The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-11-03 00:00:00

THE STATESMAN

ern& ti, mot dui:tame to get into the gig, and we would
ial:e the better Orr way to the cottage. When we arrived
to the cottage, Sohn Thnrtell was in the stable. Mr.
Prohe:rt said to me, "Dont, take that loin of pork out of 1
Cite go:: take it into the kitchen. and Arabs the cook to
,tress it immediately." I took the Tiork into thit kitchen,
:tad remained in the kitchen about ten minutes, when John
Tonrrell and Mr. Prohert followid. We went into the
prionr. 1 0.. s introduced to Mrs. Prober'. John Thnrtell
then railed the and Mr. Probed into the garden, and said,
" I have killed that -- that robbed me of 3001. at blind
hockey (a fame at cards). " hood (fad!" said Mr.
Prohert, " John, surely yon have not been guilty of so
rash an act 7"—Jolso Thurtell immediately took from his
pocket a very handsome gal watch, and said. " Do you
believe me now ? and if you will go with me, I will 'thew
yon where he lies deed behind a hedge." Mr. Probert
then said, " This has taken such an effect on me, that I
most retire and get some brandy." We then went into
the ;Allow; the sapper was brought In, which consisted
of perk chops, the loin I bronght chin having been
rut into chops. I ate five chops, and so did Mr. Probert.
John Thrertell declined eating any, as be complained of
being ettremely sick. Mr. Probert and I then went into
the rerslen again, when Mr, Probert said to me, "Sorely,
Hunt. this man has not been guilty of murder?" I ob-
served it looked very suspicious, -he (John Thttrtell)having
so valnable a watch. John Thtirtellfollowed,and asked Mr.
Probed and myself if he would accompany and assist him
in carrying the dead loan. During this time Mrs. Pro-'
hest was gone to bell. John Thurtell said, if neither of
you will assist, I will go myself. He accordingly went by
Mime' f, and was gone *boat ten minutes or a qnarter of
an hone. During the time he was gone, Mr. Probert said
to me, " If this is the rase, Hunt, that Jobe Thnrtell has.
murdered the man, it will, ultimately, be the ruin of me
abd my family." After this conversation was over between
me and Mr. Probers, John Thnrtell returned, saying—
" This -- is too heavy for me; and if yon trout 'assist 1
roe, I shell rot the bridle on my horse, and throw the dead
min across his hack." He accordingly put the bridle on
his horse for that purpose. Mr. Probed and me, while 'he
was gone the second time, went into the parlour. endive ,
said to me, " Hunt, this has taken such an itiert of ail,
and I am so agitated that I don't khow what to do? De
said, what will my wife think ? I observed to Mr. Prohert
—Yon may do as yon please ebont going to bed; I shall
not go to bed. as I am confident I
.sfrall sot be able to sleep•
after having he art.' this horrid account from John Thurtell.
John Thortell then 'returned to us in the parlour, acid said
to Mr. Probert and myself, " I have thrown the dead man
into your fislopond.'". Then by--, Sir," said Mr. Pre-'
hers, " I insist upon your immediately going and taking
him away off my premises, for such conduct will evideotly I
be my ruin." We and Mr. Prober', and John 'Floated
went to the pond, where we saw the toes of a man, ortit
least we had every reason to believe ft was a man, accord.
ieg to his own sottement. , Jolla Tbnrtell then got a line
or rope and threw it room' the fm", they idragged it to;
the centre of the pond. John Thnrtell then said to Mr.
Probert, " don't give yourself a momenta uneasiness, the.
man shall not remain here long—yon well know, Proberte
that I wield not do any thing that wankd injure rots Or
your family. We then trent into the parlour; J. Thurtclll
'boor himself noon some chairs, Mr. Probert went up tb
his wife, I believe; I sat in an arm-chair. Next warning,
t.f•er breakfa,t. Mr. Probert said "you are going to.
town" to'u'r and John 'Thnrtell, "but I shall expect yon'
will return t -morrow (inielay) to dinuer," which I
promised, owl did. Mr. Prober; said to John Thnrtell
" ro'n.l and bring a piece of roast beef with yon. or we-
sltatl have nothing fur dinner. We then left the cottage.
on.l went to London. I left John Thnrtell at Mr.Tstselra
(the leoaelt and Horses) with his brother 'Mom tin•
Sunday morning we left Mr. Trtaell's in a horse and gig,
taking wi la usa piece of roast beef and two battles of rum.
