150 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (27th JUNE - 3rd JULY 1872)
This week's stories include the sheep that tried to jump through a Prescot shop window, the drunks that turned up in St Helens County Court to argue over a featherbed, the family fight in Sutton, the cruel mother who wanted her daughter to stay out all night, the most extraordinary weather occurs in St Helens and the Continental diorama on show at the Volunteer Hall.
We begin on the 27th when the children of St Thomas's day and Sunday schools enjoyed their annual treat. What was described as an "immense procession" of well over 1,000 of the children was formed outside of the school and, headed by a band, they marched along Eccleston Street to the cricket field. The St Helens Newspaper reported that the activities consisted of "running and jumping; in addition to the usual pastimes of school children." And then they added: "The pleasure of the outing was marred by unfavourable weather, which finally drove the children away. The Rev. W. A. Mocatta was present, and attended to the wants of his juvenile flock."
The Newspaper on the 29th described two accidents that had taken place in Prescot – one to a sheep! Animals being driven down the street used to be a common sight and occasionally they would wander off into the premises that they passed. This is how the Newspaper described what happened under the headline "Strange Freak of a Sheep":
"On the 21st instant, some sheep were being driven down the Market-place, Prescot, when one of them took it into its sheepish head to attempt to jump through the window of the shop kept by Miss Prescott. There was a smash of the window glass and of some bottles which were in the window, but no injury was done to the wood work. Being unsuccessful in the first attempt the sheep appeared to alter its purpose, for it pursued its course down the Market-place without indulging in any more unusual performance."
Perhaps the sheep had been attracted to its own reflection? A more serious accident happened to a man called John Plymouth of Derby Street in Prescot. The 70-year-old nail maker was travelling on the open upper deck of the horse-driven omnibus from Liverpool. When the bus was brought to a halt opposite the Royal Hotel in Prescot he attempted to get off. However, Mr Plymouth missed his footing on the top step of the vehicle and dropped to the ground directly on his head, suffering a severe scalp wound and other injuries.
The Newspaper also commented on the unseasonal weather: "The past week, like the week preceding, has been marked by most extraordinary weather. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, brought thunderstorms of great severity, accompanied by lightning. Rain has fallen all through, with very little intermission, absolutely flooding the neighbourhood, and doing very considerable injury to crops. The ordinary out-door operations, which are pushed on energetically at this season, have had to be partially suspended in consequence of the continued rainfall; and although the glass is rising we scarcely know how long we may be without a reasonable interval of summer weather."
Among the long list of drunks that appeared in St Helens Petty Sessions on July 1st was Thomas Maguire. He had been to the police station to enquire about joining the force but was so drunk that he was placed in the cells! In court he was fined 6 shillings and costs and I don't expect he became Police Constable Maguire!
The Noonan family from Moss Nook in Sutton were also in court after a quarrel turned violent. Margaret Noonan had summoned her brother-in-law James Noonan for assault – but he claimed her husband had struck her first. James explained to the Bench that he'd told the husband to leave his wife alone, as she was drunk. Margaret was furious at his interference in a marital tiff and grabbed hold of his whiskers. James then claimed that he'd been forced to hit her to drive her off. Of course, that was his take on the affair and, as usual, lots of witnesses gave their own different versions of events. The magistrates felt it was six of one and half a dozen of the other and dismissed the case.
Also in court was William Gerard who was charged with driving his horse and cart furiously through Bridge Street. Superintendent Ludlam said that the man had knocked down two old women rendering one of them unconscious. Actually, he said "insensible", as that was the term always used when someone was knocked out.
Bridget O’Loughlin was charged with assaulting her daughter Mary. The woman was described by the Newspaper as "reckless looking" and appeared to live in Warrington Road in Rainhill. The evidence suggested that the woman wanted her child to stay out all night but Mary had refused, leading to the mother knocking her down and kicking her. Neighbour Ralph Wright said he'd picked the girl up from the ground and it appeared to him that the mother wanted to desert her daughter in the street.
