20 July 1901
ASHTON BOROUGH
POLICE COURT
A DISGUSTING FELLOW — George HOWELL was
in the dock charged with wilfully exposing himself
in a field at the rear of the Ashton Union Workhouse,
on the 5th July, also in Argyle-street on the
11th. Several nurses from the hospital were called
who spoke to the prisoner’s conduct. —
The Chief Constable said prisoner had been seen
in the neighbourhood of the workhouse many times,
and he had received several complaints. When arrested
prisoner denied the charge, but he was placed
amongst three or four other men and picked out
by the witnesses. — Prisoner still denied
the charge, but the bench considered the case
proved, and he was sent to gaol for one month
with hard labour.
WITHOUT LIGHT — Jack
CASSIDY was fined 1s and costs for using a vehicle
without having a light attached.
A SEPARATION ORDER —
Gertrude TAYLOR summoned her husband Henry TAYLOR
for assaulting her on the 8th July. — Mr
J B POWNALL protested, and said the defendant
had agreed to allow his wife 7s per week, and
consented to a separation order, the wife having
the custody of the child. — The bench made
the order in these terms.
BEGGING — Benjamin TAYLOR
was in the dock charged with collecting alms in
Currier-lane on the 14th. — The Clerk: Where
do you belong to? — Prisoner: Hadfield. —
What do you do? — I am a coal heaver. —
How long is it since you heaved any? A to thri
week sin. — (Laughter) — Promising to
make tracks to Hadfield, he was discharged.
THE BRASS STEALING CASE —
Abraham LEE and Alfred STUART were again charged
with stealing 20lbs weight of brass, the property
of Gartsides Limited. — Mr J B POWNALL prosecuted
and applied for a further remand — Mr J S
EATON, for the defence, did not object, provided
the bail was renewed. — The case was accordingly
remanded for a fortnight.
BREAKING WINDOWS — A
young man named James Patrick LAMB was summoned
by William CLEGG, lodging-house keeper, Charlestown,
for wilfully breaking thirteen panes of glass,
and doing damage to the extent of 10s on the 16th
instant. Defendant did not appear. — The
Chief Constable said defendant had been 12 times
previously convicted. — The defendant was
fined 10s and costs and 10s damages, in default
one month.
CLAIM AGAINST AN ASSURANCE COMPANY
— Margaret McDERMOTT summoned the London,
Edinburg and Glasgow Assurance Company Limited,
to recover £9 16s upon a policy of insurance.
— Mr J S EATON appeared for the plaintiff,
and said that Messrs RICHARDSON and MARSH, of
Bolton, solicitors to the defendant company, had
approached him with the view of an adjournment
of the case. He suggested a week on Thursday,
and they said it would suit them.
THROWING STONES — Three
lads, named William SCHOFIELD, Harry MARLAND and
William WOOD, were summoned for throwing stones
on the 7th instant. Constable TOMKINSON said he
was on duty, at the back of the Union Workhouse,
and saw the defendants on the Workhouse wall.
They were throwing stones at the inmates in the
yard. They were also knocking glass off the wall.
— The Chief Constable said the Workhouse
Master had complained about boys climbing the
wall and throwing stones at the inmates. —
It was a dangerous practice. — It was the
defendants’ first appearance and they were
dismissed with a severe reprimand.
DRUNK AND FIGHTING —
James O’BRIEN, collier, was charged with
being drunk and disorderly on the Market Ground
on the 14th. He pleaded guilty to being drunk,
but said he was disorderly striking in self-defence.
— Thos NAYLOR, collier, was summoned for
fighting at the same time and place. He pleaded
guilty in self-defence. — Constable MORTON
stated that at five past twelve o’clock midnight
he was on the Market Ground, and came across the
defendants fighting. O’BRIEN was drunk. —
Defendant O’BRIEN said he was attacked by
NAYLOR because he stopped him going round with
an organ "on his own." NAYLOR thumped
him in the jaw. — NAYLOR said O’BRIEN
had been looking for him all night, and made him
fight in self-defence. — The bench fined
O’BRIEN 5s 6d and costs, or 14 days, and
discharged NAYLOR.
GAMING WITH CARDS —
Five youths named Percy KERSHAW, James CORBETT,
Harry MILNER, John WALKER and Charles BIRD, were
summoned for gaming with cards off Birch-street
on the 7th instant. They pleaded not guilty. —
Constable TUMELTY stated that at 3-15 on Sunday
afternoon week he was in Birch-street, and saw
the five defendants gaming with cards near the
Guide Bridge Spinning Co’s Mill. — Defendants
denied gaming, but admitted they were watching.
— Frank HAUGHTON was called and said he was
playing at cards with all the defendants except
BIRD, who was watching. Defendants now wanted
to know why the witness had not been summoned
along with them. — The Clerk informed them
that HAUGHTON was giving what was called King’s
evidence on condition that he was not prosecuted.
