The Death of Thomas Allen

Deaths and Inquests

The Death of Thomas Allen

November 13th 1846 Carlisle PatriotDisgraceful Affair at LongtownA disgraceful case occurred in Longtown on Friday 6th inst, which terminated in the death of a poor, unfortunate weak-minded mendicant, called Thomas Allen, a character well-known in this county by the name of ?Willie the Runner?.On the morning in question a wedding party consisting of the bride and bridegroom and a male companion, drew up in a tub gig at the George and Dragon Inn, on their way from Alston to Gretna. The deceased as was his constant practice followed the party into the Inn to solicit either drink or money, according to the bias of their charitable feeling. The companion of the weddingers, whose name was Thomas Gibson, a lead-ore miner at Nenthead, being much intoxicated and exceedingly violent and outrageous in his mirth, the deceased afforded a most opportune subject for the gratification of his brutal sport. It did not require much time to disclose the propensity of the deceased for spirituous liquors. Gibson having made the discovery, ordered half a pint of whiskey which was poured into a tumbling glass and given to the deceased who drank it, undiluted, before taking the vessel from his mouth. No sooner had the poor creature swallowed the dose than the barmaid was called from the adjoining room; another half pint was brought in and in like manner given to the deceased, and drank by him, and in rapid succession repeated, until six half pints of raw spirits had been given to the unconscious victim.Deceased swallowed several of the draughts with all the avidity and haste his brutal entertainers could desire, but during the latter part of the disgusting performance the poor creature appeared to feel satiated, and the beverage to become unpalatable to him. Gibson previously encouraged deceased by saying ?he would make a gentleman of him?. He now urged on the old man by threatening to ?knock his head through the bar if he did not drink up the contents of the glass?. There were several other persons in the same room, who from time to time remonstrated with Gibson? all this went unheeded, except so far as an idiotic laugh evinced that he had heard but disregarded the caution. Deceased was then turned out of the room by Gibson. He was able to walk as far as the passage: there he became suddenly overpowered and fell Gibson raised him, and set him to the door, and then quitted him. Deceased made an effort to walk down the steps into the street, but his physical powers entirely failed him? he was removed into a stable, laid upon dry straw and well covered with horse sheets etc. Mr Earl, surgeon, was with him in less than five minutes, and at once administered an emetic, which operated freely, causing a discharge of a quart of liquid etc which from its strong smell appeared to be raw spirit. Bottles, bladders of fluid etc. filled with hot water were applied to the different parts of his body, and everything else done to keep up the animal heat. Dr Rome also saw him, and indeed both of these medical gentlemen were unremitting in their attention, although they had little hope of his recovery at any time, but latterly they saw no chance of his surviving the shock. He died at eight o?clock the same evening.(An inquest was called by Mr Carrick, coroner).A post mortem examination was made by Messrs Rome and Earl, who declared unequivocally that he had died from drinking ardent spirits. A warrant was issued against Gibson for his arrest, upon which he was apprehended and brought to Longtown between 12 and 1 o?clock. Two witnesses of the name of Storey and Wright who had been present when the drink was given to the deceased, were examined but their evidence was given evidently with so much reluctance and prevarication as to call upon the coroner to reprimand them severely for their highly improper conduct. Gibson, in his voluntary statement, expressed his sorrow for what had happened, but denied giving deceased any drink. The jury, after deliberating for about half an hour, and there being a difference of opinion amongst them, they ultimately adopted the opinion of the majority and found that deceased died from excessive drinking, but without implicating anyone. It is unfortunate that Mr Tweddle, the landlord of the inn, was absent when the above occurrence took place, for the deceased never ventured within the house when Mr Tweddle was at home, and of course would not have been introduced into the fatal company. Deceased was about 55 years of age, and a native of Beverley or Hull in Yorkshire. Many of our readers will remember poor old Willie, in his rags and unshorn beard, bareheaded and unshod, galloping for miles by the side of the public roads, most frequently on the Carlisle and Penrith roads.