The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-07 00:00:00

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.

In the case of Peter Watkins, committed upon ;n in-
quisition 14eld by Mr. Wakley, the coroner, to take his
trial for manslaughter, the REcoanEn complained that
the depositions had only just been returned, it being
then nearly four o'clock. He observed that justices
and coroners were bound by the Act of Parliament to
return the depositions taken by them, at the sitting of
the Court, and they subjected themselves to a fine for
neglecting to do so. He then directed Mr. Clark, the
Clerk of Arraigns, to write to the coroner to know why
the depositions had not been returned at a mere early
period.

PRESTON COUNTY COURT.
(From the Preston Guardian.)
BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE.
MARY HOOTON V. HENRY RIMMER.
Mr. CATTERALL, who appearead for the plaintiff,
opened the case. The action was brought by Mary
Hooton, of Churchtown, for a breach of promise of
marriage by the defendant, Henry Rimmer, of the
same place. Damages were laid at 100/.—the de-
fendant being understood to be in good circumstances.
The defendant, he said, was the author of the ruin of
the plaintiff in every respect. Ile called the follow-
ing evidence :
Ann Twist—l live at Churchtown, and am aunt
of the plaintiff. I know defendant; his father is a
farmer. Cannot say what quantity of land he has.
Defendant has been in the habit of seeing my niece
about ten years. She is about 28 years of age, and
he is the same. About two years ago my niece came
to live at my house. When living at my house, defendant
came two or three times a week to see her. He talked
to her about marriage and she talked about purchasing
a rocking chair, when he said he would send to
Preston and get a pair of them against their marriage.
He said to her he was not thinking of being married
before spring, as he could have a cottage from his
father then. About half a year after she was at my
house she gave birth to a child. This was in last
August but one, in 1843. The child is now above a
year old. I remember she charged him with being
with Ellen Baker. Ile denied, and said he never
intended having any one but Mary. My daughter,
who is now dead, was present. I heard him saying
he would like a mahogany chest like Mary's. He
said, on another occasion, he hated young men de-
luding young women, and he would never do so.
He said he had visited her for seven weeks at South-
port, and found she never had any other sweetheart.
Plaintiff went to a little cottage of her father's to be
confined. Heard him often speaking about his
wedding. He said he bought a marriage ring, and
he thought it was gold, but it turned out not to be so.
—(Laughter.) He had a horse and cow, and the cow
was to be Mary's cow.—(Laughter.) He was in the
habit of buying presents. He once bought her half a
sack of potatoes, and said when these were done he
would buy her more. I have also seen him going after
her at other places.
Cross-examined—My name is Ann Twist, and I
have been about ten years a widow. I had seven
children by my husband, and one since. I have
brought an action against James Gregson for a breach
of promise of marriage. It is not yet tried. It is to be
tried at Liverpool. It was not to the defendant I had
the child. The plaintiff has three sisters. The eldest
is named Betty, and is about thirty years of age, and
has had a bastard child. The second sister is named
Ellen, and has had two bastard children by different
fathers. The third sister is named Hannah, and has
not yet been in the family way. I have frequently
been at plaintiff's father's house in my widowhood. I
was in the habit of going about once a week. I did not
go on a particular day ; sometimes I went in the morn-
ing, and sometimes in the afternoon, and sometimes at
night. When at night I did not remain so late as
twelve ; it might be abcut ten. I cannot exactly
say how many persons I have seen there. Never
saw a dozen young men there, nor eight, nor ten, nor
six ; but fur, I think. Will not swear I saw more
than four there. I had no connection with the young
men. I cannot say whether I always met the same
four, or a variety of fours, at this place. Only occa-
sionally met young men the Can't tell what the
young men were doing, the
took any notice of
what the young gentleme doing. Never saw
them upon the young ladieir knees, or near them ;
nor was there a " squab" there upon which they
sat. Never saw them " tickling" the young
ladies—(Laughtei)—nor with their a•tms round
their necks. Never got' a hiss from any of them, nor
did any of the yc,-ung ladies. I will tell you another
clay where the unfortunate circumstance that ocoaTred
to me took place.—(Laughter.) It Ills given me
much sorrow. My niece went to live with me in
February, 18,4.3 i or beginning of January. The child
was borli about six or sever} Months after. Since
•4, ... ' ‘..
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. -
plaintiff left my house I have never seen her and de:
fendsnt together. I know a person named Margaret
Cadwell, and about three months ago met her in the
house of Ann Cad well. I did not say in this hel
that Rimmer never promised marriage to plaintiff.
sometimes met Gregson at Ann Cadwell's house. Diu
not know the plaintiff was in the family way Nano
she came to my house. The child has never been
fathered.
h
Re-examined—l had the bastard child about eight
years ago, and since then Gregson has promised "1
marry me.
Mary Hooton, mother ofplaintiff—l live at Church."
town. Have known defendant for ten years. ft;
father was a neighbour of mine. He has been in.itu
habit of coming to my husband's mother's house.
daughter had slept with her grandmother a long 601
before she went to her Aunt Twist's. Have seen al
a time Rimmer and my daughter together. I
January, 1842, heard Rimmer say to my daughter!
" It is time we were married," and he also said the
Pl,
"askings" should be put up on Sunday. She took
with the ague afterwards. The Sunday after Ritna're'.,
gave her a present of 2s. 6d., and a little pork '°r
her to eat when ill. She went to live at one of
cottages after leaving aunt Twist's, and was confined
there in August. Rimmer came to see her after,
held the child and said, "It is a fine child:' 11
frequently came after the child was born.
Cross-examined Have had thirteen childrel
Nine are living, five of whom are girls. The young°
is named Ruth, and is twelve years of age. 3111;
Twist has come occasionally to my house. Young
men came to my honse ; and if they had not, IN
daughters would never have been injured. Sol.ne;
times Henry has come in, and others. Have n
young men in my house to the number of sii
eight at once, at a Christmas or at other tines. Sohn
Blundell has been there, but many years ninc",i
Thomas Rimmer, too, who was a neighbour, It
others. I and my husband have retired to bed ',theft
they were there, but this was many years since.
was about the time Rimmer kept company With
Mary. My daughters lived at my house when the",
children were born.
Elizabeth Hooton, of Churchtown—l remetnbet
being at the weaving shop end about three years sg°;
when Rimmer said he would be " asked" the Sundt)
after.
Cross-examined—lt was outside the shop w:ll#;eri;
this was said, on the 18th Jan., 1842. Pit"- s
caught cold that night in consequence of staying ou
with defendant. I am not come to tell you whethq
1. have an action also for breach of promise. I 'O3
tell you another time. My father and mother We;
in the habit of going to bed and leaving us up
the young men. I won't tell you who kept come%
with me. I shan't tell you ow many stayea
with me.—(Laughter.) did not come here to tees
you these things. People have come here with h,,ee
in their mouths. I will tell yon nothing but °I
truth. It is true I have had a child. It does n°
matter whether my sisters have had or not.
James Halsell, of North Meols, labourer—l 101
Rimmer, and have seen him walking with plain
tl
He said on one occasion he had 2001. in ready monel;
and did not think it worth his while to talk to pct,
people. I was just behind him when he said this
me. On another occasion he told me he had a grei
mare of his own. He has been in the habit of gr°/e
ing potatoes for sale, the land of which was given h"-
by his father.
Cross-examined—The land on which he g-rew tr
potatoes was more than twenty times as large as t"e,
table in Court. I was at Kirldale a few hour' °11;
day about stealing a duck, and I have once in
time been in prison for poaching. This was sh°,ti
twenty years ago. I never was in prison for glIV'
thing else.
Mr. NOBLE then addressed the jury, and contend
that the character of the family was of such a NOP,
description as to free the defendant from the chair/
There was no direct evidence that a promise ~°0
marriage had been made; but in the event et.
jury deciding that there was, it would be for thetn to
say how much damages would be required as cool:
pensation; and certainly one farthing, he though"
would be a sufficient compensation for all the ins
jury such characters could sustain by a breach °
promise.
The ASSESSOR, in addressing the jury, said °Dv
first question to be disposed of was, whether the,
had been any promise of marriage. It appesrecl ,
-
.';
him, from the evidence, that there was sometht
like an understanding that the parties were to "'"
married. In deciding upon the question of damsgl
they must take into consideration the character
the family, who appeared to be most immoral.
would be their duty, also, to consider whether the
defendant was actually worth 2001., as stated in the
evidence, or whether it was not likely he had 00',.
made a boast of having that sum.
The jury, after about an hour's consultation,
called into Court to try two other cases. A'to
doing so, the Court adjourned, leaving the jury I
decide upon the case. The jury remained in con0:1
tation until ten o'clock, the result of their prolong':
deliberations being a verdict for plaintiff—darnsge"
305.