— Defendants were fined 5s 6d each for costs,
and BIRD was discharged with a caution not to
be watching in future.
DRUNK AND DISORDERLY —
Mary JACKSON pleaded guilty to being drunk and
disorderly in St Peter’s-street on July 16th.
She said she had been having a bit of bother with
her husband, who locked her out. — First
offence, discharged.
"MAD DRUNK" —
John PRIESTNALL was in the dock charged with being
drunk and disorderly in Old Cross-street on July
18th. — Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Constable
FERNLEY proved the case and deposed to prisoner
being drunk and using bad language. — Prisoner
said he was only telling his stepfather what he
wanted when he "ran into the constable and
was locked up." He was not drunk and using
bad language, and he could procure witnesses to
prove it, but he had no chance to obtain them.
— Sergeant BUTLER deposed to seeing prisoner
"mad drunk" and kicking at a door. —
First offence, fined 5s 6d for costs.
ALLEGED CRIMINAL ASSAULT
— Ernest KAY was in the dock charged with
committing a criminal assault upon a little girl,
aged 7, sometime within seven days last past.
— Mr EATON, solicitor, who appeared on behalf
of the prisoner, asked for a remand. He said he
had been instructed, but only generally. He did
not know the case on which the prisoner would
be charged, and he was not prepared to defend
it. His client had been locked up on a serious
charge. — The Deputy Clerk (Mr Geo BOOTH)
said that being a child she could not fix a date.
— The Chief Constable (Mr SNELL) said nothing
had been kept from Mr EATON. The latter had not
said anything about asking for prisoner’s
remand before, and he had obtained the attendance
of the doctor and all the evidence. — The
Deputy Clerk said there was no objection to a
remand, but there would be no further evidence.
— Mr EATON said he understood that the charge
was to be reduced to an aggravated assault. The
Deputy Clerk: No in case of remand. — The
magistrates granted the application for remand.
— Mr EATON asked for bail. His client, he
said, worked for Mr Ben EVANS, and he bore a good
character. He (Mr EATON) held a reference from
Mr EVANS. The Chairman said it was a serious case,
but bail would be allowed, the prisoner himself
in £20 and two sureties of £10 each.
NOTES ON SPORT
S HORROCKS and J H SAGAR, of the Dukinfield
team, were, fortunately for their side, in splendid
batting form on Saturday. Dukinfield were opposed
to Stalybridge in the return fixture, and batting
first, the crowd were quite prepared to see Dukinfield
dismissed for a very low score. Five batsmen came
to the wickets and were dismissed for less than
20 runs. SAGAR and HORROCKS joined partnership,
and put a different complexion on the game for the
sixth wicket, the former scoring 55 and the latter
41. ROBINSON later gave invaluable assistance. As
it was, the Dukinfield total reached 136. HANCOCK
and BAMFORD bowled exceedingly well. The innings
of the Stalybridge side was a poor display, owing
to the destructive bowling of Tom CASSLEY, who obtained
seven wickets. Some of the Stalybridge batsmen tried
a forcing game, but came to grief, for CASSLEY was
turning the ball very funnily. MESSENGER played
an excellent innings, scoring 26. The Stalybridge
total only reached 74, so that a substantial victory
was recorded for Dukinfield.
DUKINFIELD
A NEIGHBOUR’S QUARREL — At the Police
Court on Thursday, Agnes CARROLL was summoned for
using threats to Mary SHUTTLEWORTH, whereby she
was afraid she would do her some bodily harm. Defendant
pleaded not guilty. — Complainant said she
lived at 33 Wharf-street, and the defendant was
a neighbour. She had not spoken to her for a month.
On Tuesday week defendant threatened to break her
face with a jug. — The Clerk: Are you afraid
of her? — Complainant: I am not afraid of her
if she won’t bring out weapons. — Defendant
said the complainant called her an Irish —————
sod, and she had to obtain protection. — The
bench dismissed the case.
William CARROLL summoned Mary SHUTTLEWORTH
for assaulting him. He stated that the defendant
came to his house, and after using threatening
language, she kicked him and beat him about the
head. After hearing the evidence the magistrates
imposed a fine of 2s 6d and costs.
BATHING IN THE CANAL —
At the Police Court on Thursday, a youth named
Alfred LEECH was summoned for exposing himself
on the canal bank on Sunday last. He pleaded not
guilty. Constable KENNY stated that at 4.30 pm
he saw the defendant and others bathing in the
canal without drawers. They got out of the water,
but when witness and Constable KENNY got up to
them they jumped into the canal again. —
Defendant said he had drawers on. — Detective
MOTTERSHEAD stated that he was with the last witness.
The defendant refused to come out of the water.
Another youth threw a pair of drawers to the defendant,
and he put them on whilst in the water. —
Inspector DUTTON said there were frequent complaints
about young men bathing and exposing themselves.
