Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-07-25 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL

BEFORE MR. MANSFIELD.

ASSAULT.— Charles Graham, second mate and John
Breen, third mate, of the ship Martha, lying in the Bram-
ley-Moore dock, were charged with having assaulted a
black man, named William Valour, a seaman belonging to
the same ship. The complainant said, he,with eight other
coloured men, shipped in the vessel (an American), and
on Thursday morning he went with his trunk, and when
hauling it on board, the prisoner Graham strndk him and
knocked him down. The other prisoner struck at him
with a p'eca cf wood, and broke his arm. Mr. M'Gowan,
surgeon cf the Northern Hospital said. the complainant
would not be able to do anyth ng for at least eight weeks.
Graham said the compla nant knocked him down, and
jumped on his hand, and the other prisoner said he saw
the complainant " pounding' the other mate down, and he
used the piece of stick to separate them. This statement
being proved by witnesses, the prisoners were discharged.
Man OR DRUNK —WELCH IS WORST? STRANGE CASE.—
Lavina Hitchman, a wild-looking woman, having the
appearance of a drunkard, charged her husband, John
Hitchman, a plasterer, living et Lord-street, Edge-hill,
under the folloltowing strange circumstances. She began
her story in a semi-wild manner, and as she proceeded she
became more excited. Her story was not connected, but as
well as coal 1 be collected, she said the prisoner had been in
the habit of ill-using her for a long time, and was in the
constant habit of biting her all over the body, and she had
thirty wounds on her body from his biting her. There
was no doubt, she said, he was mad, and he used to beat
and bite her whilst mad ; he pulled her bowels out one
time, and the doctors had to apply sixty leeches to her ;
she was at one time sixteen months confined in consequence
of his violence. He was decidedly mad, for his father and
mother died mad; his brother was mad, and his uncle
was at present in a marl-house, and she had been at the
police court at least 100 times with him. Mr. Mansfield :
Why was not this man removed to some lunatic asylum ?
Mr. C 'zens, the crier of the court, said this woman has
been here several times, bat she came raging drunk, and
I could not make anything out of her statement. I
believe bridewell-keeper Kelly knows something about her.
Mr Kelly, the keeper of Olive street bridewell, said, this
woman has called on me several times, and made many
strange and contrary statements about her husband, bat
could hardly make anything out of what she said. One
time she would te.l terrible stories about him, and at others
that he was a very good husband. Complainant (fiercely):
No, I never said he was a godd husband to me. Mr.
Kelly : You did, as often as you said otherwise. Com-
plainant : No, never since 1829, when we were married, did
he behave a good husband to me, but I know the cause of
his biting and abusing me. Mr. Kelly said, so far as he
could learn, the dispute was about some property, and he
understood that their son had taken some deeds belonging
to the property, and raised £l5O from an attorney on them,
and this caused the dispute. Complainant : No ; long
before he got any property, he beat and bit me, but he's
mad. But its not about property he beats me ; it's because
I am Irish, and a Rom. +re Catholic, and that's the only
fault I have. The prisoner, in reply to Mr. Mansfield,
slid the story told by his wife, was not at all correct ; it
was all the fault of her horrible drunkenness. He never
treated her as described, but was as quiet as a lamb. He
had offered to give her 104 a week, but she would not
take it, but continued to dr nk, and was drunk every day
in the week, and he did not know what to do with her. The
officer (George 297), who went to arrest the prisoner on a
warrant, said he got the woman lying " dead drank" on a
sofa ; the house was tossed about in the most awful
manner. The complainant said she heard her husband's
sister telling him to murder her. She was leaning over
the stairs, and heard them speaking. when they imagined
she was out. Mr. Mansfield said it was quite clear the
parties could not agree or live together, and it was plain
she was an abominable drunkard. He (the husband)
could get rid of her by allowing her the 10.1 a week Go
to Me. Evans at the parish-office, and agree to give him
the 104 a week for her, and pay it regularly, and if she
comes to annoy you after that, turn her out by the shoulder
The poor man thanked his Worship, and was then dis-
charged.

