The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-11 00:00:00

'OLD HILL.

FATAL ICE ACCIDENT.—On Monday night about half-
past nine o'clock a man named Benjamin Parry, carpen-
ter, of Blackheath was sliding on an arm of the canal
at Old Hill, when the ice broke and loosed him and
several others into the water. The others were rescued '
but Parry, unfortunately, was drowned.
CiARGE OF NEGLECT OF WORK.—Arthur Gann was
summoned for neglecting the employ of Mr. Cope, of
Cradley Heath. Mr. W. S. Hayes, who appeared for
complainant said defendant went away some time ago
but as he had returned and agreed to serve his time com-
plainant was willing to withdraw the case.
Coat. STEALERS. Three married women named
Hannah Woodhouse, Elia ibeth Willitts, and Elizabeth
Johnson were charged with stealing a quantity of coal
the property of Whitehall Colliery Company on the 30th
ult.—Police-constable Sylvester said on the above date
he saw the three defendants with several others taking
coal from the pit bank, belonging to the Whitehall
Colliery Company. They ran away but Woodhouse and
Johnson were caught by Police-constable Gaskin who
corroborated Sylvester. Mr. R. Whitley, manager to
the Colliery Company said he was requested by his
employers to press for a conviction as they were inund-
ated with coal stealers. He did not wish to press heavily
but they want it to act as a caution to others. Wood-
hunie said she was "hard up, starved, and clammed to
death." The Bench said defendants need not steal coal,
although they were starving. The only thing the Bench
could do in this case was to imprison the defendants
but in consideration of the great di,tress existing at the
present time they should stretch their power as far as
they could, and order defendants to be locked up for 12
hours; but if any other cases of coal stealing from tha
Whitehall Colliery Company were brought before them
the offenders would be severely punished.
DRUNKENNEsS. Samuel Sturman, saddler, High
Street, Cradley Heath, was charged with being drunk
and disorderly at the Four Ways, Cradley Heath, on the
Ist inst.—Police-constable Gaskin said on the above date
about one o'clock he saw defendant in the High Street,
Cradley Heath. He was very drunk and disorderly. He
said he did not care for a policeman, and told wit-
ness to go to and also used other bad language.
Defendant said he did not recollect seeing the officer.
Fined 2s 6d and costs.—Elijah Law was charged with
being drunk and disorderly on the 4th just, at Siviter's
Lane Rowley. Police-constable Styles said he found
defendant drunk and disorderly. He had been fighting
and his face was covered with blood. Defendant a id
that three men set about him. Fined 21 61 and costs.
Joseph Parkes was charged with being drunk and dis-
orderly on the 30th ult, at Halesowen hoar', Blackheath
Police-constable Frost said defendant was drunk and
very disorderly in Halesowen road from six in the even-
ing until two o'clock the following morning. He used
disgusting language and ret the police at defiance..
Sergeant Cooper corroborated. Defendant was committed
tor 28 days without the option of a line.
ALLEGED Asseura.—Ann Wiggan and Eliz t Wiggan,
were charged with assaulting Sopiah Anson on the 28,11
ult.—Mr. W. S. Hayes appeared for complainant and lir.
Addison defended. After hearing the evidence the
Bench dismissed the case.
BREACH OF THE PEACE.—Thomas Harvey and William
Stevens were charged with committing a breach of th e
peace by fighting in Halesowen Street, Blackheath. 0 a
prowibiug not to offend again and paying costs defend
ants were discharged. Police-constoble Fro.t hav
evidence supportiug the charge.