The Sun.
London, England, 1868-01-20 00:00:00

THE CLERICENWELL OUTRAGE.

EXAMINATION OF THE CONSPIRATORS
-THE CHARGE AGAINST CLANCY.
BOW-STREET-THIS DAY.

The arrest of another person on Saturday last
under very suspicious circumstances led to the re-
vival of the interest in the examination of the pri-
soners charged with wilful murder. Previous to the
examination of those prisoners it was arranged that
this prisoner shotild be charged. He was brought
into court strongly guarded. He is a man appa-
rently about 28 years of age, of dark complexion,
and rather shabbily dressed. His head was bound
up with a broad linen bandage.
Mr. Burnaby—ls your name John Patrick
Clancy?
Prisoner—Yes.

Mr. Burnaby—The prisoner is charged with
wilfully shooting at two police-constables, named
John Chown and William Chamberlain of the E
division, •vith intent to murder them.
Mr. Poland said he had been directed by the
Treasury to prosecute the prisoner with intent to
murder the two constables. The prisoner was a
deserter from the Royal Enginlers,and from certain
circumstances it had been thought necessary to
watch the prisoner's home, and when his arrest was
attempted on Saturday night he made a violent re-
sistance, and discharged the pistol twice at the
officers.

John Chown said—l am a police-sergeant, No.
5.E division. On Saturday night I and Chamber-
lain went to No. 26, Sidmouth-street, Gray's-inn-
road. I went there about Bin the morning. I had
ascertained that the prisoner Patrick James Clancy
was lodging there. T and the other officer were in
plain clothes. We watched the house until 7 o'clock
in the evening, when the prisoner came out. We
followed him to Tottenham-court-road, and from
there to the corner of Bedford-street. When we
got there I spoke to him, and said " Is your name
Clancy ?" to which he replied " I don't know you."
I asked him again whether his name was Clancy,
when he said, " No, my name is Reed ;" and he
said he lived at Great College-street, Camden
Town. I asked him if ho had just left there, and
he said " Yes." I told him I should take him
into custody for being a deserter from the Royal
Engineers. The moment I said the word the pri-
soner, with the stick or umbrella he had with him,
tripped me up and threw ine on my back. I saw
the constable Chamberlain pursue the prisoner, who
was then running away along Bedford-street to
Bedford-square. When I got to the corner of the
square the prisoner turned to the right and con-
tinued running. I called out" stop thief," when the
prisoner turned round, and then I heard something
whiz by my right ear like a bullet, and then saw a
flash and heard the report of fire-arms. Chamber-
lain was on my left, about six yards from me. I
saw the prisoner's face when I saw the flash. He
was about 20 yards from me when he fired. I saw
he had a revolver in his hand. Prisoner faced round
to the right when he fired, and he held the re-
volver point blank at me. The prisoner, after he
had fire:l once, turned round and commenced
running again towards Charlotte-street, I and
Chamberlain continuing to pursue him. After
running about 15 yards further I saw prisoner turn
round to the left and discharge a barrel at Cham-
berlain, who was then about 12 yards off him. I
this time saw the pistol plainly in his hand, as I had
gained ground on him. I saw Chamberlain stagger
against the rails, but I still pursued, crying " Stop,
thief." Chamberlain, however, re-commenced
running, when he (Chamberlain) got up to the
prisoner within about five yards, when a man
stopped the prisoner, and then Chamberlain got up
and threw him on his back on the pavement. This
was about the centre of the pavement, on the north
side of the square. When prisoner was tripped up
he had this revolver in his hand. I produce the
pistol, a six-barrel revolver. When we were on the
ground I heard a report, and saw the flash. When
I got up from the ground, to which I had fallen in
the struggle, I found Chamberlain had wren ched
the pistol from his hand, and he then struck the pri-
soner with the butt end of it on the head.
There was a strong smell of powder, and
Chamberlain's face was blackened by the
explosions from the pistol. We kept the pri-
soner on the ground until we got the assistance
of some special constables. Soon after this prisoner
was conveyed to the George-street Station. Just
as we were going off with the prisoner one of the
bystanders said "You rascal, did you intend to shoot
me ?" to which prisoner said, with a nod of the
head, "I did not mean to shoot you, it was this
man (Chamberlain) I meant." As we were going
down Charlotte-street prisoner said, "Are you two
policemen ?" I said, " Yes," and he then said, " I
think I've had a very good battle, and fought a fair
duel, and I'm only sorry I've not got payment for
it." I and Chamberlain then took him to the
station. When we arrived there Chamberlain
handed the pistol to Superintendent Searle. The
pistol is now precisely in the same condition that it
was when taken from the prisoner. I found that
three chambers of the pistol had been discharged,
and that a bullet had become fixed between the
barrel and the pin.

Sir Thomas Henry—Then the pistol is yet still
loaded ?