Superintendent Ludlum said Mrs O’Loughlin had previously served two months in prison for assaulting her daughter. Bridget claimed in her defence that people were trying to take her children from her but she had reared them and would keep them. The Chairman of the Bench said the woman seemed to be anxious to get back to prison and so she would be gratified to be committed for a further month at Kirkdale Gaol.
Audiences were astounded by dioramas. Light was manipulated in a manner that made landscape paintings appear to change their appearance and simulate movement. Diorama presentations took place in St Helens once or twice a year as part of nationwide tours. From the 2nd, what was described as "Hamilton's Delightful New Excursions To The Continent" was shown at the Volunteer Hall in St Helens (pictured above in later years), which focussed mainly on the recent Franco-Prussian war and its aftermath.
Adverts invited audiences to see: "Paris in Splendour!, Paris in Flames!, Paris in Ruins!, Paris in War! and the Last Struggle of the Commune!" As well as imaginative visuals there was also a commentary and the singing of songs. The St Helens Newspaper was full of praise for the show and its "startling scenic effects" and "wonderful vividness". Admission prices were quite affordable, starting at just sixpence and rising to two shillings. It was intended that the performances would last six nights but there were crowded attendances nightly and so the proprietor decided to stay for another week.
On the 2nd the St Helens County Court met for its weekly hearings in East Street. It was a busy place and it was normal for over 100 cases to be dispensed with in a single day. These were usually petty squabbles over small amounts of money, and although it only cost 6 to 7 shillings to bring a summons, it often didn't seem worth anyone's while. Sadly, the Newspaper's reports on the cases tended to lack detail on the participants and where they lived.
So all we know about Owen vs. Travers was that the action had been brought to recover a featherbed that the plaintiff claimed he'd given to the defendant as security for a 20-shilling loan. However, Mr Travers swore blind that he had bought the bed for the pound and refused to give it back. Mr Owen did not help his case by arriving in court with a large star-shaped plaster on his face. The Newspaper commented that it was apparent the man had been "indulging rather freely that morning". The defendant was also not quite sober but the only witness in the case was in a far worse condition, as the Newspaper explained:
"Plaintiff…led up an individual whom he called Thomas. This person was dreadfully red in the face – so red that he seemed to be going on fire – and the great difficulty he experienced was in trying to keep his eyes concentrated on anything. It was manifest that he had been more industrious [in drinking] than even the principals to the action. He tried to kiss the book [Bible], but missed his aim, and gave up the attempt to look for the cause, as his eyes remained obstinate. One of the bailiffs then assisted the book to his mouth, and he kissed it fairly enough.
"Having got this far, he made several attempts to bring the judge fully within the focus of his vision, but it was no use, and from that moment he seemed to content himself with keeping his eyes from folding up their wings and going fast asleep. Although called by the plaintiff, he said that the bed had been sold, not deposited as a security. His Honour then gave a verdict for the defendant. Defendant (to the judge): I am obliged to you, sir. (To the plaintiff): Rascal! Villain! Scoundrel!"
Next week's stories will include a claim of police brutality in Sutton, the Raven Hotel traveller conundrum is considered in court, the fight that turned into a brick bashing and the Parr woman whose gossip landed her in court.
We begin on the 27th when the children of St Thomas's day and Sunday schools enjoyed their annual treat. What was described as an "immense procession" of well over 1,000 of the children was formed outside of the school and, headed by a band, they marched along Eccleston Street to the cricket field. The St Helens Newspaper reported that the activities consisted of "running and jumping; in addition to the usual pastimes of school children." And then they added: "The pleasure of the outing was marred by unfavourable weather, which finally drove the children away. The Rev. W. A. Mocatta was present, and attended to the wants of his juvenile flock."
