The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-02-15 00:00:00

COUNTY COURT.

.Pirci v. Chnne..—At the County Court, on Tueiday
last, before W. !dills, Eau., Deputy Judga, this was nu
tuition to recover the nom of £5 2s 2il, being £1 per week
for the niaintenance of defendant's wife mid work done.
Mr. Perry appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. Pearman for
di,teudant. Mr: Bird is a hasket-rnaker reaiding in id igh•
street, and defendant a letter.cutter, for many years
residing in Marketoitreet..

--Mr. Perry briefly opened the case, the details of which
will be found below.

Hannah Chance deposed. I am married to defendant,
and have been for 30 years. My ties wad was a letter.
enter and clothier, residing in klarket-street. On tho
20th November last he a-ked me for his will. I refused
to give it to him. He then took me by the throat and
tried to throttle me. I complained, end he made use of
bad words. I tried to get loose. It took place is the
back kitchen. Thomas Robinson was present. I got
loose, end went out te my lawym's. I mot sly laisla tad
again in the afternoon, and he diagged me out of the
shop, and I went to my brother's house. I returned on
the 25th of November. My husband toll me that he
would never allow me to eat or drink in his house again.
He took ins by the shoulders anti called monasty names,
dragged me about, amid assaulted me. I got in again,
when defendant called in a policeman who declined to
interfere, and defendant again put me out. On the 27th
of December I went to the defendant's house, No. 3,
Market-street. I remained there all day, and when the
defendant came home in the evening be demanded what
wanted there, and sent for a Parish-constable to put me
out. The constable attempted to do so, but afterwards
declined, as the Superintendent of Police cautioned him
of what he was doing. A man named Robinson then
forced rne out by defendant's directions. After I Wital
out my husband came to me, and said 110 had a home for
mole Chnrch.street. I went there with hint, and when we
got into the house defendant bolted the door. He then
called me names, and pulled me about, and assaulted roe.
Defendant called in three men who were with hint atout
two o'clock. I remained in the house till four the noxt
day, when the defendant came back again, called me
nasty names, and assaulted me. I then left and went to
my brother's house, because I was afraid for my life.
Cross-examined : I have never left the house for day
or two, except through defendant's violence. I have
never challenged defendant out. I did cause a crowd on
the 25th of November. Defeedant threatened to blow
my brains out Mr. Barrett was not present when the
defendant put ma ont of the house, nor Robinson. W 11,211
I loft defendant'. house I went to my brother's. Shortly
after the 20th, Novvinber defendant let his house in
Market-street to a man named natter. I did receive a
letter from Mr. Pottea,and burnt it. Do not know what
Was in it. Don't recollect being told the house was let.
Robinson was there. I went into the kitchen and dined
there. Robinson did not request me to leave the house
that morning. Defendant did call at Mr. Bird's on the
lth of January, and asked me to go with him. I et,nt
and found a broken table, three chairs, and a pair of
broken bedsteads. Defendant did not tell roe he would
reside a good home for me. A few days after I went
up the tosvn with defendant. I did not say I would not
live with him; ani would rather die.

The Judge here suggested that kind friend miglal
settle the matter.

Mr. Yearman said he was afraid not. There had been
so mach public scandal that defendant wanted a decision
on the subject.
. . .

Cross-examination of witness continued My brother
did advise me to go with the Mai lant, but Wil ?It I went
to bed he got into the servant's bed, a yonng girl. My
brother advised too to go with the defendatt. nal not to
Mr. Perry's office. The walls have been placarded all
over the town with disreputtble remarko. I have never
asked any one ta write them. 11 ,00 never asked Robin.
PM to do it. I have received it notice from defendant
tied there was a house ready for me in Church-street. I
have tried to find it out. I did take the key with we of
the house in Chnreh•street.

Daniel Bird said: My eon removed some lumber from
Mr. Chance's, and it took half a day. My son was absent
from his work two days. On the 20th of November my
sister carne to my house and I have maint.in al her till
the present time. and it Imo coot me tl per week. On
the 25th of November I went up to the defendant's home
with my sister, and saw a man named Green (a Pariah.
constable) with his arm round her waist, trying to turn
her out. Mr. Chance said" Tam her out," asutl belicy.