| 33 | DACKOMBE Reference and Articles to be found in “The Times” |
I have all taken the relevant parts from “The Times” for the name Dackombe and retyped them below. However, on looking under the name Dacombe I found 177 references to that name and I could only get into "The Times" papers free for a week, so it was impossible to cover the name Dacombe as well. Some of these are in London and should relate to the name Dackombe.
The Times, Monday, May 17th 1852 Page 8 Issue 21818
Classified Advertising
Wandsworth Omnibuses, Horses, Omnibuses items Harness &c Mr R Dackombe,
has instructed Messrs Rymill and Gower to sell by Auction at their Repository,
Barbican on Friday May 21 at 12. Twenty Five superior short-legged fast useful
horses. three excellent Omnibuses with luggage boots, little inferior to new,
Harness, Headstalls &c which have been working those old-established
conveyance from Wandsworth to Gracechurch Street. sold on account of his removal
to another district. The first of the valuable items will be submitted at half
past 2 precisely. The above well selected stock is worthy of attention of
Gentlemen, post masters, omnibus and cab proprietors, tradesmen, travellers and
others requiring really good horses for immediate use, as they are from constant
work in capital condition and for absolute sale. May be viewed and catalogues
had two days before the sale.
The same advert as above appeared also on Tuesday 18th May
1852
The Times, Saturday, February 25th 1854 Page 11 Issue 21674
Law Notices - Court of Chancery - Lincoln's Inn
Court of Exchequer Guildhall at 10
London Common Juies
Crickmore v Baggins - Dackombe v Banks - Marsh v Hayes
The Times, Saturday, August 12th 1854 Page 8 Issue 21818
Official Appointments and Notices
Partnerships dissolved
Dackombe and Howes and Howes and Dackombe, Clapham, Mitcham, and Merton, omnibus
proprietors.
The Times, November 25th 1856 Page 9 Issue 22534
The Bullion Robbery
News
(There is a section at the end of this case where Mr R Dackombe is a
witness. This does not make any sense without the rest of the days proceedings,
so I have retyped the whole of the case for that day as reported in "The
Times")
William Pierce and James Burgess were again placed at the bar of the
Mansion-house before the Lord Mayor for further examination upon the charge of
having been concerned in robbing a chest of 15,000l. worth of bullion while in
transit from London to Folkestone by the South-Eastern Railway last May
twelvemonths.
The courts, as at the previous examinations, was crowded but on the account of
the excellent arrangements made by Mr. Goodman (the chief clerk) not
inconveniently so, and ample accommodation was afforded to everybody interested
in the investigation. The arrangements for the accommodation of the press were
unexceptionable.
Mr. Bodkin, instructed by Mr. Rees, again attended, in support of the
prosecution, and the prisoners were respectively defended by Mr. Wontner and Mr.
Lewis.
In addition to the Lord Mayor there were upon the bench Mr. Alderman Salomons,
Sir R. W. Carden, Mr. Alderman Carter, Mr. Alderman Rose, Mr. Cross, Mr. Child,
and Mr. Teulon (the last three named gentlemen being directors of the
South-Eastern Railway Company, Mr Abell, Mr. Rees, sen., and Mr. T. Parker.
Mr. Bodkin called Charlotte Paynter, who, having been sworn, said. - I live at
No 8, Southampton Street, Vauxhall and am15 years of age. I formerly lived as
servant with people who were call Mr. and Mrs. Adams (assumed names of Agar, the
convict and Fanny Key), in Harleyford Road, Vauxhall. I went to my work in the
daytime and returned to the house of my parents to sleep. At the last
examination of the prisoners here I saw the witness Agar, who is the person I
had formerly known as Adams, I know the prisoner Pierce, and have seen him at
Agar's in the Harleyford road. I saw him there several times. I was not much in
the house, but was mostly out with the child. I knew Pierce by the name of
Peckham. I remember Mr. and Mrs. Adams moving from Harleyford road to
Cambridge-villa, Shepherd's Bush, and Peckham assisted in taking away their
goods. I left their service just previous to the Christmas before last, and went
home. Some time after this Adams came, and again took me to Cambridge-villa. I
saw the person called Fanny Kay at the last examination, and it was who who
passed as Mrs. Adams. After my return to Cambridge-villa Pierce was in the habit
of coming there. I remember Mrs. Bessell, a neighbour dying. I was at
Cambridge-villa when she died, and I left my place before she was buried. Pierce
used to come oftener to Cambridge-villa than he had previously been in the habit
of coming to Harleyford-road. Some time he stayed the greater part of the day
there. Agar was generally at home when Pierce came, and they both used to go
into the washhouse at the back of the kitchen. I did not know what they were
doing there, but once or twice when they were there I heard a hammering and
knocking. On one occasion I wanted something out of the washhouse, and knocked
at the door, but Agar would not let me in. I saw two boxes in the washhouse, one
of which was coloured green. I think I should know that box again if I saw it. I
used to go into the washhouse when Agar and Pierce were not there, and I used to
remove the boxes for the purpose of sweeping under them. The second box was a
white one and was heavier than that coloured green. A vice was fixed in the
kitchen, near the window, and it remained there when I left. I recollect seeing
a leather bag there. It was one that came with a strap over the shoulder and
buckled in front. Agar brought the bag into the back parlour, and he and Pierce
afterwards went out with it together towards evening. I slept in the back
bedroom upstairs. There was then a small common stove in the fireplace in that
room. I sometimes went to bed at 8 and sometimes at 10 o'clock. Pierce always
left before I went to bed.
