Chester Chronicle – Friday 21 May 1841 CHESTER WATCH COMMITTEE. A Meeting of the Watch Committee was held on Thursday evening week, at the Exchange. The principal business of the meeting was to receive a statement of the receipts and disbursements connected with the races, preparatory to making their usual report to the Council. The races. Mr. Hill, Superintendent of Police, reported that the income and expenditure, caused in connection with the races, were as follow :— Income - Cash received from the race ground. Etc as rent for stands, etc during the race week - £114 0 0½ Expenditure. 22 extra police constables ...£l7 5 0. - 24 police constables, 2s. per day extra £19 4 0. 3 extra ditto eight days £3 16.0. Gratuity to Messrs. Hill and Bailey £6 10 0. Mr. Hubbert £0 8 0d. Total £67 5 4½. Advertising... 13s. Balance the Borough Fund....£66 12 4.  The sums incurred by the police department were then ordered to be discharged, and Mr. Hill was directed to pay over the balance of £66. 12s. 4½ to the Corporate Treasurer. The members of the Committee then expressed their satisfaction at the conduct the force during the week's amusements, and paid a high compliment Mr. Hill, for the active and efficient conduct he had exhibited. Mr. Griffith stated that Lord Milltown, F. R. Price, Esq., and other gentlemen, had intimated to him that better order than was kept at Chester, they had not witnessed on any race-course in England. The following resolution was then passed:—" The Committee feel much gratified, that although there was a greater influx of strangers into the City during the race week, than on any previous occasion, only one case occurred which the magistrates considered importance commit for trial; and that, .....part obscured....... to the increased number of bad characters, fewer cases of vagrancy and irregularity occurred is usual at such periods." THE LOCK-UPS. Mr. Hill then presented the following report, as the copy of one which, according to instructions, he had transmitted to the Inspector of Prisons:—“Number of person who passed through the lock-ups in the city of Chester, from the 1st January. 1840 to 1st December, 1840:—Males, 871 Females, 136; Total, 1007." “Number of persons who passed through the lock-ups from the 1st of Januarv, 1841, to 26th March, 1841 -.—Males, 232; Females, 35: Total, 287."  A few bills were ordered be paid, and the meeting then closed.
Chester Gaol Records 17 January 1842 William Jones aged 34 5ft 6in sallow complexion lt. brown hair blue eyes Flatman of Chester. In the parish of St Oswald unlawfully and maliciously presented at one John Hill a gun loaded with powder and host with intent to do him some grievous bodily harm the said John Hill being then in the execution of his duty as a Constable 8 April 1842 - to be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for 9 cal months Discharged at the Police Court 7 Jan 1843
Chester Chronicle - Friday 25 February 1842 Police Court: Monday.—The Mayor,, Sir E S Walker, Thos Dixon, Esq., R Morris, Esq., George Harrison, Esq., and Capt. French, were occupied for several hours in investigating various charges against certain military officers belonging to the garrison, for outrage and assaults on Wednesday night previous. The defendants present ware Capt Barlow and Lieut. Smith, of the 68th Foot; and Lieut. D’Aguilar of the Royal Artillery. Capt. Wynne, of the 68th was absent on account of illness. Several other officers of the garrison were also present. The short facts of the case are follow:—William Hughes, Henry Mansell, and John Gregg, three working men were on their way home from the theatre; and when in Bridge-street Row, came in contact with a party of officers, some whom were evidently bacchi pleui, and were stopped and obstructed by them, assault committed upon Hughes who was knocked down and kicked by Mr. D'Aguilar, and also assaulted by others. At this stage of the business a man named Joseph Grantham came up and received a floorer from Capt. Barlow. Policemen Farebrother and Healey then came up to the spot and were joined by Inspector Lewis, and policemen Mason, Blythe and Richards, and succeeded in securing Mr. D'Aguilar and Mr. Wynne, but in the conflict Inspector Lewis and others of the police were struck, and Mason had his leg lacerated by severe kick The parties were ultimately liberated on bail, and appeared next day when the case was adjourned until the Monday. The case was most fully gone into, and at the conclusion the magistrates adjourned into the private room, to consider the evidence, and on their return the Mayor stated that they adjudicated several charges as follows:—Mr. D'Aguilar for the assault upon Hughes to be fined and 50s and 4/6d costs; for the assault upon the police, 50s. and 4/6d costs; Mr. Barlow for the assault upon Hughes, to be fined 50s. and 4/6d costs, and for the assault upon the police, to be fined 50s and 4/6d costs;  Mr. Smith for the assault upon the police be 50s. and 6/6d costs; Mr. Wynne for the assault on police to be fined 50s and 4.6d costs. His Worship animadverted in severe terms on these outrages, and hoped that the Magistrates would not again have to adjudicate on similar cases. The fines were immediately paid.
