The Sun.
London, England, 1868-01-13 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, JANUARY 13, 181 8

THE CLERKENWELL uIITRAGE.

EXAMINATION OF THE CONSPIRATORS.
BOW-STREET—THIS DAY.
The prisoners, Timothy Desmond, William Des-
mond, Jeremiah Allen, Nicholas English, John
O'Keefe, and Ann Justice were again placed at the
bar, charged with wilful murder.
The prisoners were brought to the Court in the
prison van guarded by mounted police, and the
precautions taken in the Court veined to be much
increased. The number of constables on duty was
greater, and they were all armed with revolvers.
Although the attendance of the public in court
was very Lini`ed, owing ❑o doubt to the trouble of
obtmining achnission, the attenlance of noblemen
and gentlemen on the bench was greater than usual.
Amongst those present were—the Duke of Man-
chester, Lord Henry Lennox, Lord Gordon Lennox,
Lord Wrottesley, and General Peel.
Mr. Giffard, Q.C., and Mr. Poland appeared on
the part of the Crown to prosecute ; Mr. Lewis
appeared for O'Keefe ; and Mr. Harper for Timothy
Desmond.
Mr. Giffard informed the magistrate that from
certain facts that had come to his knowledge since
the last examination it had been thought right to
include the prisoner O'Keefe in the charge of wilful
murder.
Sir T. Henry—Very well. O'Keefe, are you pro-
vided with legal assistance ?
Mr. Lewis—l appear for him.
The following evidence was then taken :
Richard Willes said—l live at No. 6, Hull-street.
On the evening of the explosion I was coming along
Corporation-row. I then saw some men near a
barrel. There was something
_sticking out of the
barrel which burnt blue. One of the mean leaned
over the barrel and laughed. I 'stood and looked
at it for some time, and then the men appeared to
come towards me. The man, however, nearest the
barrel looked at me and laughed:- To 'the best of
my belief the prisoner (O'Keefe) was the man lean-
ing over the barrel.
O'Keefe—What, me?
Witness—Yes. .
Examination continued—There were some other
persons near the barrel, amongst them a woman and
some boys. The man near the barrel had on a
brown coat and a wide-awake hat. I saw the
barrel near the spot, and on it there was some black
oilcloth. When 1 got up to the barrel the light
burning in it went out. At the back of the truck
I saw the words "To let." 1 did not think much
more about the matter.
By Mr. Lewis—lt was the beginning of last
week that I first spoke of this matter. Two parties
came—one I know was from the City police. Prior
to that I had spoken of the matter to Mr. Spittal,
the City detective. I told him of the circumstance
about a fortnight ago. My mother, I believe, first
mentioned the matter to some person, and then to
Inspector Potter and Mr. Spittal.
Mr. Lewis—When was the first time you men-
tioned the matter to any one ?
Witness—On the Monday.
Mr. Lewis—And why not before ?
Witness—Because I did not want to be mixed
up in the affair.
By Mr. Poland—l cannot say why 1 particularly
• noticed the prisoner I have pointed out. I suppose
it was because he looked at me and laughed.
Thomas Reeves Clifford—l lived at No. 11, Cor-
poration-row before the explosion. lam a warder in
the House of Detention. I left duty that day a
few minutes before four, and went home. After I
had arrived I want to the window and looked into
the street. I then saw three men with a truck,
upon which there was a barrel. Two men
were drawing the • truck, and the third
was walking on the pavement to the left
of the others. I saw a barrel on the truck covered
over with a tarpaulin. All three men appeared to
have been drinking, as they were all laughing and

smoking.
Mr. Giffard—Did you notice the men parti-
cularly ?
Witness—Yes.
Mr. Giffard—Do you see any of them present ?
Witness--Yes; Allen is the man who walked on
the pavement, and I think English and Timothy
Desmond were the men drawing the truck ; but I
cannot swear to them. The cask appeared to be one
of 36 gallons.
Sir T. henry—Allen, do you wish to ask the
witness any questions ?
Allen—l should like to know how he became ac-
quainted with my name ?
Witness—By coming
here the last examination,
and also from your being in the House of Deten-

tion.
Allen—Who did you speak about me first to ?
Witness—To Mr. Hudson, of the Treasury, when
he was taking evidence.
Allen—After you had heard the evidence in this
Court ?
Witness—No, it was not.
Allen-1 suppose it was then after you had read
the papers ?
Witness—No, I have not time to read the news-
papers. I now think it was to the Governor of the
House of Detention on the Monday after the ex-
plosion that I first mentioned the matter, and he it
was who wrote to the Treasury.
Sir T. Henry—When did you first see Allen
after the explosion?
Witness—At this court. I had seen him on the
oniogthieteohfimtheveerxy particularly
in the prison, but did not
Ann Gillies—At
thetimee explosion I lived
at No. 3, St. James's-buildings. On the night
o f then.t h
before the explosion I met that person (O'Keefe)
about 10 o'clock in Woodbridge-street.
O'Keefe—What, me ?
Witness—Yes, you, walking towards me, near
Aylesbury-street.
Examination continued.—lt was near the gas
lamp, and I saw the prisoner's features. He wore a
high hat, and had on a dark coat and light
trowsers.
Mr. Lewis—What colour was the coat?
Witness—l cannot say. It was night. It was
either blue or black. It was not a brown one.
Mr. Lewis—Aud that you will swear ?
Witness —Yes.
Ambrose Sutton, recalled—The day before the
explosion, to the best of my belief, I saw O'Keefe
near the House of Detention , between 3 and 4
o'clock. He passed through Short's-buildings into
Rosoman-street, near Corporation-row. lie was