Cross examined by Mr. Wontner. - I do not remember the date when I left
Cambridge-villa. I came away, as the child had been sent out to nurse. I am sure
that Mrs. Bessell died before I left. The leather bag of which I have spoken was
of a drab colour. I only saw it once. I was in the room when Agar bought it in.
He and Pierce had tea together the same afternoon. The boxes of which I have
spoken were heavy. I did not lift, but pushed then when I wanted to sweep the
floor. I never saw either of them opened. They had both been there as long as I
had been there. I went into the washhouse when Pierce and Agar were not in it
and swept it out. It was not locked.
Cross examined by Mr. Lewis.- When the leather bag of which I have spoken was
bought by Agar Fanny Kaye was in the house. I am positive that Agar brought it
in and put it upon the chair by the side of the door in the back parlour. I was
there at the time with the baby. It did not remain there more than a quarter of
an hour. It was brought in the evening. Agar carried the bag when hey went out.
He fetched it out of the parlour, but I did not see him take it out of the
house. I do not remember whether he had a greatcoat or cloak on or not. I think
they returned the same evening, but I went to bed about 8 o'clock. I think that
Agar only came home. I never saw that bag afterwards. I was first asked to
become a witness for the prosecution about a month ago. I do not think it is so
long as two months. I then made a statement to Mr. Rees in the presence of my
brother. Mr. Rees paid me 2s. for my trouble when he examined me, and he
afterwards maid me 2s. when he took me to a Mrs. Porter's and asked me some
questions in her presence.
Mr Lewis - Have you read any account of this case in the newspapers.
Witness - Yes
Mr Lewis - And that had refreshed your memory, of course with regard to
everything.
Witness - Yes
Re-examined by Mr. Bodkin. - Mr. Rees found out that I was living with my father
and mother, and put some questions to me, and afterwards took me to Mrs.
Porter's I was out with him a considerable time. I have nothing to support
myself with except what I earn.
Mary Anne Wilde, sworn and examined by Mr. Bodkin. I formerly lived as
servant with Mr. and Mrs. Bessell. I was in the house when Mrs. Bessell died. I
cannot tell the month. I left about a fortnight or three weeks after her
heath. We lived next door to Mr. and Mrs. Adams. I could see out of the back
room of my master#s house into Adam's kitchen. I have not seen Adams for a long
time, but should know him again. I have seen Adams go into the washhouse, but I
could not say how often. I sometimes saw another man accompany him into the
washhouse, but I should not know that man again if I saw him. i Noticed a blind
at the back window of Adam's house in the latter part of my time. It was there
when I first went to live at Mr. Bessell's. I remember Mr. Bessell's borrowing a
hammer of Mr. Adams. I went and fetched it. It was a heavy hammer and Mr.
Bessell returned it himself. While in Mr. Bessell's service I heard the noise of
hammering in Adam's kitchen, but I d o not know whether the man of whom I have
spoken was in the washhouse with Agar or not.
Cross-examined by Mr. Wotner. - I know the witness Charlotte Paynter. She
left her situation about a month before I did. It was before my mistress died.
Cross-examined by Mr. Lewis - My master was very much in the habit of
hammering and making a noise himself. He borrowed the hammer to put up some
lines in the garden. He hammered in his yard perhaps once or twice a-week, and
when he did he made a great noise.
Re-examined by Mr. Bodkin - I do not know on what day my mistress died. I
think Charlotte Paynter went away before my mistress died.
Mrs Mary Ann Porter, sworn. - I live at 13, Harleyford Road, Lambeth. I
know a man named Agar, who went by the name of Adams. I have seen him lately. He
took lodgings in my house in October 1854, for himself and a woman who was
called Mrs. Adams. I saw her on Monday last in this court. They lodged with me
about seven weeks. I know the prisoner Pierce. He used to visit the Adamses, and
went by the name of Peckham. I do not know what he came for. He was in the habit
of coming very frequently. Sometimes he remained half the day, and sometimes
longer. Peckham (Pierce) assisted them to remove their goods away.
