The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-07-03 00:00:00

HALESOWEN.

SCHOOL ACCOMMoDATIoN.—On Tuesday evening a
meetivg, at which Mr. E Gem presided, was held
in the National Schools, Halesowen, to consider the
question of sch.ool accommodation in the district.—
tier Majesty's Inspector, who has recently visited
the district, has intimated that he does not consider
the present school accommodation suffi lent, and
that tie insufficiency must be met either by a
voluntary ra'e or the establishment of a School
Board.—A long discussion took place, and it was
ultimately resolved that the Overseers be invited to
call a parish meeting for the purpose of approving,
the levying of a is rate in order to pay off the ad-
vance made by Lloyds Banking Coaipaay and deter-
mining what assistance shall be given to the British
Schools, and that the attendance officer be re-
quested to sate the number of children of school
age, the number in the schools, and the accommoda-
tion in the schools under his charge.
UNLAWFULLY TAKING
,FsH.— -At the Police Court,
on Tuesday, before J. S. Gibbons and E. B
Esqs , John Hales and Thomas Glaze, anchorsraiths
residing at Drews Holloway, were summoned for
unlawfully taking and destroying fish.—On the 171 h
of June, Police-constable Hardwick, when passing
alcmg the side of a brook at I utley, in which Mr.
White, a farmer, has the right offilhing, he observed
a peculiar smell, and upon looking at the ww er
found that it was dis' urbed. Defendants were near
the spot, and had in a handkerchief Ilbs. of tiout,
which had the appearance of h tvin, been taken by
illegal means. Defendants now pleaded guilty to
having taken the fish, and the Bench fined each of
them 20s. and costs, and to pay the value of the
taken.
MALICIOUS WOUSDING AT ETALES..)IYEN. —At the
Worcestershire Sessions on. Wednesday, William
Attwood, on bail, was charged with maliciously
wounding Thomas Shi,vock. on the 13th April. Mr.
Gresham Wells prosecuted : Mr. H. H. Amphlett
defended.—Mr. Wells said the case arose out of a
political dispute on the day of the polling in East
Worcestershire. Prosecutor was attacked by
several men among wheal was the prisoner, who
was arined with acutting instiument, with which
he inti:cted- a wwind up.in prosecutor's aria.—
Thtore :.ny evidence was called prisoner, with the
consent of counsel on both sides and of the Court,
pleaded guilty to a common as atult.—Seni-ence was
deferred.

POISONING FISH AT STOURBRIDGE —At the Wor-
cester Sessions on Wednesday, John Gibbon and
Thomas Cox, in the employ of the GI eat Western
Railway Company were indicted tor milicieualy
putting a quantity of lime into the River Stour, in
which William Jonadab Turney has a private right
of fishery, and killing a number of fish. Mr. Selfe
prosecuted: Mr. Godson defended.—Mr. Godson
raised an objection that the lime was thrown into
the water on the side owned by the Great Western
Company, and therefore that the prosecutor had no
right on that side.—A conference took place
between the learned council, after which Mr. Selfe
said they were saisfied the men had acted under
misapprehension, believing the Great Western
Company had the right of fishing, and it was done
to keep trespassers off the line. The men now ex-
pressed their regret, and if the Court would consent
the prosecution would withdraw the charge on the
men eiving an undertaking not to repeat the offence
and tell their fellow workmen not to do so.—The
Court consented to this course being adopted.
STEALING MONEY AT WOLLA,TON.—Arthur Jones,
striker, pleaded guilty to stealing 103. 2d. the
property of HenryWorrod, on the 18th May.—He
was sentenced to three months' hard labour, and
for assaulting the police in apprehending him he
was sentenced to twelve months' h ird labour and
three years police supervision.
ALLEGED BOOT-ST ALING AT STOURDRIDGF.—Mary
Hobson, Elizabeth Hobson, end Alice Maud Mary
Hobson, were charged with steuling a pair of boots
on the 28th April, the property of Mr. Griffin. Mr.
Gresham Wells prosecuted ; Mr. Godson defended.
The two first-named prisoners were convicted
and Mary Hobson was sentenced to six months'
hard labour, and Elizabeth Hobson to six months'
hard labour, and three years' police supervision.
The third prisoner was acquitted. J At the Worcestershire sessions on Thursday,
ALLEGED STEALING OF SATIN AT STOURBRIDGE.— Joseph Budge, Jeseph Hackett, Wiliaai Tether,
Mary Hobson, charged with stealing a quantity of William Pountney, John Rudge, William Hackett,
black satin, the property of Charles Attwood, in Alfred Hall, and James Wakefield (on bail) 1. ere
October last, was acquitted.—Mr. Gresham Wells char;;ed with rioting at Halusowen, on the 12th
dr. R.
1
prosecuted. Mr. Godson dPfended. polling, day for East Wor.cstershir3.
ACCIDENT TO MAJOR Womra aE.—On Tuesday No If Ar. GP'oi,ll' the
Godson anti Mr Seli posecuted, noor and Adjutenr, 11. Atupiilett defendod.
vi
RifiMajeVolunteer Corps, Mr. Godson briefly opened the case, and said
n\ohiwaagrtini,dag b
the Worcester
not nine
aott o
era as g
hiB
horse
to
ride
iloule
that this riot was coefold worse than, the riot at