•
alone.
Mr. Lewis—You 'have been examined before ;
why did you not mention this matter before ?
Sir T. Henry—O'Keefe has not been charged
with wilful murder before to-day.
Witness—l saw the prisoner first in Vine-street,
and it was there I identified him.
Walter Holgate, a lad about 14 years of age, said
—I work at the greengrocer's at the corner of Roso-
man-street. I recollect playing with Chas. Mosely
in Corporation-lane before the prison was blown up.
I was running round the building to keep myself
warm. When I came round the second time I saw
a barrel on the pavement and a truck in the road.
It looked like a parrafline barrel.
Mr. Gifford—How do you know that ?
Witness—Because I've seen them in carts and
at shop doors.
Mr. Giffard—You wanted to roll the barrel
about?
Witness—Yes. Some of the boys said, " Let us
roll it about," but I said no, the man will come. It
was about three o'clock.
Mr. Giffard—How do you know that ?
Witness—Because I got home late to my dinner,
and got a good scolding for it.
Mr. Giffard—Do you recollect playing at cat
the next day, the day when the explosion occurred,
with Charley Blosely ?
Witness—Yes, and with Taylor and Gillies in St.
James's-buildings. It was in the afternoon, a little
after three. Mosely left us to go up stairs to his
home to see the prisoners go round. When the
explosion took place I was sitting on a basket at my
master's door, and I was then blown on my face.
John Smith, another little boy, said—l am nine
years old, and live at No. 6, Northampton-buildings,
Clerkenwell. My father is a printer, and works at
Spottiswoode'o, On Friday, the day of the expie

sion, I was at play with TOM Wheeler. He's now
in the hospital. He had his thumb and finger
blown off, and his neck cut. We were playing in
Corporation-lane. I saw a barrel, like a paraffine
barrel, close to the prison wall. I saw a man near
the barrel, and he tried to light a squib which was
sticking out of it, but as it wouldn't burn

he took it out and threw it into the middle of the

road. I picked it up. The squib was in a round
hole in the barrel, which had a bit of white cloth
over it. The squib was in the top of the barrel
facing the houses. After I had picked up the squib

a woman told me to go away. I afterwards saw a

man from the corner of the court throw the man a

box of matches. I ran away with the squib down
to Johnny Cooper's. The box of matches was
thrown to the man at the barrel after I hal picked
up the squib. I saw the inaa put a second squib
in the barrel, but I did'nt see it lighted. A. woman

said to me,

" My dear boy, you had better go away,

it's dangerous."
Mr. Lewis objected to that being entered on the
depositions.
Sir T. Henry—lt is evidence. It accounts for
the boy running away after he had been cautioned.

You can object to it at the trial if you think

proper.

Examination continued—After I had got the
squib I ran down to the Jolly Coopers, where I
dropped it. I had got to the prison wall, wllen
I was blown up to the Jolly Coopers, and that
made me drop the squib. I wasn't hurt.
Richard Maskell—l am a warder in the House of
Detention. Oa the 12th of December I took out
between 80 and 90 prisoners to exercise at half-past
three in the afternoon. We led out at a quarter
past three and led in at a quarter past four. I was
a quarter late that day in consequence of having to
let the prisoners out. Amongst them to take out
was a prisoner named Richard Burke. The pri-

