10 GUINEAS REWARD.

Whereas, early on Sunday morning last, some evil disposed Persons did
steal and carry away the

WEATHERCOCK
from off the
STEEPLE.

Any Person giving Information so that the Offenders may be
apprehended, shall upon Conviction receive TEN GUINEAS REWARD over
and above what is allowed by the Association for the prosecution of
Felons. And as more than one were concerned, if either will impeach
his Accomplice or Accomplices, they shall receive the above Reward,
and every endeavour used to obtain a free Pardon.

Willenhall,
July 24, 1827.

THOMAS HINCKS,
JAMES WHITEHOUSE,

Chapel Wardens.

* * * * *

Bassford, Printer, Bilston.

The Notice proved totally unproductive of results, for no Darlaston man
was found mean enough to betray the heroes of this daring escapade.
Therefore, as the trophy of Darlastonian valour could not be recovered,
and St. Giles's tower could not be left in all its nakedness without
being an ever-present reproach to the Willenhallers, a new vane had
forthwith to be provided for the church.

It was some time after the Willenhall pride had been thus lowered that
the old weathercock was accidentally found by some miners who were
re-opening an old coal pit which lay between the rival townships. Almost
needless to say, the new vane was instantly fetched down, and the old one
once more set up to flaunt itself as bravely as of yore in the eyes of
distant Darlaston.

The good folk of Willenhall, feeling humiliated, did all in their power
to cover up their shame by burying the episode in oblivion; and to this
day Willenhall men will deny that the Darlastonians ever came and took
away their church weathercock. By way of throwing doubt upon the
historical accuracy of the incident, they point to the fact that the
church at that time had no spire; it is known, however, that a vane
surmounted the church tower, and there is evidence of the Reward Notice,
the loose wording of which is responsible for the use of the term
"steeple" to signify a tower.

The authenticity of the said Notice is always open to investigation, for
a framed copy