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i~WCASTT.lv S A V l sne tuv-p ¦•r-r-.T-.-i^i^T, rVTCASTLE SAYINGS' BANK MURDER.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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TBXAZi OF BOZiAK . TUESDAY , Jult 30 . This CKEg the day on which it was generallT sected the trial of Bolatn for the murder of unfortunate Millie would take place , the County art of Northumberland was filled at a very early it by persons who had obtaiatd tickets , and " before > Learned Judge arrived , it was crowded to excess , ndreds being unable to obtain admission . Notisianain g the long period that has elapsed since : ccmmissioa of this atrocious murder , * a& the snce that hss been « b « rved respecting it by the alic press since the last assixes . puUk r-rriifttliant still great ; indeed , w . « J ^ nfig ^ fci 3 if oft ** ent * rfcieli ill occurred a ^ lW ^ ni lm B !
uf | s ^ « dted » ten » tw >> Intense or so ntinaoBs as fee Newcastle Savings' "Bank murderf c » i 3 this interest confined to tha locality—it ha 3 re * d throughout the kingdom . As a proof of is , we may mention that above thirty reporters , strepolitan snd proTineial , attenced . To aecom-: date this large ntnnber , & gVikry wa 3 erected er _ the common jary-box , to which they were tndtted by tickets . Great credir is due to Mr . Iabmou , the Under Sheriff , for -this excellent Txagraent , and to that gentleman ani the other Ithorme 3 for the care that was taken to preserve < &r and preTent accidents . At a quarter past nine , Mr . Baron Matjle tsot is seat on the bench , when tbe Clerk ef Arraigns mBediitehr called for ARCHIBALD BOJ-Ail zi on him instantaneously all eyes were turned ' . Ee appeared thinner , and seemed to hare ssfferel meh from his loag caafinement ; he was dressed in
fell suit of mourning , and on taking ids place in is ioci , bowed respectfully to the Com . Tbe inicaneat was t ' aen read . It charged him wit ' a the rsrder of Joseph Millie , at the parish ef St . Hchaias , on the 6 : h of December last , bv sinking am on the right and lef t ride of the held several lonal wounds wiih a poker , of which wounds he Mgnished and died . The second count in the ndiotinant charged the . efface with having been onimitted by striking ^ him , or pushing him against m iron fender . The ' re wer ? other ^ two ~ eonns T&rycg the charge . To this indictment the prisoner iifisiedJicH-Grrn . TXjin a Ji-rincl tcneuf voice , ad then , afitr glancing round the Court , looted ittentb-ly at the jury as tkey were sworn . 4 . r . John Clark , feranan . Mr . John Dickinson — John Bell — Stephen Ki ' . chinj ? — Tfcoi . Hinimarsh . — Roger Sini : h — George Blenkinsop - — Matt&ew Usher — John Chariton — John Armstrong — Ralph Hutphinson — Thos . D&wBon .
Sir G . Lewi *' , the Hon . J . S . Wort-let , ani M \ Gb ^ sgeBj were for the prosecution ; Mi . Dcxbas and iir . ivSOTTLZS ceiVnded the prisoner . Sir G . Lrwrx then stated the case in a very clear Kid lurnin-uj manner .- He gaid the prisoner stood Bt the bar , charged witk the crime of wilful murder , and i : was his duty to bring before them tke facts &ad circumstances of the case . Before he entered en riese details , he frit it incumbent on him , as counsel fcr the jrosecstion , to remind them that this case had excited great attention throughout the kingdom—thai rnmoar had been spreading statements in almost every town and xeighbonrkood , some more or less falis , and others . more or less true , but whether disadvantageous or the contrary to the prisoner , hg was not abla to
-say . Inasmuch , however , as it was next to impossible that seme of those statements aar have "reached them , he thongbt it but right 10 " remark -that their Tcrdici must ¦ aldmatelT depend spon the evidence adduced mat cay . and" it was their dunto forget ail they may hava heard prior to entering that box , and to endeavonr to the utmost oi their power to remove from their minds any of the impressions they zrigh ; have received . Tie prisoner stood at the bar tea-, day upon his celiv .-ria . ee ; he his pleaded not guilty , and pat hiinseit upon his country , which country they were , ani thej had just sworn well End truly to try tLe prisoner , and & tree verdict-find aocofding to the eriden . ee , so help them God . He felt perfectly satisfied that tao . ee few prefatory observations
¦ sfOHid be quite sufficient to guard their minds agEin-t any deviation from that cocrse which the constitution oi this coEntry hid pointed out . Tha c * ee which he should present to thesi was i ^ ade np mainly of _ circomsUnees , many of them but little accssnt in tiPmselveii , inx when taken together they woul i embody and present snch a Lbric c ( evidence as , is hix tumble jndgmert , vronld bo Haaaswarsble aad irredidble . Bat the Jorr were p J 3 dge , and not him ; -while on the cue" hand , he -B-onld nothing exteanate , he woald not set down asai » st the prisoner aught in malice . He stood there not to contend for victory , but for truth . Having then stated the evidenc * ( which c-e have sivt-n mora at length rrom tie witnesses b ^ ^ i ^ p ^ -i-i _ _ _ J _ 1 1 * A " » theicsei and wiich thereforethiak it would
* ^ . ^ ^ " ^ ^ . . * vey . we , , be needless to recapitulate , ); he said , that while o ; t ; _ e _ ciie hand ie was no : warranted by any evidence ¦ w hich he possessed in snggesting any moiivs . on the ether lie w » s not called upon to suggest any , y tb . 9 facts and circuinstances were snch as ~ to exci ^ dis sii rational suppositioB that any other than he w&s ths ranrderer . And indeed if he was not the murderer , T > rhe _ : e _ co-uidii . e lind anymorive for any ptrron else comndtdng the crime . He found no papers of any vaiae destroyed , no error in the accounts , no robbery committed , Koney in Millie ' s peckets , £ 80 in an inner safe ¦ untouehed—what conld be the motive in any other person ? That the assassin had no design oa the prisoner was clear , fLr-t from his having cautioned him to He still ; and secondly , from