Cross-examined by Mr. Wotner. The Adamses left my house about a week
before Christmas 1854.
Mr. Ellis, sworn - I am a cab proprietor, and live at 7, Hawley-mews,
Hawley-road, Camden-town. In the spring of last year I remember being out with
my cab near Chalk-farm. I was driving along the road. It was about 7 o'clock in
the evening. I was called by a man and drove to the corner of Prince of
Wales-road, Haverstock-hill. The man either walked or rode in the cab to the
corner of that road. I know a place called Crown-terrace which is about 150 or
200 yards from the corner of Prince of Wales-road. I stopped at the corner about
a quarter of an hour, the man leaving me while he went away to fetch another
gentleman. The man went towards Crown-terrace. He returned with another, and
they brought two or three bags with them. Two were carpet-bags, I think, and the
third was a little square bag, which appeared to contain a dressing-case, or
something of that kind. I think the outside or it was leather. Both persons got
into the cab and ordered me to drive them to London-bridge station. They
afterwards ordered me to pull up on the right, near the Bridge Hotel. When I
arrived there the shorter man of the two got out and went towards wither
London-Bridge or Tooley-street - I would not swear which - but I know that he
crossed the road in that direction. The other man remained in the cab, and told
me to drive to St. Thomas-street. I accordingly proceeded then, and when I got
near Guy's Hospital I was ordered to pull up. One of them wore a cloak or
mantle. They had been preparing to get out as they went along.
Mr. Bodkin. - What do you mean by preparing to get out?
Witness - I imagined they were preparing to get out by their moving about
in the cab; they were shuffling as they went along.
Mr. Bodkin. - Did the short man, who first got out, take any bag with him
that you saw.
Witness. - No.
Mr Bodkin. - How long did you remain in St. Thomas- street?
Witness. - Well, I think the first time I went there I waited such a
thing as half an hour before the one returned to the other.
Mr Bodkin. - Did you notice which way he returned?
Witness. - He appeared to me as if he came from the left-hand of Guy's
Hospital. I should think he came from Tooley-street, underneath the railway
arch.
Mr Bodkin. - What did the shorter man do when he returned?
Witness. - He got into the cab and spoke to the other, and he then got
out again, and was gone about a quarter of an hour.
Mr Bodkin. - Did you hear anything said between them at all?
Witness. - No, I did not notice that. They were conversing, but I did not
hear what they said. The second man afterwards returned.
Mr. Bodkin. - When the second man returned and got into the cab where did
you drive them?
Witness. - They ordered me to drive back to where I had taken them up,
but in going along they order me not to go to the Prince of Wales road, but to
go round by the Mother Shipton, which is a different direction from that in
which I had brought them.
Mr. Bodkin. - How near did you get with them to Crown-terrace?
Witness - I never got with them to Crown-terrace. I went to within about
200 years of Crown terrace, on the right hand side of princess's terrace. They
then paid me and took their luggage away with them. I think they had nearly the
same luggage with them as they had when they first got into the cab.
Mr. Bodkin. - Now did you ever see these men at any other time, to your
knowledge?
Witness. - Not till they hired me.
Mr. Bodkin. - Nor afterwards?
Witness. - Yes, I saw them afterwards. I had them again after that - two
or three days after that. I was then on the rank at Chalk Farm. The same short
man then hired me, and at about the same hour of the evening - 7 o'clock.
Mr. Bodkin - Did you then drive to the same place?
Witness. - They ordered me to drive them to St. Thomas-street. I first of
all drove to the corner of the Prince of Wales-road.
Mr. Bodkin. - What was done when you arrived there?
Witness. - Well, one gentleman went away for the other, the same as
before, and they both returned with their luggage again.
Mr. Bodkin. - Of what did that luggage, then, appear to consist?
Witness. - I do not think they had so much then. I think they had two
carpet bags and a small leather bag.
Mr. Bodkin. - Did you notice how they were dressed then?
Witness. - I think one of them had a brown frock coat on; the other had a
dark dress. I will not swear, but I think they had cloaks or mantles on their
arms.
Mr. Bodkin. - Did you then drive again to St. Thomas-street?
Witness. - Yes to St. Thomas's Hospital.
Mr. Bodkin. - Did either of them get out?
Witness. - Yes the shorter of the two.
Mr. Bodkin. - Did he take anything with him, that you saw?
Witness. - No, I could not swear that he did.
Mr. Bodkin. - About how long was he gone?
Witness. - About half-an-hour. He went in the same direction, towards,
the arch.
