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A FEMALE SWINDLER.
The woman who calls herself Miss Westwood, alias Mrs Vernon, alias Lady Douglas, and has of late been creating so much attention by her strange freaks at Weston-super-Mare and other places, has made her appearance in Bristol. It appears she has been amongst others, to Mr Combes, milliner, Park-street, and ordered a large number of articles to be sent to a house at Clifton, which she stated that she had taken. He, thinking her assertion to be incorrect, made inquiries, and found his anticipation realised. The prisoner also visited Dory’s, in Park-street, and here she ordered goods to the value of £100, which she directed should be sent to her residence in York-crescent. An inquiry was, however, instituted, and the consequence was, no goods were sent. A visit was likewise paid to Miss Crosby’s establishment in Park-street, and here the strange customer declared that she had received instructions to purchase some of the very best class of baby linen, the whole of the order to amount to £100. A number of costly robes and caps were submitted to her inspection, and she remained in the shop for full two hours, at the end of which time she complained of being a little fatigued, and asked if they could give her some beer. Answer was made that none was kept upon the premises, but that she could be accommodated with porter. This beverage meeting with her approval, a bottle was brought in, all the contents of which she quaffed. The goods she selected were to be sent to the house of Mrs Long, on the York-crescent; but it soon proved that the liberal order given was far from being bonâ fide. Mrs Long herself complained of the accused, as, owing to the representations respecting her husband made by her, she ordered a quantity of dainties, which were of course not paid for. Various other houses have been visited by the same person, and amongst them some of those medical men, to whom she represents that she is in anticipation of an “interesting event,” and is anxious to secure their services. At more than one she “feels faint,” and on being served with a glass of wine, takes advantage of the opportunity to drink the major part of the contents of the decanter. On Monday afternoon Mr Inspector Attwood brought her before the sitting magistrates at the council-house, and the complaints of some of her numerous victims were heard. It appeared, however, that all her transactions partook of the nature of a simple debt, and the magistrates therefore discharged her. She is believed to be insane. On Tuesday the same individual was again brought before the magistrates, but on a more serious charge, that of stealing a seal from the house of Dr Fryer, to whom she had made the same representation as to the other medical gentlemen. A strong case of suspicion was made out, but there is no reason to doubt the woman is of unsound intellect.
— Monmouthshire Beacon, Saturday 02 November 1861 source
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A LADY VICTIMISER IN TROUBLE
A female, who in Bristol, at Clifton, and at Weston-super-Mare has visited various tradesmen and others, representing herself to be sometimes one person and sometimes another, was on Monday brought before the Bristol magistrates, charged with attempting to obtain goods under false pretences. She appeared on this occasion as “Miss Westwood,” though it appeared that at one time she gave her name as Vernon, and afterwards maintained herself to be the wife of Lieut.-General Sir James Douglas. It seemed that “Miss Westwood” went, amongst others, to Mr. Combes, milliner, Park-street, Bristol, and ordered a large number of articles to be sent to a house at Clifton, which she stated that she had taken. He, thinking her assertion to be incorrect, made inquiries, and found his anticipation realised. The prisoner also visited Dory’s mourning establishment, in Park-street, and here she ordered goods to the value of £100, which she directed should be sent to her residence in York-crescent. An inquiry was, however, instituted, and the consequence was, no goods were sent. A visit was likewise paid to Miss Crosby’s, in Park-street, and here the strange customer declared that she had received instructions to purchase some of the very best class of baby linen, the whole of the order to amount to £100. A number of costly robes and caps were submitted to her inspection, and she remained in the shop for full two hours, at the end of which time she complained of being a little fatigued, and asked if they could give her some beer. Answer was made that none was kept upon the premises, but that she could be accommodated with porter. This beverage meeting with her approval, a bottle was brought in, all the contents of which she quaffed. The goods she selected were to be sent to the house of Mrs. Long of the York-crescent; but it soon proved that the liberal order given was far from being bona-fide. Mrs. Long herself complained of the accused, as, owing to the representations respecting her husband made by her, she ordered a quantity of dainties, which were of course not paid for. The defence set up by the prisoner was that she was an injured woman, and had been honourably acquitted of like charges by the magistrates at Weston-super-Mare. She was discharged, as no case was distinctly proved against her, and there was some reason to imagine that she was insane. A short time since this person called on a clerical gentleman, residing in Bath, and representing herself as being about to marry a clergyman, attempted to obtain a temporary loan, but the assistance sought was declined, Miss Westwood being regarded as a suspicious character. On Tuesday, the same party was brought up at the Bristol police-office charged with stealing a gold seal from the house of Mr. Fryer, surgeon, on Redcliffe Hill, on whom she had called, pretending to be in an interesting situation. The magistrates directed that the surgeon to the police, Mr. C. Leonard, should ascertain whether the woman was of sound mind.
— Cheltenham Chronicle, Tuesday 05 November 1861 source
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PRACTICING UPON THE DOCTORS.
