QSR1887/4/5/3,4b

Depositions of James Chalkley, miller of Welwyn, George Battens of 18 Hightown Road, Luton, John Stonebridge, foreman porter of Luton, PC Charles Chamberlain of Luton, Charles Rogers, police inspector Luton and PC William Tatman of Luton. In the case of Amos Fowler & William Lawson accused of stealing and receiving stolen flour.

30 July 1887

From: 1887 To: 1887

James Chalkley: a miller carrying our business in Welwyn. The prisoner, Fowler, had been in his employment for 4 or 5 years as a carman. His custom was to send truck loads of flour from the mill to Luton GNR station. It was Fowlers duty to deliver it out from Luton to the customers on the written orders. Fowler had no authority to sell the flour. On 22 July they had 4 sacks left at the station and he had sent 28 more, making 32 sacks. Fowler was given orders to deliver 5. When they were counted there were only 26 sacks remaining. He was present when they were counted. Fowler could not account for the sack. The sack later produced was his and bore his name. [cross examination] Fowler would not give receipts and private sales were not allowed. Fowler had not sold a sack before and on the Monday, he had no business being at the station. George Battens: he worked for his father a cow keeper and knew Lawson. On Monday between 2 and 3pm he had been on the railway bridge and met Lawson. Lawson asked him to fetch him a bag of stuff and pointed towards the railway station. He initially said no but was promised sixpence. Lawson said he must fetch a bag to put it in and he fetched his mule and cart to the bottom of the railway steps at GNR. Lawson was waiting and after 5 or 10 minutes Fowler came up and they went into the yard. Battens followed. They stopped him went on 20 yards to a truck and fetched a large sack which was white and floury looking. Fowler carried it and put the sack in Battens cart with Lawson undoing the tailgate. Battens took the sack to a house in high Street, High Town and Lawson met him at the door and took the sack into the house. He was not paid the sixpence. He since found out that it was Lawson’s lives at that house. John Stonebridge: foreman of goods at the Goods Yard at GNR, Luton. He knew Fowler, and sometime between 1pm and 3pm he came into the yard and went to Mr Chalkley’s truck and took a sack of flour. Fowler put it in a cart. He did not take any notice of the other man. PC Charles Chamberlain: on 28 July he searched Lawson’s house and found a sack of flour in a cupboard in the backroom. It was with another sack. She went to the police station and saw Lawson and told him what had been found. Lawson was asked to account for it and replied he had paid 24 shillings for it. Lawson was asked if he had a receipt and he said he had one but had made use of it. The name of Chalkley was on the sack. Police Inspector Charles Rogers: he apprehended Fowler on a warrant. Fowler said the charges were false and he only delivered flour to bakers who had placed orders. Lawson was also brought into the station and was charged with receiving stolen goods. Fowler said to Lawson “didn’t you tell me you wanted that sack for Mr Giltrow up High Town?” Lawson replied he had not said that. Rogers was present when the flour was found in Lawson’s house. On the way the station Fowler had said he did not know Lawson. PC William Tatman: he was in charge of the lock up. Lawson told him he wanted to speak the truth and Tatman said he would take it down in writing. The statement was taken down by Tatman and read and signed by Lawson. Statement of William Lawson: On Monday he had been going up Chapel Street by the Queens Hotel. He saw a wagon and horses standing against a baker shop. The Wagoner came from behind the wagon and asked him if he had his old pony and cart. Lawson said he had sold it and the Wagoner said he wanted to send some flour to High Town and had not wanted to take his horse and wagon up there. Lawson said he could get a pony and cart and agreed to meet the Wagoner at the station. On his way he met George Battens and asked him to go to the GNR station with him in return for sixpence. At the station he went into the yard with the Wagoner who went to the truck and got a sack of flour out of it and put it in Battens cart. Battens drove off and he met him again at his house. He took the flour into his house as he had forgotten where he was taking it so went to the Bull to meet the Wagoner to tell him he’d forgotten. He told the Wagoner he would like the flour and gave him 10 shillings, with the Wagoner agreeing and saying he’d be back in a day or two and would collect the rest of the money. He believed the Wagoner had the right to sell the flour. Statement of Amos Fowler: he had met Lawson as he came down Bute Street. Lawson asked him for a sack of flour for Mr Giltrow and he agreed. They went to the station and Lawson said he had a cart. He put the flour sack in the cart. Mr Giltrow often fetched or sent for a sack or two. Mr Chalkley told him to always send a sack if he asked. He did not receive any money or give a receipt. He did not know Lawson’s name.

item

Fowler, Amos,
Lawson, William,
Chalkley, James,
Battens, George,
Stonebridge, John,
Chamberlain, Charles,
Rogers, Charles,
Tatman, William

LUTON, Welwyn, stations, miller, flour, stealing, porter