Bernard Clarke

341

Maureen Withey on 7th June 2026

Yarmouth Wednesday last, two well-known characters were apprehended in this town, by Coble, the Mayor’s-Officer, who being upon the look-out for a man, for robbery in  Norwich, accidentally met person whom he thought responded with the one was looking after. Coble stopped him he might compare descriptions, and whilst he was looking at a hand-bill, he observed the man shift something from his pocket, and put his hand behind him, and on being asked what he had got in his hand, he said they were some notes to pay his reckoning with, but on his person being examined was found to have plenty of silver in his pocket, which course excited the suspicion of Coble that the notes were forgeries, and upon enquiry they turned out to be. He gave his name as James Wright, and said he had brother living in the Barrack-square, which proved be the fact. Coble there ascertained that another man had been his company to breakfast with his brother; and on questioning a little boy belonging Wright's brother, said he should know the man if he saw him. Coble took the boy with him and searched all the suspicious places in the town, and at last the boy pointed him out at the Little Black Swan, where he was playing at cards with another man. On seeing Coble he immediately thrust his hand into his side-pocket and took out a handful of notes which he attempted to throw to his companion at cards, but was fortunately prevented by Coble, and they fell behind the settle. Coble then endeavoured to secure his man, in which he met with a most determined resistance, but with the assistance of a sailor, they at last succeeded taking him before the Mayor, at the New Hall.  He turns out to be a well-known character of the name of Barney Clark. The notes picked up in the public-house were thirty-two in number, all forgeries. They have been fully committed for trial. Coble turned his attention to the man who was playing at cards with Barney Clark, and who had escaped during the confusion in securing Clark. He was fortunate enough to succeed in his object, and lodged him in the cage. He is also a notorious character, and goes the name of Onion. He will most probably be detained for some mal-practises in and about Norwich.  Norfolk Chronicle, 6 Jan 1821. YARMOUTH, Feb. 1. Last week, Barney Clark, a most notorious character, and James Wright, who were committed to our Goal for uttering and having forged notes in their possession, made two attempts to break prison getting the chimney of the room in which they were confined during the evening, but it being well secured they were unable to make their escape that way. The keeper, Mr. Thomas King, having suspicions prior to these attempts, that such was their intention, watched them without their knowledge from a private situation , so as to be able to see them try the different parts of their room to break through; he beard Clark say to his companion  with an oath, if there is no plank upon plank shall be able to get out here. Mr. King as usual locked them up into their cells without taking the least notice of what had passed, and the morning sent for a smith, when on cutting the list which was wound round their irons they immediately fell on the ground; they were afterwards more securely ironed.   Norfolk Chronicle, 3 Feb 1821. Last week, … Barney Clarke, and James Wright for 14 years ; and … were removed on board the York, lying at Portsmouth. Norfolk Chronicle, 19 May 1821.