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Facts and Events
Arthur Bedford Lewis was born on 16th February 1843 at Aspley Guise in Bedfordshire, son of Sarah (or Sally) Lewis, formerly Cook, and her husband Thomas Lewis, a pig dealer and publican. Between 1849 and 1850 the family left Aspley Guise and moved to the nearby village of Little Brickhill in Buckinghamshire, where they ran the King's Arms public house. Arthur appears in the 1851 census living with his parents and siblings at Little Brickhill. At the time of the 1861 census Arthur was staying at a lodging house in Little Brickhill and working as an agricultural labourer.
In December 1863 Arthur was caught poaching with four other men, and he was prosecuted at the Newport Pagnell Petty Sessions the following month, being fined two pounds and ten shillings. At this time he was calling himself "Bedford Lewis". The following September he and another man were found in possession of a number of pheasants at Soulbury, and they violently assaulted the policeman and his assistant who were trying to take them into custody. He was convicted on that occasion at the Linslade Petty Sessions. He clearly had a reputation by this time, with the the constable knowing him by name when he saw him from a distance, saying in court that "I knew them to be suspicious characters as poachers."
In 1866 Arthur was in court again, this time charged with stealing a coat. On this occasion he was found innocent, with both his brother Alfred and father Thomas giving evidence corroborating that Arthur had bought the coat. Arthur was mentioned again in a court case in 1869 as having been seen poaching with two other men, but he escaped and only one of the men was charged on that occasion.
In December 1871 Arthur was yet again tried for poaching and assault, this time at Rickmansworth with two other men. He was clearly using a number of aliases by this time, being described as "John, otherwise Arthur, Cook, alias Bedford Lewis, alias Bedford Jack, whose real name is said to be Arthur Lewis" in several of the newspapers reporting the case. He was also said to be a navvy of Fenny Stratford at the time. The case was heard at the Hertfordshire Assizes on 6th March 1872 and on this occasion the grand jury found "no bill" against him, indicating insufficient evidence.
Three days later Arthur was in court again, being tried at the Woburn Petty Sessions for being one of a gang of five men found poaching at Potsgrove some eighteen months earlier in October 1870, but who had escaped following a fight with the constable and gamekeepers. It appears that having evaded capture at the time the authorities managed to catch up with him whilst he was going through the courts in Hertfordshire. He was convicted and sent to Bedford Gaol for three months. He was released from Bedford Gaol on 8th June 1872. The following month one of the other men involved in the Potsgrove offence was also caught. Newspaper reports of that man's trial also record how "the notorious Bedford Jack" had also evaded justice at the time but later been caught.
Just four months after being released from Bedford Gaol, Arthur was caught trespassing in search of game at Watford. He was served with a summons to appear at court, but did not attend. He was tried in his absence and fined forty shillings plus costs, or two month's hard labour in default of paying. It is not clear whether he was ever caught to pay his fine or go to jail on that occasion.
In January 1873, Arthur was involved with a gang who were conspiring to steal a large number of tame pheasants at Newton Longville. This was an organised crime, with letters having been sent between the various people involved beforehand. The case came to trial at the Buckinghamshire Assizes in July 1873. It was reported that Arthur had been been one of four men who set out from St Albans in a trap heading towards Leighton Buzzard on 21st January 1873. Arthur and one of the others apparently got out about two miles before reaching Dunstable. One of the defendants in his evidence said that he had not seen Arthur since then.
It is not clear what happened to Arthur after he left that trap near Dunstable on 21st January 1873. Having made regular appearances in court and in the local newspapers over the previous decade, no further mentions of him have yet been found. It is possible he may have moved to a different area where he was not known and perhaps also adopted yet another alias.
References
- ↑ Birth certificate, in General Register Office. England and Wales Civil Registration. (London: General Register Office).
| REGISTRATION DISTRICT REGISTRATION DISTRICT Woburn Union | | 1843 BIRTH in the Sub-District of Woburn in the County of Bedford | | No. | When and where born | Name, if any | Sex | Name and surname of father | Name, surname and maiden name of mother | Occupation of father | Signature, description and residence of informant | When registered | Signature of registrar | | 167 | Sixteenth of February 1843 at Aspley | Arthur Bedford | Boy | Thomas Lewis | Sally Lewis formerly Cook | Pig Dealer | The X Mark of Sally Lewis
Mother
Aspley | Sixth of March 1843 | J. Dexter, Registrar |
- ↑ Baptisms register, in Church of England. Parish register of Husborne Crawley, 1557-1812. (Bedford: Bedfordshire County Record Office, 1989).
| BAPTISMS solemnized in the Parish of Husborne Crawley in the County of Bedford in the Year 1843 | | No. | When Baptized | Child's Christian Name | Parents Name | Abode | Quality, Trade, or Profession | By whom the Ceremony was performed | | Christian | Surname | | 525 | April 14 | Arthur Bedford | Thomas & Sarah | Lewis | Aspley | Pig Dealer | J.V. Moore |
Baptised same day as sister Jane Maria.
- ↑ England. 1851 Census Returns for England and Wales. (
Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
Class HO107; Piece 1723; Folio 89; Page 3, 30 Mar 1851.
Address: Little Brickhill, Buckinghamshire
Thomas Lewis, head, married, male, 40 [1810/11], Victualler, b. Crawley, Bedfordshire
Sarah Lewis, wife, married, female, 34 [1816/17], b. Bow Brickhill, Buckinghamshire
Alfred Lewis, son, male, 13 [1837/8], Scholar, b. Crawley, Bedfordshire
Eusibaous Lewis, daughter, female, 12 [1838/9], Scholar, b. Crawley, Bedfordshire
Mary Ann Lewis, daughter, female, 6 [1844/5], Scholar, b. Aspley, Bedfordshire
Sarah Lewis, daughter, female, 6 [1844/5], Scholar, b. Aspley, Bedfordshire
Thomas Lewis, son, male, 2 [1848/9], b. Little Brickhill, Buckinghamshire
Arthur Bedford, visitor, male, 8 [1842/3], b. not known
- ↑ England. 1861 Census Schedules for England and Wales, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. (
Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
Class RG9; Piece 871; Folio 64; Page 16, 7 Apr 1861.
