The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-11-17 00:00:00

OLD HILL.

FIRE AT A COLLIERY.-011 WtdriCSClay morning a
fire was disc )vered to be raging in a pit shaft at
the Granville Colliery, belonging to Messrs. Swindell
and Colds. It was found necessary to close the
Wiaft, and a large number of men have consequ-ntly
been thrown out of employment. A fire broke out
in the same colliery a snort time ago, and it was
then found necessary to close it.

_
DRUNKENNESS -At the Police Court on Wedncs lay
before J. Pearson and H. Hickman, Esqrs., Joseph
Thompson and Oliver Davis were charged with be-
ing drunk aril disorderly on the 3rd inst in Sedgley
Roa 1, Tividale.—P,C. Winfield proved the case and
said the defendants were drank and fighting.
Fined 2s 6d and costs; in default 7 days.—John
Hubtall was charged with being drunk in the High
Street, Cradley Heath, on the 9th inst.—P.C.
Tytherly proved the case. Fined is and costs; in
default 7 days —John Westwood was charged with
being drunk on the 6th inst.—P.C. Cheeseman
proved the ease and said he saw the defendant in a
very drunken state and using bad language. Pleaded
guilty and was fined 2s Gd and costs; in default 7
days. Solomon Davis was charged with being
drunk and disorderly on the 21st April, in Dudley
Road, Rowley.—P.C. Stiles proved the case and
said the defendant was in a beastly state of intoxi-
cati na and was partly stripped and using disgrace-
ful language. Defendant had nothing to say for
his defenet. 1h Bench fined him lOs and costs;
in def„ult 28 days.

AssA.tair.—l'oly Edwards was chaiged with as-
saulting Mary Ann Hill, On the Bth inst.—Com•
plainant said on the day in question s e had her
clothes hung out in the yard, when dam-tiara said
if she did not take them in she would cut the line
down. Defendant then came and struck her in the
fa !e and knocked her between some tubs. De-
fendant said tho complainant was on het premises
and she only pushed her.—After hearing two wit-
nesFes for the complainant, the Bench said they
thought an assault had been cmmitted and fined
dgendant 23 6,1 and Coss; in default 7 days.
TnßElTB.—William Shepherd wai charged with
using threats towarOs his wife, Mary Shepherd, on
the 7th inst.—Complainant said the defendant
threatened to cut her head off and cut her into bits.
She had not been in the house since, and was afraid
he would do her some bodily injury. Bound over
in his own recognisances of £lO to keep the peace
for 6 months.

STEALING MONEY.—Alice Beasley was charged
witi stealing Gs Gd from her employer, Israel Wor-
ton, on the 10th inst.—Mr. Wright prosecuted and
said there had been some money missing lately out
, of the till, and on Tuesday last she was asked to
turn out her pockets and there was found some
money which had been marked on purpose.—Mrs.
Wortoa was cilled and said she had, miss3d
money lately, and she marked some money on Sat-
urday which she put in the till. On examining
th ; till at night she found the marked coins were
gone. On Tu sday she asked the defendant to turn out
her pockets and the coins (produced) were found in
a purse, She acknowledged taking it and promised
to pay it back. She sent for a police officer and de-
fendat told him the same.—P.S. Shaw said he was
called into Worton's house and was told that h e
defendant had stolen some money and wished her
to be taken into custody. He charged her with
stealing 6s 6d the property of Israel Worton. She
said she was very sorry and hoped they would for.
give her.—Defendant pleaded guilty.—Mrs, Wor-
tort said tney did not wish to press the case.—The
Beach said they were going to send her to prison
but on the intercession of Mrs. Worton they should
fine her 40s and costs; in default one month.
ATTEMPT TO COMMIT A RAPE.—Francis Taft (22)
was charged with attempting to commit a rape on
Mary Jane Garratt, aged 7, on the 7th inst.—Sarah
Garrott, the mother, was called and staid she met the
prisoner on the day in question. Prisoner asked
her where she was going, and if "Jack" was in.
Witness said she was going to AU wood's to have
her tools repaired, and that there was no one in the
house except the little girl and her brother. P.i—
soner said he was going to thu house to light his
pipe.—Elizabeth Gt.rratt was called and said she
left home about quarter to three and came back in
20 minutes. Just before she got to the house she
heard some one crying and on running to the house
she saw the prisoner on the sofa with her little
ten—P.C. Wickstead said that from information
he received he WI nt in search of the prisoner whom
he found under the stoke hole of a boiler.—After
hearing the evidence of Mr. Standish, M.R C.S.,
who examined the child, the Bench committed the
prisoner to take his trial at the Stafford Sessions.