The Newspaper on the 29th described two accidents that had taken place in Prescot – one to a sheep! Animals being driven down the street used to be a common sight and occasionally they would wander off into the premises that they passed. This is how the Newspaper described what happened under the headline "Strange Freak of a Sheep":
"On the 21st instant, some sheep were being driven down the Market-place, Prescot, when one of them took it into its sheepish head to attempt to jump through the window of the shop kept by Miss Prescott. There was a smash of the window glass and of some bottles which were in the window, but no injury was done to the wood work. Being unsuccessful in the first attempt the sheep appeared to alter its purpose, for it pursued its course down the Market-place without indulging in any more unusual performance."
Perhaps the sheep had been attracted to its own reflection? A more serious accident happened to a man called John Plymouth of Derby Street in Prescot. The 70-year-old nail maker was travelling on the open upper deck of the horse-driven omnibus from Liverpool. When the bus was brought to a halt opposite the Royal Hotel in Prescot he attempted to get off. However, Mr Plymouth missed his footing on the top step of the vehicle and dropped to the ground directly on his head, suffering a severe scalp wound and other injuries.
The Newspaper also commented on the unseasonal weather: "The past week, like the week preceding, has been marked by most extraordinary weather. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, brought thunderstorms of great severity, accompanied by lightning. Rain has fallen all through, with very little intermission, absolutely flooding the neighbourhood, and doing very considerable injury to crops. The ordinary out-door operations, which are pushed on energetically at this season, have had to be partially suspended in consequence of the continued rainfall; and although the glass is rising we scarcely know how long we may be without a reasonable interval of summer weather."
Among the long list of drunks that appeared in St Helens Petty Sessions on July 1st was Thomas Maguire. He had been to the police station to enquire about joining the force but was so drunk that he was placed in the cells! In court he was fined 6 shillings and costs and I don't expect he became Police Constable Maguire!
The Noonan family from Moss Nook in Sutton were also in court after a quarrel turned violent. Margaret Noonan had summoned her brother-in-law James Noonan for assault – but he claimed her husband had struck her first. James explained to the Bench that he'd told the husband to leave his wife alone, as she was drunk. Margaret was furious at his interference in a marital tiff and grabbed hold of his whiskers. James then claimed that he'd been forced to hit her to drive her off. Of course, that was his take on the affair and, as usual, lots of witnesses gave their own different versions of events. The magistrates felt it was six of one and half a dozen of the other and dismissed the case.
Also in court was William Gerard who was charged with driving his horse and cart furiously through Bridge Street. Superintendent Ludlam said that the man had knocked down two old women rendering one of them unconscious. Actually, he said "insensible", as that was the term always used when someone was knocked out.
Bridget O’Loughlin was charged with assaulting her daughter Mary. The woman was described by the Newspaper as "reckless looking" and appeared to live in Warrington Road in Rainhill. The evidence suggested that the woman wanted her child to stay out all night but Mary had refused, leading to the mother knocking her down and kicking her. Neighbour Ralph Wright said he'd picked the girl up from the ground and it appeared to him that the mother wanted to desert her daughter in the street.
Superintendent Ludlum said Mrs O’Loughlin had previously served two months in prison for assaulting her daughter. Bridget claimed in her defence that people were trying to take her children from her but she had reared them and would keep them. The Chairman of the Bench said the woman seemed to be anxious to get back to prison and so she would be gratified to be committed for a further month at Kirkdale Gaol.
Adverts invited audiences to see: "Paris in Splendour!, Paris in Flames!, Paris in Ruins!, Paris in War! and the Last Struggle of the Commune!" As well as imaginative visuals there was also a commentary and the singing of songs. The St Helens Newspaper was full of praise for the show and its "startling scenic effects" and "wonderful vividness". Admission prices were quite affordable, starting at just sixpence and rising to two shillings. It was intended that the performances would last six nights but there were crowded attendances nightly and so the proprietor decided to stay for another week.
