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3 March 1867: Robbed by a young Leeds prostitute, the elderly captain of a Goole boat keeps his shirt on

Leeds Mercury. 1867/03/04. The Captain of the Reform Boat Robbed in Leeds. Leeds. Get it:

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Excerpt

Last night Richard Curtis, the captain of a boat lying at Warehouse Hill, Leeds, called the Reform, of Rawcliffe, Goole, while out on the spree, met with two females of abandoned character. After treating them freely at a public-house he provided himself with a bottle of port wine, to dispose of which they all adjourned shortly before midnight on board the “Reform.” Arrived there Curtis undressed and went to his berth, but while there he discovered that one of the women was quietly inspecting his garments. Suspecting that he was robbed, ho hastily left his berth, but the woman as hastily left the boat. Nothing daunted, though only covered with his shirt, he pursued her up Warehouse Hill into Call Lane, where he captured her. Being in somewhat of a predicament, he called out for the police, and an officer named Dixon went up and took the woman into custody, and Curtis returned to the Reform to dress. Upon the prisoner, who gave the name of Bridget O’Brien, was found the captain’s valuable silver watch and guard, his bottle of wine, and a number of eggs. She was removed to the Town Hall, and will be placed before the magistrates this morning.

To facilitate reading, the spelling and punctuation of elderly excerpts have generally been modernised, and distracting excision scars concealed. My selections, translations, and editions are copyright.

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Comment

Comment

The Mercury of March 5th reports the magistrates’ hearing:

Prosecutor, who appeared old enough to be the prisoner’s grandfather, evinced no shame whatever as he recounted the disgraceful circumstances … of the robbery. The prisoner denied the charge, and said that the watch and guard (valued at £7), the bottle of wine, and the eggs, were given to her by the other woman to take care of.

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Original

THE CAPTAIN OF THE “REFORM” BOAT ROBBED IN LEEDS.-Last night Richard Curtis, the captain of a boat lying at Warehouse-hill, Leeds, called the “Reform,” of Rawcliffe, Goole, while out on the spree, met with two females of abandoned character. After treating them freely at a public-house he provided himself with a bottle of port wine, to dispose of which they all adjourned shortly before midnight on board the “Reform.” Arrived there Curtis undressed and went to his berth, but while there he discovered that one of the women was quietly inspecting his garments. Suspecting that he was robbed, ho hastily left his berth, but the woman as hastily left the boat. Nothing daunted, though only covered with his shirt, he pursued her up Warehouse-hill into Call-lane, where he captured her. Being in somewhat of a predicament, he called out for the police, and an officer named Dixon went up and took the woman into custody, and Curtis returned to the “Reform” to dress. Upon the prisoner, who gave the name of Bridget O’Brian, was found the captain’s valuable silver watch and guard, his bottle of wine, and a number of eggs. She was removed to the Town Hall, and will be placed before the magistrates this morning.

212 words.

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