HF147/2/582a

Depositions of David Yates, coachman to Mr Barnett of Stratton Park, George Kettle, butler to Mr Barnett and Ebenezer Cain, police constable at Biggleswade. Regarding accident on the Great North Road caused by William Kitchiner junr, baker of Potton Road, Biggleswade. David Yates states 'On the 29th Jan'y about eleven at night I was driving with a pair of horses & close carriage with 2 ladies inside from Arlesey to Stratton Park. On going thro' Biggleswade I came over the Railway Bridge & up the back lane - I drove about 6 miles an hour - As I was just getting out of the Back lane I heard a cart coming from the direction of Baldock - I got clear out of the back lane on to the near side of the north road within 2 ft or 2 1/2 ft of the footpath. The cart was coming at the rate of from 10 to 12 miles an hour - his near shaft ran into the chest of my near horse and killed it. I saw the cart from 10 to 12 yards in front of me and called out. The night had been dark but was lighter at the time, I could see to drive without lights. No answer was made when I called out - I called out a second time when I was run into - I sat on my box expecting the horse to plunge - it did not & I found shortly after that it was dead...' George Kettle was riding on the box and corroborates Yates. Ebenezer Cain states 'I was on duty with PS Bransom on the 30th January 1875 at Biggleswade and assisted him in tracing the track of a cart wheel from the London Road where a Horse was lying dead belonging to Charles Barnett Esq. We traced the wheels to William Kitchiner senr Baker of Anchor End Biggleswade...we went in to the yard and on examining cart I found the near shaft cover'd with Blood & Flesh for about 2 feet up it we then went to William Kitchiner jnur, Potton Road Biggleswade Baker and called him up I asked him where he had been to yesterday Afternoon he said to Stotfold I asked him what time he got Home he said about a quarter to 9. I said did you have an accident on the road he said no I said are you sure he said oh yes I did I got in to the Ditch at Stotfold I then asked him if that was all that Happen'd to him he said yes that is all I said it is no use you deneying it we have been and examined your cart and it is coverd with blood you have run in to Mr Barnnetts carrage and killed on of his Horses he then said I am very sorry it can not be helpt now' Fined £3 with 7/6 costs.

24 February 1875

From: 1875 To: 1875

English

item

Yates, David,
Kettle, George,
Cain, Ebenezer,
Kitchiner, William,
Barnett, Charles

Great North Road, animal drawn vehicles, driving offences, butler, police constables, bakers, coachman, BIGGLESWADE