On the 2nd the St Helens County Court met for its weekly hearings in East Street. It was a busy place and it was normal for over 100 cases to be dispensed with in a single day. These were usually petty squabbles over small amounts of money, and although it only cost 6 to 7 shillings to bring a summons, it often didn't seem worth anyone's while. Sadly, the Newspaper's reports on the cases tended to lack detail on the participants and where they lived.
So all we know about Owen vs. Travers was that the action had been brought to recover a featherbed that the plaintiff claimed he'd given to the defendant as security for a 20-shilling loan. However, Mr Travers swore blind that he had bought the bed for the pound and refused to give it back. Mr Owen did not help his case by arriving in court with a large star-shaped plaster on his face. The Newspaper commented that it was apparent the man had been "indulging rather freely that morning". The defendant was also not quite sober but the only witness in the case was in a far worse condition, as the Newspaper explained:
"Plaintiff…led up an individual whom he called Thomas. This person was dreadfully red in the face – so red that he seemed to be going on fire – and the great difficulty he experienced was in trying to keep his eyes concentrated on anything. It was manifest that he had been more industrious [in drinking] than even the principals to the action. He tried to kiss the book [Bible], but missed his aim, and gave up the attempt to look for the cause, as his eyes remained obstinate. One of the bailiffs then assisted the book to his mouth, and he kissed it fairly enough.
"Having got this far, he made several attempts to bring the judge fully within the focus of his vision, but it was no use, and from that moment he seemed to content himself with keeping his eyes from folding up their wings and going fast asleep. Although called by the plaintiff, he said that the bed had been sold, not deposited as a security. His Honour then gave a verdict for the defendant. Defendant (to the judge): I am obliged to you, sir. (To the plaintiff): Rascal! Villain! Scoundrel!"
Next week's stories will include a claim of police brutality in Sutton, the Raven Hotel traveller conundrum is considered in court, the fight that turned into a brick bashing and the Parr woman whose gossip landed her in court.
This week's stories include the sheep that tried to jump through a Prescot shop window, the drunks that turned up in St Helens County Court to argue over a featherbed, the family fight in Sutton, the cruel mother who wanted her daughter to stay out all night, the most extraordinary weather occurs in St Helens and the Continental diorama on show at the Volunteer Hall.
We begin on the 27th when the children of St Thomas's day and Sunday schools enjoyed their annual treat.
What was described as an "immense procession" of well over 1,000 of the children was formed outside of the school and, headed by a band, they marched along Eccleston Street to the cricket field.
The St Helens Newspaper reported that the activities consisted of "running and jumping; in addition to the usual pastimes of school children."
And then they added: "The pleasure of the outing was marred by unfavourable weather, which finally drove the children away. The Rev. W. A. Mocatta was present, and attended to the wants of his juvenile flock."
The Newspaper on the 29th described two accidents that had taken place in Prescot – one to a sheep!
Animals being driven down the street used to be a common sight and occasionally they would wander off into the premises that they passed.
This is how the Newspaper described what happened under the headline "Strange Freak of a Sheep":
"On the 21st instant, some sheep were being driven down the Market-place, Prescot, when one of them took it into its sheepish head to attempt to jump through the window of the shop kept by Miss Prescott.
"There was a smash of the window glass and of some bottles which were in the window, but no injury was done to the wood work.
"Being unsuccessful in the first attempt the sheep appeared to alter its purpose, for it pursued its course down the Market-place without indulging in any more unusual performance."
Perhaps the sheep had been attracted to its own reflection? A more serious accident happened to a man called John Plymouth of Derby Street in Prescot.
The 70-year-old nail maker was travelling on the open upper deck of the horse-driven omnibus from Liverpool.
When the bus was brought to a halt opposite the Royal Hotel in Prescot he attempted to get off.
However, Mr Plymouth missed his footing on the top step of the vehicle and dropped to the ground directly on his head, suffering a severe scalp wound and other injuries.
The Newspaper also commented on the unseasonal weather: "The past week, like the week preceding, has been marked by most extraordinary weather.
"Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, brought thunderstorms of great severity, accompanied by lightning.