his having had the opportunity of jacrdering Bolaia , and not haring done i :. Then what coula be tae object of en Bjs&siia remainisg in the bani from sSTec in the evening till one or two is tliemoraicg ? aac he ( the Lsamed Connsd ) enlertained no doubt of satisrymg them thai the bank was net set fire to bb til that time . And when they found all the facts and circumstances of the c&so tefiding to one coaclusicn by a consistent chain ; when they found ths prisoner , who was seen the las : in Miilie ' s company , giving a statement most improbable « nd naoataral ; when ha itated facts , taough Biinutc ssd trivial intheraselves , which could not be true ; wnen he f xhiDited to them a coa : of the pri ^ E ^ r ' " . ct : id sa extraordinary % manner , tha : it j- iaspo * s > b : e lor any rinons . 1 being to concaiTe they we-e made ether than a contiic : or design ( and thar rhay were done in conflict tha prisoner denied )— when Bolam had the meaas ox escape and did not embrace ibpm
—when he did not defaad himself , according to the natural impulses of nature , for a reason whi * h was utterly incredible , and " unint -Ih ' gible—when cverytling concurred is leading to tie conclusion of gt-lt , then , althongh there was no cenceivabb motive , hs asked them , looking at all the circum-Stasces wiicb be nad nsrr&ted , sad -s-aich he should prove , wtetfcer they could corns to any otkerranonal coicicsioa lisa tha . ; tha prisoaer was" the zaan who niuiaered ^ liilie . As he said at the oatssttheymn-t diicari a =-y impressojis the ; might have iarmed aatecedeat to their entering , the jury box—to the evidence alone he entreated them to look—te Collov it closely—to follow it anxiously and undeyiatingiv ; it TTiij iaaportant to the pubSc , and vitally _ important to tia prisoner . He was sar » that nothing fcrthsr used bi stated to secure their attention , ani with th ^ sa observations , therefore , he shculd prec . ei to caS Ms
witnessss-Mr . John Sopwith exhibited the model which he stated was correc :. CroiS-examinod , —The thickness of the wall betweea Mr . Robson ' s la . ee shop and tha bank Ls on * feet eig-ht inches . Matth ? w Cree . —In December last , I was pcrtfr Bt the jsaving ' s Back , sini had been sa fonrtern Tears , i he deceased was cierk tiere . About tvreive months £ > eiorelastI > eceiiibcrhoocea > ioii 2 lJvassisc ^ d in the Bank ; on the 4 ih oi that taonth he was appointed cieri , in the jiaco of Ksdley . Tfe dined thai cay at Bjlasa ' s i ^ c = s in Sed ^ srick-placs , Gateshead . After dinner , Mr . Bolam drew a bottle of wine , and draak Millie ' s health , wishing him long life , and that he might long enjoy bis situation . Mv hours of ateeadance at the Bink wore ten to tarae " ; if coa ' s were wanted dnrins the dz >~ , I brought theiE np . On T ^ Tirsday , i Beit ' s iitdr be : " crs : en o ' clock in tie morsinE ; Balsit aid Mij-fe ~ ire bo ± ther ? . Bolain din&d ia ths . Bank betwix ; ona and two o ' cioci . 1 left the Bank a : half-past tkree , and previous to that had brought coals up . When 1 let Bolam and Milh ' e were sitting side by s ^ a at the
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» ble , like two brothers . I never heara an angry rord between them . The model correctly represents the desks . I left the Bank by the waiting-room ioor , the key of it was inside . The partition door was then ojute open . The safes on each side of the tire place ¦ we re quite secure ; in one of these there was a wash bason , some wat « r , and two towels , with a BmaU one hanging on the door . I never heard of any anonymous latter being found under the door oi tneBank . Bolam -was a right-handed man . Tbe windows haTe shutters which were not fastened that day . Elizabeth Millie , ( an interesting girl , twelve years ^¦ fri * ? £ Amghierol lie late J oseph Millie ; we lived in Croft stairs , which ii abo&t five minute waii from the Saving * ' Bank . My father usually csme borne to tea between four a-ad five o'clock : he MBwMMr * f < rt 3 H » fHHihrii ftn ifiMiini ¦¦» n ^ mmi' i ttoV m-fi&tt&miiSistt hia . « 0 Hie for meat , which he gave us . .. _
- < , mss-exaBaiEe ! S—1 never saw or heard mv father and Bttlam rjnarrelsome . Joseph Millie , 13 years old , son of the deceased—1 was at home to dinner oq the day in question , between twelve and one o ' clock , I * i \ v my father last alive ; he was then on the Quay gice . My lather usually came home about eieht or imw 0 clock at night ; he did not come home that night . 1 afterwards saw my father ' s body at the Savings ' Bank . s Win . Moor—I am a police constable , and was on duty on the night of the murder , at the Arcade . 1 came on doty at five e'clock , and was principally near ths door of the Savings' Bank . 1 was off my beat at eight o ' clock , for about ten minutes . During tke time I was there , I did not hear any cry of muraer , nor was my attention attracted by anything snnsrjaL
Crosi-examined—My beat was over at ten o'clock . Henry Davis—I am a police constable , and cam * on duty at a quarter before ten ; and after going down Pilgrim-street , I went down the Arcade , anc found the outer door of the Savings' Bank opes , and the two inner doors shut . 1 had seen it open as late » s one nigh t b « fore . 1 returned to the- A rcade abon 112 o ' clock ; tha outer door was then shst . I went do » n Manor Chare at one o ' clock , and looted in at the first window ; Macphersoc was on the opposite side of the road , and we conversed together aboat five miaute 3 . I stood close against the Savings ' Bank wall ; I never saw nor heard anything' of the fire . 1 s , » oke loud enongh for any person to near me . . .. J r James ^ Iaepherson , police-constable , corroborated tie testimony of the last < aitnes . « . He said that supposing a person was laying inside of the Bank , he must hare , heard their conversation . Cross-examined—That was if he was seasiblo .
Mary Ann Latimore—1 am a dress-miker , and reside in Pilgrim- street , near the top of Manorstreet . On the 6 th of December I was indisposed , and np late at night ; about eleven o ' cloik , ther were some persons- quarrelling in tie street , and I looted ou-ii ¦ - Frora rar- room I can see all tite S-ai ^ W Baol : wi » dowsj-when- 1 looked ost I saw no light m the Bunk . - At one o ' clock I was disturbed by a policeman knocking at a barber ' s shop door , and looked out , but there was then no light in the B-nk . I dd not hear what the policeman said , but I ccnld hear their voices . In about a quarter oi an hoiir I went agnin to my -window , and then observed a light Item the window of the waiiiBgroom ; the blinds wsra down . It was a dim sort ol light , which I attributed ta the tire burning in the grate . 1 then went to bed , and observed nothing mors .
