The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-09-30 00:00:00

CHARGE OF ARSON.

Patrick Doran, aged about 40, was on 'Wednesday placed
at the bar of the Police Court, having been apprehended on
the preceding day, on suspicion of having wilfully set tire to
his premises in Crompton-street. A long preliminary exa-
mination had taken place on Tuesday afternoon, when the
prisoner was remanded. The case excited extreme interest,
and the Court was crowded to excess. On the bench were
Mr. Rushton, Sir Joshua Walmsley, Messrs. Grant, Potter,
David llodgson, Adam Hodgson, Charles Turner, and Wil-
liam Brown.
Mr. James, barrister-at-law, with Mr. Davenport, appeared
for the prisoner.
Alexander Beazley stated, that he saw the prisoner Doran
on Friday night last, at twelve o'clock, in the house of Mr.
Bushell, carter, who lived next door to Doran, in Crompton-
street. Doran was about half drunk. Witness heard Doran
say, that if his mistress were nut the master, he would have
had his place on fire long since, for it was insured for £6OO.
He said there was five tons of oakum in it, and it would make
a capital fire. Witness told him that he deserved horse-
whipping for talking so.
The witness was cross-examined at great length by Mr.
James. He stated that he was a carter, and was also em-
ployed by a bailiff. There were other persons present as well
as witness, but they were there at different periods. He had
taken a walk to see the fire, and called there, and the prisoner
was there about an hour and a half. Witness remained there
till half-past six o'clock the following morning, having been
induced to remain by what he heard the prisoner say. During
the time he went outside to look at the progress of the fire,
being fearful of what might occur from what Doran had said.
The prisoner said it was a pity they were not all on fire at
once, and they should be so before a week was over. Would
have followed and watched him, but Mrs. Bushell said, " He's
only in his nonsense."
Roger Hale, a carter in the service of Mr. Bushell, the
individual whose horses were destroyed at the fire in ques-
tion, stated, that Bushell's stable was near Doran's house.
Witness was at Bushell's house on Friday night last, about
tcn or eleven o'clock. Mr. Doran, Bushell, his wife, and
the last witness were present. Doran had had a sup of
drink, but not much. Witness said, " There's been a large
fire,— and Doran replied, " Yes, there has: I don't care a
d n if my place is on fire before morning." Witness
said, " Mr. Doran, I suppose you are insured," and he
laughed at that. John Dan was there, and Doran asked him

if he could lay four or five tons of oakum on the top of his
waggon, and he said he could.
John Dan, a carter in the service of William Edwards,
stated, that he was at Bushell's on Friday night, between
half-past eight o'clock and nine, and was also in the yard
some time afterwards. Bushell, Roger Hale, Mrs. Bushell,
and Doran were there. Witness conversed with Doran, who
asked him if he could put four tons of oakum on his wag-
gon, and he replied, that he could. There was some contro-
versy about the possibility of this, and Doran said, if he had
the oakum out he did not care a d-n if all the premises
were blazing with fire. He afterwards observed, that if he
had said this before the other fire began he supposed people
would have said it was he who set it on fire. Witness did
not carry the oakum away.
Alice Bushell, wife of John Bushell, testified that their
house stood next door to that of Doran. It was of wood,
one story high. She remembered Doran coming to their
house on Friday night, about eight o'clock. There were
other persons there, and he said he had five tons of oakum
on his premises, which would make a d--d good bonfire,
and he did not care if the place was burned to the ground.
Beezley remained all the night ; he was sent for to stop and
watch with their men, as they were afraid of fire.
John Bushell stated that he was a cart-owner, resident in
Crompton-street. He remembered Doran coming to his
house on Friday night last, between nine and ten o'clock.
He had had some drink. Witness went on to recapitulate
the conversation touching the eartage of the oakum, without
however, alluding to the saying attributed by the other wit-
nesses to the prisoner. On the following day, Saturday,
witness had further conversation with the prisoner, who said
he had £6OO worth of stuff lying there, (meaning in his
store,) and he would soon have it only for his blackguard of
a wife, for she would betray him. He repeated it two or
three times over. He had then had a little drink. Witness
never thought anything of it till on a sudden as he lay in bed
on the preceding night (Tuesday), it came into his head to
connect it with the insurance. Doran, after the first fire,
removed two big loads of his goods. This was on Friday
morning.

