The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-12-23 00:00:00

MANSLAUGHTER AT QUARRY BANK.

Alexander Barnsley Nock was charged with killing
and slaying Josiah Tipper, at Quarry Bank, on the 11th
inst.
Mr Waldron appeared to prosecute, and Mr. Addison
defended.
Joseph Attwood was the first witness called, and
said: I. reside at Quarry Bank, and knew the deceased
Josiah Tipper, who was a puddler and resided at the
Coppice. He died about five minutes before eleven
o'clock on Monday night, the 11th just, whilst I was
present. I came out of the Three Horse Shoes
about a quarter to eleven o'clock and heard a scuffle on
the other side of the road. The deceased was fighting
with his uncle, but I don't know the reason of their
quarrel. I heard Nock say " I won't fight with you ; I
would rather fight with some one else." The deceased
then struck off at Nock and they fought. Each had
his jacket off, and they fought five rounds. In the
last round Tipper was felled by Nock, but I did not see
anything but fists used. Tipper never spoke afterwards,
bat lay on the ground until picked up. During the
fieht deceased was not interfered with by anytioilv.
He was able to walk straight- before the fight took
place.
Willem Stringer said: About ten minutes before
eleven o'clock on Monday night I heard a disturbance
in the street near to the Three Horse Shoes, and I
came out of my house which is about fifteen or sixteen
yards away. I have known Nock many years. I saw
Nock and the deceased sparring. Tipper pulled off his
jacket and they fought, but I cannot tell who struck the
first blow. They fought three or four rounds, and in
the first round both want down. The second round
they parted without falling, and in the last round both
fell 'dipper being undermost. Tipper died a short time
after he was picked up. I did not see anything but
fists used, nor did I see anyone interfere during the
fight.
Edward Holt, miner, residing at Maughan Street;
Quarry Bank, said: As I was going towards my house
from the direction of the Queen's Head patlic-house I
heard a disturbance in the street, and remarked to a
companion "We'll go and see what!' the matter." On
going to the spot I found Neck and Tipper fighting.
I saw them fight one round, and Tipper tell across the
gutter. I afterwards saw Tipper picked up. I then put
my hand on his forehead, and he appeared to be dead.
I did not see him kicked at all;
James Holt, miner, said: I saw the deceased about
half-past nine o'clock on Monday night, and I also saw
him a: the Three Horse Shoes Inn. Nock was also at
that place at ten o'clock. They were both sober
at ten o'clock. I did not see any quarrel between
them; on the contrary they were friendly for aught
I know. I did not hear a word pass between
them.
Sarah Cox said: I reside near to Nock, who lived with
Tipper. They have lived together many years, on
apparently good terms. On Monday a.ftei noon I saw
Tipper at home, and he was then sober, and I saw him
brought home at half-past eleven o'clock the same
night. I attended to him but I did not then see what
injuries he had received. I examined the body last
Wednesday night, and I found bruises. Deceased, as a
rule, enjoyed good health.
Mr. H. F. Hodgson, surgeon, of Cradley Heath,
said : I have attended professionally, members of
deceased's family, but I do not recollect the deceased.
I was fetched to Quarry Bank by a person named
I Sidaway, at about ten minutes past eleven o'clock on
Monday night last I saw the deceased in a chair, at
the house in which he lived, and he was dead
Having got the body laid out, I made an examiration
and found bruises of a very serious nature on the left
side. The braises were quite recent, mad on that side
ribs were broken. There were injuries on the right side
and marks and injuries on each side of the neck.
There was 'dislocation of the vertebra. There was no
mark on the face. I afterwards made a post-niorterrs
examination in the presence of the Superintendent of
Police, Mr. Woollaston, and my assistant. I opened the
head, cheat, and body, and I found a great amount of
clotted blood underneath the scalp, but there was no
external injury to account for that. On removing the
skull, I found a quantity of blood over the daramater
corresponding with the injuries described. The brain
Was perfectly healthy. Three of the vertebra of the
spine were dislocated, and on further examination I
found the heart perfectly broken up by the pressure
arising from the broken ribs. I found the lungs were
somewhat congested from the same cause. All the
viscera were healthy. There Was a small quantity of
food in the stomach; principally liquid. The imme-
diate cause of death was rupture ot the heart co3pled
with the broken ribs. I consider that dislocation of the
neck occurred after death. Either would have been
sufficient to cause death. I consider that the injury to
the ribs was the result of violence during life. In my
opinion it is impossible the injuries could have
been produced by a fall. I consid.er dislocation of
the neck was the result of external injury after
death.
Police-sergeant Kavanagh said: At two o'clock on
Tuesday, the 'l2th lust, prisoner came to the police-
ststion at Brierley Hill, and he was given in charge on a
charge of killing Joseph Tipper. I cautioned him pre-
vious to charging him. Ile was wearing the boots pro-
duced but I did not examine them. Nock'd face was
injured, his lips swollen and he had marks of blood
upon him.
Josiah Pearson said: I was at the Three Horse Shoes
public-house at about ten o'clock p.m., on Monday, and
saw Nock and the deceased there. They were both
sober at that time. I did not hear any quarrel or dfs.