Cross-examined—It was about sixteen minutes past one when I saw the light . The Jtdge hero , recaileu Macphersoc and Davi * , beth ot" whom said that they did not knock at a door at one o ' clock tha : morniag . By Sir G . Lewis—That was policeman Go'sldine ' s beat , Wm . Diinii—I am apprentice at the Newcastle Cavrarit office . On Friday morning , the Tih ol Sspternbir , I carried some papers to the post-oS ; e , wiiich is in tie Arcade , at twenty minutes before two o ' clock . I passed the outer door of the Saving *' Bank , and did cot then notice whether it was s ' lTut or not , I did not see s . ny fire or tnioke . 1 w ^ nt to tie pricting-office , and tken returned to the postoffice , im ^ aedialely oncoming out of the priDtiaeoSce , in Pzigrim-streer , 1 observed a light reflecting out of Manor-street ; 1 went and told them at the efnee , and Mr . Sslkiik and me returned to the place There was than a great name breaking out of the "aitiae-room .
Daniel Gonlding—I am a policeman , and was oh dstynear the Savings'Bank oa the night in ques-• ion . I went on my beat at ten o ' clock ; I did not hear any ki . ock , nor knock myself Bt a baker ' s shop . 1 saw the fire about twenty minutes to two o'clock , and on ruining to the place heard a man cry out " We shall be scomfished" ( suffocated . ) I ran to the p : > lice-station , and returned by the Manor Chare , up the Arcade . 1 io : icd the outer-door of the Siyings ' Bank open , and flames issuing out of the waitingroom . The firemen soon afterwards arrived , aad the flames were soon pot under . The iron nafe was open ; the wainscoitir-g : md the floor were burning . Aoot . a half-pa * - ! tvro the iire wai entirely extiagnished . I went into the large room , and saw tke body of Millie lying on the hearth rng ; there was very little light in the room ; 1 did not see Bolam I went to seek Mr . Glenton , the surgeon . Crossexamined—Mr . Glenton did not return with mo .
James Robson—I am a lace-dsaler in tho Arcade , on the same floor with the Savings' Bank . My sleeping roonis aro on the third atory of the building . On th p night of the 6 th of December , 1 was in the shop from half-past five to niae o'clock : before that I had been up stairs to tea . Aft ^ r 1 closed the shop i went to Mr . Parsons ' , in Mosleystriet , and then returned , home at a quarter to eleven . I fonnd tha outer door open , and I closed it ; it locks ftith a spring . I never heaid any cry that night , cor saw cr iri : any fire or smoke . ' " i went to bed abaat twelve o ' clock . Betwix : one and two o ' clock I was alarrsed "b r the servau :-giri , and then found the « iE&ke so dense that 1 conld not get downstairs . My wife and me went ont by the leads of tha house . Mr . Groen occupies two or three rooms on the second floor of the buildme . Cross-examined—From
tiij inside of me Arcade door , we can open it by the spring . By the Judge—I ccnld net haTe heard if any violence had been used , unless it had keen verv loud indeed . William Appleton— I am foreman of the North British Fire-Omce . On the morning in question 1 received an alarm of fire , and went to the Arca . de with the engine . TVliile the engine was playing at the Tfindovrs in Manor-street , I w-= nt into * tha Bank .. When 1 entered , I went to the fira-place ; there were some dyieg cinders in it ; the room was otherwise dark . When near the fire-place , I stumbled over a man ' s leg ; on this I returned to the end of the room to procure a lighi ; I mst two men , one of whom had a police-lantern . When I got into the waiting-room , I eat- one of ocr firemen ; I obtained a lantern frjm hiia , and returned into the
Bank . >> hen 1 got to tbe place where the body was lying , 1 saw Mr . Armstrong and Inspector Bsll standing over it . 1 cried oKt , " Oh . men , there mist be Eiore than tids . " 1 went on towards the windows in Pilgrim street . The light th . es . shaded tie head of a min who was lyin ^ on the tisor . Ho was resting oa his lef . ' -elbow , with his head towards Pilgrimstreet . He had his hat on , and his plaid over h « shoulders , As soon as I said , " Oh , here's another ine ^ , " he turned his head round , and bis eyeslcoked brighter ; when I said "It's Bolam , " he dropped his h > -ad down . Oa seeing thi 3 I stepped cp to Mm , took his hat < ff his hsad , and the plaid lrom hi * shoulders . By this time several perjors had come Bp . 1 tried to open tke windows near Piigrim-s ' ireet , but they vrere fastened ; 1 then tried those in Manorstrret , and they wenvnor fastened . While coins
this Ai-. er . -cg n Dun * kh Bolam ' * wrist , and said , "There ' s pulsation . " Same person brought sc-m * vriter , cf whici he drank . It was then reqneitrd Bilam should be taken to Mr . Glenton ' s , which was dose . 1 no'dced the candles ; they were four or nvt iniasi loa £ , and ^ s ; e mould canclea . Crosj-examinsd—The rival engine at the fire was tha ' Nswciitie . " AUxacder Galioffsy badtha cotnmand of it . Five or iis men connected with the North British engine wera playing in the waiting-room win-.-icw .-t , and those of the Newcastle tngir . e in zhe ^• aiting-rooK doo r . "When I first entered , I fooad some smoie , and I h ^ d as light with sae . When 1 returned with tie iig > it , 1 found Mr . Armstrong and Mr . BdII ; the latt ? r had a light . When 1 first saw Bolata 1 was two or taree yarcs from him ; the plaid he wore was apparently a grey plaid . Four persons lifted Bcl&m oa & » table , oa which he saL He
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would be there nearlyfive minutes before Mr . Glenton came . The candleB had apparently been hnuffed down very close to the tallow . Alexander Nelson Hall—I was one of the firemen ftat played with the Norm British Engine into tho waiting room "windows ; I got into the room by a adder . The first person I saw there was Appleton . I called for a fight , which having obtained , I went with him to tire fire-place . There wan a little iire in the grate in the Bank . I saw Millie ' t body lying , and immediat ? ly Mr . Bill and Mr . Armstrong came in . Saon afterwards ha saw Bolam lying ; on a lantern being brought near biro , he raises Ha head from the ground , and looked qnite raent up . when Mr . Armstrong cama up , he said , "Bplam , Bolam , is that yon , " on which i Fqlwnjnid down on his left side , eeemingly in a r jtftfttrl aifeation . T examined tha lock of tha
