The Sun.
London, England, 1856-11-11 00:00:00

HORRIBLE CRUELTY.

Unusual excitement has been manifested at Eccles-
hall, Staffordshire, and the neighbourhood, in conse-
quence of the report that Mrs. Elizabeth, Shelley, a
person of rather weak intellect, the wife of Thos. Shelley,
farmer, Shebden, had been most cruelly and inhu-
manly treated by her husband, and Martha Cotterill, his
maid servant. The evidence given before the magistrates
by Mrs. Shelley, and two male servants of her husband,
disclosed the following facts:—About 4 years ago the
woman Cotterill was engaged as servant, and since that
time she has assumed the position of mistress of the
house, taking the place of the wife, who was driven about
and beaten. The assaults more immediately complained
of were committed within the last few months. About ,
Christmas last, being encientf, Cotterill was sent to Man-
chester
to be confined; but in the course of six weeks she
returned, and addressing Mrs. Shelley with these words,
" Well, devil, I'm come back again," she kicked her
and struck her on the head with a knife, causing the
blood to flow. Subsequently she dipped the mop in a
quantity of horse wash, and then put it, covered with ma.
pure, in Mrs. Shelley's face. On another occasion,whilst
the latter wag in the garden house, Cotterill inflicted
severe pain upon the most tender parts of her body with
nettles, and pulled her by the hair of her head into the
house and locked her up. She had been repeatedly
locked up in the house, and her hair had been pulled off
her bead by handfulls. Excrement from chamber unten-
sils had also been thrust into her mouth by Cotterill,
who had threatened 0 repeat the disgusting act. Mrs.
Shelley was never allowed to take meals with the hus-
band, but Cotterill took her place, generally sending her
food, which was often in an unfit state to be eaten. She
was not allowed to manage her household affairs; but
when washing, or any other hard work was to be done,
she was compelled to do it, Cotterill itoneetimes standing
over her with a stick ; and on other occasions telling her
that, although she was not yet Mrs. Shelley, yet that, as
soon as she could see the end of her (Mrs. Shelley) she
would be. Mrs. Shelley's husband was aware of the treat-
ment which she received, but he only laughed at it. The
magistrates, after hearing the evidences, dismissed the case
against T. Shelley, and fined Cotterill 51., including costs,
for having been guilty of a common :Assault. The deci-
sion of the magistrates is understooit to have given dissa-
tifaction to the inhabitants of the neighbourhood, many
of whom followed the defendants, w'ho had to be escorted
by a strong body of police for a distance of two miles
from Eecleshall.—Afartek,ester Guardian.

Sporting Intelligence.

TATTERS ALL'S, MONDAY.

Many of the members baying left town for Liverpool
the attendance was only moderate, and beyond settling
on the Worcester events very little business was trans-
acted. The following were the only bets that came
under our notice.

KNOWSLEY NURSERY 15: ANDICAP.
5 to 1 apt Ella (taken)

LIVERPOOL AUTUMN' CUP.
11 to 2 aget Malacca.
8 to 1 apt Flatterer
10 to 1 agst Maid of Derwent
10 t 3 1 aget Pretty 133 y
10 to 1 agst December (12 to 1 also laid)
15 to 1 apt Falstaff

DEIIIT.
500 to 20 agst Schiedam
1500 to 50 agst Colonist
4000 to 100 a,g,t Glenmasson

SALE OF BLIOD STOCK.—The undermentioned horses
were sold by Messrs. Tatter.all yesterday :—Gruyere,
by Verulam cut of Jeneala, 5 yrs, 75 guineas ; year-
ling colt by Alarm out of Aveline, 27 guineas ; Per.
fume, by Cotherstone out of Catalpa, 2 yrs, 30 guineas ;
Viaur, by Jack Robinson, dam by Charley My, 2 yrs
(untried), 42 guineas ; Ralph, by Jack Robinson out of
Decrepi,, 2 yrs (untried), 50 guineas ; Snug, a yearling
colt, own brother to R ilph, 13,1, guineas.