QSR1859/3/5/9

Depositions of William Hill, straw hat and bonnet maker of Luton and Harriet Hill, his wife. George Smith, police sergeant of Luton. In the case of Hezekiah Odell accused of stealing 2 straw hats and 37 straw bonnets.

13 June 1859

From: 1859 To: 1859

William Hill: he kept a beer house in Guildford Street, Luton and was also a manufacturer of Straw hats and bonnets. On 9 June he had a number of straw hats and bonnets in his blockhouse. He saw them safe and 9pm. On Friday morning he missed 3 to 4 dozen and advised the police. He afterwards missed 3 dozen and 1 bonnets. Police Sergeant Smith showed him some bonnets and hats. He identified them as his property. He knew them by the black binding. The prisoner had been drinking at his house about 9pm on the previous night. The blockhouse was at the bottom of the yard at the back of the house. It was locked every night. Police Sergeant George Smith: he received the information from Mr Hill and found the prisoner at the Fortune of War public house with 20 straw hats. He charged the prisoner and the prisoner replied he had bought the hats from a man whose name he did not know. He asked the prisoner where the bonnets were and at first the prisoner denied the charge but later said he would tell the truth. The prisoner said he had bought them all from some man who he would know again if he saw and had given 3 pence a piece for them. The prisoner took him to the house were the bonnets were and gave them up. There were 3 dozen and 1 bonnets. Smith had seen Amos Young at Mr Hills house before he had seen Mr Hills. Young came to the Fortune of War whilst the prisoner was in his custody. As soon as Odell saw Young he said he was the man from whom he had bought the hats. Young denied this and said Odell had asked him to go with him to steal some hats but he had not gone. He took Young into custody and charged him. Odell said to Young that he was as bad as him. He took the bonnets and hats to Mr Hill who identified them. Harriet Hill: she had seen Odell in the blockhouse. Odell was alone and had no business there. He had asked her for a blocking job and she told him there was no blocking which the master could no do. Sometime afterwards she saw him in the blockhouse sitting on a bench. She asked him what he was doing there and he said he was having a quiet pot of beer. There was another boy with Odell. She saw Odell fitting a hat on his head. Statement of the accused: nothing to say.

item

Odell, Hezekiah,
Hill, William,
Hill, Harriet,
Smith, George,
Young, Amos

LUTON, Luton Guildford Street, straw hat manufacturer, bonnet, beer shop keeper, Luton Fortune of War