Tuesday 10 July 2012

10th July 1812: Gunpowder stolen in Leeds

In the evening of Friday 10th July, a grocery warehouse belonging to Fretwell & Cockshott near the marketplace in Leeds was broken into. The burglars got onto the roof, and after removing some slates got into the building. The raiders seemed to know that a barrel of gunpowder, weighing 14-pounds, was stored there and they left with it without taking any other items other than some papers of starch. The burglars attempted to break open and door and then a window, in order to leave more quickly, but either could not manage of it, or thought better of it, and escaped via their entry point.

As reported in the Leeds Intelligencer of 13th July 1812 & the Leeds Mercury of 18th July 1812.

No comments:

Post a Comment