The Slaithwaite Guardian and Colne Valley News. — 1898-12-30 (Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire, England)

SERIOUS QUARREL BETWEEN LONGWOOD GAS STOKERS.  On Monday evening a serious affray between two gas stokers took place at Longwood as Works. The men, whose names are John Potts Dryden, Dowker Street, Milnsbrid,ge, and George Beaumont, Spring Gardens, Whiteley Bottom, Milnsbridge, were working alongside each other on Monday night. Rumours which are current in the district are to the effect that Beaumont—who, by the way, had worked for the Longwood Gas Company about two months during the present winter, but had previously served them in a similar capacity,— was worse for beer, and almost as soon as the men on the night shift commenced work, he seemed disposed to poke fun at his fellow-workmen. The chief object of the man's banter was Dryden, who apparently showed considerable forbearance with his tormenter until about nine o'clock, when his patience appeared to have been exhausted by a question from Beaumont, asking him if he had been to Muldoon's picnic." We are unable to say what underlay the remark, but it certainly gave offence to Dryden, especially when Beaumont advanced towards him in a provuking manlier, and offered to fight any man on the premises. Dryden is understood to have replied to this challenge by saying that he did not want any bother, but if they were to try conclusions he thought he would manage to obtain the mastery. Beaumont, who was evidently anxious to demonstrate his skill in the fistic art, is said to have rushed at Deyden at this juncture, and a fight commenced. The latter was considerably heavier and stronger than his opponent, and the consequence was that he gained the victory and put the aggressor on the ground at the back side of the retort house, where the struggle is alleged to have taken place. At this point the night foreinan,—Luke !Janson, of Cliffe End, Longwood, —who had previously heard the men quarrelling, and at that time told them they were not to cause any bother, and advised them to go to supper, came to look round In the ordinary course of his duties. To his surprise he found Beaumont lying apparently unconscious on the floor, and Drydeu near by. Hanson assistal Beaumont on to his feet, and the injured man then asked him who had rendered his conditioil so helpless. The foreman informed hitn that Dryden was the offender, whereupon Ileaum int picked up an roll tube, some 2ft. tiin, long, which is used for lighting the retort lids prior to tho " drawing " of the retort. With this uncouth weapon Beaumont struck Dryden on the back of the head. Hanson parted the combatants, but Beaumont renewed the fight by runniqg at Dryden—who had not resorted to any other defence bat the use of his fists—with a shovel. The foreman again intervened, and as Beaumont was badly hurt, the former esoorted him home. Dr. Fairfax, assistant to Dr. Parke, of Milnsbridge House. was called in, and he found Beaumont in a very serious condition. It was for some time feared, indeed, that the injuries might possibly prove fatal. After receiving information. Police-sergeant Ashworth and a constable arrested Dryden, who was taken to the Huddersfield police station. His position is a most unfortunate one, as it is only a short time since he was bound over at the Leeds Assizes for having attempted to drown three of his children and commit suicide in the canal at Gelear.  On Wednesday morning John Potts Dryden was charged at the Huddersfield Borough Police Court with unlawfully wounding George Beaumont.— Mr. Morton, the chief constable, stated that on Monday evening a quarrel arose between the prisoner and Beaumont, both of whom worked at the Longwood Gasworks. He did not consider it necessary to go into the origin of the quarrel as he had to ask for an adjournment. It would be sufficient to state that as a result of the fight, the prisoner was victorious, and Beaumont was so severely injured that, according to a certificate from Dr. J. L. Parke, he was suffering from a fractured jaw, and severe contusions, and the injuries were of a serious character. Beaumont was lying in bed, and he was not allowed to speak. There was, therefore, no alternative but to ask for an adjournment for a week.—The Bench according remauded the prisoner, and bail was allowed, prisoner 410, and two Buret ies of ,L 5 each,