QSR1854/1/5/33

Depositions of Edmund Hills of Beeston, David Ilsley, labourer of Beeston and William Jeeves, labourer of Beeston. In the case of Edmund Huckle accused of shooting Emma Hills with intent to cause grevious bodily harm.

2 November 1853

From: 1853 To: 1854

Elizabeth Hills: mother of Emma Hills. On 31 October she had gone to a neighbouring shop and on returning she saw her daughter smothered in blood. She enquired as the where her daughter had been but her daughter did not speak. The prisoner had led her daughter home and when Emma gave no response he said “Mrs Hills I’ll be damned if I have not shot your daughter”. She replied “you haven’t have you?” and he said that he had. She found afterwards, when the blood was removed that her daughter had been shot on the left side of the face and down her neck and shoulders. She sent for Mr Lansford. He attended her daughter until the prisoner’s mother suggested she should have further advice. She then sent for Mr Buckle’s assistant. That morning Mr Buckle had come with his assistant. In her opinion her daughter was not in danger. George Buckle: he had attended Emma Hills who had several shot marks about the back of the head, shoulders and face. They did not appear to have penetrated to any depth. The consequence of the wounds was not likely to be dangerous unless continually disturbed. Emma was upset by the shock of the wounds and he could not as yet say that no danger would arise. It would be a day or two before he could give an opinion on how the case would terminate. Emma Hills may be able to give evidence in a day or two. Emma Ilsley: the daughter of David Ilsley. She had gone to the shop with Emma Hills. Edmund Huckle came up to them. Emma Hills enquired as to whether his gun was loaded and he said it was not. She left Emma talking to Huckle and went home. About 2 minutes later she heard a gunshot. William Jeeves of Beeston was with Huckle at the time he spoke to Emma and herself. William Jeeves: he had been with Huckle when he had spoken to the 2 girls. He did not hear what was said. He had been about 3 yards from Huckle when the gun went off. As soon as the gun went off, Huckle walked to the girl and picked her up. The shot that hit her had made her fall. Huckle did not speak till he got the girl to Mrs Hills door. Huckle said “I’m damned if I haven’t shot your girl”. The prisoner then went directly for the doctor. Emma Hills: she was about to turn 16 years. She had been overtaken by Edmund Huckle on Beeston Green. She had been going home. She asked if his gun was loaded and he said no. He asked her to walk by his side and she said she would not and ran forward. She heard the gun almost immediately. She may have been 30 or 40 yards from Huckle. As soon as the gun went off she felt as if she was on fire about her neck and she fell down. It was Huckle who had fired the gun. Huckle picked her up and carried her home. He had not threatened to shoot her. The doctor had tended her wounds and she was a great deal better. Statement of the accused: he had a gun from his master to watch onion seed. They had overtaken 2 young girls and he had said something to them in a joking way. He shot the gun off accidentally. He heard a scream and ran forward to the girl who he thought was only frightened. He picked her up and carried her to her mother. The shooting was quite accidental.

item

Huckle, Edmund,
Hills, Elizabeth,
Hills, Emma,
Hills, Edmund,
Jeeves, William,
Buckle, George

Beeston, grievous bodily harm, assault, guns, shooting