feraHT ^ BiPptJuifc morning about four o ' clock ; tbriodc wasnot Bhti ^ and the key was lying ift > ont a'jard within the door ; the ring was broken off it . Cross-examised—Tho handle of the partition door opens both ways—from the bank-room and the ¦ waiting-room . [ This witness refusing to speak sufficiently loud to be heard , was at last ordered by the Learned Judge to stand on the counsel ' s table , and still persisting , he was afterwards disallowed his expenses . ] Thomas Goal—I am one ef the engine-men of the North British , and obtained access to the Bank by tho waiting-room window . There was then present Elgie and eome others . When I went in , I heard Galloway say , " Here ' s a man lying here murdered . " I went up and saw Millie . In a few seconds 1 saw Bolain ; Appleton was standing near
mm ; 1 saw a basin of water brought , which Alderman Dunn plaped at Bolam's mouth , and he drank of it . _ I assisted to take Bolam to Mr . Glenton ' s : in going , I observed he moved his head abomt , on which . 1 took hold of it to support it . Bolam appeared to ba sick , and I think that was the cause of bis moving his head about . I cannot judge whether he was really sick or not . Mr . Joseph Armstrong—I am cashier of tb » Sivings' B « nk , and one of the proprietors of the Courant newspaper . About twenty minutes to two of the monringof the fire , I was ' alarmed by one of our men , ani went down to t ! ie Arcade immediately . Ths outer door was open , and the door of the bank cbsed . When the engines arrired , several persona collected round the place . After they-had played seme timej I wentinto the waiting loom 1 reeaned of from of
- ; -- -a- parcel papers ona fke foemfinyand . gaveit in charge of a policeman . A * 1 went into the Arcade with tke papers , I met Sab-Inspector Bell ; after remaining a minute or two with him , I went to the b ink-room door , and found it open , which was unusual at that timo . Bell exataised the lock , and it-marked that the key was in « de . We wwe not then able to go into the room , from the smoke . In about three or four minutes we obtained access , and wont to the table at the- end of the-dank . When near the fire place , I struck something -with my loot , and , on looking down ,-1 saw Millie ' s , body , lying on tke face , with one or both arms under his body . ' It was quite cold and stiff . I then v . tat round to examine the papers ; the candles * eee lighted ; : and there were several persons in the room . On going round the desk , I observed a man lying , with his head hanging on his left shoulder , " and his plaid lying across his bip . He was raised ud bv eonaebodvi
on this , he looked up vrithhis eyes , and , on meeting them with mine , he dropped them down again . Aid . Dunn came up , feltBolarn ' s arm , and said there was life . I went for a surgeon , and when I returned , fonnd Bolam had been lifted on the table . He was removed to Mr . Glenton's . About twenty minutes afterwards , I saw iisa lying on the kitchen table . His skirt breagt was bloody , which was wet : he was moving his lips , attempting to swallow . A little aft . » r tbree o ' clock I went again to Mr . Glenton ' c , and found hiai sitting in a chair , with several parsons round him . [ Witness here detailed Bolam ' s statement at Glenton's , which has already appeared in csr columns . ] He never wag shown any anonymous letter ; about twelve months bafore he was shown a letter requestin < the payment of som * money . On the Friday , I examined Mr . Bolam ' s desk ; it wu in its usual state . Bokm had alwaya the keys of the outer-door of the safe , and also the inner safe .
Cross-examined—I have known Mr . Bolam upwards ef sixteen years , and have been cashier seven years . I Bever saw anything but good of him , either as a man of integrity or humanity . I had known Millie some time , and never heard of any altercation , disagreement , and quarrel between Mr . Bolam and him , We lost a book in tho fire , bnt we had a duplicate of it . There was no inaccuracy whatever in the accounts . Tha only light I saw in tho room was from Bell ' s lantern ; I was only two or three minutes in the room before I saw Millie Mug on the rcg . I do not know whether I was the first person that saw Bolam .
Re-examined—Ridley was about two years clerk . Edward Bell . —I am a sub-inspector of police . About tw » o ' clock on the meming in question , I was at the end of Blackett-street ; hearing of afire in tha Arcade , I went to the place , and saw some of the firernen there . On going into the Bank , I found a key inside the door . 1 then went with Mr . Armstrong to the fire-place . [ Witness here corroborated Mr . A . ' s testimony , and described the position in which Mr . Millie's body was found . ] The poker found near was bleody and hairy ; the tongs were also bloody round the rim . The pockets were filled with coals , wrapped in separate pieces of paper . There was a great deal ol blood on the surbass , which was also scattered about other parts of the room . The blood on the doer an . 4 the handle was considerable . Between the fire-place and the door there were several chairs ; one of these was turned upon another . Below theso I observed a hand-mark upon the rng ; it was between the chain and the firs-place . On the upper chair there wera
some marks of blood . I fonnd a penknife lying upon a table ; tbsre was no mark of blood on the knife , bnt a mark on the table , close to it , similar to what a person might make with bis thumb , on pntting down the knife . I afterwards searched the clothes of the deceased ; there waa a purse which contained three sovereigns and some silver : two shillings were picked up near the place where the prisoner was lying . In the . prisoner ' s desk there were some keys in the lock ; the desk was open . Millie ' s desk was shut , bat not locked . I recollect seeing two car diesticks standing on the centre , in front of the fireplace . There were two candles in each stick , and the wicks were abont four inches long . [ Witness produced tha poker , tongs , fender , and hearth-rug . ] The poker and fender were covered with blood and hair , and the rug saturated with blood in the centre of it , on which Millie's head was laid . These caused a great s ? s « atitn in Court , and a murmur of horror ran throiagh the assembly . He also produced the pri « 0 Der's plaM , which was not marked with blood , and had no cuts in it .
