24.--A singular story of a supposed murder was published. A human
skeleton was recovered from the bed of the river at Costessey Mills by a
"didling" boat owned by Messrs. Culley. The circumstance was recalled
that a Jew pedlar, known as "Old Abraham," had mysteriously disappeared
eight years previously. It was also remembered that one Robert Page,
sentenced to transportation for life for sheep stealing at Drayton, on
March 27th, 1834, had told the prison warders that if he were taken to
Costessey he could show them, beneath a willow tree, "something that
would make their hair stand on end." By a curious coincidence, the
skeleton was found beneath a willow which overhung the river. It was
stated that the body had been staked down in the bed of the stream.
31.*--"During last week the coaches and vans were laden with turkeys and
game for London. From the Magnet Office alone upwards of 1,600 packages
were consigned, containing at least 2,400 turkeys, besides geese and
game. The other coaches have had their share. One manufacturing firm in
the city sent 1,000 lbs. weight."
1843.