The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-01-07 00:00:00

OLD HILL.

SHOCKING ACCIDENT.—A shocking accident occurred
at the Old Hill Station of the Stourbridge Extension
Railway a few evenings ago, by which Laban Hull, re-
siding at Garratts Lane, a passenger by the 420 p.m.
train for Birmingham, received most severe, if not fatal
injuries. The train was composed of a larger number of
carriages than usual, and. owing to this circumstance,
they could not all be drawn up opposite the platform.
At the end of the platform there is a bridge over the road,
and, in consequence of the darkness and the fog that
prevailed at the time, Mr. Hull stepped from one of the
carriages on to the parapet of the bridge, believing he
was on the edge of the platform. His next step was into
space, and then came up the heavy thud of his body so
he fell on the hard and frost-bound ground below. Lights
were procured, and some of the railway servants and
others went in search of the unfortunate man. The
bridge from which he had fallen was of considerable
height, and he was found dreadfully injured. One side
of his face was found shattered and torn, and when medi-
cal attendance reached him, it was found that his arm,
leg, and thigh were broken. He was removed to his
home, where he lies in jo very precarious state.
BREACH OF THE PEACE.—At the Police Court, on
Wednesday, before Messrs. F. W. U. Barre and N. Hing-
ley, Edward Evans, James Evans, and William Siviter,
were ordered to pay costa for committing a breach of the
peace by fighting.
DRUNK AND REFUSING TO QUM—Daniel Round was
charged with being drunk, and refusing to quit the Bird.
Rolland Inn, Spinner's End, when requested on the 26th
ult. Mrs. Daley, the landlady, said defendant was in her
house on the above date, drunk. She requested him to
leave, bathe refused. and struck her. Defendant pleaded
guilty, and was fined 1e and costs; in default 14 days.
CHARGE OF RSBAULT AGAINEI POLICE-OFFICERA—
James Taylor, a Police•officer in the Staffordshire Coto
'Wintery, was charged with assaulting Joseph Hughes,
on the 12th ult. Mr. Haves appeared for complainant,
and Mr. Addison fur defendant —Complainant said On
the above date I was at Mr Andrews', the Crown Inn,
from ten o'clock till one at night. Police-constables
Taylor and Robinson came in. They were not sober.
In consequence of what Mrs. Andrews said, I did not
leave the house. After I bad been there a abort time, I
went to the bar door, with • man named Wittingbam.
He struck we on the head in play. I asked Robinson if
I could have a summons for Wittingbam. Robinson
said, 'Go to your own company, or I'll knock your b—y
head off." Defendant said. •' Let's have none of your
slack," and kicked me, and boxed my ears. Neither An.
dri ws or Parket) were in the house at the time. I went
out of the bar into the kitchen. When I went outside,
defendant set about me, and punched me. I was perfectly
sober, and did not give defendant any provocation.
Cross-examined: Mr. Andrews did not fill me any ale.
Three of us had two pints of ale whilst we were there.
There was no disturbance before the police came into the ,
house. Have been before the Magistrates several times.
Have been charged twice before the Halesowen Magis-
trates. No one waited outside the house for the officers.
No one challenged the officers to come on. 1 live about
100 yards from the public•histue. Did not go to Hill, the
parish-constable, to get a sUmMODS. Po not know
whether Hill has been to Mr. Parkes about the case
Mr. Parkes cannot prove that the officers were sober.
Mr. Parkes was as drunk as the officers were—(laughter).
Defendant was lying down on a couch in the bar. We
all wont out together. Re-examined by Mr. Hayes: I
was waiting for James. Robinson challenged us all to
tight —Mrs. Andrews saint . I recollectthe defendant and
Robinson coming into our house on the above date. The
defendant was neither drunk or sober; he was fresh.
He asked for a bottle of brandy. He had some brandy
and soda water. Robinson was aober. All the men in
the house except defendant, were sober. Cross-exam-
ined : There was no disturbance when the officers came
in. The servant went to the door, and said there was
some one at the window. There was a great disturbance
in the bar at the time the servant went to the door. Tay-
lor lay upon the couch in the bar for about half an hour.
