The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-10-14 00:00:00

SINGULAR CASE.-INQUEST.

On Wednesday, and by adjournment yesterday, an inquest
was held before P. F. Curry, Esq., Coroner, and a respect-
able jury, on view of the body of Samuel Latcbford, a young
man, who had died at the Infirmary, on Tuesday last, after
receiving injuries in an alleged assault, or series of assaults,
in a public-house, so far back as the 15th of July last, and
which were the suspected cause of death. In consequence
of the declaration made by the prisoner, when he stated
that he " supposed" he was dying, three parties, Robert
Oats, Richard Ronan, and Catherine Ronan, his wife, were
brought in custody into the court, and the case, which it was
generally supposed would result in a verdict of manslaughter,
if not of murder, excited considerable interest in the public
mind. The evidence, which we give in a condensed form,
was, however, contradictory in some points, and totally at
variance with the declaration of the deceased immediately
prior to his death, and the whole of the prisoners were dis-
charged, after a long and patient investigation. The pro-
ceedings were, however, sufficiently curious to be placed on
record. Ann Wilcock said,—l am a widow, and keep a
public-house in Gerard-street. I knew the deceased well.
He was about 24 years old. He had lodged in our house for
fourteen months previous to July last. On the evening of
the 14th of July last there was a supper held at our house by
a party of young men, who had formed themselves into a
club, called the Free and Easy Club. The deceased was a
member, and partook of the supper. Between twelve and
one o'clock in the morning of the 15th, after the supper, he
became very tipsy, and went to bed. Two men, Richard
Ronan and Robert Oates, were also members of the club.
The wife of Richard Ronan assisted me in preparing supper.
There had been no quarrel pribr to the deceased going to
bed. Between six and seven o'clock in the morning of the
15th Mrs. Ronan came to me and asked where the deceased
was, and I told her he had gone to bed. The company had
retired some time previous. There was a woman of the name
of Catharine Oates present at this time, and either she or
Mrs. Ronan said all the company had spent a shilling except
the deceased. Mrs. Ronan is my sister, and she said to me,
" Shall I go up stairs to the deceased, and ask him if he will
spend a shilling ?" I told her there would be no great harm
in doing it, and she went up stairs accordingly. Mrs. Oates
went up stairs. As they remained some time, I told them
to come away if he was not willing to spend his shilling.
The deceased at this time was standing on the floor. lie
had his clothes on. There was no one else in the room but

the deceased, Mrs. Ronan, and Mrs. Oates. They both
came down stairs with me, and the deceased remained in the
room. There had been no scuffle up to this time. About
half-past seven o'clock the deceased came down stairs and
went out of the house. In about five minutes after he retired
into the house, and Mrs. Ronan, who lived with me at this
time, was standing in the lobby. The deceased then said to
Ronan, " Come, and you shall have it out of me, or I'll
have it out of you." They both then went into the street.
Ronan returned again into the house in about three minutes.
The deceased, in about ten minutes, was brought into the
house by a Mr. Barry, who occupied the seller under my
house, and another man whom Ido not know. He was not
able to walk, and was obliged to be carried. Ile was sensible,
and was carried to bed. He did not complain of any thing
that day; he complained of being ill, and asked me what it
was that made him so ill. He never said that he had been
ill-used by any one, or that he had' a fall. As he appeared
to be ill, I sent for a surgeon, who came (Dr. Weathered)
and attended him for a fortnight, but be gradually got worse,
and was taken to the infirmary. The prisoner, Oates, is my
brother, and lodges with me. He never had any scuffle with
the deceased.
Jane Oates corroberated the last witness.

