The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1845-09-23 00:00:00

THE MURDER AT ROCK FERRY.

The three prisoners, Patrick Tallant, Robert Lynch,
and Wm. Nowlan—also the appr..ver, Michael Burns—
who, as stated in our last paper, were remanded yesterday
week, were again brought up at the Police-court, Birken-
head, on Tuesday, when some further evidence was given,
similar to that g ven on the inquest. Mr. Keyesr, who
came up at the time Mr. Peacop was attacked, and was
himself struck senseless by one of the ruffians, could not
identify any of the prisoners as being the parties. The
stick found in Lynch's house was shown to him, but he
sa'd it did not resemble that used by the parties who com-
mitted the outrae,e. The head of a stonebreaker's hammer
produced, would, if fixed at the end of a stick, strongly
resemble the weapon with shish he had himself been
struck. The evidence, therefore, did not strongly
impli-
cate the prisoners and their attorney, Mr. Chew, asked
only a few questions in cross-examination. The ca,ti was
again adjourned to Wednesday, and meantime so much
excitement prevailed in the locality, and so much alarm,
-om a rumour that an attack was meditated upon the
?., well, for the purpose of liberating the prisoners, that
ririae• • -trates, after a consultation. despatched a messen-
the Flldp., ", in consequence of which a company of the
ger to Chte. *ing of 80 men, arrived at Birkenhead
47th regt , -1 of them were put on guard at the
that evening.- SoYer._ • -lit, and the others were held in
bridewell during the dt. 'o the Court-house, but hap-
readiness in a room attacked '-een made) was not at
pily the th. eat, (if it ha 44 evef
tempted to be put into exeerition:
On Wednesday the prisoners Wee flea._
and the court and its precincts were much teem,
magistrates present were—Sir Edward Ctt'st, the
M. Fielding, William Jackson, Esq., H. Winch',-
J. R. Shaw, Esq., Potter, Esq. There were also.
present several of the Commissioners of Birkenhead, and
amongst other gentlemen Edward Rushton, Esq., an-di
Mr. Dowling.
Mr. Foulkes, surgeon, detailed the injuries sustained by
Mr. Peacop, which were sufficient to came death. There
was a fracture of the skull and several cuts and antusions

'n brought up,
led. The
-v. R.

