Star.
London, England, 1819-09-29 00:00:00

ADJOURNED INQUEST AT OLDHAM.

OLDHAM, MONDAY, SEPT. 27.

INQUIST ON JOHN LEES—(Evidence continued.)
The Coroner took his seat at nine o'clock, and the
Jury having answered to their names, the evidence
we restuned.
Martha Kearsley.—l am a single woman at Old-i
ham. I was at Manchester on the 16th of August:
I went there ; I saw two soldiets offer to strike at a
man, and as he was keeping them off, another came
behind and struck him over the shoulder. This was
near the hustings. I was sitting on the edge of Mr.,
Hunt's carriage. There were others within the car-
riage. I cant say the time of the day, or how long
I was there. I did not know John Lees. I have
lived eleven years in Oldham. I could e in ten
minutes from where I live to the house in which
John Lees lived. I was behind the carriage, and he
was before me.—(The Coroner here remarked, .that
the witness, from her appearance, might be expected
to give better evidence.)—I knew neither the soldiers
nor the man. I can't say particularly what colour
of clothes the soldiers had on. They were on horse-
back, and I saw they were soldiers. He had not
been many minutes engaged with the two soldiers,
when the other came: he had been preventing their
blows. The third soldier came and struck ; I did
not hear him say any thing. There were men on all
sides : I am certain he struck him over the shoulder
with a sword, intending to cut him. I was struck
with horror, turned round, and saw no more of it:
I saw many cut afterwards.
Here a note was handed in to a Juror from a
James Mills.]
Mr. HARMER objected, and insisted no communi-
cation should be made to the Jury, but to the Coroner.
The note was an application to be called as a wit-
ness. The Coroner said that no step hut what was
regular should be taken, whatever might be the con-
sequence. After some explanation from M. Con-
stable, It was inquired, who handed the.note to the'
Foreman? It was a Constable who had handed it
in ; he was told to do so nu more, but to hand any
communication to the Co:oner.
Lti itness proceeded.—l got into the carriage till a
Constable came and opened the door to me, and I
escaped by the way the soldiers had tome. The sol-
diers were then after the people. I met with no im•
pediment on the ground. I only met one gentleman
on horseback ; he was in black clothes. I left the
soldiers all behind me.

CORONER—Doesnomas-street lead to High-street?
Witness—lt leads many ways. 1 can't say whe-
ther it leads to the High-street.
Conossa—You have more sense than you choose
to ha out. I won't be thus dealt with. Have you
been five hundred, or one hundred, or twenty times
in Manchester'

Witness—l can't say how often. I was often car-
ried there when a child. _ _

CORONER—Do you know the Bridgewater Arms ?
Witness—l have seen it many times ; but I don't
know where it lies. _

CORONER—Have you been so often in Manches-
ter, and don't you know that?
Witness—l know the sttcets.
CORONEIt—I thought you knew more than you
choose to tell.

Witness—But I don't know how they lie. I saw
the man struck once ; I did not see the man nor the
soldier more. I saw Mr. Hunt come from the car-
riage to the hustings. I stood on the ground near
the hustings then : I can't say particularly- how far
I was from the hustings.
CORONER—You can't say particularly, that is your
answer ?—Wi tness—Ye s.

Mr. HARMER—I beg pardon, but really Mr. Co-
roner you examine this wituess in a very different
manner from Dr. Cor.

CORONER—I think lam as mild in examining her
as I was in examining Dr. Cox.
Mr. llAnNiuft—The usual course is to ask a wit-
nets what had come under his observation ; that
was your course with Dr. Cox. This witness you
cross-examine.

Coaossk—l believe I have seen as many Inquests
as Mr. Harmer, and I conducted them as well as
this can be conducted.