Address: High Street, Little Brickhill, Buckinghamshire
Mary Solomons, head, widow, female, 59 [1801/2], Lodging House Keeper, b. Little Brickhill, Buckinghamshire
George Gill, lodger, unmarried, male, 73 [1787/8], Pauper, b. Wellinborough, Northamptonshire
Leonard Emery, lodger, unmarried, male, 36 [1824/5], Ag[ricultural] Lab[ourer], b. Wyboston, Bedfordshire
Arthur B. Lewis, lodger, unmarried, male, 20 [1840/1], Ag[ricultural] Lab[ourer], b. Aspley, Bedfordshire
- Croydon's Weekly Standard, in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
9 Jan 1864.
NEWPORT PAGNELL.
PETTY SESSIONS, January 6.
Present: C.S. Lowndes, Esq., and R. Walpole, Esq.
Bedford Lewis, James Stone, James Barker, Alfred Flemons and George Parrott were charged with an offence under the recent game act. Mr. Jones, of Aylesbury, appeared for the defendants. Superintendent Breary said that on the 16th of December, about half-past three o'clock in the morning, I, in company with police-constable Sutton, met seven men on the highway between Walton and Bow Brickhill; Barker, Stone, and Flemons were first; Barker had some netting on his shoulder and a bag; I said "holloa, my my man, what have you got here, some fowls?" he said "Let us be, we have only got a few rabbits;" Sutton laid hold of Flemons, who had a bag; Stone had some netting on his shoulder; it was a dark night; Sutton turned on his light; the other four men were a few yards from the first three; they were George Smith, George Parrott, and Bedford Lewis; Lewis had some netting on his shoulder; I felt the bag on Flemons' back; I believe thee were rabbits in it; Parrott had a bag; he threw it down and took out some bludgeons and handed them to the other men; I took Sutton's lantern and threw the light on the men's faces and then left them; I have reason to believe the men had been using the nets unlawfully for taking game; Barker, Flemons, Stone and Parrott live at Leighton Buzzard; they are labourers; Lewis lives at Little Brickhill; we afterwards followed them on to the turnpike road leading to Little Brickhill, and came up within five yards of them; Stone said to the others, "Let's stop this game;" they then threw down their bags and began throwing stones at us; we ran from them, and they ran after us 200 or 300 yards, throwing stones; one struck me; I told them I knew them; I knew Lewis and George Smith and saw sufficient of the others to identify them; two days after I went to Leighton to ascertain the names of the men, and found Barker, Flemons and Parrott in Stone's house, and met Stone as I was coming away. Police-constable Sutton gave similar evidence. The witnesses were cross-examined by Mr. Jones, who then called a witness to prove an alibi on the part of the defendant Stone, and in his defence dwelt more particularly on the difficulty of identifying men seen only by the light of a policeman's lantern, on a very dark night. Smith did no appear; the other defendants were convicted in the penalty and costs of £2 10s. each, or six weeks' imprisonment in default of payment. Lewis paid; the other four defendants were committed.
- Bedfordshire Mercury, in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
16 Jan 1864.
NEWPORT PAGNELL
PETTY SESSIONS, WEDNESDAY JAN. 6
Present: Rev. Charles Selby Lowndes and Reginald Walpole, Esq.
OFFENCE UNDER THE NEW POACHING ACT. - Bedford Lewis, of Little Brickhill, and James Stones, James Barker, Alfred Flanons and George Parrott, all of Leighton Buzzard, were charged with an offence under the new Poaching Act, at Bow Brickhill, on the 16th Dec. - The case was proved by Superintendent Breary and Police-constable George Sutton. Convicted. Penalty and costs, £2 10s. each; or six weeks' imprisonment, in default, with hard labour.
- Bucks Herald, in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
Saturday 17 Sep 1864.
LINSLADE.
CAPTURE AND RESISTANCE OF POACHERS. - At a special Petty Sessions, on the 10th inst.-present, Colonel Hanmer and the Rev. P.T. Ouvry - Bedford Lewis and James Smith, labourers, of Fenny Stratford, were charged with having in their possession a quantity of partridges, and, on the policeman and assistants taking them into custody, violently assaulting two of them. Mr. Jones, solicitor, of Aylesbury, appeared for the prisoners. Some evidence having been adduced, the further hearing was adjourned to the next sessions at Linslade, on the 26th inst.
- Bucks Herald, in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
Saturday 1 Oct 1864.
LINSLADE.
PETTY SESSIONS. - SEPTEMBER 29.
THE POACHING CASE AT SOULBURY.
Bedford Lewis and James Smith, of Fenny Stratford, were brought up in custody and charged with unlawfully obtaining game contrary to the statute.
Mr. Jones, solicitor, of Aylesbury, appeared for the prisoners.
William Burfield, police-constable, stationed at Fenny Stratford said - On Tuesday, the 6th September, I saw the two prisoners on the high road in the parish of Soulbury, about twelve o'clock in the day time. I knew them. They were some distance from me. I called out "Bedford." I knew them to be suspicious characters as poachers. Smith was carrying a basket, Lewis a bundle. They looked round and saw me, when they ran off the high road on to the towing-path. I followed them. Lewis jumped into a barley field. I followed him on a horse I was riding. I searched them in Mr. Bull's meadow, when I found on Smith nine partridges and one net; and on Lewis one net, some sting, and two larks. The net Smith had is used for taking partridges, and the one carried by Lewis is a rabbit net.
