27 July 1901
ACTION AGAINST
A DUKINFIELD SCHOOLMASTER
Corporal Punishment in Schools
At the Manchester Assizes on Friday, Isaac
HENSHAW, a boy, who sued by his father, brought
an action against Joel RALPHS, headmaster of St
Mark's School, Dukinfield, to recover damage for
assault. — Mr WILKINSON and Mr Ambrose JONES
appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr PICKFORD, K.C.,
and Mr SHAW for the defendant.
Mr WILKINSON said fortunately the
case was one which did not often come into a court
of justice. The boy Isaac HENSHAW was about 10
years of age. On the 10th January this year he
was attending St Mark's Elementary School, Dukinfield,
of which the defendant, Mr Joel RALPHS, was the
headmaster. On the morning of that day he was
reported by one of the monitors for misconduct
in the street on the previous night and the defendant
felt it was his duty to administer corporal punishment.
He asked the bot to hold out his right hand, and
the defendant, with a cane, struck him a blow
on the palm of the hand. He then took hold of
the boy's fingers, turned his hand over, and struck
him twice on the back of the hand It was that
of which complaint was made.
The medical witnesses he should
call would state that certain conditions had been
set up in the right hand which had gone on from
that day to this. Ulcers had formed from which
there was constant discharge, the boy had been
under medical attendance, and his right hand was
still in bad condition. It would be shown also
that there was grave danger that the hand would
be of no use to the child again. In a large school
it was absolutely essential that someone ±
a headmaster or headmistress ± should,
for the purpose of maintaining discipline, have
power delegated to them of inflicting corporal
punishment. No complaint was made of reasonable
punishment, but his point was that to strike a
boy on the back of the hand was unnecessarily
cruel, and was a thing no headmaster should do.
A surgeon at the Manchester Royal
Infirmary said he examined the boy on the 11th
July, in company with Dr CLARKE. There could be
no doubt as to the tuberculous condition of the
boy. The fact that suppuration was only beginning
to show in April would point to its being the
result of tuberculous condition. If the blow had
been of sufficient violence to produce injury
directly, suppuration would have taken place before
that date.
The defendant said he did not remember
punishing the boy on the date mentioned, and had
no record of such an occurrence in his punishment
book. He had never struck on the back of the hand.
A female teacher was also called. She said the
boy was not struck on the back of the hand.
The Judge said the jury had first
to ascertain whether the defendant chastised the
boy at all. If they thought he did then they had
to be satisfied that he chastised him immoderately
and unsuitably. It was the law that a schoolmaster
was entitled to administer proper moderate and
suitable chastisement. He was not entitled to
use improper violence, and the chastisement must
be in proportion to the age and strength of the
child. It was a fact to be borne in mind that
the story told by the mother differed from that
told by the boy. All the medical witnesses admitted
that the boy was tuberculous, and there was evidence
to show that if he had been in good health he
would not have suffered at all.
The jury returned a verdict for
the defendant. The Judge: I quite agree.
THE CARTOONING OF DUKINFIELD
TOWN COUNCILLORS
Apology to Councillors GRIME and CLARKE
The following appears in yesterday's Friday
Manchester Weekly Times ±
DUKINFIELD TOWN COUNCIL —
We have heard with some surprise that a cartoon,
which appeared in these columns on the 17th of
May, has given offence to two members of the Dukinfield
Town Council. At a meeting of the Council a day
or two before, a long discussion took place on
the question of whether long or short tubes should
be used with babies' milk bottles. (The Council
supply sterilised milk) During the debate a councillor
invited the members to practice so themselves,
Councillors GRIME and CLARKE sitting on two stools
working out the details of the subject under consideration.
This suggestion was carried out in our cartoon,
The two councillors were depicted seated on stools
discussing the question of long or short tubes
for milk bottles. The cartoon was perfectly good
tempered and we could not have supposed that it
would be regarded as holding up Councillors GRIME
and CLARKE to public ridicule! We regret that
they should have taken the cartoon so seriously.
