The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-12-18 00:00:00

THE LATE MURDER AT NEWCASTLE,

(From the Tyne Mercury of Tuesday
it . ).
Mr. Bolam's wounds were but slight, and will be seen
that on the afternoon of that melancholy day be was brought
to give his evidence before the coroner. His face had an
haggard appearance, which was to have been expected, what-
ever may have been his part in the previous night's transac-
tion ; but he was perfectly calm and collected. He was in
the same dress in which he had been found in the morning,
with the exception of his neckerchief and stock, which had
been taken possession of by the police, and in their stead a
silk handkerchief was carefully tied about his neck. The
breast of his shirt was bloody, but it was so placed that but a
small portion of the blood was seen; and his black coat and
waistcoat exhibited numerous cuts and tears. The plaster
on the cuts on the throat was very apparent, and this, toge-
ther with his being unshaved, might make him look more
haggard than he otherwise might have done. He walked up
the room to the Coroner with a firm step, and although the
whole of the vast assemblage were on tiptoe to get but a
glance of him, he never ventured to meet their gaze. but
kept his eye steadily ssa the ground. On arriving at the head
OF the room, he sat down on the chair that had been occu-
pied by the former witnesses, and confined his look to the
Coroner. The room was as still as if no person had been
present when the Coroner stated that it was his duty to cau-
tion him as to what he was about to say; but Mr. Bolam
heard it without betraying any signs of emotion. When the
Coroner asked him if he had any objections to be examined
on the inquest, he firmly replied, " No, most certainly not."
His answers to the qu.stions were clear and distinct, and
with a deliberation which showed that he was weighing
everythiug to which he gave utterance. On one or two oc-
casions he corrected himself, but generally he went on with-
out hesitation.
After his examination he was taken to the Savings' Bank
to view the body of the unfortunate Millie; he went without
the slightest hesitation, but shuddered when placed beside
the corpse. We may be excused for saying here, that this
should not be taken as a proof of guilt, for many who could
have no concern in the unfortunate transaction had done the
like in the course of the day; and it might almost be expected
that Bolam would do so, if his statement were substantially
correct, for the scene itself must have been fraught with
many painful reflections. He was taken from the Bank to
the Police-office, in the Manors, and placed before Messrs.
Dunn, Batson, and Potter, the magistrates. The police here
made a statement as to the suspicions entertained concerning
him, for the purpose of having him committed to prison.
This statement was committed to writing, and on it being
read over to him his courage gave way, and he broke out
into a violent fit of grief. He was conveyed to the gaol,
where he spent a most restless' night, being heard to moan
most heavily. In the morning he had a most cadaverous
look, and was examined by Mr. Baird, the surgeon, of Nor-
thumberland-street, This gentleman examined minutely the
cuts on his clothes and stock, and compared them with what
wounds there were on his person, and his evidence will be
extremely important when brought before the coroner. In-
deed, from the very first it was seen that the best surgical
evidence that could be obtained would be necessary; and
we heard the matter urged by one who was able to judge.
After the examination of Mr. Baird, the police procured for
Bolam a change of clothing; and this no doubt has given
rise to a report that a bundle of clothes had been seized, which
would be important in establishing his guilt. Bolain's house
was searched, hut nothing particular was discovered. It has
been often stated that the housekeeper should have been ob-
tained at the first examinaiion, and it would then have been
seen if her statement corresponded with her master's, before
she could have become acquainted with what be said ; but
due caie was taken of this, and it was perfectly ascertained,
on the evening of the inquest, what she had to say, and we
believe she will not be an important witness,
Mr. Millie was 5-1 years of age, but had the appearance of
being somewhat older. Pie was a quiet, respectable-looking
old man. He had his office sleeves on when found, so that
he must have been engaged in his usual avocations when the
attack was made upon him. Inspector Bell, one of the first
persons that entered the bank, and whose evidence will be
very important, will producea key found in the inside of the
door of the large room, which can be identified as Millie's.
He was interred on Sunday afternoon, at two o'clock, at the
Ballast Hills. It is fortunate there is no stoppage in the
business of the hank, which was proceeded with as usual on
Saturday.

ADJOURNED INQUEST—WEDNESDAY.
(Abridged from the- Newcastle Journal.)
On Wednesday last, pursuant , adjournment, the jury
met the Coroner at the Blue PG-•;1, at two o'clock, when
the inquiry was appointed to t :ke l.: ice in the New Police-
office in the Manors, which si.' e crowded to excess.