Cross-examined . —I found much blood about the hands , arms , and head . In my jndgment the body had be * n laid out on the rug . Aid . Donn . — -I went to the Arcade abont twenty minHte * . past twa" o ' clock ,, aud on going iuto the Bank , saw a manlying-on ths floor ; I did not see Ins face then . Some persons called " Bolam , Bo 3 : un , " o » -which ' \ o raised hi » he « d , and opened his eye * , in the manner of a direct stare . I believe he had his hat sn . On feeling his hand , I found pulsation distinctly ; I desired some person to bring water , and then , a policeman took off his handkerchief . On receiving the water , I placed it to his mouth , ani some » f it came back , but I did not see him drink it . The blood on his neck appeared to be fresh , but I did pot touch it . Mr . Glenton then came , and examined the wound ; on which he thought it better that h * should be taken to hi *
house . A quiirter of an hour or twenty minutes afterwards , I saw him in Mr . Glenton ' s kitchen , aad was then convinced ha was sensible , from his lookirg about him , and pointing to his throat , and other parts , expressing pain . Abont half an hour after , ne said to me in a whisper , " There has been somebody in the bank all night . " Very soon afterwards he gave ih . s acconnt detailed by the last witness . [ Aid . Dunn hereTecapitulated it . ] Next forenoon , 1 saw a tovrel in the water in the bank , marked a Teddish colour . I afterwards ^ examined his coat , and found a mark on the lining , from which I drew tbe inference that an attempt had been made to rnb out the stains of blood from the sleeve . The stock which he wore was cut in the centre of it ; the handkerchief over it I did not then observe was cat . — Cross-examined—Tke handkerchief was damp , and apparently stained with blood . Ralph Little , inspector of police , after corroborating tke appewweeg in toe room tad the positions
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of the bodief , gaid , on going to tha prisener ' s house oa the 7 th ef Deeember , I observed a pane of glass broken in the kitchen window , by which a person might have opened tho inside . On searching him , I found two keys , one of which , the p risoner said waa for the front , door of the houae , but I have since ascertained that it opened the yard door . About a week after the mnrder , I placed two cajidles oh the table , and let them remain withont sauffing ; with that light ia the room I tbink co person could have come in without seeing the blood en the surbas ? , or the body lying . pear the fire-place . ( Witness here produced Bolam ' s clothes ahd shirt , which wero stained with Wood . ) On going to the inquest , he asked Bolam if they could giY 3 ; them any better description of the man than he had done , and his reply was , tliatlie jcouldnot give them any better account than that aeha&ablacRfacei ; - ,-: ; ¦ Cross-examined—Wlsen I made the experiment with candles , I looked to see'the surbaso and fireplace . ¦' ..
John Smith , task-master at the gaol . provad giving the clothes to . the preceding witness in tho game state as they were when he took them off the prisoner . Win . Armrtranj ; produced the stock and handkerchief taken from Bolam ' s neck ; the former Was cut in front , andjth . 9 latter had no corresponding cut ; both were stained with blood . Cross-examined— He had never seen the handkerchief opened out since it was taken off Bolam ' s neck . John Wfghatn , pelicsman , was present whea Bolam was fooad . He took hold of one of his hauds
aud had no difficulty m opening his flusters ; his eyes brightened up ; and he seemed to drink the water given himat ^ vlr . Glenton ' s eagerly . Mr . Blackweil . a proprietor of tha Newcastle Courant , and Mr . William Wood , who were at Mr . Glenton ' s , deposed to the state in which Bolam was there , and the account he Rave of the occurrences of the night . The latter said his statement was delivered in his usual manner , but in rather a subdued tone of voice j he was quite cool and collected . In cross-examination , Mr . Wood said that when Bolam spoke- of the candles , he understood him to mean that tne candles were burnt low down .
Mr . Bulman , secretary tp the Savings' Bank , was present when the safe was broken opeu ; there was £ 80 in it . Mr . Bolam never shewe d him a threatening letter j to th « best of his rtimembranee he once shewed him one , from a lady , whose name they could not find in the books , about some money , but there was no threat ia it . Cross-examined . —He had known Bolam 15 or 16 years ; during all that ciise his character had been good as a humane man , and a man of integrity . [ At this stage of tho evidence , Bolam wept bitterly . ] Mr . Paul Glenton said—On seeing Bolam at the Savings' Bank , I - felt hie pulse , and found that he was much exhausted . My first thought was to remove him out of the poisonous atmosphere . He was then carried to my house , and placed on a table : I then tried to recal him from whr . t I conceived to be
his state of insensibility . I judged this from the prostration of his appearance , the coldness of his hands , and the palenegs of his skin . Ia . pplied stimulants to recover him ; inabouEhalf an hour he revived , and his pulse was then considerably improved in strength . It was about half an hour before he shewed ftny signs of consciousness ; his pyee were but in a slight degree opened to the light . Mr . Bolara told me afterwards that he . had some slight recollection ofpassing through the street . I heard the account Bolam gave about an hour after he was brought in . From the state lie was in when brought to my house , I think he could not have raised himself up a quarter of an hour- jrevious , and looked a person in the face . I attribSte th 0 insensibility to the atmosphere . rJ examined his head and throat ; I found on the left side of-the throat , a wound an inch and a half in'lengtli merely . thronch the skin . Next
morning I examined liig ; left side , and found a group of scratches with ebraaionof the skin between . The scratches 1 attributed to a sharp instrument . I examined the shirts , and compared them with the marks on theskin , I thought then they corresponded . I apprehend the cuts on the coat and waistcoat did not correspond . There were i * O discoloured surlaces on his right and , left side ; . , I observed blood on the righthand wristband of the shirt . He » at about half an hour with me j and gays me an account of what had transpired ia his usual cool ani cellected manner . Next morning , I went into B-lam ' s room to inquire how . he was ; I recollect oae oi my servants calling out that day , '' The man is coming down , " and Mr . Bolam came down stairs , to the first floor . I don't think he gave me any account of why ho came down stairs . 1 have not had the advantajro of a liberal education . By the Judge . —I have practised 35 years .
