The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-05-09 00:00:00

FRIGHTFUL AFFAIR IN NEWCASTLE.

The fidlowing dreadful affray has; taken place at
Willintou Quay, in the netghbourhood of Newcaetle,
by which a wan, named Jatiatu Lavery, ban lost hie
Ittc. :

It appears that James Lynch, a labourer, was living in
lodgings with a Mrs. Barrett, in Keelman's-row, and that this
person Wit others in the row kept hens, which had been its the
habit of straying into Lavery's garden. Lavenr seems to have
suffered, and complained much of the trespass ; and not obtain-
ing redress, ahout three weeks ago he summoned Mn. Barrett
and others before the county magistrates at Tynemouth,
demote; theni with damage to his garden. The magistrates,
after hearing the ease, decided that It was one MOM for a
civil action m the county court than for a penalty at their
hands, and they accordingly dismissed the charge. Since
then Lavery has been continually annoyed by the women
living in Keelman's-row, who never allowed 111111 to pass their
door to and from his garden without showing offensive marks
of their gratifLation at Ids defeat In the pollee-court
UltimatLly Lavery had threatened to shoot any hens he
might find In his gardens ; and 011 Saturday night, on going to
Isis ranters at alma seven o'clock, he took with him a gun,
whirls, however, with not loaded when he took it from Ills
house. Ile was accompanied by a man named Case; and as
they went up Keelman's-row, In the direction of the garden,
they were observed by some of the women, amongst others
toy Mrs. Barrett. The whole of the Irish women, of whom
there Is a good number in the row, turned out, and assailed
Lavery and his companion with yells and execratil me. A
loan named Stephen Cade also came out of a house, and going
up t o Lavery offered to fight him. Lavery, however, declined
to light, and walked quietly on, upon Ids way to the garden.
Cade, Lynch, and a number of women then followed
Lavery and Case up to the garden gate, which Lavery
opened and the two went In. Lavery then attempted to
close He, gate, but Lynch forced it back and got Into the
garden, the women and Cade remaining outside. As soon as
Lynch got Inside the minion, he suddenly grasped the gun
end got it out of Limery's hands, mid, taking the muzzle
mei in his hand, he swung the weapons over his head awl
dealt Lavery a terrible blow on the back part of the head,
just at the base of the skull. The effect of the blow was so
terrible that it smashed in the unfortunate males head, and
the brains immmliately protruded, the man falling to the
ground apparently dead. Lynch, as awn as he had felled
Lavery, rushed out of the garden with the gun ins his hand,
11114 smashed it to pieces against the VOUIllt He then MU
away with the crowd and disappeared. Case, when the blow
was struck at Lavery, remahied by the aide of the injured
man, and endeavoured as for as he could to render him
assistance, and as soon as the murderer and his accomplices
hail left the spot he obtained assistance. A number of
Englbilwomen bathed Livery's head with cold water, and had
111111 COOVCITLI IIOWII to his house, where he was attended by
Dr. Dickinson and Dr. Hatfield ; but their assistance was of
no avail. The blow had deprived him of consciousness, which
he never recovered, and died the following morning. Two of
1110 men and two women have been arrested.