The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-03-20 00:00:00

BRIERLEY HILL.

FATAL PIT ACCIDENT.—On Monday evening Mr. W.
IT. Phillips, Deputy Coroner, held an inquest at the
Whimsey Inn, on the body of Obadiah Skidmore, aged
15, who was killed by a fall of coal on the 15ib instant,
while at work in the Robin flood Pit, Saltwella Colliery.
After hearing the evidence, the jury found that the de.
ceased came to his death accidentally.
_

CAUTIOS TO BEEBEIoUSE.KEEPIMI.—At the Petty Ses-
sions, on Thursday, before I. Spooner, Esq., Stipendiary,
Edward Russell wan summoned by Superintendent Mills
with keeping his beerhouse open for the sale of drink,
after eleven o'clock, on the 261 h ult. Police-constable
Breton said on the above date he visited defendant's
house about eleven o'clock, and found two men in drink-
ing. Mr. Spooner said he should fine defendant Is and
coats, and if he came there again he should put the
heaviest penalty on him he possibly could.—James Smith
was charged with a similar offence on the I.lth instant.
Police-sergeant Carroll said he visited the defendant's
house at 20 minutes past eleven o'clock, and found six
men drinking. Defendant pleaded guilty, and Mr.
Spooner said he should put a fine on him that would be
a warning 0 him, and if he came there again should be
sure to fine him £lO. Fined £2 and coats.
- . _ _

ASSAULT CASE.--Joseph Slater, Joseph Evans, Rich.
ard Crompton, and William Hackett were charged by
Josiah Newnam with assaulting him on the 6th instant.
Complainant said he was at the Market Inn, Kingswin-
ford, with hie wife and a woman named Mace. Defend-
ants came in, and began pushing Mrs, Mace off her seat.
He remonstrated with Slater, when he struck him on the
face and knocked him down. The others assisted in
keeping him down. Mrs. Mace was called, and said she
saw the defendants in the house. They began pushing
her off her seat, when complainant told them to leave her
alone. Slater struck complainant, and knocked Lim
down. The others held him on the ground. Complain-
ant's eye was blackened. Police-constable Farmer said
hearing a noise, he went into the Market Inn, and saw
the complainant with his face covered with blood. He
had a black eye. Did not see him strike any of the de-
fendants. Complainant's wife was rather fresh. In de-
fence, Slater said complainant's wife pulled off her bon-
net and shawl, and said that if complainant did not tight
him (Slater) she would herself, and jumped on to him.
Her husband interfered, and they had a regular fight.
Crampton was discharged, but the other three were fined
lOs and Costa; in default three weeks hard labour._

BEHIND THE SCINEA.—SIary and Charles Maitland,
mother and son, were charged by Elizabeth Seymour
with assaulting her on the 9th inst. Complainant said
she lived in Park.street, Brierley Hill. On the above
date she had occasion to go to the theatre. She kept the
wardrobe for Mr. Eldershaw. It was knit before eight
o'clock. Went to a box to take some of the wardrobe
out. There was a dress and a dog on the box belonging
to the female defendant. She snored them, when the
defendants came in, and began calling her names, She
returned the compliment, and the son told her she should
not call his mother such names. Mrs. Maitland struck
her on the eye, and blackened it. The other defendant
took held of her, and kept her from shaking his mother.
Alexander Kid said he was a comedian in the employ of
Mr. Elderahaw. On the above date he saw the female
defendant and complainant fighting. They were both
bleeding—Mrs. Maitland from her breast, and complain-
ant from her face. Did not see the son do anything.
Timothy Newman, light tragedian corroborated the last
witness. Mr. Spoon.. waa w,..u.6 quarrel, and
ordered each to pay ball the °oats.