Chester Chronicle – Friday 6 May 1842
Suicide in the Chester Lock-ups.—On Saturday last, a man named Humphrey Jones, well known in this City was apprehended by Abraham Price, one the Chester police, on warrant, granted by the Mayor against him, for aggravated assault upon a man named Thomas Pinchers. He was then in liquor, and was a little violent. He was put the lock-up about three o'clock the afternoon. About four o’clock, Inspector Lewis went into the lock-up, and discovered Jones in a sitting posture under the window suspended by one of his braces from the iron bar. He cut the brace, and Jones fell against him. He sent him immediately to Drs. Bennett and Harrison, and they first attempted to bleed the prisoner, only two drops of blood came, and attempts to restore animation were unavailing. An inquest was held same day before Faithful Thomas, Esq., when a verdict was returned in accordance with the facts of the case.
Chester Chronicle - Friday 16 December 1842
Charge or Forgery and obtaining Money under False Pretences against the Police—On Saturday last, Mr. Alderman Turner brought a case before the Mayor, involving most serious allegations against two constables of the Chester police, and which he had caused to be the topic of public conversation for several days, through the town. The charge was that William Parry had served forged summon upon a person called Kinnerton, and that he and Emanuel Hughes, had upon that summons obtained five shillings.     The summons purported to bear the Mayor’s signature. Mr. Turner produced the party before the Mayor, who however, on being questioned said he no charge to make.     The Mayor determined to investigate the case; and the following to appear to be the facts.     Some days ago, a person named Davies obtained a summons against the defendant for illegally detaining a dog, which Wm. Parry was directed to serve and having done so, the defendant expressed a wish to settle the matter. The reply of Parry was that with that, he had nothing to do.    The defendant then met Emanuel Hughes the other policeman, who was not on duty and whom he had known for some time, and he requested him to aid him settling with Davies. Hughes interfered; and Davies agreed that the matter should go further on the summons being paid, and the dog being restored. The defendant borrowed half a crown from Hughes, and then paid four and sixpence for the summons, and sixpence for some ale. The Mayor very properly designated the conduct Mr Turner unnecessary and uncalled for interference. We understand that Mr. Turner made several journey’s in order to explore this veritable Mare’s nest.
Chester Chronicle - Friday 1 September 1843
Bank Robbery.—On the 24th inst. information was received by the police authorities of this City of an extensive bank robbery, supposed to have been committed by a man named George Highfield Morton 17 years age, who was alleged to have absconded with upwards of £900 in his possession, belonging to a banking establishment in Liverpool, in which he was employed as junior clerk. A reward of £50 for the apprehension and conviction of the thief, and the recovery of the money naturally excited all the vigilance of our police; and on Friday last one of the constabulary named Mulligan observed a youth answering the description of Morton, regaling himself with some confectionery the shop of Madame Silva, Watergate Street Row. Information was immediately given to Sergeant Richard’s, one of the inspectors of the Chester police, who, with a Liverpool officer, sent over in search of Morton,) proceeded to apprehend him. He was taken before the Magistrates, and sent in custody to Liverpool; but on Saturday afternoon was brought back Chester for purpose of pointing out the spot where the money was concealed; and following on his directions, the bank notes were buried in a field near this city. The police officers returned to Liverpool with their prisoner on Saturday evening. On Monday the final examination took place before Mr. Rushton, when Morton fully committed for trial to the Borough Sessions.
