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A labouring man about 40 years of age named KERSHAW, residing at Gauxholme, who for several days previous to his death had indulged in drunkenness, missed his way and walked into the canal during the evening of yesterday week, near to Gauxholme, and was drowned. He was taken out on the Monday following. He has left a wife and 7 children to lament his untimely end.

On Tuesday morning last, WILLIAM KING, a young man 27 years old, the eldest son of Mr. JOHN KING, clogger of Todmorden, while in a state of intoxication fell from the straw loft of the Golden Lion Todmorden where he and a companion had retired late on the previous evening, pitched on his head, and only survived the accident little more than an hour.

Strayed from Knowlwood near Todmorden, on Tuesday 4th March, ALICE SOUTHWELL of weak intellect, daughter of JOHN SOUTHWELL, a poor labouring man of the same place. The aforementioned Alice Southwell is of dark complexion, having her front hair cut close by her forehead, is about 32 years of age, and of strong muscular form; had on when she left home a cotton night cap, brown stuff dress, white apron, light blue or milk and water coloured stockings, and a pair of clogs on her feet. She was last seen on the road leading to Littleborough and Rochdale, about 3 miles above Todmorden, having her flannel petticoat hanging on her arm. It will be an act of humanity in anyone that may have seen or heard of a person answering the above description, transmitting the information thereof to her distressed parent.

Preston Chronicle (Preston, England), Saturday, February 25, 1832; Issue 1017

The following sign was actually stuck up near Todmorden instead of a pole a few weeks ago. It is a novelty of its kind:

The Manchester Times and Gazette (Manchester, England), Tuesday, August 1, 1848;

On Saturday last, Mr. Clark, deputy coroner of Rochdale, and a respectable jury held an inquest on the remains of a boy named BARKER FIELDEN, son of GEORGE FIELDEN of Clough, at the house of Mr. JAMES PEARSON, Hollins. It appeared that on Thursday last, Mr. JAMES HARDMAN, surgeon of Todmorden, was called to visit a patient and while doing so he had engaged a boy to hold his horse. The deceased, a boy of from 6 to 7 years of age, was playing about at the time, and came behind the horse, which gave him a kick on the bottom of the belly. He lingered till Friday morning in great agony, when he died. The jury found a verdict of Accidentally Killed.

A rather curious affair happened during the time Mr. Clark was writing down the depositions; no less than three of the jurors fell asleep, a fault Mr. Clark punished by a fine on each slumberer.

Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper (London, England), Sunday, February 2, 1862; Issue 1002.

Two attempts have recently been made to break into the house of a man named WOODCOCK, who is 75 years of age and keeps a small grocery shop at Mankinholes near Todmorden. The old man and his wife sleep in a bed on the ground floor, in a room lighted by a little old fashioned window of no great strength, the panes of glass being let into a framework of lead; and one night about 6 weeks ago, Woodcock was awoke by a pane of the window being broken, and a hand being thrust through the aperture to unfasten the casement.

The old man told the burglar that unless the hand were withdrawn he would chop it off, and this threat had the desired effect of frightening the ruffian and causing him to desist.

On Friday night last, however, a more desperate attack was made by 2 burglars, one of whom struck the window a blow with something that had the effect of driving in the whole of the glass and framework together. The burglars then entered the room and one of them raised the wife while the other pursued the husband into another room, whither he had gone for a weapon with which to defend himself. It was a dark night, but the old man got hold of a pair of tongs and struck the burglar, who followed him a severe blow with the heavy end of the tongs. The next moment the burglar caught him by the throat with one hand, while he endeavoured to strike him with a carpenter’s axe with the other. The grasp of the throat was so severe that it forced blood from the mouth and nostrils of Woodcock, but still the old man succeeded in striking the axe from his assailant’s hand by hitting him a blow with the tongs across the wrist. This caused the burglar to stoop and search for the axe, and while he did so Woodcock went through the bedroom and escaped by the window to get assistance from his neighbours. When he returned with some of his neighbours it was found that the burglars had decamped without taking anything with them. In the room where the struggle had taken place, a sharp axe and a man’s cap were found on the floor. A good deal of blood was on the floor, some of which it is thought had been shed by the burglar in the struggle. Woodcock was a good deal exhausted and excited through the encounter, and several of his neighbours remained with him during the remainder of the night, and from the care taken of him, it is thought that he will recover from the injuries he sustained. There is reason to believe the police are on the track of the men who entered the room.

