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Leader (1850-1860), 1st August 1857, Edition 2 of 2, Page 9, • ^¦¦~.a ™« i.iw.1 w ^^^ - ^ J3'V a 'QSJ...

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      OUR CI _ VrLTZATIOX TRIAL AND CONVICTION OF BACON . Thomas Fuller Bacon , who was recently tried at Son for the murder of his children of which crime " he was acquitted , was charged at the Lincoln Assizes last Saturday with administering arsenic to his mother , JSfli taSm / to kill her . Mr / Mellor , Q . C ., who conducted th e prosecution , decided on proceeding on this SdYctment rather than ' on that which charged murder The trial was to have taken place the previous dayj but Dr . Taylor , one of the witnesses , being absent on another trial , ' the case against JBacon could not be proceeded with . The Judge ( Mr . Justice Erie ) felt in considerable perplexity , and was obliged to postpone the inquiry . In the meanwhile , a telegraphic message was sent to Dr . Taylor by the Judge , commanding him to attend , and adding that if he neglected it would be at his peril . Accordingly , on Saturday he was present , and the case proceeded . Bacon pleaded Not Guilty , and during the whole of the trial he was weeping . The facts lay in rather a small compass . On Sunday , the 13 th of May , 1855 , the mother of Bacon dined with her son , the accused , who was at that time living at Stamford . She was seized with illness shortly after dinner ; was taken home ; got worse for a time ; recovered on the Monday ; became very ill again on the Tuesday , and died that night . Thomas Bacon and his wife ( the woman acquitted of the charge of murdering her children an the ground of insanity , and now confined as a lunatic ) 1 were about the elder Mrs . Bacon ' s bed , and Bacon often administered her medicines to her . At one time , he referred his -wife to a bottle on the dressing-table , and said he thought his mother had better have some of its contents . Immediately after the death , removed a square bottle—" not an ordinary medicine bottle , " one of the Witnesses said—which contained some -whitish fluid ; and at the same time he remarked , " This is of no use now ; I may as well take it away . " William Bacon , a brother of Thomas , was also about the house during the illness , together with his wife ; and they found that , on the Monday preceding the day of the death , Thomas had possessed himself of his mother ' s rent book . He said it was his right , but he was reproved for taking it by his brother William . Old Mrs . Bacon owned several houses , which Thomas seems to have thought Would become his property on his mother ' s death . It turned out , however , that the property was diyided among the rest of the children . Some months previously , Bacon sent a boy to a chemist ' s for arsenic , alleging that he wanted it to harden iron ( he was a whitesmith ) jjbut he was refused . Subsequently , only eight days before his mother ' s death , he obtained one ounce of the poison , this time applying for it in person , and signing the chemist's book . He said he required it for killing rats . His mother , during- her illness , suffered immense pain , being afflicted by severe vomiting , purging , twitching of the ¦ n erves , and stiffness of the limbs—all symptoms of arsenical poisoning ; and , on the body being exhumed last February , and analysed by Dr . Taylor and Mr . Jackson , arsenic , to the extent of three quarters of a grain , was found in the coats of the stomach , the spleen , kidneys , liver , gall-bladdera , & c . With respect to the allegation about the rats , a witness was examined , who eaid that , during seven years when he had lived in Bacon ' s house , he had only seen two rats there . This was the case for the prosecution . For the defence , it was contended that Bacon was being persecuted by prejudice ; that there was no proof that he had administered the arsenic ; that he really had bought the poison to destroy rats ; and that it was more probable that the crime was committed by Thomas Bacon ' s wife than by Bacon himself . It was urged that tho woman had been proved to bo afflicted by what ia called homicidal monomania , and Bacon ' s counsel proposed to call a witness to show that she had been acquitted of the charge of murdering her children simply on the ground of insanity . The Judge , however , thought thisevidonco Irrelevant , and it was therefore not received . His Lorduhip having summed up , tho jury retired for five minutes , and returned a verdict of Guilty . Judgment of death was then recorded .

      The Assizes. Enoch Jordan, Brickmaker; R...

      THE ASSIZES . Enoch Jordan , brickmaker ; Richard AHsop , blacking manufacturer ; Henry Black , Alexander Macdonald , and George Williams , labourers , have been tried at Lincoln for a burglary at tho dwelling houso of Mr . Pindar Worth , at Scothorn , on tho 18 th of May . Tho facts appeared in tho Leader of May 28 rd , Tho affair was chiefly remarkable for the courage of tho oldest of tho young ladies , who declared that thorobbcrssliould not hurt her parents . The men were heavily armed , and uttered threats of what they would do if an alarm wore given , On Miss Worth bogging to have a locket containing her mother ' s hair returned to her , one of tho in on broke it off * tho chuin , and throw it to hor . Shortly afterwards , two of tho men left to go into the next room ; whereupon , Miaa Worth said to thorn , Lot mo go first , or tho ( U ) l ) d . ren will be frightened . " Thin she wna allowed to < J ° ? Jordan liad boon „ In Mr , Worth's eeryico several yoara ago . He and tho others were found Guilty . Black and Allaop , who woro tlckot-of-loavo nion , wore sentenced to twenty yours' penal oorvitudo - tho real ; to fourteen years ,

