The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-11-19 00:00:00

Sofa anb gistrict gtbs.

ENTERTAINMENT.—On Monday and Tuesday
evenings, Mr. and Mrs. German Reed paid their
first visit to this town, and gave a performance
entitled " Ages Ago," in the Corn Exchange, to
fashionable audiences. The acting of Mr. and
Mrs. Reed, and, indeed, the whole company, far
surpassed. all we hays. hitherto seen in this

place. Miss Fanny Holland performed her part
in an admirable manner. Her singing was some-
thing exquisite, and frequently called forth loud
and prolonged encores. the parts appropriated
to Mr. Arthur Cecil and Mr. Coraey Grain were
well sustained. The proceedings were con-
cluded by a novel piece, entitled "The Rival
Composers," the chief parts in which were exe-
cuted in a first-class manner by Mr. German
Road and Mr. Arthur Cecil, who, to their united
endeavours, brought the house down.
CHESS MATCH.—A chess ILIStCh Has played on
'Tuesday evening, between six members of the
Stourbridge Church of England Association,
and a similar number of members of the Lye
Institute, at the rooms of the first-named so-
ciety. The watch was arranged to begin at six
o'clock, but in consequence of the non-arrival of
some of the Stonrbridge players it was nearl3
seven before the actual play began. The play-
ers were paired according to their estimated
strength, and were to play till one of each pair
scored three games, if time permitted ; all un-
finished games to be called drawn games. Sonic
of the games were well played and very closely
contested, tend it seemed very doubtful for some
time which side would bear off the laurels, but
the appended score will show that eventually the.
Stouitridge players were the victor by two
games :
Game,

Stourbridge
Mr. S. Moore

won. Lyo
. 3 Rev. York

Games Drawn
won. Uninro

„A. Freer .. 1 „ 1). Mobertnou I
Paelo r (Isubstitute) I Mr. Would, idge .. 0 1
„ I). Bottondey .. 3 „ Young 0
„ U. Moody. „ 2 1
„H. Hewn= . 0 „U. Rhoden . 3

MELANCHOLY OCCUHRENCE.—A very sad affair
occurred on Thursday to a youth in the Tele-
graph Office at the Railway Station, named Can-
ning. From what we can learn, it appears that
he picked up a bottle in the office to taste what
was in it. The bottle contained vitriol, and the
unfortunate youth drank a portion of it. The
effect was that he was taken ill, and subse-
quently conveyed to Dr. Campbell's surgery iii
a cab, wheve be was attended to. Hews. after-
wards taken home, where he still lies in a preca-
rious state.

what

THE RAILWAY QUESTION. -011 Y readers will
reeollect that at the last Commissioners' Meet-
ing the question of a central railway station for
the convenience of the town was discussed, and
a committee was appointed to wait upon the
Directors of the Great Western Railway Com-
pany. On Thursday last the deputation, con-
misting of Captain Walker, Messrs. J. McEwen,
Hughes, E. Stringer, .1. Albion, and J. Tay-
lor, waited upon the directors in London. The
deputation were received in a courteous manner,
and Captain Walker explained the object of their
visit, and pointed out the great inconvenience
now felt by tradesmen through the present sta-
tion being so far from the town ; and also the
expense in getting to and from both of passen-
gi,rs and luggage; and that the question had
been brought before the Commissioners, who
had appointed them to wait upon Um directors

with a view of obtaining a central station. After
the matter had been fully explained, the direc-
tor. said the subject should have their serious
consideration, and the deputation withdrew.
Iwouxsr.—An inquest was held on Tuesday
last, at 31r. Baker's, All Hands to the Pump,
Birmingham-street, before R. Docker, Esq.,
Coroner, touching the death of John Hughes, a
tramp, aged 82. From the evidence adduced it
appears that the deceased came into the town
the previous week, and went out to lodge at
John Hall's, in Birmingham-street. On Thurs-
day morning he went up stairs about ten
o'clock. In doing so, he fell down, and was so
injured that he died on the Saturday. Dr.
Campbell was called in, and rendered all the as-
sistance he could. The jury returned a verdict
of accidental death.