We published it in good faith without the slightest
intention to injure or even irritate them. This
being so, we have no hesitation in apologising
for the annoyance we have unwittingly given them.
ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY'S AWARD
TO A DUKINFIELD MAN
Presentation by the Mayor
At a garden party held in the grounds of the
Old Hall, Dukinfield, on Saturday in support of
the church funds, occasion was taken to present
to William Arthur LAWLESS, metal worker, of Astley-street,
Dukinfield Hall, the testimonial of the Royal Humane
Society for a deed of gallantry performed by him
11 weeks ago, the particulars of which were narrated
in the Reporter at the time. The award, which
had been neatly mounted and framed, set forth that
at a meeting of the society held in London on the
17th June it was unanimously resolved that William
A LAWLESS was justly entitled to the honorary testimonial
of the society, inscribed on vellum, which was thereby
awarded him for having on the 11th May, 1901, gone
to the rescue of W DAVIES, who was in imminent danger
of drowning in the canal at Dukinfield, and whose
life he gallantly saved. The presentation was made
by the Mayor, Alderman PRATT, the chair being occupied
by Mr John HALSTEAD. There was a large attendance.
The ceremony immediately followed tea.
Mr HALSTEAD remarked that the meeting
had resolved itself into a very interesting affair.
He did not know what Dukinfield Hall people might
attain to yet; perhaps in the future they might
boast a mayor of their own. Anyhow, at present
they had a neighbour who was a good Mayor, they
had a good Mayoress, and they had some heroes.
± (Hear, hear)
There were heroes other than those
who gained distinction on the battlefield and
at sea, and that evening they were going to give
honour to one to whom honour was due. When a man
would risk his life with the object of saving
that of another, that was one of the greatest
pieces of heroism, because life was sweet, and
"skin for skin, all that a man hath will
he give for his life." Their friend LAWLESS
had performed a deed of heroism, and they were
only paying him a just due in presenting him with
the testimonial which their esteemed Mayor had
kindly condescended to hand over. — (Applause)
The Mayor, on rising, said he considered
it no condescension on his part, but a great honour
to be asked to perform the duty assigned to him.
That afternoon they were assembled together for
a double purpose ± to partake of refreshment
and enjoy the beautiful weather, and to make a
presentation to a gentleman who at the risk of
his own life saved that of a fellow man. He did
not know any honour — testimonial or Victoria
Cross — that could compensate a man for
a deed of that kind so much as the feelings within
his own bosom.
He trusted that the young friends
present would remember, as the chairman had stated,
that it was not only on board ship and on the
battlefield where those were to be found ready
to do and dare and die if necessary on behalf
of their brothers and sisters. — (Applause)
Not only in this instance, but on two previous
occasions, had their friend been the means of
saving life in a similar manner, and he had the
greatest pleasure in handing over to him on behalf
of the Humane Society that testimonial, trusting
that he would treasure it as he had earned and
deserved it. — (Applause)
Mr LAWLESS in a few words thanked
the friends present and the Royal Humane Society
for that handsome testimonial, adding that what
he had done was only what a great many others
would have done under similar circumstances. —
(Applause)
ASHTON BOROUGH POLICE COURT
A DESERTER — A young man named Herbert
GILMORE was brought up charged with deserting from
the 3rd Manchester Regiment at Aldershot on the
28th June. ± Constable HEIGHWAY stated the
facts and prisoner was remanded to await an escort.
± On the application of the Chief Constable
a reward of 10s was allowed to the officer.
THE HOT WEATHER — Nary
OGDEN was summoned for being drunk and disorderly
in Adelphi Court on the 21st — Constable
ROLLINSON stated the case. — The Chief Constable
said nothing was known against her. It must be
the hot weather. — (Laughter) — Discharged
with a caution.
