The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1874-03-28 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

SERIOUS CASE OF BELLOWS CUTTING  AT BELBROI:GHTON.  At the Police Court, yesterday, before Colonel Fletcher, Thomas Sale, a young mat., was brought up on remand, charged with cutting 10 pairs of bellows, the property of Mr. Nash, at Belbroughton, on Saturday evening last. The first witness called was John Smith, Mr. Nash's foreman, who said he lived at Belbroughton. On Sunday last he went to Mr. Nash's works at Belbroughton, at 0.45 a.m. He saw 31 or 32 panes of glass broken, and ii pairs of bellows cut in such a manner as to render them useless. They were used for manufacturing scythes and other tools. The doors were all broken open. Several witnesses were called to prove that the bellows in their respective workshops were safe when they left them on Saturday. Samuel Taylor, blacksmith, said he had two pairs of bellows in his shop He leftwork at two o'clock. There were no bellows cut in hie shop, but he found the lock was broken off. It was broken before seven o'clock on Sunday morning. Witness was at the Horse Shoe public house, Belbroughton, on Sunday evening. Saw the prisoner there, and beard him say it would be hot for Mr Nash before the mouth was out. Thomas Brindley Price was there, and several others.  Thomas Brindle), Price, scythe maker, said be left work about one o'clock, and the bellows were then safe. He was at the Horse Shoe public• house on Saturday evening'. The prisoner was there, and several others. The waggoner came in, and asked him to drink. Prisoner said this was one of " Nash's— men," and said his notice was up but witness's was not, and Mr. Nash would well know of it, in less than six months. Witness went out with the prisoner, who asked him to go round by Farmer's to have another cup of ale, but he refused. He walked some distance with him, until they came to the poiut at which they had to separate to go to their respective homes, when prisoner asked him to go to the next stile. Witness went to the next stile, when prisoner said, " What the do you mean doing." Witness told him he meant to go home. Prisoner said, " I mean going into the village again. I mean doingisome depredatiln to night. On Sunday morning prise nor came into witness's house, and asked him to have a stroll. Witness started with him, and went round Bell End. Prisoner said to him, "Have you been round the village ?" Witness told him he had. Prisoner then asked him if he had heard any news. Witness replied that he had not. Prisoner then told him that he would hear something when he got back ; that he (prisoner had played h— at' Broughton," and made the windows fly in all directions. He went through the firm, and "cut all the b-- bellows to rags." He asked prisoner if any one was with him; and he replied, " Not a b-- soul." Prisoner then went on to say that he afterwards went to Weybridge, but did not meet a -- one He had not told a -- man iu the parish but him (witness) and told the latter that if he split to a b-- man in Belbroughton he ought to be b— well murdered. When prisoner first came to witness tie had fresh trousers and slippers on, and said that he had been in a hole of water at Weybridge. Cross-examined : I have been in trouble for fowl stealing. Can't say what time it was when I got home on Saturday night; but the neigh. boars know the time. I did not cut the bellows. Was at home at the time. First told Jesse Price what prisoner had said to me. The police did not cone to use ; neither have I been promised anything, or to be forgiven if I would split. I am under notice because I did not like to make hay knives. Had no dispute with Mr. Nash about wages. Police-constable Woodhall and Police. sergeant Jones proved that they compared the prisoner's boots and corduroy trousers with some marks at Mr. Nash' works, and found they corresponded exactly.  Prisoner was then committed to take his trial at the next Worcester Sessions.