1.--Heavy rain and hailstorms occurred throughout the county. "At
Stibbard and Guist during a severe thunderstorm 300 pounds worth of
damage was done on several occupations. Barley and wheat were completely
beaten out by the hailstones, which lay six inches deep in places on the
following morning."
9.--A shocking affair took place at Catton. Mr. Jonathan Whitley Cooper,
an attorney practising in Norwich, was driving in a gig with his clerk
(Thirkettle), when he was accosted by a man named Cornelius Moor. Mr.
Cooper drew a pistol, discharged it at the man, and wounded him severely.
Moor was conveyed to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, where he died the
same night. On the following day Mr. Cooper was apprehended and
committed to the Castle on the charge of killing Moor, and also of
shooting at a man named Ford near the same place, on the same evening,
with intent to murder. The case caused great excitement in Norwich. It
was alleged that the prisoner had entertained malice towards the deceased
arising out of circumstances connected with the Norwich election. Mr.
Cooper had been professionally engaged on the Conservative side, and it
was stated that the deceased, having promised to vote for that party,
voted for the Liberals. At the Coroner's inquest the imputation of
malice or any preconceived design was so completely negatived by the
evidence, and more especially by the dying declaration of Moor, who was
quite unknown to the prisoner, that the jury returned a verdict of
manslaughter, which so greatly excited the indignation of the populace
that they were with difficulty prevented from assaulting the jurymen on
their leaving the Coroner's court. There was also a hearing of the case
before the Recorder (Mr. Preston) and another magistrate, with the result
that the prisoner was committed to the Castle on the _mittimus_ of the
magistrates, and confined in one of the felons' cells. Application was
made to the county magistrates for bail, and was refused. Under these
circumstances, counsel was instructed to apply to the Judge of the
Queen's Bench for an order on the Norfolk justices to admit the prisoner
to bail. Mr. Justice Littledale made the order accordingly, and the
accused was released in his own recognisances of 500 pounds and four
sureties of 100 pounds each. (_See_ April 4th, 1838.)
17.--Died in Norwich, aged 77, Mr. John Whitaker Robberds. He was
elected Alderman in 1806, served the office of Sheriff in 1807, and was
Mayor in 1814.
25.--A prize-fight took place at Thurton for 5 pounds a side, between
Ostler and Cricknell, well-known Norwich pugilists. "After a contest of
one hour and a quarter, Ostler having broken a bone in his hand by a
fall, was obliged to give in, and Cricknell was declared the victor."
--"What was termed a temperance festival" took place at St. Andrew's
Hall, Norwich. Upwards of one thousand persons were present, and five
hundred applications for tea tickets were refused. The Lord Bishop of
Norwich delivered an address. Supper followed, and "everything was
conducted in good order."