• John Thurtell said to me, when ate got as far as Tyburn
" brother Tom is a head and Thomas Noyes." (Thomas
Noyes is a brother-in-law of Mr. Probert). When we got
to the bAtom of Maida-hill, we took up Thomas Thurtell.
who joined us for the express purpose of seeing his two
children, and bed been on a visa to Mr. Probert s.—
When we bad 'ravelled three or four miles from Maids-
hill, we met Thomas Noyes. John Thurtell got out of
the Or, leaving me and Thos. Thurtell together in it. to
snake the best of onr way to the cottage, in order that Thos.
Thortill was gone to fetch Noyes and John Thnrtell.-e.
When ire arrived at the cottage, the horse that we
Wert down with was talc, n out of the gig and Mr.
Prohert's put in. After Thomas Mitten was gone to
full Soya a and John Thurtell, Mr. Probed saitt to me,
" I have not had a moment's peace since I saw you last, in
consequence of that man lying in my pond." My reply
was " I am sore you have not had a more restless night
than niV self." :shortly slier that, 'Thomas and John
Thurtell and Mr. Noyes arrived at the cottage. We then,
I mean the whole four of us, (Hunt, Thomas and John
'Ft urtell, anti Noyes,) walked across a ploughed field
ire() a lane, and returned to the cottage. When we ar-
lived at the cottage. there was a gentleman whose name I
do not know, but I believe Lim to be the Lindeman that
()ens the estate, came in.—J. Noyes, the Tburtells, and
myself walked about tbe gronoda till we werecalled in by
out. of Themas 1 hurtell's children, to dinner. After
dinner we had some rum and water, and sat for the spite
of three hours, and then had tea. After tea we had some
1:10e rum anti water, and then we went the stable to ve
use horses. We then had supper. John Thurtell, myself,
Thomas Noyes, and Mr. Probed sat up till about half-past
one. Mr. Probed and 'Thomas Thurtell then went to
bed. learioo; me, John Thnrtell, and Noyes up. About
ba'f en hour after they %etre gone to bed, 'Thomas Noyes
followed, !caving John 'f burtell and auyselfin the parlour.
.'.,tut Thirsted desired the servant to bring in some coals.-
1 said to Jo' it Thnrtell, I shall lay down on the sofa. He
dhe nl4 sit' op an 4 smoe. I left him smoking by
the tire, wom ithl las back towards k
tne, and I lay down palling
iny great coat over me. Ab.,ut half past six in the
roarcine• the servant came into tbe room. John Thurtell
asked if the buy Jew was op. The servant laid." no, and
it has a great shame that her master, Mr. Prober', should
i;• op .neh ~ boy as him in idleness." Doting this time,
el;. Prolhot came down stairs, and the boy followed.
—llO desired the boy to put the horse in his
owra.gig, which was done immastiately, and Thomas Thur.
tell and myself came to town, hilnging with us the boy
ti.cv cali.d " Jetn." When we got as far as the Bald
Face Stag, we breakfasted. From thence we went to Mr.
Tetsell's, where Thomas Thurtell was informed that the
Lail he had put in was not accepted. About half past II
I called at say mother's, in Cumberland Street, New
Road. After I had seen her going from the New Road
towards the Yorkshire Stingo,• 1 suet John 'Tirana', Thos.
Noyes; and Miss Noyes, his sister. John Thnrtell asked
me if the bail wan accepted ? I said, No. He• then got
out of she gig, and T. Noyes abd his sister drove sway.
I and John Thurtell walked to Mr. 'l'etsell's. 'l'. Martell
ask• d me if I could return 3n ttnit day, and inform Mr.
Probert that his hail had been refused, to which I con-
sented. Akott halt past four 1 surfed : as 1 was going I
along John 'chattel! came to the end of the street to use, 1,
and :aid If you are going to Probert's I may as well go
with ton, and get that man soav• (meaning the • Wool
that was left ia,the powl). I sail, if you were going
upon that bosi:lP”, nunit expect me to :assist 'Or -aid ,in
any w ay. We earn* idil - stopped at •this bone.. •John
• Thrarteil bad it glaswof brandy ad watar; ind t had a
pint ef •le. We then left Ws 'house and west to Mr.
