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- Transcribed by unknown author unknown author
- Edition: March 31, 1882 March 31, 1882
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Page 5 of 9
THE WORKINGTON MURDER
MURDER
___
EXAMINATION OF HARRISON
YESTERDAY.
Part Five.
At Workington Police Court yesterday, (before W. THOMPSON, Esq., M. FALCON, Esq., and R. S. THOMPSON, Esq., ) Maynard James HARRISON was brought up on remand, charged with the wilful murder of Lucy SANDS, at North-side, Workington, on or about the 1st December last. The Court was crowded to excess. Mr. Superintendent BIRD conducted the prosecution, and Mr. PAISLEY appeared for the prisoner. The first witness was called.
Henry KERR, who stated that it was on Friday he went to Forge Hammer Inn. He did not remember that he told anyone there that he had to receive £5 if HARRISON got clear. Was drunk at the time. Went into the house about seven o'clock. It was in the morning when he left Forge Hammer. Was on the night shift that week. Went to work at night. The other men who were in the inn were partly drunk also.
The Clerk: Did you make use of these words, "I wish he may get clear; if he does I will get £10" SALTER has promised me £10 if he does?"
Witness: I cannot remember making that statement.
The Clerk: Nor any part of it?
Witness: No, sir. Still adhered to the statement that "Hamlet" was being played at the theatre on Friday night. Knew this by a man coming out with a cloak on, and another making a grave. Saw Jane SHANNON a week after. Never went to the theatre on any other night than Friday, as it was the best play on that night.
The Clerk produced a bill announcing "the performance of Hamlet" on Wednesday evening.
The Clerk: Will you still stick to it that "Hamlet" was played on the Friday night after seeing that bill?
Witness: Yes, sir.
The Clerk: You had better stand down at present; you will have to come up again.
Dorothy GRANT deposed: I am the wife of William GRANT, who is the engine-driver, and lives in John-street. In the month December we were living at the Old Company's Works, at the North-side. On the 21st of December, I had a married daughter ill at Cockermouth. Went to visit her on that day, along with my husband. We travelled from the Bridge Station home late, having returned by the last train. The train was very late. On arriving at the station my husband and me started off home. Know the bridge of the Cleator and Workington Railway. When we got past that bridge we met a young man. A small light first attracted my attention. The light was like the light from a fuse match. When I turned he said, "Good evening; I am glad to have met with company." To the best of my recollection he was either timid or frightened. He joined us and walked on my left side. My husband was in front. Whilst we were walking along we had some conversation.He said it was a very lonely road, and many a person had got on it what they would not cast. I said, "I dare say; I know a man a few years ago who got very much abused on this road." Couldn;t say whether he asked me if I knew him, or I said I knew him, and that his name was Peter BROWN. He then said, "Yes, a yound woman -----" and paused. I said "Indeed." He then said, "A young woman, a young woman," twice, and added she was either badly behaved or badly abused. At that time the young man was at my right hand, and we were then opposite the ghyll on the North-side road. (At this point the witness exclaimed to the prisoner, "Oh, that's him." He said a young woman had been badly used, and they took her seal hat and boots off. He said he was frightened to death, and the poor lad seemed frightened. I said "the vagabounds! It's a pity they can't be found out. That poor girl would have to walk all the way home without either hat or boots." He said, "A man came up and shouted, and two men ran over the hill - one one way and the other the other way."
The young man then said, "I wish I was at home;" and I think he passed from us about the middle of the first row. My husband who was walking on before shouted, "Mother, for God's sake, come on!" The young man bade us good night and we both bade him good night. Beside the ghyll the young man motioned with his hand, and said, "Over there; one ran one way and the other the other way.." Just as we were passing the ghyll he pointed that these two men ran up the ghyll. Next day I was at Cockermouth again, and returned home on the last late train. It was even later than the night before. My husband met me at the station. My husband met me at the station. When we came to the same spot as the night before, we met the prisoner who said, "Good evening Mr. GRANT; we have luck to meet." We both said good evening. " He said I am in for it tonight; the gov'nor has never allowed me a key since I was at sea, but I'll go back to the sea." He said he had either been or would go to America. I said, "No, no young man; if you have a good home stay at it. I had a young man who went to sea and was glad to get from it again." He replied, "Was that Tom?" and I said, "Oh you know him then." He said, "You are like Mamma," and when he said that I looked at him, and saw he was a bonny fair haired young man. "Ay, that's him" (looking towards the prisoner.)
~To be continued.