"Rain has fallen all through, with very little intermission, absolutely flooding the neighbourhood, and doing very considerable injury to crops.
"The ordinary out-door operations, which are pushed on energetically at this season, have had to be partially suspended in consequence of the continued rainfall; and although the glass is rising we scarcely know how long we may be without a reasonable interval of summer weather."
Among the long list of drunks that appeared in St Helens Petty Sessions on July 1st was Thomas Maguire.
He had been to the police station to enquire about joining the force but was so drunk that he was placed in the cells!
In court he was fined 6 shillings and costs and I don't expect he became Police Constable Maguire!
The Noonan family from Moss Nook in Sutton were also in court after a quarrel turned violent.
Margaret Noonan had summoned her brother-in-law James Noonan for assault – but he claimed her husband had struck her first.
James explained to the Bench that he'd told the husband to leave his wife alone, as she was drunk.
Margaret was furious at his interference in a marital tiff and grabbed hold of his whiskers. James then claimed that he'd been forced to hit her to drive her off.
Of course, that was his take on the affair and, as usual, lots of witnesses gave their own different versions of events.
The magistrates felt it was six of one and half a dozen of the other and dismissed the case.
Also in court was William Gerard who was charged with driving his horse and cart furiously through Bridge Street.
Superintendent Ludlam said that the man had knocked down two old women rendering one of them unconscious.
Actually, he said "insensible", as that was the term always used when someone was knocked out.
Bridget O’Loughlin was charged with assaulting her daughter Mary. The woman was described by the Newspaper as "reckless looking" and appeared to live in Warrington Road in Rainhill.
The evidence suggested that the woman wanted her child to stay out all night but Mary had refused, leading to the mother knocking her down and kicking her.
Neighbour Ralph Wright said he'd picked the girl up from the ground and it appeared to him that the mother wanted to desert her daughter in the street.
Superintendent Ludlum said Mrs O’Loughlin had previously served two months in prison for assaulting her daughter.
Bridget claimed in her defence that people were trying to take her children from her but she had reared them and would keep them.
The Chairman of the Bench said the woman seemed to be anxious to get back to prison and so she would be gratified to be committed for a further month at Kirkdale Gaol.
Audiences were astounded by dioramas. Light was manipulated in a manner that made landscape paintings appear to change their appearance and simulate movement.
Diorama presentations took place in St Helens once or twice a year as part of nationwide tours.
From the 2nd, what was described as "Hamilton's Delightful New Excursions To The Continent" was shown at the Volunteer Hall in St Helens (pictured above in later years), which focussed mainly on the recent Franco-Prussian war and its aftermath.
Adverts invited audiences to see: "Paris in Splendour!, Paris in Flames!, Paris in Ruins!, Paris in War! and the Last Struggle of the Commune!"
As well as imaginative visuals there was also a commentary and the singing of songs.
The St Helens Newspaper was full of praise for the show and its "startling scenic effects" and "wonderful vividness".
Admission prices were quite affordable, starting at just sixpence and rising to two shillings.
It was intended that the performances would last six nights but there were crowded attendances nightly and so the proprietor decided to stay for another week.
On the 2nd the St Helens County Court met for its weekly hearings in East Street. It was a busy place and it was normal for over 100 cases to be dispensed with in a single day.
These were usually petty squabbles over small amounts of money, and although it only cost 6 to 7 shillings to bring a summons, it often didn't seem worth anyone's while.
Sadly, the Newspaper's reports on the cases tended to lack detail on the participants and where they lived.
So all we know about Owen vs. Travers was that the action had been brought to recover a featherbed that the plaintiff claimed he'd given to the defendant as security for a 20-shilling loan.
However, Mr Travers swore blind that he had bought the bed for the pound and refused to give it back.
Mr Owen did not help his case by arriving in court with a large star-shaped plaster on his face.
The Newspaper commented that it was apparent the man had been "indulging rather freely that morning".
