Gossip in the First Decade of Victoria's ReignAshton, John
History
Gossip in the First Decade of Victoria's Reign
Ashton, John
Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 19th century
Were you not one of the men who carried him into the ditch to hide
the body?—I was.
Where is your brother, the Caravat?—I don’t know.
Was he at the burning of Walsh’s house?—No.
Did you know Leonard, the smith?—I did.
Did you see him killed?—I saw him struck, but was not looking on at
his killing.
Did you give him a blow then?—I did not strike a blow at the man.
Did you give a blow that day?—Yes, when myself was struck.
Do you remember Wat Hayes?—Yes.
You attacked him, but he shot you off?—No, he did not.
Was not one of your companions shot by Mr. Hayes?—No, but a man near
me.
Now, tell me, did he not kill one of your friends?—Oh, he had a party
against us, and waylaid us.
Did you remember Jemmy Hughes, who was killed with a hatchet?—I did.
Were you not looking at his murder?—Oh, no; he was married to my
first cousin.
Were you not taxed with the murder?—The whole country knew who was in
that affair.
You recollect David Hickey, who was killed at Bilboa?—I was in the
fair.
You were of the party?—I was looking at him.
That was your third murder.
A Juror: His fifth murder.
Did you rob Michael Rogers?—No, but I got the course of law, and was
acquitted.
You knew Mick Griffin, Lord Stradbroke’s herd?—I heard he was shot.
Was your brother Caravat accused of this business?—No, I never heard
of it.
Did you not say you would put a rope about McCarthy’s neck?—I did
not. I remember when Kennedy was put out of possession. McCarthy’s
cattle and premises were burned after this, but the country say it
was himself did it. I never asked a farm of Lord Stradbroke, but my
father or brothers might. I never heard that McCarthy prevented us
getting the farm, on the ground of our being so bad.
Do you remember you and your uncle carrying away a woman?—I do.
Your uncle was transported?—He was.
So you have been guilty of one abduction, five murders, and one
burning; what else did you do? Would you suggest any other crime in
the catalogue, of which you were not guilty?
Judge Torrens: Did you commit a rape?—No.
Mr. Hatchell: Were any of your brothers convicted of a rape?—Yes.
Were you not charged with holding the unfortunate woman while your
brother committed the rape?—No, but another brother was.
Judge Torrens: Did you steal cattle?—No.
Mr. Hatchell: That would be too shabby an offence. When you came to
Walsh’s house, you lifted one of the Ryans up in the roof?—Yes.
And you lit the fire?—I did.
Did you know there were women in the house?—I partly guessed there
were.
Did you mind how many innocent people might have been burned?—I did
not care. (Great sensation.)
Judge and Counsel, with great disgust, ordered the wretch off the
table.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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