crisp, &police inspector at Rugeley, apprehended
the prisoner on the 25th of Feb. In this house he found
a root (briony), some leaves, and the printed paper pro-
duced.
Dr. Monkton, of Rugeley, examined by Mr. Scotland,
said he hail heard the evidence, and he could not form
any opinion of what had caused the symptoms. He
had formed an opinion on the evidence given before the
magistrates. The root is the white briony (erionia din-
ica). It has irritating properties.
This being the case for the pr•,secut'on,
Mr. Skinner sail it was 11.1 d do wu that the false pre-
tence must boa false pretence of an existing fact ; but
it was impossible that witchcraft c Auld be an existirg
fact, for it was now recognised by the law that witch-
craft could not exist.
his
lordship
shtboautld if ,b on
e ofc on
a sut i
Mr. Justice said he was of opinion that the case came
d
within the statute, but
he (Mr. Justice Willes) would reserve the point.
&Ir. Skinner then addressed the jury for the defendant.
Ha said this case illustrated an old saying, that one fool
ma de many; and the worst that could be said against
i rent Mr.
opinion,j
Crowder,ustice
the, prisoner was that he bad accepted what the prosecu-
tor bad said respecting him. It appeared the cheese had
for several days been bad, and their man Sammons had
hold them that it was bewitched. But where was Sam-
:nous ? Why was he not called 1 The prosecutor's
mother had denied what the prosecutor hed attributed