13 Sep 1836 Escape of Prisoner - Cumberland and Westmorland Newspaper Transcriptions

13 Sep 1836 Escape of Prisoner

KENDRICK, the police-officer of Kendal, late of Keswick, who had the reputation
of being one of the most expert thief-catchers in the north, has had an
adventure with one of the roguish fraternity, which tends to tarnish rather than
to add to his fame.

The worthy who has proved himself too many for the officer called at the inn at
Kendal a few evenings ago, and asked to be accommodated with a lodging for the
night. His request was complied with, and, on his being shown to his bed-room,
he left behind him a small basket, the contents of which the landlord had the
curiosity to inspect, as he did not exactly like the appearance of his guest.
The basket was found to contain about 100 picklock keys, weighing from 10 oz. to
3 drs. each, fit for any thing from a castle-gate to a lady's boudoir; 21 of
them were double ended. The police being informed of this, were on the alert,
and about to form a cordon around the house. About half past 11 o'clock KENDRICK
had stationed one man in the house, and was himself outside in the entry, when
he observed the fellow, who had begun to think all was not right, coming out of
a low front window into the street; the officer was there to receive him; a
severe struggle ensued, and they fell together; but, assistance coming up, he
was secured and lodged in the lock-up. Next day (Wednesday last), when before
the magistrates, he called himself William GOODWIN, a hatter by trade, said that
he had served his time at Dundee, but that he had not worked at his business for
two years, having until lately kept a retail beer-shop in Turnmill-street,
London. The magistrates had no doubt but that the honesty of principle by which
he was governed was questionable, and they committed him to Appleby gaol for
exercise on the treadmill for three months.

On Wednesday KENDRICK set out with his charge for Appleby, in a gig. The
prisoner had on leg-irons, and his left hand ruffled to the side of the gig, but
with the coolest nonchalance he observed there was no need of these things - he
would go quietly enough; it was only three months, and he could stand it. Off
they went, and the meek, quiet demeanour, the affability, politeness, and
civility of the prisoner, won upon the affections of his conductor. At Mr.
NOBLE's, at Low Barrowbridge, they resembled two gentlemen riding for pleasure,
and hobbed and nobbed in drops of brandy. On they went to Orton, and here again
they stopped, and as it rained they again pledged each other in a drop of
brandy. Before starting from Orton the placid behaviour of the prisoner still
further won upon the unsuspecting confidence of the officer, and he unruffled
his left hand, and his arms were both then at liberty - but still he had his leg
chains on. When within something less than four miles from Appleby, the prisoner
made a desperate and ferocious attack upon the officer, grasping his throat with
both hands, and holding him until he was almost lifeless. The latter, in order
to extricate himself, threw himself out of the gig, but the prisoner still kept
his hold, and the officer became quite insensible, and on recovering he found
himself leg-ironed, handcuffed, and robbed of all he had - viz., two excellent
pocket pistols, his great-coat, all his keys, and 3L. 10s. in money, and the
horse and gig were gone!

KENDRICK, on recovering a little, hobbled along the road as well as he could, in
his manacled condition, and in about a mile he came up with a countryman working
upon the roadside, and to him he appealed in his misery, but for some time the
labourer refused to have any thing to do with him, suspecting he had broken out
of some gaol. After much entreaty, and a promise of reward, the man was induced
to run to Appleby and give the alarm. KENDRICK hobbled away until he reached the
hamlet of Hoffrow, and here he appealed to the humanity of the good folks; but
they disbelieved his tale, as well they might, and accompanied him as far as
Burrels with his irons on. They were then induced to get a file and set him at
liberty; but still thinking they had done wrong by liberating a felon,
accompanied him to Appleby, where he was known, and his highly improbable story
gained credence. The late prisoner dashed on at a furious rate to Appleby, but
on entering the town missed his way, turning to the left at the bottom of the
Wind; he drove in front of the Grammar-school, where he was stopped; he turned
and inquired of an hostler the road to Carlisle; the man led the horse past the
King's Head and over the bridge, pointing out the Carlisle road; and up
Bartlebarrow the rascal dashed at a rattling pace. At the top of the hill he
quitted the Penrith road, and dashed off to the right on the Longmarton road.

On KENDRICK reaching Appleby a number of constables went off in pursuit, but
GOODWIN far outstripped them all, being full two hours' ride ahead. He was
traced through the Memberley toll-bar, and upon the Fell leading to Alston the
gig was found smashed to pieces in a quarry. He had stripped the harness off the
horse all but the bridle, and taken it on with him, but had left it near
Alston-moor, where it was fallen in with next day, and the worthy himself was
supposed to have taken the road to Newcastle.

GOODWIN is a young man, about five feet six inches high, and, from the
description given of him, there seems little doubt but he is the identical
person that escaped from three constables near Cockermouth a few months ago, and got clear off. KENDRICK was much injured by the ruffianly treatment of his
prisoner; and though he may have paid somewhat dear for his learning, the lesson
he has just had, we suppose, will not be lost upon him; but will prevent in
future an injudicious intention of indulgence towards prisoners, or tippling
with them by the way. - Cumberland Packet.