The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-09-17 00:00:00

OLD HILL.

DEATH 01 A 5 ECCENTRIC CHARACTEIt.—Jobn Jones.
residing in Iligh.street, Old Hill, was found dead in his
bed, on Wednesday morniug last. It appears from what
we CAU learn that deceased lived in house alone, and woe
of very eccentric habits. He had been poorly the nigh!
previous, but it was thought to be nothing of a serious
character, and %MI found dead in bed the following
morning. In the house was found a great quantity of
iron Lail, and other things. An inquest was held on the
body, and a verdict of "Found dead " was returned.
_

Air.rourixen Isouster.—At the Cherry Orchard Inn,
01111111, on Monday last, before Mr. Hooper, the inquest
was resumed upon the body of James Priest (18), who
was found dead in No. 18 Pit, Saltwells Colliery, on the
-20114 it;. Ms. Stokes appeared on behalf of the deputy.
manager, James Montgomery. During the inquiry Mr.
Matthew Fletcher, mine agent, Mr. Hughes, some cur.
veyor, and Mr. Baker, Government Inspector were pre.
sent. After the evidence had been read over, which wa,
given at the opening of the inquest, and which we have
already reported, Mr. Baker jot several questions to
donegomery, the deputy.manager, as to the ventilation
of the pit. After a few moments' deliberation the jury
returned their verdict, which was made known by the
Coroner, who observed that it had been determined ti
return a verdict of " Accidental death," bat the jury
were of opinion that the deputy won guilty of neglect to
a certain extent. It was his duty to have obtained the
air pipes at once, and if he could not do no, to have
ceased the working in that particular place till they were
provided.
ASSAULT CAE.—At the Petty Sessions held on Wed•
nesday last, before F. W. 0. Barre and N. Hingley,
Enqrs., Joseph Pearson, a doggy at the Timber Tree
Colliery, wan summoned by John Shipley for assaulting
him on the 12th instant. Mr. Addison appeared for the
complainant, who said he was a road doggy at Timber
tree Pit. On the above date he went to the pit at Svc
o'clock, and finiahed the examination is about half an
hour. 1/n going away, met a lad named Sanders. From
what he said, sent a messege to the defendant. Shortly
after defendant came to him in the work room, drunk.
tad said, "Jack, thee bast done here: go and put thee
earn on." I said, "N,,, I shall not, by your orders. If
r Griffiths orders me to do sot shall, and not without."
11r. Grillithe is the manager. Defendant then swore at
aim', and I swore at him. Defendant then struck me a
violent blow on the ziose, and I bled for two hours. I
did not strike again. Defendant denied that he struck
complainant; but said that complainant was drunk, and
refused to do his work; and calhed two witnesses, and the
Bench dismissed the ease.

AtiSAVI.TiN6 5 PARniII•cONSTARLE.—John Fletcher was
charged by Aaron Moyle, a parish.constable, with as-
saulting ham on the 12th inst. Complainant said he was
at the Castle Tavern. Defendant was very drunk, and
making a great noise. Went up to him, and the defend.
ant struck him several times. Defendant said he was
drunk, not did not recollect It. Fined do rid and costs :
in default 11 days.
Ciisnitt: or StEALIN.I laos.—Henry Rice Price Col-
bourn, chainmaker, was charged with stealing a quantity
of iron, on the Kth just, the property of the New British
Iron Company. Albert Tibbetts, smith, proved that h.:
made the coupling produced. No one else makes them
Made the one produced. Henry Fox, constable, proved
that the iron weighed Millis, and was worth 2s, and that
it belonged to the New British Iron Company. Missed
the iron, and from enquiries made a man named Perry,
a dealer in scrap iron, brought the iron to the works.
John W titian., scrap deealer, Reddal Hill, proved thst
he bought the iron produced of the prisoner. The
coupling was with other scrap iron Gave ds lid per
cwt. The defence WRS that three weeks ago a little girl
brought the iron to him, stating she had had the iron by
her a lone time, and that she found it in some soil. Wit.
ne4S told tier it and h., See to lino, and tbe girl threw it
into the scrap box. It was no benefit to him as he man.
aged for Spencer Dodson. Sarah Piper, of Cradley
Heath, proved that her two children got the iron pro.
diced oat of the privy•hole, a few weeks back. She had
previonsly seen it there The iron was washed, and lay
in the garden for a few days. She then took it to the
prisoner. Had nothing for the iron of the prisoner.
Hannah Lilley proved that she got the iron out of the
privy, with her sister, and afterwards washed it and took
it to the prisoner, who said he did not want it, and then
threw it into the scrap box. After hearing the above,
the case was dismissed.

CHARGE or FURIOUS DRIVING. tieorge Harris Was
charged with furious driving on the road at Cradley
Heath, on the 29th ult. Complainant said he lived at
Cradley Heath. On the 2:ith ultimo, while crossing the
Four Ways. defendant Was coming from the Five Ways,
and he ran into witness's carriage, breaking the wing
the whip in two, and splitting the back of the carriage.
Defendant was driving furiously at the time, and beating
the horse. James Fry, of Cradley Heath, gave corrobo
rative evidence, and said that the defendant struck the
horse twice with the whip, and the home dashed off, and
ran into complainant's carriage. A witness was called
for the defence, but his evidence went te eorroborate the