Mr. lI.&RMER—I have no doubt of that, but I
*ought you put the questions to tic witness so as to
confound and petplex.
CORONER.-I am surprised that the witness does
net answer otherwise. She gives answer, when I
ask the distance, that she did not measure it.
Mr. l-fartxtrn—l think, if I examined her, she
would give a satisfactory answer. •
ConoNen--I thought she had beets examined before.
She knew what party she came to give evidence for.
Mr. HA RMER—I did not examine her. I did not
even know her name till this morning. I know of
eo party witnesses.--CoeoNza-.-I am for no party.
Mr. HARMER—Gen forbid yon should.
CORONER (turning to witness)--Your method of
answering questions, your refusal to answer, occa-
sioned all this.--Witness-4 beg pardon, if I have
offended. I meint to speak the truth. I have spoken
the truth as far as I can.

Mr. HA nmEß—Yes ; but you must speak the
whole truth.

pt is but mere justice to say, that this witness is
a very modest and interesting young woman in her
appearance, and that her manner was extremely cau-
tious and timid, except when she seemed to feel the
question as reflecting upon her veracity.]
Witness.—l knew the man that opened the door
as being a constable, by having a truncheon. I saw
sone that I knew of who was a Magistrate or Jus-
tice of the Peace, unless the min on horseback was.
I don't know Nadin. I nevetrtook any notice what
became of Mr. Hunt after he left the hustings. The
,;arriate was not more than a yard or a yard and a
-half from the hustings. I saw Mr. Hunt on the
hustings, not a quarter of an hour, as near as I can
,guess. I took no notice after I saw the people begin
—the soldiers come among the people, and the peo-
ple begin to go off. I did not see this man offer any
violence to the soldiers, only preventing the blows. I
slid not see him strike or throw any thing : I can't
particularly say what he had in his hand; he had
nothing that I saw. I saw none of the soldiers off
their horses. I was half as hour or twenty minutes
on the ground. I never heard any Riot Act read,
crud never saw my thing of it. I did not see an.

MIA till the soldiers came, (What occasioned any
tumult ?) The soldiers coming and cutting and slash-
ing among the people. The man in question was
the first man cut that I took any particular notice
of ; but I saw them cut as they came up to the car-
riage. The people gave way. They came before
me. I cannot particularly say the number of sol-
diers. I cannot give any idea ; if I could I would.
I heard cheers before the soldiers came. Certainly,
the noise was very loud. They cheered before the
soldiers came up to me, and after. It was when the
soldiers were in sight. I could not read two chap-
ters in the Bible before. they came up, after they
came in u I saw them at one side of the crowd
shaking their swords : I can't be more particular ;
they were on one side. They were very near to the
people. There was a deal of noise, I can't say par-
titularly who shouted. To the best of my know-
ledge I thought the soldiers came to the hustings two
and two. I can't say particularly whether they can-
tered or galloped. I did not take particular notice
what colour of clothes the soldiers were dressed in.
Mr. HARMER rose to put some questions to this
witness as to former witnesses, whet
The Cononsa said, I must now proceed regularly,
Mr. Harmer. I allowed you hitherto to put ques-
tions, because I wished for the fullest investigation.
You have found fault with me. I must therefore
proceed legally. Can you give me an .instance in
which you cross-examined at an Inquest?
Mr. HARMER.—I never knew a case in which it
was necessary. I have myself suggested to Mr. Shel-
ton, a Gentleman of the-first respectability, questions
which he always asked.
.1 wished to do no more in
this case.. You called upon me to ask any questions,

and therefore I did it.
CORONER.—You asked this witness a question.
Mr. HARDIER.—MereIy an explanation. Do you
call that examination ? Mit do you object to my ex-
amining the witnesses?
Cortotseit.—No; but you found fault with my ex-
amination.
Mr. Ilansten.—You did not get a ready answer
from the witness, and your temper was, perhaps,
ruffled. You said your patience was exhausted.
CORONER.—I shall allow you, who are for the de-
ceased, to examine, be it regular or irregular. If
there were none of you, I would have extracted the
whole truth. If the witnesses were allowed to tell a
partial story, I must get the whole. You extracted
in some cases that the people were peaceable. If the
testimony varies, I must re-examine.
Mr. HARNtea.—l hope I have given no offence,
Collor/EL—I think you spoke too much when you
reminded me that 'Dr. Cox had not been so examined.
Mr. HARMER.—.-Dr. Cox whispered, and I did not
hear him as you did. But to me, his evidence soemed
mole liable to the kind of examination applied in the
last instance than the young woman's. I am not
' surprised that you were offended with her answers,
I am sorry that she did not answer more satisfac-
torily, but the questions confused her.
CORONER.-.—l gave her time enough ; but I saw
an unwillingness to answer. Could not she have told
me whether she had been 200 or 500 times in
Manchester?