?cohere.. I informed Mr. Probert, in the presence of his'
wife, that Thomas nutlet' bed requested me to come.
down, as that evening, • to'know whether •fie:conld op-
point soy other person to been hail. Mr. Prober; staid,
it was 'settee Pariahs* to write,' ftuctLat 'he Woultile •hp
in town,as ear* aerpisaible the following mbettille IWe
Difedhigt paOlutte• it • tdte. lir *ea! ! ii, Allt cols. fiirrAku t'leil
kilt
,
.N 1 --.;.,... . - -..
- , ...vi or ke4 .., lb 5,1r11 Jl3 1.....1 511:111111111//0l:
.. . .

then called Mr. Peahen out,- Mr. P. was absent about 10
minutes, and then returned by himself. Shortly after that,
J. Thurtell asked me and Mr. P. if we would put his horse
in the gig, and take it round to the second gate. We put
the horse to, and did so. , John Thanell then came across
a small field, with a dead man in a sack. with his legs
banging out. He then asked Mr. P. to assist him to put
the dead body in the chaise, which Mr. P. refused to do.
ale. P. immediately ran away, and said I cannot stop any
longer, my wife will think it very strange. lie then asked
me to assist him ; I refused, saying, the sight of a dea4
man was quite enough without touching it. John Thurtell
then pit in the corpse in the chaise, and tied the
feet to the dashiug iron. He asked me if I would get into
the gig, but I declined, and told him that I would
walk on, and be would overtake me. When I got
within a short distance of this house, John Thanell
told me tbat he hail thrown the corpse into that marshy
pond I had just passed. I then got into the gig, awl lett
John Thurtell about two o'clock that morning, at the house
where he then lodged, and went home myself immediately
—That, Broder/leo, is the whole of the evidence I have
to give to night.
Commas : You have nothing more to add ?
Hunt : No sir —CORONER : Now, Mr. Hunt, I will ask
yon a few questions arising nut of your statements, which I
thiok l have a just right to do.
The following examination, which seemed rather to arise
ont of facts which haul previously come to the Coroner's
knowledge, than from the statement just concluded, then
took. place :
I do not observe that you stated that any property
was divided between you? There was 61. given to me,
which I considered aspayiog me for my professional duties.
Wilt professional duties? I was taken down there to sing
to Mr. Probert and his company.—Who gave you this sum?
file. John Thurtell.—Did he gave money to any one else?
He gave the same sum to Mr. Probert.—Was any agree-
Meat made with you by Mr. Probert before you went out of
tilers. or did you go dawn of yourself. Did you go down
to the cottage for the porpose of singing? Yes, sir, certainly.
—Where was this agreement entered into ? It was talked
of when we were at Mr. Trtsell's, at the Coach and Horses.
Myself and Mr. John Thurtell and Mr. Probert were present.
Did you observe Mr. Prohert lend Mr. John Thurtell any
money that afternoon? No, Sir.—Then when Mr. Probert
asked you to go down to the Cottage, you considered you
were going down for the purpose of singing ? Certainly.
—OW you sing? Yes, sir.—To whom ?To Mrs. Prebert,
her sister, Thomas and John Thortell, and Mr. Noyes.—
Was Mr. Prubert and Mr. John Thurtell in the roam?
Yes, sir.—What day was this? This was on the
Friday night, or, more properly speaking, early on the
Saturday morning. It was after twelve.—Was that after
John Thurtell came into the room and informed you and
Probert thet the murder had been committed ? Yes.—Md
you hear John Thurtell say he kept six pounds for himself?
No, Sir.—Then after John Thurteil had calletlyou and,
Probert out, and told you of the diabolical deed, ybu
returned gaiety to sing in the parlour? Yes, Sir.—How
long were you absent : About ten minutes.—You did not
say any thing in your statement to-lay of your being ow
!pitied to sing? No, I did not.—Did van not go with a
lanthorn? No.—Did Mr. Probert go with a lanthorn? Not
toMy knowledge.
