150 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (14 - 20 AUGUST 1873)
This week's many stories include the death of the St Helens Town Crier, the stupid prank at a waxworks exhibition in Rainford that damaged a woman's eyesight, the man accused of an attempted rape in Pocket Nook, the lad running about Boundary Lane in the nude, the rival stingy nettle beer sellers and the woman using blasphemous language to a child in Robins Lane that led to a magistrate's intervention.
This week one of the best-known men in St Helens passed away at the age of 61. That was James Berry of George Street who for many years had been the Town Crier of St Helens. His official duties were few these days and his main business was as a billposter and distributor of circulars and handbills around the town. These, his adverts used to say, were "delivered with promptitude dispatch, and on the most reasonable terms". The St Helens Newspaper wrote: "No man in St. Helens was more generally known, his avocations bringing him in daily contact with the public."
Employers were allowed to have boys as young as eight or nine working for them. But the law stated that these youngsters could only undertake what was known as "half-time" working, that is no more than 6½ hours a day – as the average working week for adults was 70 hours. Those under 13 were also not permitted to work before 6am and after 6pm. Additionally, the employer had to ensure that the child possessed a certificate stating they were attending school and that he or she had been passed fit by a doctor.
On the 18th in St Helens Petty Sessions a brickmaker called John Knowles was charged under the Factory Act with having three boys aged twelve in his employment without any certificate to prove their attendance at school. The defence case was that Knowles was merely a contractor making bricks for the Sankey Brook Colliery Company and that the boys were in reality their employees.
But he would have paid the boys out of the money that the Colliery Company paid him and so the Bench fined him 2s 6d in each case. The parents of the boys were also in court for allowing them to undertake full-time employment whilst aged under 13 and each was fined 1 shilling and costs. It would have been fine for the lads to have worked 35 hours a week, as long as they'd had a bit of schooling as well.
In St Helens County Court on the 19th a young domestic servant called Miss Heyes brought a claim for £10 against a Rainford coal miner called Woods. On Ash Wednesday there had been a waxworks exhibition in Rainford and as a joke the young man had thrown a percussion cap into what was described as a three-legged fire pan. Percussion caps were used in mining and in some weapons. They acted as detonators and contained explosives.
Woods' stupidity let to an explosion and one of Miss Heyes's eyes was injured. She was caused much pain and her sight was described as having been "considerably deteriorated". The judge awarded the young woman the £10 she sought. That was a lot of money for a domestic servant but not much if her eye had been permanently damaged. However, Miss Heyes would have known that if she had asked for more money, Woods would likely have never been able to pay it.
Apparently, stinging nettle beer does not have much of a sting – but it is a good source of vitamin C and is said to alleviate rheumatism. However, the St Helens Petty Sessions heard this week how there had been plenty of sting between two rival nettle beer sellers – despite the pair being related. The Newspaper commented: "The rivalries of trade are too strong for family affection to operate for a moment."
The case involved Ann Cartwright who was summoned to court for threatening to assault Jane Singleton, who appeared to reside in Baxters Lane in Sutton. The latter told the hearing that Mrs Cartwright had come to her home and threatened to do her "grievous harm", after first accusing the woman of telling lies. Several witnesses gave evidence and said that empty beer bottles were the "great bone of contention" between the pair – as the Newspaper put it – and the defendant was bound over.
Some aspects of the 19th century justice system would never be tolerated today. In another case heard in the Petty Sessions in which the Chairman of the Bench was William Pilkington, it was revealed that he was a witness against the defendant and had been responsible for the summons against the woman being issued. This is how the Newspaper reported what happened:
"Elizabeth Porter was charged by John Fernley with using profane and abusive language in Robin's Lane, Sutton. The witness, who was examined by the Chairman, said that he heard the defendant use obscene and abusive words to a little girl. He also said that she saw the Chairman [Pilkington] passing at the time, and she said she did not care for him. The Chairman said he never heard such a string of foul and blasphemous language in all his life, and he thought it was his duty as a magistrate to have a summons issued.
"Sergeant Bee said she was a woman of bad character – of the very worst character – and in the habit of using such language to women and children of all ages. The defendant now said that she was aggravated by indecent language and gestures by the girl she was speaking to. The Chairman said the proper way to treat her [Elizabeth Porter] was to send her to prison without a fine; but as he was mixed up with it, the bench would fine her 10s. and costs."
