The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1888-06-16 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

FULL POLICE IDENTIFICATION.  John Jackson, known also under the names of Charles Wood Firth, Thomas Harrison, Edward Graham, Charles Wood, and Charles Kitson, was again brought up at the Bradford Police-court on Tuesday morning. He was described as a plumber, of Garnet-street, in that town, and was charged with breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Marshall Booth, being also wanted for the wilful murder of Assistant-Warder Webb, at Strangeways, on May 22 last. The Mayor of Bradford occupied the chair. The court was crowded in every part, and there was an immense crowd in the precincts, and the police had to close the doors, a number of constables being appointed to keep back the crowd. The prisoner's name was called first, and he was assisted into the dock by a couple of dock warders. He was accommodated with a chair. He looked much better than on the previous day, but leaned his arms and bowed his head upon them, and never looked up during the whole of the proceedings. The Chief Constable, Mr. J. Withers, said: This prisoner was apprehended, under the name of Thomas Harrison, for burglary at Bradford Moor, on Sunday evening. As I told your worships yesterday (Monday), we had a strong suspicion that he was the man Charles Wood Firth, who goes by the names of Jackson and Graham, and is " wanted " for the murder of Assistant-Warder Webb, at Strangeways Gaol. Our suspicions have been confirmed, and not only confirmed, but the man has been properly idsn-4 by Sergeant Girdham, of the Mancheste2l)e-). Department, and also by two wardefi,--Ley I.llSlaggins—from'Strande,ways Gaol. In addition to that I sent over to BiAtall- for ptlle relatives ()Übe man, in order that no mistake - should be Before I said he was the man I wanted corroboration to be forthcoming; and I now ask your wcjaips that he may be handed over to the Mancliester police. The detective officer, in going round to see the prisoners, noticed that Harrison was very much like the man Jackson. Detective Talbot called to his assistance Detective Butterworth, and the man was examined, and brought over to the detective offices. There Inspector Dobson was called, and my own attention was directed to him. The doctor, too, was sent for, in order that he should be properly examined, and then it was found that—as far as mortal man could say—he was the man. I now ask your worships—not wishing to put any obstruction in the way of the Manchester police—that this man should be handed over to them at once. Theirs is a more serious charge than ours, and it would be better for all purposes he should be handed over. Superintendent Hicks, chief of the Detective Department of Manchester, is here waiting to take him back, and he also has the assistance of Sergeant Girdham and some other officers whom I cannot name. The Mayor: Do you call witnesses as to identity ? The Chief Constable : Yes, sir. George Girdham, sergeant in the detective force of Manchester, said he had had the prisoner in custody under the name of Charles Kitson. He had examined the prisoner, and he was Charles Kitson, or Firth. He was the man who escaped from Strange. ways Gaol, and was " wanted " for the Murder of Assistant-warder Webb. He was known by the names of Jackson and Graham. The Chief Constable: There is no doubt about it ? No doubt at all. The Mayor: After this evidence he will be handed over to the Manchester police on the more serious charge. The prisoner was then removed in custody.