The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-03-11 00:00:00

BRIERLEY HILL.

Snittons Fine.—A fire broke out yesterday, about half
past eleven 0...i0ck, at Mr Henry Detheridge'n, nue-
tioileez and fnruiture dealer, of this town. The fire was
discovered in the gardecer'a shop, at the back it the pre-
mises. Information was at once given to Mr, J. W.
Beckley, surveyor to the Local Board, tied Cs soon as
possible the hose was brought into play ; but, unfortu-
mitely, the hose burnt twice, causing a little delay. As
noon as it was repaired the hose was brought into play,
and the fire was got under about a quarter to two o'clock.
The damage is estimated at from 1:150 to £2OO, which in
covered by insurance.
SCHOOL SoARD ELRCTION.—A good deal of excitement
was manifested ou Monday last, as to the result of the
election. The Board is to be composed of nine members.
and twenty-two were nominated, but up to Satarday the
number had dwindled down to thirteen. Mr. R. Plant
and Mr. .1. E. Swindell retired last week. Mr. Bowen
and SD. Wright retired early on the morning of election,
which reduced the number to eleven. At the close of the
poll a good deal of uncertainty prevailed an to which
party had got in, but on Tuesday Mr. 0. Holloway, the
returning officer, declared the result an follows:
Richard Smith Casson (Round Dak).. C 5169
William Barlow (Pensnett) N 4392
John Walter Clnlow (Brierley Hill) N 3967
Benjamin Wood (Pensnett).. C 3361
Walter Edmund Wood (Dennis Park) C 3247
Henry Evers (Cradley Mill House) N 3234
Henry Walker (Brierley Hill) .. C 3132
Francis C iokson (Ringswinford) C 3000
Simon Bennett (Brierley Hill) ~ N 2127
John Rawlings (Brierley Hill) .. 2110
Cherie. Alfred Emery )Brierley Hill) 1466
Edward Bowen (Brettell Lane)
James Evers Swindell 19
Renben Plant (Wordsley) 9
Josiah Wright .. . 8
The first nine were elected. Those marked C," are
Churchmen, and those marked N,” Nonconformists.
TRANspEHS.—At the Petty Sessions, held COI Monday,
before F. Ever' and H. Hall, Esqrs., the following trans-
fers took place :—The Wheat Sheaf, Ringniviuford, from
Nicholas Hancox to Jane Haucox ; the White Horse.
from Anne Maria liazelhurat to Mary Marsh ; the Holly
Bosh, from John Evers to Arthur Turner; the Waterloo
Inn, from Isaac Bellamy to James Wardell.

CHARGE OF SI EALING HAY.—James Shuck was charged
with stealing a quantity of hay, on the 3rd instant, the
property of David Shaw. Prosecutor said he saw the
prisoner take the bay a little after twelve o'clock on the
above date. He had part of a truss carrying away. The
value of it was 2s 3d. Pollee-constable Hammond proved
apprehending the prisoner on the charge, who denied it.
Sentenced to 11 days' hard labour.
DRUNK AND ItIOTOUS.--JO6ll Hooper was charged with
being drunk and riotous on the night of the sth instaut.
Police-constable Maland proved that he was on duty in
13rierley Hill. He saw the defendant, who was very
drunk, and creating a disturbance. He had his coat and
jacket off and swearing. Police-constable Breton gave
corroborative evidence. Ordered to pay costs.
DIIITNE AND ASSAULTING THE POLlCE.—Daniel Hooper,
a tailor, was charged with being drunk and assaulting
Police.constable Breton. Complainant said that he saw
the defendant in the act of striking Police•constable
Maland, but he prevented him, whereupon the defendant
struck him jwituess, With his crate's. Pollee-constable
Maland corroborated, and said defendant made use of bad
and abusive language, and as lie was an old offender the
Bench fined him 20s and coets ; in default one month.