of the head.
Mr. Stephenson, surgeon, who had attended the de-
ceased, gave similar testimony.
Burns, the approver, was then called, and after being
cautioned as to what he might say voluntarily, as it would
be taken down, and might tell either for or against him,
as the case might be, he made the following statement :--
I was coming from Chester, looking for employment,
about half-past five in the evening, on the last day of the
old year (December 31st) when I met with this man,
(pointing out Patrick Tallant) and he asked me where I
was fro n, and I said I was from Chester, looking for em-
ployment. He said, " Come along with us to-night, to
the baker, in Rock Ferry, and we will get some money
upon him. We spoke a while together, and he raid—" See
Lynch to-night." I did see him in Back Chester-street,
and he told me to meet him about halt-past eight, and I
did so. We fixed a time to go, for he said he would come
along with me himself to the Heck Ferry toll-bar, ard
that Nowlan was gone on the road before us. The four
of us then met at the toll bar—Tallant, Lynch, Nowlan,
and myself, about half past eight o'clock. It was the Rock
Ferry toll-bar. on the turnpike road. Tallant said, Now-
lan should watch the door to see the time the baker (Pea-
cop) came out. I did not then know his name. He kept
the shop in Rock Ferry-lane, close to the toll-bar. We
then di:persed, and I was watching to see if any one was
coming down. I watched in the road about four perches
above the toll-bar. The arrangement was, that as soon
as he was coming out, Tallant was to whistle ; he (Tallant)
was stationed about four perches down from the toll-bar,
on the other side to that on which I was. Nowlan was
watching opposite the door, to see what time he would
come out. Lynch was on the lett band side, below Tel--
Lint again. The agreement between us was, that when the
baker came out, Talent was to whistle. We stopped till
half-past nine or near ten before he came out. Tallant
then whistled, and immediately upon that I saw Lynch
and Nowlan fighting with him (Peacop.) As soon as 1
came down the road 1 saw Peacop struggle across the road
out of their hands, and Lynch up with a whip and struck
him with it, which knocked him down. The whip is here;
I have seen it. It beh.nged to Lynch. There'were two
whips used, both belonging to him. I had seen them be-
fore in Lynch's house, and bad had one of them in my
hand, and Lynch had another one night before, that was
in Lynch's cellar. [Mr. Superinteudent 111` Haig pro-
duced a short stick, leaded at one end, and Burns said that
was one of them.] One of the prisoners Lad it on that
night. The other whip was about three inches longer,
and of a similar make, but longer, and more leaded.
Lynch and Nowlan had the whips on the night of the 3lst.
I saw them in their possessii•n at the time we let Ches-
ter-road, and they had them all along. When the baker
was knocked down he struggled on his right side to get up,
and Nowlan then struck him on the head with one of the
whips, knocked him down again, threw himself on him,
and took twenty-five or thirty shillings from him. I can-
not say from which pocket. but I saw him take the mo-
ney. When the baker was knocked down another man
came up, and Nowlan at him. He came from towards the•
Rock Ferry, and I cannot say whether he was knocked
down or not, but he was struck by Nowlan. lem certain
that be hit him. I then ran away towards Birkenhead
and remained opposite a public-house in Waterloo-place,
Front Chester-street, about twenty minutes. I got over
a hedge, and came parr of the way throueh the fields from
near the toll bar, and then got into the road again, but did
not meet any body. At the end of the twenty minutes
Nowlan came up to me, and I asked him how much mo-
ney be got, when he told me about twenty-four or twenty-
five shillings. He gave me three sixpences and a shilling
(2s. 6d.) I did not sleep at Birkenhead that night, but
went over to Liverpool, and remained there about two
months, living in Bauastre-street. In three days after
the robbery, I was in Birkenhead, and saw Nowlan in
Back Che, ter-street. He raid, " I cannot give you more
than another half-crown, it did not turn out so much as I
thought." He gave toe the half-crown, and nothing fur-
ther took place. I never saw any of the prisoners during
my stay in Liverpool. Whine I remained there I worked
at getting in coats, or anything else I could procure, but
had only about a fortnight's work during the time I was
there. 1 went over to Birkenhead at the end of the two
months, and worked first for a man named Clancy, a ma-
son, for a few days, and then for Joe Farmer, at Oxton,
seven weeks. While working for Farmer, a woman named
Duggs, belonging to the place, threatened my life, in con-
sequence of something 1 said connected with the transac-
tion for which I am here to-day, and 1 wssobliged to leave.
I then left Birkenhead and went to Dublin, and while
there got my leg hurt, about a week after my arrival, and
was laid up. In consequence of that I went to Father
Kickers, in Franceys-street, Dublin, and confessed, and
be urged me to make the statement I have made here to-
day. I have nothing more to say.
The statement was then read, and Burns, who said he
could not write, declared it to be correct, and put his
mark to it.
Cross-examined by Mr. Chew.—l come from the county
of Wicklow, from a place called Priestown, where I
served my time as a mason. I came to England about six
years ago, and to Birkenhead about five years ago. 1 have
been in the army. I left it o❑ my own account—that is.
I deserted. They have not caught me yet. I was never
charged with robbery in lrelaud or England, except the
present. Don't know a person named James Neale, who
used to be called Bishop of Kildare. and never was con-
cerned in any robbery with him. I have never Seen con-
cerned in any robbery but this; have been convicted, but
only for drinkeug. I have known Lynch a year and a
half; be works at the gas works. I had been about the
country for some time before the robbery took place.
Don't know there is a reward of £2OO offered in the pre-
sent case, and never beard of it. Did not see iron the
walls; and if I had, I could not read it. The reason I
did not give information sooner was because I did not go
regularly to my priest. I did not expect to die io conse-
quence of the injury to my leg. I applied to the priest be-
cause my conscience pricked me to do it ; and it is neces-
sary for every Catholic to do so.
On further examination he said Lynch first proposed
the robbery, and he agreed to join him. Nowlan also
ngreed to join them. He agreed with Lynch a month be-
fore to roh Mr. Feacop. but an opportunity did not then
occur. Tney now thought of murdering him. He con-
fessed he 'was as guilty as any of them, and said he did not
know of the reward of £2OO offered, nor did he expect or
want any of it. He took no actual part it► the robbery or
assault.
Superintendent Millers', proved the arrest of Lynch,
and of finding some pistols and dangerous weapons in his
house ; after which the prisoners were again remanded
until eleven o'clock on Wednesday (to•morrow.)
On the same evening the prisoners, and also the ap-
prover, were sent off to Chester by a special tra n, in
charge of Mr. Palmer and the soldiery who had been
brought down on the previous day. An immense crowd
assembled to witness their departure, but no violence was
offered.

DAHLIA SHOW AT THE ROCK FERRY.—On Thursday
a show of dahlias, open to all England, was held at the
gardens of the Rock Ferry Hotel. The attendance of
visitors, owing to the variable state of the weather, was
not very numerous, those who were present being for the
most part resident in the neighbourlico.i. The show of
dahlias was, on the whole, considered good, the first prize
for a single flower being taken by Messrs. Dickson, of
Chester, and that for the best 24, by Mr. J. Edwards,
gardener, of York. In the class of amateur prizes there
were also some good flowers. A basket of cut flowers,
sent by Messrs. Kellock, of Oxton Nursery, was much
admired ; also a device from James Tyrer, Esq., Bootle.
Some rare specimens of plants, fruits, &c., had been de-
posited by Messrs. Kellock and Co., Messrs. Dickson,
and others, which gave a pleasing and varied character to
the exhibition, although. not intended for competition.
The proceedings were enlivened by Mr. Parker's band.

THE LANCASHIRE MEMBERS.—The following exhibits
the attendance (or rather the presence in divisions) of the
Lancashire members in the House of Commons during
the session of 1845. Total number of divisions 170, in
which there voted— TIMES.
Brotherton
Cardwell
Greeli T. A -
Hindley C. 78
Crawford W. S. 75
Patten J. Wilson ?.1)
Entwistle W. Lancasbire........w.--- 67
Gibson T. Milner 65
Blackburne J. Ireland 53
Greenall P. 53
Sandon 52
Douglas Sir Howard 51
Clifton J. Talbot Lancashire 39
,36
Walker
Ainsworth P.WVIANNINNSMONWV•I•MBoItort
Fielden John

'l3
!fi
24
23
20
14
4

Fielden W...,—,....-.........~...--..,.. .--Blackburn .......,—.....,
Strickland Sir G. —,—,Preston--------_

Johnson General

„ —Oldham
Mtulchester

Philips M

Mahon (1,

.Lancaster,

Hornby John M
Egerton Lord F.
Fleetwood Sir P. H .
Standish B.

,Blackburn

,South Lancashii

......-. Preston,

,Wigtui