The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-10-05 00:00:00

OLD BILL.

PIRXIIII74O DEVNIIIIIVIIIS.—A.t the Petty Sessions.
on Wednesday. before the Rev. F. J. Clarke,?. W. G.
Berm, and N. Hingley, Joseph Johnson, licensed victu-
aller, at the King's Head, Old Hill, was charged by Sup-
erintendent Mills with permitting drunkenness in his
house on the 21st ult. Police.constable Cooper proved
that he visited the defendant's house at ten minutes to
eleven o'clock. He found a man in the house drunk and
he had to be led away. Police.conamble Grady corrobo.
rated. Fined 20e and coats—lsaiah Edmunds was then
charged with being found drunk on the Ring's Head pre.
miles, on the 21. t alt. Police.oonstable Cooper proved
the offence. Defendant was ordered to pay the costs.
CHARON OF STaaLING A RAIL. William Pena was
charged on suspicion with stealing a rail. Mr. Homer
defendant. It appears that the police met the prisoner
at three o'clock on Monday morning with the rail in his
possession. Wnen he saw the policeman he ran away.
Mr. Homer said there was nothing to prove that there
was a felonious intent, and prisoner was ordered to at-
tend the Court if called upon.

A FATHER CHAROED WITH CHAINING BIS

_
DAUGHTER.
Joseph Fletcher was charged by Superintendent Mills,
on behalf of Betsy Fletcher, a young girl, with assault-
ing her on the 26th ult. Mr. Addison defended.
Police-constable Dowling said he was on duty in High.
street, Dudley, about three o'clock. He saw a large
crowd of persons by Mr. Burton's shop. He saw the
complainant, and found the chain and lock produced
locked round her ancle very tight. He unlocked it with
the key of his handcuffs, and asked her the cause of hav-
ing the lock and chain round her ancle. From what she
said he took her to the police station, and she was exam-

iced.
Sarah Trueman, of Lawrence lane, New.street, said.
I live next door to the defendant. Have known the
girl for more than two years. On the 26th tilt at half-
past five o'clock I heard screams coming from the shop.
They were the screams of Betsy Fletcher, as I know her
voice. At eleven o'clock on that day she had a fit. Had
previously seen the girl at nine o'lock. She had a chain
round her leg. I did not go near her, because I dare not.
At twelve o'clock I saw the girl leave the shop. At that
time she had a chain and lock fastened round her right
uncle. She went up the High-street. Did not lee any-
thing more of her, but saw the log on her about twelve
mouths ago. Have often heard the girl scream; so muck
so that I have had to leave my work and go into the
house. Have often seen the defendant beat her, but

_
could not see the weapon.
Cross-examined by Mr. Addison : Had no ill-feeling
towarda the defendant, and had no quarrel with him or
his wife. In answer to several questions put by Mr. Ad-
dison, the woman said she had told her story, and knew
no snore about it. She had heard the girl scream when
her father was not there. Did not go to the girls assist-
ance, because she was afraid. Heard her father say that
if she did not work he would give it her. Witness said
she saw the girl's mother-in-law unloose her just before
nine o'clock, and take her back again and chain her

up.
The remainder:of the chain, as seized by the police,
was 14 or 15 feet long.
Witness said the chain the girl was confined by was
not the one produced. She had the chain and lock on
her right nude at nine o'clock. The complainant was a
very naughty girl, and bad • chain on.:
Mr. Addison: You have the chain in your head all the
time. It is a pity yen have not swallowed it.
Did not know that she stayed out all night. Did not
know that she had attempted to commit suicide.
Betsy Fletcher, a pour miserable looking girl (14), said :
I live with my fattier and mother-in-law. I have two
sisters and two brothers that live with me. My father
has treated me very well by keeping me clothed, and giv•
ing me good eating and drinking. I work at nailing. I
work by myself in the shop. On Tuesday morning week
I ran away from my work. It was seven o'clock in the
morning. I went into Wagon-street, and did not return
until Wednesday night, when my father fetched me back.
I slept in a brewhouse on Tuesday night by Cherry
Orchard. I thee went back to Wagon-street, and about
seven o'clock my father fetched me from Pickford's shop,
took me home, and gave me a good hiding with a strop.
He then put the chain and lock (now produced) round my
right and e, and left it on until I had made a pound and
a half of nails, when he took it off, and I went to bed
about ten o'clock. On Thursday morning ;at halt-past
five, I got up. My father then put the chain and padlock
round my leg, and fastened it to the block with a staple.
The chain round my leg was fastened to another chain,
which was fastened to the top of the shop. I then cut
one link through with the " hardy," and left the shop, and
went to Dudley, one part of the chain being fastened to
my leg. I did not scream at half-past five in the more-
ing. After the chain was round my leg I began to ,work,
and my father went to his work. At ten o'clock I
screamed, and said to my step-mother that I should not
work any more, until the chain was taken off my leg, and
said that I should go and break a pane of glass at Whit-
more's, and go to prison, rather than be chained while at
work. My step-mother left, and I cut the chain in two
with my :` hardy," and went to Dudley, where the police
took me. I was examined at the police station by Mrs.
Davis. My leg was red and smarted. My bark is hurt
in two places, caused by the strap, and my father kicked
me on the lower part of the back, which bled. I leave
scabs on my back. Was much hurt.
Cross-examined by Mr. Addison: I did not scream at
five o'clock in the morning, but did at ten; my father
had kicked me. It was the kick, and not the fall over
the coal that made the wound in my back. lam a very
naughty girl, and my father has treated me kindly.
The Bench : It is admitted that she is a very naughty
girl.
Mr. Addison : That is my defence.
Cross-examination continued; I have chosen the nail
block to work at. Have once tried to drown myself- I
have told • man named Priest that when away from home
I pretended to have fits, sal got plentylof money. I did
ask my father to chain me to the nail block so as to com-
pel me to work and make me • better girl. I have been
in a situation and left, from my bad conduct.
This was the case for tbe prosecution.
Mr. Addison asked if the Bench intended to commit;
if so, there would be no use in his wasting their time by
addressing them.
Mr. Clarke said they should commit the defendant for
trial.
Mr. Hingley : Oh, yes.
Mr. Hayes suggested that they should have a consults-
tion in the private room before committing.
The Bench then retired. On returning into Court,
Mr. Clarke said they bad determined to go on with the