Mr. Jones cross-examined Burfield, but did not shake his evidence. That gentleman endeavoured to show that the two persons had been illegally charged with poaching under this new Act, and that the police had no right to stop and search them when off the highway; the two men consequently considered themselves justified in defending themselves.
The magistrates consulted for a short time and then stated it to be their opinion that the "towing path" was a public highway, and that the police officer was justified in following the prisoners thereon and searching them; they therefore fined each prisoner £1, and 20s. costs; in default of payment to be committed to Aylesbury Gaol for twenty-one days with hard labour.
ASSAULT
Bedford Lews and James Smith were then charged with assaulting Police-constable Burfield and Henry Basford, miller, of Soulbury, on the said 6th September, Mr. Jones again defending the prisoners.
George Lee was called, but his evidence did not benefit the prisoners; they were, therefore, found guilty and fined each of the £1 and £2 15s costs; in default of payment to be further imprisoned for one month with hard labour in Aylesbury Gaol.
- Luton Times and Advertiser, in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
Saturday 6 Oct 1866.
Local and District News.
PETTY SESSIONS, MONDAY.
A Man Apprehended by Mistake.
Arthur Lewis was charged with stealing a coat, value 10s., the property of Mr. Charles Swain, on the 22nd inst.
Charles Swain said his father kept the Shoulder of Mutton public-house, Market Hill, Luton. The coat produced was quite safe on the evening of the 22nd. After missing it he gave information to the police. On the 29th ult. the prisoner had the coat on in George-street. When taken into custody he heard the man say he had bought it of a man at Fenny Stratford.
The prisoner repeated the statement as to his having purchased the coat, and he called
Alfred Lewis, a brother, who deposed that he kept the King's Head, Fenny Stratford. The coat produced was purchased by the prisoner in witness's house of a man who had the appearance of a bricklayer's labourer. The man took the coat off and offered it to the company then present, but first of all to the witness, who told the man he did not want it. The man said he had no money to pay his lodgings with, and witness's brother bought it. On the Thursday his brother left his house to go to Luton.
Thomas Lewis said he kept the Shepherd's Flock, Round Green. The prisoner was his son. His son came up from Fenny Stratford with the coat. Witness saw the coat at Fenny Stratford. He corroborated the evidence of the first witness, who stated it was purchased for 4s.
The prisoner having established his defence that he bought the coat,
The chairman said there was nothing against the prisoner, and he was therefore discharged.
- Luton Times and Advertiser, in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
Saturday 14 Aug 1869.
PETTY SESSIONS, WEDNESDAY.
POACHING.
Charles Fensome, of Dunstable, who did not appear, was charged with poaching on the 3rd of August.
Proof was given of the service of the summons on Fensome's wife at his residence on the 9th of August; and the court then proceeded to hear the case in his absence.
P.c. Addington deposed that on the 3rd day of August last he saw Charles Fensome on the top of the Great Northern Road, near Mr. Fosdick's house. Two other men were with him; they had two dogs such as are used for poaching purposes. Fensome had a bag which contained eight rabbits.
Witness produced the rabbits.
The officer stated that the three men ran away as soon as he searched the bag. He took the bag to the police station. One of the men he believed goes in the name of Bedford Lewis; but he could not swear. The rabbits were quite warm. Fensome had prowling about all night. At first he suspected some potatoes were in the bag, as a great many potatoes had been stolen from the gardens.
Daniel Fensome, brother to the defendant, said he lived at Toddington. His brother Charles had not been in the borough of Dunstable since the 3rd of August.
Clerk: Where is he?
Witness: I shall not tell you.
Clerk: We can make you or send you to prison until you do. He should advise the bench to commit him.
The Mayor said the question was had there been sufficient time since the summons was served to send word to Fensome.
After a consultation, the Mayor said the witness was even worse than his brother, as he was trying to secrete his brother and defeat the ends of justice, and he had made himself liable to seven days' imprisonment.
The man then said he would tell sooner than have that. His brother was at his house in Toddington.
The Mayor: I suspected it. Has Charles Fensome been convicted before.
Mr. George: There are many convictions against him.
The Bench said as the defendant had not met the charge, they should order him to pay 10s. expenses and a fine of 40s., or in default one month's imprisonment.
The brother who appeared as a witness asked for time.
The court ordered immediate payment.
- Exeter Flying Post, in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
6 Dec 1871.
At Rickmansworth, on Friday afternoon last, the three men, George Cooley, John, otherwise, Arthur, Cook, alias "Bedford Lewis", alias "Bedford Jack;" and Henry Covell, alias "William," alias "Ginger," were brought before Mr. H.C. Finch, barrister, and the Rev. A.H. Barker, the presiding magistrates, for final examination on the charge of having entered enclosed land for the purpose of killing game, armed with bludgeons and stones, and wounding Benjamin Green, James Green, and George Brown, Lord Ebury's gamekeepers, Mr. G. Annesley, solicitor, St Alban's, on this occasion appeared for the accused. On reviewing the usual caution each prisoner said he was innocent, and knew nothing about the affair. Mr. Annesley then addressed the magistrates on behalf of the prisoners, who were finally committed for trial to the next Herts Assizes.
- Bicester Herald, in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
8 Dec 1871.
POACHING AFFRAY.-At Rickmansworth, on Friday afternoon last, the three men, George Cooley, of Berkhampstead, John otherwise Arthur Cook, alias Bedford Lewis, alias Bedford Jack, whose real name is said to be Arthur Lewis, navvy Fenny Stratford, & Henry Covell, alias Wilson, alias Ginger, navvy, Watford, were brought before Mr. H.C. Finch, barrister, and the Rev. A.H. Barker, the presiding magistrates, for final examination on the charge of having entered enclosed land for the purpose of killing game, armed with bludgeons and stones, and wounding Benjamin Green, James Green, and George Brown, Lord Ebury's gamekeepers. Mr. G. Annesley, solicitor, St. Alban's, on this occasion appeared for the accused. On receiving the usual caution each prisoner said he was innocent, and knew nothing about the affair. Mr. Annesley then addressed the magistrates on behalf of the prisoners, who were finally committed for trial to the next Herts Assizes.