PLAYING AT BANKER —
Four youths named Robert SMITH, Alexander ROBINSON,
Edward ALLEN and Joseph ROWLEY were summoned for
gaming in Pitt-street on the 14th. — Constable
WILD said he saw the defendants and several other
young fellows playing at banker. He seized the
cards and 3d in copper. — The Bench fined
SMITH, ALLEN and ROWLEY 2s 6d each, and discharged
ROBINSON.
ASSAULT UPON A LITTLE GIRL
— Ernest KAY, of Hemingway's Yard, was in
the dock charged on remand with an aggravated
assault upon Sarah Jane NEWTON, aged seven, formerly
living in the same yard. Mr J B POWNALL prosecuted,
and Mr J S EATON defended and pleaded not guilty.
— The evidence of the little girl, her sister,
one of her neighbours and Dr BOWMAN was given.
Her mother should also have given evidence, but
during the remand she committed suicide by drowning.
— After hearing the evidence, which was
not fit for publication, the Bench found the prisoner
guilty, and sentenced him to four months' imprisonment
with hard labour.
"KEEP AWAY FROM THAT CLUB"
— Martin DUNN, who walked with difficulty
up to the "weighing machine," was charged
with being drunk in Alfred-street on Sunday the
14th. He pleaded not guilty. — Constable
HEIGHWAY stated that at five minutes past 11 o'clock
am on Sunday, he saw the defendant come out of
the Churchill Club in a very drunken state. He
could hardly point a foot. The curator of the
club came out and assisted him home. — Defendant
informed the Bench that he always walked with
difficulty and was not drunk. ± The Chief
Constable said he knew nothing against the man
before. — Dr COOKE: Keep away from that
club. You will be discharged this time.
DRUNK AND ASSAULTING THE POLICE
— James FINNIGAN, dyer, of Gee Cross, was
in the dock charged with being drunk and disorderly
in Stamford-street and assaulting Constables WHITE
and MAYALL on Saturday. — Constable WHITE
stated that at 9.55 he saw the defendant drunk
and creating a disturbance. He asked him to go
away. He refused and used bad language. Witness
then took him into custody. Coming along Warrington-street,
he was joined by Constable MAYALL. On the Market
Ground defendant became very violent, more like
a madman. He threw them both down and kicked them.
± Constable MAYALL corroborated, as did
also a soldier witness. — In reply to the
Bench the Chief Constable said the defendant was
a stranger. — Defendant said he had been
to the Barracks to see a friend, and was going
to take the train back to Gee Cross. — The
Bench fined him 2s 6d and costs in each of the
three cases.
WILFUL DAMAGE AT THE UNION OFFICE
— John BRIERLEY, an elderly man, was in
the dock charged with doing damage amounting to
£1 8s 6d to windows, the property of the Ashton
Board of Guardians. ± Mr SIMON, relieving
officer, informed the court that on Saturday morning
at ten o'clock the prisoner came to his office
and asked for an order for the workhouse. He told
him he would have to see the Board first. He then
went out, but came again shortly afterwards, and
asked for a doctor's note. He gave him one. The
prisoner used threats and said he was an epileptic
case, and had been in and out of the workhouse
for five years. He went to get an order, and Mr
SIMON said he would not give him one as long as
he was there. He had a spite against him for what
occurred 18 months ago. ± Mr SIMON denied
the statement, and said he had no spite against
anyone. — Dr COOKE told the prisoner even
if it were so it did not justify him in breaking
the windows. Mr SIMON said the Guardians did not
allow him to give orders to able-bodied persons.
— A witness named FIRTH stated that Mr SIMON
did not refuse to give an order but told the prisoner
to come on Thursday, and see the Guardians. —
Prisoner was fined 10s and costs and ordered to
pay the damage ± in default one month.