On cross-examination by Mr. James, witness said other
persons also moved goods ; could not say whether he brought
any back. Mr. James pressed the witness at great length as
to whether he had mentioned the saying of the prisoner on
the subject of the burning of his property to Beezly or any
other person. The witness thought be had not mentioned it
to any other person, but he could not be sure.
John Webster, cooper, Crompton-street, stated that Mr.
Doran's store was a wooden structure, and his (Mr. Web-
ster's) cooperage joined up to a shed which was on fire in
the great fire. From Doran's premises to the nearest part
of the great fire was thirty yards. In consequence of the
great fire he (Mr. W.) kept a continual look-out. On the
night of Monday last witness went out into his yard to see if
all was safe. He walked a few yards, when he saw a light
Bushell's loft. At first he thought it was a candle, but in a
few moments he observed that it grew stronger. It increased
rapidly, and when he saw what it was he got on the top of a
shed and gave the alarm. The light was close to the wooden
partition which joined up to Bushell's stable. He did not
know the thickness of that partition, but the rest of the build-
ing was of inch boards. His servant or charwoman, Alice
Service, followed him out. Bushell's loft is north of the
great fire. The wind was from the north, and would have
carried the fire in a direction from the shed, It took but a
very short time to consume the whole premises. It was a
quarter to ten o'clock when be first observed the fire.
Cross-examined by Mr. James.—l was greatly afraid of
the fire taking my premises on Friday, Saturday, and Sun-
day, but on Monday it began to get lower, and after having
consulted a locker, and found that there was no fear of an
explosion, I ceased to be alarmed. There was no window
in the stable where I saw the fire : I saw the light through
the cracks in the boards. A long series of questions and
answers here ensued as to the relative positions of the several
sheds. Witness proceeded as follows :—When first I saw
the light, I said to mysef, " Surely Bushell has not left a
candle burning in his loft ?" In a moment I saw the fire rise,
and I gave the alarm. The light did not appear on the floor,
but on some straw which soon blazed up. I have known
Doran four or five years. I had this spring a partnership
transaction with him. He and another person asked me to
go to a sale at Sligo with them to purchase a wreck. We had
some difference, and I have not spoken to Doran since, nor
he to me. I never expressed myself displeased with him, and
said I would be revenged on him. I never said to Terry
M‘Gee, nor to James Cusker, that I would be revenged on
him. Witness proceeded to say that the last-named indi-
viduals had each spoken to him on the subject of the tran-
saction, asking him how it went on, and he told them very
badly, as be lost money by it, and was not pleased, but he
did not say so, nor did he ever say a word about being re-
venged.
Roger Hale, the carter before examined, was recalled, and
he stated that he was in the stable that evening, and
.had a
light, but lie put it out inside the lantern by wetting his
fingers. He went back for his breakfast-can, and found all
dark.
Alice Service stated that she was in the habit of charing
for Mr. Webster, and was there on Monday last, all day.
She heard an alarm of fire from Mr. Webster about a quarter
before ten o'clock. She went out and saw Mr. Bushell's
stables on fire. She ran out of the house and went to Mr.
Doran's door to alarm him that his house was on fire at the
bock. She found his front door neither locked nor latched,
but part open, but when she pushed against it, something
prevented her from opening it. She pushed with all her
strength against it, and then she saw Mr. Doran go from
behind it. When she pushed the door open, Mr. Doran
made a stagger against his parlour door. She shouted out,
" Mr. Doran, Mr. Doran, your house is on fire." He
cried out, " Oh, dear, oh, dear!" His niece's room, where
she slept, was then all in flames.' Witness then went back
to Mr. Webster's house and took the chiidren out of the
fire and did not see Mr. Doran again. Had known Doran
two years. Could see the flames in the room of the niece
when she opened the front door. Knows Doran and knows
his voice. " I have no doubt," said the witness, " that it
was him, not the least; if I had I would not swear it."
" Before that I heard no alarm of fire, save from Mr. Web-
ster."

