150 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (14th - 20th MARCH 1872)
This week's stories include a savage assault in Park Road, the Rainhill father that a magistrate called wicked, the window-breaking lodger of Parr, the 4-year-old performing at the Theatre Royal, the police swoop on a Water Street temperance hotel and the Rainford tobacco pipemakers strike comes to an end – but there's a hollow victory for the men.
Miners liked to fight using their feet rather than their fists. They called such fighting "purring" and a good kicking with clogs was clearly more dangerous than a simple punch up. At the St Helens Petty Sessions this week what was described as a "savage assault" by two miners was related to the court. 28-year-old David Waywell from Clipsley Row and 20-year-old James O’Neal from New Boston in Haydock were charged with wounding miner Peter Johnson. As the latter and several of his friends were walking home, one of them quarrelled with Waywell in Park Road and a clog fight began.
Johnson tried unsuccessfully to stop the fight and as he attempted to leave, was knocked down by O’Neal and kicked in the ribs. When he got up to try and get away, O’Neal knocked him down again and he and Waywell continued kicking their victim until three of his ribs were broken and his lung perforated. He had to be brought home from Park Road in a cart and was confined to bed for 12 days. The assault had taken place on February 12th. However, Johnson lay in a dangerous condition for some time – and so the hearing had to be delayed until he was well enough to attend.
Despite over a month having passed since the incident, the St Helens Newspaper reported that Johnson when giving evidence still seemed very weak. The Bench committed the prisoners to take their trial at the next assizes in Liverpool – but, surprisingly, on April 26th, both Waywell and O’Neal were cleared of the charge. I've not been able to find out why, but – as I've often said – violence in the 1870s was tolerated much more than today. And the brutal assault may well have been considered simply a brawl that got out of hand.
Sarah Travis and Elizabeth Ashall were this week's female neighbours in the St Helens Petty Sessions who had been at each other's throats. The Newspaper wrote that "the parties live in a state of chronic war and on the 4th instant, they had some warm words, and warmer blows. The most remarkable feature of the case was that every assertion made by either side was directly denied by the other, and the women were faithfully supported by seven or eight witnesses." Sarah Travis was fined 2s 6d.
Also in court was James Jackson who was charged with breaking the windows of Elizabeth White. She appeared to reside in Old Atlas Street in Parr. This is how the Newspaper described her case: "It appeared that Mrs. White has had the honour of including Mr. Jackson in her family circle, where he held the position of a lodger. On Monday morning he felt inclined for a little relaxation, and instead of going to work he remained home enjoying the doles for meals.
"His industrious landlady‘s susceptibilities were offended by his conduct, and she relieved her mind of some uncomplimentary epithets. Johnson was indignant, and he took a peculiar way of expressing his indignation, by going outside and demolishing four sheets of glass in the window, with the marcadam which a considerate corporation had placed in convenient abundance. His worship requested him to pay 3s. and costs and damages, amounting altogether to 11s. 2d., in default to take up his abode in Kirkdale [gaol] for ten days."
The artists performing this week at the Theatre Royal Concert Hall in St Helens – in the building we know as the Citadel – included: Little Shamrock ("Ballad and serio-comic vocalist"); Eliza-Annie ("The two-headed skylark; the greatest novelty ever seen on stage – her singing and dancing are wonderful and create a great sensation"); Mr and Mrs Barney Roberts ("Irish duettists and dancers"); Mr F. Grey (Comic vocalist); Miss J. Cleveland ("Ballad vocalist") and Tom Ward ("Negro artist and champion dancer").
Little Shamrock was the four-year-old daughter of Barney Roberts and his wife. One review said she was "surprisingly clever for her years" and another described how a semi-serious "serio-comic song by the wonder Little Shamrock" had been "greeted with thunders of applause".
Last week I reported how a pauper in Whiston Workhouse had been sent to prison at Kirkdale for a month after tearing his clothing "to pieces". That was after being placed in solitary confinement after refusing to work in the workhouse. On the 19th a tramp called John Fairhurst received a similar punishment in Prescot Petty Sessions, as the St Helens Newspaper described:
"It appeared that the prisoner took temporary quarters in the casual ward of the [work]house, and feeling disgusted with the ragged character of his outfit, he tore it up, in the hope of getting a suit at the expense of the ratepayers. It was decided by the bench that he should wear the Kirkdale [prison] uniform for a month."