      Robert Ivatt and four other men were tried by Lord Campbell at Cambridge for an assault on the police on the 3 rd of last April , the day of polling at the last general election for the county . On that occasion , a mob had assembled after four o ' clock and had proceeded to demolish and remove the hustings , there being a notion that the populace are by custom , if not by law , entitled to appropriate that property . The police , by order of the magistrates , had interfered to protect the hustings , and in the discharge of that duty had sustained great personal injury , and were driven back to tae station , where a savage attack was made by the mob upon them and the station , so th-it in self-defence the police were obliged to resort to firearms . It was not till a late hour , and after the station had been all but demolished , that peace and quiet were restored . Among the mob , all the prisoners had been seen . At the suggestion of Lord Campbell , the case was compromised . The defendants plea Jed Guilty , and were simply required to enter into their own recognizances for their future good behaviour . This was done , and they were discharged . , „ . Joseph Vaughan , John Harrison , John AHsop , and Henry Jones , were tried at Stafford for an attack on John Smith , a tollbar keeper at Whitgrave . He was awakened early on the morning- of Sunday , the 12 th of July , by his window being broken by a stone , and , looking out , he saw the four prisoners , who are tailors . They appeared to be ' out on a lark . ' Smith dressed himself , and followed them , demanding payment for the broken window , when they attacked him with great ferocity , and finally left him insensible in a ditch , with a broken rib . A man named Skelton , who was passing by exhibited great courage in defending Smith ; but he also was attacked . However , finally he got Smith into the tollbar house , whence he was removed to the Stafford Infirmary , and his life for some days was despaired of . All the prisoners were found Guilty , and were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment . Mr . Baron Martin highly eulogized the conduct of Skelton , and , on finding that the statute made no provision for rewarding such a man , gave him 21 . out of his own pocket . Stephen Fox has been found Guilty at Maidstone of the murder of Mary Ann Hadley , a girl to whom he had been engaged to be married , but whom he shot m the streets of Canterbury on finding that she had determined on breaking off the match . He was sentenced to death . Samuel Baker , a publican , was tried at Maidstone for the wilful murder of Edward M'Carroll , a young lieutenant in the 44 th Regiment , staying , at the time in question , at Walmei ; Barracks , near Deal . On the night of the 29 th of March , M'Carroll went , while intoxicated , to the house kept by Baker , and , on being refused liquor on credit , abused Mrs . Baker , and knocked some of her teeth out . The exasperated husband , on hearing of this , followed M'Carroll with a poker in his hand , and beat him so severely about the head that his skull was fractured , and he died . The defence was that , under the circumstances of provocation , the crime only amounted to manslaughter ; and of tlm Baker was found Guilty . Sentence was deferred . Richard Many , a corn-dealer , has been found Guilty at Exeter of forging a bill of exchange for 70 / ., which he got cashed at the Devon and Cornwall Bank at Kingsbridge , where he had kept an account for many years . Ho afterwards called at the bank , and confessed the forgery , adding that he then felt his mind relieved . He was sentenced to six years' penal servitude . Charles Ohumley , a waterman , has been found Guilty at Maidstone of manslaughter in causing the death of Elizabeth Jones , a girl of light character , with whom ho had a quarrel ending in his striking her a blow on tho head with n broom . He was sentenced to four years penal servitude . George Parker has been tried at the same Assizes for shooting at Mary Ann Eliza Taylor ^ They had been engaged to bo married , but quarrelled , and Parker , being jonlous of tho girl , fired a pistol at hor , and slightly wounded hor with a knife . Ho wna Acquitted ; but tho Judge ordoiod him to find sureties to keep the peace for two years .

      A Strange Tale Of Wedded Life. James Hay...

      A STRANGE TALE OF WEDDED LIFE . James Hayo , a mastqr mariner at South Shields , married in 1851 a person in his own station of life , and for some yours lived with hor on the most affectionate terms . In October , 1855 ( thoy had then one child ) , Mr . Hnys was engaged to navigate a vessel to Constantinople and Balaklava , and , previously to starting , ho took for his wife a email grocery shop , and also scoured to her tho payment of half his wages during tho time ho should bo absent . Furthermore , ho niado arrangements with a relative to pay her an allowance in money . Tho husband and wife parted apparently with tho utmost sorrow pn both sidoa . While staying for a short timo in London before starting for Bulaklavn , Mr . Hays rocoivod from liis wife a lottor , in which slie said she had been very unhappy slnco ho had left , and aukod whether she might not shut up tho shop for a . woels , and go to London to boo him . To tlii « t ' no husband replied in ft lottor of admirable fij & Ving « n 4 good , eenije , in which ho said : —" You . w © H know how gladly * 1 > ° r < J » d » ly , I would wjsji you wU \ mo f 0 r I atn euro I enjoy no real ploafluro uo- ttnpp | n 0 M but only in your dear company , Mv Coolings jiloud hard for you ; but what to do in this matter I roally do not know . Our weUurq and future