a young man of weak intellect of the name of DAVID ASHWORTH, who is about 35 years of age, standing near 5ft 8ins in height, stout made, and active habits, ruddy face, lightish complexion, stoops in his gait, and walks in a hurried manner, the son of JOHN ASHWORTH, cabinet maker of Todmorden, strayed from his home on Sunday 26th ultimo, and was last seen at about 1 o’clock in the afternoon of that day near to Brown Wardle, in the neighbourhood of Rochdale.

He had on a light drab uncut velveteen round jacket, a small plaid waistcoat, the bottom part of which across the front was covered as high as the top of the pockets with black cloth, black cloth trousers, brown worsted stockings, strong shoes, an old slouched hat, and a small plaid handkerchief around his neck. The distressed parents of the above young man would, no doubt, deem it a special favour and lasting obligation to any person who would transmit them any information that would lead to the discovery of their lost son.

The plaintiff was Mrs. HANNAH GREENWOOD, of Todmorden, a widow, twenty six years of age, and Mr. EDWARD KNOWLES, the son of a millowner in the same neighbourhood, who was the defendant, had promised to marry her, and it appeared from the evidence that she was enciente by him.

Towards the close of last year his father died, and he wrote to her on the 6th December last, saying that owing to altered circumstances he could not perform his promise.

For the defence Mr. Jones called witnesses to prove that the defendant’s share of his father’s property, as second son, was only £260 and the share in some stone quarries, one of which was worked by him and his elder brother, employing five or six workmen, and another which was let on a royalty which they received from it.

The elder brother was called and stated that the quarries only yielded a moderate living for him and his brother.

A witness was also called to show that the defendant had gone to the plaintiff, on Saturday night, the 4th of December, and told her that she must go with him the next day to Halifax to be married, and she declined.

Mr. Jones in addressing the jury, relied on this point as showing that the defendant had offered to fulfil his part of the contract, but the plaintiff had refused to fulfil hers.

Mr. Temple said this was evidently an afterthought, and that no such plea was urged in the letter of the 6th of December, in which he wrote to break off the engagement.

The jury would consider whether, after plaintiff had furnished a house, and had prepared the outfit for the wedding, this was sufficient answer to the action. The learned judge said he quite agreed with Mr. Temple that it used to be for the lady “to name the happy day” for the marriage, and that it could hardly be said that notice to marry on the night before the event was to come off was a sufficient answer. The jury retired about twenty minutes and returned with a verdict for the plaintiff: damages £100.

Manchester Times (Manchester, England), Saturday, August 20, 1853; Issue 501.

GREENWOOD HOLT was charged with having, in Todmorden and Walsden, falsely committed wilful and corrupt perjury in testimony there given before Her Majesty’s justices of the peace. Mr. Overend prosecuted; Mr. Monk defended. The perjury was alleged to have been committed by the defendant in vainly endeavouring to defend himself against an application in bastardy, preferred by a young woman named Stansfield. The trial had not concluded when our reporter’s last despatch was closed.