THE ELECTION RIOTS AP HALES _)WEN

Stourbridge. The police were beaten most severely
and an attempt wa4 made to seize the ballot boxes.
Superi tendent Kemp said he had a force of forty
all told Lt Halesowen on the polling day. This in-
cluded thirty police-officers from Birmingham.
Ther,, was much excitement amongst the people,
and he saw some of the prisoners pushing about n
a rough manner. In the, afternoon, about four
o'clock, he was informed by a sergeant of the Bir-
... _

rningham pfdice that Josep-h Rtidge had thrown
three stones at_an inspector. of police..
_Witness

spoke to him about it, and he used filthy language
and denied that be had thrown stones. nudge was
very violent. The poll closed at five o'clock. Half
an hour later witne,s sent Sergeant Raybould and
six constables to the railway station with the ballot
boxes. Abour, 150 or 200 persons rushed after the
cons!ables. James Wakeman said, "Come on,

chaps." The crowd then followed after the officers.
At nine o'clock windows were broken at the Malt
Shovel Inn, and the streets were cleared by the
police,
Cro-s examined: The police did not use their
staves until they were forced to do so by the vio-
lence of the mob.

Superintendent Sheppard. of the Birmingham
police, spoke of the violence of the mob, and iden-
tified several of the pri9eners as taking an active
part in the liot. Expressions were used that they
would kill the police before they left the town, and
they would give it them when it got dark. Soma
stones were thrown about four cc! ik, when an ar-
rest took place. A Birmingham coi.stable named
Hall was severely injured. Witness then cleared
the streets with his men.

Sergeant Rlybould identified all the pri,•'oners as
having taken part in the riot. He saw John Rudge
throw a stone, and arrested him' but he was foroe:t
to let him go as he was stoned by the crowd, P. C.
Hall, who came to witness's assistance, was knocked
down.

Police•constable Hall said lie was knocked down
and kicked about the legs He saw Hackett and
John Rudo.e take part in the riot.. _ _ _

Police-constable Baker corroborated the last

witness.
Police-constable Baldry s %yore that stones were
thrown, and he hard Wakefield say,' We will put
the policemen through the mill, and make the
bl:tad run down the glitter before we leave."
William Potter, iivetmakcr, Blackheath, said he
saw Hall strike Police constable Giblin in the mouth
with a brick.