Witness—Yes, sir ; at least three barrels of it.
Mr. Poland—When you got to the station, did
the prisoner give his name ?

Witness—Yes ; he said James Clancy, no settled
home, reporter ; and he afterwards gave his address
at 26, Silmouth-street. On Sunday morning
Superintendent Searle and Inspector Garford and
myself west there. When we got there we saw the
prisoner's sister opening the door with a key. We
went into a front room on the first floor, and there
found a female, whom I was told was the prisoner's
mother, and in the back room a man was asleep,
who was said to be the prisoner's father. A search
was made of the place. A drawer was found locked
in the front room. I opened it with a key taken
from the prisoner at the station. Inspector Searle
made the search of that room, but in the kitchen I
found two six-chamber revolvers, unloaded, a great
quantity of bullets, two bullet-moulds, and a canis-
ter of powder. The person, who I believe is the
prisoner's mother, and brother were present when I
found the articles I have mentioned.

Cross-examined by the prisoner—l first saw you
come from the house I have mentioned. lam quite
sure you had a stick or umbrella in your hand.
Chamberlain was with me at the time. When I
first spoke to you in Tottenham-court-road I told
you we were police officers, and that we should take
you into custody for desertion. If I have omitted
that in my first examination it is by pure accident.
I distinctly state that I mentioned the words Royal
Engineers when I took you in custody. Before you
fired the first time you turned suddenly round, took
aim, fired, and then ran away. Three shots were
fired.

Sir T. Henry--Yes, there are three chambers of
the pistol still loaded, one bullet remains fixed be-

tween the barrels and the pin, so that providentially
'only two bullets actually left the pistol.

Cross-examined--I and Chamberlain were the
only persons near when you fired the first two
shots. When the third shot was fired you were on
the ground, and there were other persons standing
by. The coachman, whose hand was blackened by
the powder, was there.

William Chamberlain, 163 E, said—l was with
Chown on Saturday morning watching 26, Sid-
mouth-street, Gray's-inn-road. In the evening 1
saw the prisoner come out of the house. I and
Chown followed him to Tottenham-court-road.
The prisoner carried a stick in his hand. At the
corner of Bedford-street Chown asked-the prisoner
if his name was Clancy ; to which he replied, " I
don't know you." Chown asked the prisoner where
he lived, but, the prisoner making no reply, the
constable repeated the question, when the prisoner
said, " Reed ; and I live in Great College-street,
Camden-town, and I have come from there along
the Gray's-inn-road." Chown said, "I shall take
you into custody for being a deserter." 1 believe
he said, " From the Sappers." I then saw the
prisoner place his stick between Chown's legs, he
then tripped him up, and then set off running. Two
gentlemen stood accidentally in my way, so that 1
had not the opportunity_of seizing the prisoner at
once. I ran after the prisoner, calling out 5" Stop
chief," when, on getting near Bedford-square, I srlw
him turn round and take a deliberate aim with a
revolver at Sergeant Chown. We still pursued,
and later on, as described by the last witness, the
prisoner fired at me when I was about 15 yards
from him. I believe that it was entirely owing to
the prisoner being seized by the coachman that the
prisoner was prevented from firing another barrel
at me.

Sir T. Henry—What makes you believe that ?
Witness—He was just in the act of turning round
again as if to take aim when the coachman seized
him. Whilst we were down I seized bold of the
pistol with my right hand ; it then again exploded
within about five inches of my head. The flash
nearly blinded me. I again found powder in my
hair and whiskers. When I got the pistol from the
prisoner I struck him with the butt end of it twice
on the head.

Mr. Poland—Did you see what became of the pri
soner's stick ?

Witness —No, I did. not. I was present at the
prisoner's residence when a search was made, but 1
did not find anything, as I was on duty guarding
the other persons.

Prisoner—Did Chown tell me he was a policeman
when he told me he was going to take me into cus-
tody ?

Witness—Not when he first spoke to you, but he
did a moment or two afterwards.

Prisoner—Did you not turn the persons who had
come to give evidence on Saturday out of the
charge-room ?

Witness—Yes, we were compelled to do so ; there
were too many in the room. I should say there
were' fully forty persons present.
In answer to further questions the witness said
the prisoner was near Caroline-street, and he was
then running towards Charlotte-street.
Prisoner —You say powder was found in your
hair. Why your whiskers would have been singed
if the pistol had been discharged so near your head
as you say.

,Sir T. henry—That is matter of argument.
Witness—A gentleman told me at the station,
after we got there, that there was powder in my
hair. He also said I had bad a narrow escape.
Sir T. Henry—Did the prisoner hear that re-
mark ?

