Widnes Examiner. — 1888-06-16 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

MARSHALL BOOTH'S STJSPICIONS. . . _ _ . _  , When interviewed by a reporter Marshall Booth, the ' real captor of Firth, said he made the acquaintance of the man on Monday week. Being, a mason and desiring another man, named Boocock, to work at the same job, he went to the White Bear Inn, Bradford Moor, for the purpose of seeing Boocock. On arrival at the inn he saw Boocock in the company of the stranger, who was paying for beer, and by this means he succeeded in inducBoocock to refuse Booth's offer of employment. About half-past five on Tuesday, Booth again went to the White Bear, and once more found the stranger there scattering his money somewhat profusely in paying for drinks for the company. He paid particular attention to Booth and Boocock and their friends, and at closing time asked the former if he might stay at his house. Booth objected at first, saying he did not know the man, and turning to the landlady of house asked if she was personally acquain-fed W:itii-hitn. She replied in the negative, but said he appeared respectable enough, and accordingly "Jackson" was taken to Lee-square, where he stayed overnight. Before going, however, Booth insisted on the prisoner leaving his money with Mrs. Watson, the landlady of the inn, and accordingly 28s. was left in Leicare. On the wednesdly the men all assembled at the same house, and spent their time drinking at various houses, the "stranger" still btifiz lavish with his money. At night he did not go With Booth, but with Thos. Briggs, of Rupert-stre't, Bradford Moor, and slept there overnight; but Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights were spent at Lee-square. None of the mep went .to work, and on Jackson being asked where he was last 'employed he said at "Johnny lye's, Shipley." He Scent on the spree, on Monday, he said, and on going to the place on Tuesday they. ref used to allow him to resume his work. His address, he said, was "29, Gr'arnettstreet," but all along his companions entertained suspicion,with regard to him,. and openly accused him of being the Manchester murderer. On one occasion Booth said "I'll bet 10 to 1 th'art Jackson," but the accused only laughed and turned the conversation to some more palatable topic. Only one of the party appeared to believe the man innocent, and that was Joseph Pearson, who resides with Booth at Lee-square, but despite their convictions, no one gave information to the pelice. On Sunday, Jackson's companions intended to bring their "spree" to a close, and accordingly Booth suggested to Jackson that be should go home. This he consented to do, and left the rest of the party at the Waggon and Horses at halfpast nine p.m. After his departure the men and the landlord had tome conversation, and all arreed that their companion was none other than the murderer of Webb, the gaoler. Eventually Booth and Pearson went home and retired for the night, but shortly before one o'clock they were awakened by a noise in the house. Hearing the sounds continuing, Booth shouted "Who's there," and receiving no reply, put on his boots and went downstairs. At his approach the intruder fled, but was followed by Booth and Pearson to a closet adjoining the premises of the Waggon and Horses Inn, where he had taken refuge. He closed the door, and thus prevented his friends from effecting a capture. Booth, however, obtained a plank and forced the door, with the assistance of Pearson and the landlord of the Waggon and Horses. Jackson, on seeing escape was hopeless, said, "It's all right, Marsh; it's me; let's go ;" but in reply to this he was told he would have to ego with his captors first. On being seized he made a desperate struggle to rmain.his liberty, but was overpowered by the others, and eventually given into the custody of Police-constable Flood.