case.
Mr. Addison, in defence, said that the defendant had
done all in his power to keep the girl at home, and that
the wounds on her back were due to her falling while she
had tit. He could not justify the use of the chain. Mr.
Addison then called the following witnesses:—
Barth Fletcher, sister of the complainant, said the de.
fondant was a kind father, and the girl a very naughty
one. Soule time ago complainant fell over some coals
while in • tit, and afterwards complained of hurting her
bath. In cross-examination by the Bench witness ad-
mitted that she had had an illegitimate thiid.
Mary Ann Fletcher, another sister of complainant,
said that rot one word could be said in favour of her
sister.
Mr. Addison then asked the Bench if, after that evi-
dence, they wanted any other. He could call witnesses
to character, if necessary. His client admitted he had
done a foolish thing with the chain, but he had no wish
to hurt his daughter.
The Bench said all the facts were before them,and in.
stead of committing him to trial, they should sentence
him to three months' imprisonment with hard labour, at
which the defendant was much surprised. The Bench
also cautioned the girl's sisters as to their conduct to.
wards her, and asked them to treat her kindly. The de-
fendant's children began to cry on hearing the sentence,
and there was • slight scene in Court. The complainant,
Betsy, at once started off towards Dudley, refusing to go
home.

itnesses

againstb...
The Chairman : You have been twice convicted, and
evidently you have not carried on your house as well as
you ought to have. Ender the new Licensing Act you
cautioned and his
will have to be very careful, and, although we shall gems
your license this time, your previous offences will be n-
um,
membered against you if you are summoned again.
William Weav efrs,
fNewor,
offence,
Quarry Binh, who was fined
license granted him.
Christopher Farrell,
dnringthe year
Queen's Head Inn, Brierley Hill,
was fined 2s 6d for keeping his house open during illegal
hours on Good Friday, and as Superintendent Mills
stated that the house had been generally well conducted
since the defendant wail convicted; the license was re-
newed.
On the spplication of Joseph Pearson, licensed victu-
aller, Brocktuoor (who was fined £5 in June last for al.
lowing gaming in his house), for a renewal of his license,
Superintendent Mills stated that he could not say any.
thing favourable of Pearson. A. short time since helms
convicted for being drunk at • neighbouring publics
house.
Mr. King (Magistrates' Clerk): That would not be an
offence against the Act.
The Chairman: If you do not keep yourself sober, it
cannot be expected that you will keep your customers
siber.
Defendmit: I am very sorry, and it shall not happen
again.
The Chairman: You must conduct yourself better in
future, or else it will go hard with you. Your license will
be granted this time.
Richard Timmins, Dog and Partridge Inn, Brierley
Hill, applied for a renewal of his license.
Superintendent Mills stated that in October lest the
defendant was fined 10s for permitting drunkenness in
his house, but since that time the house had been well
conducted. License granted.
Superintendent Mills stated that William Palmer, land-
lord of the Swan Inn, Pensnett, was on December 21st
last fined £5 for permitting drunkenness in his house,
and a further sum of £3 for having his house open dur-
ing prohibited hours. Since his conviction the house
had been pretty well conducted, but still complaints were
received col:kerning it.
The Chairman We shall grant you the license, but
; you will certainly lose your license next year unless there
1 is • marked change in the management of pour inn.
George Brown, licensed victualler, Amblecote, r:Ms
was, in December last, ordered to pay costa for harbour-
ing the police, had his license renewed.
Thomas Knott. High Oak Inn, Pensnett, who was
proved to have been convicted in December last for keep-
ing his house .ipen during illegal hours, had his license
granted him after being duly cautioned.
Superintendent Mills stated that, during the year, Jse.
Mason, beerhonse•keeper, Quarry Bank, was fined £2 for
permitting drunkennees, and £3 for having his house
open during unlawful hours.
The Chairman: You can have your license this time,
but you will lose it next year. You must try to keep your
house properly, for if you lose your license it may ruin
you.