Mr. DENlSCN.—Numbers are of all things most
apt to confuse a witness.
Mr. HARMER.—She had been often carried there
when an infant, and therefore sale could not speak
to numbers.

CORONER.-4 only asked as to her knowledge.

Examination continued.—l was there when Mr.
Hunt came, and there were cheers. There were
cheers the sante way when the soldiers appeared. The
people got away as fast as they could, but it was not
possible; the soldiers did not give them time to get
away. A great many persons crowded to the hust-
ings; the soldiers used their swords to cut those per-
sons. lam not certain whether they wounded any
person. I saw this person struck. I turned my head
away, shockel to see the consequences. I could go
away freely, because the people had run away. The
coat he had on was the same, to the best of my know-
ledge, as that coat now produced-by Robert :Weald.
By the CORONER.—I told that night, and repeat-
edly afterward during the week, of this man that I
took most notice of, without any expectation of this.
Don't you call blue a dark colour?
I call corbeau or dark brown, a dark colour.
That is the answer you give to my question ?
Robert Neald.—That is the same coat I produced
on Saturday last. It has been in my custody ever since.
Robert Cooper.—l am a hatter in Oldham. I was
with John Lees on Tuesday night after he had re.
ceived his wound.. He said he was very ill cut. It
was opposite the Spread Eagle, in Oldham, about,
nine o'clock. He said he could not work any. 1 did
not see his wound. His elbow appeared to be wounded.
The CORONER turned towards Mr. Harmer, and
said, that what the deceased said to witness was not
evidence.
Mr. HARMER. —Certailllr not. He is not pro-
duced by me.
CORONER..—What did you see?—Witness—Noth-
ing ; only he told me he was upon the hustings—.
CORONER.-.—That is evidence.
Mr. HARMER submitted it was not.
CORONER.-I think it is as against himself.
Mr. HARMER.—We are not trying him. It is not
a question of Felo d.e Pe.
CORONER.It is evidence against him.
Mr. HARMER.—Very well. I object to it.
Witness proceeded.—He said the soldiers came up
cutting and slashing ; he was on the hustings, and
was defending himself; one of the soldiers fell off
his horse, and one of the 15th Hussars came and cut
his elbow. No person was present when he told this
to me. He had on a brovmly coloured coat.
By Mr. Haamta.—He said it was the Yeomanry
Cavalry that were cutting and slashing, and against
whom he put up his stick to defend himself. I first
communicated this, I think, to the men of the shop
where I work, on Tuesday morning. On Wednesday
morning I did not mention particulars. I first men-
tioned particulars to Mr. Miller, the Constable. It
was this morning. Mr. Miller called me across the
road, and asked- me what John Lees said to me ?
The deceased said he was off the hustings when be
received his wound. He said he had leaped off to
get away, and then the 15th Hussars cut him. I
have not been told that it was itnportant to say that
it was the 15th Hussars. I do not know the law that
all concerned in an illegal act are answerable.
Mr. Miller, the Coustablei.explainecl bow be came