The court having been ceeneo io the usual manner, the jury
answered to their niir...se, arid the following witnesses were
examined:—
Elizabeth Millie, daughter of tile deceased, said she was
12 years of age. The deceased lived in the Croft-stairs. She
saw him last on Thursday afternoon, about half-past one.
He came to his dinner at half-past twelve, and left at half-
past one, to go to the Saivngs' Bank. He was a clerk there.
He had a pair of black cotton sleeves on above his coat. He
said nothing, but just bid them good afternoon. He never
came back again. She was in the house all the afternoon.
She went to bed about two the next morning. She is sure
he never came back during that time. His regular time for
coming to tea was between four and five. He generally
came home to tea. She never took his tea to the bank. He
never staid away from his tea. When he went from dinner
he did not say that he would be later at the bank. She knows
Mr. Bolam, who was in the bank with her father. He lives
at Gateshead. She has been at his house. She went to his
house to get pieces of meat by Mr. Bolam's desire. The
meat was for her and the children. That was often the case.
He was very kind with her father. Never beard of any
quarrel between them. Her father dined at Mr. Bolam's
house yesterday week. He came home at nine o'clock at
night. Mr. Cree dined there with her father. No one came
home with her father. Does not know very well who Mr.
Cree is. Her father got no part of the meat which she got
at Mr. Bolam's. He knew that meat was got from Mr.
Bolam's.
The Coroner then read a letter, dated Whitehall, Decem-
ber 10, which the Mayor had received from Mr. S. M.
Phillips, acknowledging the receipt of the letter, containing
the reward of £lOO. for the discovery of the murderer, and
stating that Lord John Russell had promised her Majesty's
gracious pardon to any one except the actual murderer of the
deceased.
Mary Walker said she was housekeeper to Mr. Archibald
Bolam. He lives at Sedgwick-place, is Gateshead. She
has been his housekeeper three years last November. On
Tuesday morning last he left his house about nine o'clock to
go to the bank. He did not say anything when he went out.
There was no one there but her when he went out. He had
dark checked trousers on, and a black coat and waistcoat,
with shoes and black gaiters. He did not come back to din-
ner. He only sometimes came to dinner. She next saw
him at two the same day, when she took his dinner to the
bank. Was in the habit of taking his dinner there. She
took some potatoes and veal put together in a white basin.
She did not leave that basin. He took his dinner while she
was there, and she took the basin home again. At the same
time she took him some tea in a glass bottle. It was a wine
bottle, and would hardly hold three gills. She left that bottle
at the bank. Mr. Bolam used to put the tea on the fender to
warm. She knows no other means he had of warming it.
He had no teacups or saucers that she knows of. She took
some bread in a paper. She did not take anything else. He
had no knife nor fork at the Bank that she knows of. She
took a knife and fork for him on that occasion, which she
took home after he had finished his dinner. When she went
away he said nothing to her as to his coming home. When
she was over with his dinner he had a black coat on. He
had no slist yes above his coat. He was formerly in the habit
of writing • with sleeves on, but she has not seen him do so
for a lon time. She has seen a blue office coat which Mr.
Bolam b .J, but he gave that coat away. He gave it away
in the last oack-end, after the throng time was over. It was
this year, but she cannot tell how long since, it may be four
or five months since. He gave that coat to Joseph Millie,
the man who is inurdeiid. She saw Bolan give it to him at
his (Bolarn's) house. No one was present but herself when
it was given. She has seen that coat often upon Mr. Millie
since. Millie carried the coat away with hint. He did not
put it on there. There were yellow-ribbed buttons on it. She
cannot fix the time when Mr. Bolam gave him that coat.
She cannot say h,ov many weeks it is since Mr. Bolam's
uncle died; but he has been in black aver since that time.
Before he went into black he wore a blue coat. She knows
where the blue coat is now. He has it on. He had no other
office coat after he gave that one to Millie. That blue coat
was at Bolam's house on Thursday last. It was sent for on
Friday night by Mr. Bolam, who wrote a few lines request-
ing her to send -a suit of clothes. The lines were not directed
to anybody ; but were brought to her by some of the police.
Besides the blue coat and the black one, Mr. Bolatn has a
teen coat, which is in the house. Since he gave the coat to
illie he has had no other coat but the three she has men-
tioned. After leaving the bank on Thursday afternoon she
called at her sister's house, which is in Swan-street, Gates-
head. Her name is Mole. She there saw her mother and
sister. She did not remain long, perhaps an hour at most.
