Joseph Farndale
27 April 1842 to 8 August 1901
FAR00350B
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Police
Sergeant in Middlesborough and later Chief Constable of Leicester, Chesterfield, and
Birmingham where amongst other things, he was involved in a Jack the Ripper
hoax and the Ledsam Street dynamite conspiracy.
· Dates are in red.
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Joseph Farndale’s life are in brown.
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Acknowledgements
I
would like to thank Samantha Malkin who put me right on a number of points
regarding Joseph and his nephew Joseph (FAR00463) who was also a Chief
Constable.
I
would also like to thank the West
Midlands Police Museum for the information that they have provided and you
will find more information about the Birmingham Police on their website.
1842
Joseph Farndale was born at
Newholm, Whitby
District, on 27 April 1842 (GRO
Vol 24 page 514, Whitby
PR & IGI).
Joseph Farndale was the son of John Farndale a labourer of Ewecote,
Newholm, Whitby and Margaret Farndale formerly
Dowson, (FAR00262). He was
baptised on 4 May 1842.
1851
In the Census of 1851 for Eskdaleside, John Farndale,
head; ages 32; agricultural labourer; born Newholm in
1818 lived with his wife Margaret Farndale, aged 31; born Newholm
in 1820 and their children, Thomas Farndale, 11; scholar, born Newholm in 1839 (FAR00344); and Joseph Farndale,
8.
1861
By 1861, Joseph Farndale
was employed as a drainer in the country south of Whitby.
In the Census of 1861 for Bottons
Buildings, Eskdaleside, John Farndale, head; 43; waggoner; lived with his wife
Margaret Farndale, 41; and their son Joseph Farndale, 19; who was a drainer. Also in the 1861 Census was an entry for Joseph Farndale was now boarding with the
Paget family, a drainer, unmarried, aged 21, at Hawsker
cum Stainsacre, Whitby. Although the ages differ, it
looks like Joseph was in different places when the census called for statistics
at the two different locations. Eskdaleside is about 3km southwest of Whitby
and Hawkser is close by, nearer to the coast, about
2km south of Whitby.
A story
was later told that when Joseph was working as a farmhand, he was driving the
plough one weary day when his employer came up, and farmer like, complained of
his work. Young Farndale had a vigorous and independent spirit and was pining
for a more active and satisfying field of labour, and throwing down what he had
in his hand he said he would go off and be a policeman.
Middlesbrough
Police, 1862 to 1869
1862
By 1862, Joseph Farndale
was a police constable with the Middlesbrough Police Force.
In the Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser,
on 18 July 1862: Middlesbrough Police News,
Monday July 14th before J Richardson, E Gilkes, and H Thompson
Esqrs: Disorderlies. George Robinson was charged with
using foul and disgraceful language to PC Farndale on Saturday night
last, and also allowing his ferocious dog to go at large unmuzzled. Fined 20s
or 28 days imprisonment.
In the Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser,
on 29 August 1862: Middlesbrough Police
News: Disorderlies. William Reilly was charged by
PC Farndale with being drunk and riotous on Saturday evening, in Durham
Street. Fined 10s, including costs, or 14 days to Northallerton.
The
Yorkshire Archives have a lot of records of Joseph’s activity as a Police
Constable, rising to inspector, in Middlesbrough between 1862 and 1869.
Recognizance made by Edward Joseph Saggerson
of the borough of Middlesbrough superintendent of police for his appearance at
the next Quarter Sessions to prefer a bill of indictment against George Doughty
late of the borough of Middlesbrough shoemaker for stealing an overcoat, the
property of Joseph Jobling - Recognizance made by Joseph Jobling tailor, Peter
Hanlan puddler, Joseph Farndale police constable,
and George Hopper, sergeant of police, for their appearance at the next Quarter
Sessions to give evidence in the case against George Doughty. Date 16 Dec 1862
(Yorkshire Archives, Document reference QSB 1863
1/7/19, Catalogued)
Recognizance dated 16 December 1862 made by Edward Joseph Saggerson of the borough of Middlesbrough superintendent of
police for his appearance at the next Quarter Sessions to prefer a bill of
indictment against William Lancaster late of the borough of Middlesbrough for
getting meat and drink by false pretences from Hannah Allen wife of Andrew
Allan of the borough of Middlesbrough provision dealer - Recognizance dated 16
December 1862 made by John Rush contractor and Joseph Farndale police
constable, both of the borough of Middlesbrough for their appearance at the
next Quarter Sessions to give evidence in the case against William Lancaster -
Recognizance dated 18 December 1862 made by Andrew Allen of the borough of
Middlesbrough provision dealer for the appearance of Hannah Allan his wife at
the next Quarter Sessions to give evidence in the case against William
Lancaster, dated 16-18 Dec 1862 (Yorkshire
Archives, Document reference QSB 1863 1/7/20, Catalogued).
Depositions of Bridget Riley wife of William Riley beer house
keeper, the said William Riley, Joseph Farndale police constable, and
Joseph Ryan labourer, all of the borough of Middlesbrough, witnesses in the
case against Margaret Rush of the borough of Middlesbrough singlewoman
- Statement of Margaret Rush, the accused - With separate cover sheet – Dated 6
Nov 1862 (Yorkshire Archives, Document reference
QSB 1863 1/8/3 Catalogued).
Depositions of Joseph Jobling tailor, Peter Haulan
iron puddler, Joseph Farndale police constable,
and George Hopper police sergeant, all of the borough of Middlesbrough,
witnesses in the case against George Doughty of the borough of Middlesbrough
shoemaker - Statement of George Doughty, the accused - With separate cover
sheet – Dated 16 Dec 1862 (Yorkshire Archives,
Document reference QSB 1863 1/8/19 Catalogued).
Depositions of Hannah Allen wife of Andrew Allen provision dealer,
John Rush contractor, and Joseph Farndale police constable, all of the
borough of Middlesbrough, witnesses in the case against William Lancaster of
the borough of Middlesbrough - Statement of William Lancaster, the accused -
With separate cover sheet – Dated 16 Dec 1862 (Yorkshire
Archives Document reference QSB 1863 1/8/20, Catalogued).
Summary conviction of Patrick Feenan of the borough of
Middlesbrough labourer for being drunk and riotous in Durham Street; on the
complaint of Joseph Farndale of the borough of Middlesbrough police
constable - Offence committed at the borough of Middlesbrough on 3 July 1862 -
Case heard at the borough of Middlesbrough – Dated 7 Jul 1862 (Yorkshire Archives, Document reference QSB 1863
1/10/14/39, Catalogued).
Summary conviction of Patrick Corner of the borough of
Middlesbrough labourer for being drunk and riotous in South Street; on the
complaint of Joseph Farndale of the borough of Middlesbrough police
constable - Offence committed at the borough of Middlesbrough on 12 July 1862 -
Case heard at the borough of Middlesbrough – Dated 14 Jul 1862 (Yorkshire Archives, Document reference QSB 1863
1/10/14/50, Catalogued).
Summary conviction of Patrick Corner of the borough of
Middlesbrough labourer for assaulting Joseph Farndale one of the constables
for the borough of Middlesbrough in the execution of his duty; on the
complaint of the said Joseph Farndale - Offence committed at the borough of
Middlesbrough on 12 July 1862 - Case heard at the borough of Middlesbrough –
Dated 14 Jul 1862 (Yorkshire Archives, Document
reference QSB 1863 1/10/14/51, Catalogued).
Summary conviction of Mary Forbes of the borough of Middlesbrough
for being drunk and riotous in Stockton Street; on the complaint of Joseph
Farndale of the borough of Middlesbrough police constable - Offence
committed at the borough of Middlesbrough on 26 July 1862 - Case heard at the
borough of Middlesbrough – Dated 28 Jul 1862 (Yorkshire
Archives, Document reference QSB 1863 1/10/14/63, Catalogued).
Summary conviction of Patrick Garner of the borough of
Middlesbrough labourer for being drunk and riotous in Durham Street; on the
complaint of Joseph Farndale of the borough of Middlesbrough police
constable - Offence committed at the borough of Middlesbrough on 10 August 1862
- Case heard at the borough of Middlesbrough – Dated 23 Aug 1862 (Yorkshire Archives, Document reference QSB 1863
1/10/14/96, Catalogued).
Summary conviction of William Riley of the borough of
Middlesbrough labourer for being drunk and riotous in East Street; on the
complaint of Joseph Farndale of the borough of Middlesbrough police
constable - Offence committed at the borough of Middlesbrough on 23 August 1862
- Case heard at the borough of Middlesbrough – Dated 25 Aug 1862 (Yorkshire Archives, Document reference QSB 1863
1/10/14/102, Catalogued).
Summary conviction of George Robinson of the borough of
Middlesbrough shopkeeper for using abusive and insulting words and behaviour
to Joseph Farndale of the borough of Middlesbrough police constable with
intent to provoke a breach of the peace - Offence committed at the borough of
Middlesbrough on 7 July 1862 - Case heard at the borough of Middlesbrough –
Dated 14 Jul 1862 (Yorkshire Archives, Document
reference QSB 1863 2/10/13/7, Catalogued).
Summary conviction of Francis Goodrick of the borough of
Middlesbrough brewer for assaulting Joseph Farndale one of the constables
for the borough of Middlesbrough in the execution of his duty - Offence
committed at the borough of Middlesbrough on 30 October 1862 - Case heard at
the borough of Middlesbrough – dated 30 Oct 1862 (Yorkshire
Archives, Document reference QSB 1863 2/10/13/58, Catalogued).
1863
The Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser,
on 24 April 1863 reported: Middlesbrough
Police News. STEALING BOOTS – Edward M’Quinnal, of Stockton, was charged by John Conner with
last. Prosecutor stated that at 10 o’clock he saw them safe, and shortly
afterwards saw prisoner about his stall, and while he was engaged with his back
to him, prisoner had gone away, and he (Conner), missed a pair of boots. He
followed after prisoner, and in about twenty yards overtook him and asked if he
had got a pair of boots from the stall, at the same time taking him by the
collar, and saying he would give him in charge of the police. Prisoner said what
boots, and dropped them to the ground. He called on PC Fandall
[sic] to take him on the charge. Their value were 7s 6d. Committed to
Northallerton for one month of hard labour.
The Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser,
on 24 July 1863 reported: Middlesbrough
Police News. DISORDERLIES – Stephen Weatley was charged
by PC Farndale with being drunk and committing a
nuisance at Stockton
Street on Sunday night. Fined 10s including expenses, or in default, seven
days’ imprisonment at Northallerton.
The York
Herald, on 3 October 1863 reported Police Court, Middlesbrough on Tees: John
Dooley, shoemaker, was charged with having been drunk and riotous in Dacre
Street, on 26th inst. Fined 10s. Isabella Dooley, wife of the
previous defendant, was charged with having been
drunk, and with having assaulted policeman Farndale in the execution of his
duty at the time and place above mentioned. Fine £1, but in default of
payment was committed to the House of Correction for 28 days.
The York
Herald, on 7 November 1863 reported: Police Court, Middlesbrough on Tees:
Jane Hamilton Sparke, aged nine years, was charged by Policeman Farndale,
with having been picking pockets in the Market place, on the 31st ult. The
officer, who was on duty in plain clothes, caught the juvenile thief in the act
of picking a woman’s pocket, and immediately took her into custody. In
consequence of the tenderness of years, the magistrates committed the prisoner
to the York Industrial School for five years.
The Stockton
Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser, on 24 July 1863
reported: Middlesbrough Police News, Monday December 7th.
DISORDERLIES – Edward Gartlin was charged by PC
Farndale with being drunk and fighting in Newcastle Row on Saturday night
last. Disharged on payment of 5s 6d costs.
The Stockton
Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser, on 8 December 1863
reported: Middlesbrough Police News, Monday, April 4th.
DISORDERLIES – Thomas Connolly was charged by PC Farndale with being drunk and riotous in Stockton Street on the 28th.
Ordered to pay 5s 6d costs.
Recognizance made by Edward Joseph Saggerson
of the borough of Middlesbrough superintendent of police for his appearance at
the next Quarter Sessions to prefer a bill of indictment against John Ferguson
late of the borough of Middlesbrough for stealing eight
yards of flannel from the person of William Shaw - Recognizance made by
William Shaw of Tees Tilery in the parish of Normanby platelayer, David Brown
moulder and Joseph Farndale police constable, both of the borough of
Middlesbrough, for their appearance at the next Quarter Sessions to give
evidence in the case against John Ferguson – Dated 26 Dec 1863 (Yorkshire Archives, Document reference QSB 1864 1/7/22,
Catalogued).
Depositions of William Shaw of Tees Tilery in the parish of
Normanby platelayer, David Brown moulder and Joseph Farndale police
constable, both of the borough of Middlesbrough, witnesses in the case
against John Ferguson Statement of John Ferguson, the accused With separate
cover sheet Dated 26 Dec 1863 (Yorkshire Archives,
Document reference QSB 1864 1/8/22, Catalogued).
Summary conviction of Isabella Dooley of the borough of
Middlesbrough for assaulting Joseph Farndale of the borough of
Middlesbrough one of the constables for the borough in the execution of his
duty - Offence committed at the borough of Middlesbrough on 25 September 1863 -
Case heard at the borough of Middlesbrough – Dated 26 Sep 1863 (Yorkshire Archives, Document reference QSB 1864
3/10/11/66, Catalogued).
1864
The Stockton
Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser, on 4 April 1864 reported:
Middlesbrough Police News, Monday December 7th. AGGRAVATED
OFFENCE – John Melone, a youth twenty years of age, was charged with being
drunk and riotous in Danby Place, and with assaulting William Spence, PC
Farndale and Inspector Bowes. It appeared he had misbehaved himself in a
house, when a cry was raised for a policeman and William pence going into the
house turned him out. He struck, kicked and drew his
knife, and while the police officers were taking him to the lock up he was very
violent. For being drunk and riotous he was fined 10s or go to prison 14
days; for assaulting Spence he was fined 20s and in default one moth’s
imprisonment; and for the assault on the policeman 10s for each offence, or 14
days.
By July 1864, Joseph
Farndale had been promoted to Police Sergeant.
The York
Herald, on 15 July 1864 reported: MIDDLESBROUGH POLICE NEWS, Monday July 11th
Before E Gilkes (Mayor), J Richardson and HWF Bolckow
Esqrs. Felony – Elizabeth Mulligan was charged with having stolen two pounds
and a half of mutton from the stall of Geo. Milner in the Butcher’s Market on
Saturday night last. Complainant said he was a butcher, and had a stall in the
market, and on Saturday night, whilst he was serving some customers, defendant
came up. He had his back to the defendant, and after she had left the stall he
missed the mutton. Complainant immediately followed, and found it under her
shawl. He valued it as 1s 8d. Sergt Farndale said he saw the prisoner on
Saturday night, when she said she had taken a glass of drink, or else would not
have taken the meat. She had only 8 1/2d in her possession.
Committed for 21 days hard labour at Northallerton.
The York
Herald, on 16 July 1864 reported: MIDDLESBROUGH. STEALING MUTTON – At the
borough court, on Monday, Elizabeth Mullighan, married
woman, was charged by George Milner, butcher, with stealing 2 ½ lbs of mutton,
value 1s 8d, from his stall in the market, on the night of the 9th
inst. Prisoner went up to the stall, and after handling some meat, was seen to
put the piece of mutton under her arm. She was charged
with the theft, when she ran away, but Sergeant Farndale, who was close by,
succeeded in capturing her. In defence, prisoner pleaded that she would not
have stolen the mutton if she had not been in drink. Committed to Northallerton
for twenty one days’ hard labour.
Recognizance dated 22 February 1864 made by Edward Joseph Saggerson of the borough of Middlesbrough superintendent of
police for his appearance at the next Quarter Sessions to prefer a bill of
indictment against Thomas Eeles for stealing a bottle of rum, a bottle of
whisky, and two packages of tobacco, the property of Warley Pickering his
master; and against Thomas Stevenson and James Smith for receiving the goods
knowing them to have been stolen -Recognizance dated 22 February 1864 made by
Warley Pickering grocer and provision dealer, William Mellanby grocer's
apprentice, Charles Bowes inspector of police, and Joseph Farndale police
constable, all of the borough of Middlesbrough, for their appearance at the
next Quarter Sessions to give evidence in the case against Thomas Eeles, Thomas
Stevenson and James Smith - Recognizance dated 22 April 1864 made by Thomas
Eeles miller and George Weastell miller, both of
Stockton on Tees in county Durham, for the appearance of Thomas Eeles the
younger at the next Quarter Sessions to answer the charge against him Dated
Feb-Apr 1864 (Yorkshire Archives, Document
reference QSB 1864 3/7/1, Catalogued).
Depositions of Warley Pickering grocer and provision dealer,
William Mellanby grocer's apprentice, Charles Bowes inspector of police, and Joseph
Farndale police constable, all of the borough of Middlesbrough, witnesses
in the case against Thomas Eeles, Thomas Stevenson and James Smith - Statement
of Thomas Eeles, one of the accused - Statement of Thomas Stephenson, one of
the accused - Statement of James Smith, one of the accused - With separate
cover sheet – Dated 22 Feb 1864 (Yorkshire Archives, Document reference QSB
1864 3/8/1, Catalogued).
Summary conviction of James Massey of the borough of Middlesbrough
labourer for assaulting Joseph Farndale one of the constables for the
borough of Middlesbrough in the execution of his duty - Offence committed at
the borough of Middlesbrough on 21 February 1864 - Case heard at the borough of
Middlesbrough – Dated 22 Feb 1864 (Yorkshire
Archives, Document reference QSB 1864 3/10/11/204, Catalogued).
1865
The Stockton
Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser, 1865 reported:
Middlesbrough Police News, Monday December 7th HAWKING WITHOUT
LICENCE – James Todd was charged by Sergeant
Farndale with hawking pots without a licence at Port Darlington on
Monday last. Committed fourteen days hard labour.
Joseph Farndale of full
age, Police Sergeant of Middlesbrough, son of John Farndale,
farmer married Jane Newton of
full age, a spinster of Middlesbrough daughter of John Newton a coachman at the
Parish Church Middlesbrough, on 6
November 1865. Joseph was 23 when he married.
1867
By November 1867 Joseph
Farndale was a police inspector.
Joseph Farndale acted on a couple of occasions in the
role of ‘timekeeper’:
Recognizance made by Edward Joseph Saggerson
of the borough of Middlesbrough superintendent of police for his appearance at
the next Quarter Sessions to prefer a bill of indictment against David Lewis
late of the borough of Middlesbrough for obtaining soup, beef and pork value 7s
8d from Mary Lloyd by false pretences, and for obtaining beer and pies value £1
4s from Mary Jane Knott by false pretences - Recognizance made by Mary Lloyd
eating house keeper, Matthew Barker police sergeant, Mary Jane Knott wife of
Robert Knott beer house keeper Joseph Farndale timekeeper, and Robert
Thorpe police inspector, all of the borough of Middlesbrough, for their
appearance at the next Quarter Sessions to give evidence in the case against
David Lewis late of the borough of Middlesbrough puddler
– Dated 24 Jan 1867 (Yorkshire Archives, Document
reference QSB 1867 2/7/8, Catalogued).
Depositions of Mary Lloyd eating house keeper, Matthew Barker
police constable, Mary Jane Knott wife of Robert Knott beer house keeper, Joseph
Farndale timekeeper, and Robert Thorpe police inspector, all of the borough
of Middlesbrough, witnesses in the case against David Lewis of the borough of
Middlesbrough puddler - Statement of David Lewis, the
accused - With separate cover sheet – Dated 24 January 1867 (Yorkshire Archives, Document reference QSB 1867 2/8/8,
Catalogued).
He was then regularly giving evidence as an Inspector:
Recognizance made by Edward Joseph Saggerson
of the borough of Middlesbrough superintendent of police for his appearance at
the next Quarter Sessions to prefer a bill of indictment against Elizabeth
Henderson late of the borough of Middlesbrough for
fraudulently converting to her own use a flock bed, a mattress, a pair of
sheets, and a quilt belonging to William Bryant, of which she was bailee -
Recognizance made by William Bryant lodging house keeper, Mary Elizabeth Worthy
pawnbroker's assistant, John Connell shoemaker, Thomas Temple police sergeant,
and Joseph Farndale police inspector, all of the borough of
Middlesbrough, for their appearance at the next Quarter Sessions to give
evidence in the case against Elizabeth Henderson – Dated 12 August 1867 (Yorkshire Archives, Document reference QSB 1867 4/7/13,
Catalogued).
Depositions of William Bryant lodging house keeper, Mary Elizabeth
Worthy pawnbroker's assistant, John Connell shoemaker, Thomas Temple police
sergeant, and Joseph Farndale police inspector, all of the borough of
Middlesbrough, witnesses in the case against Elizabeth Henderson of the borough
of Middlesbrough married woman - Statement of Elizabeth Henderson, the accused
- With separate cover sheet – Dated 12 August 1867 (Yorkshire
Archives, Document reference QSB 1867 4/8/13, Catalogued).
Recognizance made by Edward Joseph Saggerson
of the borough of Middlesbrough superintendent of police for his appearance at
the next Quarter Sessions to prefer a bill of indictment against John Kelly of
the borough of Middlesbrough for obtaining four pairs
of boots and a pair of slippers from Edwin Thomas Foster Huskinson by false
pretences - Recognizance made by Edwin Thomas Foster Huskinson shoe dealer,
Mary Taylor wife of Thomas Taylor beer house keeper, John Connell shoemaker,
Mary Haston wife of Henry Haston beer house keeper, and Joseph Farndale
police inspector, all of Middlesbrough, for their appearance at the next
Quarter Sessions to give evidence in the case against John Kelly of the borough
of Middlesbrough hatter – Dated 28 October 1867 (Yorkshire
Archives, Document reference QSB 1868 1/7/2, Catalogued).
Depositions of Edwin Thomas Foster Huskinson shoe dealer, Mary
Taylor wife of Thomas Taylor beer house keeper, John Connell shoemaker, Mary
Haston wife of Henry Haston beer house keeper, and Joseph Farndale police
inspector, all of the borough of Middlesbrough, witnesses in the case
against John Kelly of the borough of Middlesbrough hatter Statement of John
Kelly, the accused With separate cover sheet Dated 12 October 1867 (Yorkshire Archives, Document reference QSB 1868 1/8/2,
Catalogued).
The York
Herald, on 2 November 1867 reported: Middlesbrough. SUDDEN DEATH OF A CHILD –
On Tuesday last an inquest was heard before T C Sowerby Esq, deputy coroner, on
view of the body of Michael Brannan, a child seven weeks old. Ann Murray said
she lived next door to Mrs Brannan, and about half past seven on Monday morning
she was called in to see the child, which was lying in a cradle quiet, dead,
but warm. Dr Dickenson deposed that he made a post mortem examination of the
body of the deceased and from the internal appearance he was convinced that it
had been suffocated. The coroner stated that about a year ago he held an
inquest on the body of another of Brannan’s children who had died in a similar
manner, and he had ordered a post mortem examination to see if there had been
foul play. There was no evidence to show that there had. Inspector
Farndale had made inquiries round about the neighbourhood relative to the death
of the deceased. Verdict: “Died from suffocation, though by what means
there is not sufficient evidence to show.”
1868
The Northern
Weekly Gazette, on 13 March 1868 reported on MIDNIGHT DOINGS AT
MIDDLESBROUGH … Inspector Farndale: On Sunday,
23rd February, Thomas Wild came to me about seven in the morning. He
said he had been assaulted the night previous. I asked him what time; he said
he could not say exactly. I asked him if he knew any of them. He said he
didn’t, nor could he give any description. He was going to see Carter, who, he
believed was sober, and he would know who did it.
The Northern
Weekly Gazette, 22 May 1868 reported on ANOTHER BEERHOUSE OFFENCE – William
Shaw, beerhouse-keeper, was charged by Superintendent
Saggerson with permitting
several persons to play at dice for money in his house, in Wilson Street,
on the 16th inst, Inspector Farndale
and John Pickerill proved this charge. Fined 9s. and ANOTHER BEERHOUSE
OFFENCE – Joseph Quigley was charged by Superintendent Saggerson
with permitting violent, disorderly and quarrelsome
conduct upon his premises on the 16th inst. Inspector
Farndale proved this case, and defendant was fined 15s.
By September 1868,
Joseph was interviewing for a Police Superintendent (Chief Constable) role, with Durham police, and getting himself short listed.
The York
Herald, on 5 September 1868 reported: Durham. THE SUPERINTENDANT OF DURHAM
POLICE FORCE. Last night week, the adjourned meeting of the City of Durham Watch
Committee was held in the Mayor’s Chamber, Guildhall (the Mayor Presiding), to
consider the testimonials of ten candidates for the office of superintendent
of police selected at last meeting. Shortly after the business commenced, a
deputation, consisting of Mr Joseph Taylor, publican, and Mr Dawson, painter,
was introduced to present a memorial, numerously signed by the inhabitants,
praying that the committee would allow Superintendent Beard to withdraw his
resignation. The memorial received, and the committee proceeded to select
five candidates from the ten already retained. The following is a list of
those retained: Inspector Farndale, Middlesbrough; Supt Jas Jarvis,
Aylesbury; Inspector John Shields, City of York; Sergeant Woodward, Durham
County Constabulary; and Inspector Wilson, Salford. The meeting then adjourned
until Thursday. The Shields Daily Gazette on 4 September 1868 reported
that “Each candidate was afforded a personal interview with the Watch
Committee, and after some consideration they were called in and informed that
the choice of the committee had fallen on Inspector Wilson, of Salford.”
The Northern
Weekly Gazette, on 11 September 1868 reported DRINK – Martin Folery, labourer, was charged by Inspector Farndale
with being drunk and riotous at Feversham Street …
Recognizance made by Edward Joseph Saggerson
of the borough of Middlesbrough superintendent of police for his appearance at
the next Quarter Sessions to prefer a bill of indictment against Leonard Mudd
of the borough of Middlesbrough joiner for inflicting grievous bodily harm on
John Carter of the borough of Middlesbrough bricklayer - Recognizance made by
John Carter bricklayer and Thomas Wild bricklayer, both of the borough of
Middlesbrough, Henry Page of North Ormesby fitter, Robert Skelton police
inspector, William Godfrey innkeeper, John Hedley surgeon, Robert Wright
plater, Andrew Sample police sergeant, John Robinson police constable, and Joseph
Farndale police inspector, all of Middlesbrough, for their appearance at
the next Quarter Sessions to give evidence in the case against Leonard Mudd -
Recognizance made by Leonard Mudd joiner, Joseph Gowing builder, and William
Wake butcher, all of the borough of Middlesbrough, for the appearance of Mudd
at the next Quarter Sessions to answer a charge against him – Dated 9 March
1868 (Yorkshire Archives, Document reference QSB
1868 2/7/13, Catalogued).
Depositions of John Carter bricklayer and Thomas Wild bricklayer,
both of the borough of Middlesbrough, Henry Page of North Ormesby fitter, and
Robert Skelton police inspector, William Godfrey innkeeper, John Hedley
surgeon, Robert Wright plater, Andrew Sample police sergeant, John Robinson
police constable, and Joseph Farndale police inspector, all of the borough of
Middlesbrough, witnesses for the prosecution and the defence in the case
against Leonard Mudd of the borough of Middlesbrough joiner Statement of
Leonard Mudd, the accused With separate cover sheet Dated 9 Mar 1868 (Yorkshire Archives, Document reference QSB 1868 2/8/12,
Catalogued).
Recognizance made by Edward Joseph Saggerson
of the borough of Middlesbrough superintendent of police for his appearance at
the next Quarter Sessions to prefer a bill of indictment against Emma Brunton
of the borough of Middlesbrough for stealing a piece of mutton value 1s 4d, the
property of John Dodds of the borough of Middlesbrough butcher - Recognizance
made by John Dodds butcher, George Waller butcher, and Joseph Farndale police
inspector, all of the borough of Middlesbrough, for their appearance at the
next Quarter Sessions to give evidence in the case against Emma Brunton of the
borough of Middlesbrough married woman – Dated 12 Oct 1868 (Yorkshire Archives Document reference QSB 1868 4/7/31
Catalogued).
Recognizance made by Edward Joseph Saggerson
of the borough of Middlesbrough superintendent of police for his appearance at
the next Quarter Sessions to prefer a bill of indictment against Jane Appleton
of the borough of Middlesbrough for stealing two gold rings value £1 5s, the
property of Matthew George Collingwood of the borough of Middlesbrough
silversmith Recognizance made by Matthew George Collingwood silversmith and
Joseph Farndale police inspector, both of the borough of Middlesbrough, for
their appearance at the next Quarter Sessions to give evidence in the case
against Jane Appleton of the borough of Middlesbrough married woman Dated 17
Oct 1868 (Yorkshire Archives, Document reference
QSB 1868 4/7/35 Catalogued).
Depositions of John Dodds butcher, George Waller butcher, and
Joseph Farndale police inspector, all of the borough of Middlesbrough,
witnesses in the case against Emma Brunton of the borough of Middlesbrough
married woman - Request for Emma Brunton to give her consent to be tried
summarily - Statement of Emma Brunton, the accused - With separate cover sheet
– Dated 12 Oct 1868 (Yorkshire Archioves,
Document reference QSB 1868 4/8/32
Catalogued).
Evidence in the case against Jane Appleton of Middlesbrough
Description Depositions of
Matthew George Collingwood silversmith and Joseph Farndale police inspector,
both of Middlesbrough, witnesses in the case against Jane Appleton of the
borough of Middlesbrough married woman Statement of Jane Appleton, the accused
With separate cover sheet Dated 17 Oct 1868 (Yorkshire
Archives, Document reference QSB 1868 4/8/36 Catalogued).
Summary conviction of Peter Browningham
of the borough of Middlesbrough puddler for
assaulting Joseph Farndale one of the constables for the borough of
Middlesbrough in the execution of his duty Offence committed at the borough
of Middlesbrough on 9 August 1868 Case heard at the borough of Middlesbrough
Dates 10 Aug 1868 (Yorkshire Archives Document
reference QSB 1868 4/10/13/143 Catalogued).
Joseph and Jane
Farndale had their only child, John William Farndale (FAR00472), born on 13 November 1868 in Middlesbrough and baptised ast St John, Middlesbrough on 1 December 1868 .
1869
Recognizance made
by Edward Joseph Saggerson of the borough of
Middlesbrough superintendent of police for his appearance at the next Quarter
Sessions to prefer a bill of indictment against George Williams of the borough
of Middlesbrough for obtaining 5s by false pretences from
George Hearse of the borough of Middlesbrough beer house keeper - Recognizance
made by George Hearse beer house keeper and Joseph Farndale police inspector,
both of the borough of Middlesbrough, for their appearance at the next Quarter
Sessions to give evidence in the case against George Williams of the borough of
Middlesbrough groom Dated 11 Jan 1869 (Yorkshire
Archives, Document reference QSB 1869 2/7/3, Catalogued)
Recognizance made by Edward Joseph Saggerson
of the borough of Middlesbrough superintendent of police for his appearance at
the next Quarter Sessions to prefer a bill of indictment against George
Williams of the borough of Middlesbrough for obtaining
6d by false pretences from Edward Cooper of the borough of Middlesbrough
bill poster Recognizance made by Edward Cooper bill poster and Joseph
Farndale police inspector, both of the borough of Middlesbrough, for their
appearance at the next Quarter Sessions to give evidence in the case against
George Williams of the borough of Middlesbrough groom Dated 11 Jan 1869 (Yorkshire Archives, Document reference QSB 1869 2/7/4,
Catalogued).
Recognizance made by Edward Joseph Saggerson
of the borough of Middlesbrough superintendent of police for his appearance at
the next Quarter Sessions to prefer a bill of indictment against Mary Thompson
of the borough of Middlesbrough for fraudulently
converting to her own use three woollen shirts belonging to John Mayn and
Samuel Rowley Forrester of the borough of Middlesbrough drapers Recognizance
made by John Mayn draper, William Harrison pawnbroker's assistant, and Joseph
Farndale police inspector, all of Middlesbrough, for their appearance at
the next Quarter Sessions to give evidence in the case against Mary Thompson
Dated 25 Jan 1869 (Yorkshire Archives, Document
reference QSB 1869 2/7/8, Catalogued).
Depositions of George Hearse beer house keeper, Joseph Farndale
police inspector, and Edward Joseph Saggerson
chief superintendent of police, all of the borough of Middlesbrough, witnesses
in the case against George Williams of the borough of Middlesbrough groom
Statement of George Williams, the accused With separate cover sheet Dated 11
Jan 1869 (Yorkshire Archives, Document reference
QSB 1869 2/8/3, Catalogued).
Depositions of Edward Cooper bill poster, Joseph Farndale
police inspector, and Edward Joseph Saggerson
chief superintendent of police, all of the borough of Middlesbrough, witnesses
in the case against George Williams of the borough of Middlesbrough groom
Statement of George Williams, the accused With separate cover sheet dated 11
Jan 1869 (Yorkshire Archives, Document reference
QSB 1869 2/8/4, Catalogued).
Depositions of John Mayn draper, William Harrison pawnbroker's
assistant, and Joseph Farndale police inspector, all of the borough of
Middlesbrough, witnesses in the case against Mary Thompson of the borough of
Middlesbrough widow Statement of Mary Thompson widow, the accused With separate
cover sheet dated 25 Jan 1869 (Yorkshire Archives,
Document reference QSB 1869 2/8/8, Catalogued).
Chief Constable of Chesterfield Police, 1869 to 1871
In 1869, Joseph
Farndale became a Chief Superintendent, with a move to the Chesterfield Borough
Force:
The Derbyshire
Times, 29 May 1869: reported: On Tuesday the members of the
Corporation met for the purpose of choosing a Superintendent for the Borough
Police in place of Mr Stevens, who had retired. There were fifteen members of
the Corporation present, but the press being excluded, we are unable to give
their names. Five persons had been selected from the list of applicants, and
the Council first proceeded to vote for four out of the five when the votes
stood as follows:
13 –
Farndale, Middlesbro’
13 –
Shields, York
8 –
Jones, Salford
7 –
Else, Chesterfield
0 –
Leonard
The two
lowest were struck out, and the Council voted for two out of three s follows:
Farndale
– 11
Shields
– 10
Jones
– 2
The
contest then lay between Farndale and Shields, and the final vote stood as
follows:
Farndale
– 8
Shields
– 7
Mr
Farndale, of Middlesbro’, was then declared elected and the meeting broke up.
The Guardian,
on Thursday 27 May 1869 reported: Mr Farndale, late an inspector in the Middlesbury (sic, recte
Middlesbrough) police, has been appointed superintendent of the Chesterfield
Force.
In doing so, he
became the Chief Constable,
again succeeding Mr Stephens. The
York Herald, on 29 May 1869 reported:
THE POLICE INSPECTOR – Mr Farndale, inspector of the Middlesbro’ police
force, has been appointed chief constable of Chesterfield, as successor to
Mr Stephens, now superintendent of Rochdale force. The Richmond & Ripon Chronicle, on 29 May 1869: On Tuesday last Mr Farndale inspector of the
Middlesborough police force was appointed chief constable of Chesterfield.
Inspector Detective Shiels of the York Police Force was a candidate for the
vacancy, but lost the appointment by only one vote. The Derbyshire Courier,
on 5 June 1869: THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE. Mr Farndale, formerly
inspector of the Middlesbro’ police, arrived in Chesterfield on Monday last,
and commenced his new duties as superintendent of police for this borough. We
earnestly wish him success in his new office. The following appeared in a
Middlesbro’ paper: On Tuesday last Inspector Farndale of the Middlesbro’ Police
force, was appointed Chief Superintendent of Police for the borough of
Chesterfield, Between seven and eight
years ago, Mr Farndale, when scarcely twenty years of age, entered the
Middlesbro’ force as a constable. Under Chief Superintendent Saggerson
he has been gradually promoted through various stages to the position of
Inspector – the duties of which he has satisfactorily discharged for some
time,. By his gentlemanly manners and thorough efficiency as an officer, Mr
Farndale has gained the respect of all classes at Middlesbro’; and we have
no doubt he will fill the responsible office to which he has been elected with
credit to himself and advantage to the community along whom he is placed. It
speaks well for our police force that Mr Farndale has been selected out of a
number of applicants; and that on two previous occasions of a similar nature he
stood second in regard to votes.
A
History of the Chesterfield Police from an article in the
Derbyshire Courier, on 28 February 1914:
Reminisces
of the Chesterfield Borough Police Force
… from
information bearing on the time preserved in a book in the possession of the
present Chief Constable. In this record the first pay book of the organised
force - it is proved that although the Act only came into force on January 1st
1836 the Town Council had formed a force equal to the needs of the town six
days later. The date, therefore, shows that the borough force is the oldest in
the county, if not in the kingdom.
The
first chief constable was a Mr Samuel Hollingworth, and when appointed he had to
act also as borough accountant, rate collector, sanitary inspector, market
tolls collector, and also crimes investigator for the whole county of Derby.
Eighty years ago the population was under 6,000, with about 1,300 houses,
against 8,000 houses and 38,000 inhabitants in 1914. The strength of the
present forces 51.
Mr
Hollingworth's remuneration as chief constable was £30 per annum. His inspector
was Mr C Cotterill, and the first constables were...
The
first mention of the fire brigade is in the books in 1839, when Mr Galley, the
engineer, was paid 5s for ‘playing the engines’’....
In
1852 the local police superannuation fund was established and in the first
quarter's pay months totaled £3 15s 2d.
The
list of chief constables of the borough is as follows: Mr Samuel Hollingworth
(1836-1846); Mr. James R Radford (1846-1864); Mr Samuel Stevens (1864-1869; Mr
Joseph Farndale (1869-1871); Mr Thomas Horne (1871-1876); Mr. John P Else
(1876 – 1882); Mr Edward Emery (1882 to 1900); and Mr Robert Kilpatrick (1900).
David
Mitchell contacted me in December 2023 as follows: Thomas Horne was an
Inspector with Middlesbrough Constabulary where he worked with Joseph Farndale.
In 1869 Thomas Horne briefly moved to Cardiff as the Deputy Superintendent of
Police before moving to Chesterfield Constabulary and becoming the Head Constable,
replacing Joseph Farndale when he moved to become Head Constable at Leicester
Constabulary. It is likely Joseph told Thomas about the role as they knew each
other from their time at Middlesborough (and quite possibly even recommended
him). Thomas Horne remained at Chesterfield until his resignation in 1876.
The Derbyshire
Times, 26 June 1869 reported: PRESENTATION TO SUPERINTENDENT
FARNDALE. We have much pleasure in
noting that Mr Farndale, the recently appointed chief Superintendent of
the Chesterfield borough force, has been presented by the Middlesborough
Police Force and a few friends, with a handsome gold
watch bearing the following inscription: “Presented to Inspector Farndale by
the Middlesborough Police Force and a few friends, as a mark of respect, on
leaving to take command of the Chesterfield constabulary – June 9, 1869”.
Joseph
quickly got down to business and The Sheffield Daily Telegraph,
13 July 1869 reported: ANOTHER ROBBERY – Margaret Daley, a prostitute, was
charged with stealing from the person of one George Dove 35s on the 11th
inst at Chesterfield. Superintendent Farndale
asked for remand in this case also until today (Tuesday), which was granted.
The Derbyshire
Times, on 14 July 1869 reported: Before the rising of the Court, Supt
Farndale of the Borough Police addressing the Bench said he was sorry he
was not in attendance when the two little girls were tried for stealing a
pocket handkerchief, but from the remarks which had fallen from the Bench, it
was necessary that he should make some explanation. On Tuesday night Mr
Robinson, surgeon, sent for an officer and handed the two little girls into
custody, for picking the woman Yeoman’s pocket. He said he was in his surgery
and saw them work around the woman and one got the handkerchief and handed it
to the other girl, who worked it round her foot and afterwards concealed it.
When they had got some distance they stopped to examine it and they then went
away. He (Mr Farndale) went to see Mr Robinson about the matter, and he said
from the way in which the little girls took the handkerchief he had no doubt
they were expert pickpockets. As there had been several complaints of
parties having handkerchiefs stolen, and only on Saturday last a woman had her
handkerchief which had a sovereign in it, taken, he thought he might have
dropped upon the guilty parties; but had he been aware that the woman was in
the habit of playing with the children he should have taken a different course
in the case. The Derbyshire Courier, on 17 July 1869 reported
… Superintendent Farndale explained to the bench with
reference to the little girls charged with picking a pocket of a handkerchief,
that it was in consequence of Dr Robison informing him that he had seen the
girls working around the prosecutrix in the manner of professional pickpockets
…
There
are a large number of similar articles in 1869 not all repeated here.
The Derbyshire
Times, on 7 August 1869 recorded the Chief Constable’s Annual Report:
Head
Constable Office, 2nd Aug 1869
TO
THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF CHESTERFIELD
GENTLEMEN.
I have to report that during the quarter ending 31st July, 87 persons were taken into custody by the police, and 12
summoned; of those, 5 were committed for trial, 79 summarily convicted, and 15
discharged.
The
police force was inspected by Captain Egee, her Majesty’s
inspector of Constabularies for the Northern District, on the 23rd
ult. He suggested some alterations in the books, that an officer should always
be in charge of the police office, and strongly recommended that a lock up
should be built.
In consequence of so many robberies taking place in
brothels, I felt it my duty to lay informations against several of the occupiers, and
on the 13th of July last Thomas Sims and Elizabeth Nichols, Cross
Keys Passage, and Ann Dickin, Wheeldon lane were committed to take their trial
at the next quarter Sessions. Since then the number of offences and disorderly
houses have greatly diminished.
In
conclusion I beg to state that since my appointment the members of the force
have been attentive and active in the discharge of their various duties.
I
have the honour to be, Gentlemen
Your
most obedient servant
JOSEPH
FARNDALE, Head constable
On 3
August 1869, the Sanitary Inspectors’ Report was
read as follows:
TO
THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF CHESTERFIELD
GENTLEMEN.
I beg respectfully to inform you that during the past quarter I have inspected
forty six nuisances as entered in the presentment and report books, most of
which have been removed as soon as possible after official notices have been
given, but there are a few cases not yet remedied and to enforce which I shall
take legal proceedings.
Since
the last quarterly meeting the Sanitary Committee have held six meetings (the
ordinary and three special) they have selected a very eligible and convenient
site for the erection of slaughter houses, which was confirmed by the Council
at a special meeting held on the 5th ult. Since then the plans have
been approved, contracts entered into, and the work is progressing
satisfactorily, ad will be completed in a few months, when slaughtering in the
shambles and probably some other places will be discontinued.
I
have the honour to be, Gentlemen
Your
most obedient servant
JOSEPH
FARNDALE, Sanitary Inspector
In
the Derbyshire Chronicle on 1 and 4 September 1869,
there were a lot of articles relating to the “Black List” and to beer houses including:
John Andrew,
Old Fountain In, applied for a renewal of his licence but was objected to by
Chief Superintendent Farndale, on the ground that his spirit licence was
stopped two years ago – Licence refused.
