30 July 1904

THE SAD DOWNFALL OF A GLOSSOP GIRL
Alice Whalan Again in Trouble at Stalybridge
The magistrates sitting at the Stalybridge Police Court, on Monday, had before them in the dock a good=looking woman named Alice WHALAN. In years she is young, but as an offender against the law she is old. This time she was charged with having drunk and disorderly in Market-street on the 24th instant, to which she quietly pleaded guilty.

Constable BOWDEN stated that at a quarter to one o’clock on Sunday morning he found defendant making use of very bad language. She was drunk, and she threatened to break the windows of the White House Hotel unless she was locked up. The officer accordingly placed her in safety at the Town Hall.

The Mayor (Alderman WOOD): What have you to say for yourself? Defendant: Nothing, sir. The Mayor pointed out that the young woman was before the court in December last, and Inspector BAMFORTH added that she had been up at Glossop, Hyde, and Ashton since then.

The Mayor: She was bound over here, or six months in default. Did she find the sureties? Inspector BAMFORTH: Oh, no; she went down to gaol for six months, and that expired a month ago. Alderman NORMAN: Didn’t she promise to go into a Home? Inspector BAMFORTH: yes, every arrangement was made for her, but she would not go when the time came.

The Mayor: What can we do in this case, Mr WHITEHEAD? The Magistrates Clerk: Either proceed against her under the Licensing Act or under section 3 of the Act of 1902. Last time she was prosecuted under the latter in default of finding sureties. The Mayor: Imprisonment does not seem to do her any good at all.

Inspector BAMFORTH: She has been bundled out of Stalybridge several times since she came out of gaol, but she returns at night when all is quiet. She came here drunk on Saturday with a man. Alderman FENTON: Nearly all these offences appear to have been committed within three years. What was known before that? Inspector BAMFORTH: Nothing; she was a very respectable girl before this commenced.

Alderman NORMAN: She came from Glossop, I believe? Inspector BAMFORTH: Yes; she has a mother, brother, and sister there. Alderman FENTON: She seems dangerous to society. The Mayor: Do her relations take any notice of her when she is in trouble like this? Inspector BAMFORTH: Not the slightest! There is a commitment order against her at Glossop now, but they will not execute it unless she goes back. The Mayor: I see; they are glad to get rid of her out of Glossop. Inspector BAMFORTH: Exactly.

The Mayor: All authorities cannot afford to deal with people in this way. (T defendant): Yours is a very bad case, and I think the best method of dealing with you is for you to find sureties or in default six months’ imprisonment. It will probably give you time to think about it. You will be bound in the sum of £20 and two sureties of £30 each, or six months to gaol. The Clerk: Can you find sureties? Defendant: No, sir. WHALAN was then removed.

DEATH UNDER CHLOROFORM AT WATERLOO
Painful circumstances surrounded the death of Mrs Jessie Sarah WHITEHEAD, residing at Chadderton, but living until lately with her mother, Mrs Emily WOOD, at Limehurst Post Office. It appears that Mrs WHITEHEAD had been suffering from a weak heart for some time, and for two months had been under the care of Dr PEARCE, of Ashton. On Tuesday morning Dr PEARCE and Dr HAMER visited the house to perform an operation, and for this purpose administered chloroform. Immediately afterward she collapsed and, despite every attention, the unfortunate woman expired. The doctors immediately informed the police of the occurrence.

Mr J.F. PRICE, district coroner, conducted an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mrs WHITEHEAD, at the Wellington Inn, Oldham-road, on Friday forenoon.

Emily WOOD, mother of the deceased, a widow of Limehurst Post Office, Oldham-road, Limehurst, said Mrs WHITEHEAD was her daughter and the wife of Elva WHITEHEAD, of 18 Garforth-street, Chadderton, a spinner, and was 29 last birthday. She hadn’t enjoyed good health for a long time, and came on Whit Friday last on a visit to Waterloo, where she had stayed since, expecting to be confined about the 11th of July.

She had been under the care of Dr PEARCE, and had suffered from a weak heart. It was her wish about a fortnight since to undergo the operation, but she was not allowed. On Tuesday morning, about 11 o’clock, the doctor visited the house with Dr HAMER and a nurse. Witness left the room at deceased’s request, and very shortly afterwards she heard her daughter was dead. The chloroform was given by deceased’s own consent, and she was satisfied Dr PEARCE had done his best.

