Penistone, Stocksbridge and Hoyland Express, etc. — 1908-06-20 (Penistone, South Yorkshire, England)

KILLAM  ISCENCES WHITSUNTIDE SHOCK.  MF ABLE YEAR.  There are few ocsasions in the course of a year which revive fond memory 00 vividly 416 that of the festival of Whitsuntide, when hearts are young at all agasi the troubles of youth are transient, and whose mind is receptiNe of influence and action which, in ' riper years. create history. Year by year this feslival passes away with the Usual routine (weather 'permitting) of pleasure: ehildren's thorough enjoyment and. school funds replenished ,but even to these generally happy holidays there are except ions, and thirty-sin years ago the inhabitants of Kaki-marsh were shocked on Whitsunday afternoon by a painful rumour that a youth named Charles Foster; aged lb years, son of Mr. Thomas Foster, a well-known 4oneWIAOu in the village, had 'been stabbed to death by another youth, a year younger, named llenbert Stacey, whose parents were equally wall-known. The report was very near being accurate, the boy being very dangerously wounded. The youths were not on friendly terms, and had had previously several contorts as to which was the "beat man" without either proving conqueror, and opportunity was all that WBA necessary to renew the conflict. nig presented Ante that particular afternoon, the younger one unfortunately having a clasp knife in his possession, to which he resorted with diaastrous effect. Foster, the injured one, was taking a brother and two cousins. visitors from Sheffield, all younger than himself, to show them a ,bird's nest, which he had  found the day before, and the party was seen by tha youth, tftueey, who followed, and watched the pointing out of the nest. On reaching the place he said he should take it; :thin was resented by Foster, who struck him. il4tacey turned again, and a struggle ensued, in which Foster went to the ground. In the next bout the knife was used. and Foster again fell, and this time was unable to regain his feet. All the others ran away, and the youth was 4..0nn:1 by his father lying in;. pool of blood and his clothing saturated. On being taken home and examined by Dr. W. M. Hunter, it was found that a dangerous wound had been inflietol on the left side of the back, which would in all probability prove fatal. Police-sergeant Kiddy. station. ad in the village, was immediately informed of the eircurnoninces, who at once reported to the superintendent, the late Mr. Peter Crait. Ile in turn consulted nr. Alderson, the magistrates' clerk, and also Dr. Hunter, and it was deemed advisable to obtain the attendance cl- neury Bowdon, a justice of the peace. and take the injured boy's statement. The youth Aacey was taken into custody. and he delivered up the knife. The village that Whitsun-night and Monday, in, stead of being the scene of usual gaiety and enjorment, u-as absorbed in the topic of , murder, for nothing short of that was an  ticipated; the fooling of sorrow being intensified by both families being of ancient ' 'Sock and highly respected. The youth, eon. trary to all expectations, gradually got the better of his injuries, and ultimately recovered. The delinquent, after several remands, was charged before the justives at Eckington with " unlawful wounding." Mr. Hawkins, solicitor, Sheffield, who defended. Paid the use of the knife was really an accident, and certainly not premeditated. The boy had been rutting a stick ,and unfortun• ately had the knife in his hand when Rooter wirmek him; and that he should call a brother, Branson Stacey, to prove provocation. When the witness was required 114` could not be found, and the father eventually told thejustices that he had heard the lad was frightened, and had run home. This unfoi, I tunate tragedy served as a tert for SundayI school purposes for a long time after. A