- Bedfordshire Record Office. Bedfordshire Gaol Register. (Bedford).
Bedford Lewis, 30, Game Laws, committed 9 Mar 1872 to Bedford Gaol for 3 calendar months hard labour & sureties or 6 calendar months further, 2 previous convictions at Aylesbury and Hertford, discharged 8 Jun 1872.
- Herts Advertiser, in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
Page 8, 9 Mar 1872.
CROWN COURT, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6.
THE POACHING AFFRAY AT MOOR PARK.
George Cooley (42), blacksmith, of Great Berkhamstead; John Brinklow (29), alias John Smith, alias "Navvy Jack," of Gt. Berkhamstead; Henry Parrott (27), navvy, of Northampton; and James Barker (35), navvy, also of Northampton, were indicted for maliciously wounding and causing grievous bodily harm to Benjamin Green, James Green, and George Brown, in a night poaching affray at Rickmansworth.
Mr. Clark conducted the case for the prosecution, and Mr. Woollatt defended the prisoners. The case occupied the attention of the court until late in the afternoon, a large number of witnesses being examined on both sides.
The jury were locked up for about half-an-hour to consider their verdict, and and their return to the court they gave a verdict of "Guilt" against the prisoners Cooley and Parrott, who were each sentenced to seven years' penal servitude. The two others (Brinklow and Barker) were acquitted.
NO BILL.
The Grand Jury returned "no bill" against Arthur Cook and Henry Covell, navvies, who were charged with assaulting the keepers in the above poaching affray.
- Bedfordshire Times and Independent, in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
12 Mar 1872.
WOBURN
PETTY SESSIONS, Friday, March 8th.
Present: C.L. Grimshawe and C.S. Parker, Esqs., and Major Jary.
Bedford Lewis (30), labourer, was charged with entering land in the occupation of Mr. Alfred Paxton, at Potsgrove, on the night of Oct. 26, 1870, with nets for the purpose of taking game. It appeared from the evidence of Charles Ballard, gamekeeper, in the service of J. Bromilow, Esq., and others, that a gang of five men were found setting nets, accompanied by a black dog. They escaped, but being followed by Police-constable Edmunds and some of the keepers, three of them were overtaken on the road near Heath and Reach. There was a "scrimmage," and the prisoner refused to be searched, assaulted the constable, and got away, having previously thrown away some pegs. Two of them were apprehended at the time, and some nets were found upon them; they were convicted, but the prisoner had not been apprehended until now, he having just served a term of imprisonment in Hertford Gaol for a similar offence. Joseph Reeve, a publican, proved that the prisoner, with the other men who were convicted, had come to his house and stopped until 12 o'clock on the night of the occurrence, when they all left together. Committed for three months, and to find sureties.
- Bedfordshire Times and Independent, in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
3 Aug 1872.
WOBURN
PETTY SESSIONS, Friday, July 26th.
Present: Mr. C.S. Parker, the Rev. J. Clegg, Mr. C.P. Stuart, and Major Jary.
John Draper, alias Williams, alias Northampton Jack, was brought up on a warrant charged by Henry Horwood, of Milton, with night poaching at Potsgrove on the 21st October, 1870. The prisoner pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to three months' imprisonment and to find sureties for for twelve months. Thus the last remaining participator in the serious night poaching offence at Potsgrove has been brought to punishment by an indefatigable police, who never weary of a trail or abandon a scent. The offence was committed nearly two years ago. Two men were apprehended at the time, and another very shortly afterwards, and another, the notorious Bedford Lewis, was captured about fifteen months later. They were all convicted and punished, and now this Northampton Jack, the last of the gang, meets his doom. Thus it would appear that the offence of poaching cannot be very profitable when we consider how much of their time the offenders spend in prison. Both this prisoner and Bedford Lewis had been in prison between the time of committing this offence and their being apprehended for it.
- Watford Observer, in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
Page 4, 19 Oct 1872.
PETTY SESSIONS.-OCTOBER 15.
AN OLD POACHER.
Arthur Lewis, alias "Bedford Jack," was charged with trespassing in search of game on land of W.H. Smith, Esq., at Watford, on the 8th October.
Defendant did not appear.
Service of the summons was proved by Police-constable Purkis, who delivered it to the defendant personally. Defendant said, "Is £2 all?"
Edward Watts stated: I am gamekeeper to Thomas Blackwell, Esq., of Harrow Weald. On Tuesday morning, the 9th inst., about a quarter before 6 o'clock, I was going round Oxhey Wood, when I heard the cry of a rabbit. I went to see what caused it, but I could not find anything or see anyone. I searched in several places without success, but from the noise made by the woodpigeons, jays, and other birds I knew that there was someone about. I went back and met my mate Richard Hatton, and told him that there was something wrong in the wood. We then sat down under an oak tree, and Crawley, the woodman, who came along at the time stayed with us. About twenty minutes past 8 o'clock six men cam out of the standing wood into the private road. They looked as wet as if they had gone through a river. I spoke to them civilly, when they used bad language, and asked what I had to do with them. I said, "I don't like the look of your clothes or your pockets: I shall see what you've got." All six of them "bolted" directly. I ran up the wood after them for about 60 years, but could not overtake the man I wanted. I could see that he had two pheasants in his pocket, and that one of the others had one pheasant. I passed the defendant, but seeing that I could not get the others, I turned back and secured him. At the moment I took him he called out, and the five men came back armed with stones, and swore that they would cut our -- heads off if we did not loose him. I would not let him go, and one of the men held up this stone (produced) and said, "Knock his -- skull with that." Hatton at that moment said, "There's Mr. Weall." Mr. Weall was coming along on horseback, and when the men saw him they bolted again. The defendant gave me the pheasant snares produced. I think there are more than a dozen. On going to the wood could trace where the men had been for 50 yards round one of the feeding places. I found the three snares produced set for pheasants. The men had caught three pheasants. I then told the defendant that I should take him to the police station, when he said, "I'll give you my name if you'll let me go." In Hamper Mill-lane he tried to get away, and he did not give me his name until we got to Wiggenhall bridge. He then said his name was Arthur Lewis, and he refused to go any farther. I sent Hatton for the police. The defendant stayed with me quietly until the police came. Oxhey Wood is the property of W.H. Smith, Esq., and Mr. Blackwell has the shooting over it.