Mr. Bodkin. - Did the other man remain in the cab till he returned?
Witness. - He remained in the cab the whole of the time.
Mr. Bodkin. - At the end of half-an-hour, when the shorter man returned,
did he get into the cab?
Witness. - Yes, I think that then one (but which of two I cannot swear
to) got out and ordered me to drive back the other one. I left one there and
took the other back.
Mr. Bodkin. - Did the one that got out take anything with him?
Witness. - I cannot say.
Mr. Bodkin. - Then, did you drive back to Prince of Wales-road?
Witness. - No; Haverstock-hill
Mr. Bodkin. - What, reversing the same way as you had done before?
Witness. - Yes.
Mr. Bodkin. - Now, were you hired in the same way on any other evenings
besides these two?
Witness. - Yes, one or twice, - once, I think, I could not swear whether
it was once or twice.
Mr. Bodkin. - Were you hired in the same way?
Witness. - In the dame way and by the same man.
Mr. Bodkin. - And did you take them to the same place?
Witness. - To St. Thomas-place, on the north side, when I went this time.
Mr. Bodkin. - Did one of them get out?
Witness. - Yes, the shorter one
Mr. Bodkin. - And did you drive them back on that other time or times in
the same manner.
Witness. - Yes, with what they brought with them.
Mr. Bodkin. - What did that appear to be?
Witness. - Something heavy, but what I could not tell. I never lifted the
bag but once. It was a carpet bag,
Mr. Bodkin. - How came you to lift it?
Witness. - I lifted it into the cab, and that was the only time I
did so.
Mr. Bodkin. - Was it light or heavy?
Witness. - It was heavy. It appeared heavy.
Mr Bodkin. - You have said that it was in the spring of last year; can
you give us any notion of the month in which this took place?
Witness. - It was in either April or May I could not swear which. It was
quite duck when I returned. It was always dusk when I returned.
Mr. Bodkin. - Now, you saw a great deal of these men; will you be
good enough to describe them to us? Give us a description of the short man?
Witness. - He was of fair complexion, that man, and had lightish
whiskers. He looked to me like a servant out of place. He looked to me like a
valet, or something of that kind. The tall man I never looked at. He did not
give me the chance.
Mr Bodkin. - About what height was the short man?
Witness. - I should think he was about 5 feet or 5 feet 6, and of about
28 or 30 years of age.
Mr. Bodkin. - Do you think you would know him again if you saw him?
Witness. - Well, I think I should.
Mr Bodkin. - Did you take notice at all how he was dressed?
Witness. - He had on a brown frock coat.
Mr Bodkin. - Was he on all these occasions dressed in the same
dress?
Witness. - Yes, I do not think he altered his dress once.
Mr. Bodkin. - Now with respect to the taller man.
Witness. - I could not swear to him at all, for as soon as he came
he was in the cab, and I drove off.
Mr. Bodkin. - What description was he?
Witness. - He was about 5 feet 8 high - a thin man - a fair man. He was
dress in dark clothes, with a mantle on his arm. I could not swear to either.
Mr. Bodkin. - Was there anything particular that you noticed about the
tall man - his face or person or anything else.
Witness. - No, it looked to me as if the other was a servant, and that he
came to hire the cab for his master. I only observed the shorter man that hired
me. It was mostly he that used to order me in the street; the shorter man gave
me the orders where to go.
Mr. Wontner and Mr. Lewis declined putting any questions to the
witness.
The description which this witness gave of the men who rode in his cab tallied
in a great measure with the appearance of both Agar and Pierce.
Joseph Carter sworn. - I am a cab driver living at Camden-town. My
badge is numbered 4,477. I remember being with my cab one evening, about 15 or
16 months ago, on the rank at Camden-town.
Mr Bodkin. - Now, do you remember upon that occasion being hired by two
men?
Witness. - Yes
Mr. Bodkin. - Now tell me if you see either of those men here.
Witness. - The man beside the guard is one of them. [The witness aluded
to Pierce, who stood beside Burgess, the latter wearing his uniform of guard.]
Mr. Bodkin. - Did you see the other man lately?
Witness. - I have not seen him since last Monday; I then saw him.
Mr. Bodkin. - Was he the man that goes by the name of Agar here?
Witness. - He was the man that is called Agar.
Mr. Bodkin. - He was the other man?
Witness. - He was the other man.
Mr. Bodkin. - When you were hired by these two men had they anything with
them?
Witness. - They had bags.
Mr. Bodkin. - What kind of bags?
Witness. - Two large bags. Whether they were carpet-bags or not I do not
know, but they had wo bags, if not three. I would not be certain of that. They
had two, I know.
Mr. Bodkin. - How were they carrying them?
