Context Note: Uncle of William Jacob Davis (1873-1949).
COUNTRY & DISTRICT NEWS.
Wiveliscombe. – PETTY SESSIONS, April 19th. – Magistrates present: A. Capel, P. Broadmead, and H. G. Moysey, Esqrs. – James Paul and Francis Paul, of Chipstable, were brought up in custody of Supt. Jeffs, charged with cutting and wounding, with intent to murder, Hugh Redwood, of the parish of Wiveliscombe, about 10 o’clock, on Sunday night last. The prisoners, with three others, named Charles Paul (brother), John Gamlin and William Smith, were heard to threaten Redwood that they would serve him out before he went home, in consequence of something Redwood had said. It appears that the five men above named, and another, were in a beer-house at Maundown, in the evening, and some dispute arose about the reckoning between them and the landlord. The landlord would not draw any more beer for them, and ordered them to leave his house. James Paul was about to strike the landlord, when Redwood, who had been in another room, came in, and told Paul he should not strike him. The men then left the house, but Redwood remained; and after they had left they were heard to threaten him. Redwood stayed there about half an hour, and then left, for the purpose of going home with a younger brother. As soon as they had got a short distance from the house, they heard a whistle, and three of the men came upon them, when three others came up. James Paul went up to Redwood and struck him over the left eye, from which the blood gushed out, and the other men began beating with sticks and stones whoever came to his assistance. These facts were communicated to Supt. Jeffs about two o’clock on Monday morning, who immediately took Constables Collard and Pool to Chipstable, and succeeded in arresting James and Francis Paul; and while they were being examined before the magistrates John Gamlin, William Smith, and Charles Paul, were seen in the room, and taken into custody. Wm. Warren stated that he was in his own house, and heard some one call “murder;” he went to the place, and saw the three brothers Paul holding Redwood by the hair of his head, his face being covered with blood, which was then flowing very fast. He took the poor fellow into his house. Dr. Nicholls stated that he was called on Sunday night, between 11 and 12, to attend Hugh Redwood; he found him with his head tied up with cloths, which were saturated with blood; his hair and face were also covered with blood. On removing the cloths he found a wound over the left eye, about three inches long, through the flesh, an inch and a half long through the skull to the brain, and at the end of the cut a fracture, and some pieces of bone broken away, so that a probe could be passed through to the brain. It was his opinion that the blow was struck with some sharp instrument downwards. He was now lying in a very dangerous state. The five prisoners were remanded to Taunton gaol till next Tuesday. They behaved in a very impudent maner, and refused to walk. Mr. Jeffs hired a cart, placed them in it, and removed them under escort to Taunton. They will be brought up for further examination on Tuesday next, at 11 a.m.
(Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser, 27th April 1859)
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