The Trickery of a Birmingham Traveller – Trapped at Conisborough

February 1880

Mexborough and Swinton Times, February 27.

The “Trickery” of a Birmingham Traveller


“Trapped” at Conisborough

Benjamin Stevens, Ink maker, of Birmingham, who has just been visiting this neighbourhood, and by trickery endeavouring to obtain money under false pretences, was charged, on the information of John Hawksworth, newsagent, Conisborough, with obtaining 12 shillings under false pretences.

Mr G.B.Willis, of Rotherham, appeared on behalf of the prosecution, and Mr Verity for the defence.

After-the-facts had been stated by Mr Willis,he contended that the charge really was one of forgery.

John Hawksworth, newsagent of Conisborough, said about three o’clock on the 19th
inst. the prisoner came to him in the Brickyard, while he was minding the engines. His son was with the prisoner at the time. The prisoner accosted him with “How do you do Mr Hawksworth; I am happy to shake hands with you.”

He (witness) had not known him before.

He added: “I have called upon you for an order for patent `Golden Fluid Marking Ink´, saying he represented a firm in Birmingham. He also said Mr Turner, of Mexborough, the proprietor of the “Mexborough and Swinton Times” had recommended him to him; he had been informed by Mr Turner that he (witness) was the only newsagent or station at Conisborough, and he (the prisoner) had called to see if the could appoint him as vendor for his ink.

He had made an agreement with Mr Turner to advertise him (witness) as the vendor of it, pulling out a newspaper from his satchel, and saying, “this is the space which I have arranged for it to occupy.”

He then took out the pocketbook “produced” and asked for the witnesses Christian name. After telling him witness said. “What is the smallest order that you take?” He replied, “One dozen at eight shillings, to be sold at one shilling each; so you see, there is 4d profit on each.”

Witness said. “If Mr Turner has recommended you to me, and the article is genuine, I will give you an order.” He then signed the prisoner’s book for a dozen of the ink. No mention was made about an order for ink at 12 shillings. The prisoner made it appear that he had not got the ink within; but that it was in the village. He (witness) asks if you come by road or rail, and prisoner replied by the latter. He ultimately told the prisoner to go with this son to his wife and deliver the ink, for which she would payhim the eight shillings.

Later on in the afternoon, his soon showed him two bottles of ink, and from what he told him, he went after the prisoner and overtook him running down Station Lane.

He said to the prisoner “Yes, you ought to run old master,” and as soon as prisoner saw him he pulled up. He said the prisoner “what do you think of yourself for going in taking 12 shillings of a woman by means of false pretences like that? You have got a sovereign instead of eight shillings.”

Prisoner replied, “Oh it´s perfectly right my boy.” Witness said, “You had better come back with me, for I never gave you the order for the dozen at 12 shillings.”

Prisoner was reluctant to go back, but he told him he should not go away quietly; it should cost him another sovereign before he would let him do that. When the prisoner came back, he (witness) sent for Sgt Morley. Prisoner showed him his book, in which he had written “one dozen at 12 shillings; net cash 19-2-8. “

The addition had been put to the order after witness had signed it. He gave him into the custody of Sgt Morley.

Cross examined: Prisoner showed me an advertisement like the one in the paper produced, but he did not read it. When prisoner spoke of Mr Turner, he said he had made an agreement with him for advertising, and showed me the bill for 12 shillings.

Albert Hawksworth, son of the prosecutor, corroborated, adding that while going home, the prisoner gave him his bag to carry, saying he would give him a penny for taking it.

Mary Ann Hawksworth, wife of the prosecutor, deposed to prisoner calling and delivering the ink, saying there was one dozen at eight shilling and another dozen at 12 shillings, for which her husband said she was to pay. She thought it was strange, but gasve the man the money.

The magistrates held that the prisoner had committed forgery, and they committed him to take his trial at the Assizes. Bail was applied for and granted

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.