Richard Hatton corroborated.
Fined 40s.; costs £1 2s. 6d. In default, two months' hard labour.
- Croydon's Weekly Standard, in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
Page 4, 19 Apr 1873.
POLICE COURT
TUESDAY, April 15th
Frederick Ivory, late of Newton Longville, farm bailiff, was brought up on remand, charged with unlawfully counselling, procuring, or commanding some person or persons to steal 71 tame pheasants, the property of George Elliott, at Newton Longville, in the month of January last.
William Aldworth, in continuation of his previous examination, said - Ivory's dog was taken away on the morning of the 27th of January. Some weeks before then I had some conversation with him about this dog. I saw 46 of the pheasants at Luton on the Saturday before the Monday on which I was examined before the magistrates. I identified 45 of them as part of those I lost. They were in custody of Police-constable Jaquest. I afterwards saw seven more in the custody of Superintendent Hedley, which I also identified. I also identify the pheasants' skins now produced.
Henry Davis Palmer said - I did not reply to the letter referred to in my examination on the 7th of April. In consequence of that letter Bedford Lewis, William Garner, and myself went down to Newton Longville. When we got there I stopped in the road while Lewis and Garner went to the pheasant pens. They were gone about three-quarters of an hour, and when they came back they had some pheasants in a bag and some in a slop. The pheasants were afterwards taken to a house about three-quarters of a mile before we got to Kempston. I did not know the house or the occupier. I believe the pheasants were sold at Bedford, and Garner gave me some of the money. I had about £1 altogether.
Sarah Shelston said - I live at Hertford. I remember being at St. Albans on the 25th and 26th of January last. On the morning of the 26th of January I saw my son receive a letter by post. I read the letter; it was the one now produced, dated 25th of January, and signed "F. Ivory." I received a letter on the 22th [sic] of January, which I have destroyed. It was in the same hand-writing, and was signed "F. Ivory." It was to the following effect: "Dear Madam,-If any searching enquiries are made for your son don't let them know where he is, as there have been two police at my house to-day to search for him."
Mary Pollard said - I live at St. Albans. I know Henry Davis Palmer; he is sometimes called George. On the 26th of January he and his mother were at my house. I took a letter from the postman addressed to George Davis Palmer. I gave it to Palmer, and I heard it read by him. I believe it is the letter now produced. I heard Buck Hardy read it also. I had some conversation with Ivory about two or three months before this. He said if George Davis got into any bother or disgrace he would see him right out of it.
Francis Harris said - I live at St. Albans, and am a general dealer. On the 21st of January Palmer engaged me to drive him and three others to Leighton. I brought Palmer and Garner to Leighton, but the other two got out just before we got to Dunstable. I know the prisoner; I have seen him at St. Albans, but not since last summer.
Samuel Lane said - I live at Luton. On the 21st of January I was at St. Albans, and saw Palmer there with two other men. Bedford Lewis was one. I left St. Albans with them in Mr. Harris's trap. I and Bedford Lewis got out about two miles from Dunstable. I know the prisoner, but have not seen him at St. Albans lately. I heard Palmer say he had a letter from Mr. Ivory, but I did not hear it read, and never saw it. This was some days before we started from St. Albans.
George Luke Shackshart said - I keep a beerhouse at Newton Longville. I know Henry Davis Palmer; he used to live with Mr. Ivory at Newton Longville. On the 21st of January I saw Palmer at a publichouse in Linslade, and another man was with him. On the following morning they came to my house between eight and nine o'clock. They stayed all day and left about six in the evening.
Alice Lovell, of Newton Longville, said - My house is about 200 yards from the house where Mr. Ivory used to live. I know Palmer. He used to work for Mr. Ivory. He came to my door one night this winter to ask for lodgings. He was not in Mr. Ivory's employ then. I believe it was the 22nd of January.
Charles Whitbread, beerhouse keeper, Kempston, deposed to three men (one of whom was William Garner) coming to his house with bundles about seven o'clock on the morning of the 28th of January.
Frances Garner, wife of Joel Garner, of Kempston, said - On the morning of the 28th of January, between seven and eight o'clock, I saw William Garner go across my yard. He said "I have put a bag in your barn, and will call for it some time to-day." He and a man named Worrall came with a pony and cart and took the bag away the same evening.
Alfred Welch, beerhouse keeper, Kempston, deposed to Palmer, Garner, and another man coming to his house and having some refreshment one Tuesday in January last, between nine and ten o'clock in the morning.
John Robinson, butcher, also deposed to seeing Garner, Palmer, and another man at Welch's beer-house on the morning of the 28th of January, and also to seeing Palmer at a publichouse in Bedford the next evening.
Charles Worrall, of Kempston, said - I let out a pony and trap. On Tuesday evening the 28th of January I went with William Garner and my pony and trap to Joel Garner's, and took a bag out of a barn and took it to Bedford, to the Chequers public house yard. Goddard, the ostler, and Garner took the bag out of the cart, and I left them there. I afterwards went to the Angel public-house in Bedford. William Garner was there and two other men. I do not recognise Palmer as one of them. I saw some money pass between the men; it looked like five or six pounds.