The defendant was also not quite sober but the only witness in the case was in a far worse condition, as the Newspaper explained:
"Plaintiff…led up an individual whom he called Thomas. This person was dreadfully red in the face – so red that he seemed to be going on fire – and the great difficulty he experienced was in trying to keep his eyes concentrated on anything.
"It was manifest that he had been more industrious [in drinking] than even the principals to the action.
"He tried to kiss the book [Bible], but missed his aim, and gave up the attempt to look for the cause, as his eyes remained obstinate. One of the bailiffs then assisted the book to his mouth, and he kissed it fairly enough.
"Having got this far, he made several attempts to bring the judge fully within the focus of his vision, but it was no use, and from that moment he seemed to content himself with keeping his eyes from folding up their wings and going fast asleep.
"Although called by the plaintiff, he said that the bed had been sold, not deposited as a security. His Honour then gave a verdict for the defendant. Defendant (to the judge): I am obliged to you, sir. (To the plaintiff): Rascal! Villain! Scoundrel!"
Next week's stories will include a claim of police brutality in Sutton, the Raven Hotel traveller conundrum is considered in court, the fight that turned into a brick bashing and the Parr woman whose gossip landed her in court.
We begin on the 27th when the children of St Thomas's day and Sunday schools enjoyed their annual treat.
What was described as an "immense procession" of well over 1,000 of the children was formed outside of the school and, headed by a band, they marched along Eccleston Street to the cricket field.
The St Helens Newspaper reported that the activities consisted of "running and jumping; in addition to the usual pastimes of school children."
And then they added: "The pleasure of the outing was marred by unfavourable weather, which finally drove the children away. The Rev. W. A. Mocatta was present, and attended to the wants of his juvenile flock."
The Newspaper on the 29th described two accidents that had taken place in Prescot – one to a sheep!
Animals being driven down the street used to be a common sight and occasionally they would wander off into the premises that they passed.
This is how the Newspaper described what happened under the headline "Strange Freak of a Sheep":
"On the 21st instant, some sheep were being driven down the Market-place, Prescot, when one of them took it into its sheepish head to attempt to jump through the window of the shop kept by Miss Prescott.
"There was a smash of the window glass and of some bottles which were in the window, but no injury was done to the wood work.
"Being unsuccessful in the first attempt the sheep appeared to alter its purpose, for it pursued its course down the Market-place without indulging in any more unusual performance."
Perhaps the sheep had been attracted to its own reflection? A more serious accident happened to a man called John Plymouth of Derby Street in Prescot.
The 70-year-old nail maker was travelling on the open upper deck of the horse-driven omnibus from Liverpool.
When the bus was brought to a halt opposite the Royal Hotel in Prescot he attempted to get off.
However, Mr Plymouth missed his footing on the top step of the vehicle and dropped to the ground directly on his head, suffering a severe scalp wound and other injuries.
The Newspaper also commented on the unseasonal weather: "The past week, like the week preceding, has been marked by most extraordinary weather.
"Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, brought thunderstorms of great severity, accompanied by lightning.
"Rain has fallen all through, with very little intermission, absolutely flooding the neighbourhood, and doing very considerable injury to crops.
"The ordinary out-door operations, which are pushed on energetically at this season, have had to be partially suspended in consequence of the continued rainfall; and although the glass is rising we scarcely know how long we may be without a reasonable interval of summer weather."
Among the long list of drunks that appeared in St Helens Petty Sessions on July 1st was Thomas Maguire.
He had been to the police station to enquire about joining the force but was so drunk that he was placed in the cells!
In court he was fined 6 shillings and costs and I don't expect he became Police Constable Maguire!
The Noonan family from Moss Nook in Sutton were also in court after a quarrel turned violent.
Margaret Noonan had summoned her brother-in-law James Noonan for assault – but he claimed her husband had struck her first.
James explained to the Bench that he'd told the husband to leave his wife alone, as she was drunk.
