| The NARRATIVE of the Perservering Labors and Exertions of the late Mr. Owen Cambridge of Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire, England. ****** His search for two horses stolen from his stables. Printed by surviving friends of Mr. Cambridge. |
| About six o'clock, on Sunday morning, October 13th, 1822 I was awakened by my man-servant, who informed me that my stable had been broken into during the night, and that my horse had been stolen. I arose immediately, and sent three men in different directions to ascertain if possible any information that might lead to the discovery of the robbery. I left Bassingbourn as soon as possible and hastened to London, where I arrived at one o'clock in the day, and went to Worship Street, Police Office, and gave a description of the horse. I went in the evening to a Jew (it being Sunday) and had some bills printed; they were distributed to every office in London by nine o'clock, but they did not produce any good effect. I then took an officer with me, and searched in town and its suburbs for three days, without finding the least clue to the discovery of the villain. After thus exerting myself, I almost despaired of ever finding my horse; and as the expenses would soon amount to more than the horse was worth, I determined at once to return home. I was not, however, long to remain undisturbed; for on the 22nd of November my stable was again broken into, and another horse, more valuable than the first, was stolen. I felt this loss severely, and having so very recently laboured much in vain in search of my former horse, I found it difficult to adopt in this case what I considered the best plan. However, I again sent men in the directions where I thought there was the least probability of hearing anything that might prove of service. I went to all the toll bars in the neighbourhood, but could not ascertain that any horse had been through one of them that woulld answer the description of mine. On inquiry at Royston I ascertained that a man of very suspicious character had been drinking at a public-house there (the Coach and Horses) from ten o'clock in the morning, until eight in the evening. He said he was a horse-dealer, and he had with him a saddle and bridle. The landlord saw no more of him. Describing this man to a person of the name of Thomas Marshall, who had been a wagoner on the North Road, he said he had frequently seen the man go up the road with three or four more. He also said that this man was generally called "Billy", and he should certainly know him if he saw him again. I took Marshall with me to London on the following Sunday, and went to the Bow Street Office. Mr. Salmon, the officer, went with us on the next morning to find the house where "Billy" lived, according to the direction furnished by Marshall, who had frequently carried goods to London for him. When we reached there, however, none of the parties were at home. I then preceded to Rickmansworth fair, in Hertfordshire, in search of my horse; but could not hear anything of him. The same evening I returned to Barnet, where I slept during the night. In the morning I went to London by coach, and had another search in town, with an experienced officer. In the afternoon I and Marshall set off by coach for Horsham fair, in Sussex. We arrived at Dorking the same evening. The next morning I hired a horse and chaise, and we went to Horsham, but searched the fair in vain. As I was obliged to be at home on the next day, Thursday, we got on the coach for London as soon as possible, and arrived at the Elephant and Castle about seven o'clock in the evening. I left Marshall in London, and took the coach for Bassingbourn, where I arrived about two o'clock on Thursday morning. Having attended to business, I again set off for London on Friday morning, and went to the Bow Street Office. I searched in town again, but could find no trace either of my horse or of the men, although I had the assistance of a city officer. I went into Surrey, and searched wherever I thought there was the least chance of finding them, but all in vain. I tried Islington also, but with the same result. On the Monday following I went to Hertford, as I had been informed there were two men in the Castle for stealing turkeys from Litlington, which is about a mile from my residence. I saw the prisoner by the name of Roberts, on the second of December, and obtained the following information from him. That a man by the name of Charley Goodman stole my horse, and also Mr. Elbourne's* pony. That my first horse which was stolen might be found either at Mr. M----'s of K----, or at Mr. W---'s of B--- ( * A gentleman who lives in the same village as myself.) I asked him how he came to know the horse was there, and he said, "To tell you the truth, sir, I was with Goodman when he stole it. He went into the stable while I watched. We then went from your yard to Mr. Elbourne's, and Goodman brought out the pony, while I stood in the street. I went to St. Neots with the horse; from thence to Bedford, and took the route for London. Goodman and I made an exchange of the pony for a cart with a man who lives in a street very near where the six roads cross, near to Blackfriars Bridge, about a mile from the Toll Bar. We then stole some harness, put your horse into the cart, and set off for Bedfordshire to steal some poultry. We had visited that neighbourhood frequently and knew it well. We returned to London with the poultry and sold it in the street; we did not send it to market. |
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