The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-04-17 00:00:00

COUNTY COURT.

Weiloer v. Mobberley and Bailey.—At the County
Court on Wednesday last. before Mr. R. Kettle,
a case was dowttfor hearing in which Mary Walker
a widow, sued Messrs. Mobberley and Bailey,
colliery owners, Cmdley, for .250. damages, the
allegation of plaintiff being that a pit shaft of
defendants had been negligently kept, whereby
the husband of plaintiff was killed, and she was
left without means of supflort. Mr. Underhill,
insfructed by Mr. Stokes, appeared for plaintiff,
and Mr. Young, instructed by Messrs. Homfray
and Holberton, for the defendants. The case,
however, did not undergo investigation, Mr. Young
stating that an arrangement had been come to in
the matter. He mentioned some of the facts, from
which it appeared that the colliery where the
accident occurred was working under the butty
system, and Mr. Young said that, under the
of the Mines Regulation Act;- nil flue
vigilance had been used for the safe conduct of
the colliery. Within a few minutes of the acci-
dent the shaft was inspected, and appeared p erfectly
safe, but owing to the displacement of some bricks
plaintiff's husband received injuries from which
he died. The cause of the displacement of the
bricks had not been ascertained to this day, but
it was thought to arise from a subsidence in the
thick-coal workings, and could not be foreseen by
anyone. In point of law the defendants held that
no liability whatever attached to them, but they
had not withstanding felt sympathy for the
position in which the plaintiff had been left, and,
without admitting any liability, they had agreed
to make a present, which was regarded as satis-
factory by the gentleman on the other side, and
litigation was at an end. Mr. Underhill added a
few words, stating that he considered the defend-
ants had behaved handsomely and liberally in the
matter.—The case was then struck out.

Mr. Addison saidthe proposed to take the cue against
Wooldridge, senior, and Forrest, first. The assaults oc-
curred at separate times and places, and he thought it
would facilitate matters to take them separately. This
was agreed to.
Mr. Addison said the charge was one of highway rob-
bery with violence, whieh he preferred under the 42nd
section of the Act, which stated that" whosoever should
rob or assault, or assault with intent to rob any person.
shall be guilty of felony, and punished accordingly."
He also charged them under the 18th section of the
Consolidated Statutes, 24th and 25th v., with wounding
with intent to do grievous bodily harm. The facts of the
case were these. On Monday night, the 15th March last,
James Newey, with Samuel Wyatt, Joseph Brettell, and
a man named William Pearson ,went from Cradley to the
Lye about nine o'clock, and returned about eleven. On
coming home from the Lye, and when near to Green's
public-house at Careless Green, they met two men—the
prisoners Wooldridge, senior, and Forrest. Brettell and
Pearson were on in front of young Wyatt. Shortly
afterwards cries were heard from young Wyatt, and when
they returned they found prisoners setting on him and
Newey, Young Brettell pulled them off Newey. Whilst
they were talking to young Wyatt, Wooldridge senior said
to Brettell, "If you come near us we will stick a knife
into your hearts," and Pearson and Joseph Brettell ran
away. When Wyatt came up they found that Newey was
stabbed whilst he was by Green's house, and that imme-
diately afterwards he succeeded in getting to Samuel
Taylor's house. Taylor would tell theta that Wooldridge
senior came up to his door and asked if any chap had
come in there, and was told there was so one there but
their own family. Wooldridge WAS not satisfied. He
said "He is in this b— brewhou e, and I will kill
him before I go. Newey said he saw the knife which
was a white hafted one, andeWooldridge demanded his
money off him, and he gave them all he had, which
was sixpence. They asked him for a shilling.
Mr. Wall: You say " they" now, but you said Wool-
dridge before.
Mr. Addison: They were all together. He believed
the defence set up for Wooldridge, junior would be that
he was not there at all, but he would call a witness who
would say he had made a statement to the effect that he
was there. Wooldridge, senior, said, "Come along,
boys, we will kill the b ." They went .to Tay-
-1 a.'s door for the purpose of injuring Newey. Ire called
James Newel,.
Mr. Underhill to the Bench: I don't know what you
gather from my friend, but at present I have heard no-
thing against William Wooldridge. junior.