I never saw any
in !whore, with the ex-
ception of that the stable.—Who was in the stable ? The
boy cleaning the horsrs.—And na further conversation
passed 'about the murder? None whatever. I was intro-
duced to Mrs. Probert ; she knew very well on what busi-
nese I had came down.—You were folly aware of the mur-
der? I was not fully aware of it. I was told of it by John
"Thurtell.—Yon saw the vetch? Yes, and I thought that
Was suspicions.-In the presence of Mr. John Martell,
Mr. Prohert, asc., and after the former bad told you lie had
murdered this unfortunate person, you amused yourself sing-
ing ? Yee. Sir.—And you made yourselves merry during the
evening ? Yes, Sir.—And you consider that the 6/, you re-
ceived was for your exertions on this evening? I was
there on the Sonday.—Did you consider that you received
the 61. fur no other reason; No, certainly not.—You have
stated that you saw the pistols bought, and that Thurtell
said that they were for shooting cats. After he bought
them, did nothing pass between you and him ? Nothing
whatever.—Do you know whece the sack was bought?—
Yes.—Who bought it ? I did.—Where did you buy the
sack ? In Broad Street, Bloomsbury near Hyde Stree'.
—After you bought the sack, what did you do with it?
1 took it to John Thurtell. He sail it was for the purpose
of putting game in.—Toe cord, what was that for? I am
sure can't tell you, to tie up the game, I suppose ?-I.tid
you see him start? Yes, sir.—Where from? The Coach and
Horses.—Where did he say he was going to ? Ile said, a
gentleman was to meet him, but did nut say where he was
going to--Did he say any thing of Mr. Probert's house at
the time? No.—Yon rereived the 61. from Mr. Thurtell ?
Yes.—%Vhere did he take it from? front a pocket.book.—
Where you going away after you got the 61. and finished
your professional labours? No, sir; it was too late an
hour. It was lor2 in the morning. It was after Mrs.
Probert had gone to bed.—lle did not take the money from
Iris pocket? Not it was from a sort of note-case. lie paid
Mr. Probert with a 51. note and a sovereign.—Do you know
what he • gave Mr. Probert money for? No, Sir, I do not
—Was there any observation made by Mr. John Thurtell
when be paid this money? No.—Nothing respecting the
murder ? Nothing passed the whole of the evening about
that business.—You were all extremely cheerful ? Yes, Sir.
Did you see a purse? John Thurtell had a brown silk
purse, as well as a small note case.—What did he do with
thenote case ? He threw it in the fire.—What did he du nith
the purse? He threw that in the tire also.—Did you see
any papers put in the tire? There Was a little betting-book
put in the tire.—There was nothing of this in your state-
ment to us? No, sir.
Here a written paper sent to Mr. Noel after he had been
before the Magistrates, and signed by himself, wan read.
Is this he stated, chat the 61. given to him and Mr.
Probert, was their share of the money found on air. lVeare.
'ls that true?—Yes, sir, it is.--Then it was given to you as
•your share of the money found? Yes, sir.—What else
passed? I do not recollect. —Where did you hire the horse?
At Probert's, at the Holden Cross-yard ;no relation to the
prisoner Probert.—Do you know where the clothes of the
deceased were put? Not of my own knowledge, I wish I
did; bat I considered near the pond.—Had he any clothes
ose? No, sir, they were cut off. The clothes were taken
off, for lie was naked when he was brought into the lane
and put intethe gig.—Then you do nut know, from your
own knowledge, or from information, what became of the
deceased's clothes? I have not the slightest knowledge.—
Had you ever any of the clothes of the deceased on your
own back? Never.—What became of them after Ile was
dead ? That I don't know.—How do you know they were
cot olf? Because I was told' so by John Thurtell.—On
Sur day evening had you any other person's clothes on
except your own ? tin Sunday evening I had a suit of
black clothes on of John Thutrtell's.—For what purpose
did you exchanee your dress? As it was Sunday I wished
to appear decent and res..ectable.—What dress had John
'Martell on ? A blue coat, light waistcoat, light small
clothes and gaiters.— —IV here did you change your
clothes? In a little room by Mr. Probert's hell room.—
Were you given to understand that toe clothes you put on
in Probert's house on the Sunday oere the property of the
murdered turn ? Why yes, I have since been given to un-
derstand so, for I told the ulti aar where to lint them
When dill you give the intormation ? When I seas at Wat-
ford —After you o ere in custody ? Yes, on Wednesday last.
