QSR1886/1/5/4-5

Depositions of Alice Gray, minor of Luton, David Jaquest, Head Constable of the Borough Police Force, Thomas Henry Daniels, of Bute Street, Bedford, Daniel Burgess of Luton, Charles Harries, police sergeant of Luton, William Robinson Raban of Wellington Street, Luton and John Stanton, detective of Luton Bourgh Police Force. In the case of William Jarvis & Edward Cattell accused of passing counterfeit coin.

30 December 1885

From: 1885 To: 1886

Alice Gray: 11 years old and residing in High Town Road in Luton. On 18 December she had been going up Bute Street from school to home. She saw Edward Cattell standing outside the Liberal Club. He called to her and gave her something in a piece of paper and asked her to buy some Birds Eye tobacco. She went to Mr Daniels’ shop, asked for the tobacco and then gave him the money in the paper. Mr Daniels looked at the money and asked who had sent her, to which she replied a gentleman outside. Mr Daniels came out of the shop with her and she pointed out the man to him. Daniels spoke to the prisoner who said he was from London looking for work. Thomas Henry Daniels: a tobacconist with a shop at 42 Bute Street. On 18 December Alice Gray went into his shop and another customer came in at the same time. He spoke to Gray first and her witness statement was correct. He examined the money and saw it was bad. Gray told him she had been sent by a man outside and showed him the man who was lame. He asked the man if he had sent Gray to the tobacconist and the man denied it. Daniels said he would advise the police and they all went to the plait hall. On the way the man said he would go no further as he had business. Daniels told him it was only a few more steps and they went onto the Plait hall saw Sergeant Stanton who took the coin. After waiting at the station Daniels said he would take Gray home and the prisoner Jarvis followed him to the railway steps. Daniels met Gray’s father and told him why she was late. Daniels returned and told the police that Jarvis had followed him all the way and was now at Chapel Corner. Daniel Burgess: a porter at Mr Linsell’s warehouse in George Street, Luton. On 18 December he saw the 2 prisoners in George Street and they stopped against Mr Hucklesby’s. The tall one struck a light and lit a cigar, the other waited whilst he did so. They walked towards the Town Hall. Charles Haines: he was in the office on 18 December when Cattell was brought in and a crowd soon collected. Mr Daniels came in twice and the second time he described Jarvis. He put on plain clothes and went out. He found Jarvis peering round the corner of a nearby warehouse. He asked Jarvis what he was waiting for. He asked Jarvis what he was waiting for and declared himself as a police officer. Jarvis said he ought to be known to Haines said he had been in Luton long enough and gave his name as Jarvis. He took Jarvis in and showed Cattell but both declared themselves strangers to one another. Thomas Ralley: resided in High Street, High Town. On 24 December he was in Church Street with his brother and he saw a piece of paper in the old stone wall opposite Bigg’s dye works. He pulled it out and found it full of money. There were 6 large pieces like sovereigns and 10 like half sovereigns. He gave them to his father. William Robinson Raban: a watchmaker in Wellington Street, Luton. On 19 December, Detective Stanton brought him a counterfeit half sovereign. He examined it and found it to be pewter and about half the weight of a standard half sovereign. Six imitation sovereigns and 10 half sovereigns were bought to him on 29 December and were of similar metal and weight to the first one. John Stanton: a detective officer in the Luton Police Force. On 18 December he was at the police station when Cattell was brought in by Daniels. Daniels said the little girl had brought the coin to his shop. Cattell said he had not sent the girl but Gray (the girl) said he had. He searched Cattell and found he had no bad money on him. He later searched Jarvis and one found good money. Both men were charged and continued to say they did not know each other. On examining the coins handed to him by Ralley he found 2 of them to bear the same date and the one given to Daniels. Statement of the accused: Cattell – perfect innocent Jarvis – he was perfectly innocent of the charge.

item

Jarvis, William,
Cattell, Edward,
Jaquest, David,
Daniels, Thomas Henry,
Burgess, Daniel,
Harries, Charles,
Raban, William Robinson,
Stanton, John,
Ralley, Thomas,
Gray, Alice

LUTON, BEDFORD, passing counterfeit coin, police officer, watchmaker, tobacconist