Samuel Barrow heard that the deceased had fallen, and
went and assisted to lift him into the house. Richard Ro-
nan was also down. He did not see him or any other person
kick or strike the deceased. Deceased was frequently drunk,
and when so was very abusive.
Other witnesses were then called, who stated that a quarrel
or scuffle had taken place between Ronan and the deceased,
and that whilst Ronan was endeavouring to extricate him-
self, the deceased fell, and Ronan went into the house.
Mr. Brandreth, surgeon of the Infirmary, said the de-
ceased was brought there on the 28th of July. He was in a
very emaciated state, and had a complete paralysis of the
lower part of the body, and had no power to move his limbs.
He gradually declined until yesterday (Wednesday) when he
died. Witness was of opinion that the cause o. death was
a softening of the spinal marrow, with considerable congestion
of the vessels,, and of serious effusion within the sheath of
the spinal marrow—all of which were produced by inflam-
mation. This might arise either from natural causes or from
external violence, and it was only from hearing the history of
the case that he was induced to think it was the result of the
latter.

The first declaration of the deceased was to the effect, that
the prisoner Mrs. Ronan and Oates, on the night of the
14th of July, came into his room, dragged him out of bed,
and told him he must spend a shilling,. that Mrs. Wilcock
came up and entreated them to desist, but that they dragged
him down stairs, and afterwards gave him more drink ; that
he sat with them till daylight ; that he went up stairs again ;
that Mrs. Ronan followed him, and kicked him, and after-
wards brought her husband, who kicked him with his shoes
on, in the spine ; that he then ran down stairs and got out—
Mrs. Wilcock still taking his part; that a scuffle afterward;
took place between him and Mrs, lionan's husband, who
knocked him senseless ; that he was carried in ; that Robert
Oates afterwards came up stairs, swore he would have his
tile, got hold of him by the shirt, and dashed him on the
floor on his back, and would have jumped upon him but for
Mrs. Wilcock dragging him away.
The second declaration was to the effect that the prisoners
were present at the assault before referred to, and that lie
was not quite sober at the time.

The inquest was then adjourned until yesterday, when it
was resumed :
Samuel Barrow recalled.—Said that not a word in anger
passed between the prisoner Oates and the deceased on that
night.
' Dr. Weatherall being sent for, said he was caller's to the
deceased on the night in question, and attended him up to
the 28th of July. He was in a state of paralysis, nearly all
over his body, and general insensibility, though not tqtal in
some parts. There was no external mark of violence.
except a few scratches in the face. The witness explained
the several causes by which paralysis might be produced,
and which might arise from many causes not involving a
recent blow or violence, such as predisposition, acted upon
by excitement, intoxication, &c.
The three prisoners, Richard Oates, Richard Ronan, and
Mary Ronan, being cautioned as to what they might think
fit to say, severally said, " I have not anything to say."
The Coroner then addressed the jury at considerable length
and with great care, pointing out the respective degrees of
homicide, from murder with malice prepense to the killing
of a man by misadventure. He dwelt upon the principal
portions of the evidence, which were at variance with the
dying declaration of the deceased ; but such declarations
were to be taken with extreme caution, and in this instance,
from the absence of all appearance of external injury on the
person of the deceased, as sworn to by two respectable
medical gentlemen, as well as from other circumstances
spoken to, he appeared to think that the deceased laboured
under delusion or insensibility at the time be made it—the
effect of physical weakness and decay when he made the
declaration ; while at the same time he saw no reason to
doubt the evidence of Mrs. Barrow and others, given in a
straight-forward manner. He also noticed the evidence in
an able manner in a medical point of view—tending to the
same conclusion.

The jury almost immediately returned a verdict to the
effect that the prisoner Oates and the female Ronan were
altogether exculpated, and the deceased had come to his
death by a fall in the scuffle with Ronan, who had done thg
homicide by misadventure in his own defence, in throwine
the deceased off. This amounted to an acquittal of all the
prisoners, who, after an admonition from the coroner, were
accordingly discharged.

IMPORTANT DISCOVERY,
WHEREBY ONE ACRE SHALL PRODUCE 121 BARRELS OF

POTATOES.