The witness was cross-examined at great length, but she
wavered not from the testimony which she had given. She
told the circumstance of having seen Doran to Mr. Webster,
and also to a gentleman (Mr. John Clare,) whom she saw in
Crompton-street. She told others also that she was posi-
tive it was Doran. She had heard Mr. Webster speak of a
loss she believed of £l2O which he had sustained by Doran,
in connexion with a transaction in Ireland, but she never
heard him say he would be revenged on Doran, nor did she
believe he would say such a thing. She could not tell who
first asked her to give her evidence. She was in Crompton-
street looking at the remains of the fire on Tuesday, when
she heard that two inspectors were there wanting her to go.
Mr. Webster came to her, and asked her to come and speak
to a man who was down the street. She had not then seen
him before that morning, having gone home after she saw
the chiidren safe. The man had a play-bill in his hand, to
show that Mr. Doran was at the play. Witpess was taken
there, to tell the man that she had seen Doran at the house,
and the man said he could bring above forty people to show
that he was at the play. Two gentlemen like inspectors
then brought her up to the court.
Mr. John Clare, clerk with Mr. Horsfall, who has sheds
at the bottom of Crompton-street, proved that he attended
the sheds during the progress of the first fire ; was alarmed
on the occurrence of the second outbreak, and arrived at the
spot at a quarter past eleven o'clock. Subsequently he saw
the last witness talking to a woman about the fire, and he
asked her how it occurred, when she told him all about it,
stating how she had seen Doran within his house, when she
pushed the door open. She expressed not the slightest doubt
on the subject. Since the commencement of the large fire he
had attended the sheds, and had anxiously watched the di-
rection of the wind. When the large fire occurred the wind
was north-west. On Sunday it chopped round to the north-
east. That would blow the fire from Doran's place. At a
quarter past eleven, when he arrived, Doran's place was al-
ready burned down.
Inspector Bibby stated, that on Monday night he was on
duty in Great Howard-street. Went on duty at half-past
nine o'clock. Heard an alarm of fi►e, and ran to the spot,
where he arrived about twenty-five or twenty minutes before
ten. The fire was then burning a little at one side of Doran's
house in the front, and ascending, but had not touched the
middle. Saw the prisoner there very officious, urging the
men to work. Had no doubt that it was him, as he made an
observation which drew his (witness's) attention to him.
He used an oath, and told witness to stand out of the road,
and let those work who would work. It was very light, and
he had a distinct opportunity of observing his face.
Mr. James cross-examined the witness minutely and at
some length, testing his accuracy in many ways, but without
shaking his testimony.
James Ainsworth, office constable, stated that on Monday
night having heard that the fire had broken out again, he
went down to the spot. He arrived about eleven o'clock,
but the premises were already burnt down. He heard it
rumoured about that they had been set on fire, and he there-
fore took notice of the wind, which carried the flame and
smoke in a direction that would have blown the materials of
the old fire away from the premises in question. He met
Superintendent Leverett, and told him that the places must
certainly have been set on fire. Inquiries were instituted,
and witness was sent next morning to apprehend Doran.
He and Kehoe were there about three hours. When he re-
turned to the office the prisoner called there with Henry
Doran, and he introduced the prisoner to Mr. Dowling, who,
having cautioned him, asked him what he knew about the
fire. He said he knew nothing about it ; he and his wife
went to the Amphitheatre ; they left home at half-past six
o'clock, went into the boxes, and remained till half-past ten
o'clock, when a gentleman tapped him on the shoulder, and
told him his place was on fire. He said he went to the
theatre because it was a benefit for his brother or brother-
in-law.
Ann Woods, of Crompton-street, who resided next dooa
to Bushell, stated that Mrs. Doran said, on Monday last,
that she would give her two tickets to go to the Amphitheatre
that night, but afterwards she gave her two shillings, saying,
as she had not the tickets, witness must not be disappointed.
She went to the boxes, and sat in front. She saw Mrs.
Doran there, but not Mr. Doran. She knew Doran.
When she got home she found the house destroyed.
William Woods, husband to last witness, confirmed her
testimony.
Thomas Brailsworth, clerk to the agents for the Pheenix
Insurance Company, proved that the prisoner Doran had in.
sured in their office to the total amount of £5OO, in four
sums, viz., £lOO for a building and wooden shed; £240 on
stock in trade and fixtures; on another wooden shed, used
as a dwelling-house, £100; and on household goods, £6O.

