The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-09-21 00:00:00

HALESOWEN.

CHARGE OF GAMBLING.—At the Police Court, on Tues. ,
day, before Major Smith, Dr. Moore, and Mr. E. Gem,
John Scott was charged with gambling on the highway
at Blackheath, on Monday last. Police-constable Wade
proved the case, and said he saw the defendant encour-
aging boys to bowl at two pegs, and if one knocked the
peg down he had 3d and a razor. Defendant was sen.
tenced to 14 days' imprisonment.
ASSAULTING- THE Poucti.—Samuel Stokes. a puddler,
was charged with assaulting Police-sergeant Davis whilst
in the execution of his duty, at Blackheath, when lie
was called to eject the defendant from the Royal Ex.
mange beerhouse. Defendant would not give him his
right name, and he struck witness several times on dif-
ferent parts of the body, and also knocked a gentleman
down that assisted witness. Defendant pleaded guilty,
and was tined 2s lid and costs, or 14 days.
A CANDIDATE FOR THE CAT. Richard Parrish, of
Smethwick, was charged with indecently assaulting
Emily Maria Millward, six years old, danghter of Mr.
Henry Millward, landlord of the Pheasant Inn, Worley,
on the 27th of August. The offence was committed in
a field belonging to prosecutrix's father, but the facts are
unfit for publication. After hearing the evidence, the
prisoner was committed to take his trial at the next Wor-
cester Sessions.
CHARGE OF Cti TING AND WOUNDING. Benjamin
Randall was charged with cutting and wounding William
Tether, on the 30th of August. Mr. Shakespeare ap-
peared for the defenee.—Witiliaca Tether said that, on
the 3rd ult, he was in company with the prisoner at the
Malt Shovel lan. There were others present. and they
all left a few minutes before eleven o'clock. Before
leaving, Randall said he should like to have his revenge
upon one man in the house. This he repeated just be-
fore going:ont. The prisoner said that it was witness
upon whom he wished to be revenged. When they got
into the road Randall rushed at witness and stabbed him
in the left thigh and in the muscle of the left arm.
Upon being asked what he was doing, the prisoner said,
"That is the way to settle him." He was then
taken home, and Randall followed and said, Never
mind fetching the doctor ; I will pay all expenses."—By
Mr. Shakespeare. Prisoner and he had been friends for
some time. They had, however, quarrelled, and prism
ner had sometimes threatened him. Prisoner drank six
glasses of strung ale, but afterwards there was not any
teasing or gaming with him.—Simeon Tether stated
that there was no quarrelling in the honse. He heard
the prisoner express a wish to have his revenge. Upon
leaving the ion he heard the complainant shout, "I am
stabbed," and then stagger and fall against the wall. He
helped to carry Tether who bled very much ass was in
great pain,—Cross-examined; Witness said that prisoner
was drunk, sod was " chaffed " in the public-house.
George Slater stated that on the morning of the occur-
rence he saw the prisoner, who said to Tallier, You
need to thank God that you are alive now."—Octavius
Williaw Hoffman, surgeon, said that he found two deep
incised wounds, the one OR the arm being about two
inches long, and that on the leg four inches long. They
sere two serious wounds. They might have been mode
by the pocket.keife produced.—Sergeantpc.ennedy said
that he apprehended the prisoner, who said," It will take
40 policemen to take me to the lock-up until I see Was,
Tether. Witness then took him to the complainant, who
gave him in charge, and ha then resisted very much, and
became very violent. The knife produced was found upon
the prisoner, who said, "That is not the knife I did it
with, you will not find any blood upon it." When lock-
ing him up he said to witness, " 'Twenty pounds won't
settle this job, bat £lO will."—Prisoner was committed
for trial at the March Assizes.

THE SHOCKING COLLIERY FATALITY
AT QUARRY BANK.