Tits RIVER ELLEN.—In consequence of the gref,
number of fish which have lately been found dead
river Ellen, it was generally supposed that the river 001
been extensively poisoned by poachers for the purpeeei.,‘
procuring their prey. This conjecture, however, P,
been proved to be entirely groundless, as far so ttr,
poachers are concerned, through the exertions of i'iro
Senhouse, Esq., of Netherhall, who was led to inquf
.np
into the cause of the destruction of so many of the 011
race as was daily observed by him in that portion of '',
river which runs through his grounds. Mr. Senhoes.,:
suspecting the river to contain some strong poisoo°7l
ingredient, had two bottles filled with the water,
he transmitted to Mr. J. B. Wilson, surgeon, of Whi`:t,
haven, for the purpose of being analysed. On subtr,
ting the water thus sent to him to an analytical test, l'!
Wilson discovered that it contained peroxide of iron „
lf
,/
sulphate of lime to the extent of three grains and ei:„,
to a pint of water. This at once accounted for the "it
struction of the fish, as it was wholly impossible the,
the tenants of the stream could exist in their native e
ment when in such a state of adulteration. On fate b
inquiry respecting the cause of the river being in ruche'
state, it was discovered that the owners of the colliers e
in the neighbourhood of Durham had been pumping t:1
water out of some of their pits, which had found its If'',
into the river Ellen, and had produced the consequenced
which we have just described. Some idea may be focrnbe
of the poisonous nature of the water pumped from
pits, when we state that the fish were destroyed
wholesale, and that they were found dead in great nu
bers at least three miles below the junction of the sties
from the pit with the Ellen. We feel assured, bowelr,
that as soon as the owners of these mines are made on;
quainted with the disastrous consequences of sufferi.
this poisonous water to flow into rivers, they will en
k
deavour to direct it into some other channel.-- Carlij
Patriot.
CV r 0
[ADVERTISEMENT.]—AN EXTRAORDINARY ‘l-11,0
OF A BAD LEG AT lIORNCASTLE, BY HOLLOW
toy iAls
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Simpson, a highly respectable bookseller in thateit
states that a gentleman of his acquaintance had b°o(
suffering for years, from one of the worst descriptioll9o,
bad legs, frequently enduring the most excruciating P.
He had been under the care of several medical men
artout obtaining the least benefit. This gentlenian, 11°
ever, has just been cured by these invaluable mediein,o,o
after every other treatment failed. The Ointnied,
will cure chilblains and chapped hands in a few hound
Sold at Professor Holloway's Establishment, 244, SO,
(where advice may be had gratis), and by a1tn0,,„4
respectable vendors of medicine throughout the civ
world.