In another case there was a reference to what would become known as Victoria Park. James Ashcroft was charged with causing wilful damage to the grounds of John Ansdell and James Newland was charged with doing damage to his trees through throwing stones at birds. Ansdell was the owner of Cowley House, which is now known as the Mansion House (pictured above) and the extended grounds became Victoria Park after the solicitor's death. Both men were fined one shilling, along with a penny damages and costs of 6s 6d.
On the 18th Thomas Smith was charged with indecency by running about Boundary Lane in St Helens in a state of nudity. The mother of the 13-year-old boy told the Bench that she did not know that it was an offence for her child to appear naked in the street. The Bench decided not to impose a penalty.
The most serious offence heard on that day was alleged to have been committed in Pocket Nook by Thomas Beetle. The court was told that the 23-year-old had turned up at the home of James and Mary Chorley late one night and asked to be able to sleep on their sofa, claiming he had been locked out of his mother's home in Moorflat by Baldwin Street. The husband went to his job early the next morning leaving his wife Mary sleeping in bed.
At some point between 6am and 7am Thomas Beetle was accused of assaulting the young woman "with felonious intent" or, as described in court papers, with "intent to ravish her". Mary told the court that she shouted loudly and Elizabeth Fildes – who lived in another part of the house – came to see what was the matter. Thomas Beetle walked away as the woman arrived and shortly afterwards Mary's brother came in and Mary told him what had occurred.
Later that day her attacker came to see Mary and asked her to forgive him for what he had done – but she refused. She said Beetle's mother had also offered her money not to proceed with the charge against her son. Mary's husband James worked at the same place as Beetle and testified that he had seen the man at the works in the early afternoon and he'd confessed to the crime, saying that he had been a fool.
The defendant's solicitor, Thomas Swift, did what he could to rubbish the charge. He told the magistrates that the conduct of Beetle was not that of someone who had attempted to commit a rape, as he'd remained in the house for some time after the alleged offence had occurred and went to his work where the husband was also employed as normal. A man who had tried to commit rape, he said, would at once have absconded. But the magistrates felt there was strong enough evidence and committed Beetle to the next assizes hearing at Kirkdale – but unusually allowed him bail. In October the young man was sentenced to 12 months in prison.
St Helens Newspaper courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the town's first public illuminated clock, the two drunks that drowned in the canal, the train company sued after a railway accident at Rainford and Sangers Circus present a monstre fete in St Helens.
This week one of the best-known men in St Helens passed away at the age of 61. That was James Berry of George Street who for many years had been the Town Crier of St Helens. His official duties were few these days and his main business was as a billposter and distributor of circulars and handbills around the town. These, his adverts used to say, were "delivered with promptitude dispatch, and on the most reasonable terms". The St Helens Newspaper wrote: "No man in St. Helens was more generally known, his avocations bringing him in daily contact with the public."
Employers were allowed to have boys as young as eight or nine working for them. But the law stated that these youngsters could only undertake what was known as "half-time" working, that is no more than 6½ hours a day – as the average working week for adults was 70 hours. Those under 13 were also not permitted to work before 6am and after 6pm. Additionally, the employer had to ensure that the child possessed a certificate stating they were attending school and that he or she had been passed fit by a doctor.
On the 18th in St Helens Petty Sessions a brickmaker called John Knowles was charged under the Factory Act with having three boys aged twelve in his employment without any certificate to prove their attendance at school. The defence case was that Knowles was merely a contractor making bricks for the Sankey Brook Colliery Company and that the boys were in reality their employees.
But he would have paid the boys out of the money that the Colliery Company paid him and so the Bench fined him 2s 6d in each case. The parents of the boys were also in court for allowing them to undertake full-time employment whilst aged under 13 and each was fined 1 shilling and costs. It would have been fine for the lads to have worked 35 hours a week, as long as they'd had a bit of schooling as well.
In St Helens County Court on the 19th a young domestic servant called Miss Heyes brought a claim for £10 against a Rainford coal miner called Woods. On Ash Wednesday there had been a waxworks exhibition in Rainford and as a joke the young man had thrown a percussion cap into what was described as a three-legged fire pan. Percussion caps were used in mining and in some weapons. They acted as detonators and contained explosives.
