All That Glitters: A Maggie Power Adventure (Maggie Power #2) *Unedited version*

Document Insert 1 - Newspaper Clippings From The Margaret Power Archive

Document Insert – Newspaper Clippings From The Margaret Power Archive

London Illustrated News, Saturday 15th October 1842.

A state of great excitement and anxiety has overtaken the good people of Threadneadle Street these past few days, with news that the much admired banker, William Templeton-Wells, has been reported missing. The gentleman was due to return home to his family on Tuesday, after a week-long visit to the north, where he was engaged in a series of business meetings with factory owners and manufacturers recovering from months of strikes and rioting orchestrated by Chartists.

A celebrated man of banking and finance, Mr Templeton-Wells went missing some time between the hours of three and four in the afternoon, when he declined his personal carriage and decided to walk the short distance from Euston station to his home at Manchester Square. Mr Templeton-Wells vanished somewhere between York Place (or perhaps as far down as Baker Street) – after a short interlude, in which he visited The Globe Tavern on Marylebone Road.

Regrettably, he never did reach his final destination.

His good wife reported his disappearance to the local police, once his coachman and footman failed to find him, as they searched late into the darkness along the route he was to have taken home after leaving The Globe. After days of police enquiries, the final, verifiable sighting of the gentleman was as he turned into York Place, close to Marylebone workhouse, at approximately 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon.

Earlier he remarked to his coachman, when he alighted from the train, that a brisk walk would do him the world of good, after an uncomfortable final leg of his journey from Birmingham. He dismissed the coachman, on his arrival at the Globe, informing him that he wished to walk the short distance to Manchester Square.

Is seems incredible that a man of William Templeton-Wells' importance could simply disappear, without any witnesses to an abduction, nor any reports of a violent assault.

Officers from the newly-formed detective division, working within the Metropolitan Police, are responding to family concerns regarding the missing gentleman, and are appealing for witnesses.

***

Excerpt from The Times Editorial Monday, 17th October 1842.

 ...That a man, respected by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance, could be simply abducted from the capital's streets, in broad-day light, shows how far into the pit of depravity modern London has fallen recently. Until an answer is found to William Templeton-Wells' mysterious disappearance, then men of wealth and prestige will feel vulnerable walking the city's streets. Many may feel overcautious enough to take their wealth and leave the city for safer havens. Therefore, it is necessary that the Metropolitan Police bring this case to a swift conclusion – not just for the city wealthiest and most admired – but also for the peace of mind and benefit of all city-dwellers.

***

Report from London Chronicle Tuesday 18th October 1842

Police are working on the belief that a group of Irish kidnappers are holding William Templeton-Wells somewhere within one of the many labyrinthine dwellings in the city's most notorious slums. Their aims and objectives are, as yet, unknown. What is clear, however, is their intention not only to hurt Mr Templeton-Wells, and by extension his family, but also the nation as a whole.

Therefore, it is the duty of all who live in this city, and not merely the Metropolitan Police, to see that William Templeton-Wells is located and his abductors apprehended without further delay.

Rumours are also circulating of the involvement of Chartists in this latest outrage to afflict London...

***

Letter to The Times, Tuesday 17th October 1842 from former Major General Archibald Berwick.

Sir,

Allow me to outline an effective way of dealing with the many problems which beset England at present, especially in light of the despicable abduction of William Templeton-Wells.

Firstly, I fear that England will never be free of the Chartist menace, as long as they are allowed to go about their unlawful business without restriction. Thus, reluctantly, I feel it is necessary to round up all those who attract the poor, ignorant and vulnerable to their cause, or those who agitate feeble minds through the preaching of idle dreams of democracy and freedom. Once the ringleaders are found, they should be transported, without trial, to a prison colony – Van Demien's Land is as good a place as any.

Secondly, we should redeploy every available soldier to the city and search all premises within, until William Templeton-Wells is found safely. He is being held somewhere!

Finally, we should disband immediately the newly formed detective division, as they have shown thus far very little knowledge, nor aptitude, for detective work – whatever that is meant to be. Indeed, they appear as little more than unethical spies, prying into areas of an Englishman's life which they have very little right to do so.

 ***

 The Times, Monday October 17th, 1842.

 Numerous Missing Persons

During the past three days, information of the following cases has been supplied to police by friends and family of persons who, suddenly, and under circumstances of great suspicion, without any clue to their ultimate fate, have gone missing. The following cases of persons missing has been received at various city police stations. Missing since the night of October 14th, Edward Walker, 37 years of age, 5 feet 5 inches high, fair complexion, grey eyes, dressed in black frock coat, worsted stocking, no hat and a valuable ring upon his finger. Inform M division. Missing since Saturday October 15th, a young woman of 16 years of age, dressed in green gown and wearing tuscan bonnet with veil. Contact G Division. Missing since Wednesday 12th October, ex-sewerman Isaac Penny, 43 years of age. A well-known character amongst residents of the city, his dear wife of 20 years is beside herself with worry. Contact E Division.

***

Thank you so much for reading this chapter. If you have enjoyed it, please remember to vote. Thanks! :-)