Colclough, Benjamin

Colclough, Benjamin 1839 October 28^th Market Lavington

Highway Robbery

As Mr Matthew Dean, a respectable farmer of Imber, was returning from Devizes Fair, between six and seven o’clock on Monday evening last, he was attacked by four men near Gore Cross Farm, two of whom seized the bridle of the horse upon which he was riding; the other two pulled him to the ground, and rifled his pockets – one pressing his nose and mouth, to prevent his giving an alarm – the other putting his hand over his eyes, to prevent his identifying him. They took from his side-pocket a pocket-book, containing three 20l notes of the North Wilts bank; and from another pocket, one sovereign and a half in gold, and 2l in silver. The horse having galloped away during the scuffle, Mr Dean, upon recovering himself, followed the men on foot; and within fifty or sixty yards met Mr Morgan, of Chitterne, to whom he mentioned the attack.

The men had but a minute or two before passed close to Mr Morgan, and were then in sight. He therefore turned his horse, and pursued them, one of whom he soon lost sight of; the other three he kept in view until two labourers came up, and they continued the pursuit, the fellows taking a circuitous route. They might now have taken them, we understand; but fearful they had firearms about them, as they threatened to shoot any men who came near them, Mr Morgan thought it prudent to get further assistance, and called on Mr Hooper, who immediately joined in the pursuit on horseback, armed with a double-barrelled gun.

Whilst running over the down, one of the three, a stoutish man, fell flat upon his back. Thinking, however, that this was a mere trap, and that if they stopped to encounter him, the other two might effect their escape, Mr Morgan and the labourers passed him and followed the others. Soon after which, whilst the fellows were keeping their pursuers at bay, Mr W. Sainsbury, of West Lavington, came up, and, without a moment’s hesitation, went in to them, and desired them to surrender. They were armed with large fold-shores, and threatened Mr Sainsbury if he touched them. Upon which, Mr S., holding up the brass end of a hunting whip, said, “If this is not enough for you. I have a brace of bull-dogs in my pocket (pistols); and if you make the least resistance, I will shoot you dead on the spot.” The fellows then quietly surrendered.

The pursuit occupied three hours; and at last the fellows were taken a very short distance from the spot where the robbery was committed. They were excellent hands at dodging. The fellows, in their examination before the Magistrates, said their names were George Waters and Thomas Sanders. They said they knew nothing of the robbery; and had frequently expressed their willingness to go with those who had been dodging them about; but that they for a long time refused to come near them. They were committed for trial at the sessions.

The pocket-book was found on the down – the notes safe. On the following morning, the third man was discovered a corpse on the very spot where he was seen to fall; and an inquest was yesterday held on the body before Mr Whitmarsh, and a highly respectable Jury. The investigation lasted from morning until night.

The evidence having been gone through, relating to the robbery, the manner in which the man, after a warm pursuit, had been seen to fall, his being discovered a corpse on the following morning, &c., Mr Whitmarsh made some observations to the Jury, relative to the crime of Felo-de-se. A Felo-de-se (he said) was one who deliberately put an end to his own existence; or committed any unlawful act, the consequence of which was his death. It was therefore for the Jury to say, under the extraordinary circumstances of the case, whether the evidence would warrant a verdict to that effect or not.

As it appeared, from the evidence of Mr Hitchcock, the surgeon, that his death was occasioned by the rupture of a large vessel on the brain, produced in all probability by over-excitement and exertion in running from the hands of justice, the Jury returned a verdict of Felo-de-se accordingly; upon which the Coroner issued his warrant for the burial on that night. At the termination of the inquest, his wife arrived. She stated that her husband left Fisherton (where he resided) about midday on Monday, unknown to her. He has left two children. The deceased was a strong-built, broad chested man, about 5 feet 5 in. high, a native of Staffordshire. A piece of candle, carefully folded up, was found in his pocket.

The Jury were so well pleased with the manly and spirited conduct of Mr Morgan, that they entered into a subscription for the purpose of purchasing a piece of plate for him.

On the next morning there was found, within twenty yards of the spot where the robbery was committed, a bag containing 20 skeleton keys of different sizes, two instruments for picking pockets, a box of lucifer matches, and a candle. So well provided with the necessary implements for their business, it is impossible to guess the extent of robbery and burglary such a gang might have committed had they not been captured. About three quarters of a mile further on, near some hurdles, were found a crow-bar and a pocket-handkerchief, with a heavy stone, as large as a trap-ball, tied firmly in one corner; this, dexterously used, would kill a bullock; 39s in silver have been picked up scattered about the down, and with it a small key taken from Mr Dean’s pocket.

The Gore Cross Robbery would later be marked by two monuments, marker stones at Gore Cross and Chitterne, with plaques detailing the event – in fact, this is the only case in this collection to feature on an Ordnance Survey map. It is also the only example of Felo-de-se being used in this context.

The other robbers were Thomas Saunders, George Waters and Richard Harris – all three stood their Assizes trial and were sentenced to fifteen years transportation.

Another highway robbery took place, possibly a copycat action, a week later near Amesbury, when Wesleyan Minister William Whitmarsh was waylaid from his pony and robbed violently by three man.

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