Woods' stupidity let to an explosion and one of Miss Heyes's eyes was injured. She was caused much pain and her sight was described as having been "considerably deteriorated". The judge awarded the young woman the £10 she sought. That was a lot of money for a domestic servant but not much if her eye had been permanently damaged. However, Miss Heyes would have known that if she had asked for more money, Woods would likely have never been able to pay it.
Apparently, stinging nettle beer does not have much of a sting – but it is a good source of vitamin C and is said to alleviate rheumatism. However, the St Helens Petty Sessions heard this week how there had been plenty of sting between two rival nettle beer sellers – despite the pair being related. The Newspaper commented: "The rivalries of trade are too strong for family affection to operate for a moment."
The case involved Ann Cartwright who was summoned to court for threatening to assault Jane Singleton, who appeared to reside in Baxters Lane in Sutton. The latter told the hearing that Mrs Cartwright had come to her home and threatened to do her "grievous harm", after first accusing the woman of telling lies. Several witnesses gave evidence and said that empty beer bottles were the "great bone of contention" between the pair – as the Newspaper put it – and the defendant was bound over.
Some aspects of the 19th century justice system would never be tolerated today. In another case heard in the Petty Sessions in which the Chairman of the Bench was William Pilkington, it was revealed that he was a witness against the defendant and had been responsible for the summons against the woman being issued. This is how the Newspaper reported what happened:
"Elizabeth Porter was charged by John Fernley with using profane and abusive language in Robin's Lane, Sutton. The witness, who was examined by the Chairman, said that he heard the defendant use obscene and abusive words to a little girl. He also said that she saw the Chairman [Pilkington] passing at the time, and she said she did not care for him. The Chairman said he never heard such a string of foul and blasphemous language in all his life, and he thought it was his duty as a magistrate to have a summons issued.
"Sergeant Bee said she was a woman of bad character – of the very worst character – and in the habit of using such language to women and children of all ages. The defendant now said that she was aggravated by indecent language and gestures by the girl she was speaking to. The Chairman said the proper way to treat her [Elizabeth Porter] was to send her to prison without a fine; but as he was mixed up with it, the bench would fine her 10s. and costs."
On the 18th Thomas Smith was charged with indecency by running about Boundary Lane in St Helens in a state of nudity. The mother of the 13-year-old boy told the Bench that she did not know that it was an offence for her child to appear naked in the street. The Bench decided not to impose a penalty.
The most serious offence heard on that day was alleged to have been committed in Pocket Nook by Thomas Beetle. The court was told that the 23-year-old had turned up at the home of James and Mary Chorley late one night and asked to be able to sleep on their sofa, claiming he had been locked out of his mother's home in Moorflat by Baldwin Street. The husband went to his job early the next morning leaving his wife Mary sleeping in bed.
At some point between 6am and 7am Thomas Beetle was accused of assaulting the young woman "with felonious intent" or, as described in court papers, with "intent to ravish her". Mary told the court that she shouted loudly and Elizabeth Fildes – who lived in another part of the house – came to see what was the matter. Thomas Beetle walked away as the woman arrived and shortly afterwards Mary's brother came in and Mary told him what had occurred.
Later that day her attacker came to see Mary and asked her to forgive him for what he had done – but she refused. She said Beetle's mother had also offered her money not to proceed with the charge against her son. Mary's husband James worked at the same place as Beetle and testified that he had seen the man at the works in the early afternoon and he'd confessed to the crime, saying that he had been a fool.
The defendant's solicitor, Thomas Swift, did what he could to rubbish the charge. He told the magistrates that the conduct of Beetle was not that of someone who had attempted to commit a rape, as he'd remained in the house for some time after the alleged offence had occurred and went to his work where the husband was also employed as normal. A man who had tried to commit rape, he said, would at once have absconded. But the magistrates felt there was strong enough evidence and committed Beetle to the next assizes hearing at Kirkdale – but unusually allowed him bail. In October the young man was sentenced to 12 months in prison.
St Helens Newspaper courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the town's first public illuminated clock, the two drunks that drowned in the canal, the train company sued after a railway accident at Rainford and Sangers Circus present a monstre fete in St Helens.
This week's many stories include the death of the St Helens Town Crier, the stupid prank at a waxworks exhibition in Rainford that damaged a woman's eyesight, the man accused of an attempted rape in Pocket Nook, the lad running about Boundary Lane in the nude, the rival stingy nettle beer sellers and the woman using blasphemous language to a child in Robins Lane that led to a magistrate's intervention.