Mr. Addison: If you have not in this case, you will in
the next.
Mr. Underhill: But I object to that. I don't see why
you should prejudice my client in this case, without some
statement. He has not said a word against my client.
Mr. Addison : I will say this, sir. I candidly confess
that I don't think that I shall be able to prove there
were any other persons present in the case of Newsy.
The charge was against Wooldridge, senior, and others.
Mr. Underhill: Then I ask that they (meaning Wool-
dridge, junior, and Brettell) be released on this charge.
The Magistrate would not consent to this, as there were
ether charges against them.
The case against Forrest and Wooldridge was then
proceeded with.
James Newey was called and said : I am a miner, and
live at Cradley. On Monday. the 15th March last, I
went to the 1..) e. It was about eight o'clock when we
started. I went with Samuel Wyatt, William Pearson,
and Joseph Brettell. We returned about a quarter to
eleven. When we were near Careless Green we met the
two prisoners.
Mr. Stokes: The four of you met these two?
Witness: Only myself anti Samuel Wyatt met the two
prisoners. The other two were about 20 yards in front
of us. After I had passed these prisoners I heard the
two prisoners threaten to run a knife into my companion's
b— heart. They both said the same thing. Forrest
held me while Wooldridge stuck me with a knife under
my eye. He said, " Take thee" It was a white-handled
pocket knife. Before they stoned me, Forrest demanded
the money of me. Wooldridge said, "1 want your money,
or I shall run this knife into your 13— heart." 1
gave him sixpence. Forrest saii "I want your money,
or you will have the knife run into your b— heart."
With that Forrest threw me into the gutter. Then
Wooldridge, senior (or Thomas's son) cut me on the
shoulder with a knife. My arm bled. I was attended
by D.. Ker. One of them then said, "I think he is done
for. My cap was taken from me. I lost my cap when
they stuck my eye. Forrest took my cap away, and I
have not seen it since. When the prisoners left me 1
went into Samuel Taylor's at Careless Gfeen. Wyatt ran
away when I was struck under the eye. When I was in
Taylor's I heard some one come to the door. 1 saw
nothing more of the prisoners that night. Thc re was e o
one present when I was knocked into the ditch.
Cross examined: lam just tureed 16 years of age. I
am a miner. On the night in question I went with thre e
others to the places I have epoken of. We went to hear
the quack doctor. He had a rostrum outside ihe Unicorn
Inn. Before we started for there they had not been
anywhere to have drink. We had not had anything to
drink, not even our pit drink. We were at the Unicorn
from the time we arrived there until a quarter to eleven
Mr. Stokes: Do you mean to teil me that you were in
the Unicorn for threeelennweithont having anything te
' drink?
Mr. Stokes: Mr. Addison, in a serious case like this
you must not interpose in any way whatever.
Mr. Stokes (resuming his cross-examination of alewey) :
What did you have to drink whilst at the Unicorn?
%taus: Nothing.
Mr. Stokes: Then you must be very p3or custom -rs.
Cross-examition resumed: We had nothing to driuk
whilst we were at the Unicorn, and we had nothing to
drink from the time we left home until we retu-ned. 1
had had no quarrel or unpleasantness with the prisoners
prevl. usly. Ihad known Wooldridge before. Had, in
. fact been in his coinpary on many occasions. I don't
Inowhere he lives, or who are Hs parents. Wyatt,
Pearsou, Joseph Brettell, and myself came out of the
Unicorn together. I should think it was half a mile from
the Unicorn where we met the prisoners. '
Mr. Leonard, auctioneer and laud surveyor. of Cradley
e
.
Good valuefor money is desired by all, with article- Heath, here handed in aplenof th places where the
that cannot be judged of by appearance, careful pure assaults are said to have taken place.
chasers rely on the high standing of those with whom Cross-examination continued :it was near Ureenae,
they deal. For 30 years, Hornimaies Pure Teas in the carpenter's, where 1 met the prisoners. It was close
packets have given general satisfaction, being exceedingy to Green's house where we first met them. There were
strong, of uniform good quality, and truly cheap. Agents: houses near Green's on each side. Prisoners were in the
fiitourbridge—Clarke, 151, High-street; Baker, 124, High • horse-road.- 4:.iitha walking on the tot-road, Samuel
treet ; Hewit, Market Place; Morris, 136, High-street, Wyatt was With Me. The prisoners were iii front of as.
