Star.
London, England, 1813-09-03 00:00:00

NORTHUMBERLAND.

John Johnson charged, on the Coroner's Inquest,
with slaying Richard Kennedy, aged five years, of
13ranzton, on the 22d June labt. The circumstances
attending this case were short.
William Turnbull, the deceased, and his brother,
were resting from their labour at the dinner hour, and
were lying on the ground at the foot of a hill. The
prisoner and another mason went up the hill, and
Johnson took up tw.) stones and has:ached one of them
towards the witness and his party, which fell about
twenty yards from them.—The witness then Said to
Johnson, ‘‘ if you keep your distance, I'll give you
liberty to hit me, if you can." The prisoner, after
advancing three yards, threw a stone, which fell
within ten yards of the witness. The party below,
seeing him take up another stone. rose from the
ground, and ran toward a gate. Johnson ran forward,
and haunched the stone, which struck Kennedy on the
head as he was turning to reach the gate. He fell,
and his brother carried him home, where he languish-
ed seven weeks, and then di. Turnbull measured
the distance from where JohNon stood at the time he
threw the stone, which was 93 yards. Johnson cried
very sore when he saw that he had hurt Kennedy.
Mr. Burnitt, a surgeon, whoewas called to attend
on Kennedy, stated, that the wound was on the fire:
head, immediately above the left eye—the frontal
bane was fractured, part of which pressed on the
brain ; and he had no doubt that it was the cause of
the child's death.

Verdict—Mandaughter. Sentenced to three months
imprisonment.

John Warman, was tried for forging a bill of Ex-
change for 475, with intent to defraud I'. Bowser, of
Morpoth. The history of this case was detailed by
Mr. Thomas Bowser, who is a linen-draper at Mor.
peth.—On the 10th ot May last, he received a letter
bearing the Newcastle post-mat k, purporting to be
from his uncle Dixon, of Burlington, which stated,
that his old friend, Robert Rawson, who had been
shipwrecked, would call on him at Morpeth, and
begged that he would let him have whatever he
wanted. About half an hour after the receipt of this
letter, the prisoner came to his shop, and enquired if
Mr. Bowser was in, when the witness informed him
that lie was the person. The prisoner then said," My
name is Robert Rawson, and f have received letter
from your uncle Thomas Dixon, of Burlington, with
an order to receive some money of you."— Mr. Bow-
ser expressed his staisfaction at seeing him, and gave
him an hearty welcome to his house; and as the pri.
soner said he had, that morning, walked from New-
castle, and had not breakfasted, Mr. B. begged he
would walk up stairs.—When there, he answered a
variety of questions which Mr. Bowser asked, relative
:o his uncle Dixon's family, and appeared intimately
acquainted with his affairs ; he also detailed several
particulars respecting his own shipwreck.
The prisoner inquired if the witness had any shirts
or trowsers fit for seamen, ready made; Mr. B. in-
formed him that lie would procure those things better
at Newcastle, but if he wanted any handkerchiefs,
' stockings, or striped cotton, he would be glad to
serve him. He bought three gown pieces, two of
which he said were for his daughters, and other ar-
ticles, amounting to 46. 17s: 6J. After dinner Mr.
Bowser veent to the Northumberland Bank and got
value for the draft, after having indorsed it. On his
return he gave the prisoner twelve 45. notes. When
the prisoner was gone, Mr. Bowser smite to his uncle
at Burlington, acknowledging the receipt of his letter
and communicated his having advanced Rawson
' £6O on the draft. On return of post he received a
letter from his uncle, stating, that lie had never wrote
any such letter to Rawson. He (Bowser) then went
in pursuit of the prisoner, and traced hint through

, 11 r
Newcastle to Sunderland ; he there took a Police of
ficer,• and proceeded through Stockton and Grsbo-
rbegh to Whitby, wets they found him. When taken
into custody, many of the goods be had bought of
Mr. B. were in his possession, but none of the, notes
he gave him were found on him. lie had twenty-,
live one pound Bank of England notes and some silver t
on him. When apprehended, Ile wxs in a state of
intnxication, but was perfectly sober when he first[
called on Mr. Bowser.

The bill was then produced, it was as follows :
" Burlington, May 3, 1813. On demand pay Robert Raw
son, or order, J event y.fiv e pounds, value received.
THOMAS (his iC mark) DIXON.
" To Messrs. Harrison and Co. bankerN Mansion-
bouse•street, London."

Thomas Dixon, who lives at Burlington, stated that
he could not wad, but that the cross on the note
shewn him was not of his making, nor did he audio.
rise any person to do it fur him, or to write the let
tars produced.
The Prisoner made no defence, but called on Thos.
Dixon to speak to his character, who stated that he
knew nothing of him, but that his wife was dead,.
and he had two daughters, one married, living at Hull,
and the other at Cottingley.
The JUDGE recapitulated the evidence to the Jury,
who returned a verdict of—Guilty.
- His Lordship, on passing sentence, observed," you
have been found guilty on the most clear and satisfac-
tory evidence, of both forging a bill, and the endorse-
ment ; you have also forged letters to give credit to
your false pretences. The Prosecutor treated yea
with kiddness in his house, and you repaid that kind-
ness by cheating him of his money. Notwithstanding
this, he has solicited mercy for you, though I think
you do not deserve it."—Sentence of death was then
passed on him in the usual form.