The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-06 00:00:00

HALE SOWEN.

DAMAGING CLovez.—At the Police Court, on Tues-
day, before Messrs. E. Gem, E. B. Phillips, and J. S.
Gibbons, two lads named William Whitehouse and
James Wright were summoned for wilfully damaging a
quantity of clover, the property of James Fletcher, on
toe 21st ult.—eomplainant said on the above date he
saw the two defendants go across the clover fi ld and
a Boa() oss,a grass field and they did damage to the extent
of 61 each,—Defendants pleadei gutty and said they
were after birds ests.—Fined 6d each, 61 damage and
co,ts; in default 7 days' imprisonment.
VAGRANCY.—Trio men named John White and John
Baker were charged with being found sleeping in the
open air on the let mat, without having any visible
means of subsistence.—Police-constable Parkes said he
was on duty on the morning in question in company with
Poitee-cuestabie Webb when they found the two defend.

ants lying on some hav between two ricks in a field
c died the Ten-score piece. They were asleep. He
s a cited Baker and found about twenty matches on him.
—Mr. Gem said that was the way ricks were set on fire.
—Superintendent Kemp said White had been pre-
viously charged with a similar offence but on promising
not to offend again the case was withdrawn and he had
also been convicted for other offences, Baker was a
stranger to Flalssowen. l'White was committed for
one month with hard labour and Baker to 14 days.
CHARkiE or ASSAULT. John Withers and Alfred
Withers were chaiged with assaulting Charles Holmes,
jun., en tue 10th ult, at Halesowen.—Mr. W. Hayes,
jun., appeared for camplainant, and Mr. Hower de
fended.—Compla:nant said he lived in the Stourbridge
Road, Halesowen. On Whit Monday, the 10th of Jute
he went to the cricket field. As there was no one in
the field he went to the Heart and Hand public-house
which adjoins the field. Witness saw one of their
workmen at the publac.house and the man asked him to
pay for some ale analhe did so. Witness had some words
with defendant's brother-in-law and defendant pulled
oil his coat. The laadiord ordered defendant Atfred out
0: the house. Witness went into the yard and as he
was getting over the wall into the cricket field defendant
John asked him what made him say he had stolen a
, pigeon and struck him in the mouth. He was knocked
.town and John kicked him about the head and Alfred
, struck h m twice. His eyes were blackened, his lips cut
and his head severely braised. Defend int John said te
witness "1 will kill you, you --." Defendant Alfred
tried to get at witness a second time but tile law-Hera
held him back. Cross examined : I stayed in the bota,e
and yard about two hnurs. I was treating scene of the
, people. Both the defendants struck me but Ido not
know whether Alfred kicked me or not.—Edward Parks
seid he was on the cricket field and saw complainant and
defendant wrestling in the yard. Complains ,t fell and
tie be was aoiag down John's foot caught him on the
head. oss-examined : When I saw them first it was a
regular fight baweet. them.—Mr. D. Phillips, surgeon,
alesoiven, said he examined complainant and fond he
' had a black eye, het lips were cut and swollen, aid he
also ban several severe bruis a on the head which would
b;.,. caused by kicks.—Police-constuble Taylor said he was
on duty at the court when complainant summoned de.
Undant John for stealing a pigeon and as defendant was
leaving the court be said he would make it it -- hot
ogeon for the young --.—Mr. Homer, in defence,
said he was instructed that there was a regular fight and
;hat complainant commenced it by striking the firet
°low and insulting John Withers by accusing him ef
stealing pigeons and other things.—Henry Watson said
he saw complainant from half-past three o'cleck until
nine at night drinking at the Heart and Hand. He did
n 4 see the fight —Amos Partridge said complainant
pulled his jacket off and asked him to fight in the pub
lie-house—Benjamin Taylor said he saw complainant
at the public-house and he was drunk. Defendant J‘)lin
came down to the wall and complainant called him 8
thief and said his mother was in the asylum. Corn-
, iaainant said he was a thief sad as witness was turning
round he heard a scuffle and found complainant and de-
fendant John having a regular fight —The Bench coo-
, sidered the evidence on both sides very weak and
as it was a public-house row they should dismiss the
case.

FOUND DROWNED —The body of a young woman
named Mary Ann Male, aged 19, of Colley Gate, Cradley,
was discovered early on Tuesday morning in a pool, at
Lutley, lialesowen.
STEALING A PUDDING-TIN AND IRON BOWL.—At the
Worcestershire Midsummer Quarter Sessions, on Tues.
dity, before Mr, G W. Hastings, James Hill (29), collier,
was couvicted of stealing these articles, the property of
Wildatu Cooper, on the 6th of April.—He was
sentenced to twelve months' hard labour and three
years' police supervision, he having been previously cou-
vieLed.