In the 1871 census Jane O’Brien is shown as a 28-year-old widow living in Kendrick's Cross in Rainhill (pictured above) with three children aged 4, 6 and 8. Two doors down resided Peter Killeeny – and it was that close proximity that led to the latter's appearance in the Prescot court and being labelled "wicked" after telling blatant lies in a paternity case. Without modern-day DNA or blood tests, proving paternity and obtaining maintenance payments was extremely hard for an unmarried woman to do.
Many men simply denied being the father, not wanting to lose a couple of bob a week, and a successful case often relied on strong witness testimony that the couple had been "walking out" together. A common tactic was for the father to attempt to muddy the waters by claiming that the woman had been seeing other men. Killeeny was not the first father who in the St Helens and Prescot courts took his denials too far and as a result was heavily rebuked by the Bench. This is how the St Helens Newspaper described the case:
"Peter Killeeny was summoned by Jane O’Brien to show cause why he should not contribute to a child of which she alleged he was the father. The complainant is a widow, having three children by her husband, and the defendant, a young man of 23, has been married very recently. The case was heard at St. Helens a few weeks since, and dismissed through lack of the necessary evidence, but Mrs. O’Brien fished out two useful witnesses and brought it forward again. Mr. Swift appeared for the woman, and Mr. Rowbottom for the defendant.
"The evidence in support of the plaintiff's allegation consisted of the woman's own positive assertion, an admission of the defendant's, and other material facts. On the other hand the defendant was sworn, and he gave what might be called the negative general to everything damaging, denying his alleged admission of liability, and contradicting every statement of the plaintiff. When the case had concluded, the Chairman said:
"A grosser case of perjury I have never heard in this court, and though it is not necessary to take immediate action, we shall make arrangements with Mr. Spencely [court clerk] to have the defendant prosecuted. It is a most wicked case – the most wicked I can remember; and I wish, with all my heart, that your (defendant's) counsel could induce us to take his view, and believe that you have been only a little confused. You were not confused; you gave your evidence in the most deliberate, wilful, and determined way; and if one thing could blacken your character more than another, it is the cowardly way in which you tried to get a man to swear against this woman.
"In an ordinary case the order against you would be 2s. a week – in this case it will be 2s. 6d. a week, with the whole of the ordinary allowances, counsel's fee, and 2s. to each of the witnesses. If we could impose more we would do it, because of the false and unmanly way in which you have come into this court. You leave it in disgrace."
On the 19th the Rainford tobacco pipemakers' strike was brought to an end after ten days of industrial action, when the "masters" agreed to their employees' demand for a 10% wage rise. However, it was not a complete victory for the workforce. As a result of the pay increase, the cost of pipes was going up, with what were called common pipes now being sold to the tobacco trade for twopence a gross. That might reduce orders and the St Helens Newspaper wrote that reduced sales would not be the only consequence of the wage rise:
"The painful feature of this strike is revealed by an assertion of the masters that the restrictions imposed by the workmen are having the effect of driving the trade from Rainford, and this new demand is calculated to cripple the masters still further in competing with the Glasgow and other manufacturers. Under these circumstances, they have determined to limit the number of hands, and the consequence is that only one-half of the men will find immediate employment."
Also on the 19th, there was a police raid on Charles Rudd's "temperance" hotel in Water Street. The place had been a beerhouse until stripped of its licence in August 1869. The police had claimed that his house was a brothel and Rudd had sixteen convictions to his name. The new Beer Act of 1870 allowed police to obtain a search warrant from magistrates if they believed that the licensing law was being infringed.
St Helens Police had received information that the unlicensed Rudd kept a large stock of beer and as the St Helens Newspaper put it, were "determined to make a swoop". They found eight beer barrels in a cellar of which five were filled with ale and connected to a pumping machine at the bar. The purpose of the raid was to confiscate the beer but proceedings were also expected against the 43-year-old Rudd for what the newspaper called the "grave offence" of selling beer without a licence.
And finally, a concert was held on the 20th at Sutton National School "under distinguished patronage". That simply indicated that some of the town's leading citizens had given the event their seal of approval and didn't mean that they had contributed any cash towards it – or even planned to attend. The St Helens Newspaper wrote that the large infant school had been "densely crowded by a respectable and highly appreciative audience, and the way in which they enjoyed the various pieces shows that the people of Sutton can appreciate first-class music, when properly rendered."