(From the Roscommon Journal.)
This wonderful produce is ascertained by an experiment
made in the drill system, and according to the following
process :—The parent stock is to consist of one whole potato
of a moderate size, but not less than a hen egg. The pota-
toes, with the crown uppermost, (for this is indispensable,)
are to be laid horizontally within the drills at parallel dis-
tances, and within such a compass of surface as to allow
nearly two square feet to each parent stock. The preparatory
course is as follows :—The land to be either subsoiled or
trenched, and in drills, to be left exposed to a winter fallow.
If the soil be wet, some of the trenches can be left open, so
as to admit a sufficient fall for the water during winter. But
it is better to follow this rule generally in a small or large
degree, as may be required ; with such management, a
moderate share of manure will suffice, either of stable or yard
dung, or of good compost. The latter in the drill system is
preferable after March. Thus the land becomes perfectly
pulverised before spring, and with a depth of•surface• con-
siderably increased, will admit of four landings, which are
the least that can be used on this occasion. The first landing
should be made as the shoot reaches towards the summit of
the drill, and just before it appears ; the second after its
appearance, and when it rises a few inches above the surface;
afterwards the third and fourth, at intervals of a fortnight
each ; and finally, a fifth in July would render this cultivation
perfect.
The drill in which this cultivation was made consisted of
thirty-five stalks, and the sample now exhibited is one of
them—being of the tolon species ;it weighs 20 lbs. The
average or main proportion of each stalk is 18 lbs., and the
produce at the latter rate would be 121 barrels per acre. The
ground where this trial was made is too much sheltered and
confined, which caused the stalk to be too luxuriant, and
served rather to lessen the produce ; besides, the ground was
not sufficiently trenched, and it follows that in an open field,
with proper trenching, &c., the produce would prove still
more abundant. This mode of cultivating the potato, so
simple in its operation and so beneficial in its effects, has an
additional recommendation—that it is equally accessible to
all classes of agriculturists—it can be used on a small or large
scale with equal facility. The poor man, with his solitary
acre and without a plough, by trenching, which is the most
essential part of the entire process, can derive the full benefit
of it, and can thus be rendered quite independent of conacre.
The produce of one stalk, after being exhibited in the Agri-
cultural Society's yard, were left at this office, they weigh 20
lbs., and were cultivated by Thomas Cox, who resides near
Durham. This poor man also exhibited three large turnips.

The government has determined to establish a school of
design at Nottingham.
SAM SLICK IN ENGLAND.—Mr. Sperry, who keeps a clock
and looking-glass warehouse in Fulton-street, sailed on the
Ist inst. for England, on an adventure entirely new. He has
taken with him 600 Yankee wooden clocks, with which to
astonish the natives, and if well introduced will doubtless pay
him a handsome profit. The duty on this article is only 25
per cent., which is the highest duty on any manufactured ar-
ticle.—American paper.
WINDOW DUTY.—The following is a return made to an
order of the House of Commons in the last session for a
" Return of the duty on windows, assessed for the twelve
towns in England which contribute the largest amount ;
1840, ending sth April, 1841 :"—Liverpool (amount of duty),
£30,226; Bath, £22,408 ; Manchester, 419,343; Bristol,
£15,377; Brighton, £14,753; Plymouth, £12,848; Bir-
mingham, £10,952; Clifton, £7,818; Leeds, £7,518; Chel-
tenham,
£6,972 ; Norwich, £6,892 ;
Newcastle-on-Tyne,
£s,63o—Total amount of duty paid by the twelve towns,
£160,739.

WARD MEETINGS.

ST. PAUL'S WARD.

A numerous meeting of the conservative burgesses of St.
Paul's Ward was held last evening, at the house of Miss
Stythp, in Hightield-street, for the purpose of nominating a
fit and proper person to represent the word in the town-
council, in the place of Mr. Barton, who has declined to
come forward again. The room was crowded, and the pro-
ceedings throughout were, characterised by the greatest en-
thusiasm and unanimity. Mr. John Briscoe was called to
the chair.