— Mr W UNDERWOOD: And the remarks they make
to passing females are abominable. — Constable
MOTTERSHEAD said there was a great crowd about
at the time. — The Bench fined defendant
2s 6d and costs.
"CROWN" PICNIC PARTY
— On Sunday, 22 members left the Crown Inn,
along with the respected host, en route for Macclesfield,
leaving Hyde Junction at 7.19 am. On arrival at
Macclesfield the party did full justice to a good
breakfast laid at the Queen’s Hotel, after
which, for a short time, the local sights were
viewed, a number of the party going through the
fire station. They then took wagonettes to Gorsworth
where "Maggoty Johnson’s" grave
was seen; thence on to the deserted village (Barrow
Bridge), where the latest "Havanna"
cigars are manufactured. It is not called the
deserted village for nothing, as there are less
than half a dozen houses occupied, but yet even
they sport the electric light.
After a further drive to Holmes
Chapel, the party were ready to put out of sight
some of the good things provided for dinner at
the Old Red Lion, and having satisfied the cravings
of the inner man, they viewed the scenery en route
to Alderley Edge, where, after rusticating for
a while, they once more put their legs under the
festive board, this time at the Royal Oak. They
here dispensed with the wagonettes and took train
at 7.40 for Ashton, which was reached at 8.40,
and wagonettes were waiting to convey the party
to headquarters, where they arrived soon after
nine o’clock.
Everyone had enjoyed the outing
to their hearts’ content, excepting perhaps
one, who was "like a fish out of water"
because his pal "Andre" was not with
him, but "Tam" eased his troubled mind
and his pocket, too, by standing treat for the
company. What puzzles the party is, who sneaked
the towels and left them to wipe on their napkins.
The amount of envy displayed by those who had
not participated in the outing was so great that
it has been decided to have another jaunt ere
long.
A STALYBRIDGE WOMAN FOUND
DROWNED AT DUKINFIELD
On Thursday, the Dukinfield police received
information from Mr Thomas ASHTON, farmer of Yew
Tree Farm, Cheetham Hill-road, that he had found
a woman drowned in a pond of water near his farm.
Constable DALE went to the place and conveyed the
body to the New Inn to await the inquest. Subsequent
enquiries showed that the unfortunate woman was
Mary HAMER, aged 38, wife of the landlord of the
Hollins Inn, Stalybridge. It appears her husband
retired to bed at 11.30 on Wednesday night, leaving
the deceased downstairs. At 4.30 next morning he
awoke and missed her, and he at once instituted
enquiries as to her whereabouts.
About three o’clock in the
afternoon Mr ASHTON was going through one of his
fields adjoining the reservoir. He casually looked
over the wall and saw a shawl on the embankment.
On closer observation, he also saw a pair of women’s
boots, inside of which were a pair of spectacles.
On looking into the water, he saw the body of
a woman, who was afterwards identified as Mrs
HAMER. She was quite dead. With assistance, he
recovered the body and communicated with the police.
A VICIOUS HORSE AT ASHTON
Before His Honour, Judge BROWN, at the Ashton
County Court on Thursday, Harriet THOMASSON, 11
Warre-street, Ashton, weaver, claimed from J HUNTER
(trading as Hunters), of 17 Old-street, Ashton,
£10 10s damages for personal injuries sustained
by the viciousness of the defendant’s horse,
which, it was alleged, on the 30th May bit plaintiff
when near the defendant’s premises in Old-street,
Ashton. Mr J B POWNALL (solicitor) was for the plaintiff,
and Mr J S EATON (solicitor) was for the defendant.
— Mr EATON for the defence argued that they
were not aware that the horse was savage. Mr POWNALL
said he should prove that the horse had had to be
muzzled. — Jas CUNLIFFE gave evidence showing
that the horse had once bitten his boy. — His
Honour gave judgement for the plaintiff for £7 and
costs.
SUDDEN DEATH OF A CHILD
AT ASHTON
Information was given to the police on Friday
of the death of a child, aged 8 months, named Alice
MARSHALL, the daughter of Sarah Emma and William
MARSHALL, of 106 Hill-street, Ashton. At ten o’clock
on Thursday she was taken to bed by her mother,
who awoke shortly after six o’clock and found
the child was ill. She took it downstairs and noticed
that its hands were clenched and it was frothing
at the mouth. She at once went for Dr HAMILTON,
who came and pronounced the child to be dead.
A man who worked in a Bradford
mill went out of his mind, and was removed to the
asylum. A fellow worker, on passing the asylum one
day, saw Jimmy sitting in the grounds smoking his
pipe. "Hello Jimmy," he called out, "how
are yo’ going on?"
"Oh, aw’m going on first
rate, thank yo’," answered Jimmy.
"Aw’m varry glad to hear
it, lad. Yo’ll happen be coming back to work
soon, eh?"
"Wot!" exclaimed Jimmy,
in great surprise. "Leave a big house an’
a grand garden like this, an’ cum back to
work? Do yo’ think aw’m wrong in my
head?"