Margaret was furious at his interference in a marital tiff and grabbed hold of his whiskers. James then claimed that he'd been forced to hit her to drive her off.
Of course, that was his take on the affair and, as usual, lots of witnesses gave their own different versions of events.
The magistrates felt it was six of one and half a dozen of the other and dismissed the case.
Also in court was William Gerard who was charged with driving his horse and cart furiously through Bridge Street.
Superintendent Ludlam said that the man had knocked down two old women rendering one of them unconscious.
Actually, he said "insensible", as that was the term always used when someone was knocked out.
Bridget O’Loughlin was charged with assaulting her daughter Mary. The woman was described by the Newspaper as "reckless looking" and appeared to live in Warrington Road in Rainhill.
The evidence suggested that the woman wanted her child to stay out all night but Mary had refused, leading to the mother knocking her down and kicking her.
Neighbour Ralph Wright said he'd picked the girl up from the ground and it appeared to him that the mother wanted to desert her daughter in the street.
Superintendent Ludlum said Mrs O’Loughlin had previously served two months in prison for assaulting her daughter.
Bridget claimed in her defence that people were trying to take her children from her but she had reared them and would keep them.
The Chairman of the Bench said the woman seemed to be anxious to get back to prison and so she would be gratified to be committed for a further month at Kirkdale Gaol.
Audiences were astounded by dioramas. Light was manipulated in a manner that made landscape paintings appear to change their appearance and simulate movement.
Diorama presentations took place in St Helens once or twice a year as part of nationwide tours.
Adverts invited audiences to see: "Paris in Splendour!, Paris in Flames!, Paris in Ruins!, Paris in War! and the Last Struggle of the Commune!"
As well as imaginative visuals there was also a commentary and the singing of songs.
The St Helens Newspaper was full of praise for the show and its "startling scenic effects" and "wonderful vividness".
Admission prices were quite affordable, starting at just sixpence and rising to two shillings.
It was intended that the performances would last six nights but there were crowded attendances nightly and so the proprietor decided to stay for another week.
On the 2nd the St Helens County Court met for its weekly hearings in East Street. It was a busy place and it was normal for over 100 cases to be dispensed with in a single day.
These were usually petty squabbles over small amounts of money, and although it only cost 6 to 7 shillings to bring a summons, it often didn't seem worth anyone's while.
Sadly, the Newspaper's reports on the cases tended to lack detail on the participants and where they lived.
So all we know about Owen vs. Travers was that the action had been brought to recover a featherbed that the plaintiff claimed he'd given to the defendant as security for a 20-shilling loan.
However, Mr Travers swore blind that he had bought the bed for the pound and refused to give it back.
Mr Owen did not help his case by arriving in court with a large star-shaped plaster on his face.
The Newspaper commented that it was apparent the man had been "indulging rather freely that morning".
The defendant was also not quite sober but the only witness in the case was in a far worse condition, as the Newspaper explained:
"Plaintiff…led up an individual whom he called Thomas. This person was dreadfully red in the face – so red that he seemed to be going on fire – and the great difficulty he experienced was in trying to keep his eyes concentrated on anything.
"It was manifest that he had been more industrious [in drinking] than even the principals to the action.
"He tried to kiss the book [Bible], but missed his aim, and gave up the attempt to look for the cause, as his eyes remained obstinate. One of the bailiffs then assisted the book to his mouth, and he kissed it fairly enough.
"Having got this far, he made several attempts to bring the judge fully within the focus of his vision, but it was no use, and from that moment he seemed to content himself with keeping his eyes from folding up their wings and going fast asleep.
"Although called by the plaintiff, he said that the bed had been sold, not deposited as a security. His Honour then gave a verdict for the defendant. Defendant (to the judge): I am obliged to you, sir. (To the plaintiff): Rascal! Villain! Scoundrel!"
Next week's stories will include a claim of police brutality in Sutton, the Raven Hotel traveller conundrum is considered in court, the fight that turned into a brick bashing and the Parr woman whose gossip landed her in court.