QSR1898/3/5/1

Depositions of John Northcote, Vicar of St Andrews Westminster; Albert Edwin Spear, footman of The Hyde, East Hyde; William Henry Welch, Valet of The Hyde, East Hyde; Walter Hughes, Postman of Luton; Walter Woodford of The Hyde, East Hyde; Charles Rawlins, Police Constable of New Mill End and Charles Panter, Police Sergeant of Leagrave. in the case against Edward Wray accused of stealing money amounting to £4 10shillings, the property of Albert Edwin Spear

18 April 1898

From: 1898 To: 1898

John Northcote said: I am Vicar of St Andrew Westminster. Prisoner came to me to be interviewed as to a situation with Lady Iddesleigh as Butler. After he was engaged on 31st March he came to see me told me he was to go to The Hyde (Lady Iddesleighs house) next day but that since he first saw me he had been obliged to pay heavy expenses for the funeral of his mother and therefore he was short of cash. He told me he had money in some securities but could not lay his hand on it for a day or two – and he asked me for money to pay his journey to The Hyde. I lent him one sovereign. Albert Edwin Spear said: I am a footman in the service of the Dowager Countess Iddesleigh at Hyde near Luton. I returned from the continent with the family on 31st March. On 1st April Prisoner Wray came to the Hyde as Butler. When we came from France I had some French money which I brought to The Hyde. There were a 5 franc piece 3 single francs and several bronze coins. I put them on top of the drawers in my bedroom. On Saturday 2nd April I looked at my purse which was in the drawer in my room. There was as much as £6 in gold and a £5 note. On Sunday night between 10 and 11 I again looked at my purse and found £3/10 in gold missing. I also missed one franc piece and several of the bronze coins. On Monday morning at about 10.30 I again looked at my purse and another half sovereign was missing. On Sunday morning between 10 and 11 I saw Wray coming from my bedroom. I did not speak nor did he. On Monday morning I went into prisoners room which adjoins mine. I there saw a franc piece and several copper coins on the looking glass. They were not concealed anyone who went in could see them. I complained to the Valet. Later in the day the Police were sent for and Wray, myself, Welch (the Valet), Mr Scott (the Tutor) and PC Rawlins were sent for to the dining room. Mr Northcote said “I am sorry to hear that there have been complaints about money being lost.” He said this to Wray. Wray said “I haven’t seen this money” He then said “I have never been into Spears’ bedroom.” I said “Oh yes I saw you there yesterday.” Wray said “I went to look for you I wanted you.” I said I had missed some French money. He said he had some French money of his own. [By the Bench] When I saw Wray he was in my room. After the interview the Police and Welch went to search the prisoners room. When they returned Rawlins the Policeman handed to Northcote £4 in gold one franc piece and several French copper coins. Rawlins said he had found the £4 in fold in Wray’s drawer and that the franc and other coins were on the looking glass. Wray had no right to go to my room. William Henry Welch said: I am Valet to Mr Hugh Northcote at The Hyde. It would be no part of Wrays duty to go to the footman’s bedroom. I was present at the interview with the Police when Wray was present. Mr Northcote told Wray that Spears had lost some money and charged him (Wray) with the theft. Wray said he knew nothing of the money. I went with PC Rawlins to Wrays bedroom in the basement. We there found under the paper lining of the dressing table drawer 2 sovereigns and 4 half sovereigns. On the looking glass one English shilling one French franc piece and 50 centimes in 5 copper pieces and a receipt for a postal order. We returned to the dining room taking the money with us. We put it on the table before Wray and Mr Northcote. Wray then said that Lady Iddlesleigh had given him the money and that the French money he had in London and had tried to pass it there. Walter Hughes said: I am a Postman and the Hyde is in my delivery. I saw Wray there about a week ago. I am not sure about the date. Wray gave me £2 and 3 ½ pence and asked me to get him a £1 postal order and two ten shilling ones. I got the orders after my morning delivery and when I went back in the evening I handed him the orders. When I took the money in the morning I gave him a receipt for it. PC Charled Rawlins said: I am a constable in the Bedfordshire Constabulary. I was present on Monday 4th April at about 3 o’clock in the dining room of the Hyde when Mr Northcote Mr Scott Welch Spears and Wray were present. I heard Mr Northcote tell Wray that a serious charge had been made against him by the footman (Spears) who had lost some money. Wray said he knew nothing about the money and that he had never been in the footmans room. Spears said “Oh yes I saw you in yesterday.” Wray said “Yes I did go in yesterday to look for you.” Welch asked Wray whether he objected to his room being searched. Wray made no reply. We went (Welch and myself) to Wrays bedroom. We there found on the looking glass some french money an English shilling two pence English money (all of which I now produce). In the drawer of the table there were 2 sovereigns and 4 half sovereigns in English gold. They were under the paper lining of the drawer but could be seen directly we opened the drawer. On the drawer there was a receipt for Postal orders. We took the money and the receipt to the dining room where Wray had remained with Mr Northcote. I put them before Wray on the table. Wray said something about passing the French money in London he also said that Lady Iddesleigh gave him the gold and that it was his own money. None of the drawers in the prisoners room were locked. I afterwards took back the gold and put in prisoners drawer where I had found it. The receipt I also replaced. The French money I kept. PS Charles Panter said: I am a Police Sergeant in the Bedfordshire Constabulary. On Monday 4th April at 7 oclock in the evening I went to the Hyde. Prisoner was sent to the Library to me. Mr Northcote said to prisoner Wray your service here terminates this minute. Wray replied “Sir” and left the room. He returned shortly afterwards and asked for his wages. Lady Iddesleigh was present and said “Certainly not you have had £3 already. £2 I gave you and £1 Mr John Northcote gave you and that for two days work.” Prisoner made no reply but left the room and shortly after left the house taking his luggage with him. I saw him purchase a ticket for London at Harpenden Midland Station at 9 oclock that night. He put down a gold coin to pay for it. On Wednesday 6th April I arrested Prisoner on a Warrant at 11 Capern Road Wandsworth – I read the charge to him in reply he said “I know nothing about the money and I do not know what evidence they have against me – I never touched it and never went into the footman’s room although he said I did.” On the way to Luton he began to talk again and I cautioned him that what he said might be used in evidence. He said “I know that but there were other people who could go in the room as well as me there was the gardener the watchman and the maids who could go in at any time and the maids are nearly all new to the place.” He also said that Lady Iddesleigh had given him £3. I replied “No only two.” He said “I had a sovereign from Mr John Northcote which her Ladyship promised to pay back to him for me and that makes the £3.” I searched prisoner at the Police Station and found one shilling and twopence three farthings in money upon him. That was all he had. Walter Woodford said: On Monday afternoon (4th April) when I was with the Prisoner in the Pantry he left for a minute or two and when he returned he said “Where is the Policeman he was very sharp in searching my room but he didn’t find this.” He opened his hand and showed me £4 in gold. 2 sovereigns and 4 half sovereigns. statement of accused: I do not desire to say anything or to call any witnesses.

13 pages

item

Wray, Edward,
Northcote, John,
Spear, Albert Edwin,
Welch, William Henry,
Hughes, Walter,
Woodford, Walter,
Rawlins, Charles,
Panter, Charles,
Lady Iddesleigh

East Hyde The Hyde, LUTON, East Hyde, LEAGRAVE, New Mill End, butler, valet, footman, postman, vicar, stealing, money