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The Hilderstone Miscellany |
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Last updated 23/2/2001 |
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MY REMOVAL FROM STAFFORD TO STONE POLICE STATION DIFFICULTIES EXPERIENCED IN THE CONDUCT OF DUTIES FOR A TIME AFTER MY ARRIVAL THERE Towards the close of the year 1848, I felt desirous to leave Stafford, and accordingly applied to the then Chief Constable, for removal, at a convenient time. I was directed to remove to Stone. When I had given up my house, and my goods were upon the wagon, I was informed that arrangements were not complete, and that I could not go there. I was now in an awkward position, and had to hire another house to put my goods in, and was thus put to very great and unnecessary trouble and expense. I continued to do duty in Stafford until May 1849. I was then ordered to go to Stone Police Station. In the interval between the time when I was first ordered to go and when I really did go, two changes had been made, one Officer having resigned, and the second being removed, either because he was unsuitable or for some irregularity. On arrival there I found the duties to be done were somewhat different to those to which I had been hitherto accustomed. Up to the period of my arrival, the Officers stationed in Stone had done the duties of the town only. Now however, several out-stations were added, viz., Sandon, Hilderstone, Mear Heath and Barlaston, also Tittensor and Swinnerton. The Magisterial proceedings had been conducted in a singular manner which I will not stop here to describe. The Clerk was a Farmer, and not legally educated. Shortly after my arrival, a highway robbery was committed, near Hilderstone and about six or seven miles distant from Stone. I went over to assist the local Officer in making inquiries, and we arrested two men on the charge. The robbed and injured man was a Carrier, travelling with a horse and cart, from his home at Saverley Green to Stafford Market He conveyed many goods for shopkeepers, and also sums of money belonging himself and others. He was met and robbed of money and goods, and severely beaten by two men, whom he described but did not know, they being, as he thought, disguised and having their coats turned with their linings outside. Some of the stolen goods were found, and traced to their possession. The men were seen in the locality before and after the robbery; one was an unusually stout man, and the other was quite a contrast, being unusually short and light made. Both lived not far distant, and had the reputation of being desperate characters, having been several times convicted for poaching, and were looked upon as village heroes. |
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