The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-09-13 00:00:00

THE STOURBRIDGE OBSERVER.

DRUNKENNESS.—At the Police Court yesterday,
before Colonel Fletcher and IL 0. Firmstone, Esq.,

Joseph Paget was charged with being drunk on the
18th ilst. at the Lye. P.C. Jones proved the case.
Fined 2s. 6d. and costs; or 7 days.—William Aston
was charged with being drunk at the Lye on the
19th ult. P.S. Cope proved the case. Fined 10s.
and costs ; in default 14 days. William Henry
Broolcs was charged with being drunk whilst in
ellarge of a donkey and cart on the sth inst. P.C.
Chare proved the case. Fined 2s. 6d. and ccsts ;in
default 7 (lays.—Thouras lies was charged with
being drunk and disorderly on the sth inst. at Fair-
heir). P.C. Wallace proved the case. Fine i 2s. 6d.
I and costs; in default 7 days.—Abraharn Little was
charged with being drunk and disorderly at the Lye.
P.C. Powell proved the ca,e. A previous conviction
was proved. Fined ss. and costs; or 11 days.
OBSTRUCTION.-- William Perry, John Forrest,
and William Partridge were charged with obstruct •
log the free passage of the highway on the Bth just.
P.C. Cartwright proved the case cud defendants
were fined 21. 6d. including costs.
DAMAGE.—AIbert Hart, Emmanuel Hart and
William Thomas Aston were chargeo. with damag-
ing a fence at Pedmore on the 17th inst. the property
of Mr. Yardley. Fined 2s 61 including costs; or 7
days.
1%10-2/PAYMENT OF POOR RATES. A number of
persons were summoned by Mr. Dallow, rate collec-
tor, for non-payment of poor rates. Orders were
made for the piynaent:
STEALING :MUSHROOM Q.—Adam Mears (14), Harry
' Hickton (14), Joseph Weston (16). and Walter
Fer-day (16) were cnarged with stealing a quantity
of mushrooms, on the Bth inst, the property of
Emmanuel Roper.--Mr. Waldron defended.—P.C.
Chare said he saw the defendants in a field picking
mushrooms. When they saw him they ran and he
followed them and caught Mears who had come
mushrooms. He picked up about llb by a brook.—
Emmanuel Roper said he cultivated the land for
mushrooms. He enly hired the field for grazieoe
He put salt on for the purpose of growing mush
rooms. Mr. Waldron said the boys could not be
convicted for stealing the mushrcoms, because they
were not cultivated. The Bench retired to consid, r
their verdict and on returning into Court Calonel
Fletcher said they had determined to dismiss the
sunaino,.ses.

LGLECT CRE"..- Penry Brighton was stun-
atoned by Thomas Brtm u fo- neglect of work, by
leaving without a week's noti,.,e, on the 27th ult.—
Preseeutor said the defendant asked hint if he could
take his washing hurtle and he would come back the
next morning, but he did not come back till the
Sunday m-rning. Prosecutor asked him why he '
did not cone back and be said he was going to join
his regiment.—Deftudant a id he stayed away be-
cause pros2cutor told a friend that he was to come
and fetch his clothes as he'iwould not bars him on
the ground another bour,—Prosettutor's son said he
heard the agreement between the defendant and
his fath, r which was to give nr take a week's notic?..
—Ordered to pay is and costs.
BOARD OF GUARDIANS-Mr. Raybould presi.led
at the meeting of this Board yesterday.—Admilted
S, discharged 15, reina!ning 539 aatinst 505.—King-
swiii ford :.n2 lOs 6d, Stourbrilge X 29 Is 1;11, Hales-
owen .£22 1.9 s Oil, Non-resi 'outs .21 12s 21, total
£96 58 21d against .V. 5 los id.