The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, reminded
his conservative friends that they were about to embark in
the seventh contest for their principles. They had.already
fought six battles, in five of which success had crowned their
efforts ; and he had no doubt that, if the burgesses did their
duty on the present occasion, as they bad formerly, success
would again be theirs.
Mr. MICHAEL BousFIELD proposed that Mr. John
Caton Thompson was a fit and proper -person to represent
the ward in the town-council.

Mr. OWEN WILLIAMS seconded the motion, and it was
carried unanimously.
Mr. 'WATSON proposed a resolution to the efrect, that the
meeting pledged itself individually end collectively to 'rise
every legal means to secure Mr. Thompson's election.

Mr. BATTEN seconded the motion, and it was unanimously
carried.

Mr. GERARD, seconded by Mr. MORGAN, moved the
appo ntment of a committee to conduct the election. The
resolution was carried unanimously.
Mr. Thompson. being prevented from attending by the ill-
ness of his lady, Mr. WALKER returned thanks for him ;
and after a few words from Mr. PARKER in support of con-
servatism and Protestant principles, the meeting separated

ABERCROMBY WARD MEETING. •
Yesterday evening, the sixth annual meeting of the
Abercromby Ward Conservative Association, was held in
the large room of the Phoenix Hotel, Mount Pleasant, for
the purpose of transacting the general annual business of
the ward. The room was crowded' to excess, and amongst
the highly respectable company present, were the members
of the ward,—Mr. Robertson Gladstone, Mr. Bushell, Mr.
Procter, Mr. Griffiths. the Alderman for that municipal
district and we also noticed Mr. J. W. Barlow, Mr. C.
Boutflower, and many others. Mr. Boutfiower was elected
chairman, and ably sustained his duties.
The officers of the association for the ensuing year were
consecutively proposed and seconded and the several mo-
tions to that effect were carried bv, we may say, acclamation
—several of the officers who had previously held " com-
mission" being re-elected, and others " promoted," if we
may so term it, to higher stations in an ordinary point of
view—their zeal and industry in the cause being beyond all
praise. Amongst the appointments, Mr. J. W. Barlow was
created vice-president of the association ; and Mr. Muncas-
ter was amongst the promotions. Both gentlemen returned
thanks in feeling and energetic terms. A committee, strong
in name as well as in number, was also appointed to manage
the no fewer than 26 districts into which the ward is to be
subdivided for the operations of the ensuing election. Mr.
R. W. Waddington and Mr. Smith were appointed secreta-
ries. The latter gentleman had been attached to the asso-
ciation since: its commencement.
Mr. Griffiths nominated Mr. Christopher Bushell, after a
warm eulogium on his character, for re-election as one of the
representatives of the ward, and the proposition was imme-
diately seconded and carried by acclarnation.—Mr. Bushell
made a very eloquent address on the occasion,, at the conclu-
sion of which he congratulated the meeting on the gratifying
fact that the ward would probably furnish the town with an
able and efficient mayor for the ensuing year—a man whose
talent, integrity, and high position in society, entitled him to
their warmest wishes and support.—This announcement was
responded to by the loudest cheers.
Thanks were voted to the chairman, and the meeting se-
parated. We may add, that the feeling in the ward is such
that no opposition to the re-election of Mr. Bushell is an-
ticipated, and that should an adverse candidate be proposed
he will assuredly be defeated.

THE £2,000 ROBBERY AT PRESTON GUILD.-
COMMITTAL OF ELIZA BAILEY.

The circumstances attending this most extraordinary rob-
bery are now likely to be fully developed, and probably the
offenders brought to justice ; and this mainly owing to the
activity and vigilance of Mr. Palmer, the special high con-
stable of the hundred of Wirrall, Cheshire. Our readers
will recollect that two persons were several times examined
before Mr. Trail, the stipendiary magistrate at Union Hall
Police-office, in London, the result of which, however, was,
that there did not appear sufficient evidence to warrant the
learned Magistrate in committing the parties, and they were
consequently discharged ; but one of them, whose name is
Eliza Bailey, was brought, in the custody of one of the me-
tropolitan police, to Birkenhead, where she has undergone
several examinations before John Deane Case, Esq., which
ended on Tuesday evening last in the committal for trial of
the prisoner at the neat general quarter sessions of the peace
for the county of Chester.