The insurance was effected last Michaelmas, and was to take
ffect on the 29th September last.
John Whalley proved the finding of several pieces of oakum
saturated with turpentine on some sheds and in a yard behind
the public-house called Sixstnith's, at the corner of Crompton-
t reet.

Mr. Rushton said, addressing Mr. James, so far as he
knew, the case would terminate there. He would leave it to
Mr. James as to whether he chose to enter upon any defence
then or at a future period.
Mr. James said he should much prefer hearing all the
evidence first.

Mr. Rushton said this was all the evidence at present, but
any future evidence that might arise could not be excluded.
Mr. James said he had a host of witnesses to call, but he
would leave it to the magistrates to say whether that would
be necessary.

Mr. Rushton said, it was quite at Mr. James's discretion
whether he would enter on the defence then or on the follow-
ing day. If Mr. James left the case where it was, he should
undoubtedly commit the prisoner for trial.
Mr. James, after a few minutes' conversation with the
friends of the prisoner, said he would request that the case
might stand adjourned to the following day.
The case therefore stood adjourned till Thursday.

FURTHER EXAMINATION OF PATRICK DORAN
ON THE CHARGE OF INCENDIARISM.

The examination was again resumed on Thursday, before
Mr. Rushton. The court was, as on the proceeding days,
exceedingly crowded. Mr. James wished to know whether
Mr. Rushton intended to commit the prisoner at all events.
Mr. Rushton said he should commit him if the case was left
in its present state, but he was quite capable of receiving im-
pression in favour of the prisoner. Mr. James then entered
into a very clever and able defence on behalf of the prisoner,
contending that it was extremely improbable from the nature
of the evidence produced against him, and from the circum-
stances which he should lay before them in the course of the
defence, that he (the prisoner) had been guilty of the serious
crime with which he stood charged. He then went over the
evidence against the prisoner, remarking that unless they
could produce some facts connecting the prisoner immedi-
ately with the fire, there could be no charge to send him be-
fore a jury ; and if they separated the testimony of Alice
Service from the rest, (and in his opinion her testimony was
inconsistent in many particulars,) there was no evidence at
all on which to found the charge. He then called the wit-
nesses for the defence.

John Magee, a labourer in Doran's employ, had been
keeping watch since the great fire, and was at home on Mon-
day evening last. Darragan called about half-past five for
Doran to go to the theatre. Doran went, and left witness
and Mrs. Doran in the house. She afterwards followed
them, and Magee remained in the house to take care of it.
Witness went to bed, after putting out the fire, about eight
o'clock. Laid down in Mrs. Doran's room and went to
sleep. but was roused soon after by an alarm of fire, and
made for the door in a state of confusion. As he was going
along, the kitchen door was burst open (the front door of the
premises). He pushed against the door in consequence of
running against the parlour door, which is half covered by
the front door. Heard a female scream out. She did not
come in. He then went out of the house.
By Mr. Rushton.—Did not take off his clothes when he
went to bed. He was awoke by the screams. Fastened the
door when he went to bed, and no one was in. Had been in
Doran's employ six months. Was only a labourer. Ran out
towards the engine, and screamed out, but did not see any
one of them. Went afterwards to Terence Daragan's, and
also to Mr. Camley's, as he knew them. Some persons
were in the street when he came out, but did not know them.
Saw the inspector when he came back. It might have taken
him half an hour to go round to the places where he went.
Saw the engine come, but did not know which way it came,
was so much occupied in getting goods out of the fire. Got
out a chest of drawers and a box from the kitchen. Was
not in court on Wednesday. No relation to Doran, but
second cousin to his wife.