John Alfred Charlton, nailmaster, Halesowen,
said on looking out of his window he saw William
Pountrey kicking Police-constable Hall in the street
Pountney threw a stone at witness, which struck
him in the face,
William Whi!e, nailer, Halesowen, was called to
prove that Joseph Hackett threw stones.
Henry Neville, drill instructor to the Halesowen
Volunteers, proved seeing Wakefield throw some-
V.ing at the ballot-boxes when they were beipg
conveyed to the railway s.ation.-
Andrew Bridgewater, insurance agent, Cradley,
said that Pountney struck him a severe blow in the
face when he was at Halesowen that d:q..
Sergeant Wood, of the Birmingham police, proved
that Hall threw stones at the police near the Malt
Shovel Inn.
This concluded the case for the prosecutiln.
In accordan.e with his right, Joseph Rudge then
stated to the jury :—About half-past eight o'clock
I was called away to decide in a case which was to
be gone on with that day. I went, and was away
from the polling-booth till half-past one o'clock.
Between nine and half past ten I went to Birming-
ham Street. I had my dinner there. I returned
I towards the polling-booth about two o'clock. I
I then went into the Malt Shovel.. When I got
. inside I saw a man named John White there.
lie said to me, "Don't let difference of opinion
alter friendship." I said, "I am not 'going to ; I
never got into trouble in my life before, and I dont
intend to get into trouble • to-day." He sai 6,
don't blame you." At the bar I saw a man name d
Bradley. He said to me, 6. Why, Joseph, what-
ever brines you in a Tory house ?" I said, "It
looks as if th, re will be a bit of a disturbance." I
said, "I don't intend to be in it." He said, I am
glad to hear talk of it." He then said, "Come and
sit do%, n, and have something to drink" I thm
saw Carlton and asked what he was going to pay
for. He paid for a smoke for me. While I was
smoking a cigar I stood in the bow window. 'niece
was then a disturbance commenced outside.
Charlton shut the door and locked ir. We stood in
the window, and a stone came through it. Charlton
said he saw a man throw it. I remained in the
house till half-past four o'clock. Everythil,g was
quiet when I went in, and when I came outside I
then went towards the polling booth, where a
police-c )nsteble charged me with throwing st .nes.
denied it. Tut re was onel'of the Birtrungham.
police said I was not the inan„who threw the atone,
superintendent Sheppard said, "Ver) well, my lad
there will nothing come of it ; the police must have
made a mi,take. C rue and have something to
drink." I went with him to the Plume of Feathers
and had three pennyworth of Whiskey. I wait
home about a quarter past five and had my tea,
and was not on. again that night. I have since
been told that the pulice took me for another man
who has since gone to America. lam innocent of
throwing atones.
William Hackett said he was drinking at the
Leopard Inn until a quarter-past four o'clock, and
when he came out he was knocked down by Police-
sergeant Raybould. He denied throwing stones.
The other prisoners made no statement to the
jury.
The following witnesses were then called for the
defence :
John White,.Dog Lane, Church Street, Hales-
owen, said that Joseph Rudge was at the Malt
Shovel Inn from between two and three o'clock to
half-past four o'clock.
rhomas Bradley, Ilaksovven, deposed to seeing
Joseph Rudge at the Malt Shovel Inn on the after-
noon of the polling day. Rudge remained in the
Inn until half-past four o'clock. Rudge had an uncle
who was very like him in appearance, and he ab-
sconded on the day after the riot.
Other witnesses were called to shoW that Rulge
w.,s in the public-house named at the times stated,
and a good oaracter was also given to Rudge.
Charles Neal, Halesowen, said he was in company
with Pountney on the day in question. and I% aid
not see him kick a police-officer or throw any
stones. He saw no stones thrown that day.
Th(,mas Greenhall, Halesowen, said he saw
stones thrown by some boys and a girl.
George Rose, Birmingham Street, Halesowen,
said it was a little girl threw a stone throucrh the
window of the Malt Shovel Inn that strucke'Charl-
ton.
_ . _

Witnesses were called giving Pountney a good
character.
Thomas Tayloi, mill furnaceman, said he was in
Tether's company for ten minutes on the afternoon
of the polling day. He did nothing wrong during
that day.
Simeon Hacket, Halesowen, said he saw a man
named Samuel Wakefield throw a potato at his
cousin, James Wakefield. There was a rush of boy
and girls after the ballot boxes when they were
being conveyed to the mil way station. He saw the
police use their staves .freely.
A large number of other witnesses were called
to give evidence that the prisoners were respectable
men; that no rioting of a suriOUS nature took place,
and that the police used their staves freely on the
people.
Counsel having addressed the jury, the Vice.
Chairman summoned up at considerable length.
The jury retired, and came into Court at eight
o'clock witn a verdict of guilty against all the pri-
,oners ex,ept Joseph Hackett,
The Court sentenced William Hackett to one
month s imprisonment without hard labour; Jostph
Midge, six weAs' imprisonment without hard
abour ; John Rudge, two months' without lad
labour ; James Wakefield, three months' hard
labour ; William Tether, William Pountney, and
Alfred Hall, nine months' hard labour.