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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 78

Mr. Troup's Indiscretion

Mr. Troup's Indiscretion.

The other new point of supreme importance was necessarily not before the jury in 1887, because it did not arise till about a year afterwards. Robert Troup was manager of Islay Station at the time of Meikle's conviction, and he figured as the most highly respectable member of the Company's team both in 1887 and on his first appearance before the mission in 1906. The following evidence as to statements made by him about the end of 1888, when he was leaving the Company's employ, was given before the Commission :—
1.Mrs. Meikle: "I told him I had heard he could take my husband out of goal, that he had letters in his possession which would clear him; and I asked him if that were so He said, 'Yes, your husband has no right to be there, and have letters in my possession.' I said, 'Why don't you turn page 33 round and clear my husband when you see my starving, children with no one to look after them.' He said, 'I would do it, but it would put others in.' I said, 'If you give me those letters I will give you £100*.'" (C. 155/470.)
2.

John Templeton: "Do you remember meeting him [Troup], after Meikle was in gaol?"—"Yes, I met him at the Farmers' Arms Hotel." "Any one else present?"—" Mr. Mabin"

"How much of the conversation do you remember?"—"I cannot remember the words, but I can tell you the meaning of the words. It was that Troup had it in his power in some shape or form to help Meikle out of gaol. That was the inference I drew from it." (C. 78/617-8, 621-3.)

3.James Mabin: "I asked Troup to come into the hotel, and he came, and a general conversation came up. Meikle's-case came up. He said he had documents in his possession that would get Meikle out of gaol. I said he had better be careful, or he would get into the same place as Meikle." (C. 88/308.)
4.Christina Beange: "You heard him [Troup] pass a remark. What was it he said ?"—" Well, it was to the effect that hs had a bit of paper in his pocket, and he could release Meikle—that just six worjis from him would release Meikle or let Meikle out." (C. 216/125.).
5.William Beange: "What was it he [Troup] said?"—"As far as I can remember, half-a-dozen words from him would let Meikle out." (C. 218/199.)
6.John Johnston: "I heard him [Troup] remarking that he had documents, or some papers, by which he could take Mr. Meikle out of gaol if he liked." (C. 220/273.)
7.Bella Johnston: "He [Troup] said he had a little bit of paper, and he said that one word from him would take Meikle out of gaol." (C. 221/346.)
8.James Christie: "He [Troup] seemed to feel going away from the station very much, and he threw out some sort of a threat that things might be worse for me and the Company if he were not retained. And what I recall more vividly than anything else was his saying, 'A word from me would bring Meikle out.'" (C. 22¾04.)

Every single one of these statements was denied by Troup but his word obviously cannot prevail against eight dependent witnesses of unimpeachable character, of whom only three (Mrs. Meikle, Mabin, and Christie) were subject to any imputation of bias, and two (Mrs. Beange and Mrs. Johnston were conceded by Mr. Justice Edwards to be "very respectable."—(C. 270.)