Witness. - In their hands, when they came up to the cab. They put their
bags into my cab, and then got in themselves.
Mr. Bodkin. - Could you judge whether those bags were heavy or light?
Witness. - They were heavy
Mr. Bodkin. - Where did they desire you to drive to?
Witness. - To St. Thomas-street, in the Borough.
Examination continued. - I pulled up at the bottom of the street. We passed
between the two hospitals and stopped at the corner; there is an archway there
not many yards from the corner. One of them got out - it was Agar - and went
round to the left. Pierce remained in the cab till Agar returned. He was gone
about half an hour. When he returned he said to Pierce. "It is not a going
down to-night." Upon that he got into the cab and I drove them towards the
top. To the best of my knowledge one of them got out and got a cigar. They then
ordered me to drive to Mother Shipton's, Haverstock-hill. One of them got out
and went inside, came out again and settled with me. I was discharged the. They
took the bags out, and I believe went inside with them. I crossed the road, and
on looking round saw one of them carrying two bags along Princess's-terrace, I
will not say exactly which it was. I was about 100 or 150 yards from Crown
Terrace. I did not notice how they were dressed.
Cross-examined by Mr. Wontner. - You have read Agar's evidence I
suppose in the newspapers?
Witness. - No; I have not. I will swear it. I have not read any account
of this case. I did not hear Agar give his evidence. All the witnesses were
ordered out, and I was not in two minutes. I saw him go into the backroom, and g
out of the back room at night. I saw a short man. I don't know whether he was an
officer - holding his hands as he was going out. I was hired in the evening. It
was not as late as 9 o'clock. It was rather after 5. I can't exactly say the
time. I do not know where I drove the last fare to, or whether it was a man or a
woman. It might have been a girl for what I know. I do not remember any of the
fares I drove during the same week. This is the only fare I remember. When I was
hired I was on my box, as I generally am. I got down and opened the door. They
put their own luggage in. I can tell whether a bag is light or heavy, whether it
requires force to lift it or not. It appeared to be heavy and sounded on the
bottom of the cab. I will not say what the size of the bag was. There were two
bags. I know that man's (Pierce's) face well. I have seen him several times at
Camden-town. I don't remember that there was any alteration in his appearance
from what it is now. He appeared a genteel sort of man.
Cross examined by Mr. Kewis. - You have sworn you have not read over any
of this case. Had you any portion read to you?
Witness. - None of it. I am quite certain of that. I first made a
communication about this matter on the waterman asking me a question about the
description given of me. It was last Friday week. That was the first time I
heard anything about it. This is the first time I have been here. I have been at
a police-court before for being intoxicated. I got off. I cannot say whether
either of the gentleman came out in cloaks. I did not observe whether they
walked, freely or not. The man who went round the corner was at liberty, and
had no large weight with him. I believe he had not a cloak on. I did not see
one. When I drove back neither of them had cloaks on. I think one got out to get
a cigar. When I put them out of the cab at Mother Shipton's they went into the
public house. They had a weight in the bags.
James Clements, examined by Mr. Bodkin. - I reside at
Camden-town. Last year I kept a coffee shop by the turn-pike-gate, adjoining the
Southampton Arms. I left there last July twelvemonth. I remember some time
before I left two gentlemen coming with carpet bags. It might be about three
months before I left. I should think they came about 7 o'clock in the evening.
To my recollection, I had never seen them before. They remained perhaps an hour
or an hour and a half. I did not observe what they brought with them. I believe
it was a carpet bag. After they came in one of them went out the other remained
perhaps an hour or an hour and a half. In consequence of his staying so long I
asked him a question. They had refreshment. I could not say whether it was tea
or coffee. I had an answer to the question I asked. The other man came back. He
took the bag and went away. I don't recollect that I ever saw them before or
afterwards. One of them was a fair man, and the other a dark one, as near as I
can recollect. The man that remained was the fair man. They had a cab when they
went away. I don't recollect seeing more than one bag. They took that away in a
cab. I could not say whether I should know either of those men again.
John Honour said - I am a hairdresser in Lambeth-walk. I know the
prisoner Pierce. I have known him four or five years. He often came to my shop.
On one occasion he wanted me to dress a wig for him. I did so. It was very near
black. He said it was for a friend of his, a very elderly gentleman.
Mr. Bodkin. - Did you dress the wig for the elderly gentleman?
Witness. - I did, at least, for Pierce. He left Walnut-tree-walk about
two years ago, and he paid me.
John Alday was next called. He said, - I live at
Newbury-mews, in the neighbourhood of Havestock-hill. I remember one day finding
some shot in Prince's-terrace, just by the side of the kerb. I had about a
double-handful. Some of my companions came and shared it. The shot was all along
Prince's-terrace. A person walking from Crown-terrace to Kentish-town would go
along that road. There were some large and some small shot. I had left school at
the time I found it. I have left school three years. I don't remember whether it
was spring or summer. I was playing with other boys. I was fetching some butter
at the time.