NEGLECTING TO MAINTAIN FAMILY
AT ASHTON
Smoking His Cigars
At the Ashton County Police Court on Wednesday,
Thomas Clayton REVILL, described as a plasterer,
living in Katherine-street, Ashton, was in custody
charged with neglecting to maintain his wife and
family. — Defendant pleaded not guilty. —
Mr William SIMON, relieving officer, stated that
on April 10th defendant's wife and five children
became chargeable to the guardians and were relieved
to the extent of £1 10s. The husband promised to
pay the money owing, and came to witness' office
begging him not to have the warrant served upon
him. He had only paid 10s of the money owing.
On Monday night, witness went along
with a constable to see prisoner and found him
living with another woman, smoking his cigars,
and a quart of beer on the table. He refused to
pay the money. The wife and family had nothing
at all coming into the house, and prisoner could
earn £4 or £5 a week. — Prisoner said he
had paid 12s 6d, not 10s 6d as stated. —
The Magistrates' Clerk (Mr C H BOOTH) said a separation
order had been granted in the other court. —
Mrs REVILL said that when the separation order
was granted her husband was ordered to contribute
18s a week. He owed her £4 19s, and she had had
to go to the guardians for relief. Her husband
had been locked up for stealing.
Prisoner said he would like to know
what his wife had done with a box of ornaments.
He had given her several sums of money. If the
magistrates would allow him one month he would
pay the money owing but he had been done out of
10s. He had been out of work for three weeks.
— Magistrates' Clerk: You have no need to
be out of work a day. — The Chairman said
the case would be adjourned to next Wednesday
to enable prisoner to pay £1, failing which he
would have to go to prison.
A DUKINFIELD DESERTER'S
TRIP TO BLACKPOOL
Before Mr Fred WILDE and Dr TINKER, at the Hyde
County Police Court, on Monday, Ernest KIRKHAM,
17 years of age, was charged with deserting from
His Majesty's ship Vivid, at Devonport. —
Superintendent COOPER stated that defendant joined
the navy on 5th of the present month, and not being
sufficiently developed to become an able-bodied
seaman, he was placed in what was called the domestic
service. He remained there a few days and then deserted
and returned to Dukinfield.
He had been brought up by a lady
at Dukinfield, and on his returning home without
pass, the lady became suspicious, and she gave
him 30s for his fare to return to Devonport at
once. Instead of doing so, however, he went and
spent a week at Blackpool, and after his money
was done came again to Dukinfield. He (the superintendent)
had since received a telegram from the naval authorities
instructing him to apprehend defendant, and send
him to Devonport. He now asked for an order from
the justices to hand him over to the authorities
of the Vivid. ± Defendant, questioned as
to his desertion, said he joined the navy and
not the army, and when he got to Devonport he
was immediately sent to a barracks. — The
order was given and the boy was taken by the first
train to Devonport.
SUICIDE OF AN ASHTON MAN
Found Lying in a Pool of Blood
Information was received at the Ashton Police
Office on Saturday of the death of Samuel WILLIAMSON,
labourer, of 52 South-street, Ashton, aged 67 years,
which took place at the above address at 6.30 pm
on the 20th inst. A man named Frank ASHWORTH was
walking along Slate-lane, Audenshaw, about 5 o'clock
on Saturday afternoon, when he saw WILLIAMSON lying
in a pool of blood by the side of a ditch He was
without jacket and there was a deep cut on his left
arm. With assistance the man was removed from the
ditch on to the bank, and subsequently a razor was
found in the ditch.
It transpired that earlier in the
day WILKINSON had given his spectacles and pocket
watch to a woman named Sarah GOUCHER, of 259 Fitzroy-street,
Ashton, where he lodged, telling her never to
part with them. He shook hands with her, saying
"God bless you; I shall not see you again.
They will be sorry for it" (referring to
his children). The woman asked him to stay in
the house, but he would not do so, and went out.
He had used threats to take his life away many
times before. Deceased also shook hands with his
son, Edward WILKINSON, and began to cry, and said
he was bothered; also that he would not see him
again. Deceased's arm was bandaged up, and he
was taken home, where he died as aforestated.
An inquest was held on Tuesday afternoon
by Mr J F PRICE at the Corporation Arms, Guidebridge.
