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- Transcribed by unknown author unknown author
- Edition: March 31, 1882 March 31, 1882
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Page 2 of 9
THE WORKINGTON MURDER
MURDER
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EXAMINATION OF HARRISON
YESTERDAY.
Part Two.
HARRISON replied that they would be punished. He also said that he got into a fine mess through being last seen with her. He added that on the 1st December he went to the works with Lucy SANDS, CRANNIE and SHANNON. After they left the works he said, they all went into the garden. At first he said Lucy left after the others, but afterwards stated that she stood against the door, according to agreement, to stay behind. He also said he went into the house and came out not ten minutes afterwards, and followed her down the road. Was sure he said he saw her standing against the door and spoke to her.
The Chairman: He said she was standing at the door and he spoke to her?
Witness: Yes. HARRISON afterwards told her that CRANNIE and SHANNON went home, and she understood him to say that they went by the low way. He said he went over Derwent Bridge to the town that night.
The Clerk: Was that the night of the 1st December.
Witness: Yes. HARRISON said, with reference to the murder of Lucy, that it had been a "quick deed," because he followed not ten minutes after. After having said this HARRISON looked down Pow-street, and said, "Yonder is SHANNON and CRANNIE coming up the street; let us go and tell them."
CRANNIE and SHANNON were on the opposite side of the street, and when coming across CRANNIE said, "You have done it." Did not hear him reply to that. He was almost drunk, and he said he would go and get "bloody well drunk," and then he would go to the station and give his "bloody evidence." HARRISON went into the Royal Oak Inn, and she afterwards saw him in the company of CRANNIE and SHANNON.
Cross examined by Mr. PAISLEY: The girls were beside the archway, nearly opposite SHAW and SMITH's when CRANNIE shouted out "You have done it." Could not tell where MAINPRIZE was just then. She had left him, and the prisoner HARRISON was crossing over the street to the girls.
Evan JONES, desposed that he was a draughtsman at Distington Ironworks. Knew the prisoner. Was formerly draughtsman at the West Cumberland Iron and Steel Works, and knew prisoner then. On the 1st March last witness met the prisoner in Pow-street about twenty minutes to five o'clock in the afternoon. His aunt was with him at the time, and they all went into the Royal Oak.
Witness had a glass of ale and prisoner had a glass of whiskey standing on the table. Did not meet the prisoner in the street; he was standing near BOYD's, the clothier's, and the prisoner whistled to him. Prisoner asked him if he had heard about the murder, and he replied that he had. He also said it was a strange thing that the body had lain so long on the public road. Prisoner took a glass of whiskey in his right hand and winking his eye said, "I knew where the body was long since; I knew from the first." He said he knew Lucy SANDS and was with her the night she was missed - he was in the garden with her in company with two other girls. Witness asked prisoner if he wanted another glass, and he replied, "No." Prisoner said he was left with the two girls at the garden gate. His aunt was in a "terrible way." When prisoner made the statement to the effect that he knew where the body was she threw her hands up. Witness cautioned him to be careful what he was saying. Just as witness was leaving the Royal Oak he met two girls in the passage, and they told MAYNARD he was wanted, and he went off with them. Did not know the girls at the time, but he recognised them now as CRANNIE and SHANON.
By Mr. PAISLEY: Had been at Distington 18 months, and previous to that time was at the West Cumberland Iron and Steel Works. The aunt was present during the whole conversation, and must have heard all that was said. The conversation took place in the front room. Could not have been in the Royal Oak more than five minutes. Had just one glass of ale, but it was not the only drink he had had that day. Had some other drink down in the town, but not much. Hadn't had a half-dozen glasses. At the time when he met HARRISON in the public house witness was as sober as he was at present. Did not think the prisoner was confessing a murder at the time; thought he was larking. HARRISON said nothing about any arrangements being made to meet Lucy after she came out of the garden. At the time he considered that HARRISON made the remarks he did to tease his aunt. Went to work the same day, but was too late to make a shift up.
The Chairman: Was his aunt troubled about it?
Witness: His aunt was in a terrible way about it.
`To be continued....