      happiness depend upon our economy . We careful , although the wish is at variance with our fond and deep feelings for each other . I cannot say no to your very natural request to come to me , nor dare I say yes when I consider how we are circumstanced . n nrn * if you cannot be reconciled without co * --at home if you have strength o * - ^ " ^ s ' bu Jf S ^ come , there will be tb- pain of parting from eacn 0 £ her again repe ^ tCu , and I can assure you the excited state of Hiy mind has , with me hardly worn off since I bade you farewell at home . " Several other very affectionate notes passed between the couple , and in one of them the husband says : —" I would fain have you here , if it could only he managed cleverly , for I feel a great miss of you . If you come , come quickly . " It would seem , however , that she did not come to London , after all , and in due time the vessel departed for the East . In October , 1856 , Mr . Hays returned ; but , in the meanwhile , a Mr . Briscoe , a gentleman of fortune , had seduced the wife . Mr . Briscoe was at that time a married man , but his wife has died since . He had children and grandchildren ; and he seems to have effected the ruin of Mrs . Hays by a liberal use of money . On one occasion , he threw to her carelessly a 100 / . note . In the mouth preceding the return of her husband , he induced her to shut up her shop , to leave South Shields , and to live in lodgings which he took for her at Sedgefield , where she passed as Mrs . Briscoe . Even while she remained at South Shields , however , the intimacy subsisting between her and Mr . Briscoe was notorious ; and it . continued after the removal . They subsequently went to Newcastle , and , on the 7 th of last February , were married at Bishop Wearmouth , and then lived permanently together . On the 9 th of March , the woman gave birth to an infant . Mr . Hays , on arriving at Leith on his return home , received a letter from his wife , stating that she had given up the shop , and had gone to live in a situation where she could keep herself and child . He could learn nothing , however , of where she had gone . In October , he met Mr . Briscoe at the Bath Hotel , South Shields , and asked him if he knew where his wife was ; but he said he did not—he only wished he did . It was not until last May that Mr . Hays received some information that his wife was living at Sedgefield , where he went in company with a policeman in search of her . There he found her and Mr . Briscoe living together , and the former told him that she was married to Mr . Briscoe . In saying this , she burst into tears . Mr . Hays then gave her into custody on a charge of bigamy . An action for adultery was brought last week at the Durham Assizes against Mr . Briscoe by the injured husband . Before the evidence was given , however , the defendant ' s counsel consented to . a verdict for 150 / . Mr . Pickering ( who appeared for the plaintiff ) then said : — " Your Lordship and the jury-will understand that the acceptance by the plaintiff of this verdict is quite bond f ide and without collusion . There are many painful circumstances which would be disclosed if the evidence were gone into—painful as well to the witnesses as to the parties . " Mr . Baron Watson replied : —" There can be no doubt about the bona fides of the plaintilf . He has brought this action , and has indicted the woman for bigamy . This is a very painful case—extremely so . I have attended to Mr . Pickering ' s opening , which showed a very strong affection between the plaintiff and his wife . How the lady came to change her views so very suddenly , I don ' t know . " The wife was afterwards tried and found Guilty ol bigamy . She was sentenced to a month ' s imprisonment .

      Trading On Virtue.— A Woman Named Cather...

      Trading on Virtue . — A woman named Catherine Brown has boon examined at tho Westminster policecourt in connexion with a singular series of frauds . She was in the habit of going to various Roman Catholic c lergymen , and of saying that she and hor twin sister wore living at a house of ill fame in Charles-street , from which thoy were dosirpus of escaping , being disgusted with their mode of life , but in the meanwhile required a small sum to enable thom to procure food and lodging . Having obtained this , the presumed penitent would go , and be hoard of no more . On ono occasion , after obtaining money from a reverend gentlemen , tho woman left , and absolutely returned in the character of tho nllogod siater , with what success does not appear . It now turns out that the disreputable house alluded to does not exist . Brown was romandod . AnouoxiOK . —John Aarons , a young inun of twontytwo , is under remand nt Worship-street , on a charge of abducting a girl , between fifteen and sixteen , namort Rebecca . Pass . It would scorn that tho girl ' s conduct had been irrogular for some timo pnot , and her aunt , with whom sho had been staying , sent her home to her father . Aarons then went to the fathors house , and aaid tho aunt was willing to take hor back , ami had sent him for her . They left together , but it woa soon discovered that she had beon Jnvolglod avay . Aawns wo . 3 U » OF « foro arrowed ., but the q « bo ia not yet coinplotctl . * A Litkuahy Suxoii > i 5 . ~ 0 no Wednesday «» £ ril 0 () n ' in tho early part of last Juno , a person named ™ om ™ Barrett , a , Manchester wnrohousoman , wont tatoft Spa-road public baths , and was shortly "tongrds £ « z & r-r ^; ^ = SSS S « S 35 ! & £# 3 » - *

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 1, 1857, page 9, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_01081857/page/9/