Widnes Examiner. — 1900-08-03 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

THE RUNCORN STABBING CASE.  A Further Remand.  At Runcorn Polioe Court on Tuesday. before Mr. W Handley, Otto Schmitt, an old man, carpenter on board the Sailing Ship Celtic Monarch, was brought up on remand charged with maliciously wounding George Findlow by stabbing him with a knife. Mr. Burton appeared for the prisoner. The prosecutor deposed that he was a labourer and resided at 8 Leicester-street,Runcorn. On Sunday night, the 22nd July he left the Darwell's Vaults Bentinckt-street, at ten o'clock in company with a man named William West. He left West in Brackley-street, and on reaching Bentinckt-street, the prisoner staggered up to him and asked the way to the docks. For fear tbe prisoner got into the water, he offered to take him to the docks. When they reached the waste land at the bottom of Trentham-street, the prisoner without speaking a word struck him a violent blow on the side of the head with his fist and knocked him down. The prisoner fell on the top of him and got a knife (produced) from his pocket and stabbed him seven times about the head. Witness shouted " murder" and" help "and in a few minutes West came to his assistance and pulled the prisoner away. Witness was weak and exhausted with loss of blood and he was taken to Dr. McDougall's surgery. He still felt the effects of the wounds and had not since been able to work. He was quite sober at the time.—By Mr. Burton: The prisoner was drunk and be did not think he was fit to go to the docks himself. Prisoner did not stumble in consequence of the uneven state of the ground. Prisoner was quiet for a time and he could not account for the change in his demeanour.—Dr. McDougall deposed that the prosecutor's bead and face were covered with blood when prosecutor was brought to his surgery. He had six stabs in various parts of the head, penetrating to the skull. There was a slight cut on the nose, and the right lobe of the ear was cut across. All the wounds were done by a clean cutting instrument, most probably the knife produced.—william West, mate of the steamer "Helen," residing at 38,Bentinckt-street, deposed to rescuing the prosecutor from the prisoner's clutches. The prisoner struck at him with a knife, cutting his j tcket through, and also his shirt and singlet. Witness then held his hands until Wakefield came to his assistance and took the knife. There was no hole where the prisoner was lying.—Josepla Wakefield, weigher, of 45, Bentinckt-street, corroborated, and said a crowd of people assembled and fasten, d the prisoner with ropes to prevent him doing further miechiet. —Samuel Battersby, storekeeper on the Ship Canal, confirmed West's statement.—P.C. Rigby deposed to receiving the prisoner into custody. On the following morning he charged him with the offence, and he replied" I can't say anything, as I don't know anything." The land where prisoner attacked the prosecutor was quite level.—The prisowir was remanded for a week on the application of Inspector Hicks.  1.0.G.T. Temperan—ce Mission Lodge. The usual weekly meeting of the above lodge was held on Wednesday in the Brick-street schoolroom. Bro J. W, Roberts, C.T., presided, visitors being present from Earlestown, Swinton, and the Warrington " Onward" Lodge. One candidate was initiated Into the lodge. Bro Roberts read the Grand Chief Templar's quarterly circular, and notice of No. 1 Convention meeting to be held at Leigh,on Saturday next, and notice of a demonstration to be held at Warrington to-day (Saturday). Bro Clarke, D.E S. (Earlestown), gave a short address, advising the members to go on with the work of Good Templary. 'The lodge was closed at 9.30 by Rro Roberts, (LT.