Widnes Examiner. — 1893-10-21 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

VIOLENT HUSBAND AT RUNCORN. On Monday at Runcorn Petty Sessions, before-Mr. summoned for having on the 7th October, assaulted Speakman an skumm and Mr. Rigby, Alfred P,amSden, Sewell-st., his wife Fanny Ramsden.—Mr. Humphreys appeared for the defendant.—The complainant stated that on Saturday night shortl? before midnight, the defendant came home, kicked over the table, smashing all the mugs upon ' it. He then took the mugs from the cupboard and threw them caber. Afterwards he ran after her with a large bread knife and said he would hang for her. She screamed murder, and her brother James, who lodged in the houge,came downstairs and took the knife from him. She could not live w.th him any longer. She had not had any money from him for a fortnight, he would not keep his children, and her brother had to keep them.— In cross-examination witness denied that her brother James struck her husband with a poker, while her brother John held him. Her brother James paid her 14s per week—and her husband who was a ship carpenter, and earned 343. per week gave her £1 per week.—Witness said she wished so have a separation order, because As Commissioners' elections have succeeded each her husband would rather go to his parents than to her, other the ratepayers have returned to the Board —Mr. Humphreys said a separation was what his client new member's, who have made most solemn promwanted, and he asked that the case might be put back ises backed sometimes by language both plain and until the parties had a conference. Later Mr. Hum- strong, to redress abuses, and bring about most phreys returned into court and said terms could not be arranged with the woman, and the CVO must go on. Be needed reforms in local administration. And the said the defendant arrived at home about half past ratepayers have seen these reformers take their places at the Board, commence their 'righteous rniseleven, and was met at the outset with a torreietof abuse sion with vigour then in a few short months, from his wife and then her two brothers joined in. He uiescent, and follow the general lead, and become a never raised his hand to strike her, and denied in toto the story of threatening her with a knife. He left the ttligings have remained in their normal condition. 3-1 house followed by his wife's two brothers, John and r• Collier has discovered the influence James, and while the former held him the latter struck which juts brought these reformers into the gonghim with a poker. The unpleasantness arose through mire of clonothingism. It is " old Commissioner the wife's relations being continually in the house. A hypnotism!' This is a new terror to aspirants for number of witnesses were called to prove what took public honours. That our Commissioners were a place outside the house.—The Bench fined the defendant band of conspiring mesmerists never entered into ss. and costs, and granted Mrs. Ramsden a separation the heads of the most keen and far-seeing ratepayer. order, granting her the custody of the children, the But it is evident, he has felt the seductive defendant to contribute 15s. per week towards their influence of the mysterious art so early in his pubsupport.—Mr.Humphreys submitted that the magistrates lie career, and is 'thus qualified to speak with had not power to make such an order. The ease had never been opened for aggravated assault upon which authority. His theory clearly explains actions that such an order could be made.—Mr. Speakman have hitherto been inexplicable. said had But to be warned it not been for the interference of the woman's brother, is to be forearmed. Mr. Collier, and the other new' ' the defendant probably would have been in that court members, must smooth the wrinkles from their ' ' charged with a more serious offence.—The magistrates' foreheads, affect a stony calmness, even if they feel clerk (Mr. Ashton) said the magistrates had power to it not, and resist by an exercise of will power the i make the order.—Mr. Humphreys gave notice of appeal. passel of the magicians.