Smuggling

CRIME

Smuggling in Longtown

Different duty on various commodities in England and Scotland made Longtown, situated on the border, a popular area for smugglers. The most popular items smuggled in the early 19th century were salt (until 1823) and whiskey. November 29th 1817 Carlisle PatriotIntelligence having been received that an illegal still had some time been working near Luckens near Stapleton, three officers of the excise repaired to the spot, late on Monday night or early on Tuesday morning, made a seizure of the still and a considerable quantity of spirits. The smugglers, however, having obtained immediate assistance, the still and spirits were recaptured, and in the contest, one of the officers was severely wounded and one of the smugglers wounded by a pistol ball which entered his mouth and passed through his cheek. About one o?clock on Tuesday afternoon, Thomas Waugh of Glebelands, Thomas Blaylock of Luckens and an Irishman whose name is unknown, came up to John Moscrop, who had been searching for a pistol which had been lost by one of the officers near Luckens, violently seized him, dragged him across the river Lyne, and conveyed him to the house of Thomas Armstrong of Scilly Luckens, where he was detained a prisoner several hours. Information of these transactions having been laid before Dr Heysham on Thursday night, he issued a warrant for the apprehension of the offenders, and dispatched several Peace-Officers and a Sergeant and fifteen Privates of the Scotch Greys, who left Carlisle early yesterday morning, and it is hoped they will secure this desparate gang. (£100 was subsequently offered for the capture of the men involved). January 3rd 1818 Carlisle PatriotThe reward of £100 for the apprehension of the persons who violently assaulted the Excise men in the execution of their duty in the parish of Stapleton, on the 24th ult, has already provided a part of the desired effect. Thomas Blacklock of Galesbies Luckens in the parish of Stapleton, was apprehended by several persons from Carlisle in his own house. When the party approached the house, those within, suspecting the object of their visit, fastened the door as securely as circumstances would permit. During the interval which this resistance created, Blacklock endeavoured to escape through the thatch on top of the house, and by the time the party entered, he was in the act of forcing his way through a hole which he had made, but was seized by the leg and taken prisoner. January 24th 1818 Carlisle PatriotOn Saturday last, John Rowell of Dapley Moor in the parish of Stapleton was convicted in the mitigated penalty of £80 and the forfeiture of 16 gallons of whiskey and a still, for and by reason of the said whiskey and still being found in his possession. November 28th 1818 Carlisle PatriotIt will be in the recollection of our readers that Blaylock was found guilty at the last Cumberland assizes of committing a most violent and aggravated assault on three excise officers at Luckens, in the parish of Stapleton. The prisoner was this day brought up to receive judgement. He put in a petition to the court which was read; it stated chiefly that he had been in prison eleven months and was reduced to great distress, and though found in the place where there was an illegal still, he was entirely innocent of the distillery and the assault on the officers. Mr Topping, for the crown, stated that one of the officers had been disabled for life. Verdict - six months imprisonment. November 28th 1818 Carlisle JournalA poney, loaded with 2cwt of salt, the property and in the possession of one George Gibson of Laversdale, near Brampton, was seized on the 12th inst near Longtown, by Mr Wright, officer of the excise at that place, who narrowly escaped with his life, as a smuggler several times attempted to stab him with a hay fork, with which he had armed himself after losing his property. January 19th 1822 Carlisle PatriotMelancholy occurrence In the afternoon of Tuesday last, Lieutenant Russell of the Preventative Water Guard boat belonging to the port of Carlisle, left Bowness in the company of two men under his command, named Samuel Skelly and John Hartley, and proceeded up the Solway Frith as far as Floristown Bridge in order to prevent smuggling. They remained in the neighbourhood of that place until half past one on Wednesday morning, at which time some men were heard coming along the bridge whom the revenue officers supposed to be smugglers. On going up to them (five in number) they observed that each man had a package on his back, and Hartley having felt the outside of one of the packages, had no doubt that its contents were Scotch salt, and that all the others contained a similar article. Under this impression, the officers in the king?s name, demanded that the packages be delivered up to them, but instead of complying with this demand, the men set upon them with sticks...two of the officers, Russell and Skelly...discharged their pistols at the smugglers and one man of the name of Wm Harding, of Warwick Bridge, was unfortunately shot through the left thigh, the ball coming in contact with the femoral artery, caused his almost immediate death. An inquest was taken upon the body on Wednesday morning, when... contrary to the opinion expressed by the coroner, the jury returned a verdict of murder against John Russell and Samuel Skelly... the unfortunate man has left a widow and four helpless children to lament his loss. March 2nd 1822 Carlisle PatriotAlleged Murder John Russell (A Lieutenant in the navy) and Samuel Skelly, a seaman belonging to the Preventative service on the Solway Frith, were arraigned on the verdict of a coroner's inquest on a charge of the wilful murder of William Harding at Garistown Bridge on the 16th of January last. (The prosecution did not offer any evidence, and both were discharged) January 4th 1823 Carlisle JournalSalt Tax Tomorrow, this most odious and degrading tribute will die a natural