The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-12-14 00:00:00

STOURBRIDGE OBSERVER.

ROBBERY AND ATTEMPTED MURDER AT

BRIERLEY HILL.

CONFESSION OF THE PRISONER.
Great sympathy is evinced in Dudley and neigh-
bourhood for the injured gantleman in this dastardly
case, Mr. Alfred Meredith, ton of Mr! J. Y.
Meredith, bui!der, Bond Sireet, Dudley. Mr.
Meredith has held a situation as clerk at the works
of Messrs. Hill and Smith, Brierley Hill, for many
years, and was greatly respected. It seems to have
been usual for bira to proceed to the Bank at Dudley,
on Fridays, for the money to pay the workmen. On
returning last Friday from the Bank he took the
road he usually went, down Queen's Cross, by the
Palk Head Furnaces, and across the road from
Dudley to Pedmore, which leads to a private road
on property belonging to Messrs. Cochrane and Co.,
and passes by the pumping engine the Nelson, also
belonging to Messrs. Cochrane, to the works of
Messrs. Hill and Smith. This is only a bye way and
is not much frequented, as a turnpike road runs from
Dudley to Brierley Hill. A young man was seen
loitering in the rear of Mr. Meredith as he was pro-
ceeding down Queen's Cross, with his bag contain-
ing money to the amount of £270. The same per-
sun was seen following close to Meredith at Park
Head, Shortly afterwards the report of a pistol was
heard near the Nelson engine, and upon the man in
charge of the engine looking out he saw Meredith
fall, and another man, which turns out to be the
prisoner Whiston, running away from the scene of
the occurrence. On proceeding to the spot the
engineer identified Meredith, who was lying in a
pool of blood. The
_man then gave chase to the
perpetrator of the offence, but he managed for the
time to escape apprehension. Meredith was removed
to a public-house close by, and was shortly after-
wards conveyed to the Guest Hospital, Dudley,
where he now lies. The police, both at Dudley and
Brierley Hill, were at once communicated with, and
turned their attention to the capture of the would be
murderer. From information received, it was sus-
pected that the young man wanted was a caster in
the employ of Messrs. Hingley and Smith, named
Whiston. It was known by the police that Whisten
kept company with a young woman named Mary
Kerry, who lived at Brockmoor. Sergeant Grattige
and Police-constables Eden, Hicklin, and Keenan at
once proceeded there, and upon gaining admission
they at once found the prisoner Whitton. He was
handcuffed immediately, and conveyed to Brierley
Hill police-station. On a search of the house being
made the sum of Ze 5s was found tied up in a piece
of rag. Kerry also handed over the sum of £25 in
gold, which she said Whiston had given her about
a quarter of an hour. She was then apprehended
on a charge of receiving money knowing it to have
been stolen. She denied all knowledge of how the
male prisoner became possessed of the money. On
Whiston being searched, a small pistol, having the
appearance of a new one, was found in one of his
pockets. It was loaded and capped. Mr. Chief
Superintendent Burton and Inspector Wigley, of the
Dudley police, proceeded to the police station at
Brierley Hill and received the prisoners, as the oc-
currence took place in the county of Worcester.
Great credit is due to the police for their prompt
action in this case, which resulted in the capture of
the prisoners. When brought to Dudley police
station, Whiston was placed in the dock and charged
with attempted murder and stealing the sum of £270,
he simply answered" He did not intend to murder,"
The female prisoner was charged with receiving £25
knowing it to be stolen. At about half-past three
on Saturday morning, the prisoner asked to be al-
lowed to have an interview with Chief Superin-
tendent Burton. The desire of the prisoner was
complied with, and the Chief was called up and was
soon in the presence of the prisoner. Whiston then
stated that he was the perpetrator, of the crime,
and had followed Meredith from Dudley. He said
: he waited his • opportunity, and when Meredith
strieed at the lonely pert of the road near the

cerned they were anxious nothing should be said
to hurt the feelings of the parents or friends of the
young man who lay at the hospital. They wished
him to state in public court that they had the
greatest and deepest sympathy for the friends of
the young man who had been so unfortunately
injured. He had no objection to the present re-
mand.

Prisoner was then formally remanded for a
eek, and was removed from the dock.
The Court was cro xded during the proceedings,
and there was a large number of eager inquiries
or information outside.