Boners walk round and round a paved path in the
form of rings. After I had been walking round
and round 1 noticed l3urke more particularly.
Mr. Lewis--I must object to that. It cannot be
evidence against the prisoner.
Sir T. Henry—Yes it is, if it's a fact.
Mr. Giffard—l propose to show the motive of the
explosion.
Examination continued—After the clock had
struck half-past four the prisoner Burke fell out of
the rank at the wall near Woodbridge-street. He
pulled off his boot and knocked it against the wall
as if to get a stone out. He wiped his boot with
his hand, and then put it on again, at which time
he was looking up at the house in Corporation-lane.
He put his boot on very slowly. Having done so,
he fell in in the rank again, and went round with
the other prisoners ?
By Mr. Harper —lt was an hour after the explo-
sion that I again visited the yard.
Mr. Harper—Was not the prison struck with the
bricks, and would not they have cleared the yard of
the whole of the prisoners.
Witness—Yes, some portion of the prison was
hit, but the place at which Burke sat down was not
touched at all. There were no indented marks on
the wall near which he stood, neither were there
any bricks lying about where Burke had fallen out.
James Cape—l am a warder at the House of De-
tention. On Thursday afternoon, the 12th, I was
out in the exercising yard with the last witness
(Alaskell) at about half-past three. There were
about 80 prisoners exercising. Burke was one of
those prisoners, and he was under my charge.
Something was thrown over the wall while I was
there. This would be a few minutes after four. A
white ball came over the wall at the point near
Corporation-row. The ball fell near my feet. I
caught it as it rebounded. I put that ball in my
pocket, and the next day after I gave it to my
children. I believe 1 have now the very ball in my
pocket.
Sir T. Henry—Produce the ball.
The witness here placed a white Indiarubber ball
on the desk.
Mr. Poland—Where did you get that from?
Witness—From the ruins of my house which was
destroyed by the explosion.
Su. T. lienry—Gould Casey have gone into the
yard in which Burke was?
Witnes3—Yes, he could then ; but a wall has
been built up at that point since the explosion.
Mr. Poland—Were the prisoners being exercised
in the other yard at the same time that Burke was is
the other ?
Witness—Yes, and Casey was one of them.
Sir T. Henry directed Inspector Thomson to take
charge of the ball.
[lt will be recollected that one of the lads on a
former examination spoke to having seen one of the
prisoners throw a white ball over the wall of the
prison the day before the explosion.]
Maskel 1 was recalled, and, in answer to Mr.
Giffard, said—lt was about two minutes after four
when Burke fell out of the rank. He reported the
matter to the chief warder. He knew that to be
the time, as the prisoners had just been reversed,
which is always done as the clock strikes four.
James M'Ewen, 5, Gladstone-terrace, Channel-
row, Peckham, a clerk in the employ of Curtis
and Harvey, 74, Lombard-street, gunpowder ma-
nufacturers, said—On Wednesday, the 4th of Dec.,
a man called at our office and asked if we could
supply him with 50 pounds of powder next day.
He said he wanted blasting powder. I told him be
could not have it the next day, but he could the
one following. He went away, saying that he
would ask his partner if that would do. He came
back again the same day, and said he could increase
the order to 200 lbs, and it would do if he had it on
the Friday. The order was then taken in the re-
gular way. The address to which it was to be de-
livered was " George Smith, 8, Poulteney-court,
Silver-street." The powder was sent by a man
named Purchase on the Friday. It was sent in
four half barrels. It was to be paid for on de-
livery.
Mr. Giffard—Look carefully at the prisoners, and
tell me if you recognise any of them.
Witness—l cannot recognise any of them.
William Purchase—l live at Hounslow. lam a
carman in the service of Messrs. Harvey, gunpow-
der manufacturers. On Friday, the 6th of Decem-
ber, I delivered four half barrels (of 501bs. each) of
powder to " Mr. G. Smith, 8, Pulteney-court,
Silver-street." I took the van with the paw-
der to the end of the court, and then I went
to No. 8, which is a greengrocer's shop, kept
by a Mrs. Martin, and inquired for Mr. Smith. The
little girl called " Mr. Smith" downstairs. He
came through the open door into the shop, and I
then said,. " Are you Mr. Smith ?" He said;.
" Yes," and.l then said, " I've got four parcels of
gunpowder for you ; are you aware of it ?" and he
said " Yes." I was standing at the shop door at
this time. I said, " Where will you have 'em ?"
Ho said, " One moment, and I'll be with you."
When
_I first went I saw Mrs. Martin in the shop,
and she called to the little girl. She was serving
her customers whilst I was talking to the man.
This person went with me to the tail of the van,
and put one of the barrels on my shoulder
and said, " Follow me." I followed him
back to No. 8. We went down the
passage into a back-yard. He told me to put the
barrel in the corner of it. I did so. I then said,
" Where will you have the others ?" and 1 e said,
ill right ; I'll find a conveyance for those." I
I returned through the passage to the van, and
when I got there I found a man standing there
with a truck. I put the three half barrels into
the truck, and the man I knew as Smith covered
them over with a bit of tarpaulin. I shut the
van up and then the man (Smith) said to the person
with the truck, " All right, you know where to
take them," and the man then drew the truck in the
direction of Golden-square. I then said, " I re-
quire the money now, if you please," but he replied
" What did I do with the receipt." I re-
minded him that lie had left it in the
shop. He went in and asked Mrs. Mar-
tin where he had put the paper. She told him,
and then she gave it to him from a shelf. He again
walked up the court with me to the tail of the van,
and then he paid me the amount, £3 7s. 6d. He
said, " I'm aware I must not keep more than half a
cwt. of powder on the premises, but I know where
to put the other." When he said this he was at the
ivttol Qf thQ court, and the true 4 41 gone off. It