Chester Chronicle – Friday 22 December 1843
Serious Robbery. —On Tuesday se’night Henshall, the driver of the Preston-Brook omnibus was robbed of a large sum of money under the following audacious circumstance. In the evening, when in Lower Bridge Street, was accosted by a countryman, who stated that he knew him very well, and had often travelled in his omnibus; and at the same time he put his hand in his pocket, and pulled out his purse, which contained a large sum of money. Henshall protested against such close familiarity, and explained that though he might have had the honor (sic) of the gentleman’s company in his professional capacity, yet that he had no claim upon his pocket. He most imprudently consented to go with his coaching acquaintance into a neighbouring beer-shop, called the Brown Jug, where of course the countryman stood treat. In a short time a general row took place, during which Henshall appeared to be the great object of solicitude, not only of his friend but of other parties, and all at once the parties cleared out the place, leaving Henshall alone in his glory, when he discovered that he had been most effectually cleared out, as his purse was gone, containing two banker's checks, one for £50 and the other for £80, and £47.10s in gold. At the latter end of the week intelligence was received of a party suspected, having been seen at the Rossett, with considerable sum of money in his possession and subsequently he was traced to Wrexham, where for a short time he deposited £37 in gold in the hands of a publican; but he ultimately got clear away, with the money, though closely pursued by the police. It hoped however that he will nabbed before all the blunt (loot) is gone. The same party is suspected of fowl stealing to very considerable extent.
 (Watch Committee Meeting dated 21 December 1843:- Mr Hill reported that a charge had been made by Mr Mostyn, the Superintendent of Police at Wrexham, against Sergeant Minnis, of neglect of duty and inattention to instructions in consequence of which, a man called Williams, the driver of the Preston Brook Omnibus, had not been made prisoner – The Committee having investigated the chare, and are of opinion that it cannot be substantiated.  
Chester Chronicle – Friday 16 August 1844 WATCH COMMITTEE. Mr. Gardner reported that estimates had been received for the alterations in the lock-ups, according to the amended plan approved by the Secretary State. The lowest was from Mr. Evans, which it was recommended should be accepted.—Agreed to. The Committee was further authorised to pat up a sufficient number lights in the new engine-house; and also to make some slight pecuniary grants to police-officers, for loss of time, or as compensation for injury done to their clothing, whilst acting the execution their duty. Mr. Henry Brown thought that the duties of the over-looker of the market should be divided. The salary of Worrall was £l. per week, viz. sixteen shillings for his engagements in the market, and four shilling for cleaning the blocks, etc.; suggested that the latter part the duties should be performed by a female; and that a respectable and active man be selected from the police force, to weigh the butter, look after the weights, and generally to keep order in the market. This person, of course, should be clothed with the authority of a constable, and then his services would be available on any emergency that might arise. On the motion of Mr. Fox, the Corporate Estate Committee was requested to recommend a person for the situation at the neat meeting.
Chester Chronicle – 20 December 1844 On Saturday last, Mr. Taylor, Inspector of Police, Stratford-upon-Avon, in Warwickshire, accompanied by another constable, arrived in Chester, for the purpose of executing a warrant against James Crowley, who stands charged with the wilful murder of William Tisley, on Christmas Day, last and who, it was suspected, was residing in this city. On calling at the Chester Police Office, they soon ascertained that a person answering the description of the accused homicide had been noticed by the constabulary as a stranger here; and Sergeant Richards, of the City Police, conducted the Warwickshire Officers to the Black Dog, where he had been known to call, and afterwards to the Castle and Falcon public-house in Watergate street, where they found Crowley, who it seems had been lodging for some weeks in a house in the Eccleston Road, and has been in the habit of taking his meals at the last named tavern, where his luggage was deposited. The murder with which is charged, was committed under the following circumstances. Owing to his dissolute conduct, he had quarrelled with his father, who is a respectable farmer at Spernall, in the county of Warwick; and for the protection the family from the annoyance of his visits, it had been found necessary to swear in an agricultural servant, William Tisley, as a special constable. On Dec. 25, 1842, Crowley went to his father's, yard and attempting to enter the house, was remonstrated with by Tisley, who told him that he was there to prevent from troubling his father; upon which Crowley swore an oath, and shot Tisley dead with a double barrel gun which he was carrying. When the servant fell, he went to the stable, mounted a horse, the use of which his father allowed him, and rode off at a rapid pace. The following notice