Dr Charles PEARCE, of Ashton, said he had been attending the deceased for two months for heart disease and dropsy. She was in quite a helpless state, gradually sinking, and the only way to save her was to conduct the operation.

On Tuesday morning , at eleven o’clock, he went to the house with Dr HAMER and a nurse. Dr HAMER administered a very small quantity of chloroform, in fact, she was not fully under the influence of the drug: it was simply done to resist the pain. Dr HAMER shortly afterwards drew his attention to Mrs WHITEHEAD’s state. All available means were used to restore animation, but without avail and she died about two minutes afterwards.

The chloroform was administered in the ordinary way, and without it she could not have possibly gone through an operation. The cause of death, in his opinion, was syncope of the heart, due to heart failure, dropsy, and general exhaustion accelerated by the influence of chloroform.

The Coroner remarked that the doctor did right to report the matter immediately to the police. His opinion was that it was always advisable to do so. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

A MELEE IN DELAMERE ST. NORTH, ASHTON
Sequel in the Police Court
At the Ashton Borough Court on Monday, two rough-looking figures, with sundry evidence of having indulged in some melee, stood in the dock. They were James COOMBES and James SIMPSON, who were charged with committing a breach of the peace in Delamere-street North, on the 23rd of July.

An officer said that on the date in question he was on duty in Delamere-street North, when he saw the two men fighting on the floor. – A witness said he was sitting at the corner when one of the two men kicked him in the mouth.

Each prisoner submitted a different version of the affair, one of them saying that as soon as they passed along with a young woman the man drove at him. He went to the commercial yard to wash his mouth, and was there met by the men again. The officer surmised that they went to the commercial yard to have the fight out. – They were bound over to be of good behaviour for three months.

STEALING A SILVER WATCH AT HURST
At the Ashton County Police Court, on Wednesday, Alfred WOOD and David YATES, two boys, stood in the dock charged with stealing a silver watch, the property of Samuel FAIRBROTHER. They pleaded guilty.

Samuel FAIRBROTHER, of Hillgate-street, Hurst, said the watch and chain produced were his property, and were worth £4 15s. He last saw them safe about twelve noon in his house, and missed them about an hour after.

Constable MARSHALL deposed to arresting YATES on Sunday morning, the 24th of July. He said, “What am I being taken for?” The officer answered, “On suspicion for stealing a watch and chain. YATES answered, “I know nothing about it.” After walking some distance, he remarked, “I am very sorry I took it. I put the chain down the tippler of our closet.”

He (the constable) received the watch from a man named Jas. WHARMBY. He received WOOD into custody, and charged the two boys together. WOOD said, “I was against the market about a quarter to two this afternoon, when YATES came up to me and said, ‘Do you want to buy a watch?’ I said ‘No. I am out of work.” As they were entering the cell YATES said, “He (meaning WOOD) took the name off,” to which WOOD made no reply.

The magistrates dealt leniently with the lads, and bound them over to be of good behaviour for three months.

ALLEGED PERSISTENT CRUELTY AT ASHTON
Drink and the Use of the Knife
Charles ROBERTS was summoned by his wife at the Ashton Borough Court, on Thursday, for persistent cruelty. – Defendant pleaded not guilty.

Defendant’s wife said she had been married eight years. Her husband came home drunk on July 4th, and said he was going to have another day on his own. He picked up a kettle and caught her on the head. She was afraid of living with him.

The husband said he had come home often and found his wife drunk, and he had had to go to work next day with wet clothes. Sic weeks ago he had to fetch her out of a beerhouse, the fire was out and no tea ready. – The wife said she went there with some friends from Canada. The husband denied ever using a knife, and said it was the opposite way about. It was his wife who picked the knife up.

The Chairman (Councillor KELSALL) said it was quite clear that both parties had roads to mend. The fact was only too palpable that there was too much drinking in the town. The Bench thought the pair might live amicably together. – The wife: Never. I’d live on a meal a day first. – The case was dismissed.

THE EXCITING CASE AT GORTON
Detectives’ Smart Arrest
A clever and important arrest was recently effected by Detective Sergeant JAKESMAN and Detective ALLAN, of the Manchester Police, and details of this were explained at the City Sessions on Thursday.