George Steabben said he bought nine pheasants of William Hardy on the 23rd of January, and afterwards gave them up to Superintendent Hedley. He identified the wings produced as the wings of the pheasants he had given up.
Superintendent Hedley produced the wings of the pheasants which he received from Mr. Steabben on the 31st of January last.
John Webber, in the employ of Mr. Matthew Wilson, butcher, Luton, said Mooring brought a hamper to Mr. Wilson's, which he afterwards gave up to Inspector Jaquest.
David Jaquest, inspector of police at Luton, deposed to receiving the hamper from Mr. Wilson's, which contained 46 pheasants, and were identified by William Aldworth as Mr. Elliott's property.
This concluded the evidence, and the prisoner was then committed to take his trial at the next assizes at Aylesbury.
Consent for bail was given, the prisoner in £200 and two sureties in £100 each.
William Hardy (alias Buck Hardy) was also charged with stealing 14 pheasants at the same place on the 14th of January.
After hearing the evidence of William Alsworth, J.D. Palmer, George Steabben, and Superintendents Hedley and Pike, the magistrates committed the prisoner for trial, but consented to take bail, himself in £40 and two sureties in £20 each.
In default of bail both prisoners were locked up.
- Herts Advertiser, in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
Page 7, 26 Jul 1873.
BUCKS ASSIZES.
AYLESBURY, JULY 19.
CROWN COURT.-(Before Baron CLEASBY.)
William Hardy, straw hat maker, was charged with receiving 14 tame pheasants, value £20, the property of George Elliott, at Newton Longville, on the 23rd January, 1873, knowing them to have been stolen. Frederick Ivory, farmer, was placed in the dock at the same time and charged with stealing, as accessory before the fact, the pheasants in question.
Mr. Merewether and Mr. Monckton prosecuted; Mr. Bullock, instructed by Mr. Annesley, of St. Alban's, defended Hardy; Mr. Graham appeared for Ivory.
In opening the case the learned counsel said Mr. Elliott succeeded the prisoner Ivory in the occupation of a farm and pheasantry, and Ivory then became his bailiff. There were some disputed accounts on the transfer of the farm, and Elliott dismissed the prisoner and took another bailiff. Ivory told the new bailiff that if Elliott did not pay some money claimed by Ivory there should be no more pheasants in Elliott's pheasantry. This was treated at the time as an idle threat; but in January last Ivory entered into arrangements with a man named Palmer to take away some of these pheasants - in plain language, to steal them. There were two dogs on the premises which knew Palmer, and consequently it was thought that it would be better for him, the dogs knowing him, to get to the pheasants. The result of the conversation, letters, &c., between Palmer and Ivory was that, on the 23rd Jan., fourteen pheasants went from prosecutor's premises. At first Palmer denied having them at all; but at last he admitted that he took them to Hardy's. I shall call Palmer before, and he will tell you the facts of the case. If it is proved that Palmer stole them at the instigation of Ivory, and Ivory took them to Hardy, then the case, I submit, must be considered proven.
William Aldworth: I am managing Mr. Elliott's farm at Newton Lonville [sic], and amongst other things I attended to his pheasants. He had 103 of them in January last, under my charge. I missed 14 of them on January 23rd. They were kept in a large enclosed pen. The pen was made of large hurdles, some of them six feet high, and made so that the pheasants could not get through them. The birds nearly all had a mark on them - a notch on the fifth feather of the right wing. They were marked before, but I marked them in addition to that. I know the prisoner Ivory. He said to me one day if Mr. Elliott didn't give him something to go away, he should not have any pheasant left there. He said so several times. I did not take much notice of it at first, as I thought it was only a boast. I had two dogs, one of which belonged to Ivory and the other to me. I had asked him to remove his dog. That was some three weeks or a month before the pheasants went. I was shown some pheasants on Monday, the 3rd of February (produced), which were mine. I know them by the mark on the wing (a notch).
Cross-examined by Mr. Bullock. I can't say if those produced are any of the 14 that I first missed. The wing has a private mark upon it. Occasionally the pheasant strayed away, and I used to catch them and bring them back. I remember the hurdle blowing from the bottom, when several got out, but only three got away.
Cross-examined by Mr. Graham: Mr. Elliott is not here to-day. We had 115 pheasants when I first went, and we have bought others since. Ivory told me more than once or twice that if Mr. Elliott did not give him more money, he should not have any more pheasants.
Did he say you should not have any "more" pheasants there? - Yes, he did; both I and Mr. Elliot too.
Witness: Ivory was there managing the farm. When I went to take his place, as bailiff, on the farm, which is about 30 or 40 acres, I wished him to get away and he went in the beginning of February, I don't know that Ivory used to buy pheasants for master. I heard Mr. Elliot say Ivory was gone to Yorkshire to buy some pheasants, but I can't tell to a few days when. I can't say if he came home on the 25th, but I am sure it was on the 25th on which I missed the pheasants.
Re-examined by Mr. Merewether: He was not at home on the 23rd when the 14 pheasants were taken.