The Leeds Mercury (Leeds, England), Tuesday, September 27, 1870; Issue 10128

On Friday afternoon, a robbery of £22 10s was committed by two female gypsies at the residence of Mr. HENRY HOLLINRAKE, Bank Buildings, Todmorden. One of the women called on Thursday afternoon and wanted to tell Mrs. Hollinrake her fortune; and arrangements were made that she should call next day with her daughter. The arrangement was carried out, and the daughter succeeded in getting upstairs under the pretence of telling Mrs. Hollinrake her fortune. The gypsy remarked that the more money she cold see, the better it would be. £22 10s was brought out, which the gypsy ordered should be carefully wrapped in a piece of rag and placed in a drawer. These directions were carried out to the satisfaction of the woman, she of course, helping in the work. Mrs. Hollinrake, who is an invalid, was also to be cured by the Saturday afternoon; but as she did not feel much better after the interval, she began to lose faith in the gypsy and apprehensive that the money might not be all right. She sent her daughter to see if it was there, and the discovery was made that the genuine coins had been exchanged for a number of lead pieces. The thieves are still at large.

On Tuesday last, an accident happened to a young man 18 years of age named HENRY LORD who lived at Lee In Langfield near Todmorden. When the accident occurred, the young man was on his way to Dulesgate coal pit, and had reached a place called California at the junction of two roads. The horse took the lower road, which is very narrow and steep. One of the wheels of the cart ran ontop of the wall for several yards, and then upset. The young man was in the cart, and being without reins he had little or no command over the horse. It appears no-one saw the accident happen. Shortly afterwards, however, a man living in the neighbourhood came to the rescue of Lord. One of the fore feet of the horse was on his face, the other had passed over his chin, taking almost all the flesh off, and was across his neck, almost strangling him. In a short time he was released, and died from the injuries between 12 and 1 o’clock on Thursday morning.

Manchester Times (Manchester, England), Saturday, February 18, 1871; Issue 690

On Wednesday forenoon, a coroner’s enquiry was held at Todmorden into the circumstances attending the death of HERBERT, aged 5 years, son of THOMAS HELLIWELL, carter of Lydgate.

The evidence was to the effect that deceased was in a pea booth at Lydgate, near Todmorden, on Saturday, and in the absence of the owner had drunk a hot gravy from a tin kettle left upon a table in the booth. He was so severely scalded in the mouth and throat that he died on Sunday. The jury returned a verdict of “Accidentally scalded”.

The Northern Star and Leeds General Advertiser (Leeds, England), Saturday, April 11, 1840; Issue 126.

JOHN ALLEN was indicted for maliciously stabbing JAMES CROWTHER at Todmorden and Walsden on the 8th September last. It appeared the prosecutor saw the prisoner knocking at his own house at night. He asked why he was doing so, not knowing at the time that he lived there. The prisoner replied “I’ll soon show you why I’m knocking”. The door was shortly after opened and the prisoner went in, and immediately returned and stabbed the prosecutor in the side with a knife. The wound was not dangerous. The prisoner was in a state of intoxication.

His Lordship said intoxication was no excuse for crime and in order to stop the practice of stabbing, he should sentence him to transportation for fifteen years.

On Monday evening last, about half past seven o’clock, the neighbourhood of Butcher Hill near Todmorden presented a scene of great excitement, owing to a respectable beer seller and grocer named JAMES DAWSON, having been found by GEORGE SCHOLEFIELD in a lifeless state, hanging by the neck in a hay rope from one of the beams of his own hay loft situated above the stable. The deceased on the same evening about 5 o’clock, was seen looking about and making inquiry after his carts, and was shortly afterwards observed entering the stable. He was afterwards seen to come down from the hay loft and enter his house, where he remained a short time; but afterwards went out and was not seen again until found dead. His friends had not observed anything peculiar in his demeanour to cause the least suspicion.

The Northern Star and Leeds General Advertiser (Leeds, England), Saturday, August 19, 1843; Issue 301

On Sunday last, JAMES HOLT, a farmer of Longfield neat Todmorden, was drinking nearly all the day. In the evening he was at the Spinners Arms, a beerhouse at Knowlwood, he went into the back yard and there fell from a wall, a distance of some 12 or 14 feet; and then rolled forward and fell down a scar, a perpendicular descent of some 50 or 60 feet. His back was broken and his scull fractured. It is needless to say he died immediately. It is said that at the time he had a quart of gin in him, a quantity of other spirits and a lot of ale.