Next week’s stories will include the Sunday pandemonium in Greenbank, the new Parr knacker's yard, the expensive drunken freak in the Globe Hotel, the smallpox mix-up at Whiston Workhouse and Foottit's Circus comes to St Helens.
Miners liked to fight using their feet rather than their fists. They called such fighting "purring" and a good kicking with clogs was clearly more dangerous than a simple punch up. At the St Helens Petty Sessions this week what was described as a "savage assault" by two miners was related to the court. 28-year-old David Waywell from Clipsley Row and 20-year-old James O’Neal from New Boston in Haydock were charged with wounding miner Peter Johnson. As the latter and several of his friends were walking home, one of them quarrelled with Waywell in Park Road and a clog fight began.
Johnson tried unsuccessfully to stop the fight and as he attempted to leave, was knocked down by O’Neal and kicked in the ribs. When he got up to try and get away, O’Neal knocked him down again and he and Waywell continued kicking their victim until three of his ribs were broken and his lung perforated. He had to be brought home from Park Road in a cart and was confined to bed for 12 days. The assault had taken place on February 12th. However, Johnson lay in a dangerous condition for some time – and so the hearing had to be delayed until he was well enough to attend.
Despite over a month having passed since the incident, the St Helens Newspaper reported that Johnson when giving evidence still seemed very weak. The Bench committed the prisoners to take their trial at the next assizes in Liverpool – but, surprisingly, on April 26th, both Waywell and O’Neal were cleared of the charge. I've not been able to find out why, but – as I've often said – violence in the 1870s was tolerated much more than today. And the brutal assault may well have been considered simply a brawl that got out of hand.
Sarah Travis and Elizabeth Ashall were this week's female neighbours in the St Helens Petty Sessions who had been at each other's throats. The Newspaper wrote that "the parties live in a state of chronic war and on the 4th instant, they had some warm words, and warmer blows. The most remarkable feature of the case was that every assertion made by either side was directly denied by the other, and the women were faithfully supported by seven or eight witnesses." Sarah Travis was fined 2s 6d.
Also in court was James Jackson who was charged with breaking the windows of Elizabeth White. She appeared to reside in Old Atlas Street in Parr. This is how the Newspaper described her case: "It appeared that Mrs. White has had the honour of including Mr. Jackson in her family circle, where he held the position of a lodger. On Monday morning he felt inclined for a little relaxation, and instead of going to work he remained home enjoying the doles for meals.
"His industrious landlady‘s susceptibilities were offended by his conduct, and she relieved her mind of some uncomplimentary epithets. Johnson was indignant, and he took a peculiar way of expressing his indignation, by going outside and demolishing four sheets of glass in the window, with the marcadam which a considerate corporation had placed in convenient abundance. His worship requested him to pay 3s. and costs and damages, amounting altogether to 11s. 2d., in default to take up his abode in Kirkdale [gaol] for ten days."
The artists performing this week at the Theatre Royal Concert Hall in St Helens – in the building we know as the Citadel – included: Little Shamrock ("Ballad and serio-comic vocalist"); Eliza-Annie ("The two-headed skylark; the greatest novelty ever seen on stage – her singing and dancing are wonderful and create a great sensation"); Mr and Mrs Barney Roberts ("Irish duettists and dancers"); Mr F. Grey (Comic vocalist); Miss J. Cleveland ("Ballad vocalist") and Tom Ward ("Negro artist and champion dancer").
Little Shamrock was the four-year-old daughter of Barney Roberts and his wife. One review said she was "surprisingly clever for her years" and another described how a semi-serious "serio-comic song by the wonder Little Shamrock" had been "greeted with thunders of applause".
Last week I reported how a pauper in Whiston Workhouse had been sent to prison at Kirkdale for a month after tearing his clothing "to pieces". That was after being placed in solitary confinement after refusing to work in the workhouse. On the 19th a tramp called John Fairhurst received a similar punishment in Prescot Petty Sessions, as the St Helens Newspaper described:
"It appeared that the prisoner took temporary quarters in the casual ward of the [work]house, and feeling disgusted with the ragged character of his outfit, he tore it up, in the hope of getting a suit at the expense of the ratepayers. It was decided by the bench that he should wear the Kirkdale [prison] uniform for a month."