Edward WILLIAMSON, labourer, 236 Park-street,
Ashton, said deceased was his father, and was
a tanner by trade, but had not followed any occupation
for some weeks, prior to which he was a scavenger
for the Audenshaw Local Board. Witness had seen
him about five times in eight months. He last
saw him alive on Saturday at 1.30 pm, at the bottom
of Stockport-road. Witness spoke to him, and he
said he felt uneasy, but did not say about what.
He began to cry and shook hands with witness,
saying it would be the last time he would see
him. Witness did not ask him what he meant, because
he had made threats before, and had been of a
rambling disposition. He had heard him threaten
to commit suicide once or twice since the mother
died in November last. Had it occurred to witness
that he really would do so he would have taken
him in hand himself. He was of a very funny disposition,
and had had an opportunity given him of being
taken in, but he would not take it. Witness had
not asked him to live with him, but his brother
had. Witness, in reply to his father's threat,
said "get off with your bother; you've said
that before."
Sarah GOUCHER, wife of John GOUCHER,
259 Fitzroy-street, Ashton, said the deceased
had lodged with her since about Christmas. He
was working up to about five weeks ago, since
when he been very depressed about his wife dying.
He had often threatened to commit suicide, and
witness had begged of him many times to disabuse
himself of the idea. Witness last saw him alive
on Saturday afternoon, when he came into the house,
and gave a little girl 3d to fetch a pint of beer.
Asked by the Coroner why she did not send for
the police, witness said deceased had threatened
so many times that she did not think he really
meant it.
The Coroner said that the extraordinary
thing was that neither the son nor the landlady
seemed to think anything about his threats. Foreman:
I think he knew what he was doing according to
the statements of the witnesses. Several jurymen
expressed contrary opinions, and ultimately a
verdict of suicide was returned, but that there
was not satisfactory evidence to show what state
of mind the deceased was in at the time he committed
the act.
DEATH OF MR GILES WINTERBOTTOM
OF MICKLEHURST
We regret to announce the death of Mr Giles
WINTERBOTTOM, of Micklehurst, on Tuesday. He was
71 years of age. He was one of the best known men
in the district, having been a faithful servant
for Messrs Geo LAWTON and Sons, woollen manufacturers
for upwards of 50 years. For the last 18 weeks he
has been confined to the house, more or less, and
has been under the care of Dr EATOUGH. Occasionally,
when he has felt a little better, he has taken a
walk down to the warehouse at the mill. In his early
life, he was closely connected with the Micklehurst
Union Sunday School, and took a very active part
in its management. He was a Congregationalist, and
when in good health attended the Abney Chapel. His
wife died about two years ago, and he leaves three
daughters to mourn the loss of a loving and kind
father. His remains will be interred in the family
grave at Saddleworth Church this afternoon.
SAD BURNING FATALITY AT
STALYBRIDGE
The death took place at the Ashton District
Infirmary on Monday of Noah SWINNERTON, aged two
years, son of Noah SWINNERTON, ironworker, 38 Robinson-street,
Stalybridge, as the result of burns received on
the 9th inst. On that date, about 5-0 pm, the mother,
Mary SWINNERTON, was engaged cleaning the floor.
She went out to get some soap soda from a neighbour,
leaving the child in a rocking chair in the corner
of the fireplace. She was away about two minutes,
when she heard the child crying and on going into
the house saw the child standing on the hearth,
his pinafore, which was made of muslin, being in
flames. The mother extinguished the fire with her
hands and called in the services of a neighbour
who helped to undress the child and wrap it in a
shawl. The child was afterwards taken to Dr TATE's
surgery where on examination it was found to be
severely burned about the face and right arm. The
burns having been dressed, the child was taken to
the Infirmary, and died there as aforestated.
