Newspaper Extract

Police Officer Pinkerton injured

November 1864

Frequent attempts have of late been made to plunder the well stocked pigeon cotes belonging to the people of Whiston, a village near Rotherham.

Early on Tuesday morning the pigeons belonging to Mr. F. Moss, of Whiston Hall, were noticed flying about in a very excited manner.

The keeper obtained the assistance of Police Constable Pinkerton and a person named Wood, and together they proceeded towards the cots.

The thieves, however, were made aware of their approach, and were leaving the yard at one point as the officer and his men entered at another.

They were pursued, but Pinkerton, not knowing the locality, tripped against a low wall and fell over head first into a pond of stagnant water.

The keeper and Wood hearing the splash returned to his assistance and he was got out almost suffocated and in a state of insensibility.

It was afterwards ascertained that he had received some very severe cuts and bruises about the face and head.

The thieves effected their escape.