QSR1834/3/5/6

Depositions of Joseph Hare of Lilley in Hertfordshire. George Bates, otherwise Cox. Henry Haydon and George Gardner, constable of Luton. In the case of George Watson accused of stealing a silk handkerchief.

15 May 1834

From: 1834 To: 1834

Joseph Hare: on the Monday afternoon 4pm and 5pm he was at Thomas Biggs, who kept a beer house in Luton. George Watson came into the house and he asked him to drink. He went out of the doors when he came in again he missed a silk handkerchief in which a straw hat had been tied up. The hat was left. He had left it in a chair where he had been sitting. He asked for his handkerchief; there were several in the room. Young Cox said that George Watson had got the handkerchief in his breeches. Watson then gave it up to him when asked for it. George Bates, otherwise Cox: he was at Mr Biggs with his father. He saw Hare and George Watson there. He saw a hat tied up in a handkerchief in Joseph Hare’s hands. Hare offered to sell them for half a sovereign. Hare went out of the room and Watson took and untied the handkerchief and put it in his breeches. Henry Haydon was just by Hare talking to another man when Watson did. Watson looked in his face but Hare was not looking at him. The hat was in a chair at the time. When Hare missed it he asked who had the handkerchief. He told Hare that Watson had the handkerchief. Henry Haydon: he was at Mr Biggs on Monday night. He saw Hare and George Watson there. Hare went out of the room. The hat was in a chair tied in a handkerchief. He saw Watson untie the handkerchief and pull up his waistband and put it into his breeches. When Hare came in he said he had missed a handkerchief and wanted to know who had it. Young Cox said if anyone would give him a shilling then he would tell who had it. Cox’s father said he was a young rascal and if he knew who it was to tell. Young Cox said it was Watson. Hare then asked Watson for the handkerchief but Watson said he did not have it. Watson then went into a back [place and Hare followed him. He stood against the middle door. At last Watson pulled it out with his left hand and asked Hare id it was his handkerchief. Hare said yes. Watson then said he should take his b___ handkerchief and Hare took it. Watson hit Hate 3 times afterwards and made his nose bleed. George Gardner: he was sent for to Biggs’s house and Hare gave him charge of Watson but Watson had gone out of the house. He followed him but could not catch him. The handkerchief was given to him by Hare and he had it in his possession since. Statement of the accused: he did it for a lark. They were all tipsy together except for the boys.

item

Watson, George,
Hare, Joseph,
Bates, George,
Cox, George,
Haydon, Henry,
Gardner, George,
Biggs, Thomas

LUTON, Lilley, stealing, handkerchiefs, beerhouses