Henry D. Palmer deposed: I am generally called "George." I live at Newton Longville, and am in the employment of Mr. Elliott, under Aldworth. I am out on bail. I was in Ivory's employment when he was at Newton. I had left when Aldworth came. Mr. Ivory occupied a small farm and this pheasant place at Newton. The pheasanty [sic] is about 200 yards from the house. The farm was between 40 and 50 acres. I was keeper for Ivory, and use to look after the pheasants. He called me George. He has written to me several times since I left his service. I saw him on the 14th of January. It was about the 8th of January I head from him. I have not the letter; I left it at Royston. On the 14th I saw him at St. Alban's. He came there to see me. He sent for me to go to the White Hart, and said that he had let his place to Mr. Elliott. He said he wished the chaps would go and fetch the pheasants away. He would give £20 for 40. I don't know what they are generally worth, but I think 14s. or 15s. He also asked if they could get a place to keep them till he fetched them. He said "Come down any time on the 21st or 22nd. I shall be at home then, and I will write and left you know." He said he would move the dogs out of the way. I know the man next me (in the dock). They call him "Buck" Hardy. I have been to his house several times. I saw him about this. Two of three of us went to Hardy's and asked him if he could get a place to put them in, and he said, "Yes." I don't remember posting a letter for Hardy. I remember him writing one, but I don't know who posted it. I can't remember the time when Hardy wrote the letter. It was some two or three days before I came to Newton. He said he was writing to Fredk. Ivory (the prisoner). I saw what he wrote. We asked him to write a letter - I and the other - (Samuel Lane, and a man I don't know.) We told him to say that we would come down to Newton Longville. He wrote it and folded it up, and put it in an envelope. I got a stamp and put on it. Somebody then took possession of it. I went part of the way to Newton on the 21st, and Samuel Lane, Wm. Garner, and "Bedford" Lewis went part of the way with me. I have not seen the two latter since. Lane is here now. We met at St. Alban's. We hired a trap of Mr. Harris, and went to Dunstable. When we got there Lane and Lewis got out, and I and Garner went on to Leighton, where we stayed till 10 or 11 o'clock. I and Garner then went on towards Newton Longville on foot. It is seven miles from Leighton. We got within a mile of Newton, when we stopped in a shed all night. In the morning we went to the Three Horse Shoes, at Newton, kept by a man named Shakeshaft. We stopped there all day till 5 or 6 in the evening. That was on the 22nd. I and Garner parted, and I went to the house where Mr. Ivory lived, and he was not at home. I was 200 or 300 yards from the pheasantry when I left Garner. We went out of the Three Horse Shoes together. I was about 9 o'clock when I went to Ivory's house. About 20 minutes after that I saw Garner. He had got several pheasants in his slop. The small pens are parted off by hurdles, the same as are round the outside, and little gates through the hurdles (made in the hurdle with hinges, the same as a door, big enough for a man to get through). If you went by the pens you would know the gates were there. I and Garner went back home. We tried to get lodgings at Newton, but failed, and then we went on to Leighton. Garner still had the slop on his back, and he carried it to Leighton. We stayed on the road that night and slept in a shed. We took train from Leighton at eight o'clock in the morning, and when we got to St. Alban's we went to "Buck" Hardy's house. Garner took the slop into Hardy's back house. He spoke to Mrs. Hardy. We had been in the public-house about half an hour before Hardy came to see us, and Garner asked if he would sell the pheasants for him, and Hardy said he would. Hardy went away and was gone two or three hours, I should think. When he came back he said he had sold them, but did not mention at what rate. He brought us some money - a sovereign and some odd shillings, out of which I got 12s., what Garner owed me and all. I paid the railway fare, some of it, and I deducted that. Garner paid me the 12s. in Hardy's presence. I don't remember when I was apprehended; but when I was in custody I made a statement in writing. Mr. Hedley took it down, and it was read out when prisoners at the bar were there. The statement was about to be read when his Lordship decided that it was not admissable [sic] as evidence.
Cross-examined by Mr. Bullock: I have lived servant at Mr. Ivory's. I recollect his pheasants. They sometimes used to go out, and it was a trouble to get them back again. I knew the private mark that we marked our pheasants with, but I kept it private. I heard Hardy asked by "Bedford" Lewis if he would find a place for the pheasants. I will undertake to swear that. I can read and write; but I thought Hardy could write better than I could. I did not see the pheasants at any time. Garner told me what was in the slop. Whatever was in the slop was dead.
Cross-examined by Mr. Graham: I had lived seven or eight months with Ivory. When Elliott took the farm I left. I knew Ivory was going to let the farm to Mr. Elliott, as he told me he thought he was going to do so. I saw him on the 14th at the White Hart. "Bedford" Lewis, I think it was, came and told me Ivory wanted to see me. The landlord was there when I went, and Ivory and others besides. Some I knew and some I didn't.
To the Judge: It was not a large room. They took part in this conversation. The landlord did not take any part in it, but he heard what was said about fetching the pheasants away and Ivory giving £20.
Cross-examination continued: I forget if Lane was there when the conversation took place. I am not prepared to swear he was not. The landlord of the White Hart is still at that house at St. Alban's. Ivory did not say if we could get 40 pheasants for him would give me £20. He told us where to fetch them from. I don't know if Ivory has been getting pheasants for Mr. Elliott. I swear I never got Ivory any pheasants from anywhere. I never poached, or took any I swear. I never had anything to do with his getting any pheasants. He has told me he bought some, but I had nothing to do with it. I have said something about getting the first lot before to-day. I swore before the magistrates that I saw Ivory at St. Alban's, and stated the conversation to them. I can read, and I read the direction on the envelope. It was addressed to F. Ivory, of Newton Longville.
Do you mean to represent to the jury that these men went and took the pheasants while you were out the house? - Yes.
Cross-examination continued: Ivory was living in the same house as Aldworth. The reason we did not go on the place that night, although we were within a mile, was because it was wet. Ivory's home is 200 yards from where these pheasants were. I heard the dog bark as I stood talking to Ivory's wife. This was about 9 at night. There are several houses a little way off. A farmer named Henley lives in one, and labouring men live in the others. The money he gave to Garner was £1 and a few odd shillings.
Why, if you had arranged to sell them for 10s. a piece to Ivory, did you sell them for about 2s. a piece in this way? - I don't know.
Re-examined by Mr. Merewether: Nothing was said about snaring pheasants. Mr. Elliott lives at Luton. Mr. Lowndes has never spoken a single word about this prosecution. I first offered to make the statement to Mr. Hedley. I went to him and asked for Mr. Elliott, and he said he couldn't get him, and if I had got anything to say I must tell it to him. He told me all I said he should write down and use for me or against me. The statement I made was read before the magistrates. Mr. Ivory was sometimes at the public-house at St. Alban's, and he went down to the station with me. The pheasants were called "them things" in the public-house.
