The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-01-25 00:00:00

THE STOURBEIDGE OBSERVER.

CIIAROZ Of WILFUL DANACIL—Before Messrs.
J. B. Cochrane and W. C. Firmstone, Zlinri
Bingham and Joseph Price were charged with
wilfully breaking a quantity of glasses, cups,
and jugs on the property of James Cook. The
defendants were further charged with being
drunk and refusing to quit the Ball's Head Inn.
Lower Lye, on the same date. Mr. Addison
defended. Mary Cook, landlady, said that there
was some snowballing going on. The two de-
fendants came into the house, began to fight, and
refused to go out. z. She got assistance and they
were put out. Defendants broke six 411teses, one
quart jug, and a pint jug, a large beam, and also
broke the cupboard. The defendants were both
drunk. Several witnesses were called on both
sides. The Bench considered the both cases
proved, and in the cue of wilful damage ordered
defendants to pay 5s damage, and a line of 2s 6d
and costs. For refusing to quit, fined 10s and
costs.

CAUTION TO WAOONEREI.—WiIIiam Price, wag-
oner, of Churchill, was charged with being
drunk on the 14th inst, whilst in charge of three
horses and a wagon. Police-constable Jackman
proved the ease, and defendant was ordered to
pay costs, and cautioned.

- -
BREACH OF THE PEACE.—Thomas Pardo°, of
Wollaston, was charged with committing a breach
of the peace by fighting, on the night of the
18th ult. Police-constable Bidden proved the
offence. Pleaded guilty. Ordered to pay the
costs.

CGARGE OF A CRUELTY TO A DOCL—Richard
Webb, licensed victualler, of Oldswinford, was
charged with wilfully wounding a dog, on the
21st, the property of William Taylor. Com-
plainant said that his dog was wounded on the
head, and that defendant admitted he had done
it ; but alleged that the dog bad got into the
road whilst he was sticking a pig. Alfred Pitt,
of Clout, said that the dug came towards the
pig, and was accidentally cut. The defence was
that the dog kept pinning the pig by the nose,
and was accidentally cut. He had pushed the
dog away several times. The Bench considered
it was done accidentally, and dismissed the case.
CHARGE OF PERMITTING DRUNKENNESS.—WiI.
limn Rogers, landlord of the Triangle Inn, Wol-
laston, was charged with permitting drunkenness
in his house, on the night of the 14th. Mr.
Perry defended. Police-sergeant Jones said that
he visited the defendant's house at a quarter
past eight o'clock. He saw one man whose dress
was in a disordered state, and Eh( or seven other
men were drunk, with their faces blackened, the
landlord being amongst the number. One man
had to be led out of the house. Police-consta-
bles Tomlinson and Smith gave corroborative
evidence. Mr. Perry, for the defence, admitted
that there was one man drunk, and he could not
resist the law ; but, as to the other men, they
were not drunk. Two witnesses were called, and
the Bench fined defendant 20s and costs, and
endorsed his license.

CHARGE OF STEALING • JACKET. Maria
Thomas was brought up on remand charged with
stealing a jacket, on the 16th, the property of
Elizabeth Norris; and Sarah Tomkins was
chargod with receiving the same well knowing it
to have been stolen. Mr. Perry defended.
From the evidence it appeared that the jacket
was stolen from Mr, Rufford's brickyard, and
pawned at Mr. Whitwell's. Police-constable
Payned proved apprehending them. The charge
was altered to one of illegal pawning, and Sup-
erintendent Freeman proved a previous convic-
tion against Elizabeth. She was fined 205 and
costs; in default ,one month. Maria was dis-
charged.
A JUVENILE Twisr.—Mary Ann Chapman, of
the Lye, was charged with stealing a purse and
Os 6d, on the 18th, the property of William
Brooks. Ellen Brooks said that she sent her
daughter to Mr. Phillips to purchase some gro-
cery goods, and gave her the money in a purse.
()the.' witnesses were called, who saw prisoner
take the money out of her basket. Prisoner
pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to the House
of Correction for one mouth.
ALLEGED INDECENT ASSAULT.—Wm. Wheeler,
tanner, was charged by Ann Haines, with inde-
cently assaulting her on the 23rd inst. Com-
plainant, an old woman residing in New•street,
said that about 11 o'clock the previous night
(Thursday), the defendant came to her house,
opened the door, and walked in. She asked him
what he wanted, when defendant attempted to
take liberties with her, showed his person several
Limes, caught hold of her by the shoulders,
threw her down, and broke hex wrist. She sent
for the police. After hearing other evidence,
which was to the effect that defendant was called
in, the Bench did not consider there was suffi-
cient evidence to convict, and dismissed the
case.
MEETING OF CREDITORB.—A meeting of the
creditors of James Attwood, of Dennis Park,
near this town, journeyman =Aster, was held
at the offices of Messrs. Rogers and Jordan,
solicitors, Stonrbridge, on Monday last. The
Debtor's statement showed total liabilities, £ll4
3a 8d ; total assets, £l7 16a 6d. A composition
of 26 6d in the pound. to be paid down, was
offered, and unanimously accepted. The second
meeting is fixed for the 3rd February next, at
Messrs. Rogers and Jordan's offices.

