“ He was in Aberdeen jail for some time, and after committing more depredations, returned to Edinburgh.
They broke into several houses in Edinburgh and Leith, and on New-Year’s morning, 1820, Haggart had for his share, five silver watches, and a gold one, taken on the south and north bridges. He remained in Edinburgh till the 18th, when he was taken up and put into the Lock-up-house to find bail: he got out, and one night paid a visit to the Lock-up-house, and gave the keeper so much drink, that he got the key, and liberated six prisoners. ”

“ On getting out at the door he ran round the east corner of the jail wall, and then walked rapidly round the back street, and round a great part of the town, till he came to the back of the King’s Arms Inn. Dunbar made up to him, and that very moment they saw a policeman coming right up to meet them; on this they wheeled about and ran, but Dunbar was taken before he ran ten yards, and Haggart had the mortification to see his fellow adventurer secured; he once thought of bolting among them to rescue him, but the mob was too great for him ”

“ LIFE
OF
DAVID HAGGART.
DAVID HAGGART was born at a farm town, called the Golden Acre, near Cannon-mills, Edinburgh, on the 24th of June, 1800, his father was a game-keeper but afterwards a dog-trainer. He was early put to school, when he acquired a good knowledge of English Grammar, Writing and Arithmetic. About the age of ten, a trifling accident occurred at home, which for fear of punishment from his father determined him to leave home, and from that moment he dated the commencement of his sinful career. ”

“ When Haggart was coming to Durham from York, with the saw, in company with a York pick-pocket, they were pursued by two constables; and just as one was apprehending Haggart, he laid him low with his pistol.— They got clear away, and he never knew whether the man was murdered or not, but he thought so.— They next went to Coldstream fair, and Barney being found attempting a farmer's pocket, got three months in Jedburgh Jail. Haggart went to Newcastle again, and to the same lodgings, where he was treated like a son ”

“ Dunbar picked it up, but no more blows were given, so that Morrin must have received his other blows in falling. Haggart observed Dunbar on the top of him, rifling his breast for the key which he had got. Simpson had a hold of Morrin’s shoulders, and was beating his back upon the steps of the stair.— Haggart rushed past them, crossed the stair as steadily as he could, pulled the key from his pocket, and opened the outer door. ”

“ Haggart denied that he had ever been in Drummore, and said his name was O’Brien, and not M'Colgan; he was moved to Kilmainham jail, among other criminals; here he made his escape, but was catched by some of the prisoners informing the jailor of his designs.
Next morning the whole prisoners, consisting of some hundreds, were taken down to a yard, and ranked up in companies of twenty each. In a few minutes John Richardson made his appearance, accompanied by the two jailors and a turnkey. John began his inspection, and went over the whole of them ”

“ He was kept here two days, and then put into the jail to stand trial. On the 27th he got a small file, and cut the chains off his legs, penetrated through two thick walls with his handcuffs, liberated Forrest, and got to the outside about five o'clock next morning. When on the outer stair, he saw a man coming up Queen Street, and he prepared to give him battle; but the man only said, “Run, Haggart, run, I wont touch ye.” Haggart took hold of Forrest’s hand, and ran even on to Dalkeith, without stopping ”

“ He then returned to Newhaven, and went (illegible text) to Edinburgh, and the first thing he saw was a bill posted up offering a reward of 70 guineas for his apprehension; this determined him to go north again; he arrived in Dundee, and from thence went to Perth; he attended the fairs in Perth, Dunkeld, Kenmore &c. and robbed some cattle-dealers to a considerable amount. One night in his lodgings in Perth, two police-men came in upon him, but the determined manner in which he received them, made them hesitate in apprehending and Haggart gained an opportunity to escape ”

“ From Dumfries he was conveyed to Edinburgh jail, and placed once more under the charge of Captain Sibbald, the kindest and the best jailor in the world. His word may be taken for this, as he had had some experience. He was soon after indicted to stand his trial before the High Court of justiciary, for the murder of Thomas Morrin. ”

“ James’ fair at Kelso, and picked L.20 from two persons;— from thence they went to Dumfries, and stopped three weeks; they attended Lockerbie fair and going into a public house, a farmer and drover were casting out, when Barney blew the coal, and they fell a-fighting, and both tumbled ”