Francis Harris said: I know the prisoners. Palmer asked me take him and three others to Dunstable, which I did. I know the other men, Lane, Lewis, and Garner. There was something said about finding a place to put pheasants in by "Farmer" Davis. Two of them went on to Leighton, and two got out at Dunstable. After that I went home.
Samuel Lane: I am a carpenter at Luton, and was at St. Alban's on the 21st of January. I got out near Dunstable, and Lewis got out with me.
Cross-examined by Mr. Bullock: Hardy was not there.
Cross-examined by Mr. Graham: I heard Palmer say he had been offered £20 for 40 "wired" birds by Ivory, and by that he meant wild birds.
Re-examined: Palmer told me he was going to steal those pheasants at Newton Longville. I left two in the cart. I know Lewis and Palmer, but I did not know Garner's name. Three men were left in the cart.
Thomas Shakeshaft: I live at Newton Longville. I was at a house at Leighton on the 21st of January, and I saw Palmer and another man - shorter than Palmer. He might be 34 or 35 years of age. I saw them at my home the next morning. That was between eight and nine o'clock, and they stopped till five or six in the evening, when they went away.
Cross-examined by Mr. Bullock: Hardy was not amongst them.
Alice Lovell: I know Palmer, and remember hearing a talk about the pheasants. He came to my house for lodgings at half-past nine at night. That was the same night he left Shakeshaft. He asked for lodgings for "us."
Mr. Steabben: I am a butcher and poultry dealer at St. Alban's. Hardy came to my shop on the 23rd January, about half-past five in the evening, and asked me if I was the buyer of any pheasants. He produced nine, and wanted 4s. each. They were dead. I gave him 27s. and a piece of beef steak worth 6d. I sold two of the pheasants, and the rest I gave to Superintendent Hedley. I did not know Hardy's name. I was shown him afterwards, and when I said he was the man he said I had made a mistake.
Cross-examined by Mr. Bullock: I noticed nothing peculiar about these birds. I thought there was nothing wrong. He did not seem inclined to sell them at less than their full value. I don't know what led Hardy to say I had made a mistake. Mr. Pike asked me if I could identify the prisoner as the man who sold me the pheasants. I have not bought pheasants of Hardy before. I do not get birds in this way. I thought the man had a right to sell the pheasants, or I should not have bought them. I do not do a great deal in game.
Re-examined: It was I that he said had made a mistake.
Superintendent Hedley: On the 31st January I got the seven pheasants from the last witness, and showed them to Aldworth. I knew the marks before I went to get them. I did not say it would be better for the man if he would make the statement. He said he did not see he should suffer for the lot, and if I would send for Mr. Elliott he would tell him all about it. I told him to be careful.
Cross-examined by Mr. Graham: It is false to say I held out an inducement to the man. I have known Ivory at Newton Longville. I knew he was in a good position before he came there. I don't know why Mr. Elliott dismissed the man.
Re-examined: Mr. Elliott had nothing to do with it at all. Aldworth has been prosecuting all the time.
Superintendent Pike, of St. Alban's. I sent for Hardy and told him I had reason to believe he was concerned with Lewis and others in stealing some pheasants in January, and selling nine of them to Mr. Steabben. He said he had never been to the shop. I asked Mr. Steabben if he should know who sold the pheasants, and he said, looking at Hardy, "That's the man," and pointed to him. Hardy said "You're quite mistaken." Afterwards prisoner asked me to go to his cell. He said, "I have no more to do with stealing those pheasants than you have." I said, "But you know something of the person you had them from." I cautioned him, and he made and signed a statement which was read before the magistrates.
Mr. Graham addressed the jury on behalf of Ivory, and submitted that there was no corroboration of the evidence against him, as he went away before the first lot was taken, and did not return till the second lot was taken. There was no evidence against him as he was not at home when they were stolen. Counselling was not stealing, and there was no evidence that he actually took part in stealing.
His Lordship thought otherwise.
Mr. Graham, on the other point, submitted that there was no corroboration of the statement that he did counsel the offenders.
The Judge: There is no other other proof of his being there?
Mr. Graham: No, my lord.
Mr. Merewether: Corroboration is not essential.
An adjournment then took place. On the Court re-assembling, the objection of Mr. Graham was overruled, and Mr. Merewether addressed the jury for the prosecution.
Mr. Graham then spoke on behalf of the prisoner Ivory: Mr. bullock appealed to the jury on the part of Hardy; and the Judge summed up, remarking that there ought not to be so much reliance placed upon the evidence of a man who was criminal himself, and, as the learned counsel had told them, possibly some better evidence might have been obtained of the prisoner Ivory going to St. Alban's. The case against Hardy was that he received them knowing them to have been stolen. They must be of the opinion that he received them knowing them to be tame pheasants, in order to convict him.
The jury retired, and after an absence of 40 minutes, they returned with a verdict of guilty against both prisoners.
Frederick Ivory was then again charged with counselling, procuring, or commanding some person or persons to steal, take, and carry away 57 tame pheasants, the property of Geo. Elliott, at Newton Longville, on the 28th of January; and William Hardy (out on bail), Robert Goddard (out on bail), 31, ostler, William Mooren (out on bail), and Chas. Shaen (out on bail), were charged with having, at Newton Longville, on the 28th of January last, received 57 live time pheasants, value £57, the property of George Elliott.
The same counsel prosecuted; Mr. Graham defended Ivory; and Mr. Bullock, instructed by Mr. Annesley, defended the prisoners Hardy, Goddard, Mooren, and Shaen.
Prisoner Ivory was found guilty, and the others were acquitted. Ivory was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, and Hardy to two months.
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