The Leeds Mercury (Leeds, England), Saturday, September 28, 1850; Issue 6095

On Thursday 18th inst. An inquest was held at the Waggon & Horses Inn Walsden before J.F. Dearden Esq. on the body of JAMES LAW, shoemaker, who had, a few days previous to his death, been at the Whitworth Wakes, where he, in the company with some friends, got intoxicated, and in returning home over the moor situated between Whitworth and Todmorden, fell down a precipice about 4 yards deep, which produced injuries so serious that he only lived a few days. Verdict: Died from injuries received by a fall, being at the time in liquor.

On Saturday, JOHN EARNSHAW, a miner of Dulesgate, Todmorden, made a wager in a local public house that he would, without his boots, mount the mill chimney 70 yards high, in the course of repair at Copperas Bridge. He went up, but in coming down slipped when 40 feet from the bottom and fell heavily to the ground. He was very badly injured and conveyed to the Manchester Infirmary in a precarious condition. Many people witnessed the feat.

Preston Chronicle (Preston, England), Saturday, December 18, 1841; Issue 1529

SUICIDE – on Sunday last, JOHN GREENWOOD, landlord of the Black Swan Inn Todmorden, committed suicide by cutting his throat with a penknife, in his bedroom. He had been drinking several days, and was dead when found.

The Hull Packet and East Riding Times (Hull, England), Friday, December 9, 1859; Issue 3908

On The Highway Near Todmorden about noon, on Monday, a man, apparently about 45 years of age, was found in a dying state on the roadside near Horse Pasture, Walsden, by a person named stansfield. When picked up, he was unable to speak, and on being removed, he died immediately. He is about 5ft. 6in. high; has dark brown whiskers, thick nose, glazed cap, with a pink lining and brass buttons on each side.He wore a black cloth coat and trousers of the same material. His waistcoat is made of black velveteen, with blue glazed buttons. He wore no shoes or clogs, and he had on a striped cotton shirt. In his pockets he had an oyster shell, some salve (in which was sixpence), and some paper.

North Wales Chronicle (Bangor, Wales), Saturday, December 17, 1859; Issue 1707.

On Saturday evening the last remains of a poor fellow found dead on the moor at Todmorden, were interred in Walsden churchyard, no one having come forward to identify him. On Sunday however, inquiries were made by the son and brother of the deceased, from whose statements it appears that the name of the man was JOHN SPENCER, that he was resident at Bolton, and that he was a pensioner who had retired from the service about two years ago. He had been sixteen years in India, and during his absence from this country his wife had got married again, supposing him to be dead. This circumstance appears to have pressed heavily on his mind, and he had latterly been noticed to be somewhat deranged in his intellect.On the 1st. inst., he went to the house where his wife resided, and took his leave of the family, then went off in the direction where he was found. An oyster shell found upon him, and containing a composition, is being submitted for analysis.

The Northern Star and Leeds General Advertiser (Leeds, England), Saturday, November 21, 1840; Issue 158.

Liverpool Mercury etc (Liverpool, England), Tuesday, March 11, 1890; Issue 13158

The late Mr. JOSEPH WOODHEAD – many residents in Liverpool and neighbourhood will hear with sincere regret of the death of Mr. Joseph Woodhead of Everton House, Cambridge Road, Southport, which took place at his residence on Friday evening, aged 80 years. He was a native of Walsden, Yorkshire, where he commenced business as a wholesale confectioner, removing to Liverpool to extend the same, and about 14 years since retiring to Southport. The business continued for a time by a son of Mr. Woodhead, is now in the hands of Mr. HORATIO SMITH of Lord Street. For the past 14 years Mr. Woodhead has resided at Southport, and lately in great privacy owning to the unsatisfactory state of his health. He died from an attack of acute bronchitis, and for a long period had been attended by Dr. Mort of Southport. The deceased was a Liberal and a Congregationalist. While his health permitted, he attended the Churchtown Congregational Church. He was twice married, and died a widower. Only one son survives him. One of his sons married a daughter of the late Mr. JOHN MAITLAND of the Liverpool Mercury. The interment will take place at the Southport cemetery on Thursday morning at half past 11 o’clock.