Thomas
Gilliatt, Wheat Sheaf, Packer’s Row, Chief Superintendent Farndale said
this applicant had been summoned for refusing the billet soldiers in August
1867. Granted.
John
Silcock, Princes Concert Room, Wheeldon Lane was opposed
by Chief Superintendent Farndale on the ground that he harboured improper
characters. Evidence was given that the applicant harboured prostitutes
and thieves. Refused.
John
Spowage, Cross Keys, Knifesmith gate, was opposed by
Chief Superintendent Farndale, on the ground that he had been convicted in
1868, and also that he harboured improper characters. Refused.
By
July 1869, he was reported in the public offices of Billet Master, Inspector
of Nuisances, Inspector and Registrar of Lodging Houses and Superintendent
of Borough Police (Derbyshire Courier, 3 July 1869)
By
August 1869, he had been given the office of Inspector and Registrar of
Lodging Houses (Derbyshire Courier, 7 August 1869).
By 6
November 1869, Joseph Farndale had the civic titles in Chesterfield of Billet
Master and Inspector of Nuisances (article in the
Derbyshire Courier, 6 November 1869).
The Sheffield
Independent on 25 September 1869 reported: NORTON FARMERS CLUB
AND EAST DERBYSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. … The ground was
well kept by a detachment of the borough police, under the charge of Mr
Superintendent Farndale, and the arrangements of the exhibition reflected
the considerable credit upon the committee of management and the stewards. …
The Derbyshire
Times, on 20 October 1869 reported: THE CHESTERFIELD POLCE FORCE. On Friday
evening last, the Chesterfield Watch Committee,
acting under the recommendation of Supt Farndale, raised the wages of each
police officer 1s per week, so that third class constables begin at
19s, and the others proportionately. They also decided to give 1d per day extra
for three years, and 2d per day extra for six years’ service, and as nearly the
whole of the force have six years service in, they
will receive the desired advantage. A merit class was also established so that
for meritorious conduct an officer will be entitled to 1s per week extra.
The Derbyshire
Times, on 20 November 1869 reported: ROBBERY FROM THE PERSON. James Lory,
Alfred Fod, ad Henry Briddon,
three notorious characters, were charged with assaulting and stealing from the
person of one Peter Parks, of Wingerworth, one leather purse and £1 7s 6d in
Wheeldon lane on the 14th inst. Head constable
Farndale said since the prisoners were apprehended he had discovered that the
offence was committed in the county, and he must therefore ask the Mayor to
discharge them. The prisoners were then discharged, and re apprehended by
the county police.
The Salisbury
and Winchester Journal, on 11 December 1869 reported: SAVAGE ASSAULT –
About two o’clock on Tuesday morning, as Police constable Fryer, of the
Chesterfield Borough Police, was going his rounds in St Mary’s gate he heard
loud cries for assistance … Superintendent Farndale briefly narrated the
facts of the case as given above and asked for a remand until Monday next
which was granted.
Joseph Farndale
continued to fulfil his additional responsibilities as Sanitary Inspector:
The Derbyshire
Courier, on 18 December 1869 advertised:
THE
NEW SLAUGHTER HOUSES
THE
NEW SLAUGHTER HOUSES will be ready for use on and after January 1st
1870, and will be let at an annual rental of £7 each, rates and water included.
Application to be made to:
Mr J
Farndale, Sanitary Inspector
PUBLIC
NOTICE
After
the 31st December next ensuing, the Slaughtering of Animals will not
be PERMITTED to take place in the
Shambles, situated in the borough of Chesterfield.
By
the Order of the Sanitary Committee
Mr J
Farndale, Sanitary Inspector.
The Derbyshire
Times, on Christmas Day, 25 December 1869 recorded an extract of the
evidence in the trial of William Connor, a labourer of
Chesterfield who had been charged with cutting and wounding with intent to
cause grievous bodily harm in Church Walk, Chesterfield:
Prisoner:
If you tell the truth about that knife (he was taking
to another witness, John Smth), I gave your wife a gill of beer for it.
Superintendent
Farndale: Then you don’t deny it was your knife?
Prisoner:
No Sir.
Mr
Bluett, surgeon: At about one o’clock o Sunday
morning the prosecutor was brought into my surgery by Superintendent Farndale.
He was bleeding from a wound in the left side. …
So the head of police was engaged in cross examination
in court hearings.
1870
The Derbyshire
Courier, on 8 January 1870 reported: EXPOSING DISEASED MEAT FOR SALE. William
Staple, a farmer of Aldwick, was charged with exposing
48 lbs of beef unfit for food of man in the market on 18 December 1869. Head Constable Farndale said he
bought the meat in question before the Mayor, and he ordered it to be
destroyed. The defendant admitted that the beef was his.
The Derbyshire
Times, on 22 January 1870 recorded that when two
teenagers (13 and 12) were charged with stealing 5s from an old man,
Superintendent Farndale gave evidence When the children were given into
custody they said he had given them the money and wanted to take liberties with
them. He did not lock them up but ordered them to come here this morning and
make their statement.
The Sheffield
Daily Telegraph, on 3 February 1870 recorded that Superintendent Farndale was elected Inspector of
Weights and Measures, at a salary of £25 per year, the appointment
being until 9th November next.
In the
same paper: The Sanitary Inspector. This report was read, and the
Inspector tendered his resignation … Councillor Bdot
was very sorry at the intimation. The matter was in good hands … Ald Black said
the resignation was determined because of the increasing duties devolving on
Superintendent Farndale under the separate commission … Councillor Oliver
called attention to the inefficient arrangements in the new slaughter houses.
The wheels and locks were not sufficiently good. Councillor JW Rooth said that
before he came into the Council the contract was let, and the pattern of wheels
taken from his. If they wanted them on a newer principle they must alter them.
With his wheels he could draw a bullock up 500 tons (loud laughter).
The Sheffield
Independent, on 3 February 1870 confirmed: INSPECTOR OF WEIGHTS
AND MEASURES. The Town Clerk said that now the Lord Chancellor had appointed
gentlemen to sit on the commission of the peace, it was necessary for them to
appoint an inspector of weights and measures, and it had been stated that it would
be more than satisfactory to give the officer a salary rather than a fee out of
each prosecution. After a desultory discussion, Supt Farndale was appointed
a t a salary of £25 a year.
The Sheffield
Independent, on 5 February 1870 recorded that under the Factory Act, Mr. Superintendent Joseph
Farndale was appointed inspector for the borough, in accordance with the
provisions of the Factory Act.
The Derbyshire
Courier, on 5 February 1870 set out the Chief Constable’s Annual Report:
THE
HEAD CONSTABLE’S REPORT
Chief
Superintendent’s Office
31st
January 1870
TO
THE MAYOR AND GENTLEMEN OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF CHESTERFIELD
GENTLEMEN,
I beg to report that during the past quarter there has been a slight decrease
in indictable offences as compared with the previous quarter of the previous
year; but more than double the number of cases have been dealt with summarily.
The
conduct of the officers and constables with two exceptions has been good, one
having been discharged and the other reduced from second to third class
constable.
I am,
Gentlemen
Your
most obedient servant
JOSH
FARNDALE
At
the same meeting, Joseph Farndale was confirmed in his appointment as the
Government Inspector under the Factories Act.
The Derbyshire
Times, on 12 February 1870, in an extract from a published letter from a
ratepayer to the town council: They appoint
Superintendent Farndale inspector of weights and measures at a salary of about
£25 a year (about 1s a week), and, strange to say, in fixing his salary, nobody
seems to have asked what time would be occupied by these duties, but simply
what the fees would produce. I do not know what salary is attached to this
office of sanitary Inspector which the Superintendent gives up, but I doubt not
the weights and measures at £25 a year is a much better thing. Please find out
and tell us what the late Inspector got.
The Derbyshire
Times and Chesterfield Herald, on 26 February 1870 and repeated 2 March 1870: Borough
of Chesterfield, Police Clothing. The WATCH COMMITTEE will receive tenders for 22 coats, 35 pairs of trousers, 26
pairs of boots and 13 helmets to be supplied not later than 1st
May next. All Tenders are to be submitted before Saturday 5th March
next. Joseph Farndale, Chief Constable.
The Sheffield
Independent, on 30 August 1870 reported:
Adjourned
Brewster Sessions. Mr Superintendent Farndale opposed a beer licence
being renewed to the Burlington arms, Burlington Street, because a great
portion of the house had been converted into a shoe shop. He did not wish the
licence to be withdrawn, but that the bench should order the whole house to be
used as a beerhouse. The licence was granted on the
above condition.
John Wholl applied for renewal of the licence of the Ten Bells,
Spencer street. Mr Farndale opposed on the ground that Wholl
had obtained the licence, but it was managed by a man named Andrews, who had
been convicted of a breach of licence, and the bench refused to give him a
certificate.
A large number of other articles during 1870
and 1871, not included here, show Superintendent Farndale giving evidence etc
in court cases.
The Sheffield
and Rotherham Independent, on Tuesday 5 Jul 1870 reported on a beer house
offence: Sarah Ann Nash, of the Tanners’ Arms beerhouse, Chesterfield, was charged with selling
beer during prohibited hours, on Sunday the 26th ult. Sergeant
Windle proved the case. Superintendent Farndale said
the house was very badly conducted, and great complaints were made about Sunday
selling. Defendant pleaded guilty and she was fined £1 and costs 8s 6d and
cautioned as to how she conducted the house in the future.
The Derbyshire
Times, on 8 October 1870 advertised FIVE SHILLINGS REWARD. LOST on Friday
evening, between St Helen’s I and Stonegravels Bar, a
brown paper parcel containing two small account books and mechanical drawings.
The articles are perfectly useful to anyone but the owner. Apply to Supt
FARNDALE Police Office, Chesterfield.
The Derbyshire
Times, on 10 December 1870 recorded: THE MEAT INSPECTOR. After a long
discussion relative to the resignation of Mr Burton one of the Meat Inspectors,
it was finally resolved that Supt Farndale officiate for the next three
months.
The Derbyshire
Courier, 4 February 1871 recorded the Annual Report of the Chief Constable and
the Sanitary Inspector’s Report:
The
Head Constable’s Report.
Head
Constables Office, 30th Jan, 1871.
To
the Mayor and gentlemen of the Town Council of the Borough of Chesterfield.
Gentlemen, I beg to state that since your last meeting
the conduct of the officers and constables, with one exception, has been good.
On Friday the 13th inst, I
suspended PC George Blanksby for improper conduct,
and on the 27th inst he was brought before the Watch
Committee and dismissed. During the past month, several offences of a serious
nature have been committed. On Friday, the 20th instant, John Hayes, of
Brampton, was robbed whilst in a state of drunkenness, of £45. This was not
reported to the police until the following Tuesday, which gave them but little
chance of recovering the money. They, however, succeeded in apprehending a man
and woman who were not only seen in company and drinking with the prosecutor
about the time of the robbery, but were seen to bring him out of the public
house, drag him down Whealdon Lane, rifle his pockets, and run away. Hayes,
however, swore they were not the parties who had robbed him, and the
magistrates dismissed the case. On the 21st instant several cases of pocket picking
were reported for which a woman has been apprehended and committed for trial.
On the night of the 23rd instant the premises of Mr Wilcockson, pawnbroker,
were broken into and 24 watches, 70 wedding rings, and 25s in silver stolen
there from. Every inquiry has been made, but up to the present time none of the
property has been recovered.
I
have the honour to be, gentlemen,
your obediant servant, Joseph Farndale.
Mr
Wood proposed and Mr Marsden seconded a motion that the report be received
which was carried unanimously.
The
Sanitary Inspector’s Report.
Sanitary
Inspector’s office, 31st January 1871.
To
the Mayor and gentleman of the Town Council of the Borough of Chesterfield.
On the third inst licences
were renewed to the public slaughter houses, on condition that the tenants
allowed the corporation to have their manure. With one exception they have done
so. This one will either have his licence withdrawn or will have notice to
quit. On the same day licences were renewed to 16 private slaughterhouses.
I am,
gentleman,
Your
obedient servant
Joseph
Farndale.
The
adoption of the report was moved by Mr Douglas, seconded by Mr Marsden, and
carried unanimously.
1871
The 1871
Census for Chesterfield showed Joseph Farndale,
Chief Constable of Police, 28 living with Jane Farndale, his wife, 29, John W
Farndale, their son, 2 and Sarah Vaughan, a general servant.
The Sheffield
Independent, on 22 April 1871 reported: CHESTERFIELD. Bad Meat. John Arthur, New
Square, was charged by Mr Superintendent Farndale, Sanitary Inspector, with
being in possession of 24 lbs of pork, unfit for food…
The Derbyshire
Times, on 6 May 1871 set out the Chief Constable’s Report:
Chief
Constable's Report.
Head
Constables office, 1st May, 1871.
To the
Mayor and gentlemen of the Corporation of the Borough of Chesterfield.
Gentlemen,
I beg to state that since your last meeting the conduct of the officers and
constables has been good, and that the town has been free from offences of a
serious nature.
On
the 22nd ult, the force was inspected by Captain Elgee,
Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabularies for the Northern District. He
complained that the money in the superannuation fund had not been taken from
the bank, and put it out at interest, as recommended by him last year, also
that police offices and cells had not been provided, the existing accommodation
being totally inadequate for the requirements of the borough. The plans
prepared by Mr Rawlinson were laid before him, he expressed himself quite satisfied
with the site, offices, and cells, and stated it was entirely a question for
the Corporation whether they built a house or not. At the same time, he said,
it was very desirable that the chief officer should reside near the office. He
should therefore recommend No 2 plan which provides a house.
I am
gentleman, your obedient servant, J Farndale. Head Constable.
The
Derbyshire
Courier, 5 August 1871 reported:
THE
HEAD CONSTABLE’S REPORT
Head
Constable’s Office, 1st August 1871
TO
THE MAYOR AND GENTLEMEN OF THE CONCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF CHESTERFIELD
I am,
Gentlemen
Your
Obedient Servant
J
Farndale
Head
Constable
The
Sanitary Inspectors Report.
Sanitary
Inspectors Office, August 1st, 1871.
To the
Mayor and gentlemen of the Corporation of the Borough of Chesterfield.
Gentlemen,
I beg to state that during the past quarter, I have inspected 45 nuisances as
entered in the presentment and report books, all of which have been remedied.
In consequence of the recent wet weather, there has been great difficulty in
getting night soil removed. On the 29th June last, I seized and destroyed the
carcass of a pig, the property of Thomas Jenkinson, as being unfit for human
food. He was summoned before the magistrates and fined £5 and costs. I have made numerous inquiries respecting the removal of
night soil in other towns, and find in large towns they have a proper staff for
the removal of the same under the superintendence of the sanitary inspector,
but in small towns that is chiefly removed by contract. I have visited Newark,
and find that they get the night soil removed, streets swept etc for £180 per
annum. Ordering that they have a larger population then we have, and that the
area is 2,083 acres against 276 acres, I have no doubt that ours would be taken
for a less amount, which would be a great saving for the town. Subjoined
are specifications, forms of contract, and agreement between the Newark
Corporation and their contractor.
I am
gentlemen, your obediant servant, J Farndale,
sanitary inspector.
Within a short time,
Joseph Farndale was making a further move to promotion to the Chief Constable
of the Leicester Police. The Daily Gazette for
Middlesbrough, on 30 August 1871 reported: PROMOTION OF A
MIDDLESBOROUGH POLICEMAN. The friends of Inspector Farndale, who left
Middlesborough two years ago to become chief constable of Chesterfield, will be
glad to learn that he is one of two candidates selected by the watch Committee
of Leicester, out of sixty candidates, to fill the office of chief constable of
that important town. The applicant included a colonel and a captain in the
army, and a detective inspector, the two selected being Inspector Farndale and
Colonel Vivian. The appointment will be made at the next Council meeting. Mr
Farndale joined the Middlesborough Police Force as a Private.
Meantime,
the
Derbyshire Times, on 28 October 1871: advertised WANTED for the
Chesterfield Borough Police Force, THREE ABLE BODIED MEN. Wages first four
months, 20s per week, the following eight months, 21s per week, and afterwards
22s per week. A merit class and service class has been formed by which a
constable can be raised to 24s per week. Application to be made personally to
Mr Superintendent Farndale, on or before Wednesday, October 25th inst.
The Derbyshire
Times, 7 October 1871 reported on a special meeting of the Chesterfield town
council held on Monday morning last in the municipal hall, to consider the
steps necessary to be taken inconsequence of Superintendent Farndale having
resigned the office of Chief Constable of the borough. Just one half of the
members were present, the attendance including the Mayor James Wright Esquire,
Alderman Drabble, and Councillors Boot, Douglas, Short, Oliver, Kent and J W
Rooth.
The
mayor briefly stated the object of the meeting which was held in consequence of
Chief Constable Farndale having resigned, owing to his appointment as Chief
Constable of the Borough of Leicester.
In answer to Mr Boot, the deputy town clerk stated
that the resignation was dated September 27 and the office would be vacant on
the 27th October. The watch committee had accepted the resignation of Mr
Farndale with an expression of their appreciation of the services he had
rendered to the town.
Mr Douglas said he must express his regret that the
town should lose Mr Farndale's services, as he considered him a most efficient
officer. He had done the town great credit during the time he had held the
office, and more particularly by the way in which he had put down those pests,
the houses of immorality. He had also been very successful in reducing
drunkenness, and his duties generally had been performed in a most honourable
and exemplary manner, (hear, hear).
Mr Oliver had great pleasure in supporting the words
of Mr Douglas as he considered Mr Farndale had acquitted himself in a manner
which did him great credit, and he felt convinced Chesterfield would never
secure a better officer. The mayor also expressed his regret that the town was
losing Mr Farndale’s services, but at the same time could not but congratulate
him up on his success in his profession especially considering the
comparatively short time he had been in the police force. Hardly 10 years
had elapsed since he entered the force at York as an ordinary police officer,
and now he was chief constable of one of the largest boroughs in England,
with something like £300 a year salary.
Mr Short said the town at large would regret Mr
Farndale's departure.
The Mayor said of the next business was to decide on
salary to be given to the next Superintendent and arrange as to advertising for
one etc. Mr Boot would suggest that all the offices at present held by Mr
Farndale be thrown into one. The present salary was £120 as chief constable,
£20 as inspector of nuisances, £25 as inspector of weights and measures, and
£12 for clothing, making a total of £177 per annum.
The Mayor: Yes and he also receives £10 for acting as
assistant relieving officer under the guardians.
Mr Short: Yes but that does not come under our
disposal.
Mr Boot said he should propose that the post be
advertised as vacant, at a salary of £120 to cover all duties and that there be
additional allowance of £12 for clothes. This would of course be independent of
the £10 from the union over which the Council had no power.
Chief Constable of Leicester Police, 1871 to 1882 (11
years)
The Derbyshire
Times, on 2 September 1871 reported that at a recent meeting of the Town
Council of the important borough of Leicester, held for the purpose of
selecting a gentleman to fill the office of Chief Constable for the Borough, Mr
Superintendent Farndale, of Chesterfield, was selected as one of five out of 56
candidates for the post. Subsequent voting reduced the issue to the choice of
Mr Farndale or a Colonel Vivian, and at this point the meeting stands adjourned. It is a great proof of Mr Farndale's high position in
his profession that the testimonials of those with whom he has come in contact
during his career should have been so favourable. We can over only
express our regrets that Chesterfield is likely to lose Mr Farndale’s services,
but at the same time we are certain that if he obtains the post he seeks the
borough of Leicester will be fortunate in obtaining a most valuable servant.
The Northern
Weekly Gazette, on 29 September 1871 recorded: APPOINTMENT OF MR
FARNDALE. Mr Farndale, so highly respected while in the Middlesbrough Police
Force, and to whose probable promotion we lately alluded – was elected on
Tuesday by a large majority as Chief Superintendent of Leicester. The York
Herald, on 30 September 1871: POLICE APPOINTMENT. On Wednesday, Mr Joseph
Farndale, a native of Eskdaleside, and formerly a member of the North Riding
police force, was elected head constable at Leicester by a considerable
majority. Mr Farndale has been superintendent of police at Chesterfield.
The Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal, 6 October 1871: APPOINTMENT
OF A CHIEF CONSTABLE FOR LEICESTER. The appointment if Chief Constable took
place on Tuesday week, and resulted in the election oof Superintendent
Farndale, of the Chesterfield Police.
Joseph Farndale was
appointed Head Constable of Leicester Police on 27 October 1871. He replaced Mr Charters. His salary was £220 per
annum, with a house included.
An
article in the Leicester Evening Mail on 15 January 1937 looked
back at Joseph Farndale’s achievements with Leicester police.
Charters was succeeded by Joseph
Farndale, who more than anyone else, laid the foundations of the efficient
police system which modern Leicester possesses.
When Farndale came to Leicester in the 70s the force
was only 90 strong, although the population had increased to 25,000 people.
Today the authorised strength is *, and the population is 260,000. Farndale was
not long in making changes. He scrapped the tall hats and frock coats which
made the constables look more like funeral mules then policemen and substituted
helmets and tunics. The townspeople were rather critical of these changes,
but in time they came to appreciate that the new uniforms tended to create a
cleaner respect for the power of the law.
Many of the recruits to the force were not used to
discipline, and hardly likely to inspire respect, even if they did create fear.
Drunkenness was all too common in the force and the Watch Committee had a
difficult job to improve matters.
One step in the campaign was taken when Farndale
endeavoured to create a team spirit by forming a police band, under the
conductorship of Inspector Smith. This soon became one of the most popular
institutions of the town. The band played in the municipal square every Friday
night, and was always in demand for concerts.
But alas, good intentions do not always bring the best
of results. It was found that the police became much more interested in their
music and their concerts then in their duties as policemen, and the Watch
Committee had reluctantly to disperse the band.
There was at that time an astonishing amount of
undetected crime in Leicester for a small town, and Farndale set out to
discover the reason. In those days, the practice was to make the person robbed
pay the costs of apprehending a prisoner who had left the town after the crime,
and many people either could not afford to pay for a police chase or preferred
to allow justice to go unsatisfied, rather than make a personal sacrifice. This
of course was a ridiculous state of affairs and before long Farndale had persuaded
the Watch Committee to allow the cost of such arrests to be borne by the
ratepayers.
How far Farndale would eventually have gone in this
war against crime we are never to know because at the peak of his career he was
offered the Chief Constableship of Birmingham, and naturally accepted it.
Farndale, I remember, was succeeded by James Dunn of
Durham whose chief claim to fame was that he altered the system of night beats,
following a big sale robbery at Gimson’s Vulcan Works, when thieves got away
with £1,000 in cheques and money. In Farndale's time there was a fixed beat
system, which enabled criminals to choose their time for a robbery and carry it
out more or less at leisure....
Shortly after his appointment, on 19 December 1871, Leicester
police ceased to be responsible for fire fighting and Leicester Borough Fire Brigade was created.
1872
The Leicester
Chronicle, on 20 January 1872 reported: A REPREHENSIBLE PRACTICE. The thoughtless
and dangerous practice of throwing orange peel on the causeways was
commented upon by the mayor … He called
the attention of Head Constable Farndale to the circumstances and he hoped
he would give instructions to his men to remove the orange peel from the
footpaths whenever they saw it, and that persons would refrain from the
culpable habit of endangering the limbs of their fellow creatures. With the aid
of the police, and the cooperation of the more reflective portion of the
public, it is hoped a check will be put upon this abominable nuisance.
The Leicester
Chronicle, 20 April 1872: INSPECTION OF THE COUNTY CONSTABULARY AND THE
BOROUGH POLICE FORCE. On Wednesday last, the County Constabulary Force were
inspected at the Corn Exchange by Colonel Cobb… At one
o’clock the Borough Police Force assembled at the Corn Exchange for inspection
under the command of the Head Constable (Mr Farndale) …
A
large number of various articles showing Chief Constable Farndale’s evidence in
a lot of court cases are not all reproduced here. For instance the Leicester
Daily Post, 21 September 1872: THEFT. William Harper, on remand, was charged
with stealing a shirt, the property of William Dalby, pawnbroker, Belgrave
gate, on the 12th inst. The evidence has been published. Mr
Farndale stated that there had been communication with the authorities at
Brixton, and had found that the prisoner was on a ticket of leave, having been
sentenced to seven years penal servitude for felony. He was committed to the
sessions.
Joseph soon had to
deal with a serious incident in Leicester. The Chichester
Express and West Sussex Journal, 27 August 1872 reported: Leicester was also the scene of a serious
disturbance on Saturday night. As eleven o’clock dew near a large concourse
of persons had assembled at the Old Haymarket, the principal thoroughfare, and
shortly afterwards the crowd was considerably augmented, until it numbered
several thousands, by those who had been turned out of the vaults &c in the
neighbourhood. A large body of police, under the charge of Chief Constable
Farndale, however, kept them moving for some time. At length one of the
mob, named James Stevens, a shoe fisher, who was the worse for liquor, declined
to move on and struck the police. He was at once taken into custody, when an
attempt was made to rescue him. A large number of policemen then rushed to the
aid of their comrade when some of the mob began to throw stones, which struck
some of the police, one of whom was also struck with a ginger beer bottle. For
a little time it appeared as though this slight skirmish would lead to serious
consequences, but the police obtained complete power over their prisoner, and formed
in line with their staves drawn at the end of the street. He was quickly
conveyed up a bye street to the police station where he was charged with
assaulting two of the officers. This coupled with the appearance of a
reinforcement of police seemed to act as a deterrent, and the crowd became less
dense and more scattered. A successful effort was then made to clear the
streets, the spectators being driven before the police, with staves drawn,
up the various thoroughfares, and by half past twelve the riot was suppressed.
The Leicester
Daily Post, 28 August 1872 reported: FIRE IN LEICESTER LAST NIGHT. About nine
o’clock last night a fire which at one time threatened to be desolating in its
effects, broke out in the shop of Messrs T Tacey & Sons, drapers &c,
Granby Street.
Chief Constable Farndale was passing down the street a
little before nine, and
saw several persons standing, looking up at the windows above the shop, from
which smoke was issuing. Seeing at once what was the matter he
immediately despatched messengers to the Borough Fire Brigade, for Mr
Tacey’s son, who lives in Leicester, and for Mr Tacey himself, who resides at
Humberstone. The brigade was on the spot a few minutes afterwards, and the hose
having been attached to the street main, was soon set to play upon the
building.
The flames did not make their appearance till the door
was forced open when they burst forth with a rather threatening aspect. Some
fears were expressed regarding the safety of the adjoining property, but
happily beyond that caused by the water in one of the upper rooms of the Swan
Hotel, no other damage was done.
The efforts of the firemen were principally directed
to the front shop, and the flames were quenched in a very short time. A ladder
was laced against the window of the first storey, and an entrance effected
there, but it appears the fire was wholly confined to the ground floor. The
counters and several of the other fittings were completely burned, and the
entire stock destroyed. We understand the loss is partially covered by
insurance.
The Day’s
Doings, 31 August 1872:
Accordingly every precaution was adopted by the local
authorities to guard against a disturbance, a considerable number of county
police being drafted into the town and held in reserve, while all the available
borough force was out on duty. In their efforts to preserve the peace, the
magistrates were well aided by the publicans, most of whom, especially the
occupiers of vaults, took the precaution of putting up their shutters by half
past ten o'clock, and intimating to their customers the desirableness of withdrawing
quietly at the appointed hour.
As
eleven o’clock drew near a large concourse of persons had assembled at the Old
Haymarket, the principal thoroughfare, and shortly afterwards the crowd was
considerably augmented, until it numbered several thousands, by those who had
been turned out of the vaults etc in the neighbourhood.
Most
of these appear to have assembled out of sheer curiosity to see a ‘row’ which
had been talked about, while others seemed evidently ready to join in a
disturbance, if one were started, and began to assemble in groups, discussing
and denouncing the new law.
A
large body of police under the charge of Chief Constable Farndale, however,
kept them from moving for some time, until at length a few of
the more turbulent seemed determined to ‘make a stand’, which led to
cheers from their partisans and groans from the police.
The
later however acted with great forbearance, until at length one of the mob,
named James Stevens, a shoe finisher, who was the worse for liquor, declined to
move on, and struck one of the police. He was at once taken into custody, when
an attempt was made to rescue him. A large number of policemen then rushed to
the aid of their comrade, when the mob began to throw stones, which struck some
of the police, one of whom was also struck with a ginger beer bottle. …
A
successful effort was then made to clear the streets, the spectators being
driven before the police, with staves drawn, up the various thoroughfares, when
the large majority, evidently having seen enough, and being warned that they
would have to take the consequences, deemed it discreet to retire, the town
being perfectly quiet by half past twelve o’clock.
The Leicester
Guardian, 18 September 1872: At the Town Hall on Friday, the Mayor called the attention of Mr Farndale, the Chief
Constable, to the practice of flying kites in the streets, and pointed
out the danger of it both to foot passengers and those who were driving,
as it was liable to frighten the horses. It had been complained of in
the papers and otherwise. He had no wish to debar children from enjoying
themselves, but that was not the way to do it. Mr Farndale said he had given
instructions to the police to report all cases to the Local Board.
Joseph Farndale was
a keen participator in dog show competitions. The Leicester
Journal, 4 October 1872: NOTTINGHAM
NATIONAL DOG SHOW. … In the St Bernard’s (rough), Chief Constable Farndale
is awarded second honours with his dog Pluto, aged 2 years and 4 months.
The Leicester
Chronicle, 5 October 1872: LEICESTER RACES … A posse
of police under the superintendence of Head Constable Farndale, were
engaged in the preservation of order at the course.
His Annual Reports are
records of statistics of crime at the time. The Hinckley
News, on 2 November 1872 set out Joseph Farndale’s report on Borough Police
Statistics.
The following
report has been issued by Mr Farndale, Chief Constable.
Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit the annual police statistical returns for the year
ending the 29th Ultimo, with other information of a miscellaneous character,
and to report that a decrease in indictable offences has taken place during the
year as compared with the year previous; but there is a considerable increase
in cases determined summarily. The following table gives the number of
indictable offences reported to the police during the past ten years, with the
number of persons apprehended for the same: in 1863 the number of indictable
offences was 159, and apprehensions 110; In 1864, 200 and 121; In 1865, 202 and
147; 1866, 156 and 98; In 1867, 153 and 105; 1868, 193 and 108; 1869, 149 and
123; 1870, 132 and 88; 1871, 214 and 143; 1872, 185 and 113.
Many
of these cases are undetected for want of funds. When
a robbery is reported, and the offender
has left the town, the person robbed is asked if he is prepared to pay the cost
of the prisoner being apprehended and brought back, if he is not, no further
steps are taken, but the robbery is entered into the books, and shows
against the efficiency of the police as an undetected crime, though they have
not had the remotest chance of detecting it.
The
total number of persons apprehended, summoned, and summarily disposed of during
the year (exclusive of 644 civil cases such as arrears of poor rates, bastardy
etc) was 2,453. The following statement shows the number of persons disposed of
by the justices during the last ten years: number of offences in the year 1863,
1,459; 1864, 1,549; 1865, 1,739; 1866, 1,686; 1867, 1,594; 1868, 1,702; 1869,
1,841; 1870 1,928; 1871, 1,001; 1872, 2,453.
By
far the largest numbers in the above returns are under the headings of drunkenness,
drunk and disorderly, and common assaults. The number charged before the
magistrate during the last ten years are as follows: drunkenness - 1863, 274;
1864, 350; 1865, 422; 1866, 386; 1867, 315; 1868, 304; 1869, 349; 1870, 348;
1871, 402; 1872, 490. Common assaults, 1863, 546; 1864, 623; 1865, 676; 1866,
597; 1867, 592; 1868, 625; 1869, 622; 1870, 575; 1871, 526; 1872, 523.
A
considerable increase is shown in the number of charges made against
licenced victuallers; but the charges against beer sellers appears to have
gradually decreased since the passing of The New Beerhouse Act 1869, which brought them under
the control of the magistrates. In making this statement, I think it is right
to add that the conduct of many of these houses has much improved, and I
believe for drinking during prohibited hours on Sundays, Leicester will bear
favourable comparison with any other town. This, in my opinion, is mainly
attributable to the action of the magistrates at the Brewster Sessions in
withholding the licences of all persons whose houses were proved to have been
improperly conducted.
In
consequence of having numerous complaints respecting the nuisance of
disorderly houses in the town, I took proceedings against and succeeded in
closing one which had been a new notorious nuisance for several years; but 28
remained, nearly all of which are common brothels of the lowest class.
These places are somewhat difficult to deal with, in as much as the legal
machinery by which they are suppressed is not only cumbrous and expensive, but
cannot be put in motion by the police, until a complaint has been made by two
inhabitants of the locality in which such houses exist. To meet this difficulty
the authorities of several boroughs with which I am acquainted have, in their Extension
and Improvement Acts, inserted the following clause:
“If
any person keeps or acts or assists in the management of any brothel or other
disorderly house, room, or other place, every person so offending shall, for
every such offence, be liable to a penalty not exceeding the [sic] pounds, in
default of payment three months imprisonment with hard labour.”
If
such a bylaw could be added to our Improvement Act, I
have no doubt that in Leicester, as in other towns where they have the benefit
of this clause, these houses would soon cease to exist.
Several
Acts of Parliament have recently come into operation including the Prevention
of Crime Act, the New Licencing Act 1872 and
the Pedlar’s Act, all of which are working
satisfactorily. Since the 1st of January last 293 pedlars’ certificates have
been granted, and 263 endorsed, for which I have received fees to the amount of
£79 16s 6d, which will be placed to the credit at the borough fund.
Colonel
Cobbs, Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary, has made his annual inspection
in April last. There were present on parade – 1 head constable, 5
inspectors, 11 sergeants, and 69 constables; absent on duty, 1 sergeant and 3
constables; on leave, 1 sergeant; Sick, 4 constables; and 4 wanting to complete
the number. Total 98. With the appearance of the men and the efficiency
of the force, he expressed himself perfectly satisfied, but called attention to
the offices and cells, which he considered inadequate for the requirements of
the Borough.
In
conclusion, I have much pleasure in stating that during the past year the
officers and constables have been active in the discharge of the various
duties, and that their conduct, with few exceptions, has been good, as shown by
the annex summary for the three years ending September 29. In 1870 the strength
of the force was 86; Number reported 37; Cautioned, 11; Fined, 17; Reduced, 1;
Dismissed, 1. In 1871, strength of force common 92; Reported, 34; Cautioned, 4;
Fined, 15; Reduced, 1; Dismissed, 14. In 1872, strength force, 98; Reported,
13; Cautioned, 3; Fined, 4; Reduced, 1; Dismissed, 4. This great decrease in
1872 is no doubt the result of offenders having been severely dealt with by the
Watch Committee in the year previous.
I
have the honour to be gentlemen, your Obediant
servant, J Farndale.
The Leicester
Chronicle, on 2 November 1872: We have no lack of information certainly,
concerning the doings and misdoings of the population of Leicester. The latest
contribution to the public store of knowledge on this head has been supplied by
Mr Farndale, the Head Constable, who has presented to the Chairman and
Gentlemen of the Watch Committee of this borough the Annual Police Statistical
Returns for the year ending Sept 29. …
The Leicester
Daily Post, 2 November 1872: Presentation to Mr S Stone. On Wednesday the
Leicester Borough Police Force gave expression to their feelings of respect and
esteem for Mr Stone, the late respected Town Clerk of Leicester, by presenting
him with a valuable timepiece and two statuettes. The presentation was made by
Mr Chief Constable Farndale, in the Town Hall, at one o’clock, in the presence
of the inspectors, sergeants, superannuated officers, and members of the force.
Mr C
Farndale, Head constable, in terms appropriate and tasteful, gave utterance to
the feelings of regard which are entertained for Mr Stone by every member of
the force, who had had the privilege of coming in contact with him, during his
many years of zealous and efficient labour. He bought testimony to the courtesy
which he himself had always experienced from Mr Stone, and to the feelings of
regret which he in common with his staff entertained at the loss which they had
sustained through his retirement. He however assured Mr Stone that he had
retired into private life with the best wishes of all for his future
happiness...
In Mr
Stone’s reply … he had observed with very great pleasure the fair, plane,
straightforward, and commendable manner, in which that testimony when it was
now generally given, a fact which had attracted the attention of Mr Farndale on
his first coming to Leicester. Mr Stone concluded by again thanking the Force
for that beautiful testament testimonial, which would be preserved by him and
his family as a most gratifying proof of the estimation in which he was held by
the Leicester force. These observations were listened to by the subscribers
present (about 100) with great attention and frequent expressions of their
approval.
The
timepiece bore the following inscription: Presented to Samuel Stone Esquire by
the Leicester Borough Police Force, as a mark of respect and in appreciation of
his invariable kindness and courtesy during the 36 years he has held the office
of town clerk to the justices. Leicester, October 9th, 1872.”
The Leicester
Daily Post, 9 November 1872: In a speech by the Mayor: Nor
must one forget Mr Farndale, for the efficiency he has shown in placing the
cases before the magistrates had been beyond all praise. He believed Mr
Farndale had the confidence of the whole bench, and that the force
over which he had presided was now well disciplined and in efficient working
order.
The Leicester
Chronicle, 7 December 1872: DISORDERLY. Two boys names Elijah and Thos Taylor
were charged with being disorderly on Tuesday night … Head
Constable Farndale said he had frequently had complaints about boys annoying
the teachers at these schools, and had in consequence been obliged to send
out men in plain clothes.
1873
Again
there are multiple articles about Joseph Farndale and his evidence in multiple
court cases during 1873 including the Leicester Daily Post, 11 January
1873: THE LEICESTER LIBEL CASE. THE ALDERMAN OF STONYGATE v A CAIN . …
Arthur Cain was charged with publishing a certain
malicious, slanderous libel, of and concerning Richard Harris and others….
Have you any particular reason for refusing to post a bill that had not the
printer’s name on it? Yes because I was told by Mr Farndale not to post
bills without the printer’s name on it. Is it true that a great number of
bills were circulated without the printer’s name? Yes. When you were called up
by Mr Farndale, what did he say to you? He said that there had been a deal of
dissatisfaction about election bills being posted on corners of streets, about
the town, and there were many complaints. He requested me not to do it. Did Mr
Farndale threaten you if you posted the bills without the printer’s name? No,
it was posting bills on streets without permission. I promised not to do it.
Did the unknown gentleman who asked you to post the “Blue Pill” offer you a
sovereign to do it? Yes … What was the cause of the alleged libellous bill
appearing at all. It was because of this “Blue Pill”, and it was published
after the billposters had been called to the Town Hall by Mr Farndale, and told
that if they continued to go on positing bills without the printer’s name,
cognisance would be taken of it,…
The Leicester
Daily Post, 13 February 1873: DINNER TO THE LEICESTER BOROUGH FORCE. As proof
if their appreciation of the zeal, energy, and efficiency which characterises
the borough constabulary, a few of the leading citizens of Leicester
entertained the members of the force at a dinner, which took place in the Fish
and Quart Inn, on Tuesday, and yesterday. … The event on this occasion had a
special feature of interest attached to it, inasmuch as the chief of the force
– Mr Farndale – presided, and he, giving the usual
loyal and patriotic toasts, in the course of his remarks complimented the
members very highly on the successful efficiency of the force. He
expressed the feeling of pleasure which it afforded him to be able to
congratulate them on the fact that in point of energy and ability, they were
second to none, and were a credit to the town. The toast of success to the town
and trade of Leicester was drunk with the utmost enthusiasm, and numerous
personal toasts, including the health of Mr Farndale, were equally well
received, and heartily responded to. The company sat till a late hour in the
evening on each occasion, and the mutual harmony of the meetings were
pleasantly interspersed with songs. A number of the Town Councillors, and
others, were present.
The Leicester
Daily Post, 3 March 1873: THE FLOOD SCHEME. The article related to a Report
of the Highway and Sewerage Committee on the best means of preventing a
recurrence of floods to which the town is subjected in the neighbourhood of
the river. MR ELLIS then moved the
adoption of the second part of the Highway and Sewerage Committee’s Report. He
explained the amount of inconvenience which was necessitated by policemen
having to apply to the Committee before prosecuting cases of a frivolous
nature, and said that the matter occupied the attention of the Chief Constable
for some time. He also referred to the extent to which
the solicitation of prostitution was being carried on in the town, and said it
was getting almost intolerable. Mr Farndale had sent out a man to apprehend
offenders, but nothing could be done until the case had been before the
Highways Committee and by that time the prostitute charged had generally left
the town for a time. Half of the time of the Committee was occupied in
investigating these cases. Mr Farndale had written to twenty of the largest
towns in the kingdom, and in every case prosecution was effected without the
authority of the Highways Committee.
The Leicester
Daily Post, 2 April 1873: THE PRINCE OF WALES AT LEICESTER STATION. His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, who is now on
a visit to Lord Carrington, at Melton Mowbray, passed through Leicester Station,
last evening, en route to that place … a considerable number
of persons, including not a few ladies, had assembled to see His Royal
Highness, and Mr Farndale, the Chief Constable, had a detachment of police
on the spot to maintain order. The Prince, who was attired in a light suit
and deerstalker hat, and was smoking a cigar, was greeted with cheers when the
train arrived. …
The Leicester
Daily Post, 17 April 1873: THE RETIREMENT OF MR PAGET FROM THE MAGISTERIAL
CLERKSHIP. … Mr FARNDALE also took the
opportunity of acknowledging the many kindnesses he had received from Mr Paget.
He (Mr Farndale) had been in the police service for about twelve years, and
during that time had been connected with many police courts, and had to work
with many magistrate’s clerks, but from none of them had he received more
kindness and assistance than from Mr Paget. He was sure he spoke the
feelings of every member of the force when he expressed regret at his leaving,
and hoped he might live long to enjoy that quiet and happiness to which his
long service had so well entitled him. MR PAGET, who was almost inaudible, said
the expressions of confidence which one and all had uttered had been extremely
gratifying to him … He could not sit down without returning his thanks to Mr
Farndale and the police for their kindness …
The Northern
Echo, 17 May 1873: PRESENTATION TO THE CHIEF CONSTABLE OF
MIDDLESBROUGH. In a speech by Edward Saggerson, their
Chief Constable: With regard to the men who have served here, Superintendent
Farndale, Inspector Horne, Mr Hopper, workhouse master, and others. We
cannot all rise to better positions, but still there is not a man in the force
but may improve his position, promotion is always to be obtained by good
conduct and energy …
The Bath
Chronicle and Weekly Gazette advertised: Leicester Borough Police. Wanted for
the above Force, a few smart intelligent men, between 21 and 30 years of age,
to stand clear 5 feet 8 inches without shoes. Must be able to read and write
and be free from all bodily complaint. Wages on appointment, 21s 6d, after six
months, 22s 6d, advancing 26s, according to conduct and ability. The usual
supply of clothing with two pair of boots annually. Hours of duty 8 hours per
day. One pint of hot coffee is served out to each man on night duty throughout
the year. Application with testimonials to be sent to Mr. J Farndale, Chief
Constable, Town Hall, Leicester.