ALLEGED NEGTACT OP CHILDREN..—DRUNKEN PARENTS
—Two wretched-looking and ill-clad persons, named
John and Rose M•Gee, husband and wife, described as
gingerbread bakers, living in Adlington-street, was brought
np by Inspector Duggan, on a charge of having neglected
their children. The prisoners had the appearance of low
habitual drunkards —particularly the woman, who had a
baby in her arms. There were two oilier children, about
three and four years of age, belonging to the prisoners
present, but, with the exception of being wretchedly
clothed and dirty, they did not present an appearance of
starvation. Inspector Duggan said he was called to the
cellar, about which a crowd of persons had collected, and
he saw the baby, than in the arms of the female pri-
soner, being taken off a board in the cellar. The board
w4s used by the prisoners as a rolling board for ginger-
bread The child was quite naked, except a small rag tied
over its waist. The other tw ) children were at the cellar
door, and all the neighbours told him the parents neglected
th.m. He found the parents coming out of a public
house and both were drunk. Margaret Fern ey and another
woman confirmed the statement. Dr. Davis, of the 'Vaux-
hall dispensary, said he had examined the children, and
with the exception of being very dirty and half naked and
inclined to scrofula, there was no indication or evidence of
their wanting food. The prisoners were cautioned as to
their future conduct S towards the children, and then dis-
charged.
THREATENING A SUPERIOR POLICE OFFICER.—Mr.
Laurence Kehoe, in-door inspector of police, and now
discharging the duties of Chief Suprintendant Clough, I
addressed his worship and said—l have to complain of a
person name,' Richard Buckley, a touter, now, or lately,
in the employment of Mr. Cobb, an attorney, who has
used threats against me for having discharged my duty in
this court as a public police-officer. It may be in your
worship's recsllection that, some time ago, the conduct of
this man, Buckley, was the subject of some proceedings in
this court. On leaving this court, yesterday, the man
Buckley followed me, and, after some time, ho came up to
me and addressed me, saying, " You done your best
against me, when Walker had me charged for swindling
him. You put in a letter on that occasion, but you did
not succeed against me, although you and Clough did all
yen could against me ; yet you were not able to
do me any harm or injury." He then mentioned

your name sir, in a 'manner that I will
not now repee. I told him I had no recollection
of the letter to which he alluded, but that I might have
put it in as described. He then said, " I will set a trap
for you. and I will catch you in it, and I will have you up
before Mr. Mansfield. Mind, I promise this to you,
and I will carry out what I say ; or you will find
yourself [or I will get you] in a hobble, (I don't know
which,) before long." Personally, I c tre nothing about
such a fellow; but, on public grJunds, I thoal.,,,ht it right
to state the facts to your worship. Mr. Mansfield: Well,
Mr. Kehoe, I don't think you have much need to fear

such a fellow, as you are too old and experienced a bird ;
and so' you may set such a fellow at defiance. Mr.
Keho? ; I could not comprehehend the meaning of this
malevolent and ill minded man. I a'n not afraid of him. ;

but having, on public grounds, stated the threat he held
out to me, I am satisfied with your worship's expression.
THREATENING WITNESSIS.—Two fellows, said to belong
to a gang of thieves, named Thomas Edwards and
Thomas McEvoy, ware brought up by detective officer
Povey. It appeared that two persons named Edwards,
(brothers to one of the prisoners), and Costello, are at
present in gaol awaiting their trial, and that a Mrs.
Gray, of 110, Wolfe-street, Park, was, along with a lodger
of hers, witnesses against the parties. On Thursday
night the two prisoners, now before the court, called at
Mrs. Grays, and threatened her and her lodger with vio-
lence, if they appeared at the Sessions to prosecute. The
prisoners were sent to gaol for a month, in default of
finding bail to keep the peace.

BEFORE MR. CROPPER.
PUBLICANS.—George Hill, of Great Newton stree', for
having an internal communication with his premises. For
the defence, it was stated that a communication had existed

for the last fifteen years, and was only a part of the house
let off to lodgers. Fined £5 and costs, and ordered to be
bricked up bef,re the next inspection of the officers, or
would again be liable to a similar penalty.
BEER-HOUSZ KEEPERS.—Elizabeth Harrison, Wolfe-
street, Park, for refusing to admit the police, 40a and
costs. Mary Ann Grady, Bolton-street, for Sunday
trading, and bribing the police with 2 61 The case was