to call this witless nclw : his name tits given in on
Saturday, but he had been at Liverpool.
Mr. Jackson, the foreman.—His master wished
him to be now examined, that they might not be
both from home. •
By the CORONER.—He did not say that he struck
lay of the soldiers. He said the soldier fell in the
ltruggle. I never mentioned that it was a 15th Hus-
sar till this morning.
Jonah Andrew.--1 am a cotton-spinner at Leeds.
I was at Manchester at the time, on the field. I mean
St. Peter's-field, the place where the deed was done.
I was with him when the soldiers came. Kg departed
from me about ten yards. Immediately after I saw
the soldiers surround him, and saw a Yeomanry Ca-
valry-man cutting at him with great vengeance. I
saw him receive a wound on the arm, from which the
blood immediately gushed. He fled towards the
hustings, and ran under them. The Constables got
around him, and beat him with their truncheons se-
verely. One of them got hold of the staff of a ban-
stet', that had been cut with a sword, and said,
M D—n your b--y eyes, I'll break your back."
IWhey struck at him for a considerable time with
truncheons and the staff of the banner. I went away,
and saw him no more till about two or three o'clock
when he said, gt I have been dangerously hurt, An-
drew, which has affected my body very much. I
must retire home,. for I am getting very sick and
very poorly, which I think will be the occasion of
My death." There were so many, I can't pretend to
judge how many, went to the field with me. I was
with John Lees on the field before Mr. Hunt arsived,
to the best of my knowledge, about an hour. We
were together just beside the hustings while they were
erecting. We got on the hustings to see the people.
I assisted to put them up. John Lees was on the
Planks. I was not upon them when Mr. Bunt was
speaking. I went off a little before Mr. Hunt got on
the hustings. John Lees and I were together after
we came off. The Cavalry had nut then come up.,
When they came, I was about three or four yards
from him. I first saw the Yeomanry Cavalry at St.
Peter's Chapel. It might be a hundred yards from
the hustings. It was about ten minutes or a quarter
of an hour after that they came up. I saw them set-
ling off; I think it was a trot as fast as they could
go; the Constables were making way for them. I
saw them striking at they came along. I saw one
struck at when they were about 20 yards from me. I
think they came up two abreast. They squandered
to right and left before they came up to me, about
seven yards from me. They began to cut and hack
at the people like butchers. I heard them say nothing.
They got all round me. I heard nothing then.'
I did not hear the soldiers say any thing to John Lees.
There were soldiers all round the hustings when he
was cut. I did not see him get off the hustings. I
think the Yeomanry were at him ten or fifteen yards
from the hustings. I cannot swear that he was not
cut on the hustings; but I swear that no soldiers had
come up when I saw. him off the hustings, after he
had been on. The soldiers came about ten or fifteen
minutes after Mr. Hunt came on the hustings, but I

cathen;tothasadybitouea
cmlointhnetes.wThithe
th
other soldiers then ; the Hussars had blue clothes on,
wfihrstitewfereaciTges; Yeomanry;saw no
and their facings yellow; I saw them a little after,
perhaps fifteen minutes after I had seen the others.
The first Hussar I saw was about thirty yards from
hustings. Mr. Hunt was off 'the stage at that
time; I did not see him taken off; it might be an
hour, or betwixt that and two hours, that I saw John
Lees ; I did not know or hear any thing of Mr. Hunt
being taken into custody till about fifteen minutes
rhe
after the field was cleared; I was then at Shude-hill
Pits, opposite the Infirmary; the Cavalry were
coming that way then ; they were not at a gallop ; I
did not run off the field; when I left, there were none
bet soldiers ; it was the Yeomanry I saw at the In-
firmary ; I had last before seen Yeomanry on Saint
Peter's-field ; I saw Police Officers, what are called
Nadin's Runners, at the hustings, and Special Con-
stables ; they were iu a line from the hustings to-
wards Saint Peter's Chapel. Abraham Taylor warned
me to come here, but nobody told me what to say. I
was a soldier in the 91st. I was discharged in Mai'
I last. I am a native of Leeds. I told this to many
Ipeople on the road, as I was going home. I dont
know Nadin. I saw no Constables attempting to take
11VIr. Hunt off. I can't tell the names of those who
struck John Lees with truncheons. I never saw them,
to my knowledge, before or since. I can't tell their
dress. I saw about seven ; six had truncheons, aril
one a piece of a staff of a banner. It was about the
thickness of a man's wrist. I saw about four feet out
of his hand.—How much was the rest ?—I cannot
tell, for I did not see it.—Did you see him strike
with it ? Yes.—And yet you can't tell the lengtit ?
—I tell what I thought the length of the part I saw.
He struck often. lam sure I saw him strike twice.
I was ten yards off.—What do you call a consider-
able time ?—Three or four minutes. The soldiers
were about fouf yards from John Lees then. The
hustings were two carts. I can't tell the height. I
can't tell the thickness of the planks that were upon
the carts.
CORON i R—TheJury will form their opinion of tat.
Witness.—l know that the staff had been cut with,
a sword, for I saw it cut by a Yeoman, and saw a
man pick it up about a minute after. The staff was
green. I saw nothing in John Lees's hand after he
came off the hustings. The soldiers were galloping
about the stage, and cutting every one that fell in
their way. I cannot testify to any other man I saw
cut. I was not hart. I had a staff. I came from
Leeds to see the crowd, and hear what was to be said.
I was not the leader. I know no leader. I gave no
Lsudirections. I told some of them to keep their tongues
let.. I can't tell the number that came along with
me. I never was examined before till'l came to the
room now, or asked any questions concerning this. I
was in the house on Saturday, but not in this room.
Abraham Taylor told me to come. He is a yell-
knitter. I heard of no Riot Act having been read, or
notice given to disperse-till the soldiers came. All
the notice I saw was driving people off with the edge
of the sword. I saw no Magistrates or Peace Officers
coming towards the stage with the soldiers, or any per-
sons acting as such, that I know of. I saw no person
do any thing to the soldiers before they cut. I saw
no stone thrown, nor pistol fired, nor heard any. All
were peaceable and quiet till the soldiers cut and dis-
persed them. There was no noise, only cheering. The
cheering was from the multitude. -I cheered when I
raw Dir. Hunt, I mud % sei iThat others cheeped foe.