The
Leicester
Daily Post, 19 July 1873: LEICESTER BOROUGH POLICE V COVENTRY CITY POLICE.
A match between eleven men of Leicester Borough Constabulary and a like number
of Coventry City Force, was played on the Bull Fields Ground, Coventry,
yesterday, and resulted in a glorious victory for the Leicester team. The
Leicester men left at 8am for Coventry, accompanied by their respected
Chief, Mr Farndale.
The Leicester
Daily Post, 1 August 1873: LEICESTER BOROUGH POLICE ANNUAL HOLIDAY: … When the
first lot had done justice to the good things provided, the second party
partook of a similar repast. The afternoon was spent in the most enjoyable
manner, Mr Farndale, who arrived at the Park about two o’clock, and Rev A A Isaacs, doing what they could to add to the pleasure of
the men and their fair companions. After an excellent
tea, the company adjourned to the green, and the remainder of the evening
passed in singing, dancing etc, the band of course, tending considerably to
enliven the proceedings. Before starting on the return journey at eight
o’clock, Mr Farndale, in a few appropriate remarks, returned the thanks
to Mr Isaacs on behalf of the men, stating how much they appreciate and valued
his kindness. Mr Isaacs suitably replied, remarking that the day had been
one of the most pleasant in the whole year to him. He was very glad to see Mr
and Mrs Farndale present, as it had been the first occasion on which the chief
had accompanied the men …
The Leicester
Daily Post, 20 September 1873: RAID UPON ALLEGED BETTING MEN IN LEICESTER. Mr
Farndale said that morning under warrant, he entered the house of Thomas Oakey
Potter, known as the Admiral Nelson, in Humberstone Gate, and found the
landlord and the other five defendants in the bar. Inspectors Hickinbottom and Langdale accompanied him, and he told them
to search the defendant Potter’s house. The officers were now present, with
books and papers relating to betting which had been found upon the defendants.
The Leicester
Journal, 7 November 1873: A very interesting document has just been issued by
Mr. J Farndale Chief Constable of Police for the Borough of Leicester. It is
the annual return of criminal and miscellaneous statistics for 12 months
in connection with the Borough Police, and is published at the request of the
Watch Committee. From this document we learned that during the year ending the
29th September last, a decrease has taken place, both an indictable offences,
and cases summarily disposed of. 116 indictable offences were reported to the
police for the year, and 94 apprehensions ensued. The total number of persons
apprehended, summoned, and summarily disposed of during the year (exclusive of
414 civil cases such as arrears of poor rates, bastardy etc )was 2,385. Of
these 1,751 were apprehended and 634 summoned. Of these 1,543 were males, and
302 females. The number of drunken cases disposed of was 464, and of common
assaults 456. There has been an increase in the number of juvenile offenders. The
want of an industrialist school for this class has been much felt, and
arrangements have now been made for the school board with one or more schools
to which such children can be sent, and their parents compelled to contribute
to their support. Mr Farndale adds that the New Licencing Act has
been productive of much good in Leicester. There is a decrease of 26 drunken
cases compared with last year, and taking into account the increase of
population, high wages, and other causes, this decrease is very considerable.
The offences by publicans and beer sellers have decreased from 29 to 8. The
streets are now much quieter at an earlier hour; midnight brawls are rarely
heard of now; and all the sweet wine shops, many of which were used as common
brothels, have been closed. So far then as Leicester is concerned, it is
gratifying to find the New Licencing Act works favourably...
The Leicester
Daily Post, 8 November 1873: THE RETIRING MAYOR OF LEICESTER: … The Mayor: …
Mr Farndale, the Chief of Police, has always been at his post here and done his
duty in the most admirable manner, and has been well up in those cases he has
had to bring before us. We are much indebted to those officers for the manner
in which they have discharged their duties. It is a gratification to find from
Mr Farndale’s report – and a very excellent report it is – that there has been
a decrease in the number of cases of drunkenness before the court …
1874
The Leicester
Guardian, 25 February 1874: ANNIVERSARY DINNER OF THE LEICESTER POLICE FORCE.
Inspector Newell spoke … They had many privileges
since Mr Farndale had been in their midst, which they did not previously enjoy.
In fact before Mr Farndale came, he had only had one Sunday in 22 years,
and the last was when he went to the Dublin Exhibition in 1851, but now he had one
every month. He had therefore great pleasure in proposing the health of Mr
Farndale – the toast was drunk with enthusiasm, the band playing “For he’s a
jolly good fellow.” Tune by the Band: “We’ll run ‘em in” which was received with applause. MR
FARNDALE:, in responding, said he begged to tender his heartfelt thanks for the
kind manner in which they had drunk his health. Hr felt that the proposer had
said a great deal more of him than he was entitled. He might say however that
since he had been there he had endeavoured to do his duty to the best of his
ability, both to the public and to the force, and judging from the way they had
received the toast, he might fairly conclude that he had, to some extent,
succeeded with them.
The Leicester
Guardian, 6 May 1874: THE LATE ALD ELLIS. The funeral took place on
Thursday morning, at the cemetery… About thirty members of the Borough Police
Force, under the direction of Chief Constable Farndale, assembled a guard of
honour, being stationed on either side of the principal carriage roads on
the Cemetery.
The Leicester
Daily Post, 14 November 1874: WATCH COMMITTEE The Watch Committee beg to report
that, having received an application from the Chief Constable for an
increase in his salary, they directed information to be procured from the
town clerks of all boroughs with a population of from 50,000 to 150,000 in
habitants as to the amount of direct and indirect salary paid to their chief of
police, and having regard to the information received, and also the very
satisfactory manner in which Mr Farndale performs the duties of his office,
they recommend the Council increase his salary from
£250 to £350 per annum….
Now, in regard to Mr Farndale, they had in him a most valuable officer … and it
was the unanimous opinion of the profession that Mr Farndale was most
deserving of the increase proposed … Since the appointment of Mr Farndale the
borough had increased and, he was happy to say, was increasing daily, and
almost hourly around them. … He was sure it was the opinion of all present that
Mr Farndale was, in every sense, a truly efficient officer, and the duties that
were cast upon him in the investigation of crime and the brining of criminals
to justice was indeed a very serious matter, and he thought that if they were
to look through all the towns of England they would not find a more truly
efficient person than Mr Farndale. He could tell them candidly that Mr
Farndale’s knowledge of the duties, not only of his office, but his general
knowledge of the criminal law, and the rules of evidence, and what was
necessary in order to establish a case, was, he might almost say,. Perfect –
equal to that of a professional man.
The Leicester
Chronicle, 31 October 1874: In a letter to the Editor complaining about
Councillor Neale: … Is it true, also, that in a committee of the Council
last week, he voted for an advance of £100 upon the present high salary of Mr
Farndale? Unless he satisfactorily answers these questions, of grave importance
to myself and fellow rate payers, I, for one, shall strenuously oppose the
election of a man who allows his private interest to dictate such a squandering
of public money. Awaiting an immediate answer. I beg to subscribe myself A
Burgess.
The
Leicester
Journal, 25 December 1874 reported the Criminal Returns of the Leicester
Police.
Mr
Farndale, the chief constable of Leicester, has just published the third annual
report on the state of crime and police establishment of the borough for the
year ending 29 September 1874. There are 73 houses of bad character, some of
which are common brothels of the lowest order. During the past year a clause
has been inserted in the Leicester Improvement Act 1874 empowering
the corporation to make such bylaws for the suppression of this evil as they
may deem necessary. If the council would get the above clause passed into law,
he would endeavour, as far as possible to close all disorderly houses, which
are a nuisance to the inhabitants.
During
the year 2,431 persons have been dealt with by the justices (exclusive of 579
civil cases, such as arrears of poor rates, bastardy etc). Of those 1,281 were
apprehended and 1,150 summoned. Of the prisoners apprehended and charged and
with indictable offences and those summarily disposed of, 1,196 were males, and
176 females, 1,232 were English, 95 Irish, 1 Welsh, 29 Scotch, and 16
foreigners. 430 could neither read nor write, 325 could only do so imperfectly,
582 could read and write, 29 could do so well, and 7 had been well educated.
972 were of good character although unknown to the police, 104 were designated
suspicious characters, 155 known thieves, 18 common prostitutes, 68 habitual
drunkards, and 56 vagrants and tramps, 500 were natives of Leicester, 330
strangers, 57 had resided in the town 12 months and under two years, 39 two
years and under three years, 43 years and under four, 24 four years and less
than five, and 293 five years and upwards.
He was glad to be able to report a further decrease in
the number of drunken cases, also in offences by publicans. This
improved state of things is attributed, the chief constable said, to the New
Licencing Act, and the action of the magistrates at the Brewster
Sessions during the last two or three years in withholding the licences of all
persons who had been guilty of serious violations at the law. The course
adopted by the justices in these cases has, in his opinion, vastly improved the
conduct of public houses generally. It had awakened the owners of this class of
property to a sense of their position, and caused them to be much more careful
in selecting tenants, and in the manner in which they conduct their houses.
Respecting drunkenness, comparing Leicester with 28 towns of a population of
50,000 inhabitants and upwards, the chief constable finds, with seven
exceptions, it has the lowest percentage of drunken cases; but it is only fair
to say that in Leicester they do not proceed against persons for simple
drunkenness, those charged before the magistrates are all either drunk and
disorderly or drunk and incapable. The Licencing Act 1874 has
made but little difference in Leicester; The clause that were complained of and
repealed were never enforced here. There was however one clause in the amended
Act which the chief constable is afraid will be found to work very
mischievously where people are inclined to break the law. He refers to the
publican being allowed to entertain his friends during prohibited hours. He had
already some proof of this. There was another matter connected with the
Licencing Acts which the chief constable thinks requires immediate attention,
viz, licences to sell beer not to be consumed on the premises. He is of opinion
that magistrates should have the same discretionary power in granting or
refusing of these licences as they have in all others. At the present time, if
the house in respect of which a licence is applied for be worth £15 a year, and
nothing be known against the character of the applicant, the Justices are bound
to grant the licence, though in many cases it is very undesirable that they
should do so, in as much as many of these houses have no separate yard, but one
in common with several other houses. By closing the yard door they may supply
liquor to the neighbours without much fear of being detected, and it is no
uncommon thing for large numbers of people to visit these houses joining a beer
house of this class, on Sunday mornings, no doubt for the purpose of drinking.
These places are rapidly increasing, nearly 20 new licences being granted
annually. Before leaving this subject he calls the attention of the authorities
to the rapid spread of liquor vaults in the town. These places are admitted by
most people, including many of the leading members of the trade, to be a great
nuisance, and productive of much mischief. If a by law were passed prohibiting
any such alteration being made in licenced premises without first obtaining the
sanction of the local authorities, it would, he was sure, be of great benefit
and much appreciated by the public.
The value of property reported stolen within
the borough during the year and the amount to have been recovered by the police
compared very favourably with previous years. This the chief constable
considers, was mainly due to having had placed at his disposal the necessary
funds for the purpose of pursuing and apprehending offenders. The chief repeats
his recommendation of last year, respecting branch police stations and
informs the Watch Committee that on the 14th ult he had a letter from the
Government Inspector, inquiring if anything had been done towards providing
district or outlying station houses and in reply he informed him that it was
now under the consideration of the Watch Committee. For
the better protection of the borough, he recommends that some branch police
stations be established. In all large boroughs, and in many smaller towns than
Leicester, they have had district stations for years, and all the chief
constables with whom he is acquainted strongly recommend them. The benefit that
would arise if this were done must be apparent to everyone. Take, for instance,
the bottom of Belgrave Road: a man is apprehended for drunkenness, if he is at
all a obstreperous, it will take at least two men to take him to the station,
and in a crowded thoroughfare like Belgrave Gate, some hundreds and sometimes
thousands of people are collected, the officers are very roughly handled,
stones thrown, and the greatest disorder prevails and all along the route, to
the great annoyance and danger of the inhabitants. If a small station were
built there, this would all but obviate it, and instead of requiring two
officers one would be sufficient, and he would be back on his beat in a few
minutes, whereas now two beats are frequently left unprotected for an hour and
upwards. The same remarks apply to other parts of the town.
On
the 19th March last year Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary for this
district made his annual inspection and expressed himself well satisfied
with the efficiency and discipline of the force.
In
conclusion the chief constable had much pleasure in stating that the general
conduct of the officers and constables during the year had been most
satisfactory. The strength of the police forces 107,
including the head constable, 14 sergeants, four detectives and 84 men.
1875
The Leicester
Chronicle, 2 January 1875: There are one or two instructive features in
connection with the criminal returns for the past year which are apt to be
overlooked inasmuch as they can only be perceived by contrasting the details of
Head Constable Farndale’s returns for the past year with those of his
predecessor …
The Leicester
Chronicle, 20 February 1875: DISASTROUS FIRE IN LEICESTER. The large factory
of Messrs Hands and Scampton, in Heanor Street, which was destroyed by fire
about five years ago, and reconstructed, was burnt to the ground on Wednesday
and damage committed to the extent of about £8,000. … A posse of police
under Head Constable Farndale proved of considerable service in keeping
back an eager crowd, and so facilitating the operations of the brigades.
The Leicester
Journal, 26 February 1875: TOWN TALK AND STREET ECHOES. The Inspector makes
one suggestion which we trust the Town Council will see its way clear to adopt.
The same suggestion had been previously made by Chief Constable Farndale,
and is one which it is highly essential should be speedily carried out. We
refer to the establishment in various localities of divisional station
houses, so that the constables may not be taken off their beats so far as
to the central police station on every apprehension.
The Hinckley
News, 15 May 1875. In an article about poor quality meat … The meat
was destroyed; part of it was given to Mr Farndale’s dog, and three
quarters and the head he saw boiled up for the pigs of Mr Gibbs …
The Leicester
Journal, 11 June 1875: Chief Constable Farndale is very desirous to have
branch stations, but for some unexplained cause the Council hesitates to comply
with his wish. When a police officer is severely injured in the discharge of
his duty, then we suppose something in this direction will be done, but until
then our sluggish Corporation prefers to wait.
The Leicester
Chronicle, 2 October 1875: ALARMING PETROLEUM EXPLOSION IN LEICESTER. A
petty quarrel, but one of serious interest to the public, came before the
Leicester Magistrates at the Town Hall on Friday. According to the statements
of the Head Constable (Mr Farndale) and the parties, it appears that a few days
ago Councillor Wilford gave an order to a London firm for four large casks
of petroleum, which were to be sent via the Grand Junction Canal to
Leicester, where, it seems, Mr Wilford expected they would be stored by the
company. The highly explosive materials arrived in due course, and were
tendered to Mr Wilford on Thursday, but he refused delivery, the law
forbidding that such large quantities of so dangerous a liquid should be kept
in a populous part. The drayman knowing the nature of the consignment,
refused to take back the casks, and deposited them in the street. The agent
of the Canal Company called upon Mr Wilford, ad offered to send the goods back
to London, provided he gave a re-consignment note, remarking that he was
prevented from storing the goods by the same law that affected Mr Wilford. This
Mr Wilford refused to do until he had communicated with the firm in London of
whom he had ordered the petroleum. Meanwhile Mr Farndale had his attention
called to the obstruction in the street, and warned the parties to appear
before the magistrates, and they accordingly did so, after the safety of those
in the neighbourhood had been in danger for a considerable time. The parties,
setting upon the advice of the magistrates agreed – Mr Wilford to give a
re-consignment note, and the other to have the casks removed by one o’clock
that day. The matter appeared to end there, but it seems that the parties had
only agreed to differ; for it is said that on the company calling for the casks
Mr Wilford refused to allow one of his men to assist in loading them, and the
drayman went off and left them in the street. Any man might, while lighting his
pipe, throw an ignited match on the barrels which now lie in St Nicholas
square, and the result be a disastrous explosion, such as has never been
witnessed in Leicester, and equal to that which occurred a short time ago, from
the same substance, on the Regent’s Canal.
The Leicester
Chronicle, 25 December 1875: CHRISTMAS. Head Constable Farndale, with a view
to maintaining order in the streets of the borough on Christmas Eve
and Christmas morning, has issued a handbill stating that the police have
received instructions to take proceedings against persons behaving in a
disorderly manner at the times specified.
1876
The Leicester
Chronicle, 6 May 1876: Alleged Gambling. John Yealy was charged with
permitting gaming on his licenced premises, the Loughborough House, Church
Gate, on the 15th April. Mr. Wright defended. Mr Farndale stated that the
defendant had promised to do away with the skittle alley if the charge was
not preceded with, and under the circumstances he wished the magistrates to
allow him to withdraw from the case. Mr. Wright stated that he had a complete
answer to the case. The bench allowed the application of Mr Farndale. and
Tuesday before W Rowlett Esq. Remand. Mary Ann White,
a respectably dressed girl, was charged with stealing money from several
schoolchildren on the previous day. On the application of Mr Farndale, who
stated that the children from whom the money had been taken were very young,
and that their evidence would require to be corroborated by other persons, the
prisoner was remanded until Thursday.
The Leicester
Chronicle, 27 May 1876, in a letter to the editor regarding the use of
handcuffs: … When my sentence was passed, I respectfully requested the
magistrates to permit me to be taken direct to prison. Instead I was kept
for four hours in one of those beastly cells at the police station. On my release I asked Mr Farndale why I
was handcuffed, and he replied that all convicted prisoners are handcuffed,
and that as he had no special instructions in my case I was necessarily treated
as any other convicted prisoner would be. My opinion is that the odium rests
with the magistrates, though I can hardly reconcile Mr Farndale’s statement
with the fact that even convicted prisoners have been (to my knowledge)
sometimes removed unmanacled – even as lately as a
week last Wednesday. I remain, dear Sir, Yours respectfully
ONE
OF THE PRISONERS, Leicester, May 24th, 1876
The Leicester
Chronicle, 29 July 1876: Leicester Police Force Excursion. The members of the
Leicester Police Force, through the kindness of the Rev A A
Isaacs, vicar of Christ Church, and several friends, enjoyed their annual
outing on Tuesday. The party met at the Town Hall in the morning, the men being
accompanied by their wives and sweethearts, numbering altogether 123. Six
conveyances took the party, headed by the excellent band of the force,
to Beaumanor, where refreshments were served in a large marquee. After dinner
the party visited Bardon Hill, and both before and after tea engaged in
dancing, to the strains of the band. Before leaving, three cheers were given
for the Rev A A Isaacs, who accompanied the party,
and also for Mr Farndale, the excellent head constable. The party
returned to the town in the evening greatly delighted with their day's
excursion, which was rendered all the more enjoyable by the fineness of the
weather.
The Leicester
Daily Mercury, 7 August 1876, at the opening of the new town hall: A
procession was then formed in the following order: Mounted policeman. Rifle
volunteer band. Foresters’ banner. Robin Hood, Friar Tuck and the little
foresters in regalia. Band. Banner of Saint Mary's Lodge of Nottingham
Oddfellows. Several members in characterful. Banner of the Georgian and Dragon
Lodge. Drum and Fife band. Banner of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows.
Members in Regalia. Banner of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes.
Members in regalia carrying small banners of the Prince of Wales, Royal Alfred,
Marquis of Lorne, Sir Henry Pearce, Duke of Marlborough, King and Crown, Tichborne, Good Samaritan, and Shakespeare :odges, and lastly a banner containing a representation of
Shakespeare himself. The members were loudly applauded. 3 Mounted Police.
Firemen on two engines, holding hose, decorated with flowers. Lamplighters with
poles, the top of each being surmounted with flowers. Yeomanry cavalry band.
Representatives of the press. Leading tradesmen of the town. Head Constable
Farndale
on horseback. School board officers. Members of the school board.
Members of the Corporation. Borough magistrate clerks. Borough magistrates.
Carriage containing mayors of four neighbouring towns. Great Mace bearer....
1877
The Rutland
Echo and Leicestershire Advertiser, 8 June 1877: Promenade concert on
Leicester racecourse. A few evenings ago the members of the Borough Police
Band, numbering in the aggregate 24 performers, under their talented
conductor, Mr J A Smith, commenced this vernal season’s campaign with a
soiree musicale in that aromatic Elysian field, where, on a scorching
summer day, loungers may be seen in a state of apathetic listlessness and total
prostration of energy, which the vox populi of the delectable town by universal
consent have christened a recreation ground. The programme was varied and
excellently chosen, and it is almost superfluous to say that all the
instrumentalists sustained their parts admirably, and this, the first concert
alfresco, was rendered more attractive by the appearance of the band for the
first time in their new silver braided caps, which closely resembled the
shakos of the celebrated zouaves of the French army, and which have been
supplied by Mr Underwood, of Granby Street, who not only executed this order,
as well as a previous one for helmets, to the satisfaction of the Watch
Committee, and imparted a dignity and grace to the ‘colour’ of the gallant
regiment whom we are accustomed to see every day in blue uniform and white
buttons, and who like ‘birds of a feather flock together’ very often in the
stately drawing room of Farndale's Hotel. Correspondent.
The Leicester
Journal, 31 August 1877: THE TRAFFIC IN ITALIAN CHILDREN. … Mr Blunt then addressed the Bench, and
said it would hardly be necessary for him to enter into the legal question, as Mr
Farndale, the Chief Constable had already received a communication from Mr
Crowe on the subject …
The Leicester
Journal, 16 November 1877: A TESTIMONIAL TO COL BURNABY. Mr R Waterfield has
addressed a long letter to the papers, thanking the late Mayor (Alderman
Winterton), the Town Council and Mr Farndale, in the name of the Veterans,
for what was done in connection with the late banquet, and suggesting a fund
should be raised to present Colonel Burnaby with an address on vellum, and a
life-size sized portrait, and also to present Staff Instructor Manship with a
silver cup.
The Leicester
Journal, 28 December 1877: THE LATE ASSAULT OF A WIFE. DEATH OF THE VICTIM. On
Friday evening, last week, between five and six o’clock, Mr Hetley,
house surgeon at the Infirmary, intimated to the police authorities that a
considerable change for the worse had taken place in the condition of Mrs
White, who had been severely burned through her husband throwing a lamp
at her on Saturday night last. Mr Farndale at once sent a cab for Mr W
Rowlett JP and another for Mr Blackwell, the magistrate’s clerk, in order that
depositions of the woman might be taken, and the husband of the woman was
also conveyed to the Infirmary so that he might be present …
1878
The
Police Gazette on Monday 18 March 1878: Description of a man
committed to the Leicester Borough gaol on 11th instant, for 21 days, on a
charge of attempting to pick pockets in the market: James Brown, fictitious
name, 32 years of age, 5 feet 3 1/2 inches high, brown eyes, light brown hair,
turning grey, pale complexion, blue scar centre of chest, large mole under left
breast, mole on left side of back, three moles on left hip, scar centre of
forehead, blue dot on left forearm, and large burn mark on right wrist, about 1
1/2 inches in size; dressed in a light grey broken check coat, with pocket on
the hips, nearly new, Scotch tartan patterned trousers and waistcoat, blue and
dark green squares, dark grey twill serge overcoat, with velvet collar, blue and
black striped necktie, hard black billycock hat, and elastic sided boots, much
worn; Is no doubt a travelling thief, and appears to know Birmingham well, gave
an address at 16 York Street, Leeds. Information to be given to Chief
Constable Farndale, Central Police Station, Town Hall, Leicester. Bow
street, March 13.
The
Hinckley News, 11 May 1878: The Review was held on Friday on the race course,
under the inspecting officer, and in the presence of five or six thousand
people. The Regiment, in their handsome full dress, left the market place
shortly after ten o’clock, accompanied to the review ground by a large
concourse of persons. Having been formed up into a huge square, which was
carefully kept by a large posse of police under Chief Superintendent
Farndale, the review opened by the Regiment marching past the saluting
point in review order, walking, trotting, and then walking past in Indian file.
This was all done in good style, the trot being very creditable to the riders.
In going past in Indian file several horses became unmanageable, and this, to
some extent, spoilt the general effect of the movement. Several miscellaneous
evolutions followed with respect to various formations by the respective
squadrons. In these the wheeling was but very indifferently performed …
The
Leicester Chronicle, 1 June 1878: … Leicester is about to
become a place of some little importance, through having been chosen as the
most fitting place in the midland counties for a military centre. As many
military gentlemen with their families will thus soon settle down in our midst,
and as we have also the attraction of the Leicestershire hunting grounds, I
think the time has arrived when Leicester might be supplied with a corps of
commissionaires. It might be organised under the same rules and regulations as
those in force in London, and other large towns, and even in Nottingham, where
they have been established for some time. Our Head Constable, Mr Farndale,
whose influence is felt and appreciated, could act as its chief, and under
his careful supervision some useful and trustworthy men could be brought
together and employed by the public …
The Leicester
Journal, 12 July 1878: REMOVAL OF PRISONERS. The MAYOR read a
recommendation from the Borough Justices that Mr Farndale be allowed £1 a week
on his undertaking to make all necessary arrangements for the removal of
prisoners to and from the Gaol. … Mr Farndale was responsible to the
magistrates for the conveyance of the prisoners to the gaol, and he had
made arrangements with Colonel Milman to allow him the use of the county van,
the borough van being in a dilapidated state … It was the business of the
magistrates to see that the prisoners were conveyed to the gaol, and Mr
Farndale, as their servant, was responsible for this being done … Alderman
Paget said Mr Farndale was undoubtedly the best man to whom the management
of this plan could be entrusted. He did not see why it might not be left in
his hands, allowing him to charge the Council for the horse, the van, and the
driver, so he might command their services from time to time. They would not
wish that Mr Farndale should lose anything by this duty, neither was it
desirable that it should be made a source of profit to him. … The MAYOR in
replying said Mr Farndale would buy the horse and keep it … The Justices
considered this would be an economic arrangement, and he was quite certain that
Mr Farndale would gain nothing from it.
The Leicester
Chronicle, 28 December 1878: THE PRIVILEGES OF POLICE CONSTABLES. To the
Editor. Sir, I wish to ask, through your journal, whether it is lawful for a
policeman to enter the home of any person without authority? I think not. On
the 9th inst two police constables came to my house,
and tore from me my son. They were not, moreover, in any way civil. My wife was
at home when they arrived. The neighbours came to the help of the mother, and
would not let them take the boy. When I reached home the neighbours told me
that one of the officers pulled off his coat, and used objectionable language.
All this was done without authority. I asked them for their warrant, not being
willing to let the lad go, but they told me that they had orders from Mr
Farndale, and that I rendered myself liable to three months imprisonment
for interfering with an officer in the discharge of his duty. I consequently
let them take the boy. I contend that no man has the right to enter a house on
such a mission unless he has on his uniform, or has a warrant. If it were
otherwise a man might go to any house, and say he had been sent by Mr Farndale
to search the dwelling. The people might then give way to him, and thus be
robbed. My boy had done nothing but abscond from the smack owners. His case is
very hard indeed. Mr Dexter, one of the men who fetched my boy, said there was
10s reward and that he might as well have it as anyone else. It was thus for
the sake of the money they took my boy, though there was no warrant from
Grimsby at the time. My son was kept at the police station at Leicester for
five days and five nights apparently without authority. But they let these
smack owners know, and the warrant came on Saturday. He had then been there
four days and nights with no light. They cannot now apprentice boys without
their parent’s consent; But we cannot free those who have been bound unless we
buy them off. One person in Leicester has asked a smack owner of Grimsby what
he would take to liberate his son, and he demanded no less than £35. If some
person of influence would take the matter up, they might show us parents in
Leicester how to gain back the boys who have been decoyed away. In conclusion,
I may say that if I was to take the liberty a constable did in my case, they
would take me before the magistrates, and I should be punished. I am yours
respectfully, Thomas William Riley. 189 Argyle street, Leicester, 23 December
1878.
1879
The Leicester
Daily Mercury, 15 August 1879: Leicester Police Holiday. On Thursday the members
of the Borough Police force held their annual holiday at Great Glenn, the
residence of the mayor. The band of the force proceeded by the conveyance, and
a portion of the men went by the 9.30am train, another section following by the
afternoon train. A substantial lunch having been partaken of, a cricket match
was played between the Police Force and a team from Great Glenn., resulting in
a victory for the former. … the party, which was subsequently joined by Mr
Joseph Farndale, the Chief Constable.
The
Leicester
Journal, 19 September 1879: PRESENTATION TO HEAD CONSTABLE FARNDALE: On
Wednesday last, a presentation was made to the Head Constable of the Borough
Police Force (Mr. J Farndale), by the men under his command. The Head Constable
has recently been taking his holiday, and during his absence a subscription was
entered into by the members of the force for the purpose of presenting him with
a token of their attachment to him as their superior officer. Sufficient money
was spontaneously raised to enable the promoters of the movement to purchase a
very handsome and massive black marble twenty one day timepiece, with bronze
and gilt ornaments. The timepiece, which was procured from the shop of Mr
Russell, Humberston Gate, was greatly admired. At half past one o’clock on
Wednesday, nearly the whole of the members of the force, who had assembled in
the muster room for the purpose of receiving their weekly wages, were formed
into three sides of a square, when Head Constable Farndale was apprised of the
fact the men desired to present him with a testimonial.
Inspector
Bayley, in making the presentation, said...
It was not until four or five days after the Head Constable left
Leicester for his holiday excursion, that the subscription was opened, and in
the short time which elapsed prior to his return, the testimonial was
purchased, which proved the good feeling all had towards their superior
officer. He trusted Mr and Mrs Farndale, and son, would live long and
prosper, and that the clock before them possessed as good a mainspring
to regulate its movements as Mr Farndale had to regulate the police force.
He was sure the Head Constable would then have no occasion to complain of its
inaccuracy....
Sergeant
Poultney said during the seven or eight years Mr Farndale had been amongst
them, he had gained the good feeling of every member of the force by the
straightforward and honest manner in which he dealt with the men. If a man
did his duty, he found himself rewarded, as was proved by the fact that no
less than five or six men who had belonged to the force under the command of Mr
Farndale, had been appointed to the office of chief constables in other towns.
On the other hand, if a man did not do his duty, he got what was called ‘the
straight tip’; or rather, he was cautioned, and received another
opportunity of pulling himself together by better conduct. He hoped Mr Farndale
would live long to look upon the timepiece, and that he would value it not on
account of its intrinsic worth, but on account of the good feeling it
manifested towards him (applause).
The
time piece which bore the following inscription: “Presented to Joseph Farndale,
Esq, Chief Constable, by the officers and constables of the Leicester Borough
police force, as a mark of esteem and regard; 17th September 1879” was then
handed to the Head Constable by Mr Bayley.
Mr Farndale,
who was received with a loud applause, in reply said: Mr
Bayley and brother officers, I feel utterly unable to thank you for the
presentation you have been good enough to make to me today. I have been so
completely taken by surprise that I feel I shall not be able adequately to
express to you my feelings for the handsome timepiece ... I came to the
town, when the force was not so large as now by 30 men. This shows the good
results of our meetings. At those meetings I have always endeavoured to impress
upon you the fact that you have not only to look to me for instructions and
orders, but to regard me as a brother officer and friend to whom you can
come for advice and support. Those of you who have come to me for such
advice and support, have not done so in vain. I hope that this good feeling
will continue. I am sure nothing will be wanting on my parts to add to your
comforts, and to assist you in every way, and thus commend myself to your
good opinions. I thank you particularly for the time you I've chosen to present
me with this handsome timepiece, as it is an extremely gratifying welcome on my
return from my holiday. I trust I may live amongst you for many years to
come. I have had one very advantageous opportunity of leaving Leicester,
but as Mr Bayley has said, this is a large and prosperous town, and I have
received in it nothing but kindness since I have been here, not only from the
inhabitants generally, but the members of the police force, and I begin to feel
as though I should be leaving home were I to go away
from Leicester. I should be sorry to leave Leicester, and so long as I am
treated in the kind manner I am by you, and the inhabitants generally, I don't
think I shall be likely to do so, (loud applause). I beg to return you my most
sincere thanks, and also for the kind way in which my wife and son had been
spoken of. My boy is present with us, and I have no doubt these proceedings
will have a lasting impression upon his mind, for to him will be the timepiece
handed down as an heirloom (loud applause).
The Derbyshire
Times, 4 October 1879: the Leicester Journal of last week has been kindly sent
me by a friend, and I read in it a most pleasing report of a presentation made
to a gentleman formerly resident in Chesterfield. Some eight years ago Chief
Constable Farndale of Chesterfield, was appointed Chief Constable of the
Borough of Leicester. He left Chesterfield respected and regretted, and it
is pleasant to find that the good feeling manifested towards him here has been
shown in his present home. The men of the Leicester Police Force, taking
advantage of Mr Farndale's absence on holiday, opened a subscription amongst
themselves, and on his return presented him with a very handsome marble
timepiece as a token of their esteem and respect for him, not only as their
chief, but as a friend. Well done Leicester.
The Leicester
Chronicle, 6 December 1879: Shocking accident at Groby Pool. A Young lady
drowned. On Tuesday afternoon, a shocking incident occurred at Groby pool, by
which a young lady lost her life, and several other persons had a narrow
escape. [At the inquest] the following evidence was given:- Joseph Farndale: I
am Chief Constable of the Borough of Leicester. I knew the deceased; she was
the daughter of William John Bruis, of Leicester, shoe maker; she was 19 years
old.”
1880
The Derbyshire
and Chesterfield Herald, 12 June 1880. The Leicester Borough Police
have a capital institution, to wit, an annual dinner, and at this
attends the Mayor and many members of the Corporation who show their
appreciation of that which in too many instances is a much abused body. But my
principal object in drawing attention to the fact is that the chief
constable of the large borough mentioned is Mr Joseph Farndale, who will be
pleasurably remembered as head of the staff of police in Chesterfield some
years back, whence he went to Leicester, receiving the appointment above
the heads of a large number of candidates. On the occasion of this dinner a
most interesting presentation was made to Mr Farndale by chief constables who
had served under him. The presentation consisted of a paid
of handsome bronze ornaments, on one of which was inscribed the
following: “Presented to Joseph Farndale, Esq.,
Chief Constable of the Borough of Leicester, as a memento of the esteem and
gratitude felt by the subscribers, all of whom have had the
privilege of serving under him.” The subscribers were Mr G Windle, chief
constable of Hanley; Mr G Mercer, chief constable of Colchester, both of whom
were members of the Chesterfield Police; Mr C Pole, chief constable of Halifax;
Mr D Preston, chief constable of Banbury; Mr J Wilkinson, chief constable of
Kendal; Mr J Pemberton, chief constable of Grantham; and Mr C Clarkson, chief
constable of Wakefield.
The Derbyshire
Times, 31 July 1880: MR FARNDALE. At a meeting of the Leicester Town
Council on Tuesday last, the Watch Committee recommended that the salary of
Mr Farndale, Chief Constable of that borough be raised from £350 to £450 per
annum, there having been no increase for five and a half years. In the
discussion on the report Mr Farndale’s services were highly spoken of, and the
proposition was carried unanimously. Mr Farndale will be remembered well in
Chesterfield, where je held the appointment of Chief
Constable, and we congratulate him, as we are sure all who know him will, upon
his successful career in the larger town of Leicester.
The Leicester
Chronicle, 31 July 1880: Mr
Farndale’s salary. The Watch Committee reported that they had an application
for an increase of the salary from Mr Farndale, chief constable, and
recommended that in future he should receive £450 instead of £350 a year.
Alderman
Anderson moved the adoption of the report, and said it with some satisfaction
to know that the committee were unanimous in the recommendation made. The
increase was recommended on three grounds, one being on the strength of returns
obtained from other towns. At Nottingham, with a population of 168,000, and a
police force of 189, the salary of the chief constable was £550 with a deputy
having £250. At Newcastle, with 140,000 and a force of 200, the salary of the
chief was £525; and at Salford, with 185,000, and a force of 300, £500 a year
was paid to the chief constable who was recently appointed. At Birkenhead, with
80,000 people in the force of 117 constables, the salary of the chief was £450;
At Blackburn, with 102,000 and a force of 102, £450, also a recent appointment.
At Rochdale with 72,000 and a force of 65, £430; At Derby with a population of
80,000 people and 90 men, £400; At Middlesbrough with 52,000 people in 52 men,
£367; at Portsmouth, with 134,000 people and 130 men, £362, a recent appointment.
At Halifax, with 70,000 and 75 men, £350, the office there being held by Mr
Pelley, who was for some time a member of the Leicester force. Mr. Anderson
also quoted Plymouth, Bath, Sunderland and Stockport, and said he thought he
had brought forward quite enough instances. When Mr Farndale mentioned the
matter to him last year, he could not see his way to bring it before the
committee, but having considered the subject very carefully he had great
pleasure in introducing it now. The committee recommended the increase,
secondly, on the ground of the highly satisfactory manner in which Mr Farndale
discharged his duties, and the efficiency in which the police force was
maintained by him. Five or six men had been taken from the force and placed at
the head of other forces in the country, and he had the authority of Colonel
Cobb for the statement that the Leicester force was the best that he
inspected....
The Daily
Telegraph, on Friday 29 Oct 1880: Yesterday a disastrous flood
visited Leicester and Leicestershire, which inundated many streets and
hundreds of houses, and did a great amount of damage. So quickly did the waters
rise that in many cases the inhabitants awoke only to find their houses
inundated and the furniture floating about the rooms. On Wednesday night the
gas supply in many dwellings was stopped. Work at several factories had to be
suspended and traffic was impossible. The Mayor, Mr. John Bennett, the chief
constable Mr Farndale, and other officials have visited the inundated districts
to tender what aid was possible…
The Evening
Post, Wednesday 29 Dec 1880: CRIME IN LEICESTERSHIRE. Mr Farndale, chief
constable of the Leicester police, has just issued a report in which he
states: I have to report a very material decrease in the number of
indictable offences committed during the year, in comparison with last
year's returns, and a still greater decrease in the number of offences disposed
of summarily. This is a subject for congratulation, when the rapid yearly
growth of the town is taken into consideration. By referring to the indictable
offences, table No 4, it will be seen that there is a decrease of 138 cases in
comparison with the returns for 1879. This is mainly attributable to the
passing of an Act, entitled the Summary Jurisdiction Act 1879,
which came into operation on the 1st of January this year, conferring on
magistrates the power of summarily disposing of crimes which previously could
only be dealt with on indictment at sessions or assises, thereby reducing the
number of indictable offences to a considerable extent. The alteration of the
law enlarging the jurisdiction of justices, and giving them power to deal with
cases of larceny to the value of 40s, instead of 5s, as heretofore, causes a similar
percentage of apprehensions to be shown. The total number of offences reported
is 245, and the number of apprehensions for the same is 84, or 34.2%. Had the
law remained unaltered, the number of offences shown would have been 270, but
the number of apprehensions would have been 109, or 40.3%. Then again, as has
been explained in previous reports, the number of crimes detected cannot be
gauged by the number of prisoners apprehended, as it frequently happens that a
thief has committed several offences, and is convicted of not more than one or
two. This number is only shown in the column of total prisoners apprehended,
but all the offences he has committed are shown under the heading of total
crimes. There is a decrease of 218, or 13.2%, in the number of persons
apprehended and a decrease of 218, or 11.6% in the number of persons summoned,
making a total decrease of 416. In the former, the decrease is mainly under the
heading of drunkenness, the decrease on the offence alone being 113 cases, or
20.1%, less than last year. In the latter, the decrease is partly under the
heading of the Elementary Education and Vaccination Acts, and
a small decrease in common assaults and breaches of the peaceful stop the
aggregate number of persons preceded against during the year was 3,081; last
year 3,517.
1881
The 1881
Census recorded that Joseph Farndale, Chief Constable, 38, lived at 94
Municipality Building, Bishop Street, Leicester, with Jane Farndale, his wife,
40; John William Farndale, their son, 12; Alice Bush, a visitor and Naomi
Parsons, general domestic servant.
The Leicester
Daily Mercury, 8 January 1881: The Public Park in the Abbey Meadow is now being
rapidly proceeded with. A contract for the supply of some 16,000 trees has been
entered into, and they are being brought to the spot, ready for planting. I
hope Mr Farndale will also plant some bobbies there, to take care of them,
because there’s a good many new houses being built in the neighbourhood, with
gardens which require shrubbing.
The Leicester
Chronicle, 15 January 1881: In a letter to the editor: Sir. Who would be a
magistrate, and who would be a “bobby”?. The writer has no special
leaning to either but is fully alive to the fact that there are magistrates and
there are magistrates and there are policemen and there are policemen. … Many
times have I heard from the temperance platform, and in a variety of ways, both
magistrates, superintendent and police condemned in no measured terms for
not assisting to put down drunkenness; and often it has occurred to me that
such was the case.. .. Mr Farndale is informed that “casual customers”,
or plainer still, casual drunkards, must not be interfered with
unless they (the police) have by some mysterious process informed Sampson that
the “lion” has already had enough. What nonsense! What would Mr Publican
say to a policeman who should thus act? Why, he would tell him to go and mind
his business, and serve him right. There is just as much sense, Mr Editor, in
Mr Farndale, knowing a rat put, betting house etc, to exist in a certain
locality, in order to catch offenders, sending to London for a detective; but
prior to his arrival orders one of his Leicester men round the rat pit etc to
say what he has done, so they had better look out. When would the evil doers be
caught? Let Mr Mereweather answer.
The Leicester
Journal, 11 March 1881: ANNUAL DINNER OF THE BOROUGH FIRE BRIGADE.
[Superintendent Johnson] proposed “The Health of the Police Force” with
which he associated the name of Head Constable Farndale. He did not
think there was any other town where the police force was better conducted than
in Leicester. The police had to assist the fire brigade in cases of fire,
or they would be utterly powerless. He felt grateful to the members of the
police for the services they had rendered to the brigade (hear, hear). Head
constable FARNDALE in responding said he was glad to know that Supt Jonson
found no jar between the police and the fire brigade (hear, hear). It was well
that the two bodies should work together in harmony.
The Hinckley
News, 19 March 1881: Henry James, a well dressed
young man, giving his address as the Temperance Hotel, Moore-street,
Birmingham, was charged with stealing a purse from the person of Mrs Susannah
Longland, a widow … Mr Farndale informed the Bench that the accused had
already undergone a term of six weeks imprisonment for pocket picking –
Sentenced to three months’ hard labour.
The Nottingham
Evening Post, 1 July 1881: As a fitting conclusion to yesterday’s
proceedings a display of fireworks by Mr Pain, of London, whose entertainments
are ow so well known and appreciated by the
Nottingham public, took place upon the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, last
evening … The police arrangements of the day were of a successful character … Mr
J Farndale, the chief constable of Leicester, had under his command 40 men from
the Leicester borough police force.