I can't say he was close enough.
Prisoner—lt appears that my question about your
whiskers being singed has suggested the thought of
powder being found in your hair.
Superintendent Searle, of the E division, said
I was sent for on Saturday night from the chief
station to the station at Clark's-buildings. The last
witness gave me the pistol which has been produced
here to-day. It is precisely in the state in which I
received it. It is a six-chamber revolver, and
three of the chambers are nowloaded and the nipples
capped. Two of the chambers had been completely
discharged, but the bullet of the third cham-
ber had become fixed in the pistol. At that time
the prisoner did not make any statement to me.
On the Sunday morning I proceeded to prisoner's
lodgings at about one o'clock. I saw Chown open
one of the drawers in the front room first floor. I
searched it, and found two bullet moulds, a canister
containing cartridges, and some bullets in a canister.
I also found a quantity of letters, of which I have
taken possession.

Mr. Poland—We will not go into that at pre-
sent.

Witness continued—l found in the back kitchen
a parcel containing a large number of bullets, some
newly cut pistol bullets, and the mould in which
they were cast.

Sir T. Henry—Have you tried them with the re-
volver ?

Wiuness—Not yet, sir. About one o'clock yes-
terday I asked the prisoner how his head felt, hav-
ing previously sent for a surgeon to dress it. He
said it was sore, and that it was quite the officer's
owu fault that anything had occurred, and that if
they had not interfered with him he should not have
interfered with them.

Prisoner—ls that pistol now in the same state as
when you first received it ?

Witness—Yes. It had all the appearance of
having been recently discharged.
Prisoner—On the nipple of the chamber of the
barrel from which the bullet was stopped in its pro-
gress is there the remains of an exploded percussion
cAp ?
Witness—Yes.

Inspector Garforth, of the E division, said—l
arrived at the station very shortly after the priso-
ner was brought in. I accompanied Superintendent
Searle to the prisoner's lodgings, and assisted in
the search. I found a dagger and a tin box con-
taining three cartridges.

The firearms, dagger, powder, bullet, &c., found
at prisoner's lodgings, and which were produced in
court, filled a moderately sized portmanteau.
Inspector Garforth—When I was entering the
charge, the prisoner gave me his name as John
Patrick Clancy, and that he had no settled abode,
and also that he was a printer and reporter.

Sir T. Heury—You have said you are a reporter.
For what paper 7

Prisoner—l said I was a reader and printer.
Sir T. Henry—A reader for what publication ?
Prisoner—l do not wish at this moment to state
the name of the paper?
Mr. Poland—l have now to ask for a remand.
Sir T. Henry—Certainly, until to-morrow week.

THE CHARGE OF WILFUL MURDER.—Timothy
Desmond, William Desmond, Jeremiah Allen, John
O'Keefe, Nicholas English, John Mullany, and Ann
Justice were then placed at the bar, when
Mr. Giffard said he wished that two other per-
sons—namely, a man named Barrett, who had been
apprehended, and also the prisoner Mullany, both
of whom he now wished to include in the charge of
wilful murder.
Sir T. Henry—Very well, let that be done.
Barrett and Mullany having been placed in the
dock,
The following witnesses were called :

Thomas Wheeler, a little boy, about 11 years of
age, said-1 lived with parents at No. 14, Plum-
mer's-place. I have been brought here from the
hospital. I recollect being in Corporation-lane
when the prison was blown up. I was along with
a little boy named Charley looking up Corporation-
lane. .E saw a tub on the pavement, and a man
standing close by it. I first saw the man put a
squib in a hole on the top of the tub. There was a
cloth over it. I saw the man hold the cloth up a
little way to put the squip in it. I afterwards saw
hint lihgt the squib and then run away. He lit it
with a match.

Mr. Giffard—Did you se the man who did it?

Witness—Yes sir.

Mr. Giffard—Do you see him hero to-lay ?

Witness—Yes.

Mr. Giffard—Point him out.

Witness—That's him, the one nearest me (Bar-
rett).

Mr. Giffard—You had seen him before he lit the
squib ?
Witness—Yes.
Mr. Giffard—And you picked him out this morn-
ing from amongst some others.
Witness —Yes ; sir.

Cross- examined-1 was in Roscoman-street when
the explosion took place. I was blown down, and
I have lost the third finger of my left hand, and
also my thumb by the explosion. I saw a little
boy pick up one of the squibs the man throw down
and run away with it.

Sir T. Henry—Barrett, have you any questions
to put to the witness?

Barrett—No, sir, not at present. I was totally
unacquainted with the law.

Henry Morris—l am 18 years of age.
Mr. Giffard—l don't want his address to be mcn-

tioned.

Sir T. Henry—Very well.