Many men simply denied being the father, not wanting to lose a couple of bob a week, and a successful case often relied on strong witness testimony that the couple had been "walking out" together. A common tactic was for the father to attempt to muddy the waters by claiming that the woman had been seeing other men. Killeeny was not the first father who in the St Helens and Prescot courts took his denials too far and as a result was heavily rebuked by the Bench. This is how the St Helens Newspaper described the case:
"Peter Killeeny was summoned by Jane O’Brien to show cause why he should not contribute to a child of which she alleged he was the father. The complainant is a widow, having three children by her husband, and the defendant, a young man of 23, has been married very recently. The case was heard at St. Helens a few weeks since, and dismissed through lack of the necessary evidence, but Mrs. O’Brien fished out two useful witnesses and brought it forward again. Mr. Swift appeared for the woman, and Mr. Rowbottom for the defendant.
"The evidence in support of the plaintiff's allegation consisted of the woman's own positive assertion, an admission of the defendant's, and other material facts. On the other hand the defendant was sworn, and he gave what might be called the negative general to everything damaging, denying his alleged admission of liability, and contradicting every statement of the plaintiff. When the case had concluded, the Chairman said:
"A grosser case of perjury I have never heard in this court, and though it is not necessary to take immediate action, we shall make arrangements with Mr. Spencely [court clerk] to have the defendant prosecuted. It is a most wicked case – the most wicked I can remember; and I wish, with all my heart, that your (defendant's) counsel could induce us to take his view, and believe that you have been only a little confused. You were not confused; you gave your evidence in the most deliberate, wilful, and determined way; and if one thing could blacken your character more than another, it is the cowardly way in which you tried to get a man to swear against this woman.
"In an ordinary case the order against you would be 2s. a week – in this case it will be 2s. 6d. a week, with the whole of the ordinary allowances, counsel's fee, and 2s. to each of the witnesses. If we could impose more we would do it, because of the false and unmanly way in which you have come into this court. You leave it in disgrace."
On the 19th the Rainford tobacco pipemakers' strike was brought to an end after ten days of industrial action, when the "masters" agreed to their employees' demand for a 10% wage rise. However, it was not a complete victory for the workforce. As a result of the pay increase, the cost of pipes was going up, with what were called common pipes now being sold to the tobacco trade for twopence a gross. That might reduce orders and the St Helens Newspaper wrote that reduced sales would not be the only consequence of the wage rise:
"The painful feature of this strike is revealed by an assertion of the masters that the restrictions imposed by the workmen are having the effect of driving the trade from Rainford, and this new demand is calculated to cripple the masters still further in competing with the Glasgow and other manufacturers. Under these circumstances, they have determined to limit the number of hands, and the consequence is that only one-half of the men will find immediate employment."
Also on the 19th, there was a police raid on Charles Rudd's "temperance" hotel in Water Street. The place had been a beerhouse until stripped of its licence in August 1869. The police had claimed that his house was a brothel and Rudd had sixteen convictions to his name. The new Beer Act of 1870 allowed police to obtain a search warrant from magistrates if they believed that the licensing law was being infringed.
St Helens Police had received information that the unlicensed Rudd kept a large stock of beer and as the St Helens Newspaper put it, were "determined to make a swoop". They found eight beer barrels in a cellar of which five were filled with ale and connected to a pumping machine at the bar. The purpose of the raid was to confiscate the beer but proceedings were also expected against the 43-year-old Rudd for what the newspaper called the "grave offence" of selling beer without a licence.
And finally, a concert was held on the 20th at Sutton National School "under distinguished patronage". That simply indicated that some of the town's leading citizens had given the event their seal of approval and didn't mean that they had contributed any cash towards it – or even planned to attend. The St Helens Newspaper wrote that the large infant school had been "densely crowded by a respectable and highly appreciative audience, and the way in which they enjoyed the various pieces shows that the people of Sutton can appreciate first-class music, when properly rendered."
Next week’s stories will include the Sunday pandemonium in Greenbank, the new Parr knacker's yard, the expensive drunken freak in the Globe Hotel, the smallpox mix-up at Whiston Workhouse and Foottit's Circus comes to St Helens.
This week's stories include a savage assault in Park Road, the Rainhill father that a magistrate called wicked, the window-breaking lodger of Parr, the 4-year-old performing at the Theatre Royal, the police swoop on a Water Street temperance hotel and the Rainford tobacco pipemakers strike comes to an end – but there's a hollow victory for the men.