Cross-examined . —When Mr . Bolam was brought to my house , his breathing was laborious » nd oppressive . I found a little swelling on his right temple | a person receiving a blow that produced in « ensibihtj might remain so severalhoura . Itis possible he might recover , and then become insensible again . Supposing a person ' s consciousness to come and jjo , when he reeoyprt'd a little , he might hare partial consciousness , so as to distinguish objects , and persons . I had no doubt he was in a state of uwensibflity when I first saw him at tbe Bank . When taken to my house , his hands did not appear to have been recently washed , but they hftd no marks of blood on them . In my judgment the blood on the breast of the shirt , and the watstcO 3 t might have proceeded from th 9 wound in the neek . I did not
examine the clothes minutely till the following morning . On the Thursday of the inquest , I perceived some small spots of blood on the trousers . 1 have known instances where insensibility has followed blows , and imperfection of intellect continued several days , of which there was no external mark . Re-examined—That was not by striking over the temple , but the back part of the head . When I first saw Bolam , there was an oozing front the wound in hi * tkroat . [ Mr . Dundas here interfered , to prevent this cross-examination of Sir Gregory ' s owa ¦ witne ; ss which his Lordship sa . d was very irregalar . ] Supposing Bolam had laid all the night On his face , 1 do not think those droppings from Ms throat could have -fallen from his waistcoat . From his account 1 certainly expected to find more blood about his hands .
Mr . John Baird , surgeon—I was called in to examine the body of Millie . I found two serious wounds on each side of the head , which weie sufficient to cause death . I observed a wound across the fr . ee under the noce , which was likely to have been inflicted by a poker . On the left arm I found a braise , which had probably been obtained in lifting his arm to defend himself . On Saturday the 8 th of December , I saw the prisoner at the gaol , and examined his person . I found a wound on the left side of his neck , running parallel with the base of the jaw , and merely skin deep . I thought a person intending to do serious injury would hava cut mote irregularly and deeper . On bis side there were three or four scratches , apparently made with a pen-knife . If the person had been struck with a sharp instrument , it conld not have caused the marks ln » w . 1
compared the marks on the prisoner ' s clothes with the marks On his body , and tho conolnsion 1 came to was , that the scratches had been given with the clothes off . Oae reason for this is , that there is no blood on the flannel shirt , and we all know that the skin bleeds as much as any part of the body . There were many cuts in the coat , without corresponding wotmds on Bolam's person , or on his waistcoat . 1 examined the head of the prisoner , and could find no evidence of a blow having been struck on the temples . I saw the shoes , gaiters , and trousers ^ afterwards . On the former were one Or two very distinct marks of blood , and on the latter blood also . Mr . William Nessh * m—I have been fifteen years ia practice . On tho morning in question , I saw Bolam in Glenton ' s kitchen ; bis pulse was about
eighty , aad rather weak aud irregular ; the state of his eye 3 was natural ; the pulse was not ? uck as I siionlil have expected from a persoa recovering from a ttate of insensibility produced by concussion of the brain , but rather a person eoming out of a bad atmosphere . Prisoner put his hand tp his neck , apparently concerned about it ; I uaid he need be under no apprehention from the wound on his neck , as it was of a very slight character . He then put his hand up to the right side of bis head . I examined it carefully , bnt fonnd no bruise cr wound . It is very improbable that if a person received & blow sufficient to produce insensibility for several hour ? , there would be no mark left . When I paw Bolam , I had heard what had happened from Air . Glenton , and my impression was that if he was recovering from insensibility , the insensibility bad been caused by naoke . While I
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was there , Bolam turned his right hand round ,-aad looked , at it . By the J » doe—I never knew a case in which a blow on the temple produced insensibility . Mr , James Walker , surgeon , said that he had known cases in which blows on the temple had produced insensibility , arid these had invariably left marks . By _ the Judge—Fainting causes insensibility , aud that is produced by every suspension of the heart's action . Mr . H . Heath , surgeon , accompanied Mr . Greenhow to see the prisoner in gaol ; he concurred as to the trivial
nature of the wounds on Bolam ' s person . Mary Barrow , servant to Mr . Glenton , heard Mr . Bolam come down stair ? , about ei ^ ht o ' clock , he was near the door . Mr . Glenton called out that , he had got tpo far down , on which , he said " I beg you pftrdoViaBarefcnrijedopjrtairs . , - J .- ' - ¦¦ .-Marr ? waj » , resid 4 ; wi * # Sor . to-Mr . Bc-lam ^ ' s , in G atesheai . On tire night , oftSe murder she w& » at h . me , and - about iijie ' o'clcHSk heard a won are of glassrbfoken , and the " Back " . do ^ ofBolanrn yard opea and shut several times before ten o ' clock . By th . o Judge—The pane ^ of glass fell outwards , I think , and there was not ' a greater noise than usual in the housn .
Mr . Jonathan Drury , share-broker , had been in the hiibit of transacting business witU the prisoner . About half-past six , he saw him pass dowm the Side in Newcastle , which was not in the direct lino to the Savings' Bank ; he appeared to walk in a hurried step , and though he had business with him he did no I detain him . Wm . Armstrong , clerk in the Water Company ' s Office , saw the prisoner coming on Sandhill , towards the Side , at seven or eight minutes to seven o ' clock , on the night of the murder . Cross-examined—That is a regular way to the Savings' Bank . Mary Bolam , was employed to clean the Savings ' Bank . On the 6 th . of December , there was a basin
with water left in the closet ; 1 remember seeing towels , but I do not know how many ; I cannot say whether they wers clean or not . Hj the Jubge—The prisoner's housekeeper is Mary Walker , I have no acquaintance with her . John Gilchrist spoke to seeing a great quantity of blood near the fire-place , under one of tho chairs . Mary Walker was then called : on her appearing in the box , a great Rensation was manifested , and there were loud hisses and shouts of " Down , down , " which cries were suppressed by the interference oi the Sheriff and the Judge . Sir Gregory Lewin merely asted her if she was committed to prison on this charge , to which she replied : in the affirmative .
