Preece Family Tree

[EXETER GUILDHALL]

FRIDAY. - W. Cann, R. Sanders, W. Kendall, and J. Trehane, Esqrs.

JOHN LARKWORTHY, a youth well-known to the police, was charged with stealing a pigeon, the property of William Henry Nicks, of Gatty's-court, St. Sidwell. There were eleven pigeons in the cote at ten o'clock on Tuesday night and on the following morning at seven o'clock six of the birds were missing. There were marks on the wall of the court in which the birds were kept as of some person with dirty trousers having got over. The prisoner was seen by P.C. Baker at twelve o'clock the same night in St. Sidwell coming from the direction of Gatty's Court, and Inspector Short found one of the lost pigeons at his house in Ewings-lane on Wednesday morning. In defence Larkworthy said the bird must have flown to his place - he had sold it some six months ago. The case was remanded until Monday in order if possible to find the other five birds. On further examining the premises where the prisoner lived Inspector Short discovered four more of the missing birds concealed in a wall behind an iron grating. Larkworthy now pleaded guilty and was committed for six weeks with hard labour.

[EXETER POLICE COURT.]

FRIDAY. - Before W. Cann, Esq. (chairman), W. Kendall, Esq., R. Sanders, Esq., and J. Trehane, Esq.

John Larkworthy, residing in Ewing's-lane, was charged with stealing six pigeons, the property of William Henry Nicks and John William Nicks, two young men (brothers) residing in Gatty's Buildings, St. Sidwell's. It appeared that prosecutors keep pigeons in a box in a closed court adjoining their house. All their birds were safe at ten o'clock on Tuesday night, but on the following morning six of them were missing. Information was given at the Police-station, and it was ascertained that P.C. Baker, who was on duty in St. Sidwell's on the night when the birds were missed, had seen the prisoner coming from the direction of Gatty's Buildings, about twelve o'clock. P.C. Short, in company with John William Nicks, subsequently went to prisoner's house, and there found one of the missing pigeons, which was identified by Mr. Nicks as his property. - The prisoner was remanded till Monday, in order that further inquiries might be made with regard to the five other pigeons.

This article identifes "John William Nicks" as a brother of William Henry Nicks. This must be Walter John Nicks - most likely a shorthand transcription error by the journalist.