. rierley Hill—Rawlings chemist ; Kidderminster, Bull Two of our companions also were in front of us. Our
' tug; Halesowen, Adam. chemist; Lye, Jones, chemist, companions were about 20 yards in (rout when the pri-
Wordsley, Turner, chemist; Kingswinford. Pearson,
soners crossed over to where we were. I did not see
Brettel Lane, Collings, chemist; Birmingham, Bazki, Wooldridge, junior, or James Brettell, at that time.
Ball Ring. No one else was in sight of us except my two cowl anions
A.BAnn HEAD may not inaptly be compared to a house who were in front, and the two prisoners who were its the
without a thatching. It is exposed to the cold, and is alto- horse-roai. Up to a short time before Brettell and
gether unsightly in aspect. Resort may be had to * wig, Pearson had been walking with us. Pearson and Brettell
a scalp, or an assemblage of foreign hairs intermingled must have passed the prisoners, and left myself and Wyatt
with the scanty material of original growth still vouch- in the rear. We were all going in the grime direction,
sated to the bare cop/ t; or.but the effect is poor and the and the prisoners were going towards the Lye Waste.
disguise too apparent. Let those whose mirror assures .We were near enough to know whether my companions
them of the approach of baldness or the stealthy march spoke to them. I don't think the prisoners spoke to
of grey hake assail the enemy in time. Let them Brettell and Pearson when they passed them. Immedi-
employ the infallible restorative known as Mrs. S. A. ately on passing them they came straight by two, himself
' ALLEN'S WORLD' HAIR RESTORER, and laugh to score and Wyatt, and at that time my companions were 20 yards
the impotency of years and their attempt to rob and ahead of me. Prisoners came straight Up to me and de-
-1 disfigure humanity. To be obtained of all tn. e a lets teed mended my money, and I thought they meant to rob me
es soon as they came up to me I knew directly who they
Perfumers throughout the world. Prise 6s. I ere. t: :41
and 116, Southampton-row. London. were. I did not say, Will, are you joking ?" I did net
THE THRoAT AND WINDPIPE are especially liable to think it was a joke for them to come and demand my
inflammation, causing soreness and dryness, tickling money et me at so short a distance from a lot of houses.
and irritation' inducing cough and affecting the voice. One of the prisoners came and laid hold of me. I did
For these symptoms use glycerine in the form of jujubes. not shoat out. Wyatt shouted out to our mates. He
Glycerine in these agreeable confections, being in proxi called, "William Pearson and Joseph Brettell, come
mity to the glands at the moment they are excited by here," as loud as ever he eould. William Pearson and
the act of sucking, becomes actively healing. 6d and Is Joseph Braden came back. I had been scabbed before
they came back. Pearson and Brettell had just reached
packets (by post 8 or 15 stamps), labelled "JAMES EPPS
Se Co.. Hoirceopathic Chemists, 48, Threadneedle St, me when Wooldridge and Forrest had knocked me in the
and 170, Piccadilly, London."—Sold in Stourbridge by gutter. They did not see me stabbed. All four of us
A. P. Morris. Chemist, and J. 11. Bland, Chemist, were there when the two prisoners had me in the gutter.
The PRIVATION OF THE USE OF ONES'S LIMBS while the Directly prisoners demanded my money of me Wyatt ran
other functions of Nature are. intact is a serious mortitica- sway.
tion to the actively disposed. Such, however, is the con- Mr. Stokes :Do you mean to say that these highway
dition of the victims of rheumatism or gout. To walk robbers were satisfied with sixpence, and that they did
.without enduring agony is impossible, to use the arms, not search your pockets to see how much more you had
free from excruciating pain, is equally impracticable.A git ? —Witness: They searched my inside pockets. After
'
, feeling of gratitude therefore pervades the frame whee they demanded my money I told them I had only git
the means are afforded of using all the members without sixpence. Wyatt did not shout until they stuck me. He
judicious and frequent application of PowELL's Rim. went walking off the moment they asked rue for my
MATIC EMBRoDATIoN. It is past all doubt the grandest money. Wyatt went 10 yards away whist they were
specific for the evils we have named, and others of a searching my pockets. I did not ask him for help I
similar character. May be obtained of all Chemists. had no knife about we. Forrest afterwards took my cap.