Mr . Win . Stoker , coroner , for Newcastle-upon-Tyne , produced the depositions , amongst which was the voluntary examination of the prisoner . I said to him there is no suspicion against any one at present , bet I think it my duty under the peculiar circumstances in which yon were fonnd , to caution you that yoa need not answer any question which may tend to criminate yourself , but that what you do say may be hereafter used against him . Mr . Dundas objected to tho reception of this examination , on the ground that he was not then under any charge , and it was not pressed by Sir Gregory Lewin . Inspector Grey then produced the towels found in the drawer cf the wash-stand ; one of these was stained with Llond .
oir& . Lewin—That is tho case for the prosecution , my Lord . It being eight o ' clock , some conversation took place Betwevn his Lordship , the Counssl on both sides , and the jury , and the Court adjourned .
Wednetday , July 31 . Mr . Baron Maulk arrived at the Moot Hall this morning shortly after nine o ' clock . The Court was again crowded to excess . Mr . Dundias immediately rose to address the jury for the prisoner , aud throughout bis address was listened to with the deepest attention . He said that the case for the prosecution having closed , he rose to address them ' as counsel for the prisoner , and nn his behalf he might say with a good conscience that he welcomed that trial , which had at last brought him face to face with his accusers—that he welcomed the hour when at last it was given to him K > make his defence before a jury , and to ask that jury for the verdict which upon the evidence he was juatifisd in asking , and which they were justified in
giving . The case for the prosecution , after all its toil and labour , had come to nothing . They hid proved what no man alive ever doubted , that a most dreadful and wicked murder was committed on Millie , but by whom remained as much a mystery and secret as ever . Circumstances , no doubt , threw suspicion p . nd a look of guilty on Mr . Bolam , and it was right that ifiquisition sheuhl be made for blood ; his ease had come before the authorities of the law , who had very properly placed him before a bar of justice , in order that it might be seen whether in fact he had committed the murder ; and he , counsel for the prisoner , said the prosecution had failed to make that out . That murder had been committed no one could doubt , but unless there be clear , absolute , and unquestioBable proof of guilt
, by every reason of justice and humanity a man is discharged . If that weTe true of a little offence , how true was it of this mighty , this terrible offence where tbe consequences were so penal—where the man charged , if found guilty , died the death of tbe scsffold ; God grant thai in their search for that day concerning thig ' jnurder , they might not offer up a victim to vengeance , instead of justice—a victim which justice disclaimed and disavowed . Let them consider the charge against Bolam—there was cast upon him a murder of the most cruel and relentless sort , inasmuch a * there appeared no motive for committing it . "W as murder so cheap that they were to hear of men raising their han . ' . s against their fellow-men without a cause P Was murder snek a common circumstanco
that , without any assignable motive , a man should commit it ? He watched , God knew with what anxiety , hia Learned Frie « d suggest a motive , and at last , towards the close of his address , he despaired in the attempt , —he ventured no assigned , —he could not give any assignable , motive . He built his case on facts , which , in the opinion of Sir Greg « ry Lewin , formed a fabric , irresistible and unanswerable , and then he sat down in silence and despair . From the murder of the righteous Abel to tbe present time , he scarcely ever knew of the blood of a maa being- shed without a cause ; and if this were true of any man , was it less true of a man , who , for many years , kad been a person of good character , of humaaity , of integrity , in all the relations of social life , —a man who was yesterday upoken of , bthose who knew him fcest
y j ( and whose testimony would be supported by a host of witnesses whom he should call , ) was it likely , waa it in the probabilities of human nature and experience , that such amaa should be guilty « f marder without any assignable motive ? Let them go a step farther . In whose blood was it that it was alleged this prisoner hail embrued his hands ? In the blood of a man with whon he had had some quarrel ? against whom ke had karboured same revenge ? No such thing . They had it in evidence that no two individuals could exist on better terms than did Mr . Millie and Mr . Bolam ; and if so during the whole of the time , particularly on the aftermoon of the day of the murder , for Cree stated that whem he left the Bank , at half-past three o'clock , thay were sitting at the table like brothers . And then , again , it might be suggested , if Bolam
had made some detault , tbat his object was to get Millie ( who might know of it ) out of the way . How stood Ae fact ? Why , that on examin g the accounts they were all found strictly correct , and bo far as evidence went , Mr . Bolam had earned on the business of his employers with integrity and honour . Thus stood the charge against the prisoner—a charge unsuppor ted by any evidence , made a gainst a man of v « ry excellent cnarabter , ef murdering a man who was Ma friend and companion . Was it cdnsiatent with nature , and the moving springs of human action that it should be so ? He was sure they would instantly respond the negative . But then , said his Learned Friend , if the circumstantial evidence be clear , there was no necessity for suggesting a motive . When true , it mi ght be the ease but when circumstantial evideitce fell into the hands of weak , wicked , and warm peoplt . it wu of % Boat
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dangerous description . Nothing was more common than to find persons with the best intentions , interpreting thair dreams in their own way , which , when socerly weighed by the test of experience , truth , and nature broke down the stately fabric en which his Learned Friend built his case . Would they have an example ? Wby , they could not forget one of the statements made by Sir Gregory Lewin in kis opening , that Bolam , while at 3 dr . Glenton ' a , attempted to make hia escape—wh y , when they came to ths evidence , never was there a more complete aud helpless failure . That was the first mouse produced by the mountain , and they might take that as a sample of the re *> Next , his Learned Friend , thinking perhaps that a hurried manner in the street waa some proof of guilt , gravely stated that on the
night of the murder Mr . Bolam was seen waliim ? in a very hurried manner . Wh y , when they came to enquire , was evg ? evidence fo ^ erably short of ths design . The old quaker sharebroker said he was walking quickly along , and b y that they were to be impressed-with the belief that the prisoner waa walking in a manner calculated to excite su picion and to show that at the time he knew he was a guilty object . The learned counsel then said his client s case was the statement he made at Mr Glenton ' s on the morning of the occurrence he bad nevsr varied from it ; he told the m that he had been also the oubjeqtof another man ' s attack , and persisted that of the blood of Millie he was a * innocent as a child unborn . To show that Bolam must have laid in the room willingly , and beea the wilful witness of a he , they called a waichmaa who
