Lyceum PH

[dunsbyowl1867]

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[Guest binsted71]

Main List Updated with Picture Sheffield Photo

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An unfortunate incident which occurred at The Lyceum Hotel back in 1855 which was reported in the "Sheffield and Rotherham Independent"

A Soldier Killed

A HUSSAR KILLED BY A GRINDER

The most shocking of these outrages occurred on Thursday morning, near to the New Barracks. The victim is George Lewis, a private in the 7th Hussars, a detachment of which is now staying at the barracks. As Lewis and another private soldier, named Spence, were passing the Lyceum Hotel, Langsett Road, kept by Mr. Dean, on their to the barracks, about one o’clock on Thursday morning, an engraver named Collier, who resides at Hillfoot, called to Lewis, with whom he was acquainted, and asked him to have a glass of liquor. Lewis and Spence went to the Lyceum and found there Thomas Jackson, grinder of Crookesmoor side; a brother of Jackson’s (Alfred) and two other men, all of whom it seems had been at Owlerton Feast, (at which it will be remembered, a young grinder, named Joseph Crookes, was last year brutally killed), during the evening, and reached the Lyceum at about half past ten o’ clock.

The two soldiers were shortly afterwards joined by Corporal Southern, and a good deal of conversation passed in the company. Jackson, however, who was somewhat under the influence of liquor, manifested a good deal of ill feeling, and sought to pick a quarrel with the soldiers. They were anxious to avoid any collision, and behaved with great forbearance. Jackson, who is a tall muscular fellow, first began to brag that he was bigger than Lewis, who, to pacify him, at once admitted that such was the case. He passed from this topic to his boxing abilities, and boasted of having engaged the notorious Caunt, &c., Jackson’s brother was put forward as an adept in the art of fencing with a single stick, and these pretensions were so annoyingly paraded, that Lewis, who was reputed as the most skilful fencer in the regiment, eventually gave the brother a challenge, and intimated that he had no doubt his friend the corporal was quite Thomas Jackson’s equal at boxing. Thus referred to, Corporal Southern offered to have a turn with Jackson with the gloves, for a sovereign aside, if he liked to go to the barracks at three o’clock the following afternoon. Jackson declined the challenge, but said that he could show the corporal “one, two, three”, an intimidation he repeated a number of times, but which, to the soldiers, conveyed but a very ambiguous meaning.

About two o’clock, the whole party of soldiers and civilians left the house. The soldiers proceeded towards the barracks, and Jackson, his brother, and Collier accompanied them. Ere they had gone many yards, however, Jackson challenged the corporal to fight on the spot. The latter declined and Lewis endeavoured to prevail on Jackson not to indulge in any unfriendly spirit. But Jackson, who seemed bent on mischief, kept muttering his threat to show the corporal "one, two, three", and eventually took a knife from his pocket. Collier instantly seized his hand, exclaiming,

"For God’s sake, put the knife away."

Jackson shook hands with Collier, and the raising the hand in which he held the knife, bid him,

"Get out of the way."

Jackson’s brother, who had united his intercessions to put away the knife with Collier, seeing that any further attempts to dissuade or restrain would be useless, called out to the rest

"If you respect me, keep off this man."

Jackson betrayed such a mad resoluteness of manner that both the soldiers and civilians endeavoured to get out of the way as quickly as possible. He seems to have been influenced not by any particular malice, but a ferocious desire to expend his fury upon somebody, no matter whom. He first made a dash at private Spence, who had mingled last of any in the conversation. Spence, in self-defence, struck Jackson on the head with his stick. He next attempted to strike the corporal, who however, kept him at arm’s length with his stick. Jackson then followed his friend Collier, and was on the point of overtaking him, when, observing Lewis stumble and fall upon the causeway, he immediately ran to him and stabbed him with the knife in a most savage manner: inflicting a fearful wound, extending from the brow to the back of the head, and cut right to the skull; an extensive wound in the right breast, and a slight one just below the neck.

While this was going on, a cab drove up, containing Captain, Sir William Russell, the commander of the detachment of Hussars, who had just come in by the mail train. The cab was driven by a man named George Greaves and belonged to Mr. Hounsfield. Seeing what was going in, Greaves stopped the cab, Captain Russell stepped out, and going up to where Lewis was lying, with Jackson standing over him, said to the latter,

"Why, you have stabbed the man; assist me to lift him into the cab."

Jackson gave up the knife to Greaves, and helped to place Lewis into the cab, which was driven direct to the Infirmary, where it arrived a little before 3 o’clock. The poor fellow died of his wounds almost immediately after his arrival. Police-sergeant King and another officer were met near the place, and receiving Jackson in charge from the soldiers, conveyed him to the Town Hall.