The Leicester
Journal, 14 October 1881 reported: Royal Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals. Leicester show branch. President: His Grace the
Duke of Rutland KG. Vice presidents: the Venerable Archdeacon Fearon, Sir A G Hazelrigg, Bart, T T Pagett
Esquire MP. The committee of the Society have agreed to provide a properly
trained and efficient officer who shall be permanently stationed at Leicester
for the purpose of preventing cruelty to animals, and conducting prosecutions
both in the Town and County if the sum of £100 a year at least is obtained in
subscriptions to pay for the services of the officer, and the cost of
prosecutions. A further sum of about £30 will be required to cover printing,
advertising and local expenses. Through the kindness of the Mayor, John Bennett
Esquire, the under mentioned subscriptions have already been promised and it is
earnestly hoped that those who are interested in the promotion of kindness to
animals will contribute the remainder of the requisite funds. Mr Farndale,
chief constable, has kindly consented to receive subscriptions, or they can be
paid to the account of the Society at Pares’s Bank, or to Mr H Burgess,
honorary secretary, pro tem, Barridge
Street, Leicester, October 1881. Subscriptions already promised... Mr Farndale
£1 1s 0d.
1882
In
March 1882, Joseph Farndale left
the Leicester Force to become Chief Constable of Birmingham.
James Duns took over as Chief Constable by which time the salary was increased
to £300 per annum plus rent, rates, free coal and uniform.
Chief Constable of Birmingham City Police, 1882 to
1899 (17 years)
Joseph Farndale was
appointed to be chief of the Birmingham Police Force on 24 January 1882.
The
Birmingham City police force was established by special Act of Parliament in
1839, following chartist rioting. During Joseph’s tenure as Chief Constable,
when Birmingham became a city in 1889, the town police became the Birmingham
City Police.
Chief
Constables of Birmingham City Police included:
1839 –
1842: Captain Francis Burgess
1842 –
1860: Richard Stephens
1860 –
1876: George Glossop
1876 –
1881: Major Edwin Bond
1882 –
1899: Joseph Farndale
1899 –
1935: Sir Charles Haughton Rafter KBE KPM
1935 –
1941: Cecil Charles Hudson Moriarty CBE OBE
CStJ
1941 –
1945: Sir William Johnson
1945 –
1963: Sir Edward Dodd
1963 –
1974: Sir William Derrick Capper
Birmingham
was granted City status in 1889, so Joseph Farndale was the first Chief
Constable of Birmingham City Police.
Having
been granted City status Birmingham set about building its own Assize Court.
The Victoria Law Courts, in Corporation Street, Birmingham were opened in 1891.
At the same time the Police Lock Up in Steelhouse
Lane was built, with a tunnel connecting it to the law courts. This Victorian
Lock Up remained in continuous use until it closed in 2016. It is now home to
the West Midlands Police Museum. Unless it was
during one of his illnesses Joseph Farndale would certainly have been present
at the opening.
The
West Midlands Police Museum have produced a book on 150 Years of Policing Birmingham.
A
History of the Birmingham Police Force, written in 1907 (Birmingham
Mail, 13 April 1907):
Our
City Police
HOW
THE FORCE WAS STARTED AND DEVELOPED
The
Birmingham policeman is an interesting product of evolution. … the Birmingham police force as now understood
is quite a modern institution. It came into being in 1839 under peculiar
circumstances, during the trouble troublous times of
the chartist riots. The town had, of course, been policed prior to this, but
even a century ago there was no regular body of constables or watchmen. Parish
constables there were, but their service was often as inadequate as it was
unreliable. During the latter part of the 18th century men were employed by the
justices to patrol the streets. This arrangement could not have been of a
permanent character, for in 1795 a resolution was adopted by the inhabitants
expressing the opinion that the time had long since arrived when the two
constables were found inadequate to look after public safety. When the street
commissioners came into being regular watchmen, “Charlies”, as they were
called, were appointed; and when assistance was needed the magistrates simply
exercised their right of swearing in special constables. The ordinary arrest of
criminals devolved upon the parish constables.
The
name of Major Bond, Mr Glossop’s successor, will ever be associated with the
Birmingham police. He was a capable officer but he brought himself into
disrepute by his crusade against the silent drunkards... The military chiefship
was short and eventful and terminated within five years, in 1881. During the
Major 's term of office the strength of the force was advanced to 520. To his
credit be it said he looked well after his men.
The
force was further developed during Mr Farndale’s leadership, which commenced in
1882. It was over 800 strong when he retired, there being one constable to
every 683 inhabitants This compares today to a strength of 900 or one officer
to every 560 persons. The Ledsam Street dynamite discovery, during Mr
Farndale’s regime, brought universal praise on the force. Nitro-glycerine was
manufactured in premises extensively used as a paper hanger shop, and a whole
gang was captured, and prevented from carrying out a diabolical scheme of
explosions at important buildings in London.
The Manchester
Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 25 January 1882: Mr
Joseph Farndale, Chief Constable of Leicester, has been appointed chief superintendent
of the Birmingham Police Force, at a salary of £700 per annum.
The Gloucester
Citizen 25 January 1882: The Birmingham Watch Committee have appointed
Mr Joseph Farndale, Chief Constable of Leicester, to the vacant post of
Chief Superintendent of the Birmingham Police Force, at a salary of £700 per
annum. The other four selected candidates were Captain Orr, of Greenock; Mr
Clarkson, Chief Constable of Wakefield; Mr Catbush,
Chief Inspector of the Metropolitan Police; and Mr Jervis, Chief Constable of
Blackburn.
The Banbury
Advertiser, 26 January 1882: APPOINTMENT OF A CHIEF OF POLICE FOR BIRMINGHAM. The
five candidates were … Joseph Farndale, aged 37 years, chief constable of
Leicester … with the final result that, though all five candidates were
considered extremely good men, Mr J Farndale was unanimously elected, on
the motion of the Chairman … Mr Farndale was seven years in Middlesbrough
police force; for two and a half years he was chief constable for Chesterfield,
and he has held his appointment as chief constable for Leicester for over ten
years. Mr Farndale’s salary was twice increased since his appointment as chief
constable of Leicester, each time by £100, in addition to which an annual
allowance of £52 for the expense of a horse was grated to him, bring the value
of his office up to about £600 per annum. The salary attached to the chief of
police of Birmingham is £700, without allowances of any kind.
The Derbyshire
and Chesterfield Herald, 28 January 1882: I am pleased to note that Chief
Constable Joseph Farndale, who was for some years the head of the
Chesterfield Borough Police Force, and who has since filled the important
office of Chief Constable of the Borough of Leicester, has been appointed to the
high position of Chief Constable of Birmingham. The post was vacant by the
resignation of Major Bond. Mr Farndale’s salary will be £700 a year in his new
position. He has had a remarkably successful career as a police officer, but
has always won golden opinions from all with whom he has come into contact. Mr
Farndale succeeded at Chesterfield Mr Samuel Stevens who has just been
appointed Chief Constable of Nottingham. Mr Farndale was one of five candidates
out of a large number, the others being Captain Orr, of Greenock, Mr Clarkson,
CC of Wakefield, Mr Catbush, chief inspector of
Metropolitan police force and Mr Jervis, CC of Blackburn.
The Burnley
Express, 28 January 1882: Mr Joseph Farndale, Chief Constable of Leicester,
has been appointed chief superintendent of the Birmingham Police Force, at a
salary of £700 per annum.
The Pateley
Bridge and Nidderdale Herald, 28 January 1882: Mr J Farndale, a
native of Whitby, and for many years connected with the Middlesbro’
police force, has been appointed Chief Constable of Birmingham, with a salary
of £700 a year.
The
Leicester Chronicle, 18 February 1882: PRESENTATION OF AN ADDRESS TO
THE LATE CHIEF CONSTABLE. Mr Farndale left Leicester this morning to enter on
his duties as Chief Constable of Birmingham. As a token of regard and esteem,
the officers and constables of the Borough Force last night presented him
with an address, beautifully illuminated on vellum, and enclosed in a handsome
frame …
A
lengthy article follows including the address: Inspector M’Cormick then read
the address, as follows: “To Joseph Farndale Esq, Chief Constable of the
Borough of Leicester. Respected Sir, We, the Inspectors of Leicester Borough
Police, on behalf of all ranks of the Force who have had the honour and
pleasure of serving under you, are desirous, on your departure from amongst us,
of expressing our unfeigned regret at your removal from the position which you
have fulfilled with such honour and credit for the last ten years. Allow us
also to tender you our grateful acknowledgement of the many improvements which
you have affected in the hours of duty in the efficiency in the general working
of the force, as well as for your unwearied efforts for the advancement of our
interests in the service, which fact is borne out by the promotion of many of
your officers to responsible positions in other towns. Although deeply
regretting your removal, we beg to offer you our warmest congratulations on
your accession to such an honourable position as that of Chief Constable of the
Birmingham Police, one of the most important commands in police forces of the
country. It is gratifying to know that amongst the varied and numerous
competitors your qualifications were so highly appreciated that you were
unanimously appointed, and we venture to think that the Watch Committee of
Birmingham have made a choice which they will never have reason to regret. We
trust that you may be spared with your family for many years to enjoy the position
you have so honourably earned by your untiring energy and perseverance in the
performance of your onerous public duties, and we hope that when in a strange
town and among strange people you may think with pleasure of the many happy
days spent in Leicester, and of the respect, esteem and love felt for you by
the officers and constables of the Leicester borough police force. Signed, G
Langdale, J Hickinbottom, W Richards, J A M'Cormick,
F H Mardlin.”
Mr
FARNDALE, who was evidently affected by the reading of the address, thanked the
officers and constables for the beautiful present. His leaving Leicester was a
subject upon which he could not trust himself to speak, but he might say, after
the many substantial marks of respect which he had received from members of the
Force, he never anticipated being presented with this beautiful address, which
had just been handed to him. He thanked them all. (Applause).
The Birmingham Daily Post, 17 March
1882: The Chief Constable of Birmingham, Joseph Farndale, was
yesterday presented with a silver salver and £200 by the Mayor of
Leicester and the Crown Court in the presence of a large number of chiefs of
police of Coventry, Rochdale, Grantham, Banbury and Leicester. The Mayor said
Birmingham had gained a most worthy chief, who left Leicester with the esteem
of the whole community.
The Leicester
Chronicle, 18 March 1882 reported: PRESENTATION TO MR FARNDALE. An
interesting ceremony took place at the Crown Court at the Town Hall on Thursday
where Mr J Farndale, late chief constable of Leicester, and now of Birmingham,
was presented with a token of respect and esteem by his numerous friends in
this town … A lengthy article follows. He was presented with a silver
salver. Many words were said and Joseph Farndale made a reply at length.
There
followed an article about the Leicester Borough Police annual dinner at which
Joseph Farndale also spoke at length.
The Reading
Mercury, 25 March 1882: The chief constable of Birmingham, Mr Joseph
Farndale, late of Leicester, was last week presented with a magnificent silver
salver and £200, by the Mayor of Leicester.
The South
Wales Daily News, 21 April 1882: THE NEXT OF KIN FRAUDS. ARREST OF THE BIRMINGHAM
MANAGER. BIRMNGHAM, Thursday. E Beeton, described as the manager of the
Birmingham offices of the International Law Agency, was arrested this
afternoon at the Fighting Cocks Hotel, Moseley, near Birmingham. The warrants
for the arrest were not issued until this afternoon owing to the necessary
warrants not having previously been complied with. Immediately after the
exposure of the frauds in the press, and it becoming known that in all
probability a warrant would be issued for the arrest of Beeton, the detectives,
by order of Mr Farndale, chief of police, kept their eye on the
whereabouts of the alleged conspirator …
An early issue was that of
‘seditious utterings’ within the police force. The Dundee
Evening Telegraph, 10 May 1882: Seditious Utterances by a Constable
– The new Chief Constable of Birmingham, Mr Joseph Farndale, who has taken the
place of Major Bond, has just made a sharp example of an indiscreet member
of the force who had been heard to express sympathy with the
perpetrators of the recent outrages in Ireland. The constable, who is a
young Irishman, and had not long joined the force, used disloyal words in the
presence of some of his colleagues, and the matter was immediately laid before
the Chief Constable. The office was reported, and his explanation not being
deemed satisfactory, he was called upon to resign. This is the first case of
the kind that has ever happened in the Birmingham police force. The prompt
action of the chief of police has met with general approval, though the
severity of the measure appears to have taken the indiscreet officer completely
by surprise.
The Western
Gazette, 19 May 1882: DISMISSAL OF A DISLOYAL POLCEMAN. An example has
just been made by the Chief Constable of Birmingham, Mr Farndale, of a disloyal
member of the Borough Force. The constable, who is a young Irishman, and
who has only lately joined the force, expressed sympathy with the perpetrators
of some of the outrages in Ireland, and said to one of his collages a few weeks
ago, that if he knew who had murdered Mr Herbert and Mrs Smythe, both of whom
have recently been assassinated in Ireland, he would not tell. This came to Mr
Farndale’s knowledge, and, as the constable was unable to afford a satisfactory
explanation, he was, with the concurrence of the Judicial Sub Committee,
dismissed from the Force.
The Birmingham
Daily Post, 27 September 1882: The explanation given by the CHIEF OF POLICE at
the Watch Committee meeting yesterday, with regard to the entire absence of
police along the extensive route traversed by the armed burglars on Sunday
morning was characterised by the chairman as satisfactory … It seems that on
Sunday mornings, from six to ten, which Mr FARNDALE describes, no doubt
correctly, as the “quietest time of the week”, there is a partial interregnum
of police supervision, only half the ordinary staff being on duty. The
arrangement is necessitated we are told by the extra demands on the staff on
the Saturday evening, when the number of rough and disorderly characters
about is greater than the ordinary night staff could cope with …
The Leicester
Chronicle, 30 December 1882: Mr J Duns, Chief Constable of Durham, appointed
chief of Leicester in succession to Mr Farndale, resigned.
Joseph Farndale career at
Birmingham was dominated by the Irish Bombing campaigns in England.
The
Fenian Dynamite Campaign, 1881 to 1885:
1881
14
Jan 1881: A bomb exploded at a military barracks in Salford, Lancashire. A
young boy was killed
16
Mar 1881: A bomb was found and defused in the Mansion House, London.
5
May 1881: Bomb explodes at Chester Barracks, Chester.
16
May 1881: Bomb attack at Liverpool police barracks.
10
June 1881: Bomb planted at Liverpool Town Hall,
30
June 1881: Disguised explosives found aboard SS Malta at Liverpool.
2
July 1881: Disguised explosives found aboard SS Bavaria in Liverpool.
1882
12
May 1882: A bomb exploded at the Mansion House, London.
1883
20
January 1883: In Glasgow, bombs exploded at Tradeston
Gasworks, Possil Road Bridge and Buchanan Street
Station. About a dozen people were injured.
15
Mar 1883: In London, bombs exploded at government buildings at Whitehall and at
the offices of The Times newspaper. There were no injuries.
29
March 1883: Fenians Denis Deasy, Timothy Featherstone and Patsy Flanagan are
arrested while police in County Cork raid the homes and businesses of
associates of Deasy and Flanagan.
28
May 1883: Future Easter Rising leader Tom Clarke is sentenced to penal
servitude for life.
11
June 1883: Gallagher Trials begin.
22
August 1883: Fenian 'Red' Jim McDermott arrested.
31
August 1883: Those responsible for Glasgow bombings in January were arrested.
30 Oct
1883: Two bombs exploded in the London Underground, at Paddington (Praed
Street) station (injuring 70 people) and Westminster Bridge station.
December
1883: Trial of Glasgow bombers.
1884
26
Feb 1884: A bomb exploded in the left-luggage room of Victoria station, London.
The building was empty at the time and no-one was injured. Other bombs were
defused at Charing Cross station, Ludgate Hill station and Paddington station.
11
April 1884: John Daly arrested with explosives at Birkenhead.
30
May 1884: Three bombs exploded in London: at the headquarters of the
Metropolitan Police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Special Irish
Branch in Scotland Yard; in the basement of the Carlton Club, a gentlemen's
club for members of the Conservative Party; and outside the home of
Conservative MP Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn. Ten people were injured. A fourth
bomb was planted at the foot of Nelson's Column but failed to explode.
30
July 1884: John Daly, James Egan and William O'Donnell tried at Warwick Assizes
under charges of treason.
13
Dec 1884: Two American-Irish Republicans, who were planting a bomb on London
Bridge, were killed when their bomb prematurely exploded. One of the men was
William Mackey Lomasney
1885
2
Jan 1885: A bomb exploded at Gower Street station, London.
24
Jan 1885: Three bombs exploded in London, in the House of Commons chamber, in
Westminster Hall and in the Banqueting Room of the Tower of London. Two police
officers and four civilians were injured. Two men; Henry Burton and James E.
Gilbert, were sentenced to penal servitude for life as a result.
10
February 1885: Dynamite found at Harrow Road, London.
1883
One of the most serious
offences committed in Birmingham was discovered when Alfred Whitehead was
arrested on 5 April 1883, on the charge of manufacturing nitro-glycerine, or
dynamite, at 128 Ledsam Street.
Whitehead
was one of the Irish-American or American-Irish party of the Land Leaguers or
Home Rulers, who entertain the idea that by committing horrible outrages in
England. they will succeed in making Ireland "free from the galling
yoke of Saxon tyranny" and every Irishman independent of everybody and
everything everywhere. Well supplied with funds from New York, Whitehead
quietly arranged his little manufactory, buying glycerine from one firm
and nitric and sulphuric acids from others, certain members of the conspiracy
coming from London to take away the stuff when it was completely mixed. The
deliveries of the peculiar ingredients attracted the attention of Mr.
Gilbert Pritchard, whose chemical knowledge led him to guess what they were
required for; he informed his friend, Sergeant Price, of his suspicions;
Price and his superior officers made nightly visits to Ledsam Street, getting
into the premises, and taking samples for examination; and on the morning named
Whitehead's game was over, though not before he had been watched in sending off
two lots of the dangerously explosive stuff to London. There was, however, no
less than 200 lbs weight found still on the premises.
The
men who carried it to London were quickly caught with the dynamite in their
possession, and with Whitehead were brought to trial and each of them sentenced
to penal servitude for life. The distribution of rewards in connection with the
"dynamite outrages," so far as Birmingham people were concerned, was
somewhat on a similar scale to that described by the old sailor, when he said
"prize-money" was distributed through a ladder, all passing through
going to the officers, while any sticking to the wood was divided among the
men. Mr. Farndale, the Chief of Police, was granted an addition to his
salary of £100 per year; Inspector Black was promoted to the rank of
Superintendent, adding £50 a year to his salary, and was presented with £100
from Government; Sergeant Price, became Inspector, with a rise of £41 12s. a
year, and received a bonus of £200; Inspector Rees'
salary was raised to two guineas a week, with a gift, of £50: while Mr.
Pritchard, to whom belonged the conspicuous service of having given the information
which led the police to act, was rewarded (!) with £50, having lost his
situation through his services to the public.
Pictures
from The Dart (13th April 1883) of some of the police principals
in the Ledsam Street Dynamite Conspiracy. Top left is Sergeant Price who was
the first investigating officer. Mr MacReady is an
"expert", who was probably used as a witness in court. The large
middle picture is of the "laboratory" with presumably the chief
conspirator Alfred Whitehead busy at work. Bottom left is Detective
Superintendent Robinson and bottom right is the Chief of Police Mr Farndale:
The
Dart, 5 April 1883
The Preston
Herald, 7 April 1883 reported: THE DYNAMITE CONSPRACY. FURTHER ALARMING
DISCOVERIES. SUPPOSED FENIAN PLOT IN BIRMNGHAM. DISCOVERY OF A NITRO GLYCERINE
FACTORY. IMPORTANT CAPTRURE AND SEIZURE. A HUNDREDWEIGHT AND THRE QUARTERS OF
DYNAMITE SEIZED. THREE ARRESTS IN LONDON. At Birmingham police court on
Thursday afternoon, Albert George Whitehead, apparently about twenty
years of age, was charged with manufacturing and being in possession of
explosives with the intent to commit a felony. Prisoner was strongly
guarded in the dock, being surrounded by detectives and police,. Chief
Superintendent Farndale, addressing the bench, said ”This Albert George
Whitehead, your worships, has been apprehended charged with manufacturing and
being in possession of explosive substances, namely nitro glycerine with intent
to commit a felony” … What application
do you make now? Mr Farndale: My application now is that he be remanded here
a week. I have received a telegram from the Home Secretary directing
that the man in custody here should be brought before the magistrates under
section 54, 24 and 25 vic., cap 97, and remanded for a week.
The Dundee
Courier, 9 April 1883: ALARM IN BIMRINGHAM. MILITARY CALLED OUT. Owing
to the increasing alarm in Birmingham that the Fenians will avenge the
arrest of Whitehead, the Mayor, Alderman White, after consulting with Mr
Farndale, the chief of police, telegraphed on Friday night to the Home
Secretary requesting that a body of military should be immediately drafted into
the town to assist the police in protecting the borough gaol at Winson
Green, where Whitehead is confined, an attempt to rescue the accused being
expected.
The Eastern
Evening News, 9 April 1883: SUPPOSED PLOT TO BLOW UP BUIDINGS. THREE MORE
ARRESTS. The seizures of nitro glycerine at Birmingham and London on Thursday
last, together with the apprehension of the man in possession of the dangerous
compound, have been promptly followed up by two more arrests, one at Glasgow
and the other in the metropolis…. Immediately Norman was captured, I
telegraphed to Mr Farndale “Man in custody Contents of the box nitro
glycerine.” And Mr Farndale ordered the arrest of Whitehead at Ladywood,
and the seizure of everything on his premises.
The Dundee
Courier, 10 April 1883: THE BIRMINGHAM DISCOVERY – WHITEHEAD’S ASSOCIATES.
CLEVER RUSE BY A DETECTIVE. Price, to whom all credit is due of
initiating the investigations that led to the important discovery in
Lincoln street, has given a graphic account of the incidents that led to the
arrest of Whitehead and the seizure of explosives. He says days before the
seizure he received certain information from a friend which induced him to take
the matter up. His friend was accustomed to pass Whitehead’s shop, and on this
occasion he noticed Messrs Harris’ man deliver glycerine there … He then went
and informed Mr Farndale, Chief Constable of what he had seen, and
expressed his conviction that Whitehead was making nitro-glycerine. Then Mr
Farndale set detectives to watch the shop. On the Sunday afternoon Price
took an opportunity in passing the shop to notice the fastenings of the door
and the sort of lock. He ascertained that Whitehead did not live on the
premises, and he asked Mr Farndale for permission to make a search. Inspector
Black accompanied him, and at 2 o’clock on Monday morning they unlocked the
door with a skeleton key, and taking off their boots, went in and made a
complete examination. Next morning they again went ion, and found that some of
the contents of the vat in the scullery had disappeared. They took a sample
from the vat and gave it to Dr Hill, by whom an analysis was made, which
confirmed Price’s suspicions, and they found that Whitehead was making nitro
glycerine. … On answering a sudden call to Ledsam Street early on
Thursday morning, Price found that Mr Farndale had determined to arrest
Whitehead and take possession of the premises.
The Southern
Reporter, 12 April 1883: THE FENIAN PLOT. … At the Birmingham Police
office in the afternoon, Whitehead was brought up before the Stipendiary and
Alderman Deakin, and was charged under the Act 24 and 25, chap 97, sec 54, for
having nitro glycerine in his possession for the purpose of committing a felony.
The prisoner, who is rather sallow complexioned, and of slim build, seemed to
be undisturbed when the charge was read over. Chief Constable Farndale
stated the facts of the case, showing that the prisoner’s house had been
watched for the past two months, and stating that when the premises were
entered into on Thursday morning seven or eight gallons of liquid were
found, which on being submitted to the borough analyst were believed to be
nitro glycerine. On the same premises fourteen carboys containing nitro
glycerine and sulphuric acid were found. Mr Farndale also stated that a man was
seen on Wednesday evening to take a box from Ledsam Street to the North Western
Railway Station where he booked it for London. A detective telegraphed to
Scotland Yard, and the man was arrested with the nitro glycerine in his
possession. In answer to the charge the prisoner said nothing. A remand for a
week was granted.
The Lincolnshire
Chronicle, 13 April 1883: THE DYNAMITE CONSPIRACY. SEIZURES OF NITRO
GLYCERINE. The police have at length succeeded in effecting some important
arrests in connection with the dynamite conspiracy, and the authorities have
now hopes of being able to ferret out the miscreants in this plot as
effectually as they have ben able to track members of
the Assassination Society in Dublin. The credit for the first discovery which
led to the arrests seems to lie with the Birmingham police … Recent certain
suspicious circumstances were brought to the notice of the police, and numbers
of detectives were set to watch the prisoner, the result being that at six
o’clock on Thursday morning, the Chief Constable, M Farndale … and a number
of other officers made a raid upon the premises. Several officers were
detailed off to make an inspection of the adjoining house, where they found and
arrested Whitehead.
And
as reported much later in the Birmingham Mail, 3 July 1915: O’Donovan
Rossa and the Birmingham Dynamite Factory. The death of O’Ddonovan
Rossa recalls the fact that this infamous agitator at one time paid a visit to
this city when he was at the zenith of his career as the head of the Fenian
movement, for the purpose of making a secret enquiry as to the spread of Fenianism in this part particular neighbourhood. Later on,
in 1883, he became associated with an important dynamite manufacturer which was
established in Ledsam Street. The discovery of this plot was a big feather
in the cap of the local detective force, and especially of one of the local
members of the constabulary, whose knowledge of chemistry was largely
instrumental in unveiling the crime. A great sensation was created in this
city on April 5, 1883, when a man named Alfred Whitehead was arrested for
manufacturing nitro-glycerine as an insignificant shop in Ledsam Streett. Whitehead
belonged to the Irish American party intimately associated with O Donovan
Rossa, and being well supplied with money from New York, he hit on the idea of making
Birmingham the centre for the manufacture of explosives for the destruction of
property in England. In order to disarm suspicion, he purchased his
ingredients from various shops, but the abnormal quantities which he dealt with
led to a chemist 's assistant, Mr Gilbert Pritchard by name, speaking to
Detective Sergeant Price, who, being a bit of a chemist himself, recognised
that the materials required formed the chief components of nitro-glycerine. This
information was conveyed to the chief constable Mr Farndale, who put the
matter into the hands of then Inspector James Black one of the smartest
detectives Birmingham has ever known, and who, I am glad to say, is still
alive. With other officers he paid nightly visits to the establishment in
Ledsam Street. In order to detect any intrusion into his secrets Whitehead
never left the shop without first placing a piece of cotton across the doorway,
the breaking of which would at once have given the show away. The detectives
discovered this ruse, and although they paid many visits to the premises,
Whitehead was never aware of the fact. Whitehead was arrested after he had
sent two consignments of nitro-glycerine to London, each cargo being
followed by a Birmingham detective, who in conjunction with the members of
Scotland Yard watched its destination and saw that it never left the premises
until the men who had charge of it were arrested. Subsequently with
Whitehead these men were sentence to penal servitude for life.
The Worcestershire
Chronicle, 14 April 1883: Some further particulars have been made known
concerning Whitehead since he has been in custody. It appears that he was in
possession of £11 off at the time of his arrest, nearly the whole amount being
in gold. He had no revolver or any other weapon for his personal protection. Up
to the present time he has maintained a demeanour of perfect self possession amounting even to bravado. When he was
introduced to Mr Farndale at the shop after being called up, he saluted him
with “Who are you?” and on being informed that he was the chief of police, he
said: “I thought so, and a very good looking gentleman you are. In the
police van which conveyed him to Winson green he sang several songs, one of
them commencing “I’ll upset the English Government; I’ll die for old Ireland, I
will”.
The Daily
Telegraph, on Friday 6 Apr 1883, published a long article.
The
Discoveries and arrest at Birmingham.
Regarding
the seizure of nitro-glycerine and the arrest affected at Birmingham, our
correspondent in that town telegraphs as follows.
This
morning, Thursday, a seizure of explosions was explosives was made by the
Birmingham police, who appear to have unearthed what may prove to be a highly
important piece of evidence in connection with the Fenian conspiracy, and
possibly with the recent attempts to destroy public buildings in the
metropolis. It appears that about two months ago a respectfully dressed young
man, giving the name of Albert George Whitehead, took a shop at Ledsam Street,
near the Mount Pleasant public house, and started business extensively as a
paper hanger and oil seller. He took lodgings next door, at the house of a Mrs
Poynton, where he had his meals and slept, conducting himself, as his landlady
testifies, in a quiet gentlemanly manner. It was noticed that his stock in trade
was very limited, the contents of the front shop being confined to a few pieces
of ordinary paper and cans of common oil. According to the testimony of persons
living in the locality he does not seem to have disposed of more than a few
shillings worth of stock during the time he has occupied the premises. What at
last aroused suspicion was the fact that a large consignment of chemicals which
could be of no possible use in the paper hanging trade reached the shop from
time to time, and were stowed away out of sight. The premises, it should be
explained, consists of a front shop, a backroom, and a small kitchen. These
consignments of chemicals were put away in the rear apartments. Within the last
few days information has reached the police which led to the police to the
place being closely watched, and this morning, about seven o’clock, two
detectives paid a sudden visit to the lodgings next door, and on the landlady
coming downstairs, one of the officers told her that the door of the shop had
been left open. Mrs Poynton replied that she would go and tell Mr Whitehead,
who was in bed, to come down and see it see to it. Whitehead got up at once,
and on going into the street was arrested by the
officers. An examination of the premises was thereupon effected, when some
startling discoveries were made. The front shop contained a paltry stock of
wallpaper and several cans of oil, mostly of a common description, but two cans
contained glycerine. In the backroom were eleven large jars of chemicals, and a
number of carboys, the contents of which cannot be known until after scientific
examination. In the kitchen to the rear appearances were still more suspicious.
The ordinary washing furnace was filled with a liquid preparation, and to carry
away the fumes when the copper was used a flue had been made over it connecting
with the chimney. In the furnace were several gallons of this mysterious
compound. Near at hand a thermometer was lying in a variety of chemical
appliances. The kitchen smelled strongly of recent operations, in which
apparently assets had been employed. There were several jars in the kitchen,
two of them being labelled sulphuric acid. The place was at once taken
possession off by the police, but at the same time quietly, so as to excite as
little suspicion as possible. Few of the residents in the neighbourhood knew
anything about the seizure; But when it did eventually become known, the
wildest and most alarming reports obtained currency.
Whitehead
is described as being a short dark young man of gentlemanly appearance and of
exceedingly quiet demeanour. Although he spent most of his evenings at home, he
rarely conversed with his landlord or landlady, though he occasionally took
some notice of the children. On one occasion Mr Poynton asked him what sort of
business he was doing at the shop, and his reply was that there was no
necessity to complain and perhaps it would improve. It is supposed by the
police that the paper hanging business was simply a blind to conceal the
operations at the back of the premises. It is stated that during his stay in
the neighbourhood Whitehead never attended a theatre or a place of amusement
and he used conspicuously to display a Church of England prayer book which he
read occasionally in the evening. Mrs Poynton once took up the prayer book and
found in it the inscription Albert G Whitehead, Devonport. He attended a place
of worship in the neighbourhood with scrupulous regularity every Sunday. He was
not a teetotaller but was very temperate; his allowance of beer at dinner and
supper never exceeded a glass. On one occasion while he was reading out a
paragraph from a newspaper Mrs Poynton remarked that he had not had an English
accent and he replied no it is a Devonshire accent; I come from there. His
landlady's suspicions were first awakened last Sunday evening when she saw two
detectives in front of the shop. She said to Whitehead I wonder what those
detectives want, but he made no reply although he turned very pale. Since then,
however he has made no attempt whatever to escape. If he had he would have been
unable to succeed as his movements were closely watched. The premises have been
it entered every night since Sunday by detectives with skeleton keys.
At four
o’clock this morning, Mr Farndale, chief constable of Birmingham,
Superintendent Robinson, Detective Inspector Black, and Sergeant Richard Price
obtained admission to the shop with skeleton keys.
They made a careful survey of the premises before proceeding to arrest the
accused. To provide against contingencies, the police were armed with
revolvers. Whitehead’s demeanour on finding himself entrapped is described
as exceedingly cool. Black asked to him ‘you're a nice fellow to go and have
your front door open’. Whitehead replied ‘No I did not I am sure”. Black
rejoined ‘well come and see’. Whitehead said to his landlady ‘well give me my
hat, Mrs, and I'll go’. He then went out and on reaching the shop was taken
into custody. He did not make the slightest show of resistance. The police are
strongly of the opinion that Whitehead is an assumed name, and that the
prisoner is an Irish American It is stated that...
in
this bottle the mixed nitric acid and sulfuric acid lie at the bottom, and the
thicker liquid on top is nitro-glycerine.
This
afternoon at two thirty, the prisoner was brought before the magistrates, at
Moore Street. On being placed in the dock, he cast a sharp look round and
smiled, but, seemingly, it was a forced effort. He sat most of the time. He is
about 5 foot 5 inches in height with small, sharply cut features, with no beard
or whiskers, and only a short moustache. His general mele gives the impression
of more than average intelligence and decided force of character. The accused
would not be taken for an Irishman insightful stop his age would be guessed at
about 25. The magistrates on the bench were Mr Kinsley and Mr Daykin. The
prisoner's name was given as Albert George Whitehead, Chief Superintendent
Farndale, addressing the bench said:
This
Albert George Whitehead, your worships, has been apprehended on a charge under
the 24th and 25th Vic, c97, sec 54, charged with manufacturing,
and being in possession of, an explosive substance, namely nitro glycerine,
with intent to commit a felony. It seems that something over two months ago
this man came to Birmingham quite a stranger, and took premises that Ledsam
Street, I think about February the 12th, and there he has since resided. Some
short time ago our suspicions were aroused, and since that date I have had the
premises watched night and day. With the aid of keys occasionally lent by
our burglary friends, we have been into the house several times, and have
been able to ascertain what was going on inside. I had some samples of a liquid
found in a vat were there brought away two or three nights ago, and analysed by
Doctor Hill, the medical officer of health, and his an analysis will prove that
they were nitro-glycerine. Inconsequence of this instructions were given to the
detectives watching that, in case any tin or box or anything should be removed
from the house, they were to note and follow whoever removed it to their destination.
Yesterday afternoon, or rather towards evening, a man was seen to leave the
premises, taking with him a box evidently containing something of considerable
weight. The detective who was watching, followed him to New Street Station.
Finding there that he took a ticket to London the detective also took a ticket
for London, and we wired the Metropolitan Police to meet him at the station,
and sometime this morning, they apprehended a man there, and found that he had
in his possession a case of nitro-glycerine. Upon that charge he will be or has
been taken by the police before the magistrates to be remanded for a week.
Finding that this man had been taken into custody in London, we went to the
prisoner’s house this morning and came upon a large quantity of chemicals
there. We found in a vat about 6 or 8 gallons of liquid, some of which Doctor
Hill has brought away, and has since informed me that he is satisfied himself,
though the analysis is not quite complete, that that also is nitro-glycerine.
We also found on the premises 14 carboys of nitric and sulphuric acid, each
carboy containing about 6 gallons, and nine glazed tins, some of them rather
empty, but in all about 56 pounds of glycerine.
The
Stipendiary: What was the prisoners ostensibly occupation?
The
Chief Constable: It was ostensibly that of a painter and paper hanger. He has a
few paint brushes in the shop, very few, and some very common paper. When the
time comes for us going into the case more fully I shall produce a boy who was
employed in the shop, and I think, he will tell you that, during the two months
he has been there, the sum total taken over the counter amounted to only ½ d.
When we went there this morning we sent to the adjoining house where prisoner
lived and had him brought to these premises, and he was there charged with
being in possession of these explosives with intent to commit a felony. He said
he came from Plymouth; He was asked if he chose to give any account of the
business he was doing, or name any man with whom he was doing a legitimate
business. He said ‘he would tell us nothing, we wanted to know a great deal too
much’. He was then handcuffed and brought to the lockup. Inspector Black will
tell you that he visited the place again with Superintendent Robinson and
brought the staff from there and sent it to Doctor Hill, who has certified that
it is nitro-glycerine. The inspector will also prove going there with me this
morning, and apprehending the prisoner, and charging him with being connected
with the man already in custody in London. What he said to that I do not know.
Mr Kynnersley: What application do you make now?
Mr
Farndale: My application now is that he be remanded for a week. I have
received a telegram from the Home Secretary, directing that the man in custody
here shall be brought before the magistrates under section 54, 24 and 25, vict, chap 97, and remanded for a week.
The
Magistrates Clerk then read the section referred to as follows: “Whoever shall
make or manufacture or knowingly have in his possession any gunpowder or other
explosive stuff, or any dangerous or noxious thing, or any machine, instrument
or thing, with intent thereby... To commit any of the felonies in this act
mentioned, shall be guilty of misdemeanour, and if convicted thereof shall be
liable, at the discretion of the court, to be imprisoned for any term not
exceeding 2 years, with or without hard labour, with or without solitary
confinement; and if a male under the age of 16 years with or without a
whipping.
Mr
Kynnersley (to the prisoner): Have you anything to say while you should not be
remanded?
Mr
Farndale said there was inspector Black’s evidence to be given before the
remand took place.
Chief
Inspector Black then said on Saturday night after previously watching the
prisoner’s premises, I went to the house and entered it with skeleton keys.
Sergeant Richard Price was with me. We saw a large quantity of acid in a jar,
in a boiler in the scullery. The jar was full and contained about 6 gallons of
acid. We went again the next night and took a sample from the jar for Doctor
Hill. We went again this morning in the company with Mr Farndale, and
Superintended Robinson, and we found the same jar full, apparently of fresh
acid. There were also 14 carboys of nitric and sulphuric acid, which we
discovered in a shop in the backroom. Prisoner was brought in from next door, I
arrested him and charged him with being in possession of these explosives, I asked
him if he chose to account for the acid in the jars. He said, ‘no I am not
going to expose the secrets’.
Prisoner,
interrupting witness: Excuse me I do not believe I said that word. The witness
has been prompted by the man beside him, Sergeant Price.
The
clerk: Well he, price, will have to give evidence as well.
Inspector
Black: It was his secrets. Those were the words....
The Daily
Telegraph, on Saturday 7 Apr 1883:
Doctor Dupre explained that even in that diluted state the
compound was still highly dangerous, although the risk from spontaneous
combustion had been removed. Then arose the question of disposing of the
material. Colonel Majendie asked if there was any
waste ground or large unoccupied space within a convenient distance. Mr
Farndale informed him that he did not think there was a place in the
neighbourhood where the liquid could be desposited
with safety. After a long consultation Colonel Majendie
said he and his colleagues had come to the conclusion that the Nitro
glycerine had better be treated as dynamite, by mixing it with sawdust, and
that it should then be taken to the sewage farm at Saltley, and burned in
small pieces. It would have to be spread out in a thin layer, dried, and
then burned. In answer to the Chief Constable, the Colonel observed that the
stuff might be removed at once, but it must first be thoroughly mixed with the
sawdust and then dried, so as to be burnable. So treated the material would be
harmless in regard to spontaneous explosion, but not proof against mechanical
concussion, any more than ordinary dynamite. It might be carted off or taken in
a cab, but the safest plan would be to carry it by hand. Doctor Hill expressed
himself willing to begin the work of precaution and removal at once. It was a
peril to the neighbourhood to allow it to remain...
The Daily
Telegraph, Monday 9 Apr 1883: The Chief Superintendent himself, accompanied
by the Borough analysts and an armed constable, drove in the Chief’s private
carriage, the officer retaining a hold upon a revolver during the
whole of the journey. Upon the van itself, by the side of the driver, was
another armed officer, equally well prepared in case of emergency, while at the
back of the vehicle a policeman, also armed with a revolver, rode upon the
step. Immediately following the van were two close carriages, containing the
chiefs of the Birmingham detective force. The route had been carefully
mapped out so as to avoid jolting in passing over large paving stones.
On entering the sewage farm, which comprises a tract of land over a mile
square, extra precautions had to be taken in consequence of the unevenness of
the road. The approaches were closely guarded by police, and the only
spectators of the operations were the Chief of Police, Mr Farndale; the
specialist from Glasgow, Mr Macready; the Manager of the sewage farm, Mr
Anscombe, the Borough analyst, Doctor Hill, some detectives, and a few
reporters. The site selected was a fallow field in the centre of the farm, some
hundreds of yards distant from a building of any kind. The buckets were removed
to the centre of the fields, where they were taken in charge by the operator
and Doctor Hill. The operator took a small quantity of the explosive
about a couple of pounds weight, to a spot at a safe distance some two or three
hundred yards from the buckets, and then the Scotchman struck a vesuvian and
applied it to the little brown heap. A burst of faint fame flame followed,
and the stuff was consumed in a few seconds, with the production of a
great heat and the liberation of a large amount of gas, but quite noiselessly.
Subsequently Mr Macready took larger bulks of the dynamite, spreading them
about the ground somewhat, and the flames burst over the mass with great rapidity.
In all, the work of destruction occupied about half an hour.
In
gaol Whitehead maintains an air of utmost bravado. It has been deemed necessary
to keep a light burning in his cell all night in order that he may be more
securely watched. Military sentries are now placed in the gaol at night.
The Daily
Telegraph, Tuesday 10 April 1883: ... this visit convinced me
that there was something wrong going on. I detected the Irish American accent
of Whitehead at once. I went up to Ladywood and changed my clothes, and from
there to the central office, and reported all that I had seen and heard to
Mr Farndale, chief constable. I told him my opinion was that Whitehead was
making nitro-glycerine. After listening to what I had to say, he at once
ordered the place to be watched back and front by detectives, and one of
the policemen visited the ‘factory’ at night, tracked two of Whitehead 's
visitors to London, and ultimately captured the principal as already known.
The Birmingham
Daily Post, 5 May 1883: THE COFFEE HOUSE MOVEMENT IN BIRMINGHAM.
Yesterday the Birmingham Coffee house Company opened a new coffee house in
Newton Row … It was an interesting fact in connection with the movement of the
Birmingham coffee house Company that the same kind of work had been taken up
and carried on with more or less success in many of the large towns in England;
and he was glad to learn that the movement was being imitated in New York and
Philadelphia. Probably some of the bearers had noticed in a recent police case
some remarks by Mr Farndale and one of the magistrates as to the prevalence
of gambling in coffee houses …
The Shields
Daily Gazette, 13 July 1883: A Birmingham correspondent telegraphs that examination
has been made by the police of a supposed infernal machine, discovered
yesterday on the premises lately occupied by Whitehead, and they are of the
opinion it could not have been constructed with any malicious design. It is
about four inches long by two wide, and consists of a thin tube slightly
battered at one end; attached to this was a brass wheel, with little eccentric
gearing. It has been remarked that the machine has been found since the police
gave up possession of the place two months ago. A telegram was received by Mr
Farndale, chief of police, last evening from the Home Secretary, asking for
details of the discovery, and a reply was sent that the machine was a mere toy,
and could not possibly be used for an explosive purpose.
In
the Shepton Mallet Journal on 20 July 1883,
this incident was reported as “An Infernal Machine Hoax”.