It came to the knowledge of the detectives that some property had been concealed in an unoccupied house in Miles-street, Gorton, and the two officers concealed themselves. About 10.30 in the morning two men named John LATHAM and Joseph NEWSHAM came with a hand-cart, and – thinking all was clear – commenced loading.

The officers, who were upstairs in the empty house, endeavoured to get downstairs as quietly as they could, but they were heard doing so and the men bolted. One of them ran right through Gore Brook, and after an exciting chase ALLAN brought his man down and secured him, although the detective sprained his ankle during the chase.

Detective Sergeant JAKEMAN was also successful in capturing the other man, and the prisoners were strapped together and held by JAKEMAN whilst ALLAN started to load the goods, which consisted of all kinds of valuable brass fittings, some of them upwards of 100lbs. Weight, and about half a ton altogether.

Inquiries were made, and it was discovered that the premises of Messrs Pearce, engineers, of Thomas-street, West Gorton, had been entered. The goods were then valued at about £13. At Belle Vue-street police station LATHAM said he was not guilty of breaking in but guilty of entering the premises and NEWSHAM replied that he was not guilty.

Before the Stipendiary committed the prisoners to the sessions, Mr SINCLAIR, a managing director of the firm, and Mr BESWICK, a foreman, gave evidence. Mr SINCLAIR spoke to identifying the goods, which prisoner had no right to take, and Mr BESWICK spoke to the premises being secured on the evening before the alleged thefts. He added that the prisoners must have climbed a gate nine or ten feet high and forced back a very large bolt.

LATHAM, who had been previously convicted for a similar offence, told the Deputy Recorder (Mr BYRNE) it was poverty that made him do it. He was sent to prison for six months. NEWSHAM, who was found guilty, was sentenced to two month’ imprisonment.

THE LAST CAR
A Saturday Night Study
The time was 11.30 p.m. The scene was inside the last tramcar at Hyde Town Hall, and it was raining. A man in corduroy garments, battered bowler hat, and in that peculiar period of intoxication when the mind dimly retains its intelligence infused with the consciousness of inebriation, sat in the corner and leered benignantly at his fellow passengers.

At the other end of the car sat a jaded woman with a baby in her hands. The baby was gnawing with ferocious energy at a sticky lump of treacle toffy, and by degrees dyeing the weary woman’s countenance the colour of its own mouth.

An old man with a flowing beard of patriarchal length and snowy whiteness deposited a large sack on the conductor’s platform. He sank down with a heavy sigh of relief and wiped his brow with a red handkerchief with white spots. He had walked far, along devious and stony paths, and much of the way burdened by his heavy bag.

He was a herb-gatherer, and had since the early hours of morning plucked the dandelion and other herbs from their native haunts until his old back had bent under the load of the fruits of his labours, and he had perforce to return to his home. He settled himself in his corner of the tram car, and was wooing Morpheus long before it commenced its journey.

Presently an odour not at all grateful floated on the night breeze. It was the advance guard of a gentleman in a far developed state of intoxication and he was soothing his troubled mind with a pennyworth of what are known as “chips.” He was odoriferous of beer, and chips, and the delicate violet perfume which accompanied a young lady who swept majestically inside was quite overpowered by the more pungent but less agreeable odour.

The motorman rang his gong, the conductor jerked his bell and the car started. Silence reigned for some time during which the first drunken gentleman surveyed the scented young lady appreciatively and the young lady tossed her head and looked at the ceiling of the car as if she had grown familiar by long experience with being subject to the gaze of admiring males.

Then a horrible choking and coughing echoed above the rumble of the car. Whilst the jaded woman overcome by weariness had fallen asleep, the gentleman with the chips, solicitous for the child’s welfare had been feeding it with the potatoes with the result afore stated.

After the child had been revived by a vigorous shaking and beating, the first drunken gentleman ventured the remark that “chips was very ‘dilatory’ to children,” meaning, it is presumed, that they were deleterious, at which the gentleman with the chips scowled alarmingly, and consumed the remaining chips with frightful energy.

By the time the car had entered Ashton, and the gentleman who had been feeding the child with his potatoes having arrived at an amicable settlement with its mother, by reason of the gentleman informing the lady that he had once had a child nearly choked with chips, and the other inebriated gentleman having received an interesting recipe for making herb beer from the herb gatherer, peace was restored, and as Ashton Town Hall was reached the herb gatherer was given a helping hand by his new acquaintance, whilst the other gentleman insisted on carrying the weary woman’s baby home.