This week one of the best-known men in St Helens passed away at the age of 61.
That was James Berry of George Street who for many years had been the Town Crier of St Helens.
His official duties were few these days and his main business was as a billposter and distributor of circulars and handbills around the town.
These, his adverts used to say, were "delivered with promptitude dispatch, and on the most reasonable terms".
The St Helens Newspaper wrote: "No man in St. Helens was more generally known, his avocations bringing him in daily contact with the public."
Employers were allowed to have boys as young as eight or nine working for them.
But the law stated that these youngsters could only undertake what was known as "half-time" working, that is no more than 6½ hours a day – as the average working week for adults was 70 hours.
Those under 13 were also not permitted to work before 6am and after 6pm. Additionally, the employer had to ensure that the child possessed a certificate stating they were attending school and that he or she had been passed fit by a doctor.
On the 18th in St Helens Petty Sessions a brickmaker called John Knowles was charged under the Factory Act with having three boys aged twelve in his employment without any certificate to prove their attendance at school.
The defence case was that Knowles was merely a contractor making bricks for the Sankey Brook Colliery Company and that the boys were in reality their employees.
But he would have paid the boys out of the money that the Colliery Company paid him and so the Bench fined him 2s 6d in each case.
The parents of the boys were also in court for allowing them to undertake full-time employment whilst aged under 13 and each was fined 1 shilling and costs.
It would have been fine for the lads to have worked 35 hours a week, as long as they'd had a bit of schooling as well.
In St Helens County Court on the 19th a young domestic servant called Miss Heyes brought a claim for £10 against a Rainford coal miner called Woods.
On Ash Wednesday there had been a waxworks exhibition in Rainford and as a joke the young man had thrown a percussion cap into what was described as a three-legged fire pan.
Percussion caps were used in mining and in some weapons. They acted as detonators and contained explosives.
Woods' stupidity let to an explosion and one of Miss Heyes's eyes was injured. She was caused much pain and her sight was described as having been "considerably deteriorated".
The judge awarded the young woman the £10 she sought. That was a lot of money for a domestic servant but not much if her eye had been permanently damaged.
However, Miss Heyes would have known that if she had asked for more money, Woods would likely have never been able to pay it.
Apparently, stinging nettle beer does not have much of a sting – but it is a good source of vitamin C and is said to alleviate rheumatism.
However, the St Helens Petty Sessions heard this week how there had been plenty of sting between two rival nettle beer sellers – despite the pair being related.
The Newspaper commented: "The rivalries of trade are too strong for family affection to operate for a moment."
The case involved Ann Cartwright who was summoned to court for threatening to assault Jane Singleton, who appeared to reside in Baxters Lane in Sutton.
The latter told the hearing that Mrs Cartwright had come to her home and threatened to do her "grievous harm", after first accusing the woman of telling lies.
Several witnesses gave evidence and said that empty beer bottles were the "great bone of contention" between the pair – as the Newspaper put it – and the defendant was bound over.
Some aspects of the 19th century justice system would never be tolerated today.
In another case heard in the Petty Sessions in which the Chairman of the Bench was William Pilkington, it was revealed that he was a witness against the defendant and had been responsible for the summons against the woman being issued.
This is how the Newspaper reported what happened:
"Elizabeth Porter was charged by John Fernley with using profane and abusive language in Robin's Lane, Sutton. The witness, who was examined by the Chairman, said that he heard the defendant use obscene and abusive words to a little girl.
"He also said that she saw the Chairman [Pilkington] passing at the time, and she said she did not care for him.
"The Chairman said he never heard such a string of foul and blasphemous language in all his life, and he thought it was his duty as a magistrate to have a summons issued.
"Sergeant Bee said she was a woman of bad character – of the very worst character – and in the habit of using such language to women and children of all ages.
"The defendant now said that she was aggravated by indecent language and gestures by the girl she was speaking to.
"The Chairman said the proper way to treat her [Elizabeth Porter] was to send her to prison without a fine; but as he was mixed up with it, the bench would fine her 10s. and costs."
In another case there was a reference to what would become known as Victoria Park.
James Ashcroft was charged with causing wilful damage to the grounds of John Ansdell and James Newland was charged with doing damage to his trees through throwing stones at birds.