Examination continued—l was an apprentice to
Mullany. I have often seen a person named Brown
visit him. I afterwards learned from my master
that "Brown" was Colonel Burke. I recollect
hearing of the arrest of Burke and Casey, and I then
heard master say, " Poor Brown was taken." After
that I never saw Brown at Mullany's. The day after
I heard of the arrest of the two men. I recollect
a man named Barrett calling. at master's house. I
ramember master saying that the four men, Burke,
Casey, Barrett, and another, were followed in the
Euston-road, and that before they got to the end
of the road they separated, but as Barrett got to
the place of destination and Burke did not he
supposed Burke was taken. Mullany told the
men on the board that Barrett had gone to America,
because some person suspected him of betraying
Burke. I know three of the prisoners at the dock,
Mallany, English, and Mr. Jackson.
Sir T. Henry—Which is Mr. Jackson?
Witness—That one, pointing to Barrett. I have
seen William Desmond once. I recollect the
prison blown up. I saw Jackson at Master's house;
I think, the day before. He said he was going
away with another person. On the evening of the
day of the explosion Mr. Jackson and another per-
son Called at Master's. They came in by the back
door. I saw that the person who came in with
Jackson had a piece of his right ear off. It was
fresh and bleeding. One of the workmen asked
Mullany what was the matter with the man's ears,
when he said he bad been fighting and that some
one had bit a piece off his ear. Jackson went into
Masters' back room. I was curious to know what
was said, so I-took an iron in my band to put in
the fire, and went in when I saw Mr. Jackson
washing himself. His neck was black as if with
gunpowder.

Mr. Giffard—Just be particular how he was wash-
ing himself.

Witness—He was washing his neck where the
black was. I think he also changed his clothes, as
there was a bundle of clothes tied up on the table.
The other man I know had changed his, as 1 saw him
in a different dress. Mrs. Mullaney folded them
up in a black wrapper and took them away. Jack-
son (Barrett) since that time has cut his whiskers.
He had neither beard nor moustache when Isaw him.

By prisoner Barrett—l did not see you bring in
a bundle of clothes ; you came in at the back door.
I did not see you come in at all. I saw you wash-
ing your neck, I know that. As the other man had
changed his clothes, I think you had done the same.
I don't know where the clothes were got, but I knew
Mrs. Mullany folded up some clothes and took them
away. I knew that Master could not supply you
with a change of clothes, but I cannot
say you did not bring them in with you as I did
not see you come in. You were washing yourself
in the ordinary way with your sleeves tucked up.
Your face was washed, and you began washing
your neck when I went in.

Mr. Giffard—l think, sir, from what has now
been communicated to me that the man O'Neill
should now be placed in the dock,
Sir T. Henry —Very well, let him be sent for.
Mr. Burnaby—What is your name ?
Prisoner—James O'Niell.

Thomas Young recalled—l identify that man
(O'Niell).

Sir H. Henry—Was he placed among others ?
Young—Yes ; with about 20 or 30. I also re-
collect seeing Barrett at the explosion.
Mr. Giffard—Just describe to me what you saw
on the occasion of the explosion.
Young—The first man there is the man who fired
the barrell (O'Niell). He had a light coat on, and a
tall hat on. I saw two lucifers lit, but I only saw
the barrel lit once. I can almost swear positively
that Barrett is the man who threw the lucifers, but ho
then had a black coat on. The lucifer that lighted
the squib was taken from the box that was thrown
to the other prisoner.
O'Niell—Are you sure about me ?
Witness—Yes, your hair is the exact colour--
your face the same. _ _ _ _

Barrett—What sort of a coat had I on ?

Witness—Why, a black frock coat, and you took
the box of lucifers from an inner breast-pocket.

O'Niell—What sort of coat had I on ?
Witness—One of the fashionable brown ones.
Barrett—Had I as much whisker on as I've got
now.
Witness—Yes.

Barrett--A moustache and a beard all round ?
Witness—Yes, but a little moustache.
Mr. Giffard—l do not propose going any further

to-day.

Sir T. Henry—Very well. The prisoners are rei
manded until Tuesday week.

O'Niell—l hope I shall be allowed to communi-
cate with my friends in Glasgow. I shall be able
to produce a hundred witnesses from there to prove
I was not at Clerkenwell, That fellow will swear
anything—the false-swearing villain.

Barrett—l Niish to make one or two observations.

Sir T. Henry—Well, it is my duty to inform you
that whatever you say will be taken down and may
be used against you.

Barrett—l don't care. I wish to apologise to
the gentlemen of the press for my appearance. I
have seen some scurrulous remarks by some of
the scribblers of the press about my appear-
ance. I could not dress my hair to-day
as I was not allowed a comb, so I hope
they will excuse me. I have to thank the
gentlemen who brought me here for their kindness
on the journey. I have nothing to complain of
since I arrived in London. My treatment has been
very different here to what it was in Glasgow.
O'Niell—l quite coincide in that.
Sir T. Henry—Do you intend to proceed with the
treason-felony case ?

Mr. Giffard—No, Sir Thomas, that is now un-
necessary, as all the prisoners aro now charged with
wilful murder.
The prisoners were then removed.