This was a case of trespass. Mr. Brandt for the plaintiff stated that his client, a sheriff’s officer, had to execute a levy of distress on the person of the name of SAMUEL FIELDEN who kept a public house near Todmorden in December last. On going to the house, he found there the wife and sister of Fielden, but was told that Fielden himself had gone to Lancaster Castle to take the benefit of the Insolvent Act, having previously disposed of all his property to THOMAS FIELDEN by a bill of sale. The plaintiff, however, took possession of 2 cows and with some assistance, drove them away, but was pursued and overtaken about 2 miles off by the defendant, Thomas Fielden, and others, who took back one of the cows and drove it away; and to recover the value of this cow the present action was brought. Several witnesses were called to prove the seizure, and that the whole affair was a collusive transaction.

Mr. Pollock for the defendant contended that the bill of sale was a bone fide transaction, and called several witnesses to prove that Thomas Fielden was in no way related to Samuel; that the bill of sale was bone fide, and that the public house was carried on by Thomas for his own benefit. One of the witnesses for the defence, JOHN RATCLIFFE, a kind of hedge-lawyer, excited much mirth by his provincial dialect, and the manner in which he replied to the questions of Mr. Brandt in his cross examination.

The Judge, in summing up, leaned to the opinion that the bill of sale was a collusive transaction, and the jury found a verdict for the plaintiff. Damages £7, costs 1 shilling.

Manchester Times (Manchester, England), Saturday, December 9, 1848; Issue 11

A boy about 9 years of age, son of JAMES BRAMLEY of Shade, was taken out of the river Col on Thursday, quite dead. The body was found at the back of the Royal George. It is supposed that the lad fell into the river at Shade.

Manchester Times (Manchester, England), Saturday, December 9, 1848; Issue 11

On Thursday, BENJAMIN NORTH was brought up by Sergeant Heap before John Crossley Esq., charged with stealing a duck, which is suppose to be upwards of 20 years old, the property of JOHN HELLIWELL Esq., of Greenhurst Hey. NORTH was caught in the act of offering the duck for sale at the Black Swan. The charge was fully proved against him, and he was committed to Wakefield for trial. Mr. HELLIWELL is a humane gentleman, and we believe makes it a regular practice to give one penny each to all beggars who call at his residence

On Thursday an inquest was held at the Black Bull in Gauxholme before T. F. Dearden Esq. touching the death of MARGARET BURGESS of Dulesgate, who was found dead in bed. She and her husband had lived uncomfortably together, which caused some suspicion as to the cause of death. Dr. CHARLES SUTCLIFFE was sent for, who made a post mortem examination of the body, and reported at the inquest the cause of death to be disease of the heart. The jury, after a severe reprimand of Burgess for his conduct towards the deceased, returned a verdict of Natural Causes caused by disease of the heart.

Reynolds's Newspaper (London, England), Sunday, September 8, 1861; Issue 578

MARGARET HILL, a respectable young girl, living at Littleborough near Rochdale, was seduced by JOHN BARKER, of the same place, and gave birth to a child. Her brother, a respectable working man, was so grieved at the occurrence that he drowned himself.

It was also stated that BARKER, the local surveyor, who resided next door to MARGARET HILL, had left home on horseback on Wednesday week, it was supposed for Yorkshire. Since then BARKER has committed suicide.

On Saturday morning week, about six o’clock, a platelayer named JAMES HAW, discovered the body of a middle aged man, respectably attired, hanging from a tree in a field adjoining the agricultural showground on the Armley Road at Leeds. The body was cut down as speedily as possible, but life was extinct.