- - -
The last witness (Benjamin HiHingham) was here re-
called. at the request of the jury, and said that when he
looked through the hole in the well, the chain was there,
but there was still • bole of about a quarter of an inch in
diameter.
Mary Pratt, • girl about 12 years of age, residing near
Darby s Pits, said she was employed to nurse Mrs. White-
house • baby. When the left, about nine o'clock on
Sunday evening last, Mr. and Mrs. Whitehouse and the
baby were in the house. Joseph Edmunds had not re•
turned. When she went, about seven o'clock on Monday
morning, she could not get in. She then gave evidence
as to getting into the house, which corroborated that of
Billingham. Mr. Whitehouse and Joseph Edmunds
went out in a gig on the Sunday afternoon, just after
dinner, bat returned about three o'clock.
Several jurymen thought the child had made • mistake
about the time they returned—one saying thst he saw
them start in the gig together, with • man mined David
Davis. at three o'clock. At length the man Davis was
called by the Coroner, and stated that they went out for
the purpose of trying a horse, and returned about half
-
past four. In reply to • question put to him by a juror,
witness said that, on the day of the affair, Mr. White-
house's mother told him that they had bide fire in the
bucket many a time.
' Inspector Samuel Pears. said he had made inquiries
respecting the occurrence, but had heard no suspicion,
circumstances respecting the death of the deceased. He
had heard rumours of their keeping the bucket in the
bed-room.
This was all the evidence ; and on the fact being inti-
mated to the jury by the Coroner, the foreman said the
jury would like the first witness (Edmund.) brought
before them again, as there appeared to be something in
his mind "lurking behind." The witness was reproduced,
and was asked by the Coroner if he had any witnesses to
call respecting the deaths of the persons.
Witness replied in the negative.
In reply to the jury as to whether he had any suspicion
of anything wrong being done to them? he said he did
not think the" gleeds " would cause their death.
A Juryman : The doctor said they would.
The Foreman: are you satisfied with the medical evi.
deuce! If you are there is no question as to the cause of
those deaths. lam quite satisfied; but there seems to be
something behind that I mill understand. What makes
yes hesitate V—Witness : I don't think, somehow, that it
came from the " gleeds."
The Foreman said he might not have sufficient skill to
understand it.
Witness said he did not think that there were sufficient
" gleeds " in the bucket to cause death,
The Foremen: Have you any suspicion that they have
met with their death by other means!
Witness Not that lam aware of.
The Coroner said this I% DA not the first, second, or
third case he had had in which persons hail met their
death in a similar manner, and he never was. more
satisfied than he was an this ease. If the Jury thought
that any further evidence could be obtained lie would ad-
journ the inquiry.
Witness said that some people talked about their deaths
being connected with a trial that bad taken place. They
had said that Edward Whitehouse—
The Coroner here interposed, and cautioned witness as
to what he was going to say. Unless he could subetan-
tiate it by witnesses he most not mention it, or he might
get himself into trouble. If their was anything wrong let
him bring witnesses, and be would take their evidence
down ; but it must be said on oath.
Witness said he could not bring any clear evidence.
The Coroner: Can you bring any?
A Juror : He don't seem satisfied.
Witness: I don't somehow.
A Juror: Had Mr. Whitehouse any enemies?
Witness, That's what I think—over this trial.
A Juror suggested that the opinion of some gentle-
man well acquainted with the matter should be taken as
to whether the " glee& " were sufficient to destroy life.
The Coroner said he did not think they could have
better evidence than the medical evidence. Mr. Standish
bud seen the " gleeds " and had given them his opinion,
Mr. Standish her. said that, as far at be could judge,
he was of opinion that they had caused death. Ho could
not tell the quantity of gas that would be given off, but
he was satisfied as to the cause of death.
. . .

Witness .aid if the doetor could say that for certain,
lt, would be wieleas going against it.
The Yoremen suggested to the Coroner whether it
would not be better for a post-mortem examination to be
made. . .

The Coroner said he should.be happy to °rile& one, if
the jury thought fit.
The jury were unanimously of opinion that a post-
mortem examination should be made, and the body of
Joseph Edmunds was Steals* the:one on which it should
be performed.
The inquest was then adjourned for a week, the
Coroner telling the witness &lolanda that if ha had any
legal evidence to produce he should bring it then, but he
must not tell them anything he had merely heard.