She then went home. That would be about four o'clock. She
remained at home all that night, and never was out till the
next morning. When she went to the bank at two o'clock,
she locked the door of Mr. Bolam's house in Sedgwick-
place. She took the key with her in her pocket. When she
returned at four o'clock she found the door locked, and she
opened it and went in. She had been in the house about
two hours before anybody came to it. Mr. Bolam then came
in. He opened the back door with a sneck key. She was
then in the kitchen, and he came to her immediately. He
had no opportunity of going to any other part of the house
before he came in to her. When he came in she asked him
what he had come home to do, and he said, " I have come
for a key which I had forgot." He said she was to shut the
window shutters in and make all safe. He said he was only
cautioning her lest any person should make an attempt to
break in. He did not say why he was cautioning her. He
did not tell her he had got an anonymous letter that day.
She did not say anything after he told her this. The win-
dow-shutters of both kitchen and parlour at the time were
open. Mr. Bolam's house is one of a row of eight or nine
houses all close to each other; there are other streets close
adjoining. He went out immediately after telling her this.
Before he went out he went into the parlour. He was there
only a few minutes—it might be five minutes. When he went
into the parlour she went with him, with the candle. He went
to his desk and opened it, but she does not know whether he
took anything from the desk or not. He had the same dress
on that be wore when he went away in the morning. On
leaving his house he did not say what time he would be at
home again. She sat up till two o'clock the next morning,
and then she went to bed. From the time lie left, at six
o'clock, till two, when she went to bed, she never saw Bolain
again. There is a pane of glass broken in Mr. Bolam's
kitchen window. She broke that pane on Wednesday night.
No one saw her break it. She was putting up her window,
and her band went through it. Nobody saw this broken pane
before the Friday morning. Does not exactly know Mr.
Bolam's age. Thinks he is about 40 years of age. He kept
no company, except sometimes his relations came—his
brothers and sisters. Millie, the deceased, she thinks, bad
been thrice in Bolam's house; the last time was on Tuesday
week, when he dined there in company with Matthew Cree,
the door-keeper at the savings' bank; that was the last time
she saw him there; she had riot seen him there for along
time before. The last time before that was when he got the
coat. The coat given to Millie had been used by Bolain as an
office coat. She took it from the bank to Bolam's house. Mr.
Bolam had no key by which he could get into the house
whilst she was out. She has never said that when she went
home on Thursday night she found Mr. Bolam in the house.
She never said that Mr. Bolain broke the window in order to
get into the house. She saw her sister Mole on Friday. She
did not tell her that. She saw Mr. Bolain on Friday morn-
morning, between nine and ten o'clock. He was then at
Mr. Glenton, the surgeon's, in Pilgrim-street. He was up
stairs in one of the rooms. He came to her walking from
another room. She asked him how he was, and he said
he had had a narrow escape for his life. She said poor Millie
was gone, and Bolam said yes. She asked what time of
night it happened? He said Millie was on the hearth-rug
when he came back from home. Bolam said he went into the
bank, and that he was followed by a man, who knocked him
down, that he got up and ran towards the window, and was
immediately knocked down again, and seized by the throat.
That was all Mr. B. told her, and he said she was to go home,
and he would he at home in the afternoon. No one was
present when this conversation took place between them.
That is all the conversation she has had with Mr.
Bolam. She has not had any conversation with any body
else about the matter. When the police came to see her
on Saturday evening, they asked her what Mr. Bolam had
said to her on the Thursday night when he was at home, and
she told them that her master said he had come for a key, and
she told them that that was all he said. She also told them
about the shutters. After she had told them that her master
came for the key, no one put it into her head to say that
about the shutters. There was at that time the old woman
who lived with Mr. Bolam before, Jane Dees, and three po-
licemen, who had come to Bolam's house; they asked her no

FRIDAY.
The inquest was resumed at ten o'clock, the excitement in
the public mind increasing as the proceedings advanced.
'l'. M. Greenhow--I am a surgeon in Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Last night I went to the gaol with Mr. Stephens, and Mr.