death. Compared with the tax upon Salt, one of the first necessities of life, every other import dwindles into insignificance; for from its heavy pressure upon the poor, it assumes the nature of a poll tax... The Salt Tax was most unjust, impolitic and oppressive, and should never have been levied upon an overburdened, impoverished and prostrate people. November 6th 1824 Carlisle JournalOn Tuesday last, Ann Fidler of Gretna, driving a horse and cart containing 13 gallons of whiskey, was seized at Kirklinton on her way from Scotland to this city...This city is still infested with unlicensed whiskey shops, outnumbering the regular public houses in the proportion of probably two to one, and retailing a destructive compound of liquid poison, composed of the most pernicious ingredients.December 11th 1824 Carlisle PatriotEarly on Monday morning last, Thos. Donatty, of this city, a whiskey smuggler, was drowned at Sarkfoot while engaged in an illegal pursuit.He had left the Scotch border in company of other dealers in contraband spirits and being afraid to venture with them across the iron bridge on account of the lookout being kept in that quarter by the officers of customs and excise, he attempted to cross from Sarkfoot to Rockliff marsh. When about half way across, the ice gave way but while struggling against death, he threw his bladders (of whiskey) upon the ice, where they were found at daylight. This is another reason why the law should be modified...he has left a wife and six children unprovided for. July 31st 1825 Carlisle PatriotOn the 25th inst. Messrs Gilchrist, Coulson and Marshall, officers of the Excise at Springfield and Annan, seized near Newcastleton a hearse and two horses, the vehicle, instead of a dead body, having within a living spirit, in the shape of 30 gallons of prime Scotch whiskey, which the cunning driver was merrily trotting towards England... March 19th 1827 Carlisle Patriot On Saturday night last, a woman belonging to Longtown lost her life in the snow. She had been to Springfield after smuggling whiskey and was relieved of her burthen by an Excise officer. Not disheartened, she returned for more, and on her way home, wandered out of her road upon Solway Moss and so expired.She was found upon the ground, two bladders of contraband spirits beside her. November 27th 1830 Carlisle JournalOn Tuesday seenight, a box was discovered at Mr Fergus Armstrong's, Cannonbie, which had been left there a few days before by the Walter Scott coach, from the south, by Mr Daniels, officer of the excise, which on being opened was found to contain the body of a man about 70 years of age. The box was neatly packed and directed to "Mr Bell, to be left at the General Post Office, Edinburgh". The body has been decently interred in Cannonbie Church Yard. Mr Daniels had been in search of smuggled spirits, and not liking the appearance of the box, had it opened and thus made the discovery we have named. April 14th 1832 Carlisle JournalSeizure of Whiskey On Monday last, Messrs Mills and Gilchrist, officers of Excise, made a seizure of 16 gallons of whiskey from John Scott, innkeeper, Longtown. June 16th 1832 Carlisle Journal Seizure of Whiskey Early on Monday morning last, Messrs Daniels, Russell and Bolton, officers of the Preventative service, stationed at Longtown, succeeded in apprehending near Longtown Moor, two smugglers named Andrew and Francis Forrest, having in their possession 10 gallons of strong whiskey.They were conveyed to Carlisle Gaol, Andrew Forrest for three and Francis Forrest for four months with hard labour. We understand these are the notorious characters who have been going about the country selling whiskey to Publicans and others, and then giving information to the excise. October 19th 1833 Carlisle Patriot On Sunday last in the parish of Irthington, Messrs Daniel and Horncastle, officers of the Brampton station, arrested Thomas Blaylock of Stapleton, whilst conveying several gallons of smuggled whiskey, and on the same day, he was convicted and committed to Carlisle Gaol for three months with hard labour. Blaylock is an old offender, and many unsuccessful attempts had previously been made to apprehend him for a fine of 8 or 9 years standing. December 28th 1833 Carlisle Patriot A quantity of smuggled whiskey was taken on the 12th inst. from Elizabeth Murray, near Brisco Hill, by Messrs Daniels and Russell, officers of Longtown Border Prevention station. (She was charged in the mitigated penalty of £25, in default of payment, three months with hard labour). December 1 1893 Carlisle PatriotThe late Mr James Gilchrist: Cumbrian Reminiscences.The death is announced at the patriarchal aged of ninety one years and eight months, of Mr James Gilchrist, of the firm Gilchrist and Ramsey, brewers of Seaton Carew. Deceased, who sprang from Berwick upon Tweed, visited his brother, the well-known preventative officer in the Longtown district, nearly seventy years ago, when the whole passenger traffic through Carlisle was done by six mail coaches, and was present, pistol in hand, at an affray with a gang of smugglers. Irving, the boatman of pugilistic fame, accompanied the officers, who were opposed by the equally redoubtable Geordie Palmer, father of the twin champion wrestlers, Wat and John, recently mentioned by the Canadian correspondent of the Patriot. He stoutly resisted, got badly beaten, and was captured with his load of Scotch whiskey. Next day, the amateur exciseman, addressing his brother, said, ?Joseph, you get two hundred a year for doing that: I would not do it for two thousand.? And he spoke with sincerity, for such scenes were repugnant to his nature, though they were the breath of life to men like ?Waterside Geordie? who was a match for ?about three Paddies? during the making of the Glasgow road, and was the son of ?Willie o?the boat? who piloted Burns, the exciseman, well mounted upon Jenny Geddes, across the Esk before the Metal Bridge was thought of. . .