Miners liked to fight using their feet rather than their fists. They called such fighting "purring" and a good kicking with clogs was clearly more dangerous than a simple punch up.
At the St Helens Petty Sessions this week what was described as a "savage assault" by two miners was related to the court.
28-year-old David Waywell from Clipsley Row and 20-year-old James O’Neal from New Boston in Haydock were charged with wounding miner Peter Johnson.
As the latter and several of his friends were walking home, one of them quarrelled with Waywell in Park Road and a clog fight began.
Johnson tried unsuccessfully to stop the fight and as he attempted to leave, was knocked down by O’Neal and kicked in the ribs.
When he got up to try and get away, O’Neal knocked him down again and he and Waywell continued kicking their victim until three of his ribs were broken and his lung perforated.
He had to be brought home from Park Road in a cart and was confined to bed for 12 days.
The assault had taken place on February 12th. However, Johnson lay in a dangerous condition for some time – and so the hearing had to be delayed until he was well enough to attend.
Despite over a month having passed since the incident, the St Helens Newspaper reported that Johnson when giving evidence still seemed very weak.
The Bench committed the prisoners to take their trial at the next assizes in Liverpool – but, surprisingly, on April 26th, both Waywell and O’Neal were cleared of the charge.
I've not been able to find out why, but – as I've often said – violence in the 1870s was tolerated much more than today. And the brutal assault may well have been considered simply a brawl that got out of hand.
Sarah Travis and Elizabeth Ashall were this week's female neighbours in the St Helens Petty Sessions who had been at each other's throats.
The Newspaper wrote that "the parties live in a state of chronic war and on the 4th instant, they had some warm words, and warmer blows.
"The most remarkable feature of the case was that every assertion made by either side was directly denied by the other, and the women were faithfully supported by seven or eight witnesses." Sarah Travis was fined 2s 6d.
Also in court was James Jackson who was charged with breaking the windows of Elizabeth White. She appeared to reside in Old Atlas Street in Parr. This is how the Newspaper described her case:
"It appeared that Mrs. White has had the honour of including Mr. Jackson in her family circle, where he held the position of a lodger.
"On Monday morning he felt inclined for a little relaxation, and instead of going to work he remained home enjoying the doles for meals.
"His industrious landlady‘s susceptibilities were offended by his conduct, and she relieved her mind of some uncomplimentary epithets.
"Johnson was indignant, and he took a peculiar way of expressing his indignation, by going outside and demolishing four sheets of glass in the window, with the marcadam which a considerate corporation had placed in convenient abundance.
"His worship requested him to pay 3s. and costs and damages, amounting altogether to 11s. 2d., in default to take up his abode in Kirkdale [gaol] for ten days."
The artists performing this week at the Theatre Royal Concert Hall in St Helens – in the building we know as the Citadel – included:
Little Shamrock ("Ballad and serio-comic vocalist"); Eliza-Annie ("The two-headed skylark; the greatest novelty ever seen on stage – her singing and dancing are wonderful and create a great sensation"); Mr and Mrs Barney Roberts ("Irish duettists and dancers"); Mr F. Grey (Comic vocalist); Miss J. Cleveland ("Ballad vocalist") and Tom Ward ("Negro artist and champion dancer").
Little Shamrock was the four-year-old daughter of Barney Roberts and his wife. One review said she was "surprisingly clever for her years" and another described how a semi-serious "serio-comic song by the wonder Little Shamrock" had been "greeted with thunders of applause".
Last week I reported how a pauper in Whiston Workhouse had been sent to prison at Kirkdale for a month after tearing his clothing "to pieces".
That was after being placed in solitary confinement after refusing to work in the workhouse.
On the 19th a tramp called John Fairhurst received a similar punishment in Prescot Petty Sessions, as the St Helens Newspaper described:
"It appeared that the prisoner took temporary quarters in the casual ward of the [work]house, and feeling disgusted with the ragged character of his outfit, he tore it up, in the hope of getting a suit at the expense of the ratepayers.
"It was decided by the bench that he should wear the Kirkdale [prison] uniform for a month."
In the 1871 census Jane O’Brien is shown as a 28-year-old widow living in Kendrick's Cross in Rainhill (pictured above) with three children aged 4, 6 and 8.