4:
engine he area, being only a few paces from the un- BRIERLEY HILL.
fortunate man, so he received the full force of the ,
vHARGE OF DRUNICENNEss.—At the Police Court, held
charge. On seeing the result of the shot Wbiston on Monday last, before Messrs. F. Evers, and H.
at once snatched the bag and decamped across the Smith, Ebor Guest was charged with being drunk on the
fields. On running away from the scene he states 3rd inst. Defendant pleaded guilty. Police-constable
that the satchel' accidentally fell open, and he sup- Keenan proved the offence. Fined 2s 6d and costs ; in-
p ,sed that a greater portion of the money was i default 7 days. I
thrown out of the bag at the time. This may ac- PLAYING AT PITCH AND Toss.—Nice youths named
Wood, Male, Purchase, Hill, Jones, Flusselbee, Bate,
count for the large deficiency that exists between
the sum stolen and the money recovered, The Jones, and Beasley, were charged with playing at pitch
prisoner then went on to say that if Mr. Burton n d toss in the highway, on the Ist inst Police-con-
would make a search near the trees by the Fens Pool
and
Y Y able T therl proved the case' and said be watched
them forhalf-anphr our playing at pitch and toss. All the
at a spot indicated by the prisoner, a bag containing defendants pleaded guilty, except Beasley. The witness
silver coin would be discovere4 sunk in the pool. swore he saw Beasley play. Arthur Lewis gave corrob-
The statement was mostly taken down in writing by orative ,evidence. Police-sergeant Hinton proved a
Chief Superintendent Burton. To prove the state- previous conviction against Henry Charles Purchase and
ment of the prisoner, a searching expedition at once Henry Jones. The Bench remarked that it was a very
proceeded to the Fens Pool, and the sum of £4O in serious affair to gamble and lose the money in these
silver was found. The accused, Enoch Whiston, hard times. They ought to take care of every penny, in-
Brickklin Street, Hart's Hill, and Mary Kerry, Corn-
stead of gambling. Superintendent Woollaston said he
monside, were brought up at the Dudley Police had repeated complaints of gambling, and in con
Sequence sent the officer down. Mr. Evers remarked
Court on Saturday morning last, the Magistrate that the offence was a very serious one. They could for
present being the Mayor (Mr. W. North). The case the first offence fined them 40s. and costs, for the second
was brought forward, as explained by Chief Super- offence £lO and costs. They shoul I however fine them
intendent Burtcn, simply for him to apply for a re- ail ss. each to include costs, except Purchase and Henry
mand till Wednesday. The friends of Whiston are Jones, and these defendants were fined 7a 6d each to
, exerting themselves to prove that he is not answer- include costs.
I able for his actions; and it is said they can produce CHARGE cr STEALING HAZEL RODs.—Richard Parkes
' evidence, medical and otherwise, to this effect. and deury Baker, were charged with fe.onionsly stealing
On Monday morning the police again conveyed three bundles of hazel rods ott the 23rd ult, the pro-
,
the prisoner Whiston to Woodside and the neigh- partyvan
n t ht
he ei" .John Evans, of Wombonrn. David
E employ
in o
the
he
afternoon prosecutor said he h lea s
at
hs
oa
vwe them
e
bourhoo ra
dof the Fens Pool and Brockoor in qnest safe as.
t' z four o'clock
of an alleged hiding plane of some of the money. Could swear to them as he put on the bottom band•
' The prisoner had, however, either deceived the Police-constable Clayton said from information received
officers or someone had discovered the treasure, for he followed the two prisoners, and a man named Wright 1
there was no trace of notes.—lnquiries at the hospital and over took them. Parkes was carrying the bundle of
and the police station on Monday show that Meredith sticks produced. Baker and Wright had each a bundle,
was progressing slowly but favourably, asked them where they had got them from. They said
The prisoners Enoch Whiston (20) and Mary they had found them the other side of the road. Told
Terry (23) were charged on remand on Wednesday them he should detain them. They afterwards pointed
before Messrs. W. North (Mayor) G. Baggott, and out t
this stage
the had picked them up by the side of the road
A thaeze proceedings
rodsa h
i t theere charge
as
to
A. D. Stringer, at the Dudley Police, Court.—Mr. to one of having o
of the
h