Cross-examined by mr. Lewis. - I have been away from school three years.
It was a good while after I left school.
John Matthews. - I live at 116, Leadenhall-street, and am assistant in
the business of Mr. Massey, a goldsmith. On the morning of the 16th of May last
year I bought 210 American golden eagles, for which I gave 213l. 10s., and I
sold them for 214l. 11s. 1d. I think it took place about a quarter-past 9 in the
morning. It was the first transaction in buying, I paid the amount in gold,
which I procured at the Bank of England. I sold the eagles before I paid for
them in the trade for about a pound more than I gave. I have a very slight
recollection of the party that brought them. He was rather a tall man, and he
looked as if he had been travelling. I believe he man remained in the shop till
I returned with the money. He was there when I came back. I was gone about 20
minutes or half an hour. I noticed no other person that the man who came. I did
not notice any cab. Our shop is very close to the East India-house.
Walter Stearn. - I live at the White Hart, St. Thomas's-street, in the
Borough, and I know Pierce and Burgess. I don't know Agar by name. I remembered
his person when I saw him the other day. I have known Burgess eight or nine
years, and Pierce seven or eight years. I never saw Agar but two or three or
three or four times. I don't remember how long ago it was. I heard of this
bullion robbery when it occurred. Previously and at that time Pierce and Burgess
frequented my house. I have seen them together at my house on many occasions. I
have seen Agar both with Pierce and Burgess. I cannot remember whether I saw him
before the robbery occurred. I paid no attention to his coming to my house more
than any one else. I have seen Pierce and Burgess at all hours. I think I have
seen Agar generally about 7 o'clock in the evening. I received a parcel about
the 17th or 18th of February last. It was handed to me by my barmaid, Sarah
Thompson. I put it in the cashbox in consequence of what she said. Either
the following night or the night after I saw Burgess and I then gave hime the
parcel precisely in the same state in which it was sealed and wafered. He opened
it in my presence. It contained Bank-notes. There were several of them. I could
see they were not 5l.-notes. They were larger notes than that. I asked him why
he did not make me acquainted with the value of the parcel. He said he was
perfectly satisfied; that he knew it was quite safe in my keeping. He asked me
to take care of it, stating that it had been the saving of years, and that he
wished I should do something for him with it in the best manner I could. I said
I should be very glad to do so. I had a great respect for him. I suggested that
he should open a banking account or deposit account at a banker's/ I said that a
friend of mine had an account at the London and Westminster and would introduce
him. He declined, and said he should be perfectly satisfied if I would undertake
to do what I thought best with it. It occurred to me that I might take this
money to Messrs. Reids', my brewers, and that if they would allow me, as is the
custom, 5 per cent. interest, it would be the best investment that I could make.
I told him so. He said he should be perfectly satisfied, and on the following
morning I went to Reids' counting-house and deposited the money, which was 500l.
I stated at the time that the money was not mine.
Mr Bodkin. - There is no blame whatever as regards you.
The Witness. - And if they would take charge of it I should feel obliged
to them. Mr. Huggins, one of the managers, sent me upstairs with it to the
cashier. It was all in identical notes which I received in the parcel. They gave
me an acknowledgement for it in the usual way in a book. [Here the witness
produced a book containing the acknowledgement alluded to.] I showed this to
Burgess afterwards, that he might see what I had done with the money, and I
wished him to keep the book as security, and to relieve me from any
responsibility. He took the book away, and returned in a few days and gave it to
me wishing me to keep it. I afterwards received the interest, 8l. 1s. 1d., which
I gave to my barmaid with the book to give to Burgess, that he might see the
transaction was fair.
Cross-examined by Mr. Wontner. - My house is tolerably frequented by the
railroad servants. A great many of them come there. I have seen Pierce in
company with a great many of them there. I nver knew him as a company's servant.
I have seen him in company of a variety of them there.
Cross-examined by Mr Lewis. - When you say that Pierce, Agar, and Burgess
were at your house you don't mean to say they were in company together only, but
with others? You mean that they were intermixed with others?
Witness. - Certainly.
Mr. Lewis - Then, they did not form one party?
