Letter from William Patterson to the Home Office, 14 February 1916 Letters 1916-1923 William Patterson

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This letter was written by William Patterson (b.1877), a dentist from Londonderry. The letter is concerned with the alleged death and criminal activities of Patrick Campbell (c.1873-1915), a housing agent from Londonderry. The letter alleges that Patrick Campbell was involved in criminal activities in connection with fraud and Derry building societies. Patterson mentions that due to circumstances following Campbell's death only one person saw his body and he therefore wants proof that Campbell is actually dead.

 National Archives of Ireland Chief Secretary's Office Registered Papers, CSO RP/1916/4011 https://letters1916.ie/item/5759 English William Patterson 1916-02-14 16 Great James' Street, Londonderry, Ireland Home Office Industry and Public Administration Industry and Public Administration

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 16, Great James' Street, Londenderry, Feby. 15th 1916 WM Patterson wishes to bring before the notice of the Home Office a few particulars of the alleged death of and reports in circulation concerning the a man called Patrick Campbell House agent Londonderry This man formed several Building Societies and with the funds of one called the New Century he misused in some way, and from reports his position had become most critical even under threat of Writs it is alleged ( I understand there is some thousands of pounds involved) Now what is causing much private comment is the fact that this Mr Campbell very suddenly takes ill, is nursed, medically attended, dies, and is buried I believe in something like a week some reports to have it that owing to the corpse having turned black no one was allowed to see his face Though the man was prominent in some ways yet it is beyond a doubt he has been a rogue of the first water and nothing should be left to doubt that there was something more than a coffin buried Such men must be treated as worst class of criminals because a criminal (in the sense) only generally injures one person or two, but Criminals of this sort injure hundreds and generally escape free. This is the second building society Fraud in Derry recently the other man did not manage to die, he cleared out of the country and the law has never tryed to bring him to justice I am interested in the New Century society to the extent of £200 and would be easy in mind to know that a second fraud has not been managed. Certificates will not satisfy the people . Why are such men not classed as criminals and followed to the ends of the earth WP Home Office Letter from Herbert Samuel to Lord Wimbourne, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 15 February 1916Letter from William Patterson to the Home Office, 14 February 1916 William Patterson Letter from Edward O'Farrell to William Patterson, 4 March 1916Letter from William Patterson to the Home Office, 14 February 1916 16 Great James' Street, Londonderry, Ireland Letter from Edward O'Farrell to William Patterson, 4 March 1916Letter from William Patterson to the Home Office, 14 February 1916