QSR1841/1/5/16

Depositions and examination - John Francis charged with stealing straw

24 November 1840

From: 1840 To: 1841

Henry Smalley of Luton, police constable - he was sent for by Thomas Waller on Monday 23 November. He had lost 4 bundles of straws from his barn. From information received he went to Francis' house where he found a bundle of straw and 3 pieces of a bundle. It appeared exactly like Waller's straw. He took Francis into custody. Before he told him why Francis said "I have not taken anything from Mr Waller I don't know whether he has lost anything". In the evening Sarah Dawes came to him. He went to her house and found a bundle of straw. William Rodwell identified it as Mr Waller's. William Rodwell of Tring (Herts), straw drawer - he had been drawing Mr Waller's straw. On Saturday, which was his last day, he drew a quantity of straws and tied them up . He knows the bundle he was shown by the police is one of the bundles he tied - it has a peculiar tie. Francis was employed at Mr Waller's to assist him in drawing the straws Sarah Dawes of Luton, charwoman - on Monday morning Francis called and asked if neighbour Bigg was at home. Francis had a parcel of straw to leave for him. She said he could leave it in her house. After hearing something she went to the police.

item

Francis, John,
Smalley, Henry,
Waller, Thomas,
Rodwell, William,
Dawes, Sarah,
Bigg

LUTON, Tring, stealing, straw, straw worker, charwoman, police constable