Two doors down resided Peter Killeeny – and it was that close proximity that led to the latter's appearance in the Prescot court and being labelled "wicked" after telling blatant lies in a paternity case.
Without modern-day DNA or blood tests, proving paternity and obtaining maintenance payments was extremely hard for an unmarried woman to do.
Many men simply denied being the father, not wanting to lose a couple of bob a week, and a successful case often relied on strong witness testimony that the couple had been "walking out" together.
A common tactic was for the father to attempt to muddy the waters by claiming that the woman had been seeing other men.
Killeeny was not the first father who in the St Helens and Prescot courts took his denials too far and as a result was heavily rebuked by the Bench.
This is how the St Helens Newspaper described the case:
"Peter Killeeny was summoned by Jane O’Brien to show cause why he should not contribute to a child of which she alleged he was the father.
"The complainant is a widow, having three children by her husband, and the defendant, a young man of 23, has been married very recently.
"The case was heard at St. Helens a few weeks since, and dismissed through lack of the necessary evidence, but Mrs. O’Brien fished out two useful witnesses and brought it forward again.
"Mr. Swift appeared for the woman, and Mr. Rowbottom for the defendant.
"The evidence in support of the plaintiff's allegation consisted of the woman's own positive assertion, an admission of the defendant's, and other material facts.
"On the other hand the defendant was sworn, and he gave what might be called the negative general to everything damaging, denying his alleged admission of liability, and contradicting every statement of the plaintiff. When the case had concluded, the Chairman said:
"A grosser case of perjury I have never heard in this court, and though it is not necessary to take immediate action, we shall make arrangements with Mr. Spencely [court clerk] to have the defendant prosecuted.
"It is a most wicked case – the most wicked I can remember; and I wish, with all my heart, that your (defendant's) counsel could induce us to take his view, and believe that you have been only a little confused.
"You were not confused; you gave your evidence in the most deliberate, wilful, and determined way; and if one thing could blacken your character more than another, it is the cowardly way in which you tried to get a man to swear against this woman.
"In an ordinary case the order against you would be 2s. a week – in this case it will be 2s. 6d. a week, with the whole of the ordinary allowances, counsel's fee, and 2s. to each of the witnesses.
"If we could impose more we would do it, because of the false and unmanly way in which you have come into this court. You leave it in disgrace."
On the 19th the Rainford tobacco pipemakers' strike was brought to an end after ten days of industrial action, when the "masters" agreed to their employees' demand for a 10% wage rise.
However, it was not a complete victory for the workforce. As a result of the pay increase, the cost of pipes was going up, with what were called common pipes now being sold to the tobacco trade for twopence a gross.
That might reduce orders and the St Helens Newspaper wrote that reduced sales would not be the only consequence of the wage rise:
"The painful feature of this strike is revealed by an assertion of the masters that the restrictions imposed by the workmen are having the effect of driving the trade from Rainford, and this new demand is calculated to cripple the masters still further in competing with the Glasgow and other manufacturers.
"Under these circumstances, they have determined to limit the number of hands, and the consequence is that only one-half of the men will find immediate employment."
Also on the 19th, there was a police raid on Charles Rudd's "temperance" hotel in Water Street.
The place had been a beerhouse until stripped of its licence in August 1869. The police had claimed that his house was a brothel and Rudd had sixteen convictions to his name.
The new Beer Act of 1870 allowed police to obtain a search warrant from magistrates if they believed that the licensing law was being infringed.
St Helens Police had received information that the unlicensed Rudd kept a large stock of beer and as the St Helens Newspaper put it, were "determined to make a swoop".
They found eight beer barrels in a cellar of which five were filled with ale and connected to a pumping machine at the bar.
The purpose of the raid was to confiscate the beer but proceedings were also expected against the 43-year-old Rudd for what the newspaper called the "grave offence" of selling beer without a licence.
And finally, a concert was held on the 20th at Sutton National School "under distinguished patronage".
That simply indicated that some of the town's leading citizens had given the event their seal of approval and didn't mean that they had contributed any cash towards it – or even planned to attend.
The St Helens Newspaper wrote that the large infant school had been "densely crowded by a respectable and highly appreciative audience, and the way in which they enjoyed the various pieces shows that the people of Sutton can appreciate first-class music, when properly rendered."