was published in the “Police Gazette” of Dec 30 1842 James Crowley, of Warwickshire, stands charged with having committed wilful murder, on the 25th inst. He is about 5 feet 9 inches high, stout made, has a mark over one of his eyebrows, good looking, and of gentlemanly appearance; dressed, when last seen, in dark cloth coat, black shining boots and leather leggings. He took with him a horse, of the following description: bright bay, switch tail, nearly thorough bred, one hip down, black legs, ewe-necked, and about 15 hands 1 inch high. —£20 reward will be paid for his apprehension on application to Mr. B. Johnson, Church, Warden, Spernall, Warwickshire. Information to be given at the Police Office, Waterloo-street. Birmingham; or Superintendent Griffiths, Worcestershire Constabulary, Small Heath, near Birmingham.—[Bow-street, Dec. 27th. It was afterwards ascertained, that he went by the Railway from Tring, a station on the London and Birmingham line, at which place the horse was found. No further clue to his "whereabout" was discovered till last week, when the Warwickshire Police received information that he was at Chester. It appears that when he first came to this city, he had a female companion, who has since left him in dudgeon about some supposed intimacy between Crowley and woman at Eccleston: and it is thought that she has therefore betrayed him. He was in the habit of calling for letters at the Post-office, which were addressed to "Mr. James Smith." There was idle rumour on Saturday that he had been singing as a chorister at the Cathedral, but it is altogether destitute of truth. When he was apprehended, exclaimed— “I shall make no resistance; see l am overpowered; I shall soon be a dying man: I suppose they will try me at the Winter Assizes." He had in his pocket 36 Sovereigns, a double-barrel pistol, both barrels being “capped” some balls and a flask of powder. On being taken before the Mayor (C. Potts, Esq.) and E. Roberts Esq. at the Chester Police Court, he was formally charged with the crime; and after being cautioned that if said anything it might be used against him in evidence, said, with great deliberation and firmness—" I have to say that I am guilty, and what should do again tomorrow. I did shoot the man in open day. I think I did my duty.” On being asked if he intended to sign that deposition, he replied, I will sign it with all the pleasure in the world and wrote at the foot, "James Crowley.” He was then remanded for further examination before the Magistrates of Warwickshire. During the time he was in custody here, he exhibited a continuance of the same cool determination; and in our presence he said to Mr. Hill, the Superintendent of the Chester police, “I wish before I go away to thank the constables of Chester for the manner in which they have behaved to me; there has been no unnecessary cruelty, such as I have heard of in some such cases; they have done their duty in a kind way.” The prisoner, who has the appearance of a respectable man, was well dressed; is what may termed good looking, but with a countenance evincing the most reckless determination. He was heavily ironed and was taken from Chester on Saturday evening, in custody of the Warwickshire officers, by the railway train for Birmingham.
 Chester Chronicle – Friday 20 December 1844
Arrest of a Murderer in Chester:- On Saturday last, Mr. Taylor, Inspector of Police, Stratford-upon-Avon, in Warwickshire, accompanied by another constable, arrived in Chester, for the purpose of executing a warrant against James Crowley, who stands charged with the wilful murder of William Tisley, on Christmas Day, 184s and who, it was suspected, was residing in this city. On calling at the Chester Police Office, they soon ascertained that a person answering the description of the accused homicide had been noticed by the constabulary as a stranger here; and Sergeant Richards, of the City Police, conducted the Warwickshire Officers to the Black Dog, where he had been known to call, and afterwards to the Castle and Falcon public-house in Watergate street, where they found Crowley; who it seems had been lodging for some weeks at a house in the Eccleston Road, and been in the habit of taking his meals at the last named tavern, where his luggage was deposited. The murder with which is charged, was committed under the following circumstances. Owing to his dissolute conduct, he had quarrelled with his father, who is respectable farmer at Spernall, in the county of Warwick: and for the protection the family from the annoyance of his visits, it had been found necessary to swear in an agricultural servant, William Tisley, a special constable. On Dec. 25, 1842, Crowly went to his father's, and attempting to enter the house, was remonstrated with by Tisley, who told him that he was there to prevent him from troubling his father; upon which Crowley swore an oath, and shot Tisley dead with a double barrel gun which was carrying. When the servant fell, he went to the stable, mounted a horse, the use of which his father allowed him, and rode off at rapid pace. The following notice was published in the “Police Gazette” of Dec. 30, 1843 James Crowley, of Warwickshire, stands charged with having committed wilful murder, on the 25th inst. He is about 5 foot 9 inches high, stout made, has a mark or scar over one of his eyebrows, good looking, and of a gentlemanly appearance; dressed, when last seen, in a dark cloth cloak, black shining boots, and leather leggings,. He took with him a horse, of the following description: bright bay, switch tail, nearly thorough bred, one hip brown, black legs, ewe-necked, and about 15 hands 1 inch high. —£20, reward will be paid on his apprehension on application to Mr. B. Johnson, Church, Warden, Spernall, Warwickshire. Information to be given at the Police Office, Waterloo-street. Birmingham; or to Superintendent Griffiths, Worcestershire Constabulary, Small Heath, near Birmingham.