BIRTHS.
On the sth inst., at Waresley-park, Huntingdonshire,
Caroline Duncombe, of a daughter.
On the Ist inst., the lady of J. de Prati, M.D., of a en,(11:01/
On the 2d inst., at Brighton, the lady of the Rev. o'
Green, of a daughter. Of
On the 2d inst., at Catherine-place, Limerick, the
Captain H. Lugard, Royal Engineers, of a son. rs'
On the 3d inst., at Coleshill House, Berka, the l'Ion•
Edward Pleydell Bouverie, of a (laughter.
Oa the 4th inst., at Clapham-rise, the wife of B. Mend
Evans, Esq., of a aughter.
r4l.
On the 4th inst., at Stanmors Villa, Weybridge,
'Webster Flockton, of a daughter.
„ow
On the 4th inst., at the Parsonage, Leaven-heath, 'IP,
by-Nayand, Suffolk, the wife of linearv. H. T. Curry, 'ln 41,- 0
On the 4th inst. at Wadsley, Sheffteld, the le"'
the Rev. Walter Scott Dumergue, of a son.
On the 4th inst., at Bromley, Middlesex, Mrs. -11°1111
Berger, of a daughter.
On the sth inst., Mrs. Frederick Heisch, of a datightliar
On the sth inst., at Reading, the lady of Captain
ray, R.N., of a son. tbs
On the sth inst., in Wimpole-street, Cavendish-square,
lady of the Rev. George Bethune Norman, of a daughter' the
On the 6th inst., at Shaftesbury House, Bayswater'
lady of Thomas Davidson, M.D., of a daughter.

MARBIED. ea?'
On the 12th of November, 1844, at Bailers-, A. G. Tvte
aeot
daughter of Major-General Leslie,K.l.l., commanding

DIED. 01" On the Ist inst., at Cheltenham, Sir Jacob Adolphus,
In spector-General of Army Hospitals.
On the Ist inst., at Cheltenham, Lady Burdett, relict of the
late Sir William Burdett, Bart.
On the 28th of August last, on board the ship Malailyr.ol
her passage out to Bombay, Emily Henrietta, only anr;aste,
daughter of the late Nathaniel A. Austen, Esq., of Rartl
aged 19 ; and on the Bth of October following, on b°ar f tba
same ship, her brother, Lieutenant Augustus Austen, of
Bth Regiment Bombay Native Infantry, aged 27.
On the 7th of November,
at Calcutta, Mary he arl'3ll'
wife of W. Toiler, Esq., comniAnder of the Wellesley. Asr
On the 15th of November last, in Jamaica, Georg
°
thony, Esq.
0'
On the 28th ult., at Romsey, Hants, William C. Dam
Esq., solicitor, of that place.
On the. Ist inst., Augustus Manning, Esq., of fiertfard-
Street, Mayfair, aged 77,
od 65-
On the 28th ult,, at Epsom, Mr. James Gardom, age tfaii-
On the Ist inst., Augustus Manning, Esq., of II r
street, May-thir, aged 77. of
On the 2d inst., at Stoke Newington, Isabella, wij°ll.
Captain David Young, aged 81.
On the 3d inst., at Woodlawn, Dulwich, Mrs. T e
.'Bll,-;---..0r--"i"

_
London: Printed and Published by BIURDG YON 4 og
No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The SIM Office, t)%ir •
Strand, i n the Product of the Savoy, in thecto
o•• 1
iddl vacs Tuesday, January 7, 184.5.