The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-01-14 00:00:00

EXTRAORDINARY GRIM. CON. CASE.

On Saturday, John Thomas Morgan, a tradesman,
residing in Snow's-fields, was brought before Mr. Bur-
cham, at the Southwark Police Court, by the parish
authorities, charged with refusing and neglecting to
support his wife, who had become chargeable to the ,
parish. Mr. Hurst, the relieving officer, stated that two
days ago the defendant's wife came to him and said she
was in want, her husband having refused to support her.
He relieved her in the usual way, and took the present
proceedings. Mr. Binns, who appeared for the defendant,
a very respectable hard working man, said that his
client had very jest cause to refuse to support such a
woman, whom it would be proved had committed adultery
with an omnibus conductor under her husband's roof.
Mr. Burcham asked Mr. Binns whether he had proof of
that ? Mr. Binns replied that he had two respectable
witnesses in court to prove the act of adultery, which the
wife was well aware of. He then called Mary Scales, a
married female, and aunt of the defendant. On being
sworn, she said that her nephew hail been married three
years, but had no children. They rented a front parlour
at 193, Snow's Fields. and appeared to have lived comfort-
ably together until lately. A few evenings ago, about six
o'clock, sho went to their house, and on plssing the parlour
door, which was partially glazed, she perceived a young
man with Mrs. Morgan. One of the squares was broken,
and she could distinctly see them in an indecent posi-
tion. Another female was with witness, and she called
her to look, when they saw the young man and Mrs.
Morgan on the bed, so situated, as left no doubt of
their committing an adultery. Mr. Burcharn asked
whether there was any light in the room ? Witness I
replied, that at first there was a lighted candle on
the table, and before the young man placed Mrs.
Morgan on the bed he blew it out. Mr. Burcham : Then
how could you see what occurred after that ? Witness
said there was a blazing fire in the grate, and she distinctly
saw all that occurred. She was se disgusted at their
conduct that she went and fetched a poker, and having
burst open the door she rushed in and would have struck
' the young min with it had he not made his escape out of
the house. with his clothes disordered. She followed him
as far as Guy's Hospital, and there lost sight of him. Mr.
Burcham asked her whether she had had any words with
Mrs. Morgan? Witness replied in the negative, but
being informed that an omnibus conductor was with her
that evening, she went to see whether what she had
heard was true. She regretted to say that it was so.
Caroline Baldwin, a married woman, said she was with last
witness. and she distinctly saw Mrs. Morgan committing
adultery with an omnibus conductor. There could not
be the least doubt of that. Mr. Burcham asked her
whether she was on friendly terms with Mrs. Morgan ?
She replied that she was equally as friendly with her as
her husband. Mrs. Morgan, a very pretty-looking young
woman, about 22 years of age, here came forward, and
said that all the witness had perjured themselves. The
fact was this. Her husband had a coat to dress for

a young man connec!ed with one of the omnibuses,
whom she knew, and he called for it one evening, wholl
she asked him to have cup of tea. She was sitting on•
the end of the bed, while the young man sat on a chair,
when the door was forced open, and Mrs. Scales
threatened him. To avoid her violence, he put his hat on and
left the house. Mr. Bunham : But the witnesses have
sworn you were both on bed. Mrs. Morgan said they
could not have seen that, as the light went out. Mr.
Mitcham told her that there could be no doubt of the
facts, which had been positively sworn to by two
apparently respectable witnesses. She had lost all claim
on her .husband, and the best thing she could do would be
to keep on good terms with her omnibus conductor. Mr.
Morgan was then discharged from custody.