TAKEN ILL IN THE STREET AT ASHTON
Effect Of the Heat
About 6.20 on Friday evening the attention pf Sergeant HEIGHWAY was called to Mary Jane WALTON, wife of Owen WALTON, 49 Ogden-street, Ashton, who was taken ill near the fish market, and appeared to be in a fainting condition. She was placed on a chair, and her clothing loosened about the neck. In a short time she recovered sufficiently to be driven home in a cab. She had been treated as an out-patient at the Infirmary for weakness.

SUDDEN DEATH OF A HURST BOY
Delicate from Birth
An inquest was held at the Church Inn, King-street, Hurst, on Tuesday morning, by Mr J.F. PRICE, coroner for the district, an the body of a boy named William TAYLOR, who died very suddenly last Saturday. It appears that the boy was 13 years old, and was the son of an overlooker named James TAYLOR, of Swift-street, Hurst.

The father, in his evidence, said his son had been in very delicate health from birth, and had been attended by various doctors, and had also been for a short time a patient in the District Infirmary. For the past two years, however, he had been somewhat better, although still delicate.

On Saturday morning at six o’clock he went to his work as usual at Hurst Mills, but returned at nine o’clock complaining of headache. His mother gave him some castor oil and tincture of rhubarb, and he retired to bed until about five o’clock, when feeling a little better he rose, and had a little mutton stew.

He lay down again on the sofa and read the newspaper until half past nine, and went again to bed. Shortly after 11.30 the father heard the boy breathing heavily, and going to him found him in a dying condition. He carried him downstairs, and sent a messenger to Dr HILTON, who arrived about twelve o’clock, but the boy had expired.

Dr Albert HILTON deposed to making a post-mortem examination on Tuesday morning. He found the lungs enlarged, the sac adherent, the heart dilated, and the mitral valve thickened. The right side was full of blood, but the left was practically empty. The bases of both lungs showed signs of congestion, more especially the right, and there were signs of old pleurisy.

The body was highly decomposed. He also opened the skull, and there found signs of decomposition, but none of haemorrhage. The membranes were much thickened, and the liver congested. In his opinion death was due to heart failure, consequent on mitral incompetence. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the doctor’s evidence.

A DEPRAVED COUPLE
Drunken Lambs at Ashton
At the Ashton Borough Police Court on Monday forenoon a case arose for consideration in which a married woman named Rachel LAMB was charged with using obscene language in Pitt-street, and James Henry LAMB, her husband, was charged with being drunk and disorderly at the same time and place. The man had another charge against him. He was charged with using bad language in Pitt-street. They pleaded guilty.

”They’re anything but lamb-like,” observed the Clerk as he proceeded to receive the evidence. – Constable WILSON said that about half-past seven on the night in question the two were shouting and bawling, and using very bad language. He put the woman into the house, but she went upstairs and put her head through the window and commenced shouting again, and was going to throw an umbrella at him. Another officer deposed to seeing the man four hours later in the same street using bad language. He had to take him to get quietness in the street.

The Chief Constable: Sarah LAMB – also has given the name of Rachel this morning – has been up 17 times before, whilst James Henry LAMB has been 18 times before. – The Chairman: It is getting a great nuisance the bad language indulged in the streets of Ashton, corrupting the morals of the children and setting such bad examples.

You have sent the children down the same path you have gone. You, Rachel LAMB, will be fined 10s. and costs, or 14 days, for each offence – a month in all.

BULL BEATS TIGER
A fight in a bull ring between a bull and a tiger caused immense excitement at San Sebastian on Sunday. The animals were let loose in a large cage in the centre of the ring.

Neither animal showed fight until the bull charged the tiger twice. The tiger declined to fight. Squibs, crackers and spikes were actually used on both the bull and tiger to goad them into fighting, but without result. The tiger was shot by the attendants.

And Finally
Colonel (inspecting the hospital): “What’s wrong with this man?” Surgeon: “Phthisis.” ”What in the world’s that?” “Consumption.” “Why can’t you say so without any of your confounded medical terms?

”By the way, surgeon, I’m not feeling very fit myself this morning. Can you tell me what’s the matter?” Surgeon (after a brief investigation): “Brandy.”

“What?” “Well you want it in plain language, don’t you?”