QSR1833/4/5/8-10

Depositions of Samuel Lawford the younger, carpenter of Luton. Peter Wilson, gamekeeper of Luton. Charles Conquest, labourer of Luton. William Sharpe, labourer of Luton. William Pates, bricklayer of Luton. In the case of John Pain, Thomas Large and John Lowen accused of unlawfully and maliciously putting lime into the River Lea with intent to detroy fish.

10 September 1833

From: 1833 To: 1833

Samuel Lawford: on the morning of Sunday 25 August he went down to Mr Gutteridge’s arch which crossed the River Lea at the bottom of Church Street Luton. The water was very unusually [?] as it came out of the arch and he saw several young trout stores lying dead on the top of the water. He saw boys lying to get the trout out. In the meadow above the arch, about 5 feet away, he saw Lime lying on the bank on each side of the water. The great quantity on the bank towards Round Green and the quantity at the bottom of the water. He examined it sufficiently to be satisfied that it was Lime. He went back by Church Street about 8 o’clock and saw Thomas Large opposite Mr Harrison’s. He asked him what he had been up to and Large asked what he meant. He said “you have been liming Mr Gutteridge’s arch”. Large replied “what the b____ well odds make it to you”. He replied that it made all the odds. Large had a fustian jacket on and he asked Large what he had in his pockets. He saw Large’s left coat pocket was full of trout and they appeared to be fine ones. He told Large he had a great mind to charge the constables with him and Large said he may do as he liked. Large wore the breeches and gachers [?] which were very wet as if he had been in the water. In the afternoon after he had his tea he walked up to the Fox public house at the other end of Luton. He saw there saw Thomas Large, James Pain, John Lowen and James Peck drinking in the tap room together. He sat down outside the house and had a pint. Pain came out and grossly insulted him and blackguarded him. They exchanged words and Pain said there was no point in fishing there now as the fish had all gone. Lawford came away. He had permission from Lord Bute to fish on the water at Luton but never fished without a rod. Peter Wilson: on 26 August he went to Mr Gutteridge’s arch and in consequence of information received he found a quantity of lime. There were several handfuls on the bank of the rover and more lime in the water. He took some of the lime up and tasted it. He found it to be lime. Charles Conquest: on 24 August he was at Barley Cart in Pondwicks Field at Luton. He saw John Lowen and 3 or 4 other men or lads going along the road from Round Green towards Gutteridge’s arch near the town. John Lowen was carrying something in his frock. When they came to Gutteridge’s arch they turned into the meadow by the side of the River lea and Lowen emptied his frock into the river. They turned round and he saw Lowen’s frock was very white at the front. There was a lime kiln near and in the direction from which he saw the lads coming. He went on with his work and did not see they the men went. William Sharpe: on 24 August, about 3pm, he was at the Barley Cart in Pondswick Field. He saw John Lowen carrying something in his smock frock. He went to the River at Mr Gutteridge’s arch and emptied it in to the river. Lowen’s back was to him when he emptied the frock but when Lowen turned around he saw his frock was white. James Fensom, John Pain and Thomas Large were with him when he emptied his frock into the water and they all went away together. William Pates: on 25 August James Peck met him in the street about 5.30am and showed him a large trout and asked him if he wanted such a thing. He said no. Peck said he had more in his pocket. He told Peck he had been putting lime in the water and Peck replied they had.

item

Pain, John,
Large, Thomas,
Lowen, John,
Lawford, Samuel,
Wilson, Peter,
Conquest, Charles,
Sharpe, William,
Pates, William

River Lea, LUTON, vandalism, fish, gamekeepers, bricklayers, carpenters