Next week's stories will include the Sunday pandemonium in Greenbank, the new Parr knacker's yard, the expensive drunken freak in the Globe Hotel, the smallpox mix-up at Whiston Workhouse and Foottit's Circus comes to St Helens.
Miners liked to fight using their feet rather than their fists. They called such fighting "purring" and a good kicking with clogs was clearly more dangerous than a simple punch up.
At the St Helens Petty Sessions this week what was described as a "savage assault" by two miners was related to the court.
28-year-old David Waywell from Clipsley Row and 20-year-old James O’Neal from New Boston in Haydock were charged with wounding miner Peter Johnson.
As the latter and several of his friends were walking home, one of them quarrelled with Waywell in Park Road and a clog fight began.
Johnson tried unsuccessfully to stop the fight and as he attempted to leave, was knocked down by O’Neal and kicked in the ribs.
When he got up to try and get away, O’Neal knocked him down again and he and Waywell continued kicking their victim until three of his ribs were broken and his lung perforated.
He had to be brought home from Park Road in a cart and was confined to bed for 12 days.
The assault had taken place on February 12th. However, Johnson lay in a dangerous condition for some time – and so the hearing had to be delayed until he was well enough to attend.
Despite over a month having passed since the incident, the St Helens Newspaper reported that Johnson when giving evidence still seemed very weak.
The Bench committed the prisoners to take their trial at the next assizes in Liverpool – but, surprisingly, on April 26th, both Waywell and O’Neal were cleared of the charge.
I've not been able to find out why, but – as I've often said – violence in the 1870s was tolerated much more than today. And the brutal assault may well have been considered simply a brawl that got out of hand.
Sarah Travis and Elizabeth Ashall were this week's female neighbours in the St Helens Petty Sessions who had been at each other's throats.
The Newspaper wrote that "the parties live in a state of chronic war and on the 4th instant, they had some warm words, and warmer blows.
"The most remarkable feature of the case was that every assertion made by either side was directly denied by the other, and the women were faithfully supported by seven or eight witnesses." Sarah Travis was fined 2s 6d.
Also in court was James Jackson who was charged with breaking the windows of Elizabeth White. She appeared to reside in Old Atlas Street in Parr. This is how the Newspaper described her case:
"It appeared that Mrs. White has had the honour of including Mr. Jackson in her family circle, where he held the position of a lodger.
"On Monday morning he felt inclined for a little relaxation, and instead of going to work he remained home enjoying the doles for meals.
"His industrious landlady‘s susceptibilities were offended by his conduct, and she relieved her mind of some uncomplimentary epithets.
"Johnson was indignant, and he took a peculiar way of expressing his indignation, by going outside and demolishing four sheets of glass in the window, with the marcadam which a considerate corporation had placed in convenient abundance.
"His worship requested him to pay 3s. and costs and damages, amounting altogether to 11s. 2d., in default to take up his abode in Kirkdale [gaol] for ten days."
The artists performing this week at the Theatre Royal Concert Hall in St Helens – in the building we know as the Citadel – included:
Little Shamrock ("Ballad and serio-comic vocalist"); Eliza-Annie ("The two-headed skylark; the greatest novelty ever seen on stage – her singing and dancing are wonderful and create a great sensation"); Mr and Mrs Barney Roberts ("Irish duettists and dancers"); Mr F. Grey (Comic vocalist); Miss J. Cleveland ("Ballad vocalist") and Tom Ward ("Negro artist and champion dancer").
Little Shamrock was the four-year-old daughter of Barney Roberts and his wife. One review said she was "surprisingly clever for her years" and another described how a semi-serious "serio-comic song by the wonder Little Shamrock" had been "greeted with thunders of applause".
Last week I reported how a pauper in Whiston Workhouse had been sent to prison at Kirkdale for a month after tearing his clothing "to pieces".
That was after being placed in solitary confinement after refusing to work in the workhouse.
On the 19th a tramp called John Fairhurst received a similar punishment in Prescot Petty Sessions, as the St Helens Newspaper described:
"It appeared that the prisoner took temporary quarters in the casual ward of the [work]house, and feeling disgusted with the ragged character of his outfit, he tore it up, in the hope of getting a suit at the expense of the ratepayers.
"It was decided by the bench that he should wear the Kirkdale [prison] uniform for a month."
Two doors down resided Peter Killeeny – and it was that close proximity that led to the latter's appearance in the Prescot court and being labelled "wicked" after telling blatant lies in a paternity case.
