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EDWARD CARPENTER, GEORGE MERRILL, and THE POLICE INVESTIGATION for INDECENCY |
| The Edward Carpenter Archive by Simon Dawson |
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EDWARD CARPENTER, GEORGE MERRILL, and THE POLICE INVESTIGATION for INDECENCY |
| The Edward Carpenter Archive by Simon Dawson |
26 June 1909
Re O'Brien and Carpenter
I respectfully beg to report that for the information of the Chief Constable that on the 22nd instant I received attached letter from O'Brien giving the names of persons whom he states can give information respecting the alleged offences by Carpenter, and a man named Merrill who lives with Carpenter. The persons referred to have been seen with the following result.
Mr.W.A.Allsopp. 39 Junction Road, Eccleshall Road, Sheffield, Age 23 years, positively refuses to make any statement on the matter, but says the statement made by O'Brien is true to a certain extent, and that what he said at the Wolstenholme Cafe was in a confidential conversation with O'Brien and others, and he expected it would have been treated as such. He states that the incident referred to by O'Brien occurred about 2 years ago, but there was no impropriety or attempt took place, and he has not slept at Carpenter's house since that time, and has not seen him for about 12 months. He refused to give any further information, or attach his signature to a written statement.
George Levick, Barlow, Farmer. I attach a statement from Mr Levick in respect to indecent conduct by Merrill, the last time being 18 months ago.
Fred Pearson, Dronfield, can only say that some years ago he was driving Merrill from Dronfield to Millthorpe, when the latter placed his hand upon Pearson's leg: having heard of this man's conduct, he refused to take him any further and left him in Stubly Lane, which is situate between Dronfield and Dronfield Woodhouse.
William Platts, Barlow, states that about 10 years ago, he was working in a hayfield at Millthorpe when Merrill, who was also in the field, exposed his person to him, but he (Platts) made no complaint.
Joseph Gratton, Barlow, says that on a night after 10 o'clock, about 3 years ago, and during Carpenter's absence, Merrill asked him to accompany him to the house to have a drink. Gratton went, and Merrill brought a glass of wine and a cigar, and then left the room, shortly afterwards he returned and suddenly drew a curtain across the door, and lowered the light, and immediately sat upon Gratton's knee. Gratton at once repelled him and left the house. He states no indecency took place, nor was any suggestion made by Merrill.
James Markham, Rich'd White, Jno Wint and Jno Walker, have been interviewed, but they can give no information whatever.
We have been unable to obtain any incriminating evidence of recent date agst Merrill, who appears to be (as far as can be ascertained) the greatest offender, whilst agst Carpenter there is nothing beyond a strong suspicion.
This man Merrill has lived with Carpenter for many years, and acts as a servant, there being no other persons employed in the house.
T.J. Andrew. Supt.
Mr. George Levick of Mill Farm, Barlow, Farmer, says about 7 or 8 years ago, I then had a Farm at Millthorpe and was at work in my field when Mr. Carpenter and his man George Merrill came to me and asked me if I would drive a gentlemen who had been staying at Mr. Carpenter's to Chesterfield Rly Station. I agreed to do so and Merrill accompanied us. On the way back, Merrill said "I want to tiddle, pull up George, if I don't get out and tiddle just when I want to it makes it swell." I pulled up and he got out of the trap and just walked across the road to a gate and began making water, and then he turned round and walked back to the trap and said "see how it has made it swell" his person was fully exposed and he was shaking it about with his hand. He then got into the trap and I drove on. Merrill then took hold of my thigh and said "does it ever make yours swell when you want to tiddle". I told him he must not try anything of that sort with me and he said no more then.
About 18 months ago I was just coming out of the "Travellers Rest" Barlow Common side at 10 o'clock at night and Merrill was coming down the road. He spoke to me and asked me how I was: he then said "I have been to Dronfield, Sheffield and Chesterfield and can't light on a bit of XXXXXXX [blacked out word] nowhere". I said a "bit of what" he said "you know" he said "just look here, see how it's swollen". He unfastened his trousers and pulled his person out and took hold of it with both his hands and was wagging it about. He said "take hold of it and feel at it". I replied I am not going to feel at that. He kept shaking it about and I came through the gate and closed it, And he then put it through the gate bars and wanted me to feel at it. Again I refused and he then said "well then give me a kiss and say no more about". I told him I should have something different to kiss than him and left him. He said before I left him "don't say anything about it to anyone". I said all right: and bid him good night.
I told Mr. White the landlord of the "Travellers Rest" the next morning all about it.
I have not been much in his company since that time and he has not made any improper suggestions to me since that time.
I have never seen or heard anything amiss with Mr. Carpenter no more than I have seen him and other gentlemen at times who have been staying at his house walking out on the road with their arms around each other's waist. This was when I lived at Millthorpe some years ago.
(Signed) George Levick
To the Superintendent of Police for the Eckington Division.
Dear Sir,
The enclosed pamphlet deals with the advocacy of a criminal offence by a man who lives in your division, and about whom I spoke to you some months ago when I saw you at the Dronfield Town Hall. With regard to the practice of this offence you may obtain information from the following persons:-
Mr. W.H. Allsopp. 39 Junction Road, off Eccleshall Road, Sheffield
A young man who has stayed for weekends at Carpenters. At the Wolstenholme Cafe, Queen Street, Sheffield, he alleged in the presence of witnesses that the Prophet, on the third occasion sleeping with him, attempted to persuade him to practice homosexuality, telling him at the same time that it was "the test of friendship". This young man appears to know a good deal about Carpenter and his disciples, the secret sign among whom consists so he says, in the placing of the hand upon the thigh, accompanied by a firm pressure upon that part of the body.
George Levick, Crow Hole, Common Side, Barlow, charges Merrill (the man with whom the Prophet lives) with exposing himself in an indecent manner and asking him to practice homosexuality.
Mr. Markham, Chimney Sweep, High Street, Dronfield, makes the same charge against Merrill, which, he said, is also made by
Fred Pearson, Confectioner, High Street, Dronfield, and by
John Wint, Cab Driver, Totley Rise.
I hear also that
Dick White, Green Lane, Dronfield
Wiilaim Platts, Crow Hole, Barlow Common Side
John Walker, Barlow Common Side and
Mr. Gratton, Farmer, Barlow Common Side,
make similar charges against Merrill.
This information may be of use to you, in whose province it is (so I am told by Mr. Forrest, of the Criminal Investigation Department Scotland Yard) to deal with this matter.
I am, Dear Sir,
Yours Respecetfully
M.D. O'Brien