Such are the circumstances of this shocking affair, so far as we have been able to ascertain. It does not appear that the prisoner had any provocation to commit the savage act; but that is question, which will no doubt, receive the fullest investigation by the coroner’s jury. On Thursday at noon, the prisoner was taken before F. Hoole, Esq. No evidence was tendered against him, but he was informed that he stood charged with the wilful murder of Lewis, and asked whether or not he would prefer going before the coroner, Mr. Smith, explaining that the coroner had no power to enforce the attendance of prisoners before his court in such cases, until they had been convicted. The prisoner intimated through Mr. Broadbent, who appeared on his behalf, that he was willing to go before the coroner, and was remanded for that purpose. Lewis had been in the regiment about 16 years, was 35 years of age, and one of the best drill and swordsmen. His death is much regretted by his comrades.

Sheffield and Rotherham Independent, July 7th 1855

[Guest Jeremy]

An unfortunate incident which occurred at The Lyceum Hotel back in 1855 which was reported in the "Sheffield and Rotherham Independent"

An interesting story. Thanks for posting it.

Jeremy

[RichardB]

Thank you and Welcome to the site binsted71; much appreciated.

[Guest binsted71]

Thank you and Welcome to the site binsted71; much appreciated.

The following two articles appeared a few days later. It would be interesting to find out what eventually happened to 'prisoner' Jackson.

THE MURDERED SOLDIER’S FUNERAL

The remains of the unfortunate George Lewis, the victim of Thomas Jackson’s infuriated act, as detailed in late numbers of the Telegraph, were yesterday deposited in St. Philip’s churchyard. An immense concourse of people assembled to witness the procession. The road from the barracks to the church, a distance of above a mile, was nearly impassable: every window or any elevation likely to command a view of the cortege was fully occupied, and all traffic and business on the line of the route were at a standstill. The procession left the barracks at three o’clock in the following order:- firing party, with arms reversed; the band of the regiment; the corpse and pall bearers flanked with soldiers; the deceased’s horse, led by two soldiers, with the boots and other accoutrements belonging to it late owner; and the remainder of the troop to which the deceased was attached, with CAPTAIN Sir William Russell, formed the rear of the military procession. These were followed by two cabs, containing the friends of the deceased. They moved very slowly in their progress, and did not reach the church until four o’clock. During the march, the spectators were very orderly, the solemn appearance of the entire procession, and the grand effect of “The Dead March in Saul” as performed by the band, was visible upon those within hearing; and on reaching the church, where the crowd became more concentrated, there was one dense mass of human beings. The usual burial service having been performed, and the body deposited in its final resting place, the customary military tribute to a departed comrade, consisted of three rounds fired over the grave, was then gone through, and the procession re-formed for its return to quarters, the band playing a sprightly march, which usually has the intended effect of cheering the deceased’s comrades. The crowd of spectators then gradually began to disperse, numbers of them to gratify a morbid curiosity by witnessing the author of the melancholy scene just described, like his departure for York Assizes, particulars of which will be found in another part of to-day’s paper.

The Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 11th July 1855

DEPARTURE OF THE PRISONER JACKSON FOR YORK

Yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon, the prisoner Jackson, committed under the coroner’s warrant on a charge of murder, was sent off to York castle to take his trial at the present assizes. His removal from the town hall cells took place at five o’clock in the afternoon, at which hour a vast concourse of people had assembled in front of the town hall to witness the departure of the accused. By an acute movement on the part of Mr Raynor, the morbid curiosity of the people suffered a sad disappointment , as they continued to crowd round the door, striving for the best place to catch a glimpse of the offender as he was brought out. One of the police force came to the door and heightened their curiosity by remarking in a loud but coaxing and cajoling tone, “Now then, keep back, he’s coming;” and whilst the officer, laughing up his sleeve, strove to force them back, and the populace strove to force a way to the door, the prisoner, escorted by a couple of officers, was brought out of the side entrance in Waingate.

The Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 11th July 1855

[Guest Jeremy]

A Thomas Jackson was convicted of manslaughter at York on 10 July 1855 and sentenced to 6 years of penal servitude.

[Guest binsted71]

A Thomas Jackson was convicted of manslaughter at York on 10 July 1855 and sentenced to 6 years of penal servitude.

Many thanks for that Jeremy, that completes the story a very unfortunate incident.

[Guest Jeremy]

From The Derby Mercury, Wednesday, July 18, 1855:

[Guest Jeremy]

I found an account of the trial in The Hull Packet and East Riding Times from Friday, July 20, 1855:

[Guest binsted71]

I found an account of the trial in The Hull Packet and East Riding Times from Friday, July 20, 1855:

Thanks once again, the two articles show that Jackson was a lucky man!

[vox]

A Thomas Jackson was convicted of manslaughter at York on 10 July 1855 and sentenced to 6 years of penal servitude.

5 days start to finish. They didn't mess about did they.

[RichardB]

... all of whom it seems had been at Owlerton Feast, (at which it will be remembered, a young grinder, named Joseph Crookes, was last year brutally killed) ...

Seems like one for The Mystery Link Fairy

[sportsmans Group]

[Guest Jeremy]

Not the link fairy, but here's the link:

http://www.sheffieldhistory.co.uk/forums/i...?showtopic=1804