In
the St James’s Gazette, 6 August 1883:
THE
DYNAMITE PLOTS IN BIRMINGHAM
The Mayor,
at the quarterly meeting of the Birmingham Town Council: I have had for some
time under my consideration the manner in which the services should be
recognised of those to whose courage and skill the detection of the
nitro-glycerine plot was due. … I
desire to testify the very high opinion I have formed of the remarkable
skill, intelligence, and resource, exhibited by Mr Farndale, the Chief
Constable of Birmingham, throughout the whole of the matter and in other
transactions of a similar nature in which I have received from him much valued
assistance.
The Pateley
Bridge and Nidderdale Herald, 11 August 1883:
THE
DYNAMITE CONSPIRACY AND THE BIRMINGHAM POLICE
A
private meeting of the Watch Committee of the Birmingham Town Council was held
on Aug 3, when a report was adopted which had reference to the Birmingham
police who took such a prominent part in bringing to justice the dynamite
conspirators. The committee recommended that the salary of Mr Farndale,
the chief superintendent of police, be increased from £700 to £800 per annum
…Mr Farndale, it may be interesting to state, was some years ago the Chief
Constable in Chesterfield. He is also well known in many parts of Yorkshire, of
which county he is a native.
The Nottingham
Evening Post, 29 August 1883: RECOVERY OF MISSING JEWELLERY. Chief Constable
Farndale of Birmingham, yesterday morning, received a consignment of damaged
jewellery, which has since been identified as part of the stock stolen from
Messrs Mole and Sons, High Street, Birmingham, valued at £5,000. The articles
were found in a parcel in the river Mersey. Also reported in the
York Herald, 29 August 1883, under the headline The Great Jewellery Robbery
in Birmingham.
The Birmingham
Daily Post, 4 December 1883: THE ROYAL VISIT TO BIRMINGHAM. … The occasion was
the visit to Birmingham of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess
Christian and the Marquis of Lorne, paid in connection with the Birmingham
cattle and poultry show … on arriving at Washwood
Heath the Prince and Princess were met by Mr Farndale, the chief
superintendent of police …
The Evening Despatch, 7 July 1939:
THE DYNAMITE DIDN’T GO OFF ...
In 1883, New Street station was nearly blown
up by a charge of nitro-glycerine. Veterans should remember the Ledsam Street
conspiracy.
One day in 1883 a detective, keeping his eyes
open in Ledsam Street, Birmingham, saw a man take a black box out of a shop and
get into a cab.
The detective followed the cab along to
Monument Road, then down Hagley Road to Five Ways, and so to New Street
Station. If he had had any doubts about the innocence of the black box, they
were now fully justified by the circuitous route the mysterious stranger had
taken.
The cab arrived at the station before the
detective but the officer used a little tact with the cabbie when he found him,
picked up a colleague on the way, arrived at the station to find two porters
pushing the box around.
The detective managed to make two marks on it
with his penknife when no one was looking. He then brought bought two tickets
for London and travelled down with his companion, one compartment away from the
box.
A few hours later the owner of the box was
arrested in Southampton Street Hotel. The officers picked up the box and
carried it along the yard at the back of Bow Street Police Court still in doubt
about the contents.
Temperamental explosive
The box contained nearly a hundredweight of
nitro-glycerine, the most temperamental of all explosives in general use.
That is how New Street Station came within an
inch of being blown away by during the Fenian conspiracy of which thanks to the
quick work of the Birmingham policeman never succeeded in striking a blow.
You can still see a shop in Ledsam Street
where several carboys of nitro-glycerine were manufactured by a young man
masquerading as a dealer in oil and paints. He had intended to blow up New
Street Station on more than one occasion it was used by carriers who were
handling the explosives for London consumption. The shop had been a grocers,...
The younger Irishman was arrested on the
morning of 5 April 1883 and eventually sent to Winson Green with a military
export escort.
The dynamite conspiracy was more than a nine
days wonder then. The newspapers were...
The Birmingham Gazette received a terrorist
letter containing the warning it is in our power to make Birmingham a heap of
ruins and a deluge of blood and other pieces too and we have the will and the
means to do so.
It was one of the most sensational news
stories which have ever broken in Birmingham. Publishing enterprise was
different in those days... Not only did the newspapers carry columns of the
matter and line drawings of the shop, the kitchen and other items of interest
but special broadsides, poems and sheets of line illustrations appeared. …
1884
The Manchester
Evening News, 14 April 1884: The chief constable of that place [Birmingham],
is a man who has few rivals in his particular walk of life, and he fully
deserves the eulogium passed upon him by the Home Secretary last year. Mr
Farndale commenced life as an ordinary constable, I believe in Middlesbrough,
and he has worked his way upwards to his present position. He occupied
the post of chief constable in two or three other towns before ging to
Birmingham, in each one of which he added to his reputation. The
circumstances of his career have given him an amount of experience which is
comparatively rare, and he has added to it a very careful study of the
criminal law, in the knowledge of which he has not many superiors. Mr
Farndale is very much opposed to the practice of selecting retired army
officers for the posts of chief constable, and he himself is a strong
argument in favour of his theory that such positions ought to be filled by men
practically acquainted with the routine of police work.
Joseph Farndale was
involved in a further incidence of the Dynamite Conspiracies only a year later.
The Sunderland
Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, 12 April 1884: THE RECENT DYNAMITE
CONSPIRACIES – ARREST OF CONSPIRATORS. Another American Fenian conspiracy
has been traced to Birmingham. Some time ago, Chief Constable
Farndale, of Birmingham, was informed by the Home Office that an American
emissary had arrived in the country, and a strict watch was kept on all
suspects. They directed their attention more particularly to the house of a
man named Jas. Egan, described as a commission agent … The police kept a
vigilant watch on this man …
The Leeds
Times, 19 April 1884: ANOTHER ARREST IN BIRMINGHAM. Contemporaneous
with the capture of Daly, was the arrest of James Francis Egan,
thirty eight, clerk, of Kyott’s Lane House, Grafton
road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham ... During the five or six months the premises
were watched the observations of the police were regularly reported to Sir Wm
Harcourt, Chief constable Farndale making a midnight journey to the Home
Office to communicate important information.
A
SUSPECTED SERGEANT As the result of the capture of Egan and Daly, the
police hope to make further arrests. Acting under the provisions of the
Explosives Act, the Chief constable (Mr Farndale) caused to be searched the
apartments of Patrick Hogan, drill instructor of the Birmingham volunteers … a
colour sergeant in the 6th (Royal Warwickshire) regiment … The
attention of the police was directed to him by his being frequently in the
company of Day and Egan at public houses …
The Alcester
Chronicle, 26 April 1884: THE RECENT ARRESTS. At the police court,
Birmingham, James Francis Egan has been brought up, on remand, charged with
conspiring with John Daly, alias Denman, to cause an explosion in the United
Kingdom, likely to endanger life and property … the presiding magistrate
addressing Mr Farndale, the chief constable asked if he was prepared to proceed
with the case. Mr Farndale: No sir. I am instructed by the solicitor for the
Treasury to ask for a further remand for a week.
The Dundee
Courier, 2 May 1884 reported the discovery in the garden of Mr Egan a
bottle containing a thick liquid of suspicious appearances. Mr Farndale,
Chief of Police reported the matter to Her Majesty’s Inspector of
Explosives, Colonel Majendie. There was also a
letter found in the bottle from William McDonell of Wednesbury, so Mr Farndale
proceeded to Wednesbury to interview McConnell and several other people there.
The Jersey
Independent and Daily Telegraph, 17 May 1884: THE DYNAMITE PLOTS. COMMITTAL OF
DALY, EGAN AND MCDONNELL. At Birmingham Police Court this morning before the
stipendiary, the prisoners Daly, Egan and McDonell were charged on remand
with treason felony…
Joseph
Farndale gave evidence, reproduced in the Warwick and Warwickshire
Advertiser on 24 August 1929: TOWN UNDER GUARD. The
Warwick Advertiser of August 2, 1884, stated: The prisoners Daly,
Egan and McDonnell, committed to the assizes on charges connected with the
dynamite conspiracy, were removed on Saturday last from Winson Green Prison, to
Warwick in readiness for their trial. The prison van was brought up to the door
of the gaol without any commotion being excited, and drove to Soho station,
where the 12.31 train to Warwick was caught. The escort, only a portion of
which accompanied the prisoners beyond Bordesley, consisted of the Inspector of
Prisons for the district, Rear Admiral Fenwick, the Governor of the gaol,
Captain Tinklar, and about a dozen warders, the Chief
Constable, Mr Farndale, Superintendent Black, and a number of detectives, all
being armed with revolvers. The prisoners arrived at Warwick at 1:45 pm, the
approaches to the station being guarded by a force of police under Inspector
Hall. The warders and detectives surrounded the prisoners, who were heavily
chained, and conducted them to the cabs in which they were quickly driven to
the gaol. The arrival of the prisoners excited very little attention, the
intended time of removal having been kept strictly secret. The gaol at Warwick
was guarded by a detachment of the 2nd Staffordshire Regiment and a special
force of police; the castle, the public buildings of the town and the gas works
being carefully watched also. Active preparations were commenced on Tuesday
morning in the immediate vicinity of the Shire hall, in view of the approaching
trial...
The Birmingham
Daily Post, 13 September 1884: THE SOCIAL SCIENCES CONGRESS. … Among the
readers of papers in other departments are the following …. By Mr J Farndale,
chief constable of Birmingham, and Mr JA Telfer, on “What Means would Reduce
the Traffic in Stolen Property.” …
The Kenilworth
Advertiser, 18 October 1884: Birmingham has in Mr Farndale as skilful a
Chief Constable as any town in the Midlands, and it has a very fine police
force, but there is in Birmingham a sufficiently large number of disorderly
persons to sack the town. Now that the roughs have once tested the pleasures of
a riot, we must rely upon it that they will not be long before they find
another excuse for setting at defiance the powers of the law …
1885
The Birmingham
Mail, 14 February 1885: THE DYNAMITE OUTRAGES. POLICE WITNESSES INTIMIDATED.
THREAT TO BLOW UP ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL AND THE BANK OF ENGLAND. A DYNAMITE PLIOT
TO DESTROY NOTTINGHAM CASTLE. SUPPOSED HOAX.
… By
a letter accidentally received by a tradesman at Aston from Nottingham, a
plot has been discovered to destroy the castle, art museum, school of art,
Nottingham … On enquiry at the Birmingham Detective office today we learn
that a copy of the same letter has been sent to Mr Farndale. The letter is sad
to have been accidentally opened at Aston, and was forwarded to the chief of
the borough police …
The Leighton
Buzzard Observer and Linsdale Gazette, 5 May 1885:
POLICE SUPERANNUATION. A meeting of chief constables of police was held on
Thursday at Anderton’s Hotel, Fleet Street, London, for the purpose of taking
into consideration sections of the Police Bill which
has just been brought into the House of Commons. A deputation afterwards waited
upon Mr Fowler MP, the Under Secretary of State at the Home Office, with
reference to the measure … The deputation having been introduced … Mr
Farndale, chief constable of Birmingham and others addressed Mr Fowler in
support of the bill, which provides for the superannuation of police officers
after a certain number of years’ service. Mr Fowler received the
representations of the deputation very favourably, and said that the Government
would do its best to pass this bill this session.
Superannuation
is essentially a pension scheme.
The Birmingham
Mail, 16 June 1885: BIRMINGHAM POLICE MISSION. A social gathering in
connection with the Birmingham Young Men’s Christian Association’s Police
Mission was held in the Association Rooms, Needles Alley, last night, Alderman
Downing presided. It was announced that Mr Farndale had expressed his
readiness to afford all the men in the force time and opportunity for attending
a place of worship once every Sunday …
The Birmingham
Mail, 13 October 1885: A YEARS CRIME IN BIRMINGHAM. At the meeting of the
Watch Committee this morning Councillor Bishop in the chair, the Chief
Constable (Mr Farndale) presented his annual return of crime in the borough
for the twelve months ending September the 25th last …
1886
The Nottingham
Guardian, 1 January 1886: SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST BIRMINGHAM POLICE
OFFICERS. When a man well known to the police was arrested after violence was
used there was a report that the police had struck the man with a staff
across his shoulders and the court directed Mr Farndale to institute an inquiry
into the matter …
The Blanford
and Wimborne Telegram, 12 March 1886: The question of Chief Commissionership
of the Police is at last decided. Mr Howard Vincent, it is said, will not take
the post. The recent riots at Manchester and Birmingham, and the excellent way
in which they were checked by the police forces in those towns, have drawn Mr Childers’
attention particularly to Mr Wood, the chief constable of Manchester, and Mr
Farndale, who holds the same position in Birmingham. Mr Farndale has, we
believe, risen from the ranks, having entered the force as a common policeman.
The practical experience of such a man could not fail to be highly valuable,
if he also possesses those graces of manner which have always hitherto been
deemed indispensable for this important command …
The
Globe, 16 March 1886: A SCARE IN BIMRINGHAM. BAYONETS SOLD AT ONE PENNY
EACH. The attention of the local police has just been called to the wholesale
distribution of old bayonets among children and others in the town … at
several of the Board schools in the town the teachers were startled to see
their young scholars march in literally “armed to the teeth” … As soon as
this became known there was quite a rush to the shops, and the dealers drove a
roaring trade among the juvenile population. Mr Farndale, the Chief of Police,
mentioned the matter yesterday morning to Mr Kynnersley at the Public Office,
but the stipendiary said he thought no steps could be taken in the matter.
The
Edinburgh Evening News, 14 September 1886: MR CHAMBERLAIN UNDER POLICE
PROTECTION. This morning Mr Chamberlain had a long interview with Mr
Farndale, the chief of police in Birmingham, and it is understood
that an arrangement was arrived at for a detective to accompany him on his
holidays. The right hon gentleman starts in a few days for the Continent,
accompanied by Mr Jesse Collings.
The
Worcester Chronicle of 18 September 1886 also reported a song written to
commemorate the event of which an extract is:
So
Joseph and Jesse far away will sojourn,
The
shame of it is, they’ll be sure to return.
A
detective goes with them, who’ll have a great try
To
“detect” Jesse’s genius and Joe’s honesty.
Farewell
to the Bobby;
His
task will be hard;
That
he’ll ne’er overcome it
Is
quite the card.
The
Liverpool Daily Post of 15 September 1886 reported that it is
understood that it was arranged that Inspector Van Helden should
accompany the right hon gentleman throughout his tour … and the Blackburn
Standard, 18 September 1886 reported that Van Helden speaks several European
languages.
Joseph
Chamberlain (1836 to 1914) was a liberal and later conservative politician and
the father of Neville Chamberlain. He made his career in Birmingham as a
manufacturer of screws and later as mayor. He resigned from Gladstone’s
government in 1886 in opposition to Irish Home Rule. He helped engineer a split
in the liberal party and became a Liberal Unionist.
The
Morpeth Herald, 30 October 1886 reported: GREAT RAID ON BETTING MEN IN
BIRMINGHAM. On Tuesday afternoon the Birmingham police made a raid on three public
houses in Birmingham notoriously used for betting purposes … Mr Farndale, the
Chief Constable, under whose immediate superintendence the arrangements were
made, provided for a simultaneous swoop upon the three houses…
1887
The Birmingham
Daily Post, 23 February 1887 reported on a meeting to discuss the bye laws for
regulating street traffic. There was concern about the speed of tram cars:
BIRMINGHAM WATCH COMMITTEE. The bye laws provided that the speed should not
exceed four miles an hour, but the borough surveyor reported that the cars were
occasionally run at the rate of 9 ¼ miles per hour. The CHIEF
CONSTABLE (Mr Farndale): They go 19 ¼ miles an hour in some places outside the
borough …
In the Jubilee year of
Queen Victoria, Joseph Farndale was involved in the Queen’s visit to Birmingham.
The Birmingham Daily Post, 8 March 1887 reported: THE QUEEN’S VISIT – PROGESS
OF THE ARRANGEMENTS. … With reference to the illuminations we understand
that Mr Farndale, the chief constable, will probably suggest to the Watch
Committee that vehicular traffic in the central streets should be prohibited.
Experience of the last similar occasion proved that even a single line of
traffic could not be worked without difficulty and confusion, as well as
leading to numerous accidents ..
There
was a recollection of city poverty and the Royal visit in the
Birmingham Daily Post on 23 May 1953:
Poverty
Common
For
recreation the children of my time had only the opportunity of walking round
the area encircling Nelson's Column, or strolling through the Market Hall
where, as is the case today, plenty of interest was provided. Going down the
hill at High Street there were, as today, hawkers offering their goods on the
side of the footpath, crying out their wares, toys, novelties, laces etc.
Poverty
was much in evidence and there existed, more or less, the rich and the very
poor, without the middle classes of today. The depressing sites were the men,
women and children badly clothed, in a number of instances without stockings or
boots, and pleading for assistance. The crossing sweeper generally was a one
legged man, who would sweep the mud over a section of the road either in New
Street or at the corner of Corporation Street. Drunkenness was prevalent, and I
have many times witnessed the prostate form of a man or a woman lying in the
gutter, or the unfortunate person being taken in a staggering condition to the
police station, then situated in Moor Street, to await the morning, when the
magistrates would hear the case.
The
Victoria Law Courts in Corporation Street, were not then in existence and the
Assize judges assembled either at Warwick or in the Council House. Legal
business was transacted in London. A famous detective at the time was Inspector
Black, whom elderly citizens may recall. The policeman's beat at these times
was a dangerous one and, as a result of violent assaults in the slum areas,
such as those then around Park Street, and other thoroughfares, it was found
necessary for visits to be made by two constables.
I
remember the fair being held in the facility of Moor Street. Other stirring
events in the town were, of course, the market days, when there was a large
influx of country people. They frequented the Bull Ring, High Street, Dale End
and Ashtead Row, which constituted the principal shopping areas of the town. At
the time when onion fair came round there was much more life stirring. Within a
few yards of the gates of St Martin’s church some of the country folk offered
live geese for sale. The market stalls were lighted with the naptha flare lamps, and trade continued till eleven o’clock
on Saturday nights. Mention should also be made of the horse fair held in the
district still bearing its name, where many animals were tethered to the long
footpath rails awaiting sale.
In
High Street a number of old buildings have given way to modern ones, while
others have been virtually destroyed as a result of the heavy air attacks.
However there remain today some of the old shops in the centre of the city that
still bear the names of 70 years ago - Taylors, adjoining the Market Hall; And
Jarvis’s, the famous biscuit shop halfway down Worcester Street. Midway in High
Street, there were for many years the premises of James, the Waxworks Show,
which was a miniature Madame Tussauds. The attention of visitors was attracted
by the constant playing of a hurdy gurdy.
Queen
Victoria’s Visit
One
of my most outstanding recollections is of the visit to Birmingham of Queen
Victoria on March 23, 1887, shortly before her jubilee. I vividly recall
standing on the balustrade in the old home, looking down at the throng and
hearing the vociferous cheering as the Queen’s carriage was drawn along. There
was a triple arch from Swan Passage over the road to Thompson’s Passage, the
centre span of which was 40 feet high.
Queen
Victoria at this time was approaching 70 years of age. For some time before her
visit the town was agog with excitement; The railway companies had provided
many special trains to bring in visitors from the adjoining counties. The Queen
arrived at Small Heath station from Windsor and spent 3 ½ hours among the town
people. Twenty one guns were fired at Balsall Heath to announce her arrival.
The procession went through large crowds along Digbeth, Bull Ring and New
Street to the Town Hall. Accompanying the Queen in the procession were the
Mayor and Mayoress, Alderman and Mrs Thomas Martineau, Lord Lieutenant of the
county, the High Sheriff, the late Mr THG Newton, the Town Clerk, Mr E O Smith,
the Recorder of Birmingham, Mr. J S Dugdale QC MP, the Chief Constable, Mr
Farndale, and an escort of 60 troopers of the 15th Hussars. With the Queen
were the Prince and Princess Henry of Battenburg, and the Duchess of Buccleuch.
The bells of St Martin’s rang out in jubilation. At the Town Hall where the
Queen was to have lunch, there stood the statues of Sir Robert Peel, Priestley
and Wright. The old established firm of caterers, Lisseter
and Miller served the lunch at which were present following MPs who represented
the town in those days: the Right Honourable Joseph Chamberlain, Mr Jesse
Collins, Mr George Dixon, Alderman Kendrick and Alderman Powell Williams. Also
present were the Bishop of Worcester, Cardinal Newman, the Right Reverend
Bishop Ilsley, Canon Wilkinson, Rector of Saint Martin’s, and Captain Tozer,
Chief of the Fire Brigade. After lunch the procession left for Corporation
Street, where the Queen laid the granite foundation stone of the Victoria law
courts. The Queen was greatly touched by the loyalty of the citizens, who were
allowed one hours extension to celebrate, which meant that the licenced houses
remained open until midnight; Next day the magistrates had to deal with a
number of cases as a result of excessive drinking, but from all accounts
clemency was shown.
Great
fire
The
famous fire of 1888 took place at the premises of Marris and Norton who at that
time were the great carpet and furniture traders of the town and whose premises
were on the sites now occupied by Lloyds Bank, Corporation Street, and W H
Smith and Son. It started on Saturday, and on Sunday morning I was taken to the
scene and saw the smouldering carpets in the deep basement beneath the
footpath. So intense was the heat that the windows on the opposite side of the
street occupied by the dawn were cracked.
New
Street has much changed and one's mind is taken back to the celebrated shops
that were patronised by well to do citizens who invariably arrived in town with
the coachman driving their brougham or carriage. What a difference, then and
now, in regard to the ladies’ costumes. I could still see those of my young
days strolling along the footpaths, some wearing bustles, and others with
dresses comprising at least six yards of material, with the train gently
removing the dust from the stone footpaths. It did not concern them that later
the garment would need a great deal of cleaning.
Among
the angling fraternity of Birmingham, the river Trent at Aire was represented
the waterside of the Birmingham Piscatorial Society. At that period the Trent
was well stocked and in my boyhood I have seen many excellent bags of fish
brought into the city by my father and others to be handed over to the local
fishmongers.
Conditions
of life have changed greatly during the past sixty years; individuals have much
more freedom. Then there are the present day amenities brought about by the
more even distribution of wealth and, of course, the social services. But one
regrets that so much of the quietude of the City was given way to the rush and
bustle of today. Whereas there are now many accidents, a solitary death arising
from a road accident in bygone days caused such consternation that the incident
would be talked about for many months.
The
Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 24 March
1887 reported:
THE QUEEN IN BIRMINGHAM. ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION. Her Majesty’s first
official visit to the provinces in her Jubilee year has been an unqualified
success – the weather splendid for the season of the year, the
crowds of her subjects in the streets large, orderly and enthusiastic, and the
arrangements for her reception, progress, and departure perfect in every
particular … The police arrangements, carried out under the superintendence
of Chief Constable Farndale, were admirable so far as they went; but it
would have been impossible for the police to keep the streets clear if they had
not had the assistance of 400 firemen and several battalions of volunteers, who
lined the route. ..
The
event was illustrated in The Graphic, 26 March 1887: The
Queen’s Visit to Birmingham:
The Aberdeen
Press and Journal, 5 November 1887: THE GOVERNMENT RESOLUTE. The Right
Hon A J Balfour, MP, Secretary for Ireland, attended meetings in Birmingham
yesterday and delivered addresses on the Irish question … On the platform
the right hon gentleman was met by Sir James Sawyer, President of the
Birmingham Conservative Association, and by the chief constable of
Birmingham, Mr Farndale …
The Birmingham
Daily Post, 7 November 1887: THE SOCIALISTS IN BIRMINGHAM. A SUNDAY EVENING
DISTURBANCE. A disorderly scene took
place in front of the Council House last evening, in connection with one of
the meetings which are held on the Sundays by the members of the Socialist
League, under the direction of the local agent. Mr A Donald … Donald, we
understand, denies that he was advised to abandon the meeting. In order to
avoid the crowd that gathered in Moor Street, the various persons interested
were let out the back way, and Mr Farndale detained a policeman to secure Mr
Donald from molestation on his way home.
1888
Joseph Farndale was
involved in a hoax relating to the Jack the Ripper murders (“the Whitechapel
Murders”) in 1888.
The Birmingham
Daily Post, 8 October 1888: A BIRMINGHAM CONFESSION. At Birmingham Police
Court on Saturday, before Sir Thomas Martineau … a respectfully dressed man,
named Alfred Napier Blanchard (34), who described himself as a canvasser
… was charged by his own confession with having committed the Whitechapel
murders. Detective Ashby explained that on Friday morning the prisoner went
into a public house in Newton Row, and openly accused himself od having
committed the Whitechapel murders. Witness took him into custody, and when they
reached Duke Street police station he denied having made any confession … Was
he drunk at the time? Mr Farndale: he was sober when he first broached the
subject, but by the time the police were called he was undoubtedly under the
influence of drink … Mr Farndale now said he did not attach the least
importance to the arrest, but, at the same time the prisoner had placed himself
in the position in which he now stood, and he could not complain if the
Bench remanded him. Mr Goodman: Do you know anything about him? Mr Farndale:
Nothing, except what has been gleaned from papers found in his possession.
The Birmingham
Daily Gazette, 8 October 1888:
A
CONFESSION AND ARREST IN BIRMINGHAM.
At The Birmingham Public Office on Saturday,
before Messrs. J.D. Goodman and W. Holliday (magistrates), Alfred Napier Blanchard (34), described as a
canvasser, of 2, Rowland Grove, Rowland Road, Handsworth, was charged on his
own confession with committing the Whitechapel murders.
Detective-sergeant Ashby said that on Friday night
the prisoner was in a public-house in Newtown Row, and he told the landlord that he was the
Whitechapel murderer. He repeated
the statement to several people and witness arrested him. When at Duke Street
Police Station he denied being the murderer, but witness thought proper to keep
him in custody. The police had not yet had time to make inquiries and knew
nothing of the prisoner's antecedents.
Richard King, landlord of the Fox and
Goose, Newtown Row, said the
prisoner came to his house about eleven o'clock on Friday morning, and remained
till about a quarter past eight at night. During his stay in the house he drank about five and a half pints of
beer. About half-past twelve
o'clock he asked witness what kind of detectives they had in Birmingham.
Witness told him he believed them to be very clever men. Prisoner said that it would be a funny thing if the
Whitechapel murderer were to give himself up in Birmingham. Witness acquiesced, and prisoner continued, "I am the
Whitechapel murderer." Turning
round to an elderly gentleman sitting in the bar, prisoner said, "Look
here, old gentleman; perhaps you would not think there was a murderer in the
house." "I don't know about that," replied the customer;
"you might not look unlike one." Prisoner said, "I am one,
then." Later on the old gentleman asked prisoner had he got the knife with
him, and he answered that he had left a long knife behind him. Someone asked
prisoner how he did the murders without making the victims scream. He explained
that this was done "simply by placing the thumb and finger on the windpipe
and cutting the throat with the right hand." He said he had "done six of them in
London." He was sober when he
made this statement. Turning round to witness prisoner said, "You are a fool
if you don't get the thousand pounds reward offered for me; you may as well
have it as anyone else."
Mr. Farndale (Chief Constable) informed the
magistrates that he did not
attach the least importance to this arrest. At the same time prisoner had placed himself in a most serious
position, and could not complain if the magistrates thought fit to remand him
for inquiries. At present nothing had been ascertained with respect to him
beyond information contained in some papers found upon him.
Mr.
Goodman thought that some further inquiries should be made.
The prisoner asked if he might say a few words,
and, having obtained permission, stated that he was stationed in London, and
was a canvasser for a London firm. He had recently been working up North. He
was now on his way to London, and when he made the statement incriminating
himself was labouring under great excitement, having been previously reading
the reports of the inquests. The statement was, on the face of it, ridiculous,
and he was sure they would admit that. He could give them references in Birmingham.
Mr. Barradale (Magistrates' Clerk) told the
prisoner that he could give any references he had to Mr. Farndale for inquiry.
As the prisoner said he was a murderer, it was a question whether time should
not be given to make inquiries.
Mr. Goodman: It is your own fault that you are in
this position.
The prisoner said he was aware of this, but at the
same time he was labouring under great excitement.
Mr. Barradale: Were you suffering from the drink?
Prisoner: Partly from drink and partly from
nervousness. I had been drinking for two or three days.
The prisoner was remanded until to-morrow.
Mr. Barradale told him that if he wished any
messages to be sent the police would assist him in every way. He could
telegraph to anybody living away from the town and write to anyone he thought
proper.
As he was proceeding towards the cells, prisoner
said he had a favour to ask. Would the press be kind enough not to mention this
case? It was a serious matter for him, and should his employer get to hear
about it he would lose his situation.
Mr. Barradale: The magistrates have no power over
the press.
The prisoner then went below.
The
Star which claimed it had the largest circulation of any Evening Paper
in the Kingdom. LONDON. FRIDAY, 23 NOVEMBER, 1888. ONE HALFPENNY. Front Page:
MAINLY ABOUT PEOPLE.
Mr. Joseph Farndale, the Chief Constable of Birmingham, who
is making the running for the Chief Commissionership, is an excellent officer.
Birmingham got him from Leicester, where from working a beat he had risen
to the position of head policeman. There was some talk of Mr. Farndale when Sir
Edmund Henderson resigned, and the Birmingham Watch Committee - the Town
Council Committee that has control of the police - were in despair. They would
have been very glad for his sake if he had obtained promotion, but at the same
time they fervently hoped that he would not be taken away from them.
Birmingham ascertained by sad experience the
disadvantages of a military despotism. Major Bond, a gentleman who achieved
some little distinction in Ireland, was Mr. Farndale's predecessor. He was a
provincial Charles Warren, and it was not long before Birmingham rebelled
against his iron rule. The police lost touch with the people, and neither the
people not the police liked it. He had to go, and from occupying a position of honor and eminence he came to be an Irish resident
magistrate. When the Major went the first qualification which the people and
the press demanded in his successor was that he should be a civilian. Mr.
Farndale had an excellent record, and has thoroughly justified his selection.
The secret of his
success is that he carefully avoids any display of force. Shortly after the
disturbances and the sacking of the West-end, there was some fear of a similar
occurrence in Birmingham. The Chief Constable dealt with the situation in a
very admirable manner. He did not attempt to interfere with the
demonstration, and carefully refrained from crowding Costa-green with policemen
or from irritating the people by any unnecessary display of authority. There
was no bludgeoning, no violence, and the consequence was that the crowd,
amongst whom were a good many bad characters who would have stuck at nothing in
the way of plunder, gradually dispersed.
The
Chief Constable himself preserved his good temper throughout, and was cheered
by the crowd as he passed. He has the advantage of being a handsome man
- a great point with the crowd. He looks remarkably well in his uniform and
on horseback, and he is always in evidence whenever there is anything
moving.
When the dynamite plot was discovered in
Birmingham, the Chief Constable was in his proper place, and directed the
investigations so well that not a mistake was made. Night and day he
remained at his post until the right moment came, and then the police swooped
down and captured the gang. The result was that the dynamite conspiracy, which
had its head-quarters in Birmingham, was completely crushed out of existence.
Mr. Farndale looks something over 40. He is tall,
broad-shouldered, athletic, has good features and looks like a gentleman. He has the bald head that comes of wearing a constable's helmet.
The Evening
Star, 6 November 1888 reported: MR GLADSTONE’S JOURNEY. SPEECH ON HOME AND
FOERIEGN POLITICS. Mr Gladstone left Hawarden for Birmingham this morning,
for the purpose of fulfilling a series of arrangements in connection with the
National Liberal Federation … The train steamed into Birmingham station at 1.15
precisely … Outside the station there was an immense concourse of people. Here,
however, as well as along the whole route to the Town Hall, strong barricades
had been erected, and a large force of police being in attendance, under the
command of Mr Farndale, a perfectly clear space was kept for the
procession. An enthusiastic cheer was given as Mr Gladstone emerged from the
station …
Of Gladstone’s visit, the
Burley Gazette of 3 November 1888 had commented Since, in dealing
with so large a number, it is impossible to ensure that all shall be
sympathisers, with the object of the gathering, or even respectable men, there
will be a strong police force in the hall, commanded by the Chief Constable
(Mr Farndale) who has frequently shown himself a man of rare tact and energy on
such occasions…
The Bristol
Mercury, 13 November 1888: Sir Charles Warren has taken the course of a
sensible man, in resigning from a position for which it is evident he was not
fitted … The police are a civil body charged with the maintenance of order and
the detection of crime and the Whitechapel horrors have shown how incapable
Scotland yard is in this respect … They make the fatal error of transferring
even their detectives from division to division, so that they have not men
with intimate local knowledge as Mr Coathupe
has in Bristol, or Mr Farndale has in Birmingham, acquainted with the
criminal classes and all the dark places of the city, so that very few
hours would elapse before the arrival of a suspicious stranger or a suspicious
occurrence in the lowest haunts in the place would become known at police
headquarters.
Joseph Farndale started to
be named as a possible candidate for Chief Commissioner of the Metropolitan
Police. The Bristol Mercury, 20 November 1888: Mr
Malcolm Wood, Chief Constable of Manchester, whose name is mentioned so
prominently amongst those who are stated to be candidates for the post vacated
by Sir Charles Warren as chief commissioner of the police in the metropolis,
followed Captain Erwin as deputy chief at Manchester, Captain Owen having
succeeded Mr E W Coathupe when the latter left
Manchester to become chief constable at Bristol. On the retirement of the chief
constable of Manchester Mr Malcolm Wood obtained his present position, and is
now about 45 years of age. His friends were early in the field mentioning his
name as a suitable candidate immediately Sir Charles Warren's resignation
became known. The other names mentioned are Mr Howard Vincent, Mr Munro,
Mr Farndale (Birmingham), Mr Harold (Dublin), and Sir Stuart Hogg, a
retired Anglo Indian, for some time Commissioner of Police in Calcutta. Mr Coathupe has more than once attracted the special notice of
the Prince of Wales and received his congratulations and thanks, and it was at
first thought that he was one of the provincial chief constables referred to as
probable candidates.
But illness struck. The
Birmingham
Mail, 28 December 1888: MR FARNDALE’S ILLNESS. Although Mr Farndale
has been incapacitated for a considerable time, it has not yet been
announced what he has actually been suffering from. A severe cold was at the
outset said to be the cause, but when he was recommended to repair to the
South of England it was generally accepted that his illness was of much
greater severity than his medical attendants chose to announce. During his
absence he continued to lose strength, and the development of the obstinate
complaint manifested itself in a manner which occasioned considerable
apprehension. The fact is that the Chief of Police contracted an attack of
diphtheria of such a peculiar character that his medical advisers were
baffled in their diagnosis. During the latter part of his stay at Torquay,
however, paralysis supervened, and then it dawned upon them that the primary
complaint was diphtheria. The paralysis gave rise to much alarm, and Mr
Farndale’s return was at once ordered. Since he has been at home he has been
attended by Sir W Foster and Drs Wilders and Hunt, and we are pleased to be
able to announce that he is now showing some signs of improvement,
although some time must yet transpire ere he is able to resume his duties.
1889
The Birmingham
Mail, 5 January 1889: I hear with regret that Mr Farndale has had a
relapse, which has aroused fresh fears amongst his friends and medical
advisers. The paralysis from which he was suffering on his return to Birmingham
at first showed some signs of gradual abatement, but with the advent of the
cold weather the symptoms returned with increased severity, and the dense fogs
have also tended to render anything like a speedy recovery less hopeful.
The Whitby
Gazette, 11 January 1889: Mr Farndale, chief constable of Birmingham, who
has been seriously ill, is now slightly improving.
But he found it necessary
to sell his horse: The Birmingham Mail, 6 February 1889 advertised:
CAVES, BIRMINGHAM, TOMORROW (Thursday), THE property of Joseph Farndale Esq,
a BROWN MARE, 16.1; quiet to rise and quiet in harness. By Auction, in the
usual Horse Sale.
The Derbyshire
Times, 9 February 1889: I have heard for some time with regret of the serious
illness of Chief Constable Farndale of Birmingham and formerly Chief
Constable of Chesterfield. Mr Farndale unfortunately contracted diphtheria
which was followed by diptheric paralysis of the
throat, complicated by kidney disorders. Mr Farndale’s many friends will
however be glad to hear that he is decidedly better and Dr Lawson Tait
gives hope of a seedy recovery. Mr Farndale is held in kindly memory in
Chesterfield, and I trust he will soon be well and strong again.
The Birmingham
Mail, 16 February 1889: Anyone passing a certain police station within
the limits of the city early on Monday morning last, might have witnessed a
very lively snowballing encounter, between a dozen or so of Mr Farndale’s most
trusted officers. Of course very few people were about at the time, but
these opened their eyes in astonishment with which the myrmidons of the law
entered into their game. The scene would have delighted some of the
ragamuffins who were later in the day rebuked by the self
same officers for doing a similar thing.
Joseph was back at work by
April 1889. The Birmingham Mail, 26 April 1889: THE
DEMONSTRATION IN BINGLEY HALL All the tickets for the Unionist demonstration
in Bingley Hall tonight have been applied for and issued … The convenience
of ticket holders has been admirably provided for in the arrangements made by
the Chief Constable (Mr Farndale), which include the blocking of King
Alfred’s Place, King Edward’s Place, and part of Cambridge Street by cordons of
police, who will permit no person to pass unprovided with a ticket.
He was welcomed back to
work with speeches and an Illuminated Address. The Whitby
Gazette, 14 June 1889: The Chief Constable of Birmingham (Mr Farndale)
is shortly to be made the recipient of a testimonial from the Birmingham
Magistrates and many influential citizens. The committee which has been
formed to carry out the presentation consider that as the prolonged illness
of the chief has entailed a very heavy expense, a substantial monetary
testimonial would be both an appropriate and graceful act. Already a
resolution has been passed expressive of cordial congratulation on his
recovery. The presentation committee also aim at showing their high
appreciation of Mr Farndale’s many excellent services in connection with the
force by the fund which they have initiated. Circulars asking for subscriptions
have even forwarded to those who it is thought would like to participate in the
testimonial, but the appeal is in no wise a public one – in fact it is being
made privately.
The Birmingham
Daily Post 27 June 1889:
Inspection
of the City Police Force. Colonel Cobbe, Her Majesty’s
Inspector of Constabulary for the Midland District, yesterday afternoon
inspected the police force in the yard at the rear of the police station in
Duke Street …
The
men were drawn up in their various divisions …
Mr and Mrs Farndale were driven into the centre …Superintendent
Sheppard then presented the Chief Constable with an handsomely illuminated
address … He wished the chief a long life and good health, and referred to the
kindness that Mr Farndale had always shown to members of the force.
The
address, which was read by Superintendent Sheppard, was
as follows: “Address to Joseph Farndale Esq., Chief Constable for the City of
Birmingham – We, the undersigned, deputed by a meeting assembled and
representing the whole body of the Birmingham Police Force, consisting of 550
members, heartily congratulate you upon your resumption of duties as chief
in this large and important city. We rejoice at your restoration to health,
as we sympathised with you in your serious and protracted illness; and it is
now a source of happiness for us to have the opportunity of thus expressing to
you how much we cherish and admire those qualities so characteristic of you,
and which have drawn and endeared us to you during your chief constableship
here. We feel that when and wherever qualities abound which have distinguished
your career in such an eminent degree then will a true appreciating and
grateful people respond and unmistakably demonstrate in no uncertain way the
inspiration in their hearts. We therefore ask you sir, prompted by these
feelings, to accept this illuminated address, not for its intrinsic
value, but rather as an outcome of our expression of pleasure and
congratulations upon your resumption of duties, and as a small token of our
admiration of your worth as chief, man and friend. With a fervent wish that
your convalescence be of long duration and that you live long in the buoyancy
of health to champion our cause as hitherto in the course and conduct of our
duties, and in the path of wisdom, justice and right. Signed, on behalf of the
members of the force, Superintendents Wm Wilcox, Rd Sheppard, Wm Shaw, Philip
Stephenson, Joseph Hervey, James Black, and David Noon.”
Superintendent
Wilcox also added a few words in a similar strain and presented two handsome
bouquets to Mrs Edwards and Mrs Farndale. The Chief Constable, in acknowledging
the presentation, expressed the great pleasure which this unanimous
demonstration on the part of the men had afforded him. He was in a measure
prepared for something of the kind, because of the kindness that had been shown
towards him by all the members of the force during his illness. He attributed
his recovery in a great measure to this cause, because cheerfulness of mind
played a great part in such matters. …
The
Mayor, on behalf of the City, expressed gratification at seeing Mr Farndale
once more about and making progress towards as he (the speaker) hoped, perfect
health. … Cheers were then given for the Chief Constable,
and afterwards for the Mayor, and the constables then dispersed to their
various divisions.
The Birmingham
Daily Post, 7 and 17 July 1889:
PRESENTATION
TO MR FARNDALE
A
largely attended and representative meeting was held at the Council House,
yesterday, for the purpose of making a presentation to Mr Joseph Farndale, the
chief of police, upon his restoration from his long and serious illness. Mr
Jaffray occupied the chair and amongst those present were the Rev Canon
Wilkinson, Alderman Sir Thos Martineau, the Town Clerk (Mr E O Smith), Alderman
Pollack, Messrs W Holliday, A Hill, G Marris, HG Reid, JC Holder, WM Ellis, TH
Bartlett, Joseph Ansed, Councillor Lawley Parker,
Councillor Barclay, Councillor Bishop, … Mr Farndale was warmly applauded on
entering the room. The balance sheet showed that the memorial fund amounted to
£433 1s and that the expenses, including the preparation of an illuminated
address, were £28 1s. There were 201 contributors.
