The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-02-16 00:00:00

A lIAGLEY AFFILIATION CASE.

At the Stonrbridge Police Court, yesterday, be-
fore Colonel Fletcher, 11, 0. Firnstone and T. D.
Thomas, Esqs,, Felice Brown, residing at llagley,
was summoned to show cause why he should not
contribute towards the maintetianc.3 of the illegiti-
mate child of Thomaeine Agnes Tompkins, of whom
she alle2ed he was the father

Mr. Miller Corbet appeared for complainant, and
Mr. Walaron tor the defendant, who did not ap-
pear.
Complainant said she was a single woman and
reined with her father at the Prince of Wales Inn,
Hagley. She was 19 years of age last December.
On the 20th October last she was delivered of a
male child. Felice Brown was the father of that
child. His father resides at Hagley, at a place
called " The Roses." Defendant resided there with
his father and was in the habit of going to business
at Birmingham every morning. She first ra tde hi,
acquaintance in 1881. In July, 1882, he took her
to the Athletic Sports at Stourbridge. After thA
he paid her a considerlble amount of attention, lie
visited her at her father's house and she became
engaged to him with the knowledge of her own and
his parents. She vi,ited his father's house ouce or
twice a week. In the month of January last year
she went to his house and whiht there defendant
seduced her. Defendant said he would marry her
as quickly as he could. He induced her to go to
Birmingham in March, and took her to a hous3 of
ill-fame. In the month of February she found she
was pregnant and in consequence of that she spoke
to defendant. He seemed very sorry and said they
should be married at once without anyone knowing.
Her father became acquainted with her condition
and saw defendant in her behalf. Defendant re-
peated his promise to marry her, and she continued
to go to his house until a few days before the child
was born.

Cross-examined: lie never promised to marry
me in the presence of anyone else. The first con-
nection took place at "The Roses on January
28th, 1883. Defeulant has not been in my bed-
room at home. There is a sit ing room up stairs.
He had not been engaged t me 12 months. I
visited him. Towards the end of February I dis—
covered I was pregnant. Defendant asked my
father's coasent t.) our marriage. Defendant con-
tinued to come to our house until the end of July.
I was with defendant in the hou-e at Birmingham
about an hour. I complained to him about taking
me there. I hive not made any application to de-
fendant except to be married. He tola me he was
in partnership with his father.
Re-examined: I was receivel at "The Roses"
as his affianced wife.

Thomas Tompkins said he kept the Princa of
Wales Inn, Hagley, and complainant was his
daughter. Defendant asked his consent tn marry
her. He had seen him two or three times about
gettin; married and defendant led him to believe he
was getting a house rt ady for her. He told witness
that he could make £5O out of every foreign mail
that came in.

Lucy Elizabeth Everton said sbe was sister t.)
complainant. She saw defendant in reference to
her sister's condi ion, and a-led him. why he did not
marry her. He s Lid he had the license and they
would be married directly at S*. George's Church,
Hockley.
Mr. Waldron, for the defence, said he should not
deny the paternity of the child, but said defendant
had not a penny in the world and wa.3 wholly de-
pendent upon his father.
The Bench- retired for a &loft, time ani on return.
into Court Colonel Fletcher asked Mr. Tompkins
ing how much the doctor's bill was.

-kr. Tompkins said the doctor's bill was £8 2s,
and the nurse cher4el 2 guineas.
Colortel Fletcher said they should order defend-
ant to pay 5s per week until the child attains the
the a4c of 16, and to pay the doctor's, nurse's, and
solicit r's fees.