—[Bow-street, Dec. 27.] It was afterwards ascertained, that he went by the Railway from Tring, a station on the London and Birmingham line, at which place the horse was found. No further clue to his “whereabouts” was discovered until last week, when the Warwickshire Police received information that he was at Chester. It appears that when he first came to this city, be had a female companion, who has since left him in dudgeon about some supposed intimacy between Crowley and woman at Eccleston: and it is thought that she has therefore betrayed him. He was in the habit of calling for letters at the Post-office, which were addressed to "Mr. James Smith." There was an idle rumour on Saturday, that, he had been singing as a chorister at the Cathedral, but it is altogether destitute of truth. When he was apprehended, he exclaimed— I shall make no resistance; see l am overpowered; I shall soon be dying man: I suppose they will try me at the Winter Assizes." He had in his pocket 36 Sovereigns, a double-barrel pistol, both barrels being “capped”,  some balls and a flask of powder. On being taken before the Mayor (C. Potts, Esq.) and E. Roberts Esq. at the Chester Police Court, he was formally charged with the crime; and after being cautioned that if said anything it might be used against him in evidence, said, with great deliberation and firmness—" I have to say that I am guilty, and what I should do again tomorrow. I did shoot the man in open day. I think I did my duty.” On being asked if he intended to sign that deposition, he replied, “I will sign it with all the pleasure in the world, and wrote at the foot," James Crowley,** He was then remanded for further examination before the Magistrates of Warwickshire. During the time he was in custody here, he exhibited the continuance of the same cool determination; and in our presence he said to Mr. Hill, the Superintendent of the Chester police. “I wish before I go away I wish to thank the constables of Chester for the manner in which they have behaved to me; there has been no unnecessary cruelty, such as have heard of in some such cases; they have done their duty in a kind way.” The prisoner, who has the appearance of a respectable man, was well dressed; but is what may be termed good looking, but with countenance evincing the most reckless determination. He was heavily ironed and was taken from Chester on Saturday evening, in custody of the Warwickshire officers, by the railway train for Birmingham.
Chester Chronicle – 7 February 1845 Death on the 24th January, 1845, after a long and painful illness, William Capper, aged 42; the deceased was formerly in the City Police Force, but for the last five years, to the time of his death, one of the Turnkeys at the Gaol, which office he filled to the satisfaction of the Magistrates, and public generally.
London Standard – Friday 25 December 1846 Abduction by a Theatrical Dancer.— Last week a Mr. Webster, a "professor of dancing," and " in the ballet department," induced Miss Hilton, a young lady, aged 15, daughter of W. Hilton, Esq, of Ardwick-green, Manchester, to elope with him from her father's residence. The distressed parent, having obtained some clue to the course they had taken, arrived iv Chester that night, and applied for aid of the authorities to discover the retreat of the fugitives. The superintendent of the police immediately appointed two officers to this duty, but their search was ineffectual. On Friday morning, how-ever, it was discovered that a licence had been obtained at the Registrar-Office by Webster (who was accompanied by Mr. Booth, of this city), for his marriage with Miss Hilton, who was described as a lady of twenty two, and as having for the last few months resided in St John's parish, Chester. On receiving this information the police repaired to St. John's Church, where the marriage ceremony had just been completed, and the parties had left in a hackney coach. Inquiry was made for them at the house of Mr. Booth, and other places, without effect, till the afternoon, when they were found at the Ermine Inn near the railway station. The foolish young "bride" was then taken from the protection of her abductor, and removed in care of the constables to her home at Manchester. Webster accompanied the party, but of course was refused admittance to Mr. Hilton’s house. Miss Hilton is described as being a good-looking young lady, with more of womanhood in her appearance than might be expected from her age. Webster is said to be brother of the danseuse, Clara Webster, who was unfortunately burnt so severely as to cause her death during her performance iv the ballet of the “Revolt of the Harem," at Drury-lane Theatre. It is stated that this affair will probably give rise to legal prosecution of the parties implicated.
