QSR1846/2/5/10

Depositions and examination - Joseph Oastler of Olney

31 March 1846

From: 1846 To: 1846

Samuel Freeman of Olney (Bucks), gardener – he keeps a beer shop and lodging house at Olney. Oastler came to lodge there on Friday 20 March with some other persons. They went out to collect rags and bones and so on, which he bought from them every day in order to sell them again. On Monday night they stated that if they could hire a truck or a horse and cart they could collect a great deal more. On the Wednesday he agreed to lend them his truck for the day. One of them returned to him on Thursday afternoon and said that Oastler had gone to Bozeat and would be home at night with the truck. Oastler did not come so the next morning he went after him. Oastler had not been to Bozeat. He found him that day at Odell at the Bell public house. Oastler was tipsy and said “Sam, don’t hurt me. I have sold your truck and will give you what money I have got left!” Oastler offered to make up the money within a week and he agreed to wait. The truck had been sold for 18s to Thomas Kennedy, and Oastler gave 7s 6d back to Kennedy on account. He wanted to get the truck back and offered to take Oastler home if he would work for a week and get up the rest of the money. Oastler would not go with him and he put it in the hands of the police. The value of the truck was 30s. He saw it in the care of the police constable. Thomas Kennedy of Odell, carpenter – on Thursday 26 March he went into the Bell at Odell at about 8pm. Oastler was there, neither drunk nor sober. He bought the truck from Oastler for 18s. He did not enquire whose it was. After the police constable came Oastler agreed to give him back the money and paid 7s 6d on account. He heard Oastler say he had laid out 12s for repairs to the truck. Joseph Neale of Harrold, police constable – last Friday Oastler was put under his charge at Harrold for stealing a truck. The truck was also put into his care the same night. Freeman identified it as his property. Joseph Oastler - they were going to buy the truck at 10s before the wheels were put on. He got some wheels for which Freeman said he paid 12s.

item

Oastler, Joseph,
Freeman, Samuel,
Kennedy, Thomas,
Neale, Joseph

Olney, ODELL, Bozeat, HARROLD, stealing, gardeners, carpenters, beer houses, lodging houses, Odell Bell, police constables