QSR1895/2/5/3

Dispositions of Harry Southam of Elstow, Henry Skeels of Bedford, Arthur Greenwood, detective of Bedford and Nathaniel Mattin, beer house keeper of Bedford. In the case of Henry Crisp, accused of stealing 2 fowls of the value of 6 shillings.

23 March 1895

From: 1895 To: 1895

Harry Southam: employed by Mr. Wignam and living in Elstow with his father, Levi Southam. About 5pm on the 16th March he went to his father’s hen house. There were 6 hens inside; 2 black, 1 white Leghorn and 3 Plymouth Rocks. He fastened the door to the hen house. About 6.30am on 17th March he noticed the hen house door was open with 3 Plymouth Rocks and the white Leghorn in the garden. He searched the hen house and found the 2 black hens were missing. At 4pm he identified the hens which were produced by police constable Bliss. Henry Skeels: a lodger of ‘The Cock’ public house in Allhallows Lane. On Saturday night about 8.45pm the prisoner came into ‘The Cock’ with a bag. The prisoner asked him if he would by 2 fowls which he had on him. He replied, “Yes if we can agree”, and the prisoner asked for a price. He took the fowls and inspected them. The fowls were warm to touch and he then bought them. He part-paid the prisoner and promised to pay the remainder on Monday. He took the fowls and gave them to the landlord. On Sunday he received the fowls back from the landlord and handed them to police constable Greenwood. Arthur Greenwood: a detective in the Borough Police Force. About 1.15pm yesterday he went to the prisoner’s house. He asked the prisoner if he had any fowls yesterday and the prisoner replied “No”. He asked the prisoner where he was in the evening and the prisoner replied that he went to ‘The Cock’ about 6pm or 7pm and stayed until 11pm when he went home. He asked the prisoner to accompany him to the police station and charged him with stealing 2 fowls. The prisoner did not make a reply. He then went to ‘The Cock’ and retrieved the 2 fowls from the landlord. Nathaniel Mattin: a beer house keeper of ‘The Cock’ in Allhallows Lane, Bedford. About 5pm on 16th March the prisoner entered the pub and left about 7pm. The prisoner returned about 8.45pm and called Mr. Skeels into the passage. He did not see that the prisoner was carrying anything. Henry Crisp: “I am very sorry. It was drink that caused me to do it. I own I stole the fowls and I plead guilty to it”

item

Southam, Harry,
Skeels, Henry,
Greenwood, Arthur,
Mattin, Nathaniel,
Crisp, Henry

ELSTOW, BEDFORD, detective, beerhouse keeper, stealing, fowls