QSR1855/1/5/19

Depositions of James Addison Taylor, poulterer of Luton, Alice Stallow, wife of George Stallow and George Smith, police constable of Luton. In the case of Thomas Hearne, accused of stealing 8 dead larks.

23 November 1854

From: 1854 To: 1855

James Addison Taylor: a poulterer and game dealer living in Park Street West, Luton. On 20 November he had several dozen larks hanging before his door. About 4pm they were all safe. They were tied up through their beaks in dozens. About 5pm he went to take them in and found 4 larks and 6 heads left in one of the dozens and 2 were gone, heads and all. There were 8 gone altogether. From information received he went to the Stratton’s and found 6 larks. The bodies he found compared with heads left on the string. One of the tongues was left in the body drawn out of the head and one of the heads left at the shop had no tongue in it. He had no doubt they were his. The prisoner was at Stratton’s and he asked him how he came by them. The prisoner said he did not steal them and was very sorry. Alice Stratton: on 20 November between 5 and 6pm the prisoner came to the door of the shop and asked if she wanted to buy 6 sparrows. They were larks. They were without heads and she asked how he had come by them. He told her he had caught them in an iron trap which took their heads off. She sent for Mr Taylor and kept the prisoner until he came. Mr Taylor brought some heads with him and they fitted. She gave the larks to PC Smith. Pc George Smith: he produced the 6 larks which had been given to him by Mrs Stratton and the 6 heads given to him by Mr Taylor. He had compared them and the heads and bodies corresponded. Statement of the accused: nothing to say.

item

Hearne, Thomas,
Taylor, James Addison,
Stallow, Alice,
Stallow, George,
Smith, George

LUTON, stealing, larks, poulterer, Luton Park Street West