Epps, William Edward | Day 13
Received £6 – £3 which was for his father, Thomas Epps from George Lock, plus £5 from a Mr Baker although he wasn’t sure of the name. Presumed to be Henry Minter Baker in Dover who was manager of the Dickenson’s wholesale grocery stores mentioned in the testimony.
He was called to the earlier Petition trial and gave different answers saying he hadn’t received any money or paid any money to anyone. Admitted that George Hooper and told him to keep quiet about the money. Listed as a briber but the only money he handed out was the £3 he had received from Mr Lock for his father. Accounts differ as to what his father received as he was ill in hospital at the time and told his son to keep some of the money to pay for the ‘necessaries’ he needed.
Witness Type: Bribee, Briber, Freeman, Petition witness
Party: Conservative
Witness Testimony:
- 15710.
What did he say then ? — I do not know whether he made any remark about it.
- 15711.
Try and recollect ? — I do not remember it honestly.
- 15712.
You must remember whether he said anything to you as to whether you had better come forward and tell the truth, or whether he asked you not to disclose what had happened ? — I do not remember it I cannot say anything more about I really do not remember the words he said — there was so much talk about it at the time.
- 15713.
What I want you to tell us is this, — did he or not suggest to you to keep back the fact and to deny that you had received any money for your vote when you were called as a witness ? — No, he did not name that to me.
- 15714.
Are you positive of that ? — Yes, quite positive.
- 15715.
What did he say when you told him that you were subpoenaed as a witness ? He seems to have taken an interest in it, and asked you whether you had received a subpoena, and when you said that you had received a subpoena, what did you say ? — He was talking about the people in the hospital then.
- 15716.
About your father ? — Yes.
- 15717.
He knew that your father has 3L. ? — Yes, he did.
- 15718.
Did he say anything about that ? — No, he did not.
- 15719.
Was there anyone else that you spoke to about this subpoena ? — Not that I know of ; I cannot recollect anyone.
- 15720.
Just try and think ? — I do not know of anyone — it was only talking about election affairs.
- 15721.
I am not talking about election affairs, but of the fact of your being subpoenaed as a witness. You knew what you were subpoenaed for ? — No one. I said nothing about that to my knowledge.
- 15722.
Do you know how you came to be subpoenaed ? — No, I do not know how I came to be subpoenaed, without it was for taking my father the money.
- 15723.
Do you know how it was you came to be subpoenaed ? — Only because I took my father the money.
- 15724.
Do you know how they came to know that ? — No, I do not.
- 15725.
Have you no idea how that occurred ? — No.
- 15726.
Are you quite certain ? — Yes, quite certain.
- 15727.
You are quite certain you do not remember speaking to anyone else except what you have told us ? — No, no one else.