—Had you reason any to believe that the property belonged
to John Thurtell? Yes.—Didyou go up oith John Tfinr-
tell when he went to boodoh? Yes, sir.—Was tit r. not a
carpet bag putt into the gig ? Worn we left Peohert's were
wai a ea pet bag put into the gig,ind a box Oat and a gun,
and a powder horn, with a shoeing jaliet ?Witt there
city other WV' %abet gig when he left'ible COsak and
110 i • ' •
. advt. 70- . • .

Horses on the Friday night? No, yon did not snow
what these things were, how did you know how to give a
description of them when you ordered than to be given up?
I did not say 1 had not seen them.—Then you knew the
contents of the carpet bag? Yes; J. Thurtell sorted them
up, and put them into my drawers, and desired them to be
taken care of? The bag was left in the gig all night, anti
was brought to my hones in the morning.
I and John Thurtell walked on Saturday morning
through a ploughed field, and broke through a hedge into
a lane ; it Was not so late as &wen o'clock. We saw two
men in the line, to whom J. Thurtell said he bad lost a
handkerchief and a knife ; the lane was a quarter of a
mile from Probert's hous Nothing was said about being
capsized. After leaving the lams we went to breakfast.
ate n iten.lkerchief. Idi I not sponge any 'clothes ; but
I brushed John Thartell's clothes at bit request.
—1 took a spade down in the chaise with
me. I was requested to do so, but don't know
for what purpose. Thomas Thurtell threw it over
a hedge near the gate where the body was brought out
by him naked. I di :l not see it nsel ; l suppose it was
brought for Mr. Prohert's use, On that day I bad black
whiskers and mustachios ; you :nay see they are now cut
off ; I have a hall beard, and cut them off for my own
pleasure ; I have been its the hahit of doing so; I cut them
off at my lodgings in London. I have no objection to sign
this statement.
Probert was brought before the Jary, and he entered Into a
full statement of his connexion with the Thurtell's and Hunt.
Ile admitted that he dined with them on the Friday the murder
took place, and conveyed Hunt down to his house in his chaise
at the request of John Thurtell ; that he put Hobt down a
short distance from his boast., who said be had promised to
meet John Thurtell there; that whim be arrived at his gate,
John Thurtell met him, and said, "that he had killed his
friend ; and done the trick;'' that he exelaimed, "Good God !
you have not Committed murder!" that the body was after-
wards removed by Hone and John Thurtell to the pond ; that
he lent John Thurtell six pounds in London, when they dined
Condeit•street, and received six pounds from him in his par-
lour on the night of the murder, when John Thurtell produced
a note ease, containing three five pound notes, and a purse con-
taining sovereigns, and said, "This is oil I got by the job ;"
that the body was subsequently removed by John Tuomell
from his pond to another place ; that he found a spade on his
grounils, and that Hunt assisted In removing the body. lie
then made a general declaration of his Innocence of the mur-
der, and protested that he dill not know the man's name, or
who or whet he was, and never had seen him in his life.
The CORONCR addressed the Jury at some length, and they
returned a verdict of Wtt.rt:r. native against John 'Martel
as a principal, and against Hunt and Prober' as accessories
before the fact. The prisoners ware conveyed to Hertford
Gaol.
The Coroner and dory expressed their convietion of T.
Thurtell's innocence of the tackler, and acquitted him;
but he was detained on a warrant brought down from Lou'
don, on a charge of conspiring to set fire to his house to
defraud the County Fire Odic*.
Tice body of the murdered nasn was closed in a coffin,
and carried under a pall by six bearers to Eistree church-
yard, at eleven o'clock last night. 'f be corpse was folldwed
by most of the Jery, and the brother of the deceased as
chief mourner, the church bell tolling daring the time,
and the town in a state of peculiar excitement; most of the
inhabitants were assemLled to witness the affecting scene.
