The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1881-02-08 00:00:00

A BACKWATER GUN QUARREL

A good many persons assembled in the Borough Court.
on Tuesday last before the Mayor (R.. N. Howard, Esq.),
Dr. Drew, Dr. Simpson, and 13. Hopkins, James dißadge,
J. E Robens, and J. Ayling, Esqrs., when two young men,
named Samuel and William Brewer were summoned by
Elwin Knight for attempting to do him certain bodily
harm," with a gun and leaden shot," and also for an
assault. Elwin Knight was also summoned by Samuel
Brewer for an assault.
Mr. Welsford appeared for Knight, and Mr. 11=10 for
the Brewers.
The Mayor suggested that the professional gentlemen
should uttle the case, and Mr. /Janne was partly ready to
do so ; but there was the usual difference about terms.
and the Mayor suggested they might go into another room
without launching the cue, and let the Bench know afters
wards if they could settle it. But Knight, whose right
cheek was adorned with arrest ugly black mark and scar,
shook his head, and Mr. Welsford thought the case had
better go on. But he dropped the charge of attempting to
shoot, not without signs of diecontent from Knight. and
the case was based en the suon i charge—that o assault.
The witnesses having been ordered out of court.
Complainant stated he was in his house, No. 3, Albert-
street, when Caddy came t him and told him there was
another hoopor [wild swan] up the Backwater, and he
told the gentleman he was talking to that he'd try to get
this hooper, got into his boat and pulled up the Backwater,
when he saw three swans. He was looking at them when
he heard • lot of noise behind him, and found it was made
by the two Brewers, who were on the shore by the Pottery.
cursing him and threatening to blow his brains out. He
went to them and said—" What do you mean r when
William Brewer pointed his con at him, cocked and with
cape on. and threatened to blow his--brains out, and
Samuel Brewer shouted—" Shoot him, Bill I" Complain-
ant ran towards the muule of tbe gun, to push it on one
side, when Samuel Brewer struck him with the ramrod,
the brus end, causing the wound on his cheek. His own
gun was in the boat in the water, and his son jumped out,
and ran between Samuel and himself, crying out—' Don't
shoot him. Sam r
By Mr. Hanna Was not looking for ken. but towards
the three swans; the man was mistaken in thinking there
wee a hooper there, for they were all swans. He knew
• swan from • hooper very well himself. Could not tell
II the defendants called out—" Don't you spoil our shoot-
ing," nor if they went on to a sy—" If you spoil our shoot-
ing, you shan't have it yourself, and if they then Bred
amongst the birds. Did mot bring his gun ashore, nor
Bing Samuel on his bark. Could not tell if Samuel was
loading his gun and bad the ramrod out; but he saw
Samuel with the gun in one hand and the ramrod in the
other. Did not knock &amid down before he struck him
(complainant) with the ramrod. When the blow was
struck, he sail—' I have berm in plenty of rows, and
always had to pay for it, and nowru ee if I can't make
coo pay; but the Brewers did not threaten te summon
him, nor did he immediately go to his boat, pull scram, and
go straight to the tnagistrAtet Alm to get the IRITIIIIIOII/
tint; he sew Mr. S nipson
It. the Mayor: Too mark on bis right eye was caused
by Brewer striking him with hoe ramrod.
Br Mr. Welsfori : Did nit ton any one till he heard a
gun fired; at that time he was 300 yards from the shore,
and he went ashore simply liecause he heard the Brewers
cursing and swearinc. It was when he went to push the
muzzle aside that Samuel Brewer struck him with the
ramrod.
Edwin Knight, 'jun., eon of complainant, went with his
father just before dinner yesterday up the Backwater.
Wane& pulled the hist himself till his father heard
swearing, and then Li, lath, r rowed, and when he heard
the gun fired his luther IVILN rowing the hula. Previous to
that, and when they were about 300 or goo yards teem the
shore, they heard something, and his father pulled inshore
towards the Brewers, the two defendants, a younger
Brewer being present Samuel said they'd blow his brains
out, using had lan maga at tip time, and his father pulled
to the shore, an.! asked—' What 'II you do r &mord
Brewer struck h,in with the ramrod, and William levelled
his gun at him, lie went to push the gun arida William
threw • atone father at him, and Samuel struck him by
the side of the eye with tit- ramrod,
Br Mr. Banns; Hi, father did n-t knock Samuel down'
be touched him on the bead, and said, "Come up here I'
and Samuel laid down directly ; but got upend struck him
with the ramrod. His father did not bring his gun ashore.
The youngest Brewer wu in the middle of the Backwater,
where he could see all that was going on, and he "stood
and bottled." There was a boy over against the railings,
and the affair laded ten minute' or • quarter of an hour.
William Brewer pointed • gun at his father, but only
threw • stone at him.
In further examination witness said it waa after William
threw the atone that he pointed his gun. The Sto[lll went
close by his heart
Mr. Henna Near enough to frighten him
Witness ; Tee. sir.
Dr. Drew: What made you go on shore when you bawd
them?
Knight: I went ashore to see what they were going to
do with me.
Dr, Drew: You had better hays gone on and shot your
boort'.
Knight Suppose I had been shot in the water, air /
Dr. Drew: But instsad of going oa or going away, you
went right into the danger.
The Mayor Win
Hamm should mortis st[fgestad that Mr. Williford end Mr.
Qs ow.