QSR1877/4/5/2/a

Depositions and examination - John Stevenson charged with obtaining £1 from Thomas Balmforth by false pretences at Luton on 2 February 1877

26 September 1877

From: 1877 To: 1877

Thomas Balmforth of Chapel Street, Luton – he is an engineer. He has known Stevenson some time. On 1 Febuary 1877 Stevenson came to his house and said he was to see about putting in an air pipe at the waterworks at St Albans and also to see Dicksons at St Albans the millers as they were going to have a new engine and boiler. Stevenson always represented Galloways at Manchester when he came to see him. Stevenson told him on this occasion that he was going to the station to see the young governor. Stevenson later came back to his house and in the evening went off to St Albans. He saw him again on the evening of the 2nd. Stevenson pulled out a piece of paper and wrote on it £470 and asked him if he thought Dicksons of St Albans were good enough to trust for that amount. He said he did not know and would enquire. Stevenson said he could get the information at St Albans. Stevenson said that when he was in the office at Dicksons the millers he saw a letter on the desk from another firm but could not see the figure and would like to know the price as he was very anxious to get the order. When Stevenson left he said he did not have enough money to pay his hotel and railway fare home and asked to borrow a sovereign. He lent him one. He would not have done so if he had not believed Stevenson was the representative of Galloways. He also believed the statements as to Dicksons. He has not seen Stevenson since. [Cross-examined] He had been in the habit of staying at Stevenson’s house and treated him as a friend. They spent the last evening together at the Bull where they met the engineer of the Luton Waterworks. All the time he has known Stevenson he pretended to travel for Galloways. Walter Dickson of George Street, St Albans (Herts) – he is a miller and one of the firm of E Dickson and sons. On 1st February they were not in treaty with Galloway’s for an engine nor at any time. He does not know that he ever saw the prisoner until now. It is not true that Stevenson came to their firm on 2 February about an engine. He is sure they did not want an engine last February. James Ellam of Manchester, clerk at Messrs Galloways – he is private clerk to Mr Galloway. He does not know Stevenson, who has not been in Galloways employ during the 6 years he has been with them. They have had letters this year and last about a person representing himself as belonging to their firm. John Stevenson - he has nothing to say.

item

Stevenson, John,
Balmforth, Thomas,
Dickson, Walter,
Ellam, James,
Dicksons

LUTON, Luton Chapel Street, St Albans, Manchester, engineer, clerk