By Mr. Dowling.—Took his hat in bis hand when he went
out, and had it on all the evening. Did call out " Dear me!
dear me ?" when the door was thrust open, but did not re-
quest any one to open it.
_ _

By Mr. Rushton.—Had a coat on when he spoke to the
inspector, which he got from M'Camley—a dark frock coat,
which he gave back to M'Camley.
By Mr. Dowling. —Don't know who assisted him in get-
ting out the drawers which were lost in the street, and had
not been seen since. Witness said his master exerted him-
self very much in trying to extinguish the fire and saving the
property.

. .
• Edward Bandon, an apprentice to a pawnbroker, was at the
Amphitheatre, on Monday night last, in the boxes, and saw
prisoner there, about half an hour after he got in. His wife
and he were together, in a seat behind him, with Larence,
M'Gee, Davidson, M`Camley, and some orhers. Left the
box about half an hour after first seeing him, and remained
away about a quarter of an hour, and on returning, saw him
again in the same box, and also some time after-
wards, from time to time. He could not have left
the box while witness was there. When out the second

time heard the clock strike ten, and on returning, went
to the top of the stairs, and heard a rattle. Said
to the check-taker " Halloo there is another fire,"
but the check-taker said it was the old fire broke out. Saw
Mr. Ready there, and said to the check-taker there was a
friend of his who lived near the fire, and he would go and
tell him. Went to the box and told Doran, and went out
wih him as far as Queen-square, and then left him on his
way home. Prisoner said he thought it was only the ruins
of the old fire, and if so, would come back.
By Mr. Dowling.— Was aware that St. John's clock
strikes the quarters.
Itobert Davison, cotton dealer, was at the Amphitheatre
on Monday night, and saw Doran there and spoke to him.
Bannon came in and told prisoner about the fire, and they
went out together. Prisoner did not leave the box before
that time. _ _

Terence Magee, a cotton dealer, and an acquaintance of
prisoner's, deposed to being at the theatre, and seeing Doran,
who was in the same box with him. Witness left him about
half-past nine, and on his return found him there. Bannon
came to him about the fire. The prisoner did not go out at
all except when he went out with Bannon,
By Mr. Dowling.—Never was in partnership with pri-
soner, nor was he any relation to him.
Terence Doragan called—Was an acquaintance of prisoner,
and was at the Amphitheatre with him on the night in ques-
tion, the circumstances of which were the same as those given
by other witnesses. Prisoner and his wife slept at witness's
house that night. Magee was left at Doran's in charge of
the house, and had orders to put out the fire, and see that
all was safe. Witness's family did not go with him to the
Amphitheatre.
Terence Macauley called—Went to Daragan's house to go
with them to the theatre. There were five of them. This
witness also deposed to the circumstance of Doran being at
the theatre, and going out with Bannon when told of the fire.
By Mr. Rushton.—Had five or 6 coats such as they were.
Had no coat like the one he bad on except itself. Mr.
M'Avoy had never lent his clothes to his knowledge. Mr.
M'Avoy said a man had been for his assistance while he was
away at the theatre. _

Eliza Meany deposed to being at the Amphitheatre on
Monday night, but did not see Doran, though she understood
he was there.

Joseph Heany, son of the last witness, stated that lie was
at the theatre on Monday with his mother, and an alarm of
fire being given, Doran left the box.
Ellen Connor, who keeps a temperance hotel in Queen's-
square, saw the prisoner at the theatre on Monday night
from time time for about an hour. It was after eight o'clock.
Did not hear any alarm of fire, nor see Dorn go out.
Thomas Heany, dealer in damaged cotton, gave the same
evidence as the former witnesses as to Doran being at the
Amphitheatre, and leaving about ten o'clock.
William Ready took part in the affairs at the theatre on
Monday night, and had occasion to go the refreshment room,
when he heard the clock strike 10 while he was going round
through the street. Came back to the lobby and was talking
to a gentleman, when the checktaker said the fire had broke
out again, and the witness Bannon went in and told Doran,
who came out with him soon after, and they left theatre toge-
ther. _

These were all the witnesses for the defence.
Several witnesses were then called by Mr. Dowling, but
their evidence was merely corroborative of circumstances
spoken to by other parties who had been called.
Mr. Rushton said he had an inquiry to make which would
prevent him closing the case that night, but he would do so
on Friday (this day), as soon after two o'clock as possible.
The examination occupied upwards of four hours.