Burton, Chief Superintendent of Police, informed value of a shilling, and not giving a satisfactory account
the bench that the male prisoner at present stood of them, and prisoners were fined 109 each and costs;
charged with committing a highway robbery and in default 14 days.
stealing £2BO. The girl was also arrested in con- STEALING Coae.—Caroline Wallatt, (15), was charged
nection with the robbery, and he had felt it his with stealing on the 28th nit, a quantity of coal, the
duty to detain her on the charge of receiving £25, property of Earl Dudley. Additional police-constable
part of the proceeds of the robbery. From inquiries
a arsosrAt rLoTvce dAstzh e
hhti Jones
offence.
Finedwasscshtaor inecaluwdieth acaosasts.hl
f.
m
he had made he was perfectly satisfied that the girl
lag Alfred Jones on the 4th inst. Copglainent said that
was not guilty of the charge, and therefore he the defendant worked for him. He told him to bring
, asked the permission of the Bench to withdraw the some bags from Stourbridge. Defendant refused to do
charge against her.---;Mr. Waldron (Brierley Hill) so, and began to insult him. He witness then laid hold
said he appeared on her behalf, and he wished to of him by the collar, pushed him oft' the premises, when.
assure the 'Bench as to the sum of money found in defendant turned and kicked him on the legs. Was lame
her hands, It was quite true that the prisoner two days from the injuries received. The Beech con-
Whiston came to her house and gave her the money
sidered the case proved, and fined defendant 29 64 and
costs ; in, default 7 days.
It happened that they were engaged to be married,
b
' mtuNo.—Emme. Ashmore, a married woman,
and that she was expecting money in consequence was charged with receiving coal on the 16th,knowing the
of a conversation which took place between Whiston same to be stolen, the property of Earl Dudley. Mr.
and herself, when he stated that he had saved some Waldron defended - William Hall, a boy, said that he
money and was about to marry her. He brought picked up a quantity of coal on the above date with an-
her the money, and immediately she received it she other boy. He slid the coal to the defendant, and she
took it upstairs to put it away. Whilst she was gave bin, a penny for it. On cross-examination witness
upstairs the police came. She said, " Oh, Lord ! said that he was charged with stealing coal on the previous
what's the matter ?" and as soon as they told her weekt
to
paidy Bhs
e case
it up.
withdrawn
on
did not tell him
h
na
and Ann
enntioo
Homer,
leOrs
costs
what had occurred she took them upstairs and
T Ann Jasapa va'arJs ane Pearson, d
handed over the purse she had received from the w
were charged with stealing a quantity of coal on the Oth
prisoner. That was the whole transaction, and all inst, the property of Earl Dudley. Police-constable
the evidence that could be brought against her. Human said that he SAW the defendants picking coal at
She begged him to assure the Bench that she knew the Wallows Colliery Mount. There were ten others
nothing as to the other part of the money, and had Picking coal. Police-constable Taylor corroborated but
no portion of it in her possession. did not wish to press the case, and it was withdrawn on
The Magistrates then ordered Kerry to be die-
payment of Gs Gd costs. Allowed 14 days to pay the
money.
charged. CHARGE OF OBSTRUCTING THE CANAL. Richard
Mr. Burton, addressing the Bench, said he had to Biddle, was charged with wilfully obstructing the free
ask for a week's remand of the prisoner Enoch Whis- navagatiou of the canal, on ihe oth October. The caae
ton, on the charge of committing the highway rob- was proved by Richard Turner, that the defendant stopped
bery, inasmuch as he had received from the hospital the free navugation of the canal for more than a half-an-
surgeon that morning a statement which he believed hour. Fined 5s and coats.
justified him fulls in asking for a remand without
offering any evidence.
Mr. Barrad ale, magistrate's clerk, read the follow-
ing note :--`• ;Guest Hospital, Dudley, 10 a m.—
Dear Sir—l regret to have to inform you that young,
Meredith is much worse this morning, and is de-
cid' dly in a very critical condition. I fear he can-
not 'ix e. Yoars truly .F. S. Goulder."
Mr. Stokes said he was instructed by the parents
of the prisoner to watch the case on his behalf.
He assured the Bench that as far as they were con-