John Davis, Labour-in•Vain, Broelanoor, who was
shown to have been fined £5 for permitting drunkenness,
was cautioned and granted his license.
Abraham Crewe, Five Ways Inn, fined £1 and costsfor
permitting drunkenness; Eliza Pargeter, Brierley Hill,
fined £1 and costs for • similar offence; Noah Brown.
Axublecote, fined f 5 for having his house open during
Divine service ; Ann Kendall, Eagle Inn, Brierley Hill,
fined 10e for permitting drunkenness ; and Thomas Dann,
Bush Inn, Moor Lane, fined £2 for keeping his house
open during illegal bourn had their licenses ienewed,
after receiving a wholesome caution from the Bench as •
to the management of their respective houses in future.
APPLICATION FOR EXTENDED HOURS.
Mr. Perry, solicitor, then applied to the Bench on be-
half of licensed victuallers at Kingswinford and Words.
Icy, for an extension of the closing boars from eleven to
twelve o'clock during week days. The present limitation
had grievously inconvenienced his clients, especially as
under the old Act they were enabled to keep their houses
open all night. No doubt the magistrates were anxious
to suppress drunkenness in the district, but he was of
opinion that the provisions of the new Act, if properly
carried out, were quite sufficient to reduce the abuse of
drink.
After a consultation, the Chairman asked Superinten•
dent Mills how the new Licensing Act had operated in his
district.
Mr. Mills replied: It has worked very well. The clos-
ing of the public•houses at eleven o'clock has proved a
very great advantage.
The Chairman: We have decided to make no alters.
lion in the hours of closing as fixed by the new Licensing
Act, with the exception of the following places, where
licensed victuallers will have to close at ten o'clock at
night, the same as beerhouses : Upper Arley, Bobbing-
ton, Enville, Hunley, Trysail, and Wombourne.
Licenses for the sale of wines and spirits, to be drunk
off the premises were granted to the following: William
Henry Penney, Wordsley ; William Lander, Kisser;
William S. Shepley, Brierley Hill; Herbert Humphries,
Brierley Hill; and George A. Emmett, Brettell Lane.
An application made by Mr. J. L. Holberton, to trans.
ter the 'spirit license from the Red Cow Inn, Brierley
Hill, to the Albion Inn, Commonside, was refused.—Mr.
Clulow and Mr. Homer opposed the application.

hstissrui CA SE.—At the Petty Session, on Thursday,
before Major Fletceer and Mr. F. Evers, Thos. Hawkins
Wat charged by John Lewis with assaulting him on the
11th ultimo. Mr. Waldron defended. It appears that
defendant lives next door to complainant, and he had put
some rails by his garden. He asked him to remove
them, when the defendant struck him a violent blow and
knocked him down. Witness's wife came up, and defends
ant knocked her down. The wife corroborated the as.
and defendant was fined 51 and coats; in default
, 21 days.
WOMEN'S QUARRRLS.—Jatte Mansell was charged by
Catherine Williams with assaulting her on the 14th ult.
Complainant said she was going towards Pensnett, when
the defendant struck her several times. The defence was
that complainant called her bad names, and struck her.
Fined Is and costs; in default seven days.
Assativr Case.—Thomas Jones, apprehended on a
warrant, was charged with assaulting Isaiah Humphries,
on the 10th inst. Mr. Holberton defended. Complsits
ant said as he was coming from the Lays to Brockmoor.
with a horse and cart, defendant and others wanted to get
into the cart. Witnesa refused to let him, but he got
into the cart, and he (witness) pushed him out and told
him he would get • summons for him. Defendant then
struck him a violent blow on the face, and cut his eye.
Complainant's son corroborated him. Fiued 2s 6d and
costs ; in default 7 days.
ASSAULT AT QUARRY BAR I. Plicebe Crantou. of
Quarry Bank, was charged by Mary Jane Tromana with
assaulting her. Mr. Waldron defended. Complainant
said that defendant's sister had broken a square of glass.
She went to tell her mother, when the defendant struck
her and knocked her head against • wall, and hurt it.
Defendant then got her bead under her erm, and struck
her several times. The mother of complainant gave cor•
roborstive evidence. The defence Was that defendant
was not there at the time, and the father was called, who
said his daughter was in the house at tha time, and that
when complainant and her mother came to his house, he
ordered them away. Fined Is and coati.