Price is lid. and 2s 93. Laboratory: 114 and 116 south- He took it off my head and held it in his hand. Priso-
ampton-row, London. ners did not call out for assistance then. Prisoners
THAT COMPLEXION has always been held to be the mos afterwards went to Samuel Taylor's and then called out
lovely in which the rose and the lily contend for masters ter assistance, They did not say that myself and three
or in which their beauty is blended. Great sacrifiaes are comompaniovs had n.et them and knocked them in the
made to produce an appearance corresponding with the gaiter.
combination, but they never succeed. Art cannot apprce Mr. Stokes: Did they say they wanted to get at the
ach Nature The only arrangement that can be made to men who committed the robbery ?—Witness: Yes; they
render men woman independent of all expedients is to did. •
freely use HAGAN's MAGNOLIA BALM. It preserves the Mr. Stokes: That's it ;we shall get at who committed
skin from premature wrinkles and furrows—renders it the robbery one way or the other. I suppose they said
smooth and supple, and restores the hue which may have he is in the b----- brewhourre, and we want to get at him
faded through illness, exposure to a noxious atmosphere and pay bins out for what he has done to us?
the heat of summer or the frosts of winter. To be ob- Witness: Prisoners said, "'Ere a boy come here," and
tamed of all Chemists and Perfumers throughout the Taylor said, "No." They said, "If we can find him we
world, Price 3s. Lid, European Depot: 114 and 116, will kill him b— dead.",
Southampton-row, London. Cross-examination of witness continued: Joseph Pear-
TIIROAT IRRITATION.—The throat and windpipe are son ran away. He did not know why they did so. The
especially liable to inflammation causing soreness and two prisoners ran after Brettell and Pearson and tried to
dryness, tickling and irritation, inducing cough and at: catch them. It was only me who went into Taylor's
feeling the voice. For these symptoms use Glycerine in house. Wyatt got away as quick as he could after Bret-
the form of jujubes. Glycerine in these agreeable cen- tell end Pearson. Taylor is an acquaintance of mine. I
fections, being in prexinitty to the glands at the moment was hiding so that the prisoners should not find me. I
they are excitedly .the act of sucking becomes activly was hiding in the kitcheu. I heard them ask Taylor if a
healing, 63. and la- packets (by post Bor 15 stamps) boy had come there, and knew they were enquiring about
labelied " Jamerapps de Ce , Hommopathic Chemist, 48, me. I thought they wanted to get at me again. 1 was
Threadneedle Street, And 170, Piccadilly. London." then under the protection of Taylor end his tensity. Mrs.
HoLLowAy's FILL*L—The Greatest Wonder of Modern Wooldridge was in the house. besides Samuel Taylor, his
Tinteß.—Thoy. correct 'biliousness, prevent flatulency son, and his wife. Taylor's son is taller than me. Being
cleanse the liver, end purify the system, renovate the under the protection of these three persons, and hearing
debilitated, strengthen the stomach, increase the appe. them enquiring after me I did not show myself to them.
tite, invigorate the nerves, promote health, and reinstate I hoard Taylor say, "Never a chap came here." At that
the weak in an ardour and vivacity never before experi- time I had told Taylor I had been robbed. When I
enced. The sale of the pills throughout the globe as- heard the voices at the door I did not say," Those are
tonishes everybody, col vincing the most sceptical that the voices of those who have ribbed me. I was afraid
Holloway's Pills transcr nds all other medicine err retie). they should know I, was there. I saw nothing more of
val of disease of every name. They are indeed a blear. those two prisoners since that night, and have not spoken
rug to the afflicted and a boon to those who retirc from to them since. I did not go to any pene, ...officer that
aiy disorder, hetet' al er external. Thousands of persons ni ere. Myself and my companions all live near to each
have teetified that by their use alone they have been ocher. My companions did not came to my house to find
vestor4ibliealth' alter all other remedieo had proved' Out What ores the matter with me. At the time Wyatt
1
nauccoosful, went away I did slot know be bad been stabbed.