Heath, surgeon, to examine Archibald Bolan'. In my pre-
sence he was partly dressed in the clothes which I was told
he had on when he was found in the Savings' Bank—his
pantaloons, shoes, and gaiters were not put on—but his coat,
waistcoat, shirt, and flannel shirt were put on, and his stock
and handkerchief were tied ationt his neck. I examined the
marks on the skin of his right side. I found sonic scratches
on the skin which did not appear to have penetrated so as to
draw blood. I think there were three running in a parallel
direction, and one which crossed them in a direction rather
diagonal. I did not observe any abrasion of the skin, I
should think the scratches were about two inches in length—
but perhaps hardly that—they appeared to have been made
by a sharp instrument which had not penetrated the skin—
certainly they had been made by repeated blows or strokes,
not by only one blow or stroke. Any sharp instrument, and
therefore a penknife might have made them. A penknife
might have effected the appearances I saw. As the cuts on
Bolain's body corresponded exactly in situation with the cuts
on the cloths, I think it probable that the marks on the skin
were caused by an instrument which passed through the
clothes. It did not appear to me that the marks on Bolom's
body were likely to have been produced by a violent thrust
made against him. I also examined Bolam's neck. I found
a cut on the left side—which was nearly healed; it was under
the jaw bone on the left side, and it had been about an inch
and half or two inches long. It appeared to me quite a su-
perficial wound. I also examined the stock. There was a
cut on the front part of the stock which had cut throught it;
the position of the cut on the stock did not correspond with
that of the wound. I think it not probable that the same
cut which cut the stock could have cut the neck, unless the
had been in a different position from that in which it was. I
had no opportunity of examining Bolain until yesterday. I
think it quite possible that Bolam might have received a
blow on his head on Thursday night about seven o'clock
which made him insensible. And that he might have reco-
vered at the end of five hours without any medical treatment.
I think it very unlikely that insensibility should have taken
place a quarter of an hour afterwards, if it did not immedi-
ately follow the blow. If even insensibility had come on a
quarter of an hour after the blow, I think he might have re-
covered at the end of five hours without medical treatment.
If a person were returnir 7 from a state of insensibility caused
by concussion of the hrss s—he might gradually recover Isis
senses—he might have vssy much the appearance of a per-
son awaking from a deep sleep—his breathing might be some-
what labourious and oppressed, or it might be natural and
calm, so much depends upon the extent of the injury. If a
person were recovering from insensibility caused by the ef-
fects of smoke, in all probability his breathing would be very
labourious—his pulse would nearly leave him altogether, and
become feeble and oppressed. It is probable that the pupils
of his eyes, would be much dilated; it would probably be a
considerable lenghth of time before he recovered his voice ;
also, if insensibility had been caused by a concussion of the
brain, and a person recovering his voice would not be effected
in the same manner as if insensibility had been caused by
the somke. It is probable that a blow on the temple suffi-
cient to knock Main down and cause insensibility for four
or five hours would leave a swelling or other mark ; but it
does not necessary follow that it would do so. The appear-
ances of the blood on the shirt, flannel shirt, waistcoat, and
coat, would have led me to suppose that Mr. Bolam had re-
ceived the wound in she neck whilst in an upright position.
I think if Mr. Bolain had received the cut on his neck whilst
lying on his face or his back that the blood would not have
flowed upon his clothes as I find it to have done. I have just
now examined Mr. Bolam's coat and the lining of the right
sleeve. There are stains of blood upon the sleeve near the wrist
There are corresponding intuits on the lining inside. As faras
my judgment goes there is some appearance of an attempt to
wash out the stains on the cloth part. If the insensibility had
been caused by a blow, and Main had recovered,and then be-
come insensible from the effects of the smoke, the symptoms on
recovery would have been the same as if the first insensibility
bad not taken place from the blow. Front the appearance
of the wound I should think that no large vessel had been
injured, but there might have been an oozing of blood from
it for some hours. think it probable that the scratches
made on the skin were made by the same blow which cut the
clothes; that is a mechanical question which any one might
answer. I have now examined the coat more particularly;
it appears to me that the cuts correspond in direction with
the diagonal scratch on Bolam's clothes had lie been on his
face when he received the wound, and had continued to re-
main there.
