Sheffield Evening Telegraph – Wednesday 20 September 1899

Mexborough Man’s Wanderings in London.

 Remarkable Story.

At yesterday’s meeting of the City Board of Guardians, London, some remarkable statements were made concerning the conduct of a well-known Northcountry manufacturer, residing at Mexborough.

The Clerk read a letter he had received from Mr. Waddington, of Mexborough, asking for the return of two five shilling pieces taken from him on admission to the infirmary.

A Member: What is all this about!

The Clerk replied that a short time ago the City police found a Mr. Waddington wandering about the City, behaving in a strange manner. They took hold of him, and subsequently he was taken to the Bow Infirmary for examination by the medical officer, for the purpose of ascertaining the state of his mind.

After a while he was discharged, and taken care off by two friends. The two five shilling pieces were’ said to be of the reign of George III. He (the Clerk) i had paid them into the bank, and very likely they were in circulation. If not, he would endeavour to recover them.

The Clerk added that the case was a very strange one. At the time Mr. Waddington was found he had in his possession £48 13s. 9d. in coin, the two five shilling pieces referred to, and a spade guinea. In addition to that, he had emerald and diamond pin, which (the Clerk) roughly valued at 25 guineas, a diamond ring, which he also valued at £75, a handsome heavy gold watch and, chain, with a spade guinea attached, and another coin, which he (Mr. Waddington) valued at £10. According to this statement, the gentleman was wandering about London with over £200 upon him in coin and value.

The Clerk asked for instructions from the Board to make the usual deductions from the money found for Mr. Waddington’s keep in the infirmary.

He said that Mr. Waddington, in spite of the fact that all his money and property were saved by his detention, thought he ought not to pay for his maintenance in the infirmary. (“Oh.” and laughter.)

“I told him.” said the Clerk, “he ought to be thankful we, got hold of him, and saved him from falling into the hands of thieves.” (Hear, hear.)

The Chairman: Oh. He must pay. The Board will the Clerk the usual instructions. The matter then dropped. The Clerk said he would: make inquiries about the five shilling pieces.