Wilkes v. Hand.—At the County Court, on Thurs-
day, before Mr. R. Kettle, Judge, this was an action
in which the plaintiff sought to recover £l6 15s for
loss of wages sustained by wrongful dismissal, and
another part (X 4 15s) for commission on the sale of
articles.—Mr. Stokes appeared for plaintiff, and Mr.
Young (instructed by Mr. Homer), defended.—The
plaintiff was engaged by defendant, who is a hop
merchant, residing at Wordslsy, as traveller, at a
salary of £2 per week, and is for every pocket of
hops sold by him, and his travelling expenses. The
money was paid up to the 20th November last,
plaintiff met with an accident. He was goiNg home
down a dark lane in Brockmoor, when from some
cause or other the gig in which he was riding became
upset, and he was thrown violently to the ground and
collar bone was broken. He was attended for some
time by a surgeon, and during his illness defendant
visited him from time to time, and when he was suf-
ficiently recovered plaintiff went to defendant's place
of business and had a conversation about the time
when he would be able to resume his duties. On the
Ist January aefendant asked him if he could resume
his duties on the following Monday, and he said,
"Yes." On the next day he went down and was met
by defendant who told him that he must sign another
agreement before he re-commenced. This document
was produced by defendant, and proved - to , contain
allegations which plaintiff could not admit. Plaintiff
took it home to study it more leisurely, and after
having done so informed defendant that he could not
agree to it, bnt was willing to go on .under the agree-
ment by which he was bound. Defendant refused to
accede to this, and said if he would not sign the new
agreement he should not go on at all. After this,
Plaintiff tried to get a situalion, but this was not sue-
, cessful until the beginning of February, when he was
engaged by Messrs. Webb, and what was now asked
for was compensation for the loss he bad sustained
whilst he was looking for a situation. Plaintiff was
placed in the box and swore to the above facts. He
was subjected to a lengthy and severe cross-examina-
tion by Mr. Young, to show that he was of drunken
habits, and that he was in an intoxicated state on the
night of the accident, all of which was stoutly denied
by plaintiff. It was also endeavoured to be shown
that he had, whilst ill, consented to the terms of the
new agr, cement, and that on the face of this defend-
ant gave him £l. Plaintiff admitted receiving the
the sovereign, but denied that he had agreed to go on
under the new agreement; and it was stated that he
had formerly been employed for three years by the
Messrs. Webb, who were so satisfied with him that
they had now re-engagad him for a period of 7 years.
—A verdict was given for the full amount claimed
and costs.

Bloomer v. Nicks and Company. --:This was an
action brought by Mr- Bloomer, timber merchant, of
this town, to recover £4 16s, from the defendants,
who are timber merchants, of Gloucester. The sum
of ~e 4 109 was for demurrage for trucks which con.
tamed timber that had been consigned to plaintiff by
defendants, and the 6s was for court fees. Mr. Collis
appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. Taynton, of Glouces-
ter, defended. It appeared that elefendants' trvaeller
called upon plaintiff, and represented to him that he
had a quantity of timber which was equal in quality
Wybury deal, which he was willing to sell at a cer-
tain price. Upon the faith of this, plaintiff gave him
an order, and tilt timber was sent to him in due
time, ;When plaintiff saw it, however, he found it
was not Of the quality represented, and wrote to the
Alefendants informing them of that fact, and refusing
to take it at the price stipulated. A Mr. Smith was
scut over by defendants, and after he had examined
the timber.he °fiend to let plaintiff have it at a re.;
duction of 5s per standard, which the latter agreed
to. In the meantime, however, the Great Western
Railway Company had made a demand nponplaintiff
for £4103 demurrage, which he paid, with the under-
standing that defendants would refund or allow him
the sum. This they refused to do, and hence the
present action. After hearing all the evidence in the
case: his Honour non-suited plaintiff.