Arkansas intelligencer., 1849-11-03
A THRILLING NARRATIVE
RECOLLECTI0AS OFAPOLICE-OF
iUILTY OF NOT GUILTY z


A fer weeks ago, | was engaged in the inves,i.
CATION of rema arkabe case of burglary, accom-
panied by homicide, which had just occurred at
The residence of Mr.. Bagshawe, gentleman of
competent fortune. situated within few miles of
Kendall in WestmoreIand. The particulars for
warded 10 the London police authorities by the
local magistracy were chiefly these:
Mr.. Bagshawe, who had been some time absent
at bennington, Warwickshire, with his entire es-
tabishment. wrote to Sarah King-a young wo-
man left in charge of the house and property-to
announce his own speedy return, and at the same
time directing her 10 have q particular bedroom
aired and other houshold matters arranged for the
reception of his nephew. Mr.. Robert Brstowe.
who, having just arrived from abroad, would be
expected, to leave London Immediately for Five
Oaks House. The positive arrival of this nephew
had been declared to several tradesmen of Kendall
by King early in the day preceding the night of
the murder and robbery and by her directions
butcher-meat. poultry, fish, and so on, had been
sent 10 them 10 Five Oaks for his table. The
lad who carried the fish home stated that he had
seen strange young gentleman in one of the
stting-rooms on the ground-foor, through the half
opened door of the apartment. On the follow
ing morning il discovered that Five Oaks
House had been, indeed broken into. but brok-
en- out of-ths evident from the state of the
door fastenngs-and the servan,-woman barba-
dead and cold at the foot Of the principal stair
case, clothed only in her nightgowu end stockings
and with fiat chamber candlesIick tightly grasp
ed in her right hand. Ii was coujectured that she
had been reused from her sleep By some noise be-
low. and having descended 10 ascertain the cause,
had been mercilessly slain by the disturbed burg
lars. Mr.. Bagshawe arrived on the following
day and it was then found net only large
amount of plate, but between three and four
thousand pounds in gold and notes.-the produce
of government stock sold out about two months
preyiously-had been carried off. The only per-
son. except his niece, who lived with him, that
knew there was this sum in the house, was his
nephew Robert Bristowe, TO whom he had written,
directing his letter to the Hummus Hotel London
stating that the sum for the long-contemplated
purchase of Ryland's had been some time lying
idle at Five Oaks, as he had wished to consult
him upon his bargin before finally concluding il.
This Mr.. Robert Bristowe was nowhere TO
be seen or heard of; and what seemed 10 confirm
beyond a doubt the-to Mr.. Bagshawe and his
niece-torturing, horrifylng suspicion that this
nephew was the burglar and assassin, portion
of the Identical letter written to him by Is uncle
was found in one of The offices As he was no.
where to be met with heard of in The neighbor-
hood of Kendall, it surmised that he must
have returned to London with his booty and
full description of his person, and the dress he
wore, as given by the fshmongers boy, was sent
10 London by the authorities. They also for
warded for our use and assistance one Josiah
Barnes, a sly, sharp, vugabond-sort of fellow,
who had been apprehsnded on suspicion, chiefly.
or rather wholly, because of his former intimacy
with the unfortunate Sarah King, who had DIS
carded him, it seemed. on account of his incor-
rightly idle, and in other respects disreputoble
habits. The alibi he set up was. however, so
clear and decisive, that he was bur few hours
in custody; and he now exhibited great zeal for
the discovery of the murderer of the woman 10
whom he had, to the extent of his perverted in
s,incts, been sincerely attached. He fddled at
the festivals of the humber kendaiese sang.
tumbed, ventriIoquzed at their tavern orgies );
and had he not been so very highly-glfted, might,
there was little doubt have earned decent living
as q carpenter, to which profession his father by
dipt of much exertion, had about half bred him.
His principal to was that he was acqualnt-
ed with the features OF Mr.. Robert Brlstowe and
accordingly, as soon as | had received my COM
mission and instructions, started OF with hum to
the Hummums Hotel, Covent Garden. In an.
swer to nv inquiries, i; was stated that MIR. Robert
Bristowe had left the hotel week previously
wi,hou, settling his bill-which was, however, of
yery small amount as he usually paid every even-
inp-and had not since been heard of; neither
had he taken his luggage with him. This was
odd, though The period stated would have given
him ample time te' reach Wessmoreland on the
day it was stated he had arrived there.
"What dress did he wear when he left "
"That which he usually wore; foragng-caP
with gold band, blue military surtout coat,
light trousers, and Wellington boots"
= The precise dress described by the hshmon-
GERS errand boy We next proceeded to the
Bank of England, to ascertain if any OF the sto'