The prisoner, who appeared very fashionably attired, was
defended by Mr. Owen, solicitor, of this town.
The following brief outline of the evidence will be suffi-
cient to show to our readers the circumstances attending this
most extraordinary robbery :
Mr. John Marquis, of Accrington, gentleman, stated, that
on the 17th of August last he received from the bank of
Messrs. Cunliffe, Brooks, and Co., at Blackburn, the sum
of £5,931 Gs. 2d., all of which consisted of Bank of Eng-
land notes, except the odd £4 Gs. 2d., which was in gold
and silver. On the 24th August the witness paid £l,OOO to
his account in the same bank. On the 30th he paid another
£4OOO of the,notes to a branch of the same bank at Man-
chester. Between the 24th and 30th of August he paid an-
other £l,OOO into the bank of Messrs. Jones, Lloyd, & Co.
He kept the rest of the notes in his pocket-book. Between
the 30th of August and the 4th of October, he paid away
some other of the notes, but he did not remember the exact
amount. On Sunday morning, the 4th Sept., he counted
his money, which consisted of two £5OO notes, and nine
£lOO notes, and placed them in his pocket-book, putting the
pocket-book in the left-hand breast-pocket of his coat.
When he went to bed, he placed his coat on a chair near his
bed. When he got up the next morning, he examined his
pocket-book, and the notes appeared to be all safe. On that
morning (Sept. sth) he weft to Preston, for the purpose of
lodging the money in the Old Bank there, but, on calling
there, he could not agree respecting the interest, and there-
fore did not leave it. Ile left the bank about two o'clock in
the afternoon, and the pocket-book was then sate in his
pocket. Ile then walked about Preston until seven o'clock
in the evening, when he went to the White Horse Inn, and
had tea alone in a private room. He left the house a little
before eight o'clock, and walked up the main street. On
arriving opposite the church in Church-street, a man and
woman came up to him from behind—the man on his left
side and the woman on the other. They took hold of his
arms, and the man asked if he was taking a walk. He re-
plied, " No, I am not going any further," and disengaged
himself from their hold. On drawing back, the two persons
ran across the street where some people were standing, and
he lost sight of them. On examining his pocket, he found
the pocket-book was missing, and he immediately gave in-
formation of it to the police. Witness said he thought the
prisoner was the female who came up to him, but he could
not positively swear it.
Ellen Lodge, barmaid at Mr. 'Watson's, the Railway Inn,
at Birkenhead, and another servant at the same inn, deposed
to the prisoner coining to the inn on the 6th September last,
about one o'clock, in company with a man. They partook
of some refreshment, after which the female went through
the kitchen into the yard to a water-closet. Afterwards they
left the house, and went towards the Chester Railway. No
other person was in the water-closet until Mr. Watson went
there a little after four o'clock.

Mr. Watson deposedtO finding a £lOO and a £lO Bank of
England note in the water-closet, which were produced and
identified by the prosecutor as part of the money that bad
been taken from him.

Thomas Stowell, the individual at whose instance the par-
ties were apprehended, gave similar testimony to that de-
posed to in London, and which has already appeared in our
columns. The witness was subjected to a very severe cross-
esamination by Mr. Owen.
Elizabeth Simpson, of Bow-lane, in Preston, was next
called. She stated that the female prisoner, in the company
of a man, came to her house about ten minutes after six
o'clock, and took lodgings for a week. They partook of tea,
and then went out a little before eight o'clock. In about
three-quarters of an hour they returned, in company with
another man. The female then appeared to he ►n great dis-
tress, and said she had just received information that her
mother was very ill, and she must leave immediately. After
changing their dresses, the male and female left, telling wit-
ness that the other man would call in a few days for their
luggage, and pay fur the lodgings. The witness said she was
certain the female was the person, and she gave a description
of the dress she wore, which answered one given by the pro-
secutor.