, proved that he spoke so loud that Bolam must have heard , and the suggestion from that was that lie ought to have called for assistance . Why Bolam's account was that He was then involved in unconscious slumbers , brought on by the effects of blows . And then let them look at the confirmatory evidence of the gentlewoman dwss-maker—v / h y ghe gaid she heard one of the policemen who talked together kneck at the door of a baker ' s in the street and they stated they never knocked at any hour anv where that night . So much for confirmation—one of the two must be mistaken . He then went into a history to show that the man who committed the
murder has not yet been known—many a murderer still remains , as this man , wandering on tbe face of the earth . They . heard that Bolam and Millie were on the belt of terms-the last time tke latter was seen alive was Thursday afternoon , and of this they must be satisfied before they could find him guilty not only that he was the last man seen alive with him ' but that he committed the murder . What was the evidence ? Wh y , that at half-past three o ' clock they were sitting together " like brothers , " ou the mort friendly terms . Having commented en the evideaco with respect to the position of Millie ' s body , he put it to them , as men of sense , whether the person who laid 4 he body ea tha ru « r , amidst a nonl nfhl ™ J
would not haye splasbings and marks of blood on his clothes . Millie s pockets were titled with coals he was a poor man ; he could hardly hszard a suggestion on that point , but he might intend to carry them home . Bolam was found with blood about his neck-cloth and stock , which was then oozing from him ; and with lifting him abeut soma drops would no' dcubt fall on hi » clothes . Ir he had engaged in deadly conflict with Millie , and afteswards lifted his feod y , would not his hands have been blood y , and yet Mr . Glenton said his hands were not stained but rather dirty , like those of a raau who had been pursuing his ordinary and lawful n 1 Dg \ j - s * M t ™ of the prosecution was that Bo am had inflicted the wound on bis neck himself
with a pen-knife ; the knife was laid on the table there was a blood y mark of a thumb , but no corresl pond , pg » taiB on Bolam's hand . The Learned Counsel then descaated on the manner in which the ca « for tbe prosecution had been worked up observing that with respect to BolaJD , ke should hare no doubt of satisfying them that at the time he was discovered ia the Bank , h * was not « shamming , " but Lona Jide in a state of insensibility , having ne understanding of the transactions then goini on around him . In remarking on the testimony on this point , he severely cenaared the conduct of counsel tor the prosecution , who , in a matter of this sort , ineulUd their own witness , Mr . Glenton , because he had the honesty to speak the truth as he bdi « wJ « ,
A f ; * v m ^ , 8 eDer 0 M ? Was ^ Jus *? And yet this Mr . Glenton , who was the only medical man who saw Bolam in the Savings' Bank assured th « m in one word that he was not shamming , ' but was , when found , in a state of unconsciousness , from which he gradually recovered But the pjoKo&tion , net satisfied with this evidence ! called other thr . e doctor * , who contradicted Mr . Glenkon , but who had never * eem gim j | ca » w- » that it was merely the philosophy of three medical authority against the knowledge of another . He had now brought down the case to the time when , iT /^ .,. narra «™ , which narraiir . he contended did not militate against the evidence , and entitled the prisoner to an acquittal . With reject to the threatening letter , the Learned Counsel eubmuted that if it was a contrivance , it wa » much mere likely that Mr . Bolam would have written a e . r , ^!^ t ht be ^ coming , than say t ^ had deStroved itand ' "
; as tot ha ^ o Z , mout letters , it appeared he had ghown one to Mr . Bulman a v t \ A ™ ' 8 ' ^ was sig 8 ed b y a ™ which they had not ia their books , and of which he knw' netting . He accounted for Mr . Bolam ' s not resisting by the suddenness and violence of the attack , which iwnDg experienced he was left at the mercy of his assassin . Fortunate it was teat Mr . Bolam ' B senses had left him , because had ha not seemed dead , he ( ihe Learned Counsel ) had no doubt but that tht ! assassin would have served Mr Bolam , ag he did the unfortunate Millie . But said h . s Learned Fnend , how earaeit to pass that MillS did not go home to tea ? It was impossible fcr ft £ Bolam or any other man alire , to tell that-God forbid tbey would presume guilt from such a circumstance as that ! Then , 8 aid bis Learaed Friend find a motive for . any pewon else entering the bank He put it to them it might be the desire of plundwi if they were to have suggestion , , surelv theV w « 3 w rate tne
m equally for the prisoner as the prosecution The cute on the clothes not correg pondiD g whh tte marks on the body , he acceuated for byioggertSj that the garment , might be loo 8 e , aud eiJlr movf about , and said it would indeed ' be wild woruH Wlow ereatura was to be put to death on ' such va ^ ana uncertain testimony as that . He had but ont thing more to detain them on , and then they w « Sd haw to perform the rest of their duty That point was the evidence of Mr *
«SS ^ = r tr aHor life-th f ^ em BOt forget that -thia ™ * trial for life—that they were trying it on a sort of bad taught then * to watch with doubt with ease and-wnh anxiety -h « could cite them ££ rS ' ? , « a * tial ^ dence , men had innt hetVa ! * l arded by Iheir Cokes and « fT . i ^ f * feU Wh ° WCre like beacons o * tfcetopg of tne hills , to rouse us to a sense of danger to this matter , and to teach judges and > ri « * o be cautious m recemng such evidence , lie left them two roads to choose-one they said led to justiceoh he prayed that this might not mean vengeanceit was beset with doubt , with difficulty , with mystenj , every step they took , and as there was no repeK taaee in the grave , so there was no return for them the other to which he would lead them was a way of plensantBeas , a path rf peace-it led them where \ ( Cuulwded in $ w Hgbth page . )
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-- ¦ -.. . ¦ . if ^ a ^ e—^_ - ^_ . " ¦ " , .
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70 L- IL * ° 90- SATURDAY , AU&UST 3 , 1839 . " % 3 . rT .. _ ^ i ^ o ^ tmmmmim n ^ ^ '"¦ ' ¦ ¦ ¦ ' ¦ ¦¦ ¦¦ ¦ ¦ ¦¦ ¦¦¦ ¦ ^ ¦¦¦ ^ iM' iBB ^ ^ ' MiBaBBaBBaaaHaNi
I~Wcastt.Lv S A V L Sne Tuv-P ¦•R-R-.T-.-I^I^T, Rvtcastle Sayings' Bank Murder.
i ~ WCASTT . lv S A V l sne tuv-p ¦• r-r-. T-.-i ^ i ^ T , rVTCASTLE SAYINGS' BANK MURDER .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 3, 1839, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1068/page/1/
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