not proved as to the site of the beer, but the accepting of
the 23 Gd by 378 was admitted. For the defence, a wit-

ness was called, who stated that at the time the police
came, not a "sinner" had had any drink sold to them,
and that one of the constables was intoxicated, and
threatened to break the door open. The case was
dismissed, and the 23 6d was ordered to be returned.
Ellen Rhodes, Mason-street, Park-lane, for Sunday trading.
Richard Hanmer, of Carpenter's-row, Park-lane, for the
same offence. Maly Devitt, Stockdale-street, for Sunday
trading. Michael Crossfield Midghall-street, for Sunday
trading. Jane Robinson, Banistre-street, for the same
offence. Mary Welch, Maguire-street, for the like
offence.

BEFORE MR. RATHBONE AND MR. CROSTHWAITE.

REFORMATORY Cesss.—Yesterday, several of the parents
of children who are now receiving punishment in reforma-
tories, were summoned for the purpose of contributing to
the maintenance of such children. They were in each

case ordered to contribute some small amount, according
to their means, weekly, for the support of said ch ldren.

BIRKENHEAD.

MITRE MESSRS. CASE, SHAW, JACKSON, COXON, BARTON,

BRYANS, AND GLEGG.

The usual petty sessions were held on Thursday, at Bir-
kenhead Town Hall. There was not a single prisoner in
custody for hearing, a circumstance that has not occurred
for nearly five years past, a strong proof of the vigilance
of the police, under the able superintendence of Kr.
Birnie. Indeed, since he has been in office, the whole
township has been 'clot in most excellent order, and the
inhabitants of the township are much indebted to him for
the manner in which he attend 3 to the duties of his office.
GAME PURSUERS —Hugh and Henry Lawton, sons of
Mr. Lawton, of He*mall, farmer, were summoned for
trespassing on the lands of Benjamin Hancock and
William Totley, at Heswall, in pursuit of game. Defendants
did not deny the charge, and were severally fiaed 5s and
costs,

NUISANCE AT HIGHER BEBIVGTON.—Mr. Thomas
Mason, a gentleman, residing at Higher Bebing:;on, was
summoned for permitting a nuisance to exist at some
cottages, his property, and known as the Mill-brow, at
Higher Bebington. Mr. Dodson, on behalf of the Com-
mittee for the Removal of Nuisances, proved the service
of the notices, &e., required under the 18 and 19 Victo,ia,
c. 121, and that the nuisance existed on Monday last. Mr.
Mason said he had already commenced the removal of the
nuisance, but as labour was scarce he was unable to com-
plete it. Order made to remove nuisance within seven
days or 10.3 per day penalty would be imposed.
DRUNKEN CARMiN.—Henry Lawton, a car proprietor,
was summoned for being drank, and incapable of taking
charge of his horse and car. Fined 5s and costs.
STRAY CAlmg.—John Miller and Edmund Catterall
were severally summoned for permitting their horses to be
at lags in the public streets. Fined 5a each and costs.
Miller was mulct in a similar penalty on the 17th instant
for a like offence.

BEFORE MESSRS. JACKSON AND BRYAN/3.
CAUTION TO MARINE STORE DEALERS.—Arthur Heagan
appeared on summons for having purchased marine stores
from persons under the age of fourteen years. Defendant
pleaded guilty, and was fined si. and costs.
CAUTION Ti,. RAILWAY TRAVELLERS.—Mr. John Ben ley,
a farmer, residing at Hoole, near Chester, was brought up
for being drunk and trespassing on the Birkenhead Railway.
Mr. Male, the station master, said that the prisoner came
to the Bromborough station, last evening, in a very drunken
state, and quite unable to keep his equilibrium, saying he
wanted to g 3 to Chester. For safety he was put outside
the station, when he got over the gate and came back
again, he then got on the railway. Mr. M'Kie fearing
that some accident would occur, took him into custody,
and sent him to the Birkenhead bridewell. The prisoner,
upon whom £6 121. in money vas found, who looked as
thougi he had partially recovered from a regular fuddle,
but said nothing, was then fined 20s. and costs for tres-
passing on the railway. The worthy Magistrate (Mr.
Jackson) remarking, that if persons would get drunk, and
so foolishly risk their lives, they must expect to pay for
being taken care of.