A HYDE WOMAN ASSAULTS HER
HUSBAND
A Bit of a Tarter — A Novel Case at the Police
Court
Before the Hyde Borough magistrates at the Police
Court on Monday, John W PRITCHARD, of 12 Mount-street,
Hyde, summoned his wife, Mary PRITCHARD, for assault
on the 19th inst. Complainant, who appeared to be
a meek, harmless fellow of somewhat small stature,
presented himself in court with his face swollen
and very much scratched, while defendant, who was
of a burly, masculine appearance, entered the box
with her arms bare, and as her humble partner told
his simple but touching story looked across court
with an air of utmost defiance.
He stated that he was a mechanic,
and the assault he complained of took place in
the kitchen of his house about six o'clock on
Friday night. Defendant had been drinking in the
Golden Fleece all afternoon with a man and about
tea time when he returned from his work he went
to ask her when she was coming home. In reply
she said she would come when she was ready. When
she did come she at once struck him across the
face, and then knocked him down with the kitchen
table. Afterwards she knelt upon him, scratched
his face with a hairpin, and then punched him.
Afterwards while in the act of washing, she threw
two pint pots full of water on to him. They had
been living in Mount-street for about eight weeks,
and he only remembered her being sober on two
occasions during the whole of that time. Defendant:
He hit me first and I "punched" him.
Eliza BROMLEY, married woman, of
34 Thomas-street, said she was the sister of the
defendant. She did not see the assault complained
of, but the same day she saw defendant kick him
in the stomach, after which she begged for mercy.
Witness thought it was about time a stop was put
to her conduct. She would follow plaintiff about
the street when he was going to work, and scandalise
him wholesale.
Defendant denied the assault. Plaintiff
had been drinking all afternoon, and when she
came home he struck her a blow. Then he "punched"
her and gave her another blow in the mouth. In
regard to the table, it simply fell on him as
he fell to the floor. She had certainly had some
beer, but she was not drunk. She was fined 5s
and costs.
Defendant was also charged with
being drunk and disorderly on the 20th, the day
after the alleged assault. Constable ROBINSON
said he found defendant drunk and creating a disturbance
in Thomas-street on Saturday afternoon. He told
her to go into the house and she did so, but was
out again and as bad as ever directly afterwards.
He was obliged to bring her to the police court.
She was very violent. Fined 5s or seven days.
WEDDING AT DUKINFIELD
Fogg — Jackson
There was a large assembly at Moravian Church,
Dukinfield, on Thursday week, when the nuptials
were celebrated of Mr James FOGG of Hyde and Miss
Annie JACKSON, youngest daughter of the late Mr
George JACKSON, of Sunny Side, Ashton. The officials
of the church had arranged for special music and
hymns to be given by the organist and choir, and
the edifice was well filled at the time fixed for
the ceremony.
Prior to the arrival of the guests,
who occupied seats in the centre of the church,
the organist, Mr S HILTON, rendered the Intermezzo
"Forget me not" and "With verdure
clad," whilst as the wedding pair walked
down the aisle the "Bridal March" from
"Lohengrin" was played. The Rev W TITTERINGTON,
pastor, officiated at the ceremony, Mr HAMER,
the bride's brother-in-law, giving her away. The
bridesmaid was Miss Sally SIDEBOTTOM, of Fern
Bank, Ashton, whilst the best man was Mr J PRESTWICK,
of Hooley Hill.
As the bride walked down the aisle,
she looked very charming, her dress being of cream
silk, with a hat effectively trimmed to match.
She carried a splendid bouquet of tea roses, that
of the bridesmaid ± who wore a dress of
grey canvass trimmed with white, and a black picture
hat being made up of sweet peas.
A NARROW ESCAPE —
Briggs: "That was a narrow escape Bildergate
had, wasn't it?" You know he was about to marry
a girl, when he found that she spent £500 a year
on her dresses." Griggs: "Yes, but he's
married all the same." Briggs: "True,
but he didn't marry that girl." Griggs: "He
didn't. Who did he marry then?" Briggs: "Her
dressmaker. 
