18 Apr 1829 Police Intelligence - Cumberland and Westmorland Newspaper Transcriptions

18 Apr 1829 Police Intelligence

MAMSION-HOUSE.

EFFECTS OF HALF-BURKING. - On Saturday, a man named JAMES TEASDALE was
charged before the LORD MAYOR with having procured from certain parties a
bill of exchange for £200, and with having had in his possession forged
cheques upon a banking-house to a large amount.

It appeared that the prisoner, who is a tall man of respectable appearance,
informed the complainants that he was able to get cash to any amount for
bills at a negociable date, and they entrusted him with one for £200, the
amount of which he promised to hand to them in a day or two. The day
however never arrived, and as they had reason to believe that he had
appropriated the bill to his own use, they caused him to be locked up in the
Comptor.

ROE, the officer, apprehended him, and on taking him to the Compter, was
advised by PAYNE, the chief turnkey, to search his pockets. This sort of
examination the prisoner did not at all relish; and, the moment the officer
began to search, he took some paper from his pocket, and endeavoured to
thrust it into the fire.

PAYNE, seeing this attempt, went to the assistance of ROE. The prisoner
then struggled desperately, and succeeded in getting the paper into his
mouth. ROE was affraid of his teeth, he appeared to have such powerful
jaws, and PAYNE said, "We must give him the half-Burk, or he'll swallow it."

They then suddenly tripped up the legs of the prisoner, and when he was
prostrate, PAYNE laid his bulky carcase upon his stomach, and, while the
other squeezed his nose gently, shoved one of the enormous prison keys into
his mouth, and giving it a twist, opened the mouth so extensively as to be
able to scoop out the masticated paper.

The paper proved to be a cheque upon the house of MASTERMAN AND CO. for
£150, and to be signed "WATKINS AND CO." and the bankers knew nothing of the
prisoner or the "CO." who were supposed to have signed it. ROE found also
upon his person a cheque-book of MASTERMAN"s house, and one of the uncut
cheques was filled up with the sum of £1,500.

THE LORD MAYOR told the prisoner that if he had offered the cheque signed
"WATKINS AND CO." he might have had to answer for it with his life.

The prisoner said that although it came into his possession without his
knowledge, he suspected that it was not worth much [ laughter ]; he
therefore thought to swallow it, but the officers prevented him by ' Burking
' him [ loud laughter }.

THE LORD MAYOR said it appeared the officers had gained some information
from the case of the diobolical murderer which they could use for the
benefit of society.

PAYNE said he believed the prisoner would positively have swallowed the
cheque had not his breath been stopped for a while.

The cheque was produced, and was legible.

The prisoner was then remanded.