Hoare, inspector of factories, said he visited th-
factory and found the child at work, between 11
and 12 o'clock at night. The child was not entitled
to work, being under the age of 13.—Silas Homer,
father of the child, was charged with allowing his
child to be employed after 9 o'clock at night, on
the 24th July,—Mr. Hoare proved the case.—The
Bench ordered Messrs. Stuart and Sons to pay the
costs; Homer was fined lOs and costs.
CIIU ELTY. —Daniel Perry was charged with
cruelty to a foal at Persnett, on the 13th just, the
property of Henry Whitehouse. A witness was
called who saw the defendant throw a stone, which
hit the fowl. Defendant was fined is and costs:

in default 7 days.
RATE DEFAuLTEns —A number of persons were
summoned for non-payment of rates, Orders were

mede for the payment.
SCHOOL Damen CASES.—A number of persons
were summoned by Mr. Allden for not causing
their children to attend school regularly. Fines
from is to 5s were inflicted.
AsSAULT 01,7 A WlFE.—Thomas Speake, master
blacksmith, of Brierley Hill, was charged with as-
saulting his wife, Matilda Speake, on the 26th ult.
—Mr. Waldron was for the complainant, and Mr.
Ward defended.—Consplainant seid she had been
married to defendant for 18 years, and bad four
children, On the day in question she met the de-
fendant at the corner of New Street. They had
some words and he struck her, blacking her eye,
and knocking her down.- He also injured one ot
teeth and her back was also very much hurt. She
had summoned her husband about two years ago,
and he promised to amend and pay the expea-es.
He was in the habit of beating her, and she had no
food in the house on the day of the assault, He
eft the house about past 7in the morning to go
drinking. He had been starving her for the past 3
months. Cross .examined:—She had been away from
her husband since last Friday week. The eldest
boy was working with his father. She was saying
something about her husband going with some
women when he came up. She did not say "Where
have you been with your nasty bad one." He did
not laugh and walk some of the way with her.
She did not say "Why don't you go and bail the
watercress woman out." She did not hit him at
all, nor try to strike him. She never threw a knife
at him, ant he had thrown them at her. She had
no beer that day she would swear.—Margaret
Cochrane also gave evidence. Mr. Ward addressed
the Bench for the defence. Mr. Smith said they
considered the case proved, and fined him 20s and
costs; in default one month. Mr. Waldron now
applied for a judicial separation older, and also an
ellowance for the maintenance of the wife, The
Bench granted the separation and made an order
for defendant to pay 15s weekly for the support of
his wife and one child.
ALLEGuD ATTEMPTED RAPE.—Georgeßabbs (16)
Jehti. Downton (17), Richard Moorhouee (16) and
Edward Heath (17,, were charged with unlawfully
assaultirg Ann Griffin, with intent to commit a
rape, on the 31st ult.—Mr. Ward prosecuted, and
Mr. Waldron chfeedtd Downton and Moorhouse,
he also defended Ileeth on behalf of Mr. Homiray.
Babbs was undefended.---Prosee.utrix said she wa.
a servent at Ashwood Farm, Tack Lane, Wordsley
On the 31et she went to Wordeley Church. She left
the church with the congregation by the principal
en.r oice. As she was leaving a youth named Page
sail "Well, Lizzie. She then went on down New
Street, and he walked after. As she was going
by some empty houses at the bottom of Belle Vue,
in Tack Lane, the defendants came out. John
Downton caught hold of her right arm, and Heath
the other side. Downton said "Bring her on."
Moorhouse and Babbs pushed her from behind,
She did not want to go, and tried to get away.
aed when they got higher up the lane 3 or 4 more
came out of the hedge. They did not touch her.
They pulled her along till they were near the old
barn. Leath, Moorhouse, and Babbs threw her
wn, and Heath used a filthy expression. Babbs
and another pulled her clothes over her head.
Four of them had hold of her when she was down.
When he,. underclothing was pulled down she went
senseless. She cried out "Loose we. leave me
alone"; that was after she was thrown down
Heath held his hand over her mouth after that.
When she came to her senses Mr. Rowbottom,
Mr. Thatcher, and Mrs. Weaver were by her. De-
fendants had gone away, and Mrs. Weaver took her
home. Her hat, dress, and underclothiag were
torn. Cross-examined :—She was fourteen last Oc-
tober. She was thrown down by the old barn.
She was crying out when Heath put his hand over
her mouth. It was five yards from the barn when
he put his hand over her mouth. Downton was a
servant on the farm. She saw Downton and Page
before she went to church. She did not get up a
wail te look into the stable yard. It was raining
heavily when she left church. She told the Stipen-
diary on Thursday that all that Downton did to
her w6s to take hold of her by the arm and say "I
am going to take you home to-night." nownton
did do something more than take hold of her arm.
He help rd to deag her along. She tried to kick
them but she couldn't; Downton had hold of her
right arm, and Heath the left. Downton was not
holding her very tigh,. Heath and Moorhouse
threw her down. After they haa thrown her down
she couldn't see who interfered with her. The men
who came out of the hedge ran after her and helped
to throw her down. She screamed before they ran
out of the hedge. She thought it wes.rough play
till the men came out of the hedge.—Georee Rowe
bottom. Tack Lane, Wordsley, said he was going
up the lane about 10 mieutes past fi in the evening,
He heard a rumbling noise, like a lot of boys.
Wheu he was about 20 or 30 yards away from where
the girl lay, he met two young youths. He said
"Halloo there!" One of them then put his hand-
kerchief to his face and ran as fast as he could.
He went. on farther and saw three more rise from
ground. He could not tell who they were, it was
dark, and raining. He saw the girl rising from the
ground, and a man who was with him helped her.
The boys were gone when he got to the girl. Her
under clothing was over her boots. She was not
distressed a great deal. She said they had been
knocking her about.—Kate Weaver, Tack Lane,
Wordsley, said she remembered the 3rd inst. She
knew Whitehouses's servant. Her attention was
called to her by some 'boys interfering with her.
She went lo the door and saw John Downton going
down the lane with her. She went after the girl
and met Downton, Moorhouse, and Field. She
heard the girl scream ent. She went up to her and
the youths were running away down the lane. She
seemed very much distressed, and was crying. Her
clothing was disordered; she, complained of being
illtreeted. She werthl swear Downton, Moorhouse,
and Field were rot there.—P.C. Adams said he ap-
lltirmig,asAz wn. o said "I was
prehended Babbs Do-Anton, and charged them
iwioitththaesrseau; Toy did not catch me with
her." Babbs (pointiue to Dowiroo) :aid "He wes
thrre, and I was tier,." Oa the Teursday he ar-
rested Moorhouse, and charged him, he made no
reply. He arrested Heath on the Bth just, and on
charging he made no reply.—Mr. Waldron addressed
the Bench for the detence.—The Bench retired to
consider their verdict, and on returning into Court
M. Smith said they had decided to reduce the
charge to one of couirnoe assault. Prisoners ere
come mitted to take their trial at the Sessions, bail
beinz alloNved in sureties of £2O.

