On Thursday 15th August 1895, four men stood in the dock at Hamilton Sheriff Court accused of breaking into a Blantyre pub. Told here in 2 parts, using a transcript of the court proceedings.
Before the Sheriff and a jury, James Connor, Samuel Scott, John Allan and Archibald Lindsay, all miners of Blantyre were charged with having on 22nd and 23rd June 1895, broken into Robert Craig’s Public House on Glasgow Road. The former pub is pictured in this remarkable photo in a similar time to this story, on the land which would eventually became the Old Original.
Known as Craig’s Land, from the building was stolen 9 bottles of whisky, 8 bottles of brandy and a bottle of gin. All the accused pleaded not guilty and were defended by Mr David Miller.
Duncan M’Farlane, Blantyre, said be had charge of the public house belonging to Robert Craig. On the 22nd he closed the premises by five minutes past ten, leaving by a door behind, which had three locks on a chub. At eleven o’clock he found everything secure.
Next day a boy Cleland came to him, and said the back door had been broken in, and was standing open. He went down to the pub, and found the door burst open. He looked at the door and inside, and went for Mr Craig. Two of the three locks were broken off ; the Chubb lock was pressed open. He found lying within a few yards from the door, a machine shaft and a stob, and a graip. He saw the marks of the graip on the door.
Inside the public house he and Mr Craig at once examined the stock, and found seventeen or eighteen bottles gone. The bottles were taken off the shelf behind the bar. The value would be something over £2. He examined the place before the police came, and found prints of tackets in the back garden. He saw that one of the tackets in the heel of the left boot was missing. Shown a pair of boots in court, he identified them as the boots making the marks. They were brought to him by a constable, and fitted into the marks.
Cross-examined by Mr Miller—Witness, in case of shortage in stock, had to make it up. Sometimes one or two customers went out by the back door to a water closet. The footmarks remained in the garden till Monday morning.
Re-examined—No one got into the back premises alter the footmarks were discovered until the constable came.
John Clelland; Craig’s Land, Blantyre said on Sunday morning he noticed the back door Mr Craig’s public house open, and he went and told the barman. He heard no noise during the night.
Cross-examined—He was going to a water closet at the back. The road there was quite open, and anyone could go.
Robert Craig, Spirit merchant, Stonefield, Blantyre owner of the premises spoke to McFarlane informing him of the robbery, and also the condition of the door and the articles found, well as the stock stolen.
Cross-examined—Did not count the bottles before the robbery, but judged what had been taken from the vacancies on the top of the barrels, where the bottles were placed.
William Munro, sawer, Kirkton, High Blantyre, said on Saturday night, the 22nd June last, he was in Glasgow. He missed the last train, and had to walk home. When he got to Craig’s, public house about twenty past four, he noticed Lindsay on the road. He was walking about the entrance. apparently on the lookout. Lindsay addressed him , knowing him. Witness did not know Lindsay’s name, but he knew him by sight.
Lindsay asked if witness had anything in he pocket, and then said, if he waited a few moments, be might get a drop. Witness did not accept the invitation. No word was said as to where the drink was to come from, or who was to bring it.
Cross – examined—He did not know if there were shebeens in Blantyre as he had not been looking after them. But he would think it nothing extraordinary if there were.
William Beaton, Fireman. Foundry Cottage, Uddingston, said on Saturday night, 22nd June last, he was in Blantyre. He went to the Priory Pit, and was in the engine house till about half past five. He left then to go home. On his way he heard talk in a plantation. He looked over a boundary wall, and saw five men drinking. One of the five men ran away. He identified the prisoners as the four men in court. He asked where they got the drink and Connor said it was none of his business. He got up on the wall and got a taste out of a bottle. He then lighted his pipe. He noticed two quart bottles and a pint bottle during that time. Witness had hidden bottles there, and he remarked, “You seem to have fallen on a good seam.” One of the men gave him a bottle and told him to “shut up his face.” Witness thought it was one of his own. He took it afterwards to the engine-home. He could not speak to the labels.
Thomas Mooney, Fireman of Smellie’s Land, High Blantyre said he was on duty at the Priory Pit during Sunday morning and saw Beaton . Beaton went away about half past five and came back at half past six with a bottle of whisky. Witness saw a “Challenge” label on the bottle.
Continued on Part 2 tomorrow….