I did not want the officers to stay in the house. They
slid not come in consequence of a disturbance at the
house. Before they came it wee all quiet; but after they
came there was a quarrel with the men and the officers.
Complainant did not call the defendant "a long-spliced
Reexamined: There was no bad language used
before the officers came in. By Mr. Oldershaw:
thought defendant was not sober, from his appearance.
By the Bench : Defendant was either asleep, or feigned
to be, on the couch. By Mr. Oldershaw : He looked
either " beery," or very tired.—Richard Wittingliam cm,
roborated complainant. —Thomas Hill, parish-constable,
said defendant was drunk.—Mr. Addison, in defence,
called Mr. Parkes, who said that defendant was in beer;
but not much. He had a glass of ale there. The men
abused the officers—George Robinson, police-constable,
said I went into the house with Taylor. I had a glass
of ale, and defendant had a bottle of ginger-beer. Wit-
tiugham said, "Let's give it the long-spliced b--s."
I did not see defendant do anything. If he had struck
complainant I should have seen him. Batty wanted to
fight me. Hughes did not say anything to me. I left
defendant about half-put one. I spoke to. Sergeant
Powner by Badger's Furnaces, and he will be able to say
what state I was in. I met defendant at three o'clock,
at Waterfall Lane bridge. The men had gone home
then. Hume and Cox were present when I met him at
3 o'clock. Cross-examined : I did not take notice what
time we went into the Crown. It would not be 1 o'clock.
We had been in about five minutes when Parkas came.
did not see defendant have any brandy and soda. I
am certain Taylor did not lie on the sofa at all. Taylor
was sober. We had not been in any public-house before
we went into the Crown. We were at Haden Gate at 12
o'clock.—Police constable Hume said: I recollect meet-
ing defendant at three o'clock on the above date, at the
Waterfall Lane bridge. He was perfectly sober. Cross-
examined : Had not seen him before that night. —Police-
constable Cox corroborated Hame.—Bosannah Batty was
sent for by the Magistrates, and said she lived at An-
drews's. Recollect the 12th of December. The police-
men came about 20 minutes past twelve. They went into
the bar. Taylor had a bottle of soda-water, with a drop
of brandy. Robinson had a glass of ale. The police.
men stayed there until nearly one o'clock. There was a
disturbance while the officers were in. They went to the
kitchen door, and challenged the company. Did not hear
any of the customers use any bad language, or say any-
thing to the officers. The master came home about 20
minutes past twelve. Parkes did not come in with him
Pid not see any blows struck, or fighting. Defendant
had had beer. He lay down on the sofa, and either was
asleep, or pretended to be so. The offiaers called for the
drink, as soon as they came in. Taylor called fora bottle
of brandy. We do not sell bottles of brandy altogether.
Did not hear Mrs. Andrews ask any of the men to stay.
Did not hear her ask Hughes to stay. I filled Robinson
the glees of ale. They went to the kitchen door once or
twice ; but I do not know what they went for. Cross-
examined : Cannot tell where my muter was. I was not
told to watch. I saw Mr. Parkes at the door; but did not
tell my master no. I heard some one at the door. When
I went to the door the customers were talking loud; but
there was no row. Thomas Hill has been at our house
when the case WSS talked over. Batty is my father. All
the men in the kitchen were sobet—George Robinson,
police-constable, was charged with assaulting James
Batty, at the same time and place. Mr. Hayes was for
the complainant, and Mr. Addison for the defendant.—
Complainant said: I was at the Crown, on the 12th of
December. Went out about a quarter past one. I saw
Robinson challenge a nom to fight. Robinson followed
me down the road, and struck me. I said, "George,
what are you doing that for!" and he said " Oo on, or I
will cleave your b-- head open." He struck me on the
. head and shoulders with his staff. 1 was covered with