Without modern-day DNA or blood tests, proving paternity and obtaining maintenance payments was extremely hard for an unmarried woman to do.
Many men simply denied being the father, not wanting to lose a couple of bob a week, and a successful case often relied on strong witness testimony that the couple had been "walking out" together.
A common tactic was for the father to attempt to muddy the waters by claiming that the woman had been seeing other men.
Killeeny was not the first father who in the St Helens and Prescot courts took his denials too far and as a result was heavily rebuked by the Bench.
This is how the St Helens Newspaper described the case:
"Peter Killeeny was summoned by Jane O’Brien to show cause why he should not contribute to a child of which she alleged he was the father.
"The complainant is a widow, having three children by her husband, and the defendant, a young man of 23, has been married very recently.
"The case was heard at St. Helens a few weeks since, and dismissed through lack of the necessary evidence, but Mrs. O’Brien fished out two useful witnesses and brought it forward again.
"Mr. Swift appeared for the woman, and Mr. Rowbottom for the defendant.
"The evidence in support of the plaintiff's allegation consisted of the woman's own positive assertion, an admission of the defendant's, and other material facts.
"On the other hand the defendant was sworn, and he gave what might be called the negative general to everything damaging, denying his alleged admission of liability, and contradicting every statement of the plaintiff. When the case had concluded, the Chairman said:
"A grosser case of perjury I have never heard in this court, and though it is not necessary to take immediate action, we shall make arrangements with Mr. Spencely [court clerk] to have the defendant prosecuted.
"It is a most wicked case – the most wicked I can remember; and I wish, with all my heart, that your (defendant's) counsel could induce us to take his view, and believe that you have been only a little confused.
"You were not confused; you gave your evidence in the most deliberate, wilful, and determined way; and if one thing could blacken your character more than another, it is the cowardly way in which you tried to get a man to swear against this woman.
"In an ordinary case the order against you would be 2s. a week – in this case it will be 2s. 6d. a week, with the whole of the ordinary allowances, counsel's fee, and 2s. to each of the witnesses.
"If we could impose more we would do it, because of the false and unmanly way in which you have come into this court. You leave it in disgrace."
On the 19th the Rainford tobacco pipemakers' strike was brought to an end after ten days of industrial action, when the "masters" agreed to their employees' demand for a 10% wage rise.
However, it was not a complete victory for the workforce. As a result of the pay increase, the cost of pipes was going up, with what were called common pipes now being sold to the tobacco trade for twopence a gross.
That might reduce orders and the St Helens Newspaper wrote that reduced sales would not be the only consequence of the wage rise:
"The painful feature of this strike is revealed by an assertion of the masters that the restrictions imposed by the workmen are having the effect of driving the trade from Rainford, and this new demand is calculated to cripple the masters still further in competing with the Glasgow and other manufacturers.
"Under these circumstances, they have determined to limit the number of hands, and the consequence is that only one-half of the men will find immediate employment."
Also on the 19th, there was a police raid on Charles Rudd's "temperance" hotel in Water Street.
The place had been a beerhouse until stripped of its licence in August 1869. The police had claimed that his house was a brothel and Rudd had sixteen convictions to his name.
The new Beer Act of 1870 allowed police to obtain a search warrant from magistrates if they believed that the licensing law was being infringed.
St Helens Police had received information that the unlicensed Rudd kept a large stock of beer and as the St Helens Newspaper put it, were "determined to make a swoop".
They found eight beer barrels in a cellar of which five were filled with ale and connected to a pumping machine at the bar.
The purpose of the raid was to confiscate the beer but proceedings were also expected against the 43-year-old Rudd for what the newspaper called the "grave offence" of selling beer without a licence.
And finally, a concert was held on the 20th at Sutton National School "under distinguished patronage".
That simply indicated that some of the town's leading citizens had given the event their seal of approval and didn't mean that they had contributed any cash towards it – or even planned to attend.
The St Helens Newspaper wrote that the large infant school had been "densely crowded by a respectable and highly appreciative audience, and the way in which they enjoyed the various pieces shows that the people of Sutton can appreciate first-class music, when properly rendered."
Next week's stories will include the Sunday pandemonium in Greenbank, the new Parr knacker's yard, the expensive drunken freak in the Globe Hotel, the smallpox mix-up at Whiston Workhouse and Foottit's Circus comes to St Helens.