The Cotton Factory Times. — 1889-10-25 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

DEWSISURY.—OR Monday fourteen coalminers in the employ of Messrs. E. W. Wainwright and Co., Howden Clough Colliery, were summoned for absenting themselves from work on the 19th of September without giving proper notice. Mr. Blakeley, of Dewsbury, appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Newill, of Bradford, defended. It was agreed to proceed against one of the defendants, named Tankard, and take it as a test case, and the sum of £1 ss. was claimed as compensation. It appeared there had been a dispute at the colliery in reference to a checkweighman refusing to sign the bye-laws of the colliery, and for the defence evidence was called to show that it is not customary for a checkweighman to sign the bye-laws. In consequence of his refusal to do this the firm would not allow him to remain, and hence the men had absented themselves. The case lasted for a considerable time, and after hearing it the bench decided that the case had not been proved to their satisfaction, and they accordingly dismissed it. The other cases were not proceeded with.  SHOCKING WIFE MURDER AT HALlFAX.—Residents in the neighbourhood of Queen's-road, Halifax, were shocked on Sunday afternoon at the news of a terrible tragedy which had been committed at Mile Thorn. It appears that for the last two months an Army Reserve man named Frederick Brett (42) and his wife, Margaret Brett, aged 38, have lodged at No. 1, Mile Thorn Yard, with a very old man named James Hindley. During the greater part of the two months Brett has worked as a labourer ins brickyard at Elland Edge, and was, it is said, addicted to drink. On Saturday evening Brett and his wife returned home, and up to Sunday at noon nothing unusual appears to have occurred. Brett, although not drunk, had had, it seems, during the forenoon two or three pints of beer. At three o'clock they were noticed by Hindley to go upstairs together, and a few minutes afterwards the woman screamed loudly, and Hindley it once went to see what was the matter. He wa: met by a shocking sight. The poor woman wa, stretched on the bed, covered with blood, and Brett was stand: g near with a knife in his hand besmeared with blood. He flourished the weapon towards the old man, with the result that the latter made his way into the street as quickly as possible, and raised an alarm. One or two neighbours went in, and met the prisoner at the door putting on his coat, and evidently intending to get away. He was stopped and held by them until Constable Turner arrived. Dr. Smith, of Rhodes-street, was sent for, but the woman was dead when he arrived, and from the nature of the terrible wounds, the main arteries of the throat being severed, death must have eusued almost immediately. Deceased was, to all appearances, quite Bober. On being arrested, the accused treated the matter with the greatest coolness, merely remarking to the officer who took him into custody, " Yes, I've done it." The couple had no children living with them. Brett was conveyed to the police station, and manifested the utmost unconcern.. It is supposed that the couple were married about two years ago in the neighbourhood of Manchester, the deceased's maiden name being Higgins. Jealousy is supposed to be the motive for the crime. To