Jose Family

This article seems to refer to the same "John" Crapp. There are no other similarly named boys in the area at that time. SAMUEL HOSKIN, described in the calendar as of the age of 13, and a labourer, but presented the appearance of being much younger, was charged with assaulting, stabbing, cutting, and wounding RICHARD NICHOLLS, a boy of about the same age, at Mawgan, on the 30th of October. In the evening of that day, JOHN NICHOLLS was at the house of JANE HOSKIN the prisoner's mother, in company with another lad named FREDERICK JOHN CRAPP, playing at cards, when Nicholls's brothers, Richard and William came to the house, and commenced holloaing and making a noise outside the window. The prisoner with John Nicholls went outside; a chase ensued, and ultimately a general fight took place between the boys. In the scuffle, the prisoner drew a knife from his pocket and stabbed his opponent Richard Nicholls, in the side of the abdomen. Mr. T. DARKE MARTIN, surgeon, of St. Columb, was called in, but he found the would very trifling, or at least anticipated no danger, and therefore did not repeat his visit. Mr. G. B. COLLINS prosecuted. Mr. CHILDS in defending the prisoner remarked, that the case although made out on parchment as a serious one, was truly of a trifling character. He asked the jury for an immediate acquittal, and suggested that a severe chastisement by the prisoner's parents at home, would have been far better than bringing a child of his age into court on such a charge. The Chairman likewise said there appeared to have been no felonious intent on the prisoner's part, and he thought the highest verdict the jury could arrive at, would be that of a common assault. He also stated that the prisoner had been in gaol every since the offence was committed. A verdict of acquittal was returned. MATTHIAS JOLL pleaded guilty of stealing the sum of GBP2. 10s. from his master, JAMES RUNDLE, of Linkinhorne. From the West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, Friday 8th January 1848