FELONY CASE.—At the Petty Sessiovis held
yesterday. before Major Fletcher, Zaeheriah
Smith, of Tipton, was charged with stealing a
clothes line, on the 17th inst, the property of
Ann Teague, of Hart's Hill. The case was re-
nuanded to Wordsley, on Monday next.
ASSAULT CASE.—Before Major Fletcher and
J. C A. Scott, Esq., George Knutt was charged
by Edwin Gibbs, of Hagley, with assaulting
him, on the 9th inst. Complainant said on the
above date he was returning to work from his
dinner, when he met the defendant, who charged
him with making use of words he had not said,
and when at Mr. Firmstone's lodge gate the
defendant struck hint a blow on the eye, and cut
it. He also struck him on the body. A witness
was called to corroborate. The defence was that
defendant hail raised a scandal about his wife.
He charged hint with it, when the defendant
struck him first, and he returned the blow.—
Edwin Gibbs was then charged with assaulting
George Knutt, on the 9th inst. Complainant
then said that the defendant first struck him.
They then closed. Eliza Knutt corroborated.
The Bench dismiseed both cases, considering
they were both in fault. . .

!tv•e.:r OF 1"u n. John Harrison was
charged with obtaining, on the 25th July last,
the smu 14 2s lid of Benjaniiis Roberts, of Coal-
bouriihrook, with intent to cheat and defraud
him. Prosecutor said that on the above date
the defendant came to him, and said hi name
was Joseph Turner, and that he was engineer to
Earl Stamford, at Eiiville, and that he wanted
a pair of pinups for his lordship's works. He
went with the defendant to Mr Cookson's works
to have the pumps cast. Mr. Cookson took the
order, and as the defendant was returning he
borrowed 2s Gd on Earl Staniford's account.
Police-constable Dobson said he apprehended
the defendant at Stattord Gaol on the charge,
and as there were several other charges against
him asked for a remand, which was granted.

DASTARDLY ASSAULT ON THY POLlt7E.—Arthur
Dewson, a carpenter, was charged with assault-
ing Police-constable Spooner on the 12th inst.
Mr. Perry defended. Complainant said he was
on duty in Market-street, on Saturday. Heard
a noise. Went, and found defendant stripped
to fight with another man. Told him to put his
clothes on, and go home about his business.
Defendant said he would, and put his jacket on;
but instead of going home he went farther down
the town, and wanted to fight. Went to him
again and told him to go home, and went about
;SO yards with him, when he said he wanted to
go back. He let him go back, and thought he
had gone home. In about 20 minutes after he
came back, and again stripped, and wanted to
fight. He refused to go home, and witness
caught hold of him to take Lim to the station,
when defendant struck him a violent blow on the
chest, tripped him up, threw him down, knelt
open him, and said he would kill him. Me
called for assistance, got up, and took him to
the station. Mr. Perry said he was instructed
to plead guilty, and to express the defendant's
regret to the complainant, and to the Bench.
The complainant no doubt was very forbearing
to the defendant. The only thing he could say
was, that the defendant was mad drunk at the
time, and did not even resollect the occurrence,
although that was no excuse, but defendant had
hitherto borne a goal character; and called Mr.
E. Stringer, who said the defendant had worked
for him for six months, and during that time he
had been very steady and attentive to his duties.
He was much astonished when he heard of the
case. The Bench remarked that it was a very
violent and unprovoked assault, and that he was
liable to a penalty of .£2O, or six month's impri-
sonment ; but in consideration of his previous
conduct they should not inflict the full penalty,
but should fine him 30s and costs; in default 1
raouth's imprisonment.
THE PHAETON PEN.—Messrs. Macnjven &
Cameron have started a new and useful Pen
which they denominate the Phaeton Pen. Clerks
are sometimes called quill-drivers, but those who
use this pen may certainly boast that they drive
their own ph,tebm.