South Eastern Gazette, 25 September, 1860.

Cowden. Inquest.

On Thursday last and inquest was held at the "Crown Inn," before J. N. Dudlow, Esq., coroner, to enquire to the circumstances attending the death of George Twyford, who died on the previous Thursday.

Deceased was a farmer, an in consequence of certain rumours that he had died from injuries received in a fight in May last, Superintendent Dance communicated with the Coroner, who decided on the inquiry.

Messrs. Greare and Ballard, surgeons, stated their decided opinion that death was caused by effusion of fluid to the brain, and not from violence, and a verdict to that effect was returned.

From the Southeastern Gazette, 22 May 1866.

Petty Sessions, Tuesday. (Before A. Pott, Esq., in the chair, Major Scoones,. and H. T. Moore and R. Rodger, Esqrs.)

Stephen Allen, Elizabeth Rogers, and Caroline Lingate were charged with stealing a watch and other articles, value £5, from the person of Robert Bishop, on the 10th inst., all Cowden.

From the prosecutor's statement it appeared that on the day in question he went into a field in the parish of Cowden, and fell asleep, his property being in his pockets at the time; but when he awoke, at about seven o’clock, he discovered that his pockets had been emptied. The prisoners were taken into custody by Solly and Upton, of the county constabulary, and at the “Crown,” at Cowden, Allen said that he knew where the watch was, and Lingate said that she saw Alien take the watch from, the prosecutor’s pocket, and also one ring from his ear. Solly also deposed, to a conversation which took place when the prisoners were together, Lingate having said that “the others were as deep in the mud as she was in the mire,” and that Allen took the watch and earrings from the prosecutor and buried them under a chestnut tree. Solly found the earrings there, but not the watch. The prisoners were evidently connected in the affair, and they were all committed for trial.

From the Southeastern Gazette, 10 July 1866.

SECOND COURT.

(Before Reginald Fowler, Esq).

ROBBERY FROM THIS PERSON AT COWDEN.

Stephen Allan, 26, stone mason, and Elizabeth Rogers, 33, and Caroline Linyard, 23, hawkers, were indicted for stealing a silver watch and other articles, value £5, the property of Robert Bishop, at Cowden, on the 10th. May, Mr. Sharp prosecuted.

Prosecutor was a miner working on the railway at Cowden. On the day in question Bishop, who appeared to have taken too much to drink, went to lie down in a field. The prisoner Allen was also there, and the female prisoners in a lane close by. On being aroused the prosecutor found that his watch and gold earrings, were gone. He communicated his loss to his friends, and went to the “Crown” public-house, where the information had already been received, and had become the subject of conversation. Allen appeared to be suspected, and to one of the witnesses he said that he knew where to find the watch and would tell them. The prisoner Lingard had a quarrel with the other woman, and said she would “split.” They fought in consequence, and prosecutor’s match-box fell from Lingard’s dress. The three prisoners were taken into custody, and Lingard said that Allen took the prosecutor’s knife from his pocket, cut his belt, and took his earrings from his ears. She said she told Allen that he was not going to have all, and she took the wrapper from his neck, and the box, and Allen “planted” the watch under a chestnut tree. P.C. Solly, to whom she spoke, made a search and found the earrings there, but the watch was gone.

Lingard repeated her statement before the Court; Rogers said he knew nothing about the robbery, and Allen said he was drunk at the time. Allen and Lingard were found guilty, and sentenced to four months’ hard labour. Rogers was acquitted.