QSR1871/2/5/6

Depositions and examination - Charles Fountain charged with stealing 104lbs of coal value 9d from William Line of Dunstable

29 March 1871

From: 1871 To: 1871

William Line – he occupies premises in Edward Street, Dunstable. There were some coals he had left there near the road on 22nd March. Fountain was in his employment on that date. He had no right to take coals away. His coal was Cannock and Rugeley like that produced. William Culverhouse – he lives in Manchester Place and can see William Line’s coal yard from his windows. On 22 March at 5.30am he saw a lad come from the main road and fill his barrow with coals from Mr Line’s. He believes the defendant is the lad. It was about 50 yards away. The lad took the coal in the direction of West Street. Louisa Fountain – she is the mother of the defendant and lives up West Street in Houghton parish. She sent him in the morning of 22 March to bring half a hundredweight of coal. She did not give him the money but told him his master (Line) was to stop it from his wages. She never had any coals in that way before. Her son brought the coal on the same day. He put it down in the cellar. The police fetched it away from there. William Addington, police sergeant – he apprehended Fountain and charged him with stealing the coals. Fountains said “I never stole them they were sold”. He told Fountain there was a great quantity missing and he said “I never had them all”. He received some coal from Fountain’s mother of which that produced is a sample. It weighed 104lbs and was separate in a corner. There was other coal in the cellar. Charles Fountain – he asked the prosecutor’s son for a hundred of coal and he said he could have it when he liked. He forgot it that night and fetched it early in the morning. For the Defence -------------------- William Line - he is the son of the prosecutor. Fountain never mentioned anything to him about having or taking any coal. Fountain was at work with him on the 21st. He never heard him speak about any coal.

item

Fountain, Charles,
Line, William,
Fountain, Louisa,
Addington, William,
Culverhouse, William

DUNSTABLE, HOUGHTON REGIS, Dunstable Edward Street, Dunstable Manchester Place, Houghton Regis West Street, stealing, coal, police sergeant