KINGSWINFORD.
FUNERAL OF A VOLUNTEER.-011 Meaty, the
9th inst, the mortal remains of J. Caidicic, late
bagler of the D. Company, Ist Volunteer Battalion,
South StatforLb:hire Regiment, were interred at
Kingswinford Church, with the usual military
honours. A number 9f deceased's late comrades
assembled to see his body rut in its last resting
place, whither he was borne, si,ouider high, by four
Item. The Wiwi also alcompauied them, play-
ing the -Dead MU-eh in Saul." There was also a
number of membeis of lie Ancient Order of Fores-
ters there, the deceased bein; a member. On enter-
ing the church, the orahist played the Dead. March.
After the butial service, w licit was r, ad by the
eird threeiteofliin volleys over
twilve of the volunteers
over thi grave. Lik:utenant
Hall, of the C. Company, lino ley Hill, was in
command. The coffin was covered with beautiful
foyers; his helmet, bugle and belt were also placed
on the top. cite following is the order of the pro-
c-ssion :—First came twelve volunteers, with their
rifle, reversed; next came the band; then the body.
with the m.urners; the Foresters catne next, and
ths veluntevrs brought up the rear. An immense
concourse of piople witnessed the impressive cere-
mony. Deceased was only 28, and died fro.n con-
sumption.