turbance of any kind.
. John Sheppard said: I was in the Three Horse
Shoes on Monday night, and I saw the deceased,
Josiah Tipper there. He said to me "Do you think my
uncle can fight? " I said " Well, I don't know, but I
would not have anything to do with him if I were you,"
Deceased then said, "I will try him before I go
home." I afteiweirds heard Tipper say that he would
give Nock a punch in the mouth. Nock had said
nothing up to that time. Just outside the door I saw
them both tan..b'e eo yr, but I cannot say who struck
the first blow. Nock did not strike Tipper when they
fell in tbe gutter. I heard Nock say "I don't want to
fight you " and he afterwards said, " Let's go home, I
don't want to fight at all." I saw them pick Tipper up,
but I did not think there was anything the matter with
him. I went away with Nock. Both of them had had
beer. but Nock appeared to have had more than de-
ceased:
Prisoner was committed to take his trial at the next
Stafford A.ssizes.

LORD LYTTELTON AT HA.LESOWEN

On Tuesday afternoon Lord Lyttelton presided at the
annual distribution of prizes to:the successful competitors
at the Grammar Scheel, Halesowen. There was a good
attendance of the parents and friends of the scholars,
amongst others being the Von. Archdeacon Hone and
the Misses Hone, Mr. E. Gem, J.P., the Revs: C. H.
Oldfield, It. L. G. Pidcock, E. J. Wood, F. Keatch, Mr.
J. Flomfray, and others.
Lord Lyttelton, in the course of his remarks said he
was always glad to discharge any fuuction of that nature
in Halesowen, with which place his family had bean con-
nected for the last 350 years. Referring to the study of
Latin, which had been naa.de in some degree compulsory
on the boys attending the school, he said he thought it
highly advisable that it should be taught. It would be
found very useful as a sort of key to the study of the
sciences. In most of them the terms used were in a
great measure founded on Latin, and none of them could
be studied with so much ease ancl benefit as when the
atadent had a knowledge of the language. In many pro-
fessions, again, a knowledge of Latin was absolutely
necessary, and when it was not acquired before leaving
school it would be found terribly hard, uphill work after-
wards. He wished to say a few words about the amuse.
meow, such as cricket and other athletic sports, which
were popular in most of the public schools of the country.
In his youth he had been an ardent lover of cricket, and
had become somewhat proficient in the game. He
thought the many pasta accidehts which were heard of

in connection with the practice of athletic games ought
not to be ascribed to the sports themselves but to the
too great spirit of rivalry which was cultivated. He
urged them to be moderate in their pursuit of sports ;
in his own case, although he had many reminiscences of
cricket, he was of opinion that if he had devoted a little
less time to it, and more to study, he might have been
perhaps as good a cricketer, and more fitted to be then
addressing them. In concluding, he advised the youths
who were among his hearers to begin early in laying up
a store of that most valuable of human possessions-
-the opinion of men. Lord Lyttelton then distributed
the prizes as follows . Class 1. " Lyttelton " prize, Dixon,
sen. ; Feoffees' prize, A. Hodgetts; Master's prizes for
lessons and conduct during the year: Ist, Dixon, aen. ;
2nd, A. Hodgets. Prizes for marks gained for preparing
lessons after school: Ist, Williams ; 2nd, Harper; 3rd,
Dakin. Scripture (prize given by Mr. Colbourn) :
Dixon, sen. ; Writing class (prizes given by feoffees); Ist,
Dixon; 2nd, Harper. Drawing (prizes given by master) :
Ist, Dixon ; 2nd, Webster. Arithmetic ' • Ist, (given by
Mr. Bissell), Dakin. Two prizes given by Mrs. Homfray
for punctual attendance : Ist, Palmer ; 2nd, Boilstone.
Class 11, Feoffees' prince : Ist, V. Hodgetts ; 2nd; G.
Hodgetts. Master's prizes : Ist, V. Hodgetts ; 2nd, G.
Hodgetts. Scripture, V, Hodgetts. Arithmetic, V.
Hodgetts.
vote of thanks was afterwards heartily accorded to
his Lordship, on the motion of the Yen. Archdeacon
Hone. _ _ _

A. similar vote was passed to Mr. Mathews (the head-
master of the school). on the motion of Mr. J. Homfray,
seconded by Mr. Gem, for his paintaking and earnest
labours in carrying on the school.