CRIME
Charles and John Gillespie
Charles and John Gillespie were natives of Wigton: Charles lost his life at Rockcliffe in 1825, shot by an excise officer. His son John became a notorious thief in the Carlisle area.January 22nd 1825 Carlisle JournalOn Monday and Tuesday last, an inquest was held, by adjournment, at Rockliff-cross, about five miles from Carlisle, before Richard Lowry, Esq., Coroner, on view of the body (lying in an out-house there) of Charles Gillespie, of Wigton, labourer, who was shot on the preceding Sunday, by Edward Forster, officer of customs and excise, stationed in and about this city, under circumstances fully explained in the evidence.George Irving, of Mossband, in the parish of Kirkandrews-upon-Esk, labourer, was the first witness examined. He said, between seven and eight on Saturday night, Edward Forster, officer in the customs and excise, having made a seizure of a quantity of whisky, called upon him, in the King's name, for assistance, and, in consequence, witness assisted him to carry the liquor to Rockliff-cross, where they put it into a byre belonging to William Irving. After remaining there three or four hours, they went to Rockliff-marsh-end, on the look-out for smugglers, and they continued in and about that place till day-light, when they went behind a bank on the Marsh.After staying there till about ten, Forster took out a spyglass and observed some persons coming over the water (from Scotland) in a boat, and remarked to witness that he thought they were smugglers. They lay concealed behind the bank, until the men came up, when Forster jumped over the bank, and seized a man named Scott, who had upon him a quantity of whisky, which Forster took; the men were armed with sticks, but Scott did not make much resistance. The deceased dropped a quantity of whisky which he had in his possession upon the ground, on which Forster desired witness to seize him, which he did, and the deceased made no resistance. They then proceeded towards Irving's house. Witness was along with Scott, at a distance of between 40 and 50 yards before the deceased and Forster, when Scott ran away and witness pursued; soon after he heard a pistol fired, and in about a minute or less, he heard another pistol fired; Forster called to witness, and he went to him and saw deceased lying upon the ground, supporting himself upon his right arm. Forster was about nine or ten yards from the deceased, wiping the blood from his head; and he told witness that the deceased had almost killed him, and added that he believed he had shot him. Forster then went to Irving's house, and witness soon followed him. He there had his head tied up with a handkerchief, through which witness saw the blood gush, apparently flowing from the wounds he had received from deceased. He did not afterwards see the boy who was in company with the two men. Forster and witness soon went back to where the deceased was lying, and found him quite dead, and they removed him to Irving's stable. Other witnesses were examined, and the Jury returned a verdict of "Wilful Murder against Edward Forster." The coroner issued his warrant for Forster's apprehension and committal; but he has hitherto kept aloof, and will not again be seen, probably, till the assizes in March, when he will most likely surrender himself(Gillespie, from Wigton, was in company with William Nixon of Wigton, labourer, aged about 15, and James Scott. Forster was later found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for a month).Extraordinary CareerOct 24th 1873 CPAs will be seen by a reference to our column of police news, Gillespie is in custody on a most serious charge of assaulting the police. The career of this man is most strange. His father was shot on the Scottish borders as a smuggler; and Gillespie himself seems to have entered upon his nefarious course early in life, for March 25th, 1837, he was sentenced to two months imprisonment for stealing money; on December 27th, 1837, he got 14 days for stealing rabbit skins; on June 20th 1839, he was sentenced to one month?s imprisonment for stealing a plum cake; on August 15th 1839, he got six weeks in prison for stealing 2 oz of tea; on January 11th 1844, he was committed for trial for stealing a coat, but he was not convicted; on June 30th 1844, he was taken up for lurking in Lowther Street, with intent to commit a felony, but discharged. On November 30th, 1844, he was charged with vagrancy, and with having a skeleton key in his possession; discharged. Gillespie was said to be as expert a lock-picker as Casely, and by trade he professed to be a locksmith. In December 1844, he was surprised in a burglary at Wigton, but in order to effect his escape he wounded the occupier of the premises with a ?Jemmey? and with the same weapon knocked down a shopman; whom he left insensible. For this he was apprehended, tried and sentenced to death ? in those days capital punishment was not confined to murder ? but the sentence was commuted to transportation for life. Two days after his confinement he feigned to fall down in a fit as he was going into the prison chapel, and so hopeless did his case appear that for four years he was treated with special care. During this time the governor?s wine and other articles were missed, and it was not until Gillespie got a free pardon from the Crown that a whole set of skeleton keys were found in his cell, by which every lock in the gaol, including the governor?s safe, could be opened. He was again put in prison for burglary, but escaped through a window, and scaled the wall. Not long afterwards he was captured for a burglary at Annan, and was lodged in Dumfries gaol, but he and his companion escaped by felling the warder with his bunch of keys. After a murderous struggle with the police he was re-captured and sentenced to ten years transportation. During part of this time he was sent to Aberdeen, where he again escaped out of prison and after serving three more years he came back to Carlisle on a ticket-of-leave. This was in a short time revoked, and he was compelled to serve out his term. After his release he returned to Carlisle and has appeared on several occasions before the magistrates since. On Oct 3 1866, he was fined 3s for assault; on June 19 1871, fined 10s for being drunk and disorderly; on Feb 12 1872, fined 10s and costs for using abusive language; on Oct 14 1872, he was charged with assault, but the case was arranged; on June 6 1873, he was fined 2s 6d and costs for being drunk and fighting.(Same day ? Monday)Before the mayor, I James and T Nanson Esqs)John Gillespie, Waugh?s Lane, was charged with being drunk and disorderly, and assaulting the police in the execution of their duty. Mr Hemmingway said about two o?clock on Sunday morning PC Watson and PC Ellwood were on duty in Botchergate, and they saw Gillespie in an entry. Watson said to him it was time he was home. Prisoner replied, ?I will go home when I think proper,? and he then assaulted the officers. Watson was kicked seriously, and was so much hurt that he had not been on duty since, and the doctor certified that he was not able to attend the court today. In the possession of Gillespie was found a silver lever-watch which he gave a very unsatisfactory account of, saying he had got it from a man some three years ago. He (Mr Hemmingway) had reason to believe it was a stolen one, and perhaps by next court he would be able to find an owner for it. The makers name upon it was A Rigg, Rochdale, and the number was 11, 434. he had also found upon prisoner a pair of most dangerous knuckle-dusters and a skeleton key. Gillespie ? Sir, it was got on my person but it was not for use. Mr Hemmingway ? This skeleton key will open almost any door. It opened my office door. Gillespie ? it will not open three doors out of four. I have it because it opens my door. Mr Hemmingway applied for a remand for a week, which was granted.Oct 31st 1873 CPExtraordinary Imposition. Last week we gave a few particulars of the remarkable career of Gillespie, who on Monday was sentenced to three months hard labour, by the Carlisle bench, for an assault on the police. We mentioned his condemnation to be hanged in 1844, and his subsequent discharge on a free pardon on its being apparent that he was at death?s door. His feigned illness on that occasion completely deceived every one ? the governor, the surgeon and the doctor. When the pardon arrived, it was arranged that he should be carried home on a bed. In that way he was borne to the Gaol door, but as soon as the bearers got him outside the gates, he bounced off the mattress, thanked them for their assistance, and said he should be sorry to impose upon their good nature further. He then walked off ? one eye-witness says he actually ran off ? down Botchergate.
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