Henry Heath.—l am a surgeon at Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
I examined Bolain last night in company with Mr. Green-
how. The coat, waistcoat, shirt, and flannel shirt, which I
am told he had on when found in the Savings' Bank were
put upon him. I then examined the scratches on his right
side. I did not count them—they are several. They were
in two directions, from above downwards, and from behind,
a little higher up, forwards and downwards. I examined the
cut in all the clothes corresponding in point of situation
with those marks. The marks might have been made by
any small sharp instrument passing through the clothes. I
now look at the coat, and I think that the scratches on the
body could not have been made by the same cut which cut
the coat, because the cut on the coat is not in the same di-
rection as the scratches on the body, and because I think the
scratches had been made by repeated scratchings with the
point of some instrument. I observed several other cuts on
the coat, but no corresponding marks to those cuts on the
body. I also examined Bolam's neck. I found a wound on
the left side just under the jaw from an inch to an inch and
a half in length. It might have penetrated the skin, but not
more. If Mr. Bolain had been lying on his face when he
received the wound on his neck, and continued to lay on his
face, I think the blood might have run down the breast of his
shirt as it appears to have done. I also examined the right
sleeve of the coat, and also the lining of the same sleeve.
There are marks, which I think to be marks of blood, on
both sleeve and lining. I think there has been an attempt to
rub out the blood on the right sleeve. I should think
that
the attempt has been made with water, and that the water
and blood hail gone through the cloth and stained the lining.
There is an appearance of roughness on the nap of the cloth
on the outside. It is the appearance we often find upon our
own coats after an operation, if we take a towel dipped in
water and rub the coats with it. 1 think, from the appear-
ance of the wound, Rolam must have received the wound
whilst he was lying down. If this wound bad been received
at seven at night, I do not think that any blood might be
oozing from it at two o'clock the next morning. I think it
would be entirely dry by that time. The wound on the neck
could not have bled many minutes. I do not think Bolain
could have received the marks of blood on his coat and waist-
coat whilst he was lying on his face. I give my opinion as
to the time the wound might have bled with considerable
hesitation, the wound having been healed when I first saw it.
Joseph Armstrong.—l am one of the partners of the firm
of Blackwell and Co., printers, in this town; and I act as
cashier to the Savings' Bank. About a quarter before two
o'clock on Friday morning last as I was coming out of the
minting room, when one of our men called down the yard
that the Savings' Bank was on fire. I immediately ran
down. I saw a policeman at the head of the Arcade. There
were two or three people coining to the Arcade at the tune.
I was there before any of the fire-engines arrived. The outer
door of the Bank leading into the Arcade was open; but the
door into the Bank and the door into the waiting room at
that time was shut. I did not at that time try whether they
were locked or not. The flames were coining through the
waiting room door. I then went into the street, and assisted
to drag the fire-engines to the plug. After the pipes were
fixed I went into the passage with the fireman, and directed
him to play at the corner of the waiting room, where the safe
containing the books was. By that time, Sub-Inspector
Bell came into the passage. I believe he attempted to go
up stairs to see if any person was there. Those stairs are no
way connected with the Bank or waiting room. The flames
were soon got under, and the firemen commenced removing
papers from the safe. I received a parcel of papers from one
of the firemen at the entrance to the waiting room, and in
taking them into the Arcade I met Sub-Inspector Bell. I
asked him where I should put them far safety. He told me
to give them in charge to one of the police. I returned into
the passage with Bell and one of our own workmen named
Little. I then tried the large room door and found it open.
I remarked to Bell that it was queer it should be unlocked.
I believe I was the first person who went in at that door after
the fire. Bell said we had better examine it. 1 am not cer-
tain whether he or I examined the lock first; but I think he
did. We found the key in the lock in the inside of the room.
I think that Bell and I were the first who went into the large
room. Bell had his lanthorn lighted. We made two attempts
to get in before we did get in. On account of the smoke we
went cautiously into the large room, being afraid of the floor
being burnt underneath. When we got near the fire-place I
touched something with my foot. I said, "Good God ! here's
a man." Bell was in the act of speaking at the same time.
I did not see any other person in the room at that time; but
after Bell had turned the body over, other people had coins
in. We stood some two or three minutes over the body. I
was not then certain it was the body of Millie. The candles
by that time were lighted in the room, which I suppose was
done by some of the police. On looking round the room, in
company of Inspector Little, we came to the body of Mr.
Bolain. He appeared as if resting on his left arm. I did
not perceive any person near him at that time. Mr. Alder-
man Dunn came up immediately. The head of Bolam was
not erect, but banging down, and I am not sure whether it
did not touch the ground. On Bolan being turned up, I
think by Inspector Little, he opened his eyes. He appeared
then to be in a state bordering upon insensibility. He did
not speak. I think Mr. Alderman Dunn said that lie was
alive, and a surgeon bad better be sent for. I immediately
ran for a surgeon. Mr. Glenton was the first surgeon who
came in. I went into the Bank with Mr. Glenton. Bolam