Ansdell was the owner of Cowley House, which is now known as the Mansion House (pictured above) and the extended grounds became Victoria Park after the solicitor's death.
Both men were fined one shilling, along with a penny damages and costs of 6s 6d.
On the 18th Thomas Smith was charged with indecency by running about Boundary Lane in St Helens in a state of nudity.
The mother of the 13-year-old boy told the Bench that she did not know that it was an offence for her child to appear naked in the street. The Bench decided not to impose a penalty.
The most serious offence heard on that day was alleged to have been committed in Pocket Nook by Thomas Beetle.
The court was told that the 23-year-old had turned up at the home of James and Mary Chorley late one night and asked to be able to sleep on their sofa, claiming he had been locked out of his mother's home in Moorflat by Baldwin Street.
The husband went to his job early the next morning leaving his wife Mary sleeping in bed.
At some point between 6am and 7am Thomas Beetle was accused of assaulting the young woman "with felonious intent" or, as described in court papers, with "intent to ravish her".
Mary told the court that she shouted loudly and Elizabeth Fildes – who lived in another part of the house – came to see what was the matter.
Thomas Beetle walked away as the woman arrived and shortly afterwards Mary's brother came in and Mary told him what had occurred.
Later that day her attacker came to see Mary and asked her to forgive him for what he had done – but she refused.
She said Beetle's mother had also offered her money not to proceed with the charge against her son.
Mary's husband James worked at the same place as Beetle and testified that he had seen the man at the works in the early afternoon and he'd confessed to the crime, saying that he had been a fool.
The defendant's solicitor, Thomas Swift, did what he could to rubbish the charge.
He told the magistrates that the conduct of Beetle was not that of someone who had attempted to commit a rape, as he'd remained in the house for some time after the alleged offence had occurred and went to his work where the husband was also employed as normal.
A man who had tried to commit rape, he said, would at once have absconded.
But the magistrates felt there was strong enough evidence and committed Beetle to the next assizes hearing at Kirkdale – but unusually allowed him bail. In October the young man was sentenced to 12 months in prison.
St Helens Newspaper courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the town's first public illuminated clock, the two drunks that drowned in the canal, the train company sued after a railway accident at Rainford and Sangers Circus present a monstre fete in St Helens.
This week one of the best-known men in St Helens passed away at the age of 61.
That was James Berry of George Street who for many years had been the Town Crier of St Helens.
His official duties were few these days and his main business was as a billposter and distributor of circulars and handbills around the town.
These, his adverts used to say, were "delivered with promptitude dispatch, and on the most reasonable terms".
The St Helens Newspaper wrote: "No man in St. Helens was more generally known, his avocations bringing him in daily contact with the public."
Employers were allowed to have boys as young as eight or nine working for them.
But the law stated that these youngsters could only undertake what was known as "half-time" working, that is no more than 6½ hours a day – as the average working week for adults was 70 hours.
Those under 13 were also not permitted to work before 6am and after 6pm. Additionally, the employer had to ensure that the child possessed a certificate stating they were attending school and that he or she had been passed fit by a doctor.
On the 18th in St Helens Petty Sessions a brickmaker called John Knowles was charged under the Factory Act with having three boys aged twelve in his employment without any certificate to prove their attendance at school.
The defence case was that Knowles was merely a contractor making bricks for the Sankey Brook Colliery Company and that the boys were in reality their employees.
But he would have paid the boys out of the money that the Colliery Company paid him and so the Bench fined him 2s 6d in each case.
The parents of the boys were also in court for allowing them to undertake full-time employment whilst aged under 13 and each was fined 1 shilling and costs.
It would have been fine for the lads to have worked 35 hours a week, as long as they'd had a bit of schooling as well.
In St Helens County Court on the 19th a young domestic servant called Miss Heyes brought a claim for £10 against a Rainford coal miner called Woods.
On Ash Wednesday there had been a waxworks exhibition in Rainford and as a joke the young man had thrown a percussion cap into what was described as a three-legged fire pan.
Percussion caps were used in mining and in some weapons. They acted as detonators and contained explosives.
Woods' stupidity let to an explosion and one of Miss Heyes's eyes was injured. She was caused much pain and her sight was described as having been "considerably deteriorated".
