15 December
1900
BURGLARY AT ASHTON
Patrick Joseph McKENNA was in the dock charged
with burglary at 88 Turner-lane, the house of
John MARLAND who stated "that on the night
in question, he retired to bed at eleven o’clock.
He did not lock the door in consequence of someone
being out.
"Early next morning, he was
awakened by a noise, as if someone was in the
house. He went downstairs and found the back door
open and the front door locked. The house was
upset and amongst a number of things missing were
a coat and vest, pair of socks, a quantity of
a packet of tea, silk tie, pair of cuffs, handkerchief
and a parcel of mixed articles.
"Detective Sergeant TULSON
stated that at 12 o’clock noon on November
24th, he was in Wellington-road when
he saw the prisoner whom he noticed wearing a
coat with two burn holes in the sleeve like the
one from the house broken into.
"Prisoner denied being in Wellington-road.
He said he came from Manchester on the Friday
night, and on Saturday morning, he helped his
sister in Bentinck-street to clean and then took
lodgings in Stalybridge"
The Bench did not think there was
sufficient evidence and dismissed the case.
LOCAL BIGAMY CASE
Farm labourer, Samuel Fairden COOP of Greenacres-road
was before Oldham Police Court, charged with ‘going
through the form of marriage with Phoebe BRUNT when
his wife was alive.
"Alice Ann ASHTON, wife of
James ASHTON, said the prisoner was her half-brother
and she was present at Christ Church, Ashton-under-Lyne
on 11th November 1895 when he was married
to Ellen WARD, who was now in court.
"Phoebe BRUNT, speed tenter
of 76 Bleasby-street, stated that on September
12th she met the prisoner who went
by the name of Samuel CALVERT in the Rose and
Crown public house, Lees-road. He told her he
was a single man and on October 30th last,
they went through the form of marriage at the
Registry Office, Church-lane, Oldham. They afterwards
lived together at 5 Court, Greenacres-road and
on learning that he had been previously married,
she took out a warrant for his arrest."
The case was referred to Manchester
Assizes. A further charge of desertion from the
army was not proceeded with.
EMBEZZLEMENT BY A TRADES
UNION OFFICER AT ASHTON
Richard Lee MANCHESTER was charged with embezzling
29 7s 6d from the South East Lancashire Card and
Blowing Room Operatives Association.
"The prisoner had for some
six years been secretary and president of No 2
district of the association and in that capacity,
it was his duty to receive weekly from collectors
various sums of money. After paying out whatever
was received for trade disputes etc, he had to
account on a card every week for the amount of
money in his possession."
It was against the rules to have
more than a certain amount of money in hand and
the General Secretary, a Mr CARR, noticed that
the amount held by the accused was gradually increasing,
He had called it in and it came to light that
Mr MANCHESTER had kept the money. This was a surprise
to Mr CARR who he ‘regarded as a most trustworthy
man.’ It seemed he had ‘a lot of sickness
and trouble at home.’ He was bound over on
his own recognisance of 25 pounds for three months
when judgement would be made.
SAD ACCIDENT AT SLACK MILLS
"A sad accident occurred in the weaving
shed at Slack Mills on Wednesday. A young woman
named Mary WHITEHEAD, about 20 years of age who
resides in Joel-lane, Gee Cross, was following her
employment as a weaver, when a shuttle flew out
of an adjacent loom and caught her full in the eye.
"Dr Bennett was at once sent
for and after attending to the injury ordered
the unfortunate young lady to be conveyed at once
to the Manchester Infirmary. This was at once
done and on examination, it was found that the
accident will result in the loss of the eye. Much
sympathy is expressed with Miss WHITEHEAD in her
affliction."
