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

OLD E ILL.

DRUNE AND RISTITB:NG TO QUIT.—At the Police
Court on Wednesday, bJore W. Bassano and H. A.
Wiggin, Esqs., Alfrul Harris and Samuel Harris
were charged with being drunk on the licensed
premises of Mary Harris, Bridge Inn, and refusing
to quit the same when requested to do so. It was
shown in the evidence that the defendants were
in the house quarrelling and they at last began to
fight. They were ordered to leave but they did
not do so fur over an hour. Alfred was fined lOs
and costs, and Samuel 5s and costs. _ _ _

ASS A.ULTS —Joseph Harris was charged with as-
saulting Elizabeth Harris on the 25th ult. Com-
plainant stated that she went down to Harris's
public house, and as soon as she got in the defend-
ant began pushing her about, and struck at her
several times. Witnesses were called and corro
berated. Defendant said she had a poker in her
hand, and he only went to take it off her. The
case was dismissed.—Thoreas Siviter was charged
with assaulting Myra Lee, on the 26th ult. Fined
6d and costs; in default 7 days.—Benjamin Nock
was charged with assaulting Mary Ann Shakespeare
on the 28th ult. Complainant stated that she was
coming from work when she met defendant's sister
who began to quarrel, and the defendant came up
and struck her it the eye. Defendant said he did
not strike her. Mr. Bassano said there was no
doubt but that he gave her the black eye, and he
was fined 5s and costs; in default 14 days.
Dnusks.—Benjamin Williams and James Wil-
letts were charged with being drunk and disorderly
on the 26th ult. P.C. Tytherleigh proved the case
and said defendants were drunk and fighting in the
street. Pleaded guilty and were is and costs each.
—John Smith was charged with being drunk and
disorderly in Blackheath marktt, on the 19th ult.
P.C. Leadbitter proved the case and defendant was
fined 5s including costs.

FILLING A SALVATION ARMY BARRACKS WITH
SULPHUR.—George Henry Laister, described as a
commercial traveller, residing in Long Lane, Hales-
owen, was summoned for threatening to do bodily
harm to Thomas Siviter, a sergeant in the Salva-
tion Army stationed at Blackheath.—Mr Waldron,
who appeared to prosecute, stated that the mere_
hers of the Salvation Army hired a room adjoinii.g
the Handel Hotel, Blackheath, for the purpose of
holding meetings and services, and for which they
paid an annual rental of £4O. On Thursday. the
17th ult, a "little soldiers'" meeting was held in
the building, at which it was estimaa el at least 500
children were present. Shortly after the meeting
had commenced the ram tor Idenly became filled
with sulphur, and the greatest difficulty was ex-
pet ienced by those in charge of the children. There
was greet excitement, and it was feared that a panic
would be the result. Although the sulphur was
almost suffocating the whole of the children were
fortunately got out safely. The defendant was the
manager of a malthoube, which is ma ter the Salva-
tion Army Barracks, and from an inspection which
was made it was ascertained that fumes of sulphur
had been sent out of the malthouse through cre-
vices in the flooring of the room occupied by the
Salvatimist-t. When the officers of the Army were
engaged in ascertaining where the sulphur came
from, the defendant insulted the complainant, aod
afterwards saicl"that he would cut his head off." -Th e
complainant having corroborated Mr. Waldron's
statement, defendant denied that he in any way
threatened complainant.—Complainant said defend-
ant not only threatened to cut his head off, but also
I attempted to strike him with a weapon. He far-
ther stated that he would blow the building up
with dynemite.—John Harvey, a member of the
Army, stated that defendant would have dealt the
complainant a heavy blow cm the head had e not
prevented him.—Police-constable Whiston stated
that he went into the 13,rracks after the children
had been got out, and he was compelled to leave
quickly or else he would have been suffocated.—
Mr. Bassano said the magistrates considered that
the offence had been proved, :and defendant In otald
have to enter into his own recognisances of £2O, to
provide a surety of ..£5 to keep the peace for six
months, and to pay the costs.—Defendant: I deny
putting the sulphur in the room.—Mr. Bassano :
The evidence certainly shows that you dia.—De-
fendant : If I have to find a bond complainant will
have to pay the costs of providiug the bond —Mr.
Bassano : You will have to pay all costs.—Defead
ant: I have received instructions that lam not
bound to pay.—The Magistrates Clerk: You will
have to pay or go to gaol.