QSR1886/4/5/8

Depositions of Jonas Harris, labourer of Great Barford, John Collins Mayhew, labourer of Great Barford, Pynsent Counchman Smith, surgeon of Bedford Infirmary, Richard William Gordon, police constable and James Watts, police constable of Great Barford. In the case of Joseph Campbell accused of attempting to murder himself.

18 September 1886

From: 1886 To: 1886

Jonas Harris: on 25 August he was in a field between Barford and Roxton near the St Neots road. He saw the prisoner, between 2 and 3pm, run his head against the gate post. The defendant did this 2 or 3 times. Mayhew was with Harris and they went up to the field and saw the prisoner lying in a ditch on the side of the road with a gash in his throat. Campbell did not speak and they did not touch him. Blood was coming from the wound in his throat. He went back to the defendant with PC Watts and helped him into a cart. John Collins Mayhew: he was at work with Jonas Harris when they saw the prisoner run against the gate post. He ran against it with his head down. They found the prisoner lying on the bank on the other side of the road. The prisoner was lying on his side with his throat cut and bleeding. He asked him what he had been doing but he made no reply. The knife produced lie close to him with fresh blood on it. He washed Campbell’s face and he began to talk. He helped the constable get the prisoner into a cart. James Watts: Jonas Harris came to him and in consequence of what was said, he got a cart and went with him to where the prisoner lay. Mayhew and a man called Blofield were there. Mayhew gave him the knife which had fresh blood on it. Blofield said to the prisoner “what made you do this Joe”. The prisoner said he had been to Bedford and they had robbed him of him money and herrings”. They put him in a cart and took him to Bedford Infirmary. Pynsent Counchman Smith: a house surgeon at Bedford Infirmary. He saw the prisoner at the Infirmary on 25 August where he was suffering from a wound to the throat. The wound was 3 inches long and bleeding. The wound may have been self inflicted by the knife produced. After his admission he had an attack of delirium tremens. Richard William Gordon: on 256 August he found the prisoner about 1am in Midland Road, Bedford. The prisoner could not walk and he took him to the police station. The prisoner did not appear to be under the influence of drink. Dr Robinson’s assistant, Mr Lloyd, examined him. The prisoner dashed about the cell. He was taken to the magistrate, discharged and told to leave the town. Gordon saw the prisoner go up the St Neots Road. Statement of the accused: he was walking along and came across funny.

5 pages

item

Campbell, Joseph,
Harris, Jonas,
Mayhew, John Collins,
Smith, Pynsent,
Gordon, Richard William,
Watts, James,
Blofield

Great Barford, suicide, surgeon, Bedford Infirmary, BEDFORD