Witness. -Oh dean, no. My house is about two or three minutes walk from
the railway, and Burgess has always made it his house of call. I can't say
whether I have 20, 30, or 40 servants there every evening. I do not notice the
number of them. I have not Burgess's savings-bank-book here. I never have had
it. The amount of 500l. was in the parcel. I believe that was the amount when I
originally saw that parcel. I have no doubt about it in my own mind. I think the
remark Burgess made was, "It has been the saving of years." I don't
remember his saying that a portion of it was the saving of his wife's money. I
can't undertake to say he did not say so. I can't remember his saying that in
order to make up that amount he had taken savings out of the savings-bank. I
paid no attention to the conversation particularly. He did not say that he had
had some good fortune in speculating in shares. I am quite clear I never heard
one word about that. This was in February last. When I knew that this parcel
contained the money I went to Messrs. Reid's the next morning. It was at my
house a day or two probably before I knew the contents. There was not the
slightest concealment at all in the transactions with me, and I believe the
deposit was made, in the ordinary course, of the identical notes with the
brewer. There was no changing into gold.
Re-examined by Mr. Bodkin. - When I heard of this examination I made a
communication voluntarily to the solicitor for the prosecution of what I knew
about this money through my solicitor. Prior to that no attempt was made at
concealment or to get the money.
Sarah Thompson. - I live at the White Hart, and was barmaid there in
February last. I remember handing to Mr. Stearn a parcel that was brought by a
person named Lee, addressed, as near a I recollect, to Mr Burgess. I gave it to
Mr. Stearn in the same state in which it came into my hands. I was ot present
when Burgess came and had the parcel given to him. I afterwards delivered to him
the interest left by Mr. Stearn with me for him. I believe it was 8l. 1s. 1d. I
showed hi this book at the time and gave it to him.
Mr. Bodkin. - having stated to the Court that the evidence just given
would be the last he should adduce that day said, - I think it my duty to call
your Lordship's attention to an occurrence that took place on the last occasion,
in which the interest of justice appear to be very materially involved. There
was a short adjournment in the middle of the day, and during that interval a man
who is now in court watched an opportunity of making a communication to the
prisoner Pierce, and I shall call the person before you who heard the answer
that Pierce made. He did not hear what the man said, for it was said in a
whisper, but he heard the reply, and that I shall prove as evidence in the case;
but I call your Lordship's attention particularly to it, because if there is not
a proper guard here kept and watchfulness exhibited to prevent communications
with prisoners your Lordship will see in a moment that the ends of justice will
be very much frustrated.
The man referred to was then brought forward, and
Mr Bodkin said, - I am going to put forward as evidence in the case
against Pierce, and leave your Lordship to deal with this man as you may think
fit, if you think this, as I do, a contempt of this Court.
James Porter was then called by Mr. Bodkin and examined. He
said, - I live in Harleyford-raod, and am a carpenter. I was here at the
last examination of the prisoners. I was present when the short adjournment took
place. Directly behind Pierce I observed that man (pointing to the man in
question, who here gave his name as Robert Dackombe) speak to him. I
could not hear what he said to Pierce. I heard Pierce say to him, "Make
away with them - destroy them." This man stopped in the court a short time,
and I don't think I saw him afterwards. I am sure he is the person.
After some discussion as to what the officer's duty it was to remain by the side
of the prisoners while they were in the dock.
Robert Dackombe who stood next to the witness-box said, - I am a
coach proprietor, and have held a situation for 10 years as a managing man, and
am now in business for myself. I am a liveryman and a freeman of the Pewterers'
Company, and never have had the least charge brought against me upon any one
occasion' and as to speaking to Pierce, I did not go near him-not here. I have
spoken to him, but I never spoke to him in court the whole time.
James Porter, who brought forward the accusation, then said, "there
is a man in court who heard it."
Robert Dackombe - I bought a horse of Pierce some time ago in St.
Martin's-lane, in the presence of a respectable coach proprietor.
The Lord Mayor (to Dackombe). - Have you any reason for
attending this case?
R Dackombe. - Not any more than Mr. Kemshaw. He is a 'bus
proprietor.
The Lord Mayor - He is in attendance as a witness.
R. Dackombe - I was not aware of that. I have no motive in coming.
My coach arrives in London in the morning, and I do not go out again till 5
o'clock.
The Lord Mayor. - It is a very improper proceeding.
R Dackombe. - I will pledge my oath that nothing of kind took
place.
Mr Wotner. - Dackombe is quite as respectable as the witness who
has been called.
The Lord Mayor. - The persons outside the dock stand so near to the
prisoners that for the future we will take care to have two officers immediately
behind them so as to prevent the possibility of communication.
Mr. Bodkin then called Mr. Mitchell, an inspector of the city police, who
having been sworn, said, At the close of the examination last Monday I saw this
person (Dackombe) - I do not know his name - speak to Pierce from
the back of the dock. I leant forward to endeavour to catch what was said, but
did not succeed. It was not at the time of the adjournment, but at the final
close of the day's proceedings.