Chester Chronicle - Friday 18 February 1848 Watch Committee - The Watch Committee recommended to the Council to offer a reward of $10 for the apprehension and conviction of the person who struck Mr Kenrick, while assisting Inspector Tivy to take a man named Peters into custody; also to offer a reward of £5 for the apprehension and conviction of the parties who incited the assault on the Constables; and also that Inspector Tivy, whose leg had been broken during the affray, be allowed his wages during the continuance of his illness.
Chester Chronicle - Friday 27 October 1848 Death – On the 24th inst Mr George Dawson of this City, aged 52. Deceased was formerly Superintendent of the Chester Police, and since, clerk in this establishment. (Chester Chronicle)
Chester Chronicle – Friday 18 May 1849 CHESTER TOWN COUNCIL. The Monthly Meeting the Chester Town Council was held on Friday last, the 11th inst, in the Council Chamber; the Right Worshipful the Major, Sir Edward Walker, in the chair. The members excused attendance were Messrs Kelsall, French, H. Browne, Griffith, Whaley, Soorne, Peacock, Clare, ThelwalL Potts and Fox.      The following was the only minute in the book of the Watch Committee. Mr Hill having reported that there had not been one single case of robbery on the race course or in the streets during the race week which it was necessary to send to trial; and that the conduct of the Police Force had been quite satisfactory,—ordered that the best thanks of the Committee given to Mr Hill for his efficient services during the week, and they also begged to express their approbation of conduct of the special constables employed for day and night duty during the race week, and paid for by racing committee heretofore. Mr Smith, in allusion to the latter part of the above minute, said an impression prevailed that the extra constables employed during the race week was paid by the Council. Such, however, was not the case, and merely mentioned it in order to remove the erroneous impression to which he had alluded. Mr Trevor said the Town Council was not put to the expense of a single shilling in connection with the employment of extra police officers. The proprietors of the two stands behaved with the utmost liberality; for, instead of pocketing the whole revenue, they limited themselves to certain dividends and the surplus went to the maintenance of the races. The races, in fact, were maintained entirely out of those funds, and the voluntary contributions of those who chose to subscribe. He might also go further and state that he had been in communication with several gentlemen who attended principal races in the kingdom, and their uniform testimony was the Races were best managed or any others which they had visited.
Chester Chronicle – Friday 29 June 1849 ASSAULTING THE POLICE— On Wednesday last. John Okell, a tanner, residing at Barrow, (nr Chester) was brought before the magistrates, charged with being drunk, and assaulting police-officer Walters in the execution of his duty. Okell was seen by the officer creating a disturbance in the street, by backing his horses head to and fro, to the great danger of the passers-by, when on being remonstrated with, he committed the assault on the officer. He was so violent that it took several persons to remove him to the lock-up; and when there his violence did not end, but he commenced tearing up the mats and everything which came in his way. He wan fined 20s and ordered pay costs of the damage done to the lock-ups.
STEALING FLOUR-—On Wednesday last John Bradley, a miller, was charged before the sitting magistrates at the Chester Police Court, with stealing quantity of flour, belonging to his former master, Mr C. Gamon, of the Dee Mills. The prisoner was met on Thursday morning by policeman Fitt and another officer duty, in Lower Bridge Street, carrying a sack, containing about 52lbs. of flour. On being accosted, he gave a confused and rambling statement the officers as to how obtained it, first stating that it was his own property, and then that it belonged to another person, which induced them to lock him up. He also gave a wrong description as to the quality the flour, stating it to the best seconds, when in fact it turned out to be superfine, such as at present, is only to be had at Gamon's Mills. On the fallowing day, Sergeant Speed, of the Chester Police, searched his house in Handbridge, when another sack containing about 180lbs of the same flour was found. How he got into the Mill could not be clearly traced, but there was strong suspicion that a man in Mr Gamon's employ had been privy to it. Some difficulty existing to make out a clear ease for committal few trial, the Bench directed him to be imprisoned for two months under the Vagrant Act.