On Monday last, after two adjournments, Mr. W. H.
Phillips, Deputy Coroner, concluded, at the Elephant and
Castle, Quarry Bank, the enquiry as to the death of Ben.
lambi Homer (20), William Clayton (90), and Joseph
Wheelwright (22), who died from injuries received some
time ago in a pit belonging to the Earl of Dudley at the
Seawalls. It will be remembered that some extrordinary
evidence was given in this case last week. Mr. J. P.
Baker, the Government Inspector, again attended, as did
also Mr. J. W. Clulow, for the Miners' Urtftin, and Mr.
Homfray for Messrs. Bunn, the bottles.
The first witness examined was Mr. Matthew Fletcher,
an underground agent belonging to the estate, who said
it'sras the practice to "timber " when required. When
coal was partly got on the previous night it was the duty
of those who arrived first the next morning to get down
the coal and timber the place. The regular rule was,
clear the floor and then timber, but occasionally it was
necessary to timber first. Had heard at the previous en-
quiries that the coal had been pulled at and was firm. If
that was so it was right to clear the floor first.
By Mr. Clulow: Did not know personally that the coal
had been pulled. Did not ,onsider the case an excep-
tional one according to his previous remarks.
In answer to the Foreman, witness said the deceased
men were not proper persons to pull down the coal.
By Mr. Baker : It was not proper to put the men to
work under hanging coal.
James Shuck, a horse fettler, stated that he saw the
doggy, William Bunn, "pull the hanging coal before
the men were under.
Samuel Turley, assistant doggy, gave similar evidence,
and added ithat none of the coal was gct down with a
crowbar.
The Coroner here asked the witness whether it was a
proper thing for the men to be set to work under the
hanging coal, and after fencing with the question for
some time the witness said it was safe for the men to
work under the coal without timbering. The coal fell
from a break from the hollows on the other side.
The Coroner said this was *very different story to that
of the other witnesses.
By Mr. Baker : The cut coal did not fall on the men.
By Mr. Homfray : Told that story to Mr. Baker when
he was in the pit.
By the Foreman: There was no support in the air-way.
In answer to Mr. Clulow, witness said he heard the
banksman tell Bonn, the doggy, that the coal was ugly,
and the men ought not to be put under it. The men who
had the cutting of the coal gave the information to the
banksman.
By Mr. Honatray : Went with Bunn, and with a crow•
bar obviated the danger.
William Smith was recalled, and swore that the three
men—Hall, John Con, and Daniel Con—who deposed to
the coal being cut, were not present before the accident.
The coal that fell was at the bootom of the semi, and
not the cut coal. He had no fear to work in the place,
and heard nothing of dangerous coal. The ordered shot
spoken of was to break a large piece of fallen coal.
By Mr. Clulow : The men Con and Hall might have
been there.
Mr. James P. Baker, one of Her Majesty's Inspectors
of Mines, stated that he examined the pit, in company
with Mr. Fletcher, Mr. Hughes, and others, a few days
after the occurreace. The statements of the men were
conflicting. The coal at the spot appeared to be cut in
the usual way, and he could not complain of the state of
the pit ; but it was impossible for him to know how the
pit was when the occurrence took place. It was most
improper to put the men to work under the hanging coal
after it had been pulled. Under no circumstances ought
a doggy to put the men under the place without timber.
ing. There was no special rule on the subject; but he
(witness) thought the doggy would be liable under Rule
20, even if no injury had resulted. In his opinion the
men were at work opposite to whim, the coal was cut;
but he was much embaraased during his visit to the pit,
for the evidence he had called before him was very con.
Meting and not reconcilable at all.
By Mr. Chflow : Had examined seven men down the
pit, but they had not all been called that day.
Mr. Clulow pointed out to the Coroner that only two
witnesses had stated teat the deceased men were not
under the coal which had been cut. Ile requested that
James Webster should be celled.
This witness, a miner, swore that he saw the two in
the band preparing to load the tubs under the cut coal.
They were five or seven feet under, and there was coal on
the floor. Had often seen the doggy put men under eat
coal, and had once remonstrated with hum; but was told
to mind his own business. Witness denied any ithfeel,
ing towards Bann, the doggy.
A Jury MEW said the three witnesses last week said they
had never seen any such proceeding.
In answer to Mr. Homfray, witness said William and
Daniel Cox had also complained; but Mr. Homfray
showed by the evidence that these two had sworn differ-
ently, and said nothing about the dangerous state of the
coal on the morning of the fall.
The Coroner then summed up, and left the Jury to
decide upon the evidence.
After deliberating fur more than an hour the public
were called into the room, and the Coroner addressed the
doggy, Bunn. lie said the Jury had carefully considered
the ease, and at one time they had considerable doubt as
to whether they should return a verdict cricainating him
or not. The Jury had found that the men met with their
death by a fall of coal, and that Bunn was very much to
blame in not exercising sufficient care in the management
of the pit. The Jury also wished to add that they should
like to bee a rule added to the special rules prohibiting
the men from working under cut coal; and hoped that if
the doggy could be prosecuted for any infraction of the
law, Mr. Baker would proceed against him, for he de.
served fining. A verdict to the effect that the men's
death was accidental having been entered, the Coroner,
again addressing Bunn, said he hoped the result of that
inquest would be a warning to him. liad a verdict of man-
slaughter been returned, it would have been his duty to
have sent him to Stafford, where he might have lain
until Christmas.
Tfle enquiry then terminated,