—The female who has been creating so much excitement amongst the tradespeople of our fashionable suburb, Clifton, was brought up, charged with stealing a gold seal, the property of Mr. Fryer, surgeon. She now assumed the name of Rose Douglas, and notwithstanding the rumours that her mind was affected, she answered all questions put to her in a rational manner, and betrayed no symptoms of being deranged. Mr. Fryer stated that he was a medical man, practising on Redcliff-hill, and on Saturday the prisoner called to consult him, in company with an individual whom she termed her lady’s maid. Her avowed object was to ask his opinion relative to going to London, as she affirmed she was in an “interesting situation,” and doubted whether it would be safe for her to travel at present. He was not at home when she called, and after remaining about half an hour she went away, and said that she would return in two hours’ time. The next time she made her appearance was on Sunday afternoon, when she drove up in a respectable cab, and stated that she wanted him to recommend her a nurse, or to give her the direction of one. He declined doing so, and then she complained of being unwell, and asked if he could give her a glass of brandy and water. He did so, and afterwards he had occasion to leave the room for a few minutes. While he was away, his wife happened to come into the room, and the prisoner asked her likewise for a glass of brandy and water, which was furnished to her. When he returned to the apartment his suspicions were aroused, as the accused had shifted her position, and was sitting near his desk. He knew she had engaged the maid she had with her at Mrs. Cook’s, Redcliff-street, and thinking she might be able to throw some light on the real character of his patient, he went to her. While talking to Mrs. Cook the prisoner came in with her maid. She then said that she was lodging at the house of Mrs. Long, 29, Royal York-crescent. When he returned to his home he discovered that the seal was gone, though he recollected seeing it safe a short time before. Mr. Williams (magistrates’ clerk): Do you wish to ask Mr. Fryer any questions? He does not connect you with the seal in any way? Prisoner: All that Mr. Fryer has said is quite correct; but I certainly did not take the seal; I picked it up. P.C. 198 deposed that he had the prisoner in custody on a charge of obtaining goods under false pretences, but she had been liberated. Hearing, however, that she was “wanted” for having stolen a seal, he apprehended her in Victoria-place. P.S. Beard stated that at a quarter before six o’clock on Monday morning the prisoner was brought to the Clifton police-station, she having met a constable and said that she had picked up a seal. He examined it, and told her it did not appear to be very valuable, but he should detain it. She said, in answer to further questions, that she found the trinket on Brandon-hill. It appeared that no information as to the seal being missed by the complainant was given to the police till nine o’clock that morning. Mr. Fryer did not think the accused was in her right mind. Mr. Williams: Was that before the brandy and water was given to her, or after? (laughter.) She represents herself to be married, and goes under another name. On Monday she gave the name of Vernon. Prisoner: That is my real name. Mr. E. Williams, practising as surgeon in White Ladies’-road, deposed to seeing the accused on Sunday last, when she was introduced to him, and said that she wanted a medical man as she expected an accouchement, which he did not think at all probable; however, he took her name, and went to No. 29, Royal York-crescent, but there he found that, in company with other medical men, he had been imposed upon. The prisoner was ultimately remanded for an examination by Mr. C. Leonard.—Bristol Daily Post.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 02 November 1861 source
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THE LAST OF MISS WESTWOOD.
—Rose Douglas, alias Vernon, alias Westwood, the young woman who it will be remembered has lately attempted to victimise several tradesmen in this city, as well as at Weston-super-Mare and Bath, was brought up on remand on a charge of stealing a seal from the house of Mr. Fryer, surgeon. Mr. Williams stated that she had been medically examined by Mr. Crosby Leonard, who had certified that she was of unsound mind. He stated that she talked incoherently, said she was married to a gentleman with £30,000 a year, that she was seven months advanced in pregnancy, and that she believed she was bewitched. Letters had been received from various persons in the North, where she had been previously known. One from Bridgnorth stated that she had been previously in a good position, but that friends she formerly resided with were dead, and she had no parents. The same writer stated that subsequent conduct had entirely forfeited any assistance friends might have been inclined to lend, and added that she had been an inmate of a lunatic asylum. Another correspondent said she had been cheated out of so much property that he wondered her mind was not entirely gone. The Magistrates directed her removal to the lunatic asylum, and she now becomes chargeable to the parish of Clifton, where she last slept.
— Bristol Daily Post, Wednesday 06 November 1861 source
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The Female who, under the various names of Miss Westwood, Mrs. Vernon, Rose Douglas, and other aliases, has lately been running such an extraordinary career, at Weston-super-Mare, Bath, and Clifton, was, on Tuesday, brought before the Bristol magistrates, having been examined by Mr. Crosby Leonard, surgeon, by whom she was pronounced to be insane. Since her confinement in the Bridewell, several letters have been received respecting her, from persons to whom she was known at Bridgnorth, and other places. Some of these letters stated that her friends had done all in their power for her, and others that she had been cheated out of so much property that it was no wonder her intellect had become impaired. The magistrates made an order transferring the unfortunate woman to the Pauper Lunatic Asylum, and she will become chargeable to Clifton, that being the last parish in which she acquired a residence.
— Sherborne Mercury, Tuesday 12 November 1861 source
Sarah was probably one of the first inmates of the Pauper Lunatic Asylum, given that it opened in February of that year.