The deceased was a hole manovith high cheek bones,
bis face narrowing to the chin; sallow complexion and'
having very muck the appearance of a Jew. He was fur.
merly a waiter, but la!terly engage,' in gaming concern',
he frequented races with an H. O. table, and was irvll
known in gaming tirzies. lie was extremely penurious,
wad generally carried from 1,IK)OI. to 2,0001. abent his.
person. This Was always contained in an old poeket-book
and Placed next his skin. beneath his shirt. This was
known to all who were in the habit of being Is his I mu-
paoy. None of his property has been found, except the
contents of the bag.
The prisoners are all well known as men of the town.
Hunt is the brother to Mr. Hunt, the vocal performer at
Covent Garden, and was in the habit himself of singing in
public. His mother formerly lived in Bride Lane, and
now lives in Marylehone. He married the sister to Mrs.
Mountain, who kept the Naval Coffee House in St. Mar•
-
tin's-lane, and afterwards kept that house himself ; presid-
ing frequently as chairman to a Free and Easy Club.
His profligate life soon led to his destruction, and he aban-
doned his wife. Ile has since lived in a most suspicious
manner. The two Thurtell's are sons to Alderman
Thurtell, of Norwich, a man of the highest respectability.
They have recently become notorious from the action
brought by them against the County Fire Office, for the
destruction of their premises in Watling Street. The de-
fence was that the fire was wilfully occasioned, but they
recovered. The County Fire Office have since found a bill
against them on the evidence of one of their female com-
panions of whom they made a confidant.—John Thurtell
mixed with the lowest sporting sharacters, and was known
in the prize ring. On one occasion he backed and seconded
the Birmingham Youth, or Martin. we forget which.—
Probert was formetly a wine-merchant, and has taken the
benefit of the Insolvent Act.
When examined under his commission of baokrnpt. his
account rendered was so unsatisfactory, that the Corm
missioners refused to let him pass his examination and was
imprisoned for a long period. While in the King's Bench
he lived sumptuously, and expended a great deol of money.
He was a constant inmate at the Coffee-room, and ingrati-
ated himself into the confidence of the family of the pro-
prietor there, and it was said that a more than ordinary
intimacy subsisted between Probert and the landlord's
daughter. At length, a breach took place, and Probert was
charged with making too free with the till. He was in-
dicted, tried, and convicted at the Sessions House, Horse-
monger-lane for the felony.and imprisoned•some months in
the House of Correction at Brixton.
It is pretty evident that the murderers expected to obtain
a considerable sum of money which it was believed be car-
ried concealed about his person. In the sporting world, ac-
cording to the statement of Mr. Hex worthy, his intimate
acquaintance, be was considered to be " a two thousand
pound man," the whole of which is supposed to have been
acquired at the gaming table. The chambers of the de-
ceased in Lyon's Inn have been padlocked and sealed.

POLICE.

GUILDUALL.—RS•EXAMINATION OF Mrs. Lewis FOR
BIGAMY.—This case was brought befote the Magistrate
last week; but the particulars were not gone into,
in consequence of the uon-appearance of the second has.
band.
Mr. /Lamm produced the certificate of the second marri-
age of Mrs. Lewis to T. Metcalfe.
Daniel Kirwin, clerk to Mr. Lewis, said it was a true copy;
bad examined it with the original register.
Mr. Lea is. is a conveyancer in the temple. Said he and
Merchant a I searched to serve the warrant on Metcalfe.He
could be found no where. They were told at his lodgings
that he was out of town.
Mr. lILTNIPRREY 8, who now appeared for Mrs. Lewis,
said he objected to the receiving of the certificate of the
second marriage. He said the way of proceeding in cases
of bigamy war, first to prove the first marriage ; that done.
then to prove the secoud. Mr. Lewis being the prosecutor,
his evidence could not be taken. There was as yet no
proof of the first marriage baring taken place. The certiG-
mate might be that of any other two persons of the same
name; and until this first marriage was satieacturily proved,
he hoped the Magistrate would liberate Mrs. Lewis.
Mr. HARMSR contended that the first marriage wasproved
beyond any doubt; end he agpoaled to the Magistrate fer, ,
his opinion.
The Magistrate said, if Mee. Lewis bad not. on a fore-
going day, pone into the merits of her case (of which,
he had given tier weaning not, in do so,) on sithicb occasion'
! ," A - •