Charles Edwards

218

Dianne Jones on 18th February 2022

Footnote 2: Saturday 3 May, 1856: From the Paisley Herald and Renfrewshire Advertiser, p3: DARING ATTEMPT OF CONVICTED CRIMINALS TO ESCAPE FROM THE SOUTH PRISON, GLASGOW. A disturbance, which was fortunately checked in time to prevent any serious casualty taking place, occurred on Tuesday afternoon at the South Prison, Glasgow. It appears that, at about half-past three o'clock, Nicol McIntyre, who has been a turnkey for upwards of seventeen years was proceeding to lock up a convicted prisoner, along with a number of others sentenced at Tuesday's Court, and had just opened the cell door, when the prisoners, to the number seven or eight, rushed out, and overpowering him dragged him into the cell, and locked the door. They then rushed into the southern court or square, and meeting in their progress another of the turnkeys, named Samuel McLauchlan, they surrounded him, wrenched a large from his hand, and would, undoubtedly, have beaten his skull, had he not, by a desperate effort, succeeded in getting hold of the key. Meantime, one of the female turnkeys, attracted by the noise, at once gave the alarm at once gave the alarm. Seeing that they wore discovered, prisoners made for the northern court or square, but finding no way of escape, they armed themselves. One of them, a determined little scoundrel, named McMillan about nineteen years of age, got hold of a poker, and brandishing it round his head, threatened to murder the first man that dared to lay hands upon him. Another armed himself with an iron gas bracket, another with the staff of a broom, the remainder with coals, pieces of bricks, etc. Getting behind an iron gate at the end of a close, which communicated with the northern and southern courts or squares, they swore they would hold it like true Britons against the attack of all the Russians (meaning the police) in the city. A brigade of police was gradually collected; while a portion of them were standing in the close above referred to, waiting impatiently on a superior officer to take the lead, the prisoners threw at them pieces of brick, coal, and every available stone they could lay hands upon. After a delay of a few minutes, the gate was thrown open by one of those who were armed, all of whom struck out and inflicted some severe bruises on the constables. The leaders in this daring revolt were James McMillan, a returned convict, sentenced to 21 years' transportation, before Lord Deas; CHARLES EDWARDS [my emphasis], also returned convict, and who was only seventeen days home when he robbed an old man, named Millar, of a silver watch, for doing which he was, before Lord Cowan on Tuesday, sentenced to 21 years' transportation; Thomas Black, also a returned convict, and John Duncan, both of whom were sentenced to transportation, the former to 21 and the latter to 15 years, for breaking into a tobacconist's shop in Canon Street. It is only just to some of the convicted to say that they refused to take part in the disturbance. McLauchlan, the turnkey, had his head cut severely in several places, but his wounds are not of a serious nature, neither are any of the wounds inflicted on the police. As for the other turnkey, McIntyre, we have been informed that, previous to dragging him into the cell they knocked him down, jumped upon, and, besides kicking and otherwise maltreating him, broke one of his fingers. Had the attempted escape not been observed in time, to prevent the opening the cell doors to the other prisoners, which they would have done had they gained possession of McLauchlan the turnkey's key, a wholesale escape would have been would have been attempted. Even if they had not succeeded in making their escape from the square, had they got possession of weapons of any kind they would most assuredly have murdered any one that came within their reach. In future, and till the prison has been in some way repaired, it would be well for two turnkeys to go together when the prisoners are being locked up. Had this been the case on Tuesday, the criminals would scarcely have dared attempt to escape..." (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/)

218

Dianne Jones on 1st December 2021

Footnote: 15 May, 1861: He was sentenced, in Perth, to 12 months' jail for stealing a watch and chain (Western Australia, Australia, Convict Records, 1846-1930; Convict Department; Registers (128/38 - 39)).

218

Dianne Jones on 1st December 2021

IN WA: From his Fremantle jail record: EDWARDS, Charles; #4677, arrived 1 Jan 1858 per Nile Alias: MOORE, Henry Date of Birth: 1836 Marital Status: Unmarried Occupation: Tailor Literacy: Literate Sentence Place: Glasgow, Lanark, England Crime: Theft Sentence Period: 21 years Previous Convictions: Yes Ticket of Leave Date: 19 Sep 1860 Conditional Pardon Date: 28 Oct 1876 Certificate of Freedom Date: 22 May 1877 Comments: Self-employed, 1866. To New Zealand, 23 Nov 1877 (https://fremantleprison.com.au/).

218

Dianne Jones on 1st December 2021

TRIAL: 29 April, 1856: National Records of Scotland -- Reference JC26/1856/147 Trial papers relating to Charles Edwards for the crime of theft and previous conviction. Tried at High Court, Glasgow Accused: Charles Edwards, alias Muir, Thomas; Moore, Thomas, Verdict: Guilty, Sentence: Transportation - 21 years. --00--

218

Dianne Jones on 1st December 2021

CRIME: 1856: National Records of Scotland -- Reference AD14/56/77 Precognition against Charles Edwards for the crime of theft and previous conviction Accused: Charles Edwards, alias Muir, Thomas; Moore, Thomas, Age: 20, soft goods dealer, Address: South Portland Street, Glasgow, Origin: Native of New York, United States of America. --0--