Silas Ball (31), formerly employed by the Midland Railway as a carman, was charged with embezzling £1 13s 9d. Company money. He was taken before the Wellingborough Petty Sessions in custody on 27th June
1873 where Spencer Pratt, Arthur Arbuthnot and Joseph Hill heard the case, which was brought by Charles Woodrow, a detective employed by the Midland Railway. The first prosecution witness was the Rushden Relieving Officer.
George F. Packwood: I received some furniture belonging to my son-in-law, Mr. Warren. Ball delivered it at Rushden on the 21st of June. There were three packages, and a pianoforte and a case. I paid him one pound, thirteen shillings, and signed the book.
Elias Cave, Shoe Manufacturer, Rushden: I paid Ball nine pence for the carriage of goods on the 21st of June.
Samuel Bromley, Station Master, Irchester: Silas Ball was employed by the Midland Railway as carman, from the 8th of April up to the 21st of June. He was not a permanent servant of the Company. On the afternoon of the 21st of June, he was sent to Rushden to deliver goods and collect the money. There were several packages for Mr. Packwood. He should have returned by four o'clock, but it was half past five when he came back. We had some words in consequence. He was asked to give in his account, and I paid him off.
His accounts did not include the money paid by Mr. Packwood. The book had been signed by Mr. Packwood, so I was sure he had paid the money. I asked Ball three times, but he said the money had not been paid. He said Mr. Warren was not at Mr. Packwood's house, but he was coming from London the same evening, and he would either call and pay, or let the account stand over till all the furniture had arrived. He would then pay for it all.
Police Inspector Martin: I apprehended Silas Ball on the morning of the 22nd of June, as he was going through Wellingborough, drunk. Something I found in his bundle led to his being detained on the present charge.
Silas Ball was committed to stand trial at the Quarter Sessions, the following week. There he was questioned by the Grand Jury before they submitted him for sentence. He read to them a long story of his transactions. He explained that George Packwood had not paid him, because Warren intended to pay when he arrived. The jury found him Not Guilty, and he was discharged.
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