The
Chairman read the following address which was illuminated for framing by Mr
Morton, and of which a copy was bound in book form with the names of the
subscribers:- “To Joseph Farndale, Esq., Chief
Constable for the City of Birmingham. Dear Mr Farndale, - We, the undersigned,
on behalf of several of your friends and well wishers,
are desirous of tendering to you our warm and sincere congratulations upon
your restoration to health after your late severe and prolonged illness,
and of expressing to you the hope that such restoration is of a permanent
nature, and the gratification we feel in seeing you are able to resume the
active duties in your important office. We acknowledge with pleasure the
efficient and masterly manner in which you have controlled the civil order and
protected the individual and material interests of this great city; the able
assistance that you are ever ready
with unvarying courtesy to afford to all persons in connection with your office,
even in matters not forming part of your official duties, and the high esteem
in which you are held by the officers and men of the force of which you are
chief; and we look forward with pleasure in the hope of seeing your face
amongst us for many years. As a mark of our personal regard we request that you
will accept the accompanying cheque for £405. We are, dear Mr Farndale,
faithfully yours …”
In handing
over the address, the Chairman said he could not sit down without
expressing, on behalf of that very representative meeting of Mr Farndale’s
fellow townsmen, their appreciation of his character and service. He was
old enough, unhappily, to remember a succession of chief constables in
Birmingham, and he spoke of the sentiments of those who knew most intimately
how Mr Farndale discharged his duties when he said that no officer who ever
presided over the police force had ever discharged his duties with more
courtesy, with less friction, and with ore ability. They all knew how easy it
was to cause annoyance in the discharge of delicate and responsible duties as
those which pertained to the chief of police. They had the proof of it very
recently in London, where something of a social revolution was threatened by
the friction – he did not say whether what was done was right or not – which
took place between the police and the civilians. They had never experienced
anything of the sort since Mr Farndale came amongst them. There had been
the utmost good feeling, and it was well not only that the law should be
respected, but that its administration should be so gentle it was scarcely felt
or seen. Then, with respect to the regulation of the streets, none of
them could fail to see the improvement as regarded safety of persons crossing
the streets at crowded points through the organisation of the traffic and the
invariable courtesy with which the police were ready to ‘help the lame dog’
across. Then take another matter, the dispersion of large assemblies on a
wet night from the town hall. What a chaos it used to be, and how almost
impossible for those in charge of ladies to get away. Now, however, they simply
handed a card to a policeman, it was taken in the most polite way, and their
carriage was found without disorder or delay. Within Mr Farndale’s household –
the police force – matters were admirably arranged, and a finer body of men
it would be impossible to find. Even the London newspapers, who found fault
with many things in Birmingham, and who were bound to say something nasty
(laughter) never Said anything disparaging of the police. (Hear, hear). In the
proceedings the other day the most prominent feature was the martial bearing
and action of the police force. Mr Farndale had already received from the
members of his force a recognition of his kindliness of spirit and the good
feeling which prevailed between him and those under his command. The present
meeting, which might be taken as representative of the whole town, testified to
the general appreciation of the way in which he had conducted his difficult and
delicate duties, and they echoed the hope expressed that Mr Farndale may regain
as much health and strength as he previously enjoyed, and that he might long be
spared to discharge the duties of his important office, (Applause). The
Chairman, in conclusion, handed over to Mr Farndale the cheque for £405,
and expressed regret that Mrs Farndale was not able to be present to receive
the beautiful bouquet which it had been intended to present to her.
Mr
Farndale, in reply, said that he had not been altogether ignorant of the
fact that some presentation was to be made to him, but he was greatly surprised
at the extent to which the movement had been taken up. He thanked the committee
and subscribers most sincerely and he thanked Mr Jeffray not only for occupying
the chair and for the too flattering words he had uttered concerning himself,
but for the way he had spoken of the police force. He was very proud pf the
Birmingham Police, and he was greatly pleased t find
that pride was shared by a very large number of the inhabitants of the city.
There had been some misapprehension current with regard to the number of cases
in which men were reported against, especially for drunkenness; but he was glad
to say that whereas some years ago the reports every year amounted to several
hundreds, last year, with an augmented force, the number of offences for which
members of the police force were reported were just brought down to two
figures, being only 99. He fully endorsed what had been said as to the manner
in which the force performed their duties. They could have no greater proof
that they discharged their duties intelligently than the fact that fir the last
two or three years – certainly two, if not more – they had not had a single
complaint or action brought against any constable for illegal arrest or illegal
search, although they were often called upon at a moment’s notice to decide
cases which some of his friends, who were lawyers, would want a little time to
consider. It had been his lot to receive testimonials on several occasions but they
had been parting gifts by the sorrow of saying ‘goodbye’. He was glad that
feature was not characteristic of the present occasion. He thanked those of all
classes, from the lord lieutenant and high sheriff down to the most humble
citizens, who had expressed sympathy for hum in his illness; and he echoed the
chairman’s hope that he might be spared to serve the people of Birmingham, who
had never lost an opportunity of showing him kindness, and who had evinced so
generous an appreciation of his services.
On
the motion of the Rev Canon Wilkinson, seconded by Dr Lawson Tait, a vote of
thanks was passed to the chairman and to the two hon secretaries, and the
proceedings terminated.
Mr
Farndale has received from an anonymous contributor, signed himself ‘a
friend’, the sum of five guineas, which the donor said he should have
been pleased to have added to the private list if he had been aware of it at
the time.
There was a visit by the
Shah of Persia in July 1889. The Birmingham Daily Post, 5 July 1889: THE
SHAH’S VISIT TO BIRMINGHAM. His Majesty the Shah of Persia is
expected to arrive at New Street Station by special train from Bromsgrove at
about 11.30am on the morning of Thursday, the 11th instant. … The street
traffic will be under the control of the Chef Constable (Mr Farndale). As it
is expected that considerable interest will be evinced in the visit of the Shah
and in his progress through the streets, the Mayor hopes that the inhabitants
will maintain the reputation of the city in assisting in the preservation of
order along the line of the procession, and by keeping the route clear and free
of obstruction.
The Birmingham
Daily Post, 12 July 1889:
THE
SHAH IN BIMRINGHAM
PUBLIC
RECEPTION AND INSPECTION OF FACTORIES
The Shah
paid his promised visit to Birmingham yesterday, but the event was robbed
somewhat of the éclat which would otherwise have attended it through an
unfortunate upsetting of the programme which had been arranged.
The
article refers to the changed plans of the Shah which led to delays
whilst sightseers had already turned out and shop keepers found their business
suspended or closed.
A
great many undoubtedly thought the time too valuable to idle away, even to show
respect to England’s guest – for the crowds in the street thinned. Those who
remained behind either waited patiently at their posts or promenaded along the
pavements willing away the time as best they could. The name of the
illustrious visitor was in every one’s mouth but what was said about him had
better not be published. “What a shame!”. “Our Queen wouldn’t serve us
such a trick”, “I suppose he thinks he can do as he likes with us”, were
among the very mildest of the grumbling comments … “He ain’t
worth a tanner” suggested one irreverent passer by.
“”What!”, shrieked the man in the cart, “not worth a tanner, when he’s doing
all this to save war with old England! – Bah!” … Quite a sigh of relief went
up as Mr Farndale and a few mounted policemen rode down to the station. The
Mayor followed, the ugly rumours that the Shah was not coming at all were
thrown to the winds, and in due course patience was rewarded and curiosity to a
certain extent satisfied by the Imperial possession …
As
soon as the Shah’s carriage had left the station yard, it was surrounded by a
squadron of the 9th Lancers, under Major Mackenizie
… who formed the escort. The procession was headed by Mr Farndale, the chief
superintendent of police, and the carriages not covered by the escort were
flanked by mounted constables …
The Bromsgrove
and Droitwich Messenger, 17 August 1889: DEATH OF INSPECTOR CHECKETTS. The
police who attended numbered more than one hundred, including superintendents,
inspectors, sergeants and constables, and Mr Farndale (the Chief Constable).
The funeral cortege was headed by the police band …
The Dudley
Mercury, 31 August 1889: Amongst the visitors of Droitwich, who are
taking the brine baths, are … Mr Farndale (chief of the
Birmingham Police) and many others of lesser note.
The Birmingham
Daily Post, 5 November 1889: PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO CHILDREN. The annual
meeting of the Birmingham Branch of the National Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Children was held yesterday … With regard to Mr Farndale, he was
pleased he had recovered from his recent illness, and was gratified to find
that he had given good assistance to the society (cheers).
There
was an account of 1889 from 50 years later in the Birmingham
Mail, 18 March 1939:
FIFTY
YEARS AGO. The Right Honourable Henry Cecil Raikes MP, Postmaster General, laid
the foundation stone of the new post office. In a cavity beneath the stone was
placed a copy of the ‘Mail’. Mr Joseph Chamberlain was present and spoke of the
Birmingham of a further 50 years ago, the 1830s, when there were no parks,
baths, or wash houses, no museums, very few schools, very little paving, except
for the petrified kidney order, no sewerage, no sanitary arrangements and the
death rate was five or six and 1000 higher.
In
the large crowd present pickpockets got a gaol hall, but three of them were
chased and arrested after a struggle.
The
Council Chamber and the Reception Hall of the Council House were being fitted
up in the form of temporary law courts for the opening of the Spring Assize. The
ailing chief constable of Birmingham, Mr Farndale, had to give up his home on
the Hagley Road for Her Majesty's judges, and he had been moved in a bath chair
under the care of his physician to a friends house in
Calthorpe Road.
Board
school teachers had been accused of inflicting cruel secret punishments on
their charges, and the school Board had announced that it must stop. After
inflicting corporal punishment a teacher had to record it in a special book.
A
headmaster wrote to the Mail: “Imagine the trials and tribulations of a young
assistant shut up in a classroom with 60 or 70 children, hour after hour, day
off today, week after week. Some of the scholars have been born to lying,
thieving and impudance, yet almost every one of them,
capacity or no capacity, must be made to pass the government examinations at
the end of the year. The restricted assistant yields to temptation, and
punishes on the sly.
Robin
Goodfellow.
1890
The Birmingham
Mail, 19 March 1890: THE POLICE AND THE EIGHT HOURS SYSTEM. The part
played by the police forces of the country in the public affairs is so
important that any question bearing upon the administration of their official
duties becomes a matter in which all law abiding citizens should not only take a interest, but if necessary, their opinion should be
earnestly consulted. We have now before us the fact that a section of our
police force is agitating for a return to the old system of duty viz, that
of performing the entire eight hours duty straight off the reel, thus leaving
the remaining sixteen hours at their disposal … The discussion at the
Council meeting clearly showed that this satisfactory feature of administration
is the result of the system instituted by Mr Farndale …
The Birmingham
Daily Post, 31 May 1890: POLICEMEN’S HOURS. The debate in the City Council
on the management of the police force has not, as it may h=be supposed to have
done, settled the question … The long duty system was in force during the
greater art of Major Bond’s term of headship; the short duty system was
introduced by Mr Farndale seven years ago. Its introduction was marked by
the concession of a day’s leave per month, and thus was in the nature of a
compensation … The chief motive of the agitation is to obtain a longer spell
off duty … The sole question which has to be considered by the management of
the force is as to the effect upon discipline, physique and general
efficiency; and as soon as this question is raised the case against the
long duty system appears to be very strong. The Watch Committee and the Chief
Constable seem, at all events, to be agreed upon this point. It was this
consideration which induced Mr Farndale eight years ago to recommend the
abandonment of the system. He was struck by an absence of smartness in the
appearance of the men, especially of those who were doing an early spell of
duty from 6am to 2pm. It occurred to him that, supporting the men were sensible
enough in every case to make a temperate use of their sixteen hours freedom, it
was hardly probable that they would get a warm meal before starting out so
early in the morning, or find very much time for brushing up their uniforms
…
The issue of “the
Dynamitards”, then recurred and questions arose about the legitimacy of the
arrests of Daly and others in the 1884 arrests (as distinct from the very
successful arrest of Whitehead in 1883). Joseph Farndale appeared to have had
his doubts about the legitimacy of those 1884 arrests and was concerned about
methods adopted by the Irish Police, although there was controversy about
exactly what Joseph Farndale said to Alderman Manton. He was clearly a man of
conscience who worried about the legitimacy of the arrests when facts came to
his attention later.
The Staffordshire Chronicle, 27 September 1890:
DALRY
THE DYNAMITARD
A
STARTLING STORY
On Monday,
Mr W T Bryan, secretary of the demonstration which took place in Tipperary on
Sunday to protest against the treatment to which Mr John Daly and his fellow
prisoners have been subjected in Chatham gaol, received a letter from Mr
William O’Brien MP … I have for some time been in communication with an English
gentleman of much eminence in Birmingham, who has discovered startling
proofs that John Daly is the victim of a plot organised by emissaries of the
Irish Constabulary. His authority for this terrible charge is no less a
personage than the chief constable of one of the principal English cities,
whose confession has been before the Home Secretary. It will be our duty to
press for the fullest investigation of this horrible business, and to insist
that pending such investigation there shall be no continuance of the barbaric
system of prison torment revealed in the evidence before the late unfairly
constituted commission. …
Alderman
Manton’s statement, so far as the conviction of Daly is concerned, is briefly
as follows: He states that a few weeks after the trial at Warwick, Mr
Farndale, the Chief Constable of Birmingham, told him – Alderman Manton
puts it that Mr Farndale came to him to unburden himself of a secret that
was truly troubling his conscience – that the explosives found on Daly
when he was arrested had been planted on him by an agent in the employ of the
Irish police; that Daly and Egan were maintained for some time previous to
their arrest by money supplied to them by this agent; that it was he who made
an appointment with Daly to hand over the bombs; that he did in fact give Daly
the bombs at Stafford station; and that the police, acting on instructions,
allowed this agent to escape. Alderman Manton alleges that he has evidence in
his possession, which not only confirms the statements which he alleges were
made by Mr Farndale, but which points to the absolute innocence of Daly. It is
on these grounds that he has been agitating either for an inquiry or for the
quiet release of the prisoners.
Mr
Farndale’s position in the matter is rather plain.
There is a distinct conflict of statement between him and Alderman Manton as to
the circumstance under which first communication was made. Mr Farndale, we
believe, declares that he informed Alderman Manton of the employment of the
agent, not in any way as a confession, but merely as a repetition, at
Alderman Manton’s solicitation. Of a statement which Mr Farndale, in the
absence through illness of the alderman, had already made to the Watch
Committee. Mr Farndale told the watch Committee, and subsequently Alderman
Manton, that he entertained the gravest objections to the methods which the
Irish police had employed in obtaining the conviction, and that had he
known at the outset of the extent to which the agent provocateur had been
employed he would have declined all connection with the case. These options
Mr Farndale still holds, but he has never stated, as alleged by Mr John
O’Connor, that “the whole thing was a put up job”; nor has he expressed
any doubt as to the justice of Daly’s conviction … In justice to Mr Farndale it
should be stated that bot a shadow of responsibility attaches to him for the
employment of this agent. Mr Farndale’s duty in the matter was simply to obey
the directions of the Irish police in charge of the case, and it was not until
a very late period that he knew the methods to which he objected were employed …
The Dis
Express, 3 October 1890:
THE
CONVICT DALY
In
view of the agitation for the reconsideration of the case of John Daly,
the dynamitard, who was sentenced to penal servitude for life for treason
felony, and is now an inmate at Chatham Convict Prison, it may be
mentioned that he was tried at the Warwickshire Assizes in July 1884, by Mr
Justice Hawkins….
Soon
after the conviction Mr Manton began his correspondence, writing among others
to Mr Gladstone, then Prime Minister, and Mr Parnell, but his letters led to no
result …From Mr Parnell no reply whatever was received, but Mr Manton explains
this by alleging that his letter to that gentleman was intercepted in the Post
Office and never received by the addressee. He draws this conclusion from the
fact that Mr Farndale, chief of the Birmingham police, and a borough
magistrate, mentioned to him that he had been writing to Mr Parnell, a
circumstance of which they had become informed in some mysterious manner. An
easier explanation is that these gentlemen had learnt of the circumstances from
Mr Edwards, to whom My Manton had stated he had written …
In
support of Manton’s request for Daly’s release, he submitted the following
narrative of a conversation he had with the chief of the Birmingham police: “Mr
Farndale soke as follows. ‘Mr Alderman Manton, you will be surprised when I tell you that the explosives found
on Daly were planted on him by the police.’ I said ‘Can it be possible?’ Mr
F replied ‘It was really so.’ I said ‘Are you absolutely certain?’ Mr F
said ‘I am’, adding ‘and I promise you that I will never engage in another
such business as long as I live’.
… It
appears that Mr Farndale told the Birmingham Watch Committee, and subsequently
Alderman Manton, that he entertained the gravest objections to the methods
which the Irish police had employed in obtaining the conviction, and that
had he known from the outset of the extent to which the agent provocateur had
been employed he would have declined all connection with the Case. These
opinions Mr Farndale still holds, but he has never stated, as alleged by Mr
John O’Connor that “the whole thing was a put up job”, or has he expressed ay doubt as to the justice of Daly’s conviction. The whole
question indeed, turns on the propriety of the employment of spies for the
purpose for which the agent was used.
The Illustrated
Weekly Telegraph, 4 October 1890 and Aberdeen Press and
Journal, 8 October 1890 reported: Much excitement has naturally been caused
by the assertion of certain Irish members that Daly, the convicted dymamitard, who is present at Chatham gaol, is an
innocent man. … According to the Birmingham Alderman’s statement made to Mr
O’Brien, Chief Constable Farndale of that city was the official referred
to as having a knowledge at the time of the dynamite “plant” put on Daly by
an agent of the Irish constabulary. Mr Farndale, on the other hand, emphatically
denies ever having stated that “the whole thing was a put up job” or
having expressed any doubt as to the justice of Daly’s conviction. It is
said that Chief Constable Farndale, of Birmingham, whose name has suddenly
sprung into prominence, is far from being a likely man to strengthen the
hands of the Irish party. Outside his district and as far away as Scotland Yard
he is known as an experienced and zealous officer, and on several
occasions he shared the honour with Chief Constable Malcolm Wood of Manchester
with being mentioned as worthy of the Chief Commissionership of the metropolis.
He has risen from the ranks by sheer ability, and step by step fought his way
to chief of the Leicester police, and from thence he went to fill a similar
post in Birmingham.
1891
In the
1891 census, Joseph Farndale, Chief of Police, 48, was listed at Hagley Road,
Edgbaston, Kings Norton, Warwickshire, with Jane Farndale, 50; John William
Farndale, a medical student, aged 22; three visitors; and three servants – a
parlour maid, a housemaid, and a cook
The Birmingham
Mail, 17 January 1891: THE SHOPKEEPERS’ GRIEVANCE AGAINST THE POLICE. A
meeting of the Birmingham and District Drapers’ Association was held at the
Colonnade Hotel, New Street, yesterday. It was presided over by Mr Alfred
Baker. The question of the police notice relating to the obstruction of
footpaths was discussed, and it was resolved that a sub committee consisting of
officers of the association, and Messrs Roach, Bennion, W Oliver, Stevens and
Atkinson, should wait upon Mr Farndale, to confer with him as to the
threatened prosecutions in the matter. The deputation subsequently had a
conference with Mr Farndale at the Council House, and laid the grievances of
the trade before him. He gave assurance that no prosecutions should be
instituted against any member of the trade without first communicating with the
officers of the association.
The Birmingham
Mail, 4 August 1891: MR FARNDALE AND THE DALY CASE. Only thirty nine members
of Parliament were found to support Mr Redmond’s motion last night for the
reconsideration of the sentences passed upon the dynamite convicts, Daly and
Egan. Even the Irish members, with few exceptions, took a languid interest
in this threadbare topic. ... The dethroned Irish leader and his henchman,
Mr Redmond, both made speeches which were stale repetitions of Alderman
Manton’s contention that the dynamite bombs were planted upon Daly by an agent
provocateur… He, of course, did not omit to embellish his case with the
narrative of what Mr Farndale,. The Chief Constable of Birmingham, is
supposed to have said to Alderman Manton … upon this more or less fictitious
account of Mr Farndale’s interview with Alderman Manton was based the case
for reconsideration of Daly and Egan’s sentence …
The Tenbury
Wells Advertiser, 11 August 1891: Having gone minutely into the
matter, the Home Secretary asserted that there was not a little evidence to
bear out Mr Farndale’s interference, which he reminded the House, was drawn
in answer to a severe reproof administered by the Birmingham Watch Committee in
regard to the carelessness of the Birmingham Police in allowing Daly to allude
them …
1892
The Birmingham
Daily Post, 6 April 1892: THE SALARIES OF MR FARNDALE AND SUPERINTENDENT
TOZER. Mr Wilders submitted the report of the Watch Committee, and in
accordance with its recommendation moved that the salary of Mr Farndale
should increase from £800 to £900 per annum. He said the proposal had
received the most careful consideration of the committee, who had come to the
conclusion that it was simply an act of justice to a most energetic,
efficient and experienced officer. Mr Farndale had been a policeman thirty
years; he was forty none years of age, and one of the most energetic,
experienced and efficient chief constables in the kingdom. He was a
thorough disciplinarian, always kind and considerate to his men; and he
possessed sound judgment and tact in a remarkable degree … Mr Farndale could if
he hose leave the force tomorrow, and claim a pension of £532 per annum from
the Police Superannuation Fund … Mr Stevens proposed as an amendment “That the
increase of Mr Farndale’s salary be deferred until after November next in order
that the ratepayers may have an opportunity of expressing their opinion on this
… There was further debate.. The amendment only received 5 votes and the
original motion was carried.
The Swindon
Advertiser, 4 June 1892: RAILWAY ACCIDENT IN BIRMNGHAM. EXPRESSES IN
COLLISION. A terrible railway accident happened shortly before
five o’clock on Friday in Birmingham, two expresses making for the Derby
junction at the end of the Lawley Street viaduct colliding at the points … The
body was quickly removed to the Duke Street mortuary, when the full extent of
the catastrophe was learned, the railway officials along with the Chief
Constable (Mr Farndale), did everything they could to aid the injured
passengers, who were sent to the General and Queen’s Hospital in cabs and
other available vehicles …
The
Scotsman, 4 November 1892:
THE
DYNAMITARDS IN PRISON.
AN EX
CONVICT’S STORY
The
Birmingham Daily Mail yesterday published the following account of an interview
with an ex prisoner, who, at Chatham and Portland, came in close contact with
some of the principal convicted dynamitards.
By a
somewhat singular circumstance, a representative of the Mail had an
opportunity, a few days ago, of a conversation with a man who, during his
incarceration at Portland and Chatham, worked side by side with several of the
prisoners who were convicted of treason felony in connection with the American
dynamite campaign. His story of the way in which they conducted themselves
during his enforced companionship with them, of their remarks concerning the
crimes for which they were convicted, of their general bearing towards those
around them and their dispositioned and aspirations in regard to the future are
intensely interesting in view of the efforts which are now being made for their
release. As to its reliability, the writer, of course, has no means of judging,
except from the manner in which the man told what he had to say, and his
conclusion was that it was a plain unvarnished tale, nothing extenuated and
naught set down in malice. The man cannot gain anything from it, and in many of
its particulars the authorities, if they choose, may very easily test its
credibility.
The
first point on which the writer invited information was which of the dynamite
convicts his informant had had acquaintance with, and to what degree that
acquaintance extended, and the question was asked: “How did you manage to
become acquainted with your fellow convicts, when absolute silence is enforced,
and conversation punished, I believe most rigorously?” “Well, we work in
gangs”, he replied. “I was a ‘Red Star’ man, that is, one who has never been
convicted before, and the ‘Red Star’ men are, as a rule, kept together. The
dynamite convicts are all ‘Red Star’ men, and so in my gang, which comprised a
good number of well educated men, some in for very
small offences, most of the dynamiters were included. There were about sixty of
us in one work room at the tailoring, and there were two warders only to watch
us, they could not always have their eyes on the whole sixty but we could all
have our eyes on them …
… He
is constantly offering the warders insolence, calling them ‘pound a week men’,
and irritating them by offensive remarks; and of course he always got hauled up
for that, for that is considered a most dangerous form of insubordination. He
complained once to me about being had up for a bit of paper. He had been
searched, and a bit of brown paper with some writing on it, which he intended
to pass to some fellow some of his fellow dynamiters, had been found on him.
Another thing peculiar about the dynamite prisoners is that they all knew all
that is going on outside. Even when they're not receiving friends they get
information from the outside. I have a guess how it is done, but I need not say
what it is. They were able to tell me that ‘Joe Biggar’ was dead; and all the
time the Parnell Commission was on they used to tell us about Pigott and Le
Caron, and they had great rejoicing at the way in which Michael Davitt was
acting and of the exposure of Piggott. They got very excited at that time and
we other convicts used to hear them singing ‘God save Ireland’ in their cells.
Of course that was all against all regulations, but they did not care, and they
seemed to get off being punished for it. If any other convict had gone on in
that way he would soon have been held up.
I
know that Egan does hope to be released. The first time he said anything about
it was after a visit from Mr Barry, who, I believe he said, was MP for
Westmeath. He said Mr Barry had come down and had told him that it had come
about the affair over which he and Daly had been convicted. It had been
discovered to be all the plot between the Royal Irish Constabulary and the
Birmingham police, that an Alderman in Birmingham had found out all about it
and said that Mr Farndale, the chief of police, had been dismissed, and
that he and Daly were going to be liberated. About the Ledsam Street gang, Dr
Gallacher and Whitehead and Norman and the others who were sentenced to penal
servitude for life in connection with the nitro-glycerine factory in Ledsam
Street and the wholesale importation of the explosive to London for the purpose
of blowing up public buildings, our informant had not very much to say.
A more
recent account was published in Crime, 22 July 2021.
IRISH
‘DYNAMITARDS’ BOMB PLOT HATCHED IN MIDLANDS
In
the late 1800s, Birmingham and the Black Country was riddled by a maze of
terrorist cells. With large Irish populations, the West Midlands’ major cities
were infiltrated by ruthless members of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, a
shadowy organisation that believed freedom could only be achieved through
blood-letting.
Like
the IRA, they were intent on gaining Irish independence through bombing
England’s landmarks.
One
such terrorist was Alfred Whitehead, a man who turned his ladywood
shop into a dynamite factory.
His
deadly trade - a trade funded by sympathisers in America - was uncovered on
April 5, at 1883, but Victorian detectives feared their raid had come too late
to prevent caches of explosives being sent to IRB terrorists around the
country.
Just
a year later a plot that would have gone down as the worst terrorist strike in
British history was rumbled in the nick of time. The ‘Dynamitards’ as they were
dubbed planned to bring large scale death and destruction to Victoria,
Paddington and Charing Cross Railway stations. The Law courts and Notting Hill
police office were also earmarked for destruction. Thousands would have died in
the blasts, part of what was dubbed the Fenian dynamite campaign.
Over
80 people were injured during the campaign,
One
young boy was killed, as well as two of the bombers, in the 1884 blast at
London Bridge. That campaign led to the establishment of the Special Branch,
first known as the Special Irish Branch, but many of the blueprints for the
crime were drawn up in the West Midlands.
At
the end of February 1884, the nation was shocked to learn 20 pounds of
dynamites had been founded the busy railway stations.
Luck
was on the side of our law enforcement officers. The bombs were set to explode
at noon, but the timing devices on all three jammed at 9.
The
hunt was on to find the men responsible and a reward of £2,000 (£115,000 today)
was posted.
Soon
three alleged dynamitards were arrested in the West Midlands.
James
Francis Egan was licensee of a number of Black Country pubs, including the Royal
George, Wednesbury, and Wolverhampton 's Duke of York.
John
Daly, alias Denman, was a lodger at a Spark Hill property owned by Egan and
considered the most senior member of the terrorist cell. Daly was, said
detectives, caught red handed in Birkenhead.
He
was also a known revolutionary and member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood
who had been forced to flee to America after waging war against troops in his
home country.
The
third individual, O'Donnell, was later acquitted.
He
was a sympathiser, but played no part in the plot.
History
has caused doubt on the three men's guilt.
They
may have been convenient full guys for a police force under pressure to find
the culprits.
After
being held at Winson Green, they were moved to Warwick gaol in a prison
carriage with 10 guards armed with revolvers. The arrests made headlines in the
Birmingham post of April 21. It reported:
“Although the excitement
occasioned by the arrest of daily and Egan on Good Friday has subsided, the
interest in the investigations which are being pursued by the Birmingham police
remains unabated, and intelligence of some result is away awaited with not a
little impatience. The interest mainly centres on Egan and the possible
accomplices in the plot who are still at large.
In the case of Daly, the man was
arrested with implements of destruction in his possession, and though he has
still to go through the legal process of trial and conviction, no reasonable
doubt can be felt that fitting punishment will be his.
The charge against Egan however
depends upon somewhat different elements of proof. He was the master of the
house in which Daly lodged, and a charge of conspiracy on his part with his
tenant can only be satisfactorily established by the discovery of letters or of
explosives hidden upon his premises in such a way as to show that he was
cognizant of Daly’s proceedings, and either actively or passively abetted him
in his nefarious activities. Curiosity is therefore natural as to the progress
of the search which the detectives have been carrying on at Kyett’s
Lake House in possession of which they have been for the last 10 days. A
feeling, moreover, prevails that Daly must have had more than one confederate,
and that if the police are not able to draw the meshes of the law fast around
them, the arrest of Daly, important though it may be, is but a partial success
…
An extraordinary reticence has
been observed during the past week concerning the searching of the house, not
even the legal adviser of Egan being informed of its progress.
The detectives engaged in the work
which has been carried on by virtue of the Explosives Act,
under the superintendence of Inspector Richard Price, has been, for some days,
under threat of instant dismissal if they impart any information to the public.
We have therefore been obliged to make our own independent inquiries, with the
result of confirming to some extent the very strong indication that explosive
material or infernal machines had been upon the premises.
We have reason, however, to
conclude that the discovery to which such great importance is attached, was
made upon the premises on Tuesday last.
Upon that day a cab was hailed from
a neighbouring stand and a parcel resembling two cigar boxes wrapped in a
textile fabric, was removed from Kyett’s Lake House
by Detective Price.
We are officially informed that
the discovery is not dynamite, but if reliance is to be placed upon the
statement at the cab man, ‘to drive gently’, it points, together with the
careful handling which Price exhibited, to the parcel containing some substance
which certainly was not safe.”
Perhaps
for security reasons, Daly was moved to Liverpool to face trial. Egan appeared
before Birmingham magistrates on May 3.
The
Birmingham Post later reported “James Francis Egan, 38, described as merchant’s
clerk, was first charged with conspiring with John Daly to cause an explosion
of a nature likely to endanger life” and “That charge was on Saturday
abandoned, and one of treason felony substituted (Treason
Felony Act 1848).”
Mr
Poland, who was accompanied by Mr Cuffe, the treasury solicitor, prosecuted on
behalf of the Crown and Mr O'Connor again appeared for the prisoner. The court
was only partly filled, but among the spectators were Mrs Egan and her father.
“The
prisoner leaned upon the dock rail, with his hands clasped, during the greater
part of the time that the proceedings lasted and smiled at the reading of some
of the documents.”
The
canister in which they were found was a small round one, and appeared to have
been in the ground for a considerable time. Mr Poland, in opening the case,
said he had instructed the solicitor to the treasury to prosecute the prisoner
for treason felony. Having explained the nature of the Act which renders the
prisoner upon conviction liable to transportation for life, the learned counsel
said on future occasions he would have the prisoner Daly in Birmingham,
together with Egan, upon a charge of conspiracy. The prisoner had lived at Lake
House since September, 1880, where he was joined in July 1882, by Daly, alias
O'Donnell, alias Deadman.
Daly
had previously lived at Birkenhead under the name of Denman, and had been on
most intimate terms with Egan before he came to Birmingham. Before Daly came to
Birmingham he had lived as an attendant at a lunatic asylum retreat in Sussex,
and in July 1882 came to live with John Egan.
Daly,
a republican who had fled Ireland after taking part in a 1867 Limerick
uprising, received a long prison sentence.
In
Chatham prison, Daly claimed he was being poisoned with belladonna, deadly
nightshade, and was right.
An
1890 investigation uncovered what the authorities described as an error by the
warder.
He
was a free man by 1895 and elected as a Parnellite Irish National League Member
of Parliament for Limerick City. He lectured in America and set up a successful
bakery business in Limerick.
Disturbingly,
he may have been wrongly gaoled over the London dynamite plot.
The
head of the Birmingham police confessed on his deathbed that
the Irishman had been convicted on perjured evidence.
Egan was
sentenced to twenty years penal servitude, but served only half that sentence.
The
New York Times of January 22, 1890 three, informed readers: James Francis Egan,
convicted of participation at Birmingham in an Irish dynamite plot and
sentenced to 20 years penal servitude, was released today from Portland prison.
This
was by order of home secretary Asquith.
The
prisoner’s health ill health was the cause of his restoration to liberty.
The
Treason Felony Act 1848 is still in force in 2023. It is a law which protects
the King and the Crown. The offences in the Act were originally high treason
under the Sedition Act 1661 (later the Treason Act 1795), and consequently the
penalty was death. However it was found that juries were often reluctant to
convict people of capital crimes, and it was thought that the conviction rate
might increase if the sentence was reduced to exile to the penal colonies in
Australia (the penalty is now life imprisonment). Consequently, in 1848 three
categories of treason (all derived from the 1795 Act) were reduced to felonies.
This occurred during a period when the death penalty in the United Kingdom was
being abolished for a great many offences. The Act does not prevent prosecutors
from charging somebody with treason instead of treason felony if the same
conduct amounts to both offences.
The article above seems
unfair on Joseph Farndale, since the contemporaneous evidence of the media was that
Joseph Farndale acted entirely properly in 1884, but when he later learned of
facts that gave him rise to have concerns, he immediately consulted others
about what should be done to resolve the matter.
This was clearly not a deathbed ‘confession’, for the matter was debated in
Parliament at the time, well before Joseph Farndale’s death and this must have
arisen because Joseph Farndale had tried to do something about facts which he
had subsequently learned.
The Birmingham
Daily Post, 30 June 1892: AN INPECUNIOUS CHARACTER. Edwin Glover (40), a
military looking man, of no occupation, was charged with obtaining two glasses
of whisky and a cigar from George Hawthorne of the Malt Shovel Inn, and with
consuming the same without having the means to pay for it … He later stated that
he was Captain Glover and was well known to Mr Farndale …
The Birmingham
Daily Post, 24 December 1892: STRANGE CASE OF DISPUTED IDENTIFICATION. The
Birmingham police have had to unravel during the last few days a singular
question of identity relating to the body of a man … The man was a wire worker,
and made fancy puzzles, bird cages and domestic nick nacks,
and he lodged with a companion who followed the same avocation … He had been in
business and had failed. This much was evident from the fact that his pockets
contained an old cheque book, of which all the counterfoils but three were
filled; and a pathetic commentary on the disaster by which he had been brought
to take up peddling as a means of livelihood was supplied by an entry in his
pocket book, which appeared to be the draft of a letter sent to his wife. It
was in these words: “My own darling, I am utterly ruined. Good bye. God bless
you forever. Your loving but heart broken …” Even the
name appended to this touching farewell was illegible. … Yesterday, a few hours
before the inquest opened, the Chief Constable (Mr Farndale) received
from Inspector Stiggles, of Bow Street, the following
telegram: “The body of man is that of M H Hay, whose friends reside at
39 Church Street, Kensington. Wife is now at Hastings, but family will send on
as soon as possible to identify.” This information was forthcoming as the
result of a visit to the bank in High Holborn, but it was manifestly not conclusive,
since the deceased might not be the owner of the cheque book found in his
possession …
1893
The Birmingham
Daily Post, 11 January 1893: CHILDREN. ATTITUDE OF THE POLICE. The publicity
given in the Daily Post to a painful case of juvenile depravity in Christmas
week has caused the police a good deal of trouble. Detective Inspector Van
Helden was brought back from his home in Holland, where he had gone to a
fortnight's holiday; other detectives who were present during the scene we
recorded have been questioned upon it, and the Chief Constable has made
enquiries from the divisional superintendents. The result was embodied in a
report which Mr Farndale presented on Monday to the judicial sub-committee,
and is to be perceived also in a certain nervousness which appears to affect
the behaviour of the detective force in their relations with journalists. The
report was submitted to the Watch Committee yesterday morning, when Councillor
Wilders presided, and there were also present mayor Alderman Parker, Alderman
heart and Councillors Brfinsley, Whateley, and Bishop.
The Shields
Daily News, 10 February 1893:
THE PROPOSED AMNESTY – MR REDMOND’S AMENDMENT
Mr JOHN REDMOND, resuming the debate on the Address,
moved his amendment humbly representing to Her Majesty that the time had come
when the cases of all prisoners under the Treason Felons Act who are and have
been many years undergoing punishment for offences arising out of insurrectory movements connected with Ireland may be
advantageously reconsidered …He especially instanced the case of Day, as to
whom, he recalled the statement of Mr Farndale, of the Birmingham police, who
had informed the local Watch Committee that it was in his knowledge that the
explosives found in Daly’s possession were ‘planted’ upon him.
Mr CLANCY seconded the motion. He joined in the
expression of the belief that Daly was an innocent man. Did the Chief
Secretary or the Home Secretary believe that if Mr Farndale had given the
evidence at the trial in Warwick which he and given since, Daly would have been
convicted? …
IMPORTANT SPEECH BY THE HOME SECRETARY
Mr ASQUITH, in replying on behalf of the Government,
assured the mover that he entertained no fear that the action which had been
taken would embarrass the Government,. The Government welcomed the opportunity
to speak plainly on the subject (Ministerial cheers) … A number of documents
were found at Daly’s lodgings, showing he was undoubtedly a member of the Irish
Republican Brotherhood, and had taken an active part in its proceedings. Daly
was released after eight and a half years penal servitude because he had had
sufficient punishment …
Mr POWELL WILLIAMS said that Mr Farndale had told
him he did not believe the bombs were placed upon Daly by an agent provocateur.
The statement of the Home Secretary would be welcomed by the whole country
Col NOLAN said .. The reason why successive
Governments had refused to investigate Mr Farndale’s statement that the bombs
were placed in Daly’s possession was the fear that if proved it would be a very
great scandal against the English police …
…
The House then divided, when there were:
For Mr Redmond’s Amendment – 81
Against – 397
Government majority: 316
In another more detailed report on the parliamentary
proceedings in the Birmingham Daily Post, 10 February 1893:
… Mr ASQUITH … Now I will deal in a sentence or
two with Mr Farndale. I have no jurisdiction of any sort or kind
over him. He is a servant of the Birmingham Corporation. Mr Farndale has
been questioned as to the statement Alderman Manton attributed to him, and he
has declared it to be purely imagination. If so, what becomes of the suggested
testimony of Mr Farndale that Daly was a victim of the police. The truth is Mr
Farndale, who was the head of the police, was considerably annoyed that the
arrest of Daly, in whose innocence at the time he did not believe, should have
been procured not by the Birmingham, but by the Irish police …
Mr POWELL WILLIAMS said … the contradiction was made
to the Watch Committee, of whom at Mr Farndale was the servant, and he at the
time and as early as he could, repudiated that statement of Alderman Manton to
the effect that he, Mr Farndale, considered that Daly was an innocent person.
What the Honourable Member said was that the Chief Constable of Birmingham
had admitted, first of all, that those bombs were placed upon daily by an agent
provocateur, and secondly, that he knew him to be an innocent man. To all
those statements he could have he could give on Mr Farndale's behalf an
emphatic contradiction.
Mr HARRINGTON: Does the Honourable Member pledge
himself that he has the authority of Mr Farndale to say that he did not make
the statement that these bombs were planted on daily by a member of the Irish
police?
MR POWELL WILLIAMS said he was not authorised in any
way to state (laughter). How could he be authorised within 10 minutes to make a
statement for Mr farndale. But he would tell the honourable member and he would
tell the house what Mr farndale had stated to him. He said to him that those
bombs were not in his opinion placed upon daily by an agent provocateur.
The Scotsman, 23 January 1893:
THE IRISH PRISONERS – RELEASE OF EGAN
James Frances Egan was, by order
of the Home Secretary on Saturday afternoon released from Portland Prison, where he had been a convict for several years past …
James Frances Egan arrived in Birmingham at 1.43 this (Sunday) afternoon). In
London, on Saturday evening, he visited the National Liberal Club … He was very
reticent towards the representatives of the press, but expressed his
indebtedness to the Irish political party for their efforts towards his
release, and especially he is grateful to Ald Manton and Mr Farndale for the
part he understood they had taken …
South Wales Daily News, 25 January 1893: RELEASE OF
POLITICAL PRISONERS. INTERVIEW WITH J F EGAN . SENSATIONAL STATEMENTS. WHY HE
WAS IMPRISONED. CLAIMS TO BE “VICTIM OF A POLICE PLOT”. … I never despaired,
because I knew perfectly well that what I had heard of the disclosures by
Alderman Manton, and the action taken by Mr
Farndale in honestly exposing the affair, would bring the public to see that a
gross injustice had been done to me …
York Herald, 18 February 1893:
JOHN DALY
Mr W REDMOND asked the Home Secretary if he would
order a fresh investigation into the allegations made against the police by
Alderman Manton, and question Mr Farndale, the Chief Constable of Birmingham
upon the subject.
MR ASQUITH said so far as the matter was a personal
one affecting Alderman Manton and Chief Constable Farndale, he had no right to
interfere, so far as it affected the innocence or otherwise of Daly, the
allegations had already been fully investigated, with the result which he
stated to the House the other night (hear, hear).
Mr W REDMOND asked the right hon gentleman whether, in
view of the opinions held by 80 Irish members out of 103, he would have a
personal interview with Mr Farndale, and grant a fresh investigation into the
case.
Mr ASQUITH did not think any useful purpose would
be served by his having a personal interview with Mr Farndale. He was in
possession of all the facts of the case.
Mr J REDMOND gave notice that in Committee of Supply
he would press for further investigation.
Jane Farndale died
suddenly in Stockton on 18 July 1893. The Derbyshire
Times and Chesterfield Herald, 29 July 1893 reported: Deaths … FARNDALE – on the 18th
inst, at the house of her cousin, Mrs Hodgson, at
Stockton on Tees, Jane, wife of Joseph Farndale, Chief Constable of Birmingham,
formerly chief constable of Chesterfield.
The Northern
Guardian (Hartlepool), 21 July 1893: SUDDEN DEATH AT STOCKTON. Mrs Farndale, wife of Joseph
Farndale, chief constable of Birmingham, died suddenly yesterday at Stockton.
The deceased lady had been in ill health for some months, and had been
in medical treatment in London. About a fortnight ago she came to visit some
friends who live in Yarm Lane, Stockton. She had a relapse yesterday
afternoon and suddenly died. The deceased lady was 53 years of age.
The Hartlepool
Northern Daily Mail, 21 July 1893: The
Stockton police received information last night of the sudden death of Mrs
Farndale, the wife of the Chief Constable of Birmingham. The deceased lady, it
is stated, had been in ill health for some months past, and went to Stockton to
stay with some friends.
