Groom Charged With Murder at Firbeck
At the Rotherham West Riding Police Court on 8th October, 1894, William Bugby, aged 19, a groom in the employ of Captain Lumley, was charged with the wilful murder of Thomas Swinburn, aged 62, shoemaker, of Blyth, Worksop.
The incident happened on the Saturday at The Black Lion public house in Firbeck, about a mile from Sandbeck Park, the seat Lord Scarbrough.
At the time Captain Lumley happened to be visiting his brother, Lord Scarbrough.
Bugby went to the Black Lion Inn, where he saw Swinburn, whom he knew. Other persons were present. Sitting down beside Swinburn, Bugby commenced to talk, and afterwards paid for a pint of beer for him. He told Swinburn that "he would get his eye in a sling when he got to Sandbeck," at the same time asking about some boots, which the old man said would be repaired next week. Bugby then, it is stated, produced a revolver from his pocket, and pointed it at the shoemaker's head. The firearm went off, the charge entering through the ear, and causing instantaneous death.
A common belief was that the weapon went off accidentally, and that the only object of showing it was to frighten the old man.
On seeing what he had done, Bugby seemed almost to lose his reason, feeling his position most acutely. The revolver was taken from him by the landlord of the public house, Mr. Martin, who handed it over to the police. The Prisoner was afterwards arrested, and taken to Rotherham.
It appears Bugby had only had the firearm about a week, having purchased it from Mr. Martin. He was highly pleased with his bargain; indeed it was stated that he regarded it very much as a child would look upon a new toy. Besides showing it to his friends, he had "tried" it while walking from Sandbeck to Firbeck.
When arrested he was charged with murdering Swinburn, to which he replied: "It was all an accident" and this remark he repeated to the Magistrates. The prisoner was remanded for a week.
Inquest
An Inquest was held at the Black Lion Hotel, Firbeck, near Rotherham, on the 10th October, relative to the death of Thomas Swinburn.
William Bugby, was charged with Murder.
With his master, Bugby was on a visit to Sandbeck Park, the seat of Lord Scarbrough. When the accident happened both men were sober, and there had been no quarrelling.
When charged, Bugby replied, "It's all an accident". Bugby who was only 19 years of age, and the Coroner was told that he had only had possession of the revolver a few days.
The Jury expressed the opinion that Bugby had been guilty of great carelessness, and returned a verdict of "Manslaughter."
Crown Court Leeds
At Leeds Town Hall, before Mr. Justice Collins, Bugby was charged with the manslaughter of Thomas Swinburn>
Mr. Hans told the court that the defendant was a groom employed by Captain Lumley. He was charged with causing the death of the old shoemaker.
Evidence having been given for the prosecution, Mr. Mellor addressed the Jury on defendant's behalf.
Captain Lumley, of the 11th Hussars, said the defendant was very well behaved, steady beyond his years, and sober. He was still in his service.
The Jury found the defendant not guilty, and he was discharged.