The deceased’s pockets were examined, and in his purse was found a receipt account for 17s paid to JOHN FAWTHORPE for boots, May last, and form this, the identity of the man was clearly established, the name being “JOHN BARKER, Littleborough, near Rochdale”. Near the tree the deceased’s hat was picked up, and inside of it there was a slip of paper, on which was written in pencil, “I am in this lock”. It is inferred from this that he had intended to drown himself in the canal, but had subsequently changed his mind. The body was identified at a later period of the day by one of the relatives of the deceased.

MARGARET HILL was on Monday charged at the police court with having concealed the birth of her child at Littleborough.

JOHN ASHWORTH deposed: I live at Littleborough. On the 16th of August I was on the canal bank, near Ben Healey bridge. I saw a parcel floating on the top of the water. It was a yard and a quarter from the bank. Mr. JOHN KERSHAW, of Moorfield House, came up. The parcel we got out with a stick and I saw there was a dead child in it. I fetched police constable Storer, who took the parcel to the Red Lion Inn. The parcel was of brown paper, with string tied round. There was a stone attached to the parcel.

JOHN STORER, officer at Featherstall, of the county constabulary, deposed: On the 16th of August in consequence of information I received, I went with the witness ASHWORTH to the canal bank, where I found hundreds of people. I found the parcel referred to on the hauling path. The child’s head and one hand could be seen. I removed the parcel to the Red Lion Inn, sent for Mr. LISTER, and in his presence opened the parcel to which was attached a stone weighing over six pounds. There were two thicknesses of paper, and inside these a piece of print. It had a female child’s body inside. I had the covers dried in the club room, the door of which I locked and kept the key. I took the paper and print away on Sunday evening, after I discovered some writing on them. I saw no writing on them on Saturday noon; they were then very wet. The words on the outer paper are “Mrs. Kershaw, passenger to Littleboro’.” I went to Liverpool on the 28th of August, and at the central police station received the prisoner into my custody. I had known her before. She lived at Brook cottage.

Mr. BRYAN LISTER, surgeon: I made an examination of the prisoner on Thursday, at the police station. There were marks of delivery.

Mr. JOSEPH KERSHAW of Moorfield House, near Littleborough, cotton spinner, deposed: I lifted the parcel out of the canal. The writing “Mrs. Kershaw, passenger to Littleborough,” is in my handwriting. I have no notion as to when I wrote it. My wife goes with me to Manchester frequently, and when she returns home before me I direct her parcels for her. I know MARGARET HILL, who has occasionally worked at our house as milliner. This piece of paper is a casual piece of paper which my wife has brought from Manchester. I knew the prisoner’s family, who were much respected. JOHN BARKER lived next door to them.

MARIA JENKINS, domestic servant at Mr. Kershaw’s, deposed: I know Margaret Hill, who has worked as a milliner for my mistress, sometimes at Mr. Kershaw’s and sometimes at her own house. She was last at Mr. Kershaw’s on the 30th of July. She was working there. I saw her the Saturday night before that at her own house. She was to have come on the Monday, and I went to ask her if she would on the Tuesday instead. She said she was very glad to put it off till the Tuesday, because she had been poorly on the Saturday, and got back with her work. I have taken parcels from my mistress to her. The piece of print produced is part of Mrs. Kershaw’s apron. I know it by the burns caused by my putting it on the oven door to dry. It had been torn up when it was burst, and this piece was used as a duster.

MARTHA HILL was then sworn. The evidence given by the witness before the coroner as to the prisoner’s admission of maternity was received.

Prisoner was committed for trial, bail being accepted, prisoner in 50/- and two sureties of 25/-.

On Monday, also, Mr. Blackburn, the borough coroner, held an inquest on the body of JOHN BARKER.

WILLIAM BARKER, farmer, of Todmorden, brother of the deceased, identified the body. He stated that his brother was forty two years old, and was a surveyor of turnpike roads from Elland to Small Brig in Lancashire, and resided at Littleborough near Rochdale. He was a single man, and left home on the previous Tuesday morning, at half past six, to survey the roads. A letter which had been received by his (witness’s) brother in law, WILLIAM DALE, of Manchester, from the deceased, stated that he would not go to Littleborough any more, and that he would not again