I saw a man and woman lying bleeding on tit
after John Lees was cut. I saw plenty mom. r 1 I
call one, nor half-a•dozen, plenty. ckt
By a Juror.-4 saw him lying on the gr":,/.
By Mr. HARMER—I went with a grey •
They were all quiet and peaceable. I had
tion to commit riot or disturbance. All
with me appeared to hare the same eiittli‘
During the hour before Mr. Hunt arrin.•!,
very peaceable and quiet: the deceased, f.,,,tZ
I saw, conducted himself peace:ll:Ay
Every thing had been peaceable and order:vo-b
soldiers came. I can't say whether the porrelsl
beat with the truncheons came with the se4e,,,
saw some with truncheons before the soleins''
I took no notice of the house in which t:le
trates were: I saw a young %roman in !I:. .1141:
carriage after he was gone: it was nigh vhtek
deceased was woundej. Every one sough to.
away, and never made any resistance: I sr.;
pearance of arms whatever ; I had only a
stick.—You have been in: pint d v: Ith leo
his fate; why did you leave him ? Why, to
myself. I considered my life in dimgen j,!4,
think I should have escaped tinwminded.
the soldiers cleared round the hustings, the
was very greit. They could not I:ave t.:k
thing up off the ground, or have wielded
with their sticks to strike or thrcv,.. 'll;,..mtiErlat
' appeared very good-humoured and friendly to 0.2
another. The multitude gave thrr..e 11111Z1, tl4
the soldiers came, the same as to Mr. '
were lads and women. T!ley men.
Some of the females were very ckcerah•
heard not a word mentioned to excite the
disturb the peace.

