Free A Burglar Caught by a Skeleton & Other Singular Tales from the Victorian Press by Jeremy Clay Page B
Authors: Jeremy Clay
appears, from facts which are reported, that the circumstances in connection with the case of dog-eating at West Bromwich are of a more disgusting nature than previously stated.
As already mentioned, the dog was a half-bred retriever. It weighed 36lb. It was removed to the yard at the back of the public-house at which the proceedings are alleged to have taken place; and the means to be adopted for killing the dog having been previously discussed, a thin rope was put round its neck, after which it was suspended from a hook at some distance from the ground.
The little life that remained in the unfortunate animal was then rendered extinct by a blow or blows from a stick. A person expressed a desire to possess the dog’s skin. The skin was accordingly removed from the body and given to the man who had asked for it. Next, a man cut up a portion of the remains of the dog, which, it is positively stated, were roasted in front of a fire; and a further statement is to the effect that a man’s dinner basin was used to catch what was disgustingly termed the ‘gravy.’
The landlady of the house at which the events occurred attempted to extinguish the fire and put an end to the proceedings, but she was prevented from doing so, and the portion of the dog was cooked. The remainder was fried, that which was cooked being eaten. Portions of the dog’s limbs were used to create ‘fun’ by some of the men, who rubbed them over the faces of their companions.
The Illustrated Police News , March 20, 1880
Beer v. Water
At seven o’clock on Friday morning, on the farm of Mr George Melsome, Beacon Hill, near Amesbury, in Wilts, commenced a singular match for £5, lasting all day in broiling hot weather, during which the corn in the district around was being rapidly cut down.
The contest which was under the auspices of the Church of England Temperance Society, was the result of a bet at a public meeting at Salisbury, and was between Mr Terrell, a Wiltshire farmer, who challenged his opponent first, and Mr Abbey, an Oxfordshire farmer and lecturer for the Society.
The issue was who would do the most work in the harvest field, the former drinking beer and the latter water only. Fifteen acres to each ‘pitcher’ were allowed. The result was that beer won by above an acre. Mr Terrell from the first held a very considerable lead and at four o’clock the ground cleared by him was 15a. 3r. 16p., and by Mr Abbey 14a. 3r.
The farmer who lost has handed over the sum to the Salisbury Infirmary. He pitched 19a. 2r. 26p. in less than twelve hours, against 20a. 2r. 7p. by his opponent.
The effects on his body have been very severe. The ordinary labourer pitches about 12a. in a good day’s work. It is proposed to present the winner with a gold medal. So great was the strain on him that at four o’clock he was taken to a wood and ‘anointed’ with whisky, it is stated.
The Grantham Journal , September 1, 1883
Celebrating His Death-Feast
Johann Kruger, well-known poacher and wood-stealer, of Neuendorf, near Potsdam, has met his death under circumstances of a very unusual and surprising character.
It appears that the Royal keepers and gendarmerie were on the look out for him by reason of some sylvan dereliction he had recently committed, and that he had therefore taken to the woods, in the so-called Kiefernhaide.
Being hard up for food and liquor, he contrived to steal a large dog and a quart bottle of corn brandy, which stores he conveyed to his hiding place, and there proceeded to make preparation for an al-fresco feast and carouse which would have been more appropriate to an Indian scout than to a Prussian poacher.
After he had built up and lighted a huge wood fire he slaughtered the dog, skinned it, and roasted one of its legs, upon which he made a copious meal, washing down the ‘friend of man’ with deep draughts of fiery spirit.
Having finished this strange repast – the relics of which, clean-picked canine leg-bones and
As already mentioned, the dog was a half-bred retriever. It weighed 36lb. It was removed to the yard at the back of the public-house at which the proceedings are alleged to have taken place; and the means to be adopted for killing the dog having been previously discussed, a thin rope was put round its neck, after which it was suspended from a hook at some distance from the ground.
The little life that remained in the unfortunate animal was then rendered extinct by a blow or blows from a stick. A person expressed a desire to possess the dog’s skin. The skin was accordingly removed from the body and given to the man who had asked for it. Next, a man cut up a portion of the remains of the dog, which, it is positively stated, were roasted in front of a fire; and a further statement is to the effect that a man’s dinner basin was used to catch what was disgustingly termed the ‘gravy.’
The landlady of the house at which the events occurred attempted to extinguish the fire and put an end to the proceedings, but she was prevented from doing so, and the portion of the dog was cooked. The remainder was fried, that which was cooked being eaten. Portions of the dog’s limbs were used to create ‘fun’ by some of the men, who rubbed them over the faces of their companions.
The Illustrated Police News , March 20, 1880
Beer v. Water
At seven o’clock on Friday morning, on the farm of Mr George Melsome, Beacon Hill, near Amesbury, in Wilts, commenced a singular match for £5, lasting all day in broiling hot weather, during which the corn in the district around was being rapidly cut down.
The contest which was under the auspices of the Church of England Temperance Society, was the result of a bet at a public meeting at Salisbury, and was between Mr Terrell, a Wiltshire farmer, who challenged his opponent first, and Mr Abbey, an Oxfordshire farmer and lecturer for the Society.
The issue was who would do the most work in the harvest field, the former drinking beer and the latter water only. Fifteen acres to each ‘pitcher’ were allowed. The result was that beer won by above an acre. Mr Terrell from the first held a very considerable lead and at four o’clock the ground cleared by him was 15a. 3r. 16p., and by Mr Abbey 14a. 3r.
The farmer who lost has handed over the sum to the Salisbury Infirmary. He pitched 19a. 2r. 26p. in less than twelve hours, against 20a. 2r. 7p. by his opponent.
The effects on his body have been very severe. The ordinary labourer pitches about 12a. in a good day’s work. It is proposed to present the winner with a gold medal. So great was the strain on him that at four o’clock he was taken to a wood and ‘anointed’ with whisky, it is stated.
The Grantham Journal , September 1, 1883
Celebrating His Death-Feast
Johann Kruger, well-known poacher and wood-stealer, of Neuendorf, near Potsdam, has met his death under circumstances of a very unusual and surprising character.
It appears that the Royal keepers and gendarmerie were on the look out for him by reason of some sylvan dereliction he had recently committed, and that he had therefore taken to the woods, in the so-called Kiefernhaide.
Being hard up for food and liquor, he contrived to steal a large dog and a quart bottle of corn brandy, which stores he conveyed to his hiding place, and there proceeded to make preparation for an al-fresco feast and carouse which would have been more appropriate to an Indian scout than to a Prussian poacher.
After he had built up and lighted a huge wood fire he slaughtered the dog, skinned it, and roasted one of its legs, upon which he made a copious meal, washing down the ‘friend of man’ with deep draughts of fiery spirit.
Having finished this strange repast – the relics of which, clean-picked canine leg-bones and
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