The Workington Murder

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Transcribed by unknown author unknown author
Edition: March 31, 1882 March 31, 1882

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Page 1 of 9
 
THE WORKINGTON
MURDER
___
 
EXAMINATION OF HARRISON
YESTERDAY.
Part One.
 
 
    On Saturday morning at eleven o'clock Maynard James HARRISON, aged 17 years who is charged with the wilful murder of Lucy SANDS, at the North-side, Workington, on or about the 1st December last, was brought up on remand for examination at Workington.
 
    The magistrates on the Bench were William THOMPSON, Esq. (Chairman) and Michael FALCON, Esq. Before the time announced for the court to open a large crowd had assembled in front of the Court House, not one-fifth of whom were able to gain admission when the doors were thrown open. Mr. PAISLEY appeared for the prisoner, and Superintendent BIRD conducted the prosecution.
 
    Henry MAINPRIZE stated that he wished to make some explanation with respect to the change of his name. BEDFORD, he said, was his father's name. After his father's death he went to live with his grandfather, who was named BEDFORD, when he was two years and six months old. He returned to his home when he was 14 years of age, and by that time his mother had got married a second time to a man named MAINPRIZE and the name of MAINPRIZE was given to him (witness) by the inhabitants of the village. He had a sister who was also know by the name MAINPRIZE.
 
    When he returned from Manchester he was known by the name BEDFORD, but he received letters addressed to him as "Henry MAINPRIZE." When he went back to Yeadon, the place at which he had previously resided, he was called by the name MAINPRIZE again, and had been known by it ever since. When leaving the Court last Saturday he met the prisoner at the door, who muttered some thing like these words, "You --- I will have your life. When I come out of this you will not live another day."
 
    In answer to Superintendent BIRD witness said he was quite positive that the prisoner made use of this threat, and it was after he had been giving evidence in connection with that inquiry.
 
    By Mr. PAISLEY: Came to Workington in May 1880. He had been in the employ of Moss Bay Iron and Steel Company as assistant chemist. When he lived in Manchester he resided at Miles Platting. Was married last November at St. John's Church, Workington. Was married under the name BEDFORD. Would be 23 years of age in June.
 
    James REAY deposed that he was a labourer and resided at 42, King-street, Workington. Him and Lucy SANDS were second cousins. On the 1st December last he was twice at the house where Lucy SANDS lived. The first time he was there was a little after four o'clock in the afternoon,  and again about seven in the evening. The first time he was in he saw Lucy curling her hair.
 
    He said, "You are taking a deal of pain with yourself; what is the matter?"
 
    She said, "I am going to see my young man."
 
    He replied, "Have you a young man?"
 
    "Oh yes I have," she replied.
 
    He asked her who he was and she replied "They call him Mr. HARRISON?" She said this twice over. She said no more, and he left her in the house. Never saw her after that till he saw her body at Workington Bridge Station.
 
    By Mr. PAISLEY: On the day he called at the house Lucy told him her grandmother was working at the church. Was working himself in the forenoon at the quarries. There was no person in the house but Lucy herself. Remained in the house for about twenty minutes. The second time he called Lucy was not in. Did not give evidence before the coroner. Knew that an inquest was being held on the body of his relative, Lucy SANDS. Did not mention what he had told to-day to Lucy's grandmother and aunt. The first person he mentioned the matter to was Mr. RENNICKS, when in Bridge Street. Mentioned it to the police the same day. That would be before last Saturday. Knew the inquiry was going on, but did not take the trouble to mention it to the police. Did not know the prisoner.
 
    Jessie NICHOLAS deposed that she was a dressmaker, and resided in High Street. Remembered the 1st of March, when she met HARRISON at the top of Wilson Street. She was in company of Harry MAINPRIZE. That was the day on which the body of Lucy Sands was found. Met HARRISON between Mrs. WAITE's and the shop of Mr. SMITH, the grocer. He asked her if she had been to see the body, and said, "I have been to see the bloody thing!" She replied, "Whoever did it ought to be punished."
 
 
~To be continued