The manager of Messrs. Cunliffe, Brooks, & Co.'s bank,
and Mr. Buck, solicitor, of Burnley, each gave evidence as
to the sum of money paid to Mr. Marquis on the lith of
August; and the former identified the notes found in the
water-closet as part of the money, by the numbers of the
notes and the private mark of the bank.
This closed the case for the prosecution, and Mr. Owen
addressed the bench at considerable length on behalf of the
prisoner, contending that there was not sufficient evidence
to warrant a committal independently of the testimony of
Stowell, and his character was of such a description that no
reliance could be placed on what be said.
Mr. Case said be had very carefully considered the evi-
dence, and, after the best attention he could pay to it, he
was bound to say that he bad arrived at a different conclu-
sion, and he felt that he should not be properly discharging
his duty to the country if he did not commit the prisoner for
trial. She therefore stood committed to the next general
quarter sessions.

The prisoner, who did not appear at all affected by the
position in which she stood, was then removed.

THE BRITISH TARIFF.

The duties on all articles not enumerated below took effect
'rom the passing of the act, namely

Beef, salted, not being corned beef, paid 12s. per cwt. pre-
vious to the 10th of October, and is now charged Bs. per
cwt.

Beef, fresh, or slightly salted, which was prohibited, is ad-
mitted paying Bs. per cwt. from foreign countries, but
those articles from British colonies pay only 2s. per cwt.
Pork, salted, (not hams,) paid 12s. per cwt. previous to the
10th of October, and is now charged Bs. per cwt. from
foreign countries.
Pork, fresh, which was prohibited, is now admitted at Ss.
per cwt. from foreign countries, and both only 2s. per cwt.
from British colonies.
Hams, which paid 28s. per cwt., are now admitted at 14s.
per cwt.
Nutmegs now pay from 2s. Gd. to 3s. 6d. per lb., and after
sth July, 1813, will pay 3s. 6d. per lb. from foreign coun-
tries, and 2s. Gd. from British colonies.
Onion-seed now pays ls. Gd. per lb., end after the sth July,
1843, will pay 20s. per cwt. from foreign countries, and
10s. from British colonies.
Timber or Wood—the new duty of 30s. per load of 50 cubic
feet came into operation on the 10th instant, and after the
10th October, 1843, the duty will be 255. from foreign
countries, and Is. from British colonies.
Deals, Battens, Brands, or other Timber, sawn, to pay 38s.
per load of 50 cubic feet after 10th October, 1842, and 325.
after 10th October, 1813, from foreign countries, and 2s.
from British colonies. . _

Wood, planed, or oiherWise dressed for use, 9d. per foot of
cubic contents, and further for every £lOO value £lO,
from and after 10th October, 1842, and 71d. per foot after
10th October, 1843, from foreign countries, and from Bri-
tish possessions only £5 for every £lOO value.
Oil, Train, and Blubber, the produce of foreign fishing, now
pays £26 12s. per tun duty, and after the sth July, 1843,
will pay only £6 per tun from foreign countries ; from
British possessions, Is. per tun.
Oil, Spermaceti, pays £26 12s. per tun, and after the sth
July, 1843, will pay £l5 10s. per tun, and be free from
British possessions.
Cork now pays Bs. per ton, and after the sth Jvly, 643 , it
will pay ls. per ton.
Corks, ready made, pay 7s. per lb., and after the sth July,
1843, will pay Bd. per lb.
Whale fins, of foreign fishery, pay £95 per ton from sth
Will be ad-
July, 1842, and after the sth July, 1843, they
mitted on paying £2O per cent. on value.

• _ „
I" Mary Housemaid, what is the best thing to make master's
easy chair run more smoothly over the carpet ?" Why a lit-
tle caster oil to be sure.