The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-25 00:00:00

THE STOURBRIDGE OBSERVER.

4,ocalangistrict

BIGAMY AT OLDSWINFORD.—At 'the Worcester-
shire Assizes on Monday. before Baron Huddleston,
William Mathewe-, on bail pleaded guilty to feloni-
ously marrying Agnes Hodgetts, on the 29th of
June, 1878. at the parish of Oldswinford, a former
wife, to whom be was married on the 24th of Sep-.
tember, 18, being then alive. Mr. Godiun was
for the prosecution, and Mr. Lawrence for the de-
fence. It was stated by Mr. Lawrence that prisoner
married his second wife at her earnest solicitation,
she knowing at the same time that he was already
married and having herself paid the first wife several
e!owanoes under a separation deed that had been
drawn up. Prisoner was an illiterate man, and be-
lieved that the deed of seperation had the effect of a
divorce. There were no children by either marriage
Prisoner, Mr. Lawrence contended, had wronged
neither of the women. The first one had parted
from him of her own free will, and the second one
married him knowing that he was already married.
Prisoner was sentem ea to one calander month's
imprisonment.

CHURCH or ENGLAND ASSOCIATION.—The annual
meeting of the above association for the election
of officers and other business was held in the Union
Hall, on Tuesday night; Mr. A. Freer, presiding
—The annual report, read by the chairman, showed
that the association was carrying on a useful work,'
ald that its rooms were well frequented. The
number of new members elected in the year was 62.
Additions had been made to the library, and the
issues in the.year had been 2,444. A French class
had been conducted by Mr. G. Hingley, andanother
one in the same subject (for female members) by a
is ly. A class for dramatic readings had been con-
ducted by Mr. A. Freer and Mr. Hammond Smith,
and a shorthand class by Mr. J. Kidson. A lecture
by the Rev. W. J. J. Welch had been very suc-
cessful, and the profits had been expended in the
purchase of books for the library. Chess was a
favourite game in the rooms; and there was a foot-
ball club with forty-five members. The committee
concluded the report by expressing a hope that the
association would meet with at least equal support
in the future as in the past. The balance-sheet
showed that the receipts in the year had been £B3
19s 3}d, and the expen iture £B7 15s Bd. The re-
port was adopted, on the motion of the Rev. T.
Williams, seconded by Mr. Burton.—The chairman
proposed that the Rev. C. S. Wordsworth, rector
of Oldswinford, be elected president for the ensuing.
year; and this was seconded by the Rev. J. Welsh
and carried. The vice-presidents were re-elected
with a trifling change, and the following officers
were also appointed -:—Treasurer, 11r. G. Boaen ;
honorary secretary, Mr. C E. Davenport; assistint
secretary, Mr. J. E. Wraight ; cash secretary, Mr.
F. G. Holloway; librarians, Messrs. F. G. Hollo-
way, T. Dickenson, and J. P. Hunt; committee,
Messrs. S. Sheppard. H. Ridley, J. Kidson, A.
Ingleton, J. Attwood, G. S. Hingley, G. F, Rositer,
T. H. Williams, H. D. Holloway, G. Moody, and H.
Hammond Smith.—A. vote of thanks was passed to
the retiring president, Mr. A. Freer, and other
business was transacted.

THE ST. DENNIS Dasaitric CLus.—ln the presence
of a large and fashionable audience, this club gave a
performance at the Victoria Hall and Rink, on Thurs-
day night for the benefit of the Poor Relief Fund.
The pieces selected were well rendered, and the notable
featUre of the evening was the acting of Mr. Craufurd,
Miss Emma Ritta, and Miss Fanny Addison. The
band was under the conductorship of Mr. S. Simms.

DEATH 01 MR. HENRY SCOTT-.—We regret to in-
form our readers of the death of Mr. Henry Scott,
which took place at his residence at Leamington,
on the 10th inst. He was formerly manager of the
Westbromwich Bank, and for many years pro-
minently connected with the iron Trade of the
district.

DarNKENNESS.—At the Police Court, held yesterday
before Messrs. R. L. Freer, C. P. Noel, and C. Coch-
ra .e, Thomas M.lton was ahared with being drunk
and disorderly in Stourbridge on the 16th ult.—Poli ..e-
-constable Eaves proved the case.—Defendant pleaded
guilty.— Police -sergeant Jones proved seven pi evious
convictions against the defendant who was fined lOs
and costs —James Kitson of the Lye, was charged
with being drunk and disorderly on the 20th inst.
Police-constable Jewsor. proved the case. Fined 2s
Cd and costs; in default 7 days.
OBEICENS LAAGYAQS —Ann Salmon was char& d
with using obscene language on the 17th inst. She
was further charged with being drunk and di...orderly
at the same time, and defendant was further charged
with using threatening languaga to Agnes Bowler on
the same date. Police-constable Madeley proved that
she used ob-cene language, and was drunk. Agnes
Bowler proved that the defendant was a violent
woman, sad threatened to kill her. A man named
Bowler proved that he beard the defendant use threats:
Defendant denied the charge of being drunk, and
admitted that they . both used bad language, and
called two witnesses to prove that she did not use
threats. 'The Magistrates said it was quite clear from
the evidence given that the conduct of both of them-
was disgraceful, arid suggested that if they wanted to
make use of such beastly and filthy language, to go
into some field, where the ears of decent people wou.d
not be polluted. Police-sergeant Jones proved 12
previous convictions against the defendant, and she
was fined, for making use of obscene language 403
and costs, in default two months; for being drunk 203
and costs, in default one month; and for using
threats, ordered to find one surety in £5, and herself
in £lO, to. keep the peace for twelve months.
A FAMILY Row. Ed ward Fisher was charged
with assaultini Henry Leedham on the 18th inst.
Jane Fisher WAS also charged with assaulting Henry
Leedhain on tne 19th inst. From The evidence of
complainant, it appeared tha; the defentints are
brother and sister idillaw to her. They had some
words with another brother Charles, when Edward
struck her twice on the face. Her sister-in-law struck
her with a fire shovel on the band and injurel it
Witneases were called for the defence, whose evi-
dence was very contradicting, and said that, the
complainant first struck her brother on the mouth,
and made it bleed. The _Bench considered it a family
quarrel, and they were continually disturbing
the neighbours, and bound,thetta all over to keep the
peace, and pay the costs between them.
- -

BOARD OF GUARDIANS. The weekly meeting.
of this Board was he;d yesterday. Mr. Bißingham
in the chair. There were also present Messrs.
Baybould, Haskew, Wood, Lavender, Kelly,
Thompson, Mills, Hingley, and Brooks. Admittetl
during the week 18; discharged 13; 'dead 3; re-
maining 472; corresponding week last year 457.
Out-door relief Kingswinford district £32 Os iid ;
Stourbridge district £25 18s Pd; HaleEoweu dis-
trict £2l Os 70: non-resident Us 4d; total £79
12s Old; against £5B 128 bed, last year.