By the CORONER—After the soldiers cam; I cal
ray whether tho•.e next them could use their ara,
I can't say against my own conscience. I cat us
who was in Mr. I lunt's carriage: I took •ithtice4
one woman. I can't say whether there were inn
saw a woman in the carriage coming Mr.
Hunt. I saw a woman in the caninge aftervi:4,
I can't tell if it was the same woman.— You trek
particular no:ice •of one "oman in the carri-ce?
Yes.—Yet you cannot tell wht titer it was the sza
woman? No, I cannot.—That Mait both i•ourcrs
dit ; was she young or old? I cannot tell; I :et
the truth, ani I cannot tell whether she Itasyrurp
old, because 1 took no notice of that.
James, Mills.—.! am a wood-turner iri 01:Thain„ I
sent that note in because Mr. Jonah Miller re in:ea
take my name as a witness on Saturday.
. Mr, Millcr explained, that he had said Be wltli
take care he should be called, but relliSid to.aLit
• ,
him to see hlr name put down. •.•
Witness—The first time. I saw it4llllkir.if
the hustings. I afierward,. saw men strikinglti:n
the back, with •staves and truncheons,-as
making his escape. I knew him' 'well. VT.,' ea
near neighbours. I spoke to him, holdin'n•Vtel::l,
tings by my hand. 1 saw hint run thrsig%
and constables. The soldiers fornitil a tire.i'i.:Tr-1
the hustings. They struck me: my ribs %I'm: a
beaten that I was sick for a fortnight. flip doirs;
. and they were jobbing at me with truncheots,...ll-c.
I got under the hustings: here is a etitiniti,';:.
(witness exhibited it.) I don't know wheal:in it;_ra
r a sword or a truncheon. My neckcloth was cut
a sword: I saw several cut on the &round, not-o::
!hustings. I could.distinguish that they were
stables, because they were not Reformers, for the R.
formers had no such sticks. ran under the czt
when I saw the soldiers coming, for fear they wolii
hurt us. I heard no notice given. It was the Yee.
manry Cavalry that came first. I only heard the
soldiers cursing and swearing at the people. Iwn
sure John Lees must have been hurt, for they stud

•at him with such vengeance. I saw none insult ;:x
soldiers, lift a haled against them, or throw
'thing at their. I had a stick, which I had used .1
'part of a fishing-rod. I saw only kicks with °thy'.
but I saw none strike with them, or lift them
any one. Some of them might be as thick as
child's wrist. All I saw were very anxious to gs
away, but could not, till the soldiers made inroadsos
the other side. I did not see the soldiers cut till they
came near the hustings, Those in their way coil
not get away for the press of the people,
By Mr. HARMER—I was upon the hustings,
had good opportunity of seeing the people. They
were as orderly as I ever saw in my lice. I heard ra
words exciting to riot or disturbance. I hardy.
notice given to disperse. 1 can't tell what prt tit
soldiers came from. I believe they cdme by the y':l
of St. Peter's Church. The first sight I saw To
their coming up to the hustings. Those who
I described, were the first that she wed.
By the CORONER—When the soldiers came 1741
comstables jobbed at my side, and damned mete
come out. The only notice I heard was cuniris
the people.—( To be continua.)

White Hats !—A. youth, who had not, it secinc, spe
his money upon either beer or spirits, had saved it, ar.l
lately bought with it a drab hat. He did not knair, tot
think there was treason in the hat, till on the 16th :0:
staiit, he mide his appearance at the Sunday SCE-s
in Hulme, over which, P—L—T, cotton spinner, met
despotic ; when this great man seized the hat, ari
espied in the lining of it words to this effect :
" All you who wish to be free (perhaps from dm:ler-IW)•
" Abstain from Spirits, Beer, and Tea;"
which, of course, he thought were seditious ; be, tbelv
fore, in his. ire, tore out the offensive lining, and ad!,
wise abused the hat, and ordered the owner of it!.
leave the school immectiately, saying, " t
school should be loyal as long as he had any thin; 45
do with it !"

DIED.
spa=l6, at Edinburgh, Dr. Patrick Lindsay,
of Hospitals.
'Sept. 19, at Edinburgh, Dr. Wm. Wright, F.R.S.L.
lista Physician to tie Forces.
.• Sept. 13, at Edinburgh, Capt. Arch. Mercer Macvstac,
the 224 Regiment. of Foot.
August 30, Colonel Galbraith Hamilton, of the 3lalms Ivor
blishment. •
In Drogheda, in his 20th year, of a decline, Willian
NR.N. second son of Captain T. Martin, late 13th Dragcce-
ovember 5, at Seharunpore, David liastie, 31. D. on Co
Bengal Establishment, formerly of. Edinburgh. He fell a vic•-a.
HutPbteesoinntwlr6i:
to a malignant fever, which has carried off great numbers Ltil
the last two •seasdne.
Sept. 17, at Haddington, Mr. John Welsh, aur-con.
17- kit9ltlP
0, ...to. -
Air..,Alczandtr Baird,. late tcar*-71

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