BRIERLrA HIiA4 CSSERVATIVE
ASSOCIA.TIOV.
LECTURE BY MR J. M.4BRINDLLY.

On Wednesday even.ng Lr. J. E Brindley, of Bir-
mingham, delivered a lecture to the members of the
Brierley Bid Conservative Association at the Town
Arms Inn on the subje,t of '`Our Indian Empire."
Mr. J. OARPMAIL presided, and there was a good
attendance.—Mr. BRINDLEY began by remarking that
the topic which occupied men's minds at the present
moment was that of the safety of our Indian Empire,
and he thought it was well that Englishmen should
consider how teat Empire had been won, what it was
worth, and how it might be best kept. The lecturer
proceeded to detail the circumstances under which we
became possess _d of the great Indian Empire, and then
dealt with the question of our responsibilities to it. We
had there two hundred millions et subjects, and English-
men m .st face the difficulty of deciding how best they
could be governeJ. The first gate to India was the Suez
Canal, and the tar-seeing policy of Lord Beaconsfield
had secured that interest for England--(hear, hear),
The acquisition of the is:and of Cyprus was also a mist
important consideration. By the protectorate which
Lord Beacouetield obtained over the States of Asia
Minor he had secured the path of the Euphrates Valley
which had always been the path from Europe to India,
and vice versa. As they were aware, Russia had for
,ears past been extending her dominions in Asia,
creeping slowly
.but surety towards our Indian Empire,
adding provincs to province. Her already enormous
bulk of territory had become more and more swollen, ,
and up to the present time Russia had succeeded in her
policy of aggrandisement and retaining what she had
wod. We knew from statements made by Russian
officers that they had but one hope, and that was, sooner
or later, to be able to grapple with England, to be able
to meet her on her Indian frontier and fight out an old
grudge. Although Russian diplomatists might disgu
Russia's policy, the officers of her army were honee
enough to dec.are it, cud they declared that, sooner a
later, ,they hoped to try with us conclusions for tho
possession of our Indian Empire. It became a grave
question with England as to whether, in the position
of the present Government of Afghanistan, it was safe
for England to allow that Government to hold the great
mountain barrier which divided the Indian Empire from
the encroachments of Russia. While the Ameer of
Afghanistan was our friend, and while we could con-
vince him that his bust policy for his owe interests and
his own country was to foster and encourage a friendly
alliance with England we were tolerauly safe; but
through the mismanagement of Liberal Goverements
we found that our power in that country had almost
slipped from our hands, our old enemy Russia—who
after the Ulla-wail war, found her way through
Afghanistan into the uourts of the Indian princes,
presumably for purposes of trade, but as he
believed for the purpose of stirring up those Indian
princes to mutiny—at the close of another war
making her way to and using her influence in the
Lout of the Amour, and it became oar duty to
check and counter...et that inilueueo—(hear, hear).
England felt Lust wilts Russia at tae Court of tjubtil and
without fair and adequa.e represetAation of the policy of
England there, we were in danger, and that the cui,f
gate of oar Empire was in perii. The Conservadee
Government of England hau up to. Lee present tune
acted promptly and earnestly, and their policy with re-
gard to the present Afghan war was a wise po.ig, for
they ware determined for the safety of the Indian lnpire
and the commrce of England that they would be rep. e.
seated at the Court of Leibul. As his hearers knew
England had sent out an expedition, and success had'
once more snone upon the arias of England—(applause).
Lie expressed a hope that the war would be a brief one,
aud said he was satisfied that it would be conducted by
our Government wits the utmost promptitude and with
as inu,h humanity as was possible under the °imam-
stai.ces -(hear, hear). The lecturer, after speaking for
tne power of Russia to assault the gates of India and
the power of England to repel the assault, said there were
other complications than those to which he had referred.
Russia and China were hardly on the terms of friendship
Russia would like to see. In extending her territories
Russia had not scrupled to cut several slices out of
China, and the result had been that the China Greern-
ment had become rather nervous about their own terri-
tory, and recently had fitted out an expedition and an
army, and had succeeded in recovering some of their
territory. II.) was quite convinced that Russia was
earnestly striving to do us all the harm she could—(hear,
hear)—but he gave several reasons why Russia would
not find it all smooth sailing with her. Whatever the
result of the present war with Afghanistan might be as
far as military matters were concerned, they might rest
assured that the English Government would not allow it
to be brought to a conclusion without our being masters
of the Riede° Boosh, or having such a representation
at the Court of the Ameer as will fulls counteract any
influence of Russia in that quirter—(applause). He
trusted it would be so, and that the Hindoo Koosh might
ultimately be held for us by the Ameer as our friend
and ally—(hear, hear). By the policy of L'ird Beacons-
field's Cabinet we were in a fair way for securing not only
at the present moment but for all time, either such a
frontier for our English pcssestions or such an influence
with those who at present guarded that frontier as should
relieve us from all danger. With such a pilicy England
might feel safe, and with such a Government as that at
present at the head of affairs they might feel well satis-
fied. As Conservatives they were do•ermined to uphold
that Government, and it was their duty to spread the
principles of Conservatism—which were undoubtedly
calculated preeminently to advance the best interests of
the people generally—(loud che.-rs.) Mr. H. Bailey pro-
posed a vote of thanks to the lecturer which was secou-
ded by Mr. W. Barton. A vote of thanks to the chairman
closed the procee tines.