The Wolverhampton and Midland Counties Advertiser. — 1876-02-12 (Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England)

SHOCKING CASE OF DOMESTIC BRUTALITY AT WEDNESBURX. . _ _ _ _  At the Wednesbury Police Court, on Tuesday (before W. Marshall and J. Sally), an ironworker, named William Prior, living in the Portway lane, Wednesbury, was charged with violently assaulting his wife, Martha Prior. Mr. Sheldon prosecuted, andoMr. Ehaworth defended. In opening the case, Mr. Sheldon stated that on the 26t§b tilt., just as the complainant was about to retire to her bed, the defendant came in, partially intoxicated, and, after calling his wife coarse names, caught hold of her—although she was in an extremely weak condition—by the hair of her Ifead, forced her on to the ground, and whilst in that posture, made her, with uplifted hands, pray for mercy; whilst he threatened her with even greater violence. The poor , woman, by some means, regained her feet ; lint she had I no sooner done so than her husband again caught her by the hair of the head, and this time struck her savagely in the face. The complainant screamed for help; and some neighbours coming to her assistance, she was rescued from the further brutality of her cruel husband. After leaving her home, she had to live with her friends; but, daring all the time, had no bed upon which to rest her weary body. Mr. i.3heldon asked that the defendant might be severely dealt with, as this was the third or fourth time that he had grossly ill-used his wife. The complainant was then Galled, and stated have been married to my husband for fourteen years. On the morning of the 26th ult., he insisted upon me getting up an my night dress. I asked him to spare me until the morning, and whilst on my knees he beat me: I made a cry of murder, and as I was going out of one door he caught me, and dragged me into the honse again. I was forced on my knees. He made me lift up my hands, and declare that when I was in company I would not drink with any one. I was near my cenfinement. I dont wish to hurt him; 1 only wish him to allow me a little..The defendant (jeeringly): You should stay at home and mind year children. Cross-examined by Mr, Ebnworth The complainant denied that on the day in question she was in company with a man named Pershore.—Were you in company with any man complainant: No, sir. On no day had she been in company with men. (At this point the complainant fainted away, her husband brutally remarking that she often did that sort of thing).—Upon recovering, and being further crossexamined, the complainantadmitted that she had seen Pershore many times at hermother's public-house. By. Mr. Y.arslisllr There is yo truth in the insinuations that I have gone with other men. Mr. Ebewoeth here handed to the complainant the carte-4-, isite of a youug. man named Hogan the picture was enclosed in a glove belonging to the cora.  'plainant. Mr. Sheldon : Do you reeogmise that portrAit? The complainant : Yes. It was given to one of my little children by Hogan himself; trid I know this that Hogan will say anything. I deny that there has beeaany familiarity between myself and any person. The defendant, who appeared to be under the inflaenoe of drink, said that his wife had pawned his things. and that he had to take her away from a house af ill-repute. He was a hard-working man, and would receive geed testimonials as to character. At this stage the magistrates suggested that the man and wife should, if possible, become reosnciled; land after &short consultation amongst the respective , solicitors, it was agreed not to press the charge. ; The prisoner was then bound over to keep the peace lin two sorties of .e3O each. The itay. Professor Flint, of St. Andiews, Wad elettedto the vacant Chair of Divinity in Edinburgh Univerrity on bkindity •  FIFTH STAFFORDSHIRE ( lwr