•
VIOLENT ASSAULT.—IIenry Roberts was charged by
Richard North with assaulting him on the 28th ultimo.
Mr. Ilurbury defended. Complainant said he went to a
nicit aamed Cooper to have souse ale. They bad some
words, when the defendant went to fetch a spade to strike
him. The spade was taken front him, and defendant then
picked up a poker and struck Mtn on the head with it,
and knocked him senseless. Mr. Burbury addressed the
Bench for the defence, contending that the complainant
was the aggressor, and that what he received he brought
upon himself. George Davis was called, and said that
complainant first struck the defendant, and pushed his
wife. They had eight quarto of ale between five of them.
It was about three o'clock in the morning. The ale was
had from the Unicorn Inn. Benjamin Cooper and Sarah
Roberts also gave evidence. The Bench remarked that
it was a disgraceful thing to make such a row and strike
a man with a poker, and line •I him lOs and costs.
THE CHARLIE OF RAPE.—James Leeson, blacksmith,
of Wall Heath, was brought up on remand, charged sv,tll
committing a rape upon Emma Clifford, a professional
concert hall singer, on the 20th ultimo. Mr. Burbery
appeared to prosecute, and Mr. Addison for the prisoner.
From the evidence of complainant it appeared that she
was under an engagement as singer, at the Cross Inn,
Kingliwinford, and on returning home the prisoner, and
two men, named Perry and Meek, followed her for some
distance, when the two latter left. The prisoner con-
tinued to follow her till she got near a field, when he put
his arm round her waist, threw her down, knelt upon her
chest, and committed the offence complained of. She
resisted and screamed. Witnesses were called who heard
her screams. A number of witnesses were called for the
defence. The Bench said the evidence was so conflicting
that they should not decide the mac themselves, but vend
it for trial. Prisoner was then committed to take los trial
at the Assizes, bal being accepted—himself iii .£104.1, and
two sureties in I:60 each.

DRUNK AND ASSAULTING THE POLICL.—At the Pett7
Sessions, held on Thursday. before 1. Spooner, Esq ,
Stipendiary, William Male, of Wordsley, was charged
with being drunk and incapable, and assaulting Police.
constable tt bite while in the intention of his duty on
the sth inst. White proved that the defendant was drunk
and incapable of taking charge of his horse and cart.
Ile remonstrated with defendant, abets he turnet rouud
and struck him several times with his whipstock, mid
afterwards on the forehead with bis fist. Fined lOs for
each offence ; in default six wed.' bard labour.'

Cuar-os or Asset:tr.—Abraham Buxton, of King.
swinford, was charged by Daniel Davis with using threat-
ening language to him on the Ist instant. Mr. Stokes
defended. Complainant said that he was groom and
coachman to Mrs. McGregor. On the above date, abo t
one o'clock, he met the defendant, who made tire of abu-
sive language, and threatened to break his tread; and he
was afraid lie would do him some bodily harm. Ordered
I, pay la 3d each, half the summons.
CHARGE AGAINST A BECRRIUSE KEEPER. —.I 11.
laxdlord of the Dog and Partridge, The Thorns, was
summoned by Superintendent Minks for keeping his house
open for the sale of beer during prohibited hours, on the
night of the 31st ultimo. Police-sergeant Breton proved
that he visited the defendant's house at half-past eleven
o'clock. He found six men in the house besides defend-
ant's family, drinking. There was a quart of ale and a
pint cup on the tFined 40a and costs.
DRUNK, REFUSING TO QUIT, AND ASSAULTING IDE
Pot-mg.—Thomas Hodgetts and Daniel Bedhall. were
charged with being drunk and refusing to quit the house
of Jeremiah Gittangs, the Commercial Inn, Brockmoor,
on the 3rd instant. Mary Ann Bagott, domestic servant,
proved that the defendants came into Mr. Gitting's house.
She refused to fill them any ale because they were fresh.
They refused to go, and the police were sent for. Police
constable Cotterell proved that he was sent for, and found
the two defendants, who wanted to tight the landlady.
He ordered them out in her presence. They refused to
go for a time, but ultimately he got them out, when they
created a great noise, and both the defendants struck and
kicked him, and he had to send for,,assistance. Hod-
getts, who has been convicted live times, was sentenced
to three months' hard labour, and Bedhall, who had once
been convicted for drunkenness, was sentenced to one
month's hard labour.

MURDEROrS ASSACLI.—EIijah and George Homer,
(brothers), were charged on remand with assaulting
Hevekish Dann. Mr. Addison defended. It appears
that on the evening of the 18th February, the prosecutor
was coming home from his club, and when passing Hell's
Hole, at 13rockmoor, the defendants and three other per-
sons attacked him very violently, striking and kicking
him in a shameful manner. He shouted for help, and
as they turned round to look if any one was coming he
ran into the adjoining wood. The defendants followed
pushed him down, knocked some of his teeth out,
and kicked him till he was blue from his foot to his
shoulder. Elijah Homer, the greater offender, was sen-
tenced to two months' imprisonment with hard labour.
George Homer was to be kept to hard labour in the house
of correction for seven weeks.