Dackombe. - I left here at 12 minutes to 5. The coach leaves the
city a 5 o'clock.
Mr. Bodkin (to Mr Mitchell). - Are you sure he is the person?
Mr Mitchell - I am sure he is the man.
The Lord Mayor (to Mr Porter). - You say this took place at the
adjournment in the middle of the day?
Porter. - Yes, my lord.
The Lord Mayor (to Mr Mitchell). - Why did you not interfere?
Mr Mitchell - I had no charge of the prisoners; they were in charge of
other officers. Still, I consider it a portion of my duty to try and hear
anything that was said, although I was unable to do so. Very few words passed.
The Lord Mayor again repeated that for the future every precaution would
be taken to prevent prisoners while in the dock having communication with
bystanders in the court.
This extraordinary case, which excited the deepest interest throughout the day,
was at this period of the proceeding adjourned to this day week.
The Times, April 15th 1865 page 6 Issue 25160
Official Appointments and Notices
Notices of Sitting for Last Examination
May 25 - M. A. Dackombe, late of George St., Trafalgar St., Walworth, needlewoman
The Times, Saturday, November 5th 1870 page 11 Issue 26900
Law
Court of Probate and Divorce, Westminster - At 11.
(Before the Right Hon, Lord Penzance (without juries)
Carman v. Dackombe
The Times, Thursday, November 10th 1870 page 8 Issue 26904
Court of Probate, Nov. 9.
Category; Law
Court of Probate, Nov. 9.
Before Lord Penzance
The part-heard case of "Stephenson v. Hudson" was settled, and, by
consent, the Court promounced for the will propounded by the plaintiffs.
CARMAN v. DACKOMBE
Mr. Inderwick appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr. Searle for the defendant.
The testator, Aquila Richard Dackombe, died on the 26th of March last, leaving a
will dated the 15th March 1870 in favour of his sister, Mrs. Carman and
appointing her and her husband executors. The defendant, a brother of the
deceased, alleged that he was not of sound mind at the time of its execution.
The plaintiffs, the medical attendant of the deceased, the attorney who prepared
and attested the will, and the second attesting witness, gave very strong
evidence of his capacity. But evidence was porduced on the other side to the
effect that on the 10th March he was taken to the Middlesex Hospital, that while
he was there he was quite insane, and that on the 12th March he was discharged
as a maniac.
His LORDSHIP said the case was not an easy one to decide, as the evidence was
quite contradictory, but believing the account given by the persons who had seen
the deceased in the hospital he was unable to place any relinace on the
testimony of the plaintiffs. They had failed to satisfy him of the deceased's
competency, and he therefore pronounced against the will, and condemned the
plaintiffs in costs.
The Times, Tuesday, April 23rd 1872 page 1 Issue 27358
Classified Advertising
Maryann Dackombe widow of Daniel Dackombe (late of Bromley, and George street, Walworth, and daughter of Thomas Rook, America - The GENTLEMEN who have been making inquiries for this lady, will oblige by communicating with C. E. Weldon, 9, St. George's Villas, Tufnell park road, Holloway.
The Times, Saturday, March 15th 1915 page 24 Issue 40160
From the London Gazette, Friday March 14
The Bankruptcy Acts 1883 and 1890
In London
Receiving Orders
Dackombe, D., residing at Studley-road, Clapham, lately carrying on business at
Guildford road, South Lambeth road, livery stable keeper.
The Times, Saturday, September 4th 1915 page 4 Issue 40951
Deaths
The Roll of Honour
1,543 Casualties in the Ranks
Died
Army Ordnance Corps
Dackombe 7464 Act L Cpl II G.
The Times, Tuesday, January 18th 1927 page 7 Issue 44482
Display Advertising
Middlesex Hospital Reconstruction
Fund
Donations and Promises
Sixteenth List
Total to Date £336,944
£5 5s
...........Messrs. Dackombe Bros; .....................
The Times, Monday, December 5th 1932 page 3 Issue 46308
Law Notices
Probae, divorce & Admiralty
Division
...........Dackombe N. E. v Dackombe W. H. (484); .....................
The Times, Tuesday, January 20th 1933 page 5 Issue 46475
Law
304 Decrees Made Absolute before
the President
The decrees nisi in the following 304 Matrimonial Cases were made
absolute.
...........Dackombe N. E. v Dackombe W. H. .....................
The Times, Tuesday, July 27th 1937 page 5 Issue 47747
Law Notices
Middlesex Sessions
Guildhall, Westminster
First Court
Strike, R. H., Luke R. W., and Dackombe J.
The Times, Wednesday, November 3rd 1943 page 7 Issue 49693
Deaths
The Roll of Honour
Died
Dackombe W/Sgt D. R. F.
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