The judge awarded the young woman the £10 she sought. That was a lot of money for a domestic servant but not much if her eye had been permanently damaged.
However, Miss Heyes would have known that if she had asked for more money, Woods would likely have never been able to pay it.
Apparently, stinging nettle beer does not have much of a sting – but it is a good source of vitamin C and is said to alleviate rheumatism.
However, the St Helens Petty Sessions heard this week how there had been plenty of sting between two rival nettle beer sellers – despite the pair being related.
The Newspaper commented: "The rivalries of trade are too strong for family affection to operate for a moment."
The case involved Ann Cartwright who was summoned to court for threatening to assault Jane Singleton, who appeared to reside in Baxters Lane in Sutton.
The latter told the hearing that Mrs Cartwright had come to her home and threatened to do her "grievous harm", after first accusing the woman of telling lies.
Several witnesses gave evidence and said that empty beer bottles were the "great bone of contention" between the pair – as the Newspaper put it – and the defendant was bound over.
Some aspects of the 19th century justice system would never be tolerated today.
In another case heard in the Petty Sessions in which the Chairman of the Bench was William Pilkington, it was revealed that he was a witness against the defendant and had been responsible for the summons against the woman being issued.
This is how the Newspaper reported what happened:
"Elizabeth Porter was charged by John Fernley with using profane and abusive language in Robin's Lane, Sutton. The witness, who was examined by the Chairman, said that he heard the defendant use obscene and abusive words to a little girl.
"He also said that she saw the Chairman [Pilkington] passing at the time, and she said she did not care for him.
"The Chairman said he never heard such a string of foul and blasphemous language in all his life, and he thought it was his duty as a magistrate to have a summons issued.
"Sergeant Bee said she was a woman of bad character – of the very worst character – and in the habit of using such language to women and children of all ages.
"The defendant now said that she was aggravated by indecent language and gestures by the girl she was speaking to.
"The Chairman said the proper way to treat her [Elizabeth Porter] was to send her to prison without a fine; but as he was mixed up with it, the bench would fine her 10s. and costs."
In another case there was a reference to what would become known as Victoria Park.
James Ashcroft was charged with causing wilful damage to the grounds of John Ansdell and James Newland was charged with doing damage to his trees through throwing stones at birds.
Both men were fined one shilling, along with a penny damages and costs of 6s 6d.
On the 18th Thomas Smith was charged with indecency by running about Boundary Lane in St Helens in a state of nudity.
The mother of the 13-year-old boy told the Bench that she did not know that it was an offence for her child to appear naked in the street. The Bench decided not to impose a penalty.
The most serious offence heard on that day was alleged to have been committed in Pocket Nook by Thomas Beetle.
The court was told that the 23-year-old had turned up at the home of James and Mary Chorley late one night and asked to be able to sleep on their sofa, claiming he had been locked out of his mother's home in Moorflat by Baldwin Street.
The husband went to his job early the next morning leaving his wife Mary sleeping in bed.
At some point between 6am and 7am Thomas Beetle was accused of assaulting the young woman "with felonious intent" or, as described in court papers, with "intent to ravish her".
Mary told the court that she shouted loudly and Elizabeth Fildes – who lived in another part of the house – came to see what was the matter.
Thomas Beetle walked away as the woman arrived and shortly afterwards Mary's brother came in and Mary told him what had occurred.
Later that day her attacker came to see Mary and asked her to forgive him for what he had done – but she refused.
She said Beetle's mother had also offered her money not to proceed with the charge against her son.
Mary's husband James worked at the same place as Beetle and testified that he had seen the man at the works in the early afternoon and he'd confessed to the crime, saying that he had been a fool.
The defendant's solicitor, Thomas Swift, did what he could to rubbish the charge.
He told the magistrates that the conduct of Beetle was not that of someone who had attempted to commit a rape, as he'd remained in the house for some time after the alleged offence had occurred and went to his work where the husband was also employed as normal.
A man who had tried to commit rape, he said, would at once have absconded.
But the magistrates felt there was strong enough evidence and committed Beetle to the next assizes hearing at Kirkdale – but unusually allowed him bail. In October the young man was sentenced to 12 months in prison.
St Helens Newspaper courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the town's first public illuminated clock, the two drunks that drowned in the canal, the train company sued after a railway accident at Rainford and Sangers Circus present a monstre fete in St Helens.