1894
The Birmingham
Daily Post, 24 January 1894: A
STRING OF OBJECTIONS. Mr Stanbury Eardley appeared at the Birmingham Police Court,
yesterday, for Herbert Brooks, of Osler Street, cabman, summoned under the city
bye laws for not being constantly in attendance on his cab at a public stand in
Bath Row … Having elicited that the summons was taken out by Mr Farndale the
chief constable), Mr Eardley urged that the informant ought to appear
either in person or by counsel or attorney. On being told that the usual course
was being followed, he replied, “The ramshackle procedure followed here does
not affect me… Mr Eardley then said that he must call for the report on which
the summons was applied for, but was told that he must subpoena Mr Farndale
to produce it …
The Birmingham
Daily Post, 20 February 1894: NEW
CENTRAL POLICE OFFICES. The Central Police Offices in Corporation Street
adjoining the Victoria Courts, are rapidly approaching completion, and in a
few days the removal of the scaffolding will give an uninterrupted view of the
building … The police offices are entered into by the first door in Newton
Street, opening into an entrance hall, which is to be fitted with benches for
the convenience of that portion of the general public who may have business at
the offices. From the hall, doors open to the rooms to be occupied by Mr
Farndale and by Superintendent Wilcox and the clerks and a lobby adjoining
the hall leads to the general store room and other apartments. An elaborately
constructed staircase from the hall gives access to the first floor, where
accommodation is found for the detective department …
The Birmingham
Daily Post, 9 March 1894:
ALLEGED MILITARY SCANDAL IN BIRMNGHAM. There are indications that the
closing days of the Bagot Street Factory as a Government Establishment will be
attended with some excitement. It is alleged that for a long period certain
officials of the factory have been receiving pecuniary premiums from workmen
applying for situations there, and that the practice having come to the
attention of the war Office, Lieutenant and Quartermaster Locke and
Sergeant-major Murray have been placed under arrest pending an investigation by
court martial. Locke and Murray have been in charge of the corps of
armourers from which men are selected from time to time to act as armourers to
the various regiments – positions for which, on account of their remunerative
character, there is a great deal of competition … The greatest secrecy had to
be observed in the conduct of the enquiry, which was placed in the hands of
Colonel King-Harman. He was advised by the Secretary of State for War to seek
the aid of the Chief Constable,. Mr Farndale was made acquainted with the
nature of the complaints, and the assistance he offered was readily
accepted …
The Morning
Post, 14 March 1894:
THE TREASON FELONY PRISONERS
… MR REDMOND … Having referred to the fact that Mr
Farndale, the Chief Constable of Birmingham, was still of the opinion that the
explosives found on the prisoner Daly had been ‘planted’ upon him by an agent
in the pay of the Irish police, the hon and learned member said he had an
entirely new case to bring under the notice of the Home Secretary. It was that
of a man called Curtin Kent, a labourer and an illiterate man, who could not by
any possibility have been a principal in the dynamite conspiracy … He was put
on trial with the other me and, although the only evidence against him was that
he had written to Gallagher and got £5 from him, he was convicted and sentenced
to penal servitude for life …
MR ASQUITH reminded the House that the general
considerations which affected this question were fully debated a year ago, when
he expressed at considerable length and in much detail the views of her
Majesty’s Government. …
The Aberdeen
Evening Express, 25 April 1894: A
“MOOSTONE” MYSTERY IN REAL LIFE. By a curious combination of chances a valuable
diamond which was lost more than 20 years ago at Birmingham has been discovered,
and is now in the possession of Mr Farndale, the chief constable. Some days
ago one of the workmen in the employ of Messrs Taunton, safe manufacturers, was
engaged in repairing a safe, and came across a piece of paper in which was a
large diamond, estimated to be worth at least £100….
The Birmingham
Daily Post, 16 July 1894:
LIFEBOAT SATURDAY IN BIRMINGHAM. The procession was timed to leave Cambridge
Street at half past two, and a quarter of an hour later the signal was given,
and Mr Farndale led the way through the centre of the city … The streets
were lined by two hundred police officers, who, together with the one
hundred in procession, had volunteered for the duty. Mr Farndale was in
command … The streets were crowded with people … and it was often with
great difficulty that Mr Farndale and his mounted officers could force their
way through …
The Birmingham
Daily Gazette, 28 July 1894:
A MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE
The Home Secretary has given his decision in the case
of George Frederick Burbidge, who was convicted in March last of a theft of
a sovereign by means of a trick. Burbidge was arrested on information given
by a servant, who swore his identity. He protested that the girl was mistaken
and set up an alibi, which did not, however satisfy the court … The Home
Secretary was of the opinion that the pardon should be allowed.
His solicitor wrote that his client wished to publicly
express his gratitude … and lastly to Mr Joseph Farndale (Chief of
Police) for the exhaustive inquiries he caused to be made, and which
largely contributed to the eminently satisfactory conclusion of this
extraordinary case …
The Birmingham
Daily Gazette, 18 August 1894:
ROYAL VISIT TO BIRMINGHAM. All the arrangements for the visit to Birmingham
of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York on September 8
are ow completed … Their Royal Highnesses will arrive at the city boundaries on
the Castle Bromwich Road at noon, and will be met by an escort of the 17th
lancers, the Chief Constable (Mr Farndale), and mounted police …
Joseph Farndale was
responsible perhaps for the British habit of forming an orderly queue. The Birmingham
Daily Post, 18 April 1942. THE START OF QUEUES. A correspondent
writes: The new Order making it compulsory for six or more persons to form a
queue when boarding bus or tram recalls the origin of a similar disciplinary
measure in Birmingham nearly fifty years ago. In the autumn of 1894 Henry
Irving came to the Prince of Wales theatre. Prices for all parts of the house,
with the exception of the gallery’ were doubled. All Birmingham, so to speak,
made for the gallery door, and there was a terrible commotion! When this had
happened on two successive nights, Irving instructed his manager, Brian Stoker,
to see the chief constable about it. “Tell the Chief Constable,” he said
“that outside my theatre in London we have adopted the system of a queue, two
by two, and that it works very well”. Mr Stoker carried this message to the
chief constable, and Mr Farndale agreed to make an experiment. He sent
along members of the force, Mr Edwin Bennett, later Chief Superintendent, among
them, and they arranged the first queues. But not without difficulty.
Some roughs attempted to rush the entrance hall and according to Mr Bennett,
five watches were found in the gutter. Birmingham gradually got accustomed to
the queue habit, but not before Sir Charles Rafter brought a prosecution for
disorderly conduct against some who attempted to break through. Much of the
voluntary queuing outside Birmingham shops today may be traceable to the
initial steps of half a century ago.
1895
The Birmingham
Daily Post, 18 January 1895:
THE SUSPENDED POLICE OFFICERS
The manner in which the case against the landlord of
the Edgbaston Brewery Tavern, Lee Bank Road, dismissed by the magistrates on
Wednesday, was got up by the police will on Monday be the subject of an
investigation by the Judicial sub committee, who will
report to the Watch Committee, and will probably also communicate with the
Treasury. At the conclusion of the case on Wednesday, Mr Wilcox, the deputy
chief constable, who was present during the magisterial censure, ordered the
officers engaged in the case to proceed to the Chief Constable’s office. The
circumstances were briefly narrated to Mr Farndale, who forthwith
suspended Inspector Parker and Police Constables Nicholls (69B) and Flattery.
The discrediting of the evidence of the police in a case of this kind is
particularly unfortunate at the present moment.
The Stage
on 25 April 1895 reported
that during the Shakespeare Birth week, Joseph Farndale was a guest
at the Shakespeare Commemoration Dinner in connection with the Birmingham
Dramatic and Literary Club held at the Midland Hotel, New Street, Birmingham.
The Shields
Daily Gazette on 30 April 1895 reported
that at the same dinner, when ‘Dagonet’ was unable to find a gold pencil
lent by Captain Rodgers of the Prince of Wales’
Theatre and wanted to make a note in a hurry, then Mr Farndale, the
amiable Chief Constable of Birmingham kindly lent me his, and I lost that
somewhere, and then my old friend Mr Wight the postmaster, lent me his, and
I mislaid that, and so it came about that when the time arrived for me to speak
I had borrowed and secreted about me some half dozen gold pencil cases,
I had made notes all over my menu and backs of envelopes collected from
the company, and not one word that I had written was I able to read.
The Birmingham
Daily Post, 25 April 1895 reported
that Joseph Farndale was a guest at the inspection of the new smallpox hospital
at Little Bromwich.
The Whitby
Gazette, 24 May 1895:
REPORTING A CHIEF CONSTABLE.
The Birmingham Daily Argus of the 11th inst, has the following, anent the chief constable of
Birmingham, Mr farndale, a Sleights man:
A good story reaches us from the Birmingham police
force, viz, that a common constable, a humble member of the rank and file, has
had the temerity to lodge a report against no less a personage than his
commanding officer. The constable is a young officer who is not been very long
in the force, and it would seem that he is burning to distinguish himself in
some unprecedented way. There can be no doubt he has succeeded, and it may be
safely asserted that the number of men in the force who would have had the courage
to take such a step is very small indeed. The officer was on duty in Harborne
Road, when he saw his commander in chief, who much effects equestrian
exercise, approaching on his steed. It would seem that the animal proved
refractory in some way, for it became subject to a sharp chastisement from
its rider. The constable appears to have considered that the chastisement exceeded
do bounds, so he pulled out his little notebook and pencil, and made an
entry to the effect that his superior had beating his horse about the head
more than was justifiable, and looking upon his chief as no more privileged and
hit this respect than common John Smith the civilian, he reported the matter in
writing to the Superintendent. This put the divisional officer in a quandary. What
was he to do with the report against his chief officer? To pass such a thing on
to the central office seemed like sacrilege. Yet it was made in the books, and
he could not get rid of it otherwise without committing a serious breach of the
regulations. So he came to the conclusion that he had no alternative but to
send the report, with his other reports, to the headquarters. There it has gone
and it would be interesting to know what happened there when the report was
given. A live, smoking bombshell would probably have created no more profound
sensation. Presumably the report will come before the judicial subcommittee at
their meeting on Monday, and it will be very interesting to know the issue of
it. We can imagine Mr Farndale, who is about the last man against whom one
might expect such charge to be made, reading the report with blended feelings
of admiring surprise, comical annoyance, and roll amusement. He must admire
the Spartan sense of duty of his young officer, must feel annoyed that he
should have fallen into such an error, and experience amusement at the humour
of the whole business.
The same paper, in its issue with the 14th inst, says:
A mild sensation was created on Saturday by the
appearance of the ‘day by day’ paragraph, in which was related the audacious
act of a zealous police constable who was no respecter of persons, and
carried his judicial severity to the extent of reporting the chief constable.
Members of the watch committee are reported to have derived considerable
entertainment from the tale of the incorruptible policeman, and Mr Farndale
undoubtedly relished the pigment humour of the whole thing. The only cause
for regret is that the dignified procedure befitting ‘the smartest force in the
Kingdom’ has prevented the joke being played out. Had the facetious disposition
of Alderman Edwards only being allowed to express itself upon the subject, and
Councillor Ostler invited to sharpen his pretty wit at the constable’s expense,
there would have been a delightful half column of quips and cranks for the
jaded reader these summer-like days, which indisposed one for the exertion
entailed in wading through the parliamentary reports. The Chief Constable did
not report himself for cruelty to animals at the meeting of the Watch Committee
this morning, nor was he reduced in rank from first to second class. His
honour, and his horsemanship, have been vindicated. The indiscretion of the
zealous policeman has been explained. The moral of the whole matter is that the
shying of a horse at a perambulator is not exactly a justification for
reporting the rider for cruelty. Too much indulgence of the horse’s whim
might have led to the horse and rider being injured by colliding with a wall,
or passengers on the footway being trodden under foot. On the whole, the
chief, has more reason to complain of his horse than his horse to complain of
him. Sometimes since, when there were not any perambulators or other
infernal machines in the way, it fell in Bennetts hill, causing the rider to
injure his arm. That animal appears to share the slight disrespectful authority
which the constable of inst.
The Birmingham
Gazette, 10 June 1895 reported
the visit of His Highness the Shahzada, the second son of the Ameer
of Afghanistan: In the central drive between Railway Stations, there was
an escort of 25 mounted police, under the command of the Chief Constable (Mr
Farndale).
The Tamworth
Herald, 9 November 1895: The
opening meet of the South Stafforshire Hounds
took place on Tuesday at the cross roads, Bassett’s Pole. … Among those present
at the start were …, Mr J Farndale …
1896
The Birmingham
Mail, 4 February 1896:
THE HORSELESS CARRIAGE DIFFICULTY
BIRMINGHAM MANUFACTURERS FINED
At Solihull today … Gascoine & Co, horseless
carriage builders was summoned as the owner of a locomotive used on the public
highway for not having a person on foot preceding the locomotive by 20 yards as
prescribed by section 3 of the
Locomotives Act 1865, and section 29 of the Highways and Locomotives
(Amendment) Act 1879.
Police Constable Clifton stated that on Saturday
morning, the 22nd December, he was on duty in Stratford Road,
Shirley, and saw a motor car, or horseless carriage, travelling in the
direction of Birmingham. There was no one in front of it to warn the
public of its approach. The vehicle was travelling at the rate of five
or six miles an hour; and it made a certain amount of noise, and steam
was issuing from an exhaust pipe at the rear …
As it was only within the last five years that the
vehicle had been used in England, the Legislature could not in fact, or in
imagination, have known of a horseless carriage when they formulated the Acts
referred to, and therefore the regulations could not apply. …
Mr McCardie: Yes, and if you
wanted to take a little trip of 30 or 40 miles, taking in the three
neighbouring counties, it would cost you £30, besides the wages of the three
men to drive, where only one is wanted, and another useless person to go in
front.
The Clerk: Going as fast as it does too, the man in
front would have to go on a bicycle (Laughter)
Mr McCardie: Oh yes, it is
manifestly absurd. Fancy all the expense I have mentioned when the machine only
costs a half penny per mile for propulsion. Besides, I notice that the tires
would have to be no narrower than three inches, and that would spoil the
vehicle altogether, I contend that it in no way answers the definition of a
locomotive, and that the Bench are entitled to dismiss the summons. I may add
that Mr Farndale, the chief of the Birmingham police, has stated that he
would not allow any proceedings to be taken against such carriages…
In the early 1890s the first cars to be driven on
the roads in Britain were imported. In 1895, the first man to own and drive a
car in Britain was Ebvelyn Ellis. It is estimated
that by 1895, there were still only about 15 cars in Britain, imported from
abroad. By 1900, the number had risen to about 700. Work to build the first
motor car in Britain began in 1892 by Frederick Bremner, a gas fitter and plumber.
His vehicle first ran on the public highway in 1894. Fords started to arrive in
Britain from about 1908.
The Locomotives Act 1865 was also known as the “Red
Flag Act” and sipulated that self-propelled vehicles
should be accompanied by a crew of three; if the vehicle was attached to two or
more vehicles an additional person was to accompany the vehicles; a man with a
red flag was to walk at least 60 yd (55 m) ahead of each vehicle, who was also
required to assist with the passage of horses and carriages. The vehicle was
required to stop at the signal of the flagbearer. The Highways and Locomotives
(Amendment) Act 1878 was an Act to amend
the Law relating to Highways in England and the Acts relating to Locomotives on
Roads and for other purposes.
At the same time his nephew, Joseph Farndale (FAR00463),
Chief Constable of Margate Police, was involved in a charge against a motor car
driver for exceeding a speed of two miles per hour.
Joseph Farndale
recommended a system for registration of bicycles in 1896, as reported in the Birmingham Mail, 28 April 1896:
The Home Secretary and Cyclists.
Proposed further legislation.
The Home Secretary has just issued a circular to the
Chief Constables of counties and boroughs on a matter which will give rise to a
great deal of discussion in the cycling world. Sir M White Ridley explains that
he has received various complaints with regard to cycling in the streets, and
that from the nature of the objections laid before him, he has felt prompted to
make a general enquiry as to the present cycling system, and ascertain
whether further legislation is essential to check reckless riders being a
danger to the community. The Chief said police are therefore invited to express
an opinion on the desirability of amending the present law, and they are
further requested to add any suggestions they may think expedient.
Mr Farndale has had this circular
under careful consideration, and it is understood that he has replied very fully as to the
prevailing state of affairs in this district. Probably in no other city in the
Kingdom has the popularity of the cycle reestablished itself with such rapidity
and so generally as in Birmingham. Unfortunately this circumstance has had the
effect of producing an increased number of foolhardy scorchers, who are a
nuisance to everyone, and reckless riders who, unmindful of their own risk, pay
no heed to the safety of others. The inevitable result of the presence of
these riders has been a considerable number of accidents under great many
complaints.
The laws at present in force are stringent enough to
suppress those wheeling offenders if the police could only put them into
operation. Therein lies the difficulty. When a pedestrian has been upset, and
may be injured by a negligent or furious cyclist, if the machine does not
happen to be injured, the rider pedals off post haste. If it should happen that
a policeman appears on the scene in time to prevent the cyclist disappearing,
the rider is asked for his name and addressed. Experience shows that in 99 cases
out of 100 wrong names and addresses are given.
Then again, what method is there of dealing with the
scorcher? A policeman trying to stop him would probably damage the rider and
the machine, and as a consequence be amenable to an action for damages. The
scorcher takes advantage of the circumstances, and the wail from the pedestrian
has now become so general that intervention has been practically forced on the
authorities. The question is, how to remedy existing evils? As already stated,
the Home Secretary has courted suggestions, and it is suggested that Mr
Farndale has recommended that a system of registration should be put in
force. It is contended that every rider should be licenced, that his machine
should bear an official number, and that he should carry this number together
with an indication of the police district from which he held in some
conspicuous place on the cycle. It is said that this would entail no hardship
because the fee for registration would be nominal, and number offenders would
have anything to fear from such regulations. It is further argued that it
should be made an offence for a cyclist to give a wrong name and address. This
is the import of the suggestions which have been forwarded from Birmingham.
When the Home Secretary has received replies to the
whole of the circulars it is thought that he would proceed to frame an
amendment to present laws relating to reckless wanton and negligent cycle
riding.
1897
The Newcastle
Chronicle, 22 February 1897: Several
Chief Officers of Police are cooperating with Mr Farndale, the Chief Constable
of Birmingham, to get an Act passed this session in Parliament to
obviate the defects of the present law in regard to the unlawful possession
of property, and Sir JB Stone MP at Birmingham, has already obtained leave
to introduce a Bill, which, I feel sure, will receive general support, for
until the police are better armed than at present, they cannot, with any
effect, suppress the large number of robberies which are annually committed in
all large commercial centres.
1897 was the year of
Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, celebrating sixty years since her accession.
The Linlithgowshire Gazette, 1 May 1897:
THE POLICE AND THE COMMEMORATION
A meeting of chief constables of
counties, cities
and boroughs in Great Britain was held on Saturday afternoon at the office of
Mr Farndale, Chief Constable of Birmingham, to consider the most suitable
form of celebrating the Queen’s reign. It was reported that the Scottish
police had decided to join the national scheme … It was decided to draw up an
illuminated address congratulating Her Majesty on her historic accomplishment …
The London
Evening Standard, 8 July 1897:
ROYAL VISIT TO BIRMNINGHAM.
OPENING OF THE GENERAL HOSPITAL
Much enthusiasm was manifested in Birmingham yesterday
on the occasion of the visit of Princess Christian, as the representative of
the Queen, to open the new General Hospital. Along the route of the royal
procession the streets were gaily decorated, with Venetian masts at intervals,
and garlands of flowers....
After the formal receptions the trumpet sounded, and
their royal highnesses proceeded ... the procession was headed by Chief
Constable Farndale and mounted police and was formed in the following order...
As the royal visitors entered the Council House, a
salute was given by a detachment of the Bedfordshire regiment, which formed a
guard of honour...
Her Royal Highness, in reply, said “It gives me very
great pleasure to visit the City of Birmingham on behalf of the Queen, my dear
mother, and in her name I thank you for your loyal and beautiful address. Her
Majesty desires me to express the great gratitude with which she bears of her
people at Birmingham having made this latest addition to the hospital...
The Liverpool
Mercury, 29 September 1897:
WHAT IS ‘SCORCHING’?
At the meeting of the Birmingham watch committee
yesterday, Councillor Baker drew attention to what he described as the practice
of scorching on the Moseley Road, his object being to ascertain whether the
Chief Constable (Mr Farndale) was prepared to adopt measures to check the
indiscretion of offending cyclists. The wood pavement, he said, was an
irresistible incentive to most people, and the practise complained of was
becoming a source of serious danger to the public.
Mr Bishop: “Perhaps Councillor Baker does not know
what ‘scorching’ is. They don't ‘scorch’ on the Mosley Rd.”
Mr. Baker: “Oh don't they?”
Mr Bishop: “Well what do you call ‘scorching’?
Mr. Baker: “I would call ‘scorching’ going at 12
miles an hour.”
Mr Bishop: “They don't go at 12 miles an hour.”
Mr. Baker: “What! Not on that wood payment pavement I
think they do.”
Mr Farndale said the matter was one
of some difficulty for
the police to deal with, in as much as it has recently been held in the law
courts that though a police officer could summon a scorcher he might not lay
his hands on him to stop him. Two or three years ago when there were complaints
of ‘scorching’ in Broad Street, policemen were provided with bicycles to
capture the offenders, and they simply had to ‘scorch’ after the ‘scorchers’
until they overtook them.
Mr Bishop had no doubt the chief constable would give
the matter every attention. Mr Farndale was a nice, quiet rider himself, as
he could bear witness.
Mr Farndale: I followed the example of the chairman of
the judicial committee, Mr Bishop, who goes at a reasonable pace.
The subject then dropped.
1898
The Edinburgh
Evening News, 12 January 1898:
FOOTBALL AND TEMPERANCE. Interviewed in reference to the marked increase
of drunkenness in Birmingham, the Chief Constable, Mr Farndale, said
that good wages had most to do with the increase. He had been struck by the
fact that rainy Saturdays, which prevented indulgence in outdoor sports,
usually meant a great increase in drunkenness. The popularity of football,
generally speaking, has been the means of diverting a good deal of interest
from the taproom.
By March 1898,
Joseph Farndale was ill again. The
Birmingham Daily Post, 18 March 1898 reported:
SERIOUS
ILLNESS OF MR FARNDALE
We
regret to hear that Mr Farndale, Chief Constable of the city, is lying
seriously ill at the Grand Hotel. An attack of chill or influenza
contracted at the Charity Sports, on Wednesday week, was followed by pneumonia,
and at one time his condition was considered critical. Under the care of Dr
Hutchinson, the crisis was tided over, and, although very ill, Mr Farndale was
yesterday reported to be out of danger. Late last night Mr Farndale was
progressing very favourably.
The
Birmingham Mail, 18 March 1898:
THE
ILLNESS OF THE CHIEF CONSTABLE
On
enquiry at the Grand Hotel this morning, we were informed that Mr Farndale’s
condition shows considerable improvement.
The Edinburgh Evening News, 19 March 1898: Mr J F
Farndale, Chief Constable of Birmingham, is lying seriously ill.
The Leamington Spa Courier, 4 June 1898: Major J L
Swain, Commanding the North Western Military District, recently communicated
with the Chief Constable of Birmingham, in which he advised Mr Farndale that
the Secretary of State had given instructions for the formation of a scheme
for posting placards calling out the Army Reserve forces if required, and
asking Mr Farndale to state whether, in the event of such a contingency, he
would be prepared to render the military authorities his full assistance.
There is no Act compelling the Constabulary to assist in the work of
mobilisation, but Mr Farndale readily offered his services. In answer to
his reply sent to the authorities, he received a communication asking what
number of posters would be required for placarding the various chapels,
churches, post offices, and other public places in the city, and this point is
now under consideration. It is roughly estimated that in Birmingham and the
district there are something like 20,000 reserved men of all classes. The
National Association for Promoting the Civil Employment of Reserve and
Discharged Soldiers and Naval and Military Pensioners has had about 11,000 men
on its books since its foundation in 1886, and it does not deal with the whole
of the reserve. Should the reserves be called up the postal and police services
would have to sacrifice many good men, and various places of amusement,
restaurants, and hotels, would be deprived of well-built and finely developed
doorkeepers. Last season the society mentioned found employment for 359 men; of
these 256 belonged to the reserve and 106 of them went to the post office...
The
Birmingham Daily Gazette, 29 December 1898: It is gratifying to hear that the
Chief Constable (M Farndale) has benefitted by his stay at Bournemouth, and
that he will resume duty tomorrow.
1899
The Birmingham
Mail, 10 March 1899:
INCREASE OF CRIME IN BIRMINGHAM
THE CHIEF CONSTABLE’S REPORT
The report of Chief Constable relative to the state
of crime in the city during the past year has just been issued, and the
statistics it contains make, as is usual with these annual reports, interesting
reading. In the first place Mr Farndale states that the authorised strength
of the police force on the 31st December last was 700, and 16 additional
constables. The actual strength was 700; Their nationalities being 617 English,
44 Irish, 26 Welsh, 12 Scotch, and 1 Dutch; the average height being 5 feet 10 1/2
inches. During the year 3 constables were transferred to the additional
strength, and 55 left the force, viz, 6 superannuated, 16 were called upon to
resign from his conduct or inefficiency, 28 resigned at their own request, and
5 died, including the late Deputy Chief Constable, 67 men joined the force
during the year. There were 138 members on the superannuation list.
The Birmingham
Mail, 11 March 1899:
SERIOUS ILLNESS OF THE CHIEF CONSTABLE
AN APOPLECTIC SEIZURE
We regret to announce that the Chief Constable of
Birmingham (Mr. J Farndale) is lying seriously ill at his residence in the
Hagley road. His health has for some time past being unsatisfactory, but no
such serious developments as those which have unfortunately ensued were
anticipated. Last night, Mr Farndale was seated in his dining room when
immediately following a somewhat violent sneeze, he had an apoplectic seizure,
and lost all power of speech, and the use of his right side. In their
concern, the household at once sent for Dr Cyril Hutchinson and Superintended
Moore of the Ladywood division, and upon arrival of these gentlemen Mr Farndale
was carried upstairs and placed in bed. His condition was most critical and at
one time it appeared extremely doubtful if you would live the night through.
However owing in no slight degree to the unremitting care of his medical
attendant and the watchfulness of the nurse, whose services had been
requisitioned, the patient's condition this morning showed an improvement, and
enquiries at noon today showed that the progress had been so well maintained
that the patient had in a measure recovered his speech.
The Birmingham
Mail, 13 March 1899:
BIRMINGHAM ASSIZES OPENING TOMORROW
It was at one time feared that Mister Farndale’s
illness would interfere with the arrangements for the Birmingham assizes,
which had been announced to open tomorrow. The chief constable's house becomes
on such occasions the judge’s lodgings, but the danger which would attend Mr
Farndale’s removal makes it unlikely that his house will be available for the
accommodation of the judges on the present occasion. It had been suggested that
unless suitable lodgings can be found for them, the Birmingham assizes may be
merged in the county assizes, which would mean that all the persons who are
required to attend the Victoria Courts would have the expense and inconvenience
of attending at Warwick instead. It now appears, however, from enquiries made
in official quarters that the Birmingham Assizes will be held at the usual as
usual at the Victoria Law Courts tomorrow....
The Sheffield
Independent, 15 March 1899: Mr
Joseph Farndale, the chief constable of Birmingham, whose grave illness
threatened to involve the transference of the city Assizes to the old county
town of Warwick, is a man with an honourable and interesting past. His
cousin, who still resides and works in the midst of those rural scenes of Yorkshire
which the smart member of the Farndale family quitted to earn fame and fortune,
tells that young Joseph Farndale was at work in the fields one day, at the
tail of the dung cart, when some word of blame brought his natural
dislike of the occupation to a head, and throwing down the fork, he
explained, “I'll go for a policeman!” No sooner said than done. He joined
the force in a neighbouring town that very day and soon became a particularly
capable constable. From Middlesbrough Farndale passed to Chesterfield, now well
on the path of rapid promotion. He was Chief Constable of Leicester for a few
years, and then obtained the valuable Birmingham appointment. Mr Farndale
has brought the Birmingham City force to a high pitch of smartness, efficiency,
and discipline.
The Birmingham
Mail, 15 March 1899: THE
ILLNESS OF MR FARNDALE. On enquiry we learn that the Chief Constable was a
little better this morning, and that the improvement which was noticeable was
maintained in the afternoon.
The Derbyshire
Times and Chesterfield Herald, 18 March 1899: The health of Mr Joseph Farndale, the popular
and brilliant Chief Constable of Birmingham, is causing the greatest anxiety.
I earnestly hope to be able to report better new next week. Mr Farndale has
many friends in Derbyshire, which he made when Chief Constable of Chesterfield.
The Worcestershire
Chronicle, 18 March 1899: Mr
Farndale, chief constable of Birmingham, is lying seriously ill, through the
breaking of a blood vessel, consequent upon violent sneezing.
The Derbyshire
Times, 8 April 1899: I
regret to hear that there is not much improvement in the health of Chief
Constable Farndale, of Birmingham.
The Nottingham Evening Post, 14 April
1899:
ACCIDENT TO A CHIEF CONSTABLE
The Chief Constable of Birmingham, Mr Farndale, had a narrow
escape from serious injury yesterday morning. He was being driven in a
closed brougham to the city to discuss police matters with the
superintendents for the first time since his serious illness, when the horse,
a high spirited animal, bolted in Broad Street, owing to the snapping of
one of the reins. A futile effort to stop its progress was made by police
constable Goldby, who caught at the shafts, but was struck on the chest by the
horse’s head, and thrown back. At the corner of Easy Row the carriage was
brought into collision with a cart, and Mr Farndale’s coachman, Thomas Terry,
was thrown violently from the box. Even this check, however, did not stop the
horse, which dashed round the corner into Paradise Street, where a few yards to
the right it collided with an oil float, and was brought to a standstill
at the edge of the pavement. Mr Farndale escaped with nothing more serious
than shock and injury to the nose by broken glass. Terry, the coachman, had
his leg fractured.
Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough, 15 April 1899: Mr
Farndale, Chief Constable of Birmingham, is to be commiserated with on the
curiously bad luck which is dogging him. He recovers from a serious
illness, only to be involved in a carriage accident, which might have
had dangerous results. Like Bret Harte’s miner, the Chief Constable has struck
a streak of bad luck. Let us hope it will soon change.
The article refers to the novel
by Bret Harte called The Luck of Roaring Camp.
The Derbyshire
Times, 22 April 1899: Chief
Constable Farndale of Birmingham, is so much improved in health as to be
able to resume his police duties.
The Birmingham
Mail, 25 April 1899: The
Chief Constable (Mr Farndale) has been granted leave of absence for a month
in order that he may take a holiday to recuperate his strength after the
recent serious illness through which he has passed. While he is away his
official duties will be discharged by Superintendent McManus, the acting Chief
Constable.
Finally Joseph
Farndale was forced to resign due to his continuing illness in May 1899. The Hull
Daily Mail, 30 May 1899 (also
reported in Dundee
Courier, 30 May 1899): Mr
Joseph Farndale has resigned the Chief Constableship of Birmingham in
consequence of ill health. He has occupied the post for 17 years.
The Dundee
Courier, 30 May 1899: Mr
Joseph Farndale, for seventeen years chief constable of Birmingham, in which
office he followed Major Bond, has resigned his position owing to
prolonged and serious ill health, which has necessitated frequent vacations in
the last few years. His retirement allowance will be £500 per annum.
The Birmingham
Mail, 30 May 1899 reported:
THE RESIGNATION OF MR FARNDALE
MEETING OF THE WATCH COMMITTEE
As was intimated in the Mail last evening, the
chairman of the Watch Committee, Mr Waters, at the meeting of that body this
morning, announced the receipt of a letter from Mr Joseph Farndale,
resigning his position as chief constable of the city. The letter which was
read by Mr Holton, the clerk to the committee, was as follows:
Chief Constable’s office, 29th may 1899
To the chairman and members of the watch committee.
Gentlemen, It is not without feelings of sincere
regret that I feel it incumbent upon me to tender you here with my
resignation as chief constable of the city of Birmingham. The present state
of my health is such that I feel I cannot do justice to so important to
post any longer, and my medical advisor insists upon the necessity of entire
absence from the worries of administrative work. I have been a chief constable
upwards of 30 years, 18 of which have been in connection with the Birmingham
police force, and in severing my connection I cannot do so without here
expressing the deep sense of gratitude I feel for the many kindnesses and
extreme courtesy extended to me during my term of office by the members of your
committee.
I beg to remain, Gentlemen, your obedient servant, J
Farndale, chief constable
Councillor Waters moved that the letter be received,
entered on the minutes and referred to the judicial subcommittee. He would just
like to say that he was sure the committee would regret very much indeed the
fact of Mr Farndale’s resignation, and also that the resignation was brought
about, although he had been chief constable for many years, not by old age or
length of service, but by the fact of illness, which they all regretted. That
Mr Farndale had been an excellent servant to the committee, they must all
agree. They would all miss a very familiar figure from the committee, and the
town would regret the loss of one who had served them so long and so faithfully
in connection with that committee which he had so well served. He hopes that Mr
Farndale would be able for many years to enjoy the superannuation for which he
so well deserved.
Alderman Hart acceded to the resolution, and said that
every member of the committee would agree with the remarks of the chairman. He
was, he thought, the only member of the Watch Committee who was a member of the
committee when Mr Farndale was appointed. He had the honour of being chairman
of the committee at the time, and he had been in close touch with Mr Farndale
during the 18 or 19 years which had elapsed since then. He did not think the
town ever had a better servant, and he was quite sure that during the
retiring chief’s regime the morale of the force had become very much
higher than it was previously. It was a much larger force, and it had a
reputation which was known all over the country. He had never known a man
more sensitive to what he knew to be right and honourable than the retiring
chief had been, and he was sure the feeling of the town council, as well as of
the committee and the city, would be one of regret.
The Lord Mayor said he had known
Mr Farndale intimately for a very much shorter time than the other members of the committee, but during
the last two years he had seen a great deal of him. It had been in times of
pressing anxiety with regards to various questions, and he could not but be
struck by the great care Mr Farndale took, the anxiety he showed to remove
anything like a ground of complaint with regard to the efficiency of the force.
He was a most conscientious man, and they would be fortunate if they
found one who could fill his place as worthy as he had. They could only hope
the fact of his retirement would lead to the restoration of the retiring chief
to health, and … they hoped that Mr Farndale would live for many years to enjoy
his retirement.
Alderman Edwards said that he felt sure that the
committee would be very fortunate if they succeeded in obtaining a successor
worthy of Mr Farndale, and the resolution was carried.
MR FARNDALE’S CAREER
Mr Joseph Farndale was appointed chief constable of
Birmingham on the resignation of Major Bond in 1882. Prior to his selection out
of some 90 candidates, Mr Farndale had occupied the position of chief constable
at Leicester, where he had served for 10 years He is a native of the North
Riding, Yorkshire. It was about 1863 when he first became connected with
police work. He joined the force in his native Riding at the early age of 19.
He remained there, however but a short time, joining the Middlesbrough force,
where he soon attained the rank of Inspector. Some seven years afterwards, Mr
Farndale was appointed chief constable of Chesterfield. Here he remained for 2
½ years when he was selected to a
similar position at Leicester, where, as previously stated, he remained until
his appointment to Birmingham. In this city Mr Farndale’s reputation was
enhanced by the breaking up of what was known as the Ledsam Street dynamite
conspiracy. The arrest of Whitehead in Ledsam Street in April, 1883,
and the subsequent capture of Daly and Egan in the same month of the
following year, are matters of local history. In consequence of the part he
played in the arrest of these men the Watch Committee, with the approval of the
then Home Secretary, increased Mr Farndale’s salary by the sum of £100 per
annum.
Filling the vacancy, preliminary steps.
Upon the completion of the business of the Watch
Committee, the reporters were requested to retire and we understand that upon
their withdrawal the meeting resolved itself into a special meeting of the
Judicial subcommittee for the purpose of receiving Mr Farndale’s letter, which
had been referred to them by themselves sitting as the Watch Committee. The
vacancy, or impending vacancy was discussed at some length...
The Hull
Daily Mail, 30 May 1899:
ANOTHER FROM THE RANKS
His resignation will be received with regret not only
by the members of the Watch Committee and the citizens, but the whole of the
police force with whom he was very popular.
Mr Farndale's salary is £900 a year, and he is
entitled from length of service to a superannuation of 2/3 of this amount. This
morning's paper.
Mr Farndale is a Yorkshireman, and
commenced his police career in the ranks at Middlesbrough. We like to hear of men rising from the ranks.
The other day we were stimulated with the story of
Hector MacDonald, one of the heroes of Omdurman, who, from the ranks, had risen
by sheer merit and sterling worth to the highest rung in the military ladder.
This morning the name of another man is honourably
prominent, because he is ending his career in a distinguished position. He also
has risen from the ranks.
The retiring chief constable of Birmingham has had a
career which is worth studying in these degenerate days. It is full of
instructive points. Mr Farndale is a man of strong individuality. Yet he
invariably got on well with his Watch Committees. He was their servant as well
as their master. He was competent, and therefore would not be dictated to.
He was respected, because he had the courage of consistency. He would
perhaps not have been happy in Hull.
The story of his early life is quite picturesque. Mr
Farndale was a farmhand. He was driving the plough one weary day when his
employer came up, and farmer like, complained of his work. Young Farndale had a
vigorous and independent spirit and was pining for a more active and satisfying
field of labour, and throwing down what he had in his hand he said he would go
off and be a policeman. What an accident of fortune!
He made good his words at once, and entered upon a
career which he has unquestionably adorned. The path of the chief constable of
a large city is often beset with difficulty and perplexity! It is also one of
grave and constant responsibility. An efficient, fearless, and fair minded
chief constable is a boon that a large town like Birmingham cannot afford to
rate cheaply. But Watch Committees have often a great deal to answer for, and
strong chief constables are not popular everywhere.
At the early age of 26, Mr Farndale was appointed
chief constable of Chesterfield, and from that comparatively unimportant town
he went to Leicester. He was not then 29 years of age. He remained at Leicester
for 10 years, and then obtained one of the plums of the profession. He was
appointed chief constable of Birmingham when still in his thirties. It is
admitted that he has greatly improved the police administration there,
and that he has shown market ability in dealing with large crowds of people.
His discovery of the Ledsam Street dynamite conspiracy at Birmingham one him
much favour at the Home Office; And even Sir William Harcourt did not withhold
very graceful appreciation.
Chief constables of large towns
who have risen from the ranks are rare. It is one thing to be chief constable of an obscure
borough and quite another to be responsible for the security and public
morality of a city of the size and character of Birmingham. Nor is the man who
has risen from the ranks always a success in high office. The retiring chief
constable of Birmingham, however, was not demoralised, he was strengthened by
success. If success could always be born with good sense and fortitude it
would often be a spectacle more gratifying to contemplate.
The South
Wales Daily News, 30 May 1899:
CHIEF CONSTABLE’S £600 A YEAR
Mr Joseph Farndale, for 17 years chief constable of
Birmingham, in which office he followed Major Bond, formerly chief constable of
Cardiff, has resigned his position owing to prolonged and serious ill health,
which has necessitated frequent vacations in the last few years. Mr Farndale is
a Yorkshire man, and commenced his police career in the ranks at 26. He was
appointed chief constable of Chesterfield over a force of 17, and after three
years became chief of police at Leicester, whence he went to Birmingham. His
retirement allowance will be £600 per year.
The Birmingham Mail, 2 June 1899:
The watch committee and Mr Farndale's resignation.
The report of the Watch Committee to be presented at
the meeting of the City Council next Tuesday contains the letter, already
published, from Mr Farndale, resigning the office of chief constable of the
city. The committee state that they have received Mr Farndale's resignation
much regret, and they desire to place on record their appreciation of the
conscientious and efficient manner in which he is always discharged his duties
of office.
Mr Farndale was appointed in 1882
at a salary of £700 per annum. At that time the total strength of the police
force was 520, as against 700 at present time. The area of the borough was
8,420 acres, as against the existing area of 12,705 acres. The population was
400,774, the estimated population at present time being 514,955. The committee proposed to advertise for candidates
for the office of chief constable, at a salary of £800 per annum, without
allowances of any kind, and to appoint the candidate whom they deem most
eligible for the office.
The Leicester
Chronicle, 3 June 1899:
THE CHIEF CONSTABLE OF BIRMINGHAM
RESIGNATION OF MR FARNDALE
At a meeting of the Birmingham judicial subcommittee,
on Monday, the chairman of the Watch Committee, communicated to his colleagues
the fact that he had received a communication from Mr Joseph Farndale resigning
his position as chief constable of Birmingham. Mr Farndale's resignation is due
to the counsel of his medical advisor, who, in view of the nature of his recent
illness and his incomplete recovery, regarded the step as imperative. The
announcement was received with unanimous regret. Mr Farndale was eligible to
retire on a pension several years ago, but it was his own desire to remain in
harness sometime longer, and the Watch Committee cordially approved of this
course.
Mr Farndale has always been popular with the citizens
of Birmingham, and enjoys the distinction of having been the most efficient
officer of that the local police force has had since it came into existence.
His relations alike with the City Council, the police, and the public have from
the commencement of his association with Birmingham been of the most cordial
character. Mr Farndale who is a native of Yorkshire has been connected with
police duties from his boyhood. At the age of 19 he became a constable in the
North Riding Constabulary, from whence he removed to Middlesbrough. His fine
presence, combined with a high degree of intelligence, led to his rapid
promotion, and it was not long before he attained the rank of Inspector.
He had only seven years police experience when the
vacancy occurred in the police in the post of chief constable of Chesterfield,
and to this Mr Farndale was appointed. The Chesterfield force was only a
small one, the borough having a very limited area, but it afforded Mr
Farndale administrative experience which was of great value to him. He was,
we believe, at the time of his appointment, the youngest chief constable in the
Kingdom. Mr Farndale remained at Chesterfield for only 2 ½ years, but he
had he had secured a standing which led to his appointment to the far more
important position of chief constable of Leicester. How he composed himself
there is shown by the terms of the testimonial given to him by the Mayor of
Leicestershire at the time he became a candidate for command of the
Birmingham police force. The Mayor of Leicester wrote: “Mr Farndale is a
thoroughly practical man, and an excellent disciplinarian. Towards the men he
is considerate and firm, and has won their entire confidence and respect. Throughout
the town, by the authorities he is fully trusted and highly esteemed.” While at
Leicester Mr Farndale's salary was twice increased each time by the sum of
£100. Several of the leading officers who served under him there rose to
important positions in other forces, and the Leicester police became known as
one of the best organised bodies in the provinces.
Mr Farndale succeeded the late Major Bond as Chief
Constable of Birmingham, and his services in connection with the dynamite
conspiracy will be remembered. He has won the esteem of the citizens of the
Midland metropolis, and will retire on an allowance of £600 a year. On
his leaving Leicester, it may be added, he was presented with a silver salver
and purse of £200, the members of the police force testifying to their goodwill
in an illuminated address.
The Coleshill Chronicle, 3 June 1899:
CHIEF CONSTABLE OF BIRMINGHAM RESIGNS
Joseph Farndale, the chief constable of Birmingham, has
inconsequence of continued ill health placed his resignation in the hands of
the watch committee. About two months ago Mr Farndale had an apoplectic
seizure, from the effects of which he has never thoroughly recovered, and he
has not since been able to take up his duties. Acting on medical advice he has
decided to retire. His resignation will be received with regret not only by
members of the Watch Committee and the citizens, but by the whole of the police
force, with whom he was very popular.
Mr Farndale’s salary is £900 a year, and he is
entitled from length of service to a superannuation off two thirds of that
amount. He rose from the ranks and commenced his police life in the
Middlesbrough force. At the early age of 26 he was appointed Chief Constable
of Chesterfield, and 2 ½ years later was given the command of the Leicester
force. After remaining there 10 years, he was, in February, 1882, selected by
the Birmingham watch committee, out of 90 candidates, as chief constable of
Birmingham, a position which he has since filled with credit to himself and
satisfaction to everyone. He has done much to improve the police
administration and has always shown marked ability in dealing with large
crowds of people. …
The Derbyshire Times, 3 June 1899:
Mr Farndale’s reputation was enhanced by the
breaking up of what was known as the Ledsam Street dynamite conspiracy. The
arrest of Whitehead in Ledsham street in 1883 and the subsequent capture of
Daly and Egan is in the same month of the following year are matters of
history. In consequence of the part he played in the arrest of these men, the
Watch Committee, with the approval of the then Home Secretary, increased Mr
Farndale’s salary by £100 per annum. Sir William Harcourt, in writing to
express his approval of the action of the committee, said, “I desire to testify
the very high opinion I have formed at Mr Farndale, the Chief Constable of
Birmingham, throughout the whole of this matter and in other transactions of a
similar nature, in which I have received from him valuable assistance” Not only the public of Birmingham, but those of
Leicester and Chesterfield, who know Mr Farndale’s worth, and have had the
pleasure of his friendship, will wish that in his retirement he may be restored
to health.
The Western
Times 31 May 1899: The
resignation of the Chief Constable of Birmingham (Mr Joseph Farndale) through
ill health will cause a vacancy in a post to which a salary of £900 a year is
attached. Like the Chief Constable of Exeter, and many of the best men at the
head of the police force, he rose from the ranks. He was Chief Constable of
Chesterfield at the age of 26. Mr Farndale’s reputation was enhanced by the
breaking up of what was known as the Ledsam Street Dynamite Conspiracy. The
arrest of Whitehead in Ledsam Street in 1883 and the subsequent capture of Daly
and Egan in the same month are matters of history. In consequence of the part
he played in the arrest of those men the Watch Committee, with the approval of
the home secretary, increased Mr Farndale’s salary to £100 per annum. Sir
William Harcourt, in writing to express his approval of the action of the
Committee said, “I desire to testify the very high opinion I have formed of Mr
Farndale, the Chief Constable of Birmingham, throughout the whole of this
matter and in other transactions of a similar nature, in which I have received
from him valuable assistance.”
The Leeds
Times, 3 June 1899: Mr
Joseph Farndale has resigned the Chief Constableship of Birmingham in
consequence of ill health. He has occupied the post for 17 years.
The Derbyshire
Courier, 3 June 1899:
NOTES FROM THE CROOKED STEEPLE
By an Old Crow
The popular chief constable
of Birmingham, has, in consequence of continued ill health, placed his
resignation in the hands of the Watch Committee, last Monday. Mr Farndale has
been the head of the Birmingham police force for 17 years and during that time
he has won the esteem in respect of the whole community. Among Mr Farndale's
most notable professional triumphs was the capture in 1883 of the notorious
Whitehead-Gallacher dynamite gang - a capture affected under circumstances that
reflected the highest credit on the sagicity,
vigilance and ingenuity of the chief constable and his detective staff. Yorkshire has the honour
of producing and training the famous Birmingham chief who joined
the North Riding Constabulary at the age of 19, and who was afterwards
stationed at Middlesbrough. In a surprisingly short time he attained the rank
of Inspector, and after only seven years of experience of police duties he was
appointed chief constable of Chesterfield, subsequently holding similar appointments
Leicester and Birmingham.
Under the new regulations,
Mr Farndale is entitled to a retiring allowance of £600 a year.
At
the time of Mr Farndale’s appointment the Chesterfield force comprised only 17
men, but to put even that number in charge of a young
man of 26 might have been regarded as a risky experience had it not been for the
conviction of the watch committee that Mr Farndale was older than his years, and that his capabilities
only required testing to be abundantly manifested. During the 2 ½ years he
remained in our midst, Mr Farndale formed many friendships, among them a close
and abiding one with the then chairman of the Watch Committee, Alderman Wood,
who always entertained for him the highest regard. From Chesterfield Mr
Farndale went, after a short space of time I have mentioned, to take the command
of the Leicester force, which was at
that time eight times as large as that of Chesterfield. He soon won golden
opinions there.
A former resident of
Leicester has borne testimony to the esteem which Mr Farndale has held. “During
the whole time of his residence in Leicester,” says this gentleman, “Mr
Farndale was a model public official. He reorganised the police force of that
ancient borough with both tact and courage. While he
made the men both smart and active, he never allowed them to become officious
or interfering. He made the police popular with
the people. He himself had the happy knack of winning the good
opinion of all sorts and conditions of men. The magistrates learned to respect the
man who knew the criminal law better than the lawyers. The Town Council felt the
outmost confidence in a zeal which never relaxed, and a discretion never at
fault, and it was said that the general
public gave up bolting their doors and baring their windows, as the thieves had
too much respect for the vigilance of Mr Farndale's constables. In all his social
relations of life, Mr Farndale was found a good companion and a trusty friend.”
On leaving Leicester Mr
Farndale was the recipient of a silver salver and a purse containing £200 which
the members of the police force presented to him with a handsome illuminated
address.
In February 1882, Mr
Farndale was selected out of a batch of 90 candidates for the responsible
office of the Chief Constable of the
Birmingham force, the fourth largest force in England, and subsequently when the
chief commissionership was vacant at Scotland Yard his name remained on a very
small and select list. In 1880 he was presented by Sir John Jaffray on behalf
of a number of prominent people of Birmingham with a gracefully worded address
and a cheque for £403. I have already referred to his exposure of the dynamite
conspiracy, with regard to which he received a well deserved compliment from Sir William Harcourt, then
home secretary. Describing Mr Farndale in 1888, a writer in
“Birmingham Places and Faces”, after speaking of him as a man of great ability
observes: “To begin with, he is solid
physically. He weighs fifteen stone and a half and has immense shoulders and
depth of chest. He gives his directions in a fine sonorous voice, with great
calmness. Some chief constables are military men, who still
retained the military imperiousness. Mr Farndale differs from this state of
officer. He has never been a military man, and he has never even belonged to a
rifle corps. He certainly never learned the over beating method which a certain
member of the military so much admires. I am sure that Mr Farndale’s many
friends will join me in wishing that he made enjoy for many years the rest and
leisure which he so well deserves.
The Halifax
Courier, 3 June 1899: A
CHIEF CONSTABLE’S RESIGNATION. Mr Joseph Farndale has resigned the chief
constableship of Birmingham in consequence of ill health. He is occupied the
post for 17 years. Mr Farndale is Yorkshireman, and was made chief constable of
Leicester when he was only 26 years old. He is uncle of chief constable
Farndale, of York, who was formerly inspectorate Halifax. His retirement
allowance will be £600 per year.
The York
Herald, 10 June 1899: The
serious and prolonged illness of Mr Joseph Farndale, which causes his
retirement from the office of chief constable of Birmingham, will be regretted
by many of the older inhabitants of Middlesbrough, to whom he was well known.
Mr Farndale was a native of North Riding, and commenced his distinguished
police career in Middlesbrough police force. Ambitious and endowed with the
best qualities for police service, his promotion was rapid, and 17 years
ago, after a short experience as chief constable of Leicester, he received the
appointment of chief constable of Birmingham. in consequence of a serious
intermittent illness he has only been able during the past two or three years
to fulfil his duties occasionally, and he has decided to retire. His salary has
lately been £900 per annum and he becomes entitled to the handsome pension of
£600.
The Birmingham Mail, 22 June 1899: Sir. The final
retirement from office of Mr Farndale, the chief constable, may render not
unfitting a word of appreciation from one who owes him thanks for many
courteous and kindly act. Soon after my arrival in Birmingham I came into
contact with the Chief Constable when seeking material for an article on the
civic life in the midst of which I was to spend some years. I found him
ready to give me help at every point, a fact which made my task
comparatively easy so far as his department was concerned. Later, whether in or
out of office, I had occasion to send American writers and students to him, and
in their cases, as well as my own, there was the same generous aid, the same
anxiety to do for them all that lay in his power. For all this help, as
well as for many pleasant personal relations, I can only thank him thus
publicly, and joined his fellow towns men in wishing him complete restoration
to health, many years of life and happiness, and to Birmingham itself a
successor in his office who shall emulate his example. It may not be amiss
either for me to say how effective, in its every rank, I have found the
police force of this city. Both myself and family have had abundant reason to
appreciate their watchfulness and politeness. I have been much absent in
America, but it is always with the assurance that every precaution to make my
family feel secure would be taken by these guardians of the public peace.
During my service as consul, and since my retirement into the ranks of private
citizenship, I have had reason to wish that every city might have a police
force with the same discipline, intelligence, and devotion to duties as
those that I have found during six years of experience in Birmingham. Yours
etc. George F Parker, Elmwood, Arthur Rd, Edgbaston, June 21.
His final years after retiring
On Joseph Farndale’s
resignation as Chief Constable of Birmingham through ill health, his nephew, also
Joseph Farndale (FAR00463) was shortlisted amongst
eight to succeed his uncle, but in the event Sir Charles Haughton Rafter was
appointed.
The Manchester
Evening News, 5 July 1899: The
Chief Constableship of Birmingham. The Birmingham Watch Committee yesterday
received tabulated statements concerning the applicants for the chief
constableship of the city. There are exactly 50 applicants, and it is a notable
fact that over half of them are gentlemen whose only qualification appears to
be a military training. Among the candidates is Mr Farndale (FAR00463),
the chief constable of York, a nephew of Mr Joseph Farndale, the retiring chief. …
The Manchester
Evening News, 8 July 1899: The
vacant Chief Constableship of Birmingham. The judicial sub-committee of the
Birmingham Watch Committee yesterday held a special meeting to consider the
applications – exactly 50 in number – for the office of Chief Constable,
rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr Joseph Farndale. The proceedings which
were conducted in private, lasted upwards of an hour, and at the conclusion it
was stated that eight gentlemen had been selected to attend personally before a
further meeting of the sub-committee, to be held next Friday, when the final
choice will in all probability be made :- The eight applicants in question
were … Joseph Farndale, 35, Chief Constable of York (FAR00463) …
The Manchester
Evening News, 17 July 1899 (also
reported in Lincolnshire
Chronicle 21 July 1899 and Edinburgh Evening News, and Dundee
Evening Telegraph 17 July 1899): Appointment
of the Chief Constable for Birmingham. The Birmingham Watch Committee at a
special meeting this morning appointed Mr G H Rafter, Chief Constable of the
City. Mr Rafter who is 42 years of age, has been District Inspector of the
Royal Irish Constabulary at Boyle. The appointment was vacant owing to the
retirement of Mr Joseph Farndale through ill health. Mr Rafter has had 16
years’ Irish police experience.
Joseph Farndale’s
health continued to be a concern. The Birmingham
Mail, 9 September 1899:
HEALTH OF MR FARNDALE . It is reported that the health of Mr Farndale, ex
Chief Constable of Birmingham, is still in a state which causes anxiety. He is
at present staying near Blackpool. The Stockton Herald, 16 September 1899: The health of ex Chief Constable Farndale, of
Birmingham, who is staying at the hydro, near Blackpool, has not improved on
the unsatisfactory state we reported some time back. It is still such as to
give his friends cause for anxiety. The Birmingham Mail, 21 October 1899: The late Chief Constable, Mr Farndale. Has
returned to Birmingham from Blackpool. He contemplates taking up his residence
in the city, I understand, and is at present residing in Calthorpe Road. His
health is now much better than it has been lately. The presentation which the
police purpose making him will assume the form of a dog cart, an easy chair,
and an illuminated address in book form. The presentation will, in all
probability, be made next week.
On his return to
Birmingham, he received a presentation for his service. The Birmingham
Mail, 3 November 1899: THE EX CHIEF
CONSTABLE OF THE CITY. Last night Mr Joseph Farndale, the ex
Chief Constable of Birmingham, was the recipient of a valuable
present from the members of the Birmingham Constabulary as a mark of
appreciation. The presentation, which would have been made earlier but for Mr
Farndale's absence from the city in consequence of good health, took place
at the house in Calthorpe Roadd, where he is at
present residing. Among those present were Mr Joseph Ansell, Dr Hutchinson,
Superintendents McManus (Deputy Chief Constable), Morgan (Chief Clerk), Moore,
Beard, Thomas and Monk. The present consisted of a dog cart and a set of
silver plated harness, a richly upholstered arm chair, and an illuminated
address in book form, bound in green Morocco leather. The trap, which is
the latest design, and fitted with a clock on the inside of the splash board,
was driven round the house. In a brief speech Superintendent McManus asked Mr
Farndale’s acceptance of the presents and the address, which had been signed on
behalf of the whole of the members of the force by the Deputy Chief Constable
and the other Superintendents, was then read by Superintendent Morgan.
Subsequently Mr Ansell spoke and Mr Farndale acknowledged the presentation, and
desired his thanks to be conveyed to the whole of the members of the force who
had so generously testified their appreciation of the feeling which had so long
existed between them.
1900
The Birmingham Daily Post, 4 July 1900: MR
FARNDALE. Mr J Farndale. The late chief constable of Birmingham, has just
returned from Bournemouth, and is staying at the Hollies, Sutton
Coldfield.
The debate still
went on about Daly and the Irish arrests.
The Daily News (London), 21 August 1901: Anyone who
knows the inner side of Irish life is well aware that it is the general belief
that hundreds of the outrages are manufactured by the police, partly for
political reasons, and partly for the purpose of obtaining promotion. In
connection with these manufactured outrages is it will be remembered that the
Chief Constable of Birmingham, the late Mr Farndale, distinctly and
repeatedly alleged that the Birmingham dynamite plot had been promoted and
fostered by the Irish policeman, who had been sent to Birmingham for the
purpose. He declared again and again his bitter regret that he had
innocently allowed himself to be drawn into the transaction. The Home
Secretary of the time declined to take action on Mr Farndale's representations
but the admission made by Mr Windham in the House of Commons on Saturday proved
that there was, unfortunately, only too much ground for investigating these
matters in the light of open day. I trust now the Chief Secretary has gone so
far, he will continue his investigations into the conduct of the mayor and
police into the general methods of the Royal Irish Constabulary.
The Dundee Evening Post, 24 August 1901:
HOIST
WITH THEIR OWN PETARD
POLICE
‘MANUFACTURE’ CRIME
WITH
VARIOUS RESULTS
ROYAL
IRISH REVELATIONS
The
revelations in the House of Commons as to the manner in which agrarian outrages
were deliberately manufactured by Sergeant Sheridan of the Ulster Royal Irish
Constabulary, although they must have created a very unpleasant impression on
the minds of English readers, are matters of almost everyday occurrence in
Ireland, and go far to explain the general feeling of exasperation with the
English rule which is current amongst all sections of the community in the
South and West of Ireland. That the English people are not familiar with
outrages quite as had as just revealed in the house,
speaks well for the clever methods adopted by the government for suppressing
inconvenient facts of this nature.
… in
connection with these manufactured outrages is it will be remembered that the
Chief Constable of Birmingham, the late Mr farndale, that distinctly and
repeatedly alleged that the Birmingham dynamite plot had been promoted and
fostered by Irish policeman, who had been sent to Birmingham for the purpose.
He declared again and again his bitter regret that he had innocently allowed
himself to be drawn into the transaction. The Home Secretary of the time
declined to take action on Mr Farndale’s representations.
1901
Joseph Farndale
died, aged 59, at the Hollies, Sutton Coldfield, on 8 August 1901, having
served for 17 years as Chief Constable of Birmingham, and previously as Chief
Constable of Chesterfield and Leicester.
The Coventry
Evening Telegraph, 8 August 1901:
DEATH OF MR FARNDALE. BIRMINGHAM’S LATE CHIEF CONSTABLE. The death is
announced of Mr Joseph Farndale, late Chief Constable of Birmingham. He died at
Sutton Coldfield early this morning. Mr Farndale retired two years ago. He was
Chief Constable at the time of the Egan Conspiracy, in which Egan, Daly and
Gallagher were concerned.
The Manchester Evening News, 8 August 1901: DEATH OF EX CHIEF CONSTABLE OF BIRMINGHAM. The
death is announced of Mr Joseph Farndale, late Chief Constable of Birmingham.
He died at Sutton Coldfield this morning. Mr Farndale retired two years ago. He
was Chief Constable at the time of the Fenian conspiracy, in which Egan, Daly,
and Gallagher were concerned. The American papers alleged that Mr Farndale and
the then chief detective hatched the plot artificially, but Daly confessed this
was nonsensical.
The Bradford
Daily Telegraph, 9 August 1901:
DEATH OF EX CHIEF CONSTABLE FARNDALE. Mr Joseph Farndale, ex chief constable
of Birmingham, died yesterday, at his residence, Sutton Coldfield. Mr Farndale
was a Yorkshireman, and joined the North Riding Police Force at the age of
nineteen. He was subsequently appointed Chief Constable of Leicester, which
position he held for ten years. He then succeeded Major Bond as Chief Constable
of Birmingham, and was superannuated in 1899. Mr Farndale’s nephew, Mr Joseph
Farndale, is Chief Constable of Bradford.
The Manchester
Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 9 August 1901: OBITUARY. Mr Joseph Farndale, who retired from
the Chief Constableship of Birmingham a couple of years ago on account of
health, after nearly 20 years service, died yesterday
at Sutton Coldfield. He first joined the force in the West Riding of Yorkshire,
and at the age of 26 was appointed Chief Constable of Chesterfield. Two years
after he was appointed Chief of Leicester, and 10 years afterwards was appointed
to Birmingham.
The Nottingham
Evening Post, 9 August 1901:
OBITUARY. MR JOSEPH FARNDALE. The death is announced of Mr Joseph Farndale,
late Chief Constable of Birmingham. He died at Sutton Coldfield yesterday
morning. Mr Farndale retired two years ago. He was Chief Constable at the time
of the Fenian Conspiracy in which Egan, Daly and Gallagher were concerned, and
American papers have alleged that Mr Farndale hatched the plot artificially. As
Daly confessed however, this was nonsensical. He first joined the force in the
West Riding of Yorkshire, and at the age of 26 was appointed Chief Constable of
Chesterfield. Two years later he was appointed Chief of Leicester, and ten
years afterwards was appointed to Birmingham.
The Sunderland
Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, 9 August 1901: Mr Joseph Farndale, who retired from the Chief
Constableship of Birmingham a couple of years ago after nearly 20 years service, died yesterday at Sutton Coldfield. He
discovered the dynamite plot in Birmingham.
The Gloucester
Citizen, 9 August 1901: Personal
Gossip. … Mr Joseph Farndale, who from 1882 to 1899 occupied the position of
Chief Constable of Birmingham, died on Thursday.
The Gloucester
Citizen, 13 August 1901: The
funeral of Mr Joseph Farndale, formerly Chief Constable of Birmingham, took
place on Monday at Witton Cemetery, amid every outward manifestation of respect
and sympathy. About 200 Birmingham policemen attended.
The Birmingham
Mail, 23 October 1901: At
a meeting of the Watch Committee today, a letter was read from Mr J Farndale, Chief
Constable at Bradford, thanking the committee for the resolution of condolence
in respect to the death of the late Mr Joseph Farndale.
The Birmingham Daily
Gazette, 9 August 1901:
DEATH OF MR JOSEPH FARNDALE
A LONG AND INTERESTING POLICE CAREER
The news of the death of Mr Joseph Farndale was received in
Birmingham yesterday with feelings of general regret. He was a man respected in
his official capacity as chief constable of Birmingham by every member of the
force, and esteemed for his sterling attributes, and manly character by the
thousands of Birmingham citizens who know him either as chief of police or
as a friend. Failing health caused Mr Farndale to resign his position in May of
1889...
A native of the north riding of Yorkshire, Mr Farndale joined
the force in that riding at the age of 19,. After serving there a short time he
joined the Middlesbrough force...
In January of 1882 Mr Farndale was selected out of ninety
candidates to fill the important post of chief constable of Birmingham … he was
called upon to to take part in many important criminal cases. Birmingham and
the whole country will easily recall the troublous times of the dynamite
plots. Mr Farndale had not been chief constable of Birmingham long before
he had to direct the delicate and important inquiries which resulted in the
arrest of Whitehead, in April of 1883 and of Daly and Egan a year later.... Mr
Farndale’s tact and ability in connection with the capture of the
conspirators did not go unrewarded, and the Watch Committee, with the approval
of the Home Secretary, Sir William Harcourt, increased Mr Farndale’s salary by
£100. Sir William Harcourt in a letter to the Mayor of birmingham, in
connection with the valuable work which the Birmingham police force had
rendered, wrote:
Home Department, August 3, 1888,
Mr Mayor, as you are aware, I have for some time had under my
consideration the manner in which the services should be recognised of those by
whose courage and skill the detection of the nitro-glycerin plot was due. Among
those the Birmingham police claimed the first rank. I have as you know,
submitted to Parliament an estimate for a sum of money to be awarded to the
officers who took part in Birmingham and London in this transaction; but as I
am informed that your Council has under its consideration the rewards which it
shall grant by way of promotion and increased pay to the members of its own
force, I desire to testify the very high opinion I have formed at the
remarkable skill, intelligence, and resource exhibited by Mr Farndale, the
Chief Constable of Birmingham, throughout the whole of this matter, and in
other transactions of a similar nature in which I have received from him much
valuable assistance. I shall be extremely glad to hear that the Town Council of
Birmingham have thought fit to bestow upon him some signal mark of their
approval.
I remain, Mr Mayor, your faithful servant, W V Harcourt.
A story from london
In a paragraph written during the illness of Mr Farndale, a
London contemporary stated Mr Joseph Farndale, the chief constable of
Birmingham, whose grave illness threatened to involve the transference of the
city's Assizes to the old county town of Warwick, is a man with an honourable
and interesting past. His cousin, who still resides and works in the midst of
these rural scenes of Yorkshire which the smart member of the farndale family
quitted to earn fame and fortune, tells that young Joseph Arndale was at work
in the fields one day, at the tail of the dunk art, when... [see this story reported
elsewhere]
The Leicester Daily Post, 9
August 1901: DEATH OF MR FARNDALE. INTERESTING CAREER. General regret
will be felt in Leicester at the death of Mr Joseph Farndale, who for 10 years
was chief constable of the borough, and who until 1899 was chief constable of
Birmingham, but who resigned in may of that year inconsequence of indifferent
health. The deceased gentleman has been ill for some time, and died at his
residence, The Hollies, Sutton Coldfield, yesterday morning. Mr Farndale was a
native of Yorkshire, and had been connected with police duties from his
boyhood. At the age of 19 he became a constable in the North Riding
Constabulary, from whence he removed to Middlesbrough. His fine presence,
combined with a huge degree of intelligence, led to his rapid promotion and
it was not long before he attained to the rank of Inspector. Seven years later
the chief constable Chesterfield became vacant...
The Nottingham Evening Post, 9 August 1901: A FAMOUS
CHIEF CONSTABLE. By the death of Mr Joseph Farndale, of Birmingham, a famous
chief constable, who retired from active duty two years ago, passes away, and
his name recalls memories of the miscreant dynamitards who made the Midland
capital their headquarters nearly 20 years ago. The manufacturing of
dynamite was established in an out of the way street, and from it the deadly
compound was exported in trunks and India rubber fishing boots to London, to
blow it up. Its existence was supposed to have been discovered in a
dream to a chemist’s assistant, who communicated with a friend in the
police force. Their inquiries soon discovered that the vision was a grim
reality, and with great skill, and at much risk to themselves, the detectives
in Birmingham and London soon had the leaders in custody. For his services on
the occasion Mr Farndale received the thanks of the Home Office and a
government reward.
The Dundee Evening Post, 10 August 1901:
TRACKING
DYNAMITARDS. GREAT PLOTS FOILED.
The ex chief constable of Birmingham, Mr. J Farndale, died at
Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham, on Thursday after a prolonged illness.
Rising
from the ranks, Mr Farndale attained the position of head of the city force,
and during his office he unearthed the villainies of the American
dynamitards, who made a special visit to this country with the object of
intimidating the British government by their diabolical outrages. The
police, however, proved more than a match for the gang, and it was Mr Farndale
who found that the conspirators were making their dynamite in the midlands.
A
Birmingham chemist noticed that an unusual quantity of nitric acid was being
purchased by a man living in Ledsam Street, in the city, and he gave
information to the police. This resulted in the detectives letting themselves
into Ledsam Street premises with the aid of skeleton keys, and while the
occupant was asleep the officers took samples of the contents of seething
carboys, which proved to contain crudely made nitro-glycerine. There was
enough explosive in this illicit dynamite factory to destroy the whole suburb
of Ladywood. After this the premises were kept under careful observation
and the majority of the gang, including Dr Gallacher, Wilson, Whitehead, and
Curtin were captured while conveying dynamite to London. For a time this broke
up the plotters, but it was not long before the plotters were at their work
again, and curiously enough, they again made for Birmingham one of their
centres. Mr Farndale and his staff, however, were once more equal to the
occasion. Daly, a prominent member of the Fenian brotherhood, was the active
agent in a plot to throw bombs from the strangers gallery's on to the table in
the House of Commons. He had his headquarters with a man named Egan and was
watched day and night by Mr Farndale’s emissaries. Eventually Daly was arrested
in Liverpool with the deadly bombs in his possession, and in Mr Daly in Egan’s
garden dynamite and documents relating to the secret society were found.
Mr
Farndale was the recipient of a special compliment from Sir William
Harcourt, speaking on behalf of the Government, and a considerable sum of
money was voted him. The activity displayed by Mr Farndale was largely
responsible for neutralising the zeal of O’Donovan Rossa.
The Derbyshire Courier, 10 August 1901. MR JOSEPH
FARNDALE LATE OF CHESTERFIELD. We have also to record this week, with regret,
the death of Mr Joseph Farndale, formerly chief constable of Chesterfield, and
subsequently of Leicester and Birmingham, which occurred on Thursday at his
residence, The Hollies, Sutton Coldfield. Mr Farndale, who is 59 years of age,
had for several years suffered from Bright’s disease, and his retirement
from the chief constableship in May, 1899, followed upon a seizure from which
at the time, he was scarcely expected to recover. He rallied however and on
retiring went to reside for a time at Bournemouth. Last year he removed
to Sutton Coldfield, wintering, however, at St. Leonards on sea. On
Sunday last he was attacked by a cerebral haemorrhage, but remained
conscious until Wednesday. He rapidly became weaker, and died on Thursday
morning. Mr Farndale was a native of Yorkshire, and had been connected with
police duties from boyhood. At the age of 19 he became a constable in the North
Riding Constabulary, from whence he removed to Middlesbrough. His fine
presence, combined with a high degree of intelligence, led to his rapid
promotion, and it was not long before he attained to the rank of Inspector. He
had only seven years police experience when a vacancy occurred in the post of
the chief constable of Chesterfield and to this Mr Farndale was appointed. The
Chesterfield force was only a small one, the borough having a very limited
area, but it afforded Mr farndale and administrative experience which was a
great value to him. He was at the time of his appointment the youngest chief
constable in the kingdom. Mr Farndale remained at Chesterfield for 2 ½ years,
but he had secured a standing which led to his appointment to the far more important
position of chief constable of Leicester. How he composed himself there is
shown by the terms of the testimonial given to him by the Mayor of Leicester at
the time he became a candidate for the command of the Birmingham police force.
The Mayor of Leicester wrote: “Mr Farndale is a thoroughly practical man, and
an excellent disciplinarian. Towards the men he is considerate and firm, and he
has won their entire confidence and respect. Throughout the town by the
authorities he is fully trusted and highly esteemed. While at Leicester Mr
Farndale’s salary was twice increased each by each time by £100. Several of the
leading officers who served under him there rose to important positions in
other forces, and the Leicester police force became known as one of the best
organised bodies in the provinces. In 1882 out of 90 applicants, Mr Farndale
was unanimously appointed to the chief constableship of Birmingham. The
Birmingham police force when Mr Farndale ended up on its direction numbered 520
men, but in a little over a year, after Mr Farndale’s appointment 50 more
constables were added, and further increases to about 720 men were made from
time to time. Of the masterly fashion in which Mr Farndale dealt with the
dynamite conspiracy it is unnecessary to speak. So William Harcourt who was the
Home Secretary at the time wrote to the mayor of Birmingham and letter in which
he said... Upon his retirement in 1889 in 1899, the officers and men of the
police force gave expression to their respect and goodwill by presenting Mr
Farndale a handsome trap, harness and carriage clock.
The Shields Daily News, 10 August 1901: DEATH OF A
NOTED CHIEF CONSTABLE. Mr. James (sic, recte
Joseph) Farndale, late chief constable in Birmingham, died on Thursday morning
at his residence, Sutton Coldfield...
Of the funeral: Coventry Evening News, 13 August 1901: The Chef Constable of Coventry (Mr C C Charsley) on Monday attended
the funeral of Mr Joseph Farndale (ex cChief
Constable of Birmingham) at Witton Cemetery.
Of the estate: The Sutton Coldfield News, 29 December
1901: THE ESTATE OF THE LATE MR FARNDALE. The estate of the late Mr Joseph
Farndale, of The Hollies, Sutton Coldfield, formerly chief of the city of
Birmingham police, has been sworn at £1,059, 19s, 11d, and the personality at
£959, 1s, 8 ½ d. As Mr Farndale died intestate, and his only one child
and next of kin, Mr Joseph W Farndale, being resident at Ba, Fiji islands, a
grant of administration to the estate of the deceased has been obtained by Mr
Joseph Ansell, solicitor, 27, Bennetts Hill, Birmingham, on behalf of, and as
lawful attorney to, Mr J W Farndale.
The Official
Gazette, 17 December 1901:
Joseph Farndale Deceased
Pursuant to the statute, 22 and 23 Victoria, chapter
35.
Notice is hereby given, that all creditors and other
persons having any debts, claims, or demands against the estate of Joseph
Farndale, late of The Hollies, Sutton Coldfield, in the county of Warwick,
formerly chief of police for the city of Birmingham, who died on the eighth day
of August, 1901, and whose personal estate letters of administration were
granted by the Birmingham District Registry of the Probate Division of the High
Court of Justice to Joseph Ansell, of Bennett’s Hill, in the said city of Birmingham,
solicitor, are hereby required to send particulars of their claims or demands
to us, the undersigned, as solicitors, to the said Joseph Ansell, on or before
the 31st day of January, next, after which day the said Joseph Ansell will
proceed to distribute the assets of the deceased amongst the parties entitled
thereto, having regard only to the claims of which he shall then have had
notice; And the said Joseph Ansell will not be liable for the assets, or any
part thereof, so distributed to any persons of whose debt or claim he shall not
then have had notice. Dated this 13th day of December 1901. Ansell and Ashford,
27 Bennetts Hill, Birmingham, solicitors to the said Joseph Ansell.
After he died
The general view of Joseph
Farndale after he died was very favourable.
The Birmingham
Mail, 20 December 1901 recalled
the old days: Sir, Wednesday night's proceedings may to some minds appear
barbarous, but had we had one of our own officers at the head of the police, he
would not have lost his head in an emergency and caused it innocent children to
be maimed with the baton. He would have resorted to our late Mr Farndale's
method, and turned the harmless fire hose on them. Yours, a Brum man.
The Derbyshire Times, 14 November 1903: The retirement of Superintendent
Detective Melville, of Scotland Yard, reminds one of his connection with one of
Chesterfield 's former Chief Constables. It was during the dynamite plots that
detective Melville first came prominently before the public, and in the process
of running to earth the culprits, he and Chief Constable Farndale, of
Birmingham, were closely associated. The honours for the discoveries in
London rested with detective Melville, but he has always been ready to
acknowledge the assistance of Chief Constable Farndale rendered him, and to
admit that it was largely due to the manner the Birmingham chief unearthed
the factory and the miscreants in his own city that the complete break up
of a conspiracy more dangerous and vile than the gunpowder plot, was
brought about.
Harking
back to the ‘good old days’, The Birmingham Daily
Gazette, 18 October 1905: to the editor of The Gazette and Express.
Sir. I am more than pleased to find that you are still fighting the cause of
Miss Burrows and Mr Bentley. Had this occurred in Mr Farndale's time or
that of Major Bond the matter would not have stood over sine die but would have
been settled at this by stripping the officers of their uniform …
A
reminiscence of Joseph Farndale, the unintended recipient of some grapes in the Birmingham
Mail, 24 August 1907: Reading the article in the Mail the other
evening on Police Court officers of the past in Birmingham, I was reminded of
an amusing little incident of which I was a witness some years ago at the
Victoria Law courts. At the time it occurred I was sitting by the side of the
late Mr. Hammond, as genial and genuine an old soul as ever pleaded before the
magistrates. Mr. Hammond had retired from active practise in those days, yet he
remained one of the most familiar figures at the courts, where he seemed to
have a smile and a nod of recognition for everybody. It was one of his
little eccentricities to carry in his trouser pocket a supply of grapes, to
which his hand stole every now and again as lunch drew near. Among the
messenger boys who flitted in and out of the press seats, these grapes were a
well known quantity, by reason of the fact that Mr Hammond often gave the
lads a few, the fruit generally passing from one to the other undercover
of the table provided in front of the dock, or the convenience of the
solicitors addressing the bench. On the day in question Mr Hammond had
motioned a messenger boy on his side, but the lad had no sooner taken
his seat than the chief constable of that day, the late Mr Farndale, appeared
at the table. The boy instantly rose to make way for the chief, and down
sat Mr Farndale, without his presence being apparent to Mr Hammond, who at
the moment was deeply engrossed in certain evidence that was being tendered
from the witness box. He still had his eyes fixed intently on the witness when,
dipping a hand abstractedly into his pocket, he pulled out a few grapes and pushed
them quietly into Mr Farndale's hand. I leave readers who remember the
somewhat pompous dignity of the late chief to imagine the astonishment, not
unmixed with a semblance of annoyance, with which he regarded the proffered
fruit; but even Mr Farndale’s surprise was mild compared with that of the
worthy lawyer when he realised the embarrassing nature of the situation.
Mr. Hammond had a rare fund of reminiscence, and I have heard him tell some
remarkable stories of the historic days of the gun making boom in Birmingham in
the early 70s....
The Referee, 13 October 1907: TO MOTOR ME TO MALVERN.
The last time I took the road between the capital of the Thames and the
capital of the Rea and Tame, Faust up-to-date, waltzed into Birmingham on his
hind legs to express his dissatisfaction at the steam trams, and when I drove
out of it on my way to London Chief Constable Farndale went ahead in his dog
cart, acting as a kind of pilot engine, saw me and my performing pony safely
out to the London Road beyond the iron horses who snort was terror and whose
breath was blackness...
The Birmingham Daily Gazette, 5 June 1908: During
his command of the Birmingham police Major Bond had initiated several wise and
necessary reforms, and he left to his successor, the late Mr Joseph Farndale, a
force which was in every respect far superior to that which he had himself
taken over some years before, and Mr Farndale developed the reforms on useful
and beneficial lines. The chief constableship of Mr Farndale is within too
recent memory to call for reminiscent comment, but I may mention an anecdote
illustrating how the former chief came to drift into the police service. Oddly
enough, it was in a little village beyond York, and in a little chapel where I
had been unexpectedly claimed called upon to preach, that I met Mr joseph
Farndale's cousin, who told me that Joseph Farndale, when a young man, was
engaged in a farm in the north country. It happened that one day he became
greatly irritated, and in an outburst of discontent with his lot he flung
down his whip and declared he would go off and become a policeman. He was
as good as his word, and without further deliberation he set off to
Middlesbrough, and joined the police force. He rose through the ranks, secured
the post of chief constable of Chesterfield, and next accepted the same rank at
Leicester, whence he came to Birmingham in the early 80s to assume the chief
constableship here.
There
was a strange case of wife desertion which occurred in 1909, and
evidence concerning Joseph Farndale’s instruction to the former policeman named
Wolffe became in issue. The
Birmingham Daily Gazette, 25 August 1909: WIFE DESERTION. STRANGE
MATRIMONIAL TANGLE. MR FARNDALE’S ADVICE. An involved and interesting
matrimonial case was heard at the Birmingham police court yesterday before the
deputies … Mr Farndale’s Inquiries …. when [the former policeman] married the
complainant in Birmingham Mr Farndale, who was chief constable at the time,
made inquiries as to his first wife, but what the result of those inquiries was
he could not say. Since leaving Bristol he has never communicated with his
first wife's relatives The complainant recalled said that when Mr Farndale
found that she and Wolfe were living together as man and wife, he gave them a
month to get married if Wolfe intended to continue in the Force. Wolfe never
made any inquiries as to whether his wife was alive or not, and witness and
Wolfe went through a form of marriage. She was to take Mr Farndale the marriage
certificate within the month and this she did. Afterwards her husband gave her
a letter informing her that she and he were to attend at Mr Farndale's office
at the Council House. They went, and Mr Farndale said to the witness I am sorry
to inform you that your position in regard to being Mr Wolffe’s wife is just
the same as before you were married. I have information that his wife is living
in Cardiff. Mr Farndale further told her that as Wolffe had gone through the
form of marriage with her he could continue in the Force if she consented to
live with him. He said however that if she preferred to leave him, he would see
that Wolffe kept the child. She continued to live with Wolffe. Questioned with
regard to those statements Wolffe said that Mr Farndale never made them. He
merely said to the woman that if anything happened to him, Wolffe, she would be
entitled to the money... The Yorkshire
Telegraph and Star, 25 August 1909: MARRIAGE MAZE. DESERTION CHARGE
REVEALS AMAZING ROMANCE. AN EXTRAORDINARY TANGLE. EX POLICEMAN’S STORY OF LONG
LOST WIFE. … complainant in the course of further evidence said that prior to
her marriage she had been living in Birmingham with Wolffe, who was then a
police constable in the city, and Mr Farndale the chief constable about time
told them that they must be married if Wolffe was to continue in the force...
The Birmingham Daily Post, 8 September 1909:
Birmingham Police Court … Mr Farndale, the then chief constable of Birmingham,
had told her that he had received information to the effect that Wolffe had a
wife living in Cardiff, and therefore complainants position in regard to being
Wolffe’s wife was just the same as before they went through the form of
marriage. Wolffe went into the box cover and denied that Mr Farndale had made
those statements...
The Birmingham Mail, 2 July 1910: The letter which
was published in the Mail the other evening complaining of the reign of the
hooligans in the neighbourhood of Garrison Lane sounds like a return to the old
order of things. There was a time when this part of Birmingham was one of
the most notorious in the city, when it was unsafe for any respectable person
to be seen in the district, and when the rough reigned supreme and wielded the
buckled belt and knuckle duster with terrorising effect. But the late Mr Farndale,
as chief constable, organised a crusade against the half savage
hooligans, who were finally made to understand that they must not interfere
with law abiding citizens, however much they might feel inclined to battle the
heads of their brother roughs.
The Derbyshire Courier, 16 December 1911: THE
POLICEMAN’S FRIEND. One of the closest one of his closest intimates was Mr
Joseph Farndale, the well known chief constable of
Birmingham, who was formerly chief constable of Chesterfield and subsequently
of Leicester, and it is betraying no secret stage that it was at Brambling
House, Chesterfield, where the main provisions of the police superannuation act
were originally drafted, at a gathering which included Mr Farndale and the
chief constables of several of the largest towns in the country....
Before long he was
recalled as a ‘superman’. The
Leicester Evening Mail, 10 January 1921: A
retrospect on the municipal aspect … To the editor of the Leicester Mail. Sir,
I settled in Leicester in the 1877 … The present Sir James Bell of London, was
certainly the Superman, with Mr Hiley a remarkably good second. I remember on
one occasion when it was proposed to bring forth a Bill in Parliament for
borough extensions, Mr Hiley took leading counsel's opinion, with the result
that it was dropped as being impracticable at the time. Would that similar course
had been adopted with regard to the present I should imagine him to be a very
capable waterworks engineer and reliable advisor. There have been several, I
believe half a dozen, chief constables of whom there is no doubt the late Mr
Farndale was a Superman. At the same time I think the present holder of the
position is a thoroughly reliable and efficient officer.
And
there were those arguing that Joseph Farndale had been the handsomest chief constable
The Leicester Daily Mercury, 5 September 1921:
The
late Mr Farndale and the Abbey park opening.
Several
correspondents have written to correct a correspondent who assured me that the
late Mr Farndale was Chief Constable of Leicester when the Abbey park was
opened, though he was present on the occasion when King Edward, whom he
resembled, came to Leicester as Prince of Wales. As a matter of fact Mr
Joseph Farndale resigned in February 1882 and was succeeded by the late Mr
James Duns. The Abbey Park was opened in May of the same year and Mr Farndale
was at the head of a posse of Birmingham police, who came over to assist the
local Constabulary in controlling the crowds which assembled for the royal
visit.
The
handsomest chief constable.
Another
correspondent challenges my assertion that Mr Farndale was the handsome list
chief constable Leicester ever had. He writes:
“The handsomest
chief constable in recent times and distant, for the matter of that, was not Mr
Farndale, but Chief Constable Lumley, particularly when he was in uniform. He
was by far the handsomest chief constable Leicester has ever heard, and chief
constable Alan is the brainiest.”
Happily
good looks are matters of opinion, so that I shall not be expected to recant.
When
the police wore top hats
The
reference to Mr Farndale has reminded another of my readers of earlier
constabulary days. He says “It took my memory back to 1871 when I was a boy of
14. In that year the Chief Constable, Mr Charters retired. In his time the
members of the force wore top hats …
The Leicester Daily Mercury, 22 March 1929: One must
not forget to notice to the Chief Constable of his day, Joseph Farndale, the
most distinguished chief constable in living memory, so like the Prince of
Wales people used to say of him. …
The Leicester Daily Mercury 17
December 1931: I find in the 1875 directory that Mr Henry Thompson
dwelt at his Tolbert Lane school, but only the only house mentioned in St
Martin’s West is that of the chief constable, Mr Joseph Farndale. Now my
lady informant assured me that a daughter of the house, the house that is
evading me, was very musical and that the Farndales, who were their
neighbours, used to visit the Thompsons for musical evenings...
The Derbyshire Times, 15 March 1935: The annual
dinner of the Chesterfield borough police Athletic Club has been fixed for
tonight … Another well known chief in the earlier
days was Mr. J Farndale 1869 to 1871, uncle of the present traffic commissioner
for the north Midlands. Mr. J Farndale became Chief Constable of Birmingham,
where he broke up the Fenian conspiracy of that city. He was an old friend
of the late Alderman T P Woods, of Brambling House, Chesterfield and frequently
attended his famous new year parties.
The Birmingham Daily Gazette, 6 March 1939:
The Chiefs have been …
During the 100 years the Birmingham police force has been in
existence it has been controlled by –
Chief Commissioner Francis Burgess, 1839 to 1842, resigned when
control by the Crown ceased;
Chief Superintendent Richard Stevens: 1842 to 1860, resigned
owing to failing health.
With the rank of Chief Constable:
Mr George Glossop 1862 to 1876, retired on pension;
Major Edwin Bond, 1876 to 1881, resigned following criticism of
the administration of the force.
Mr Joseph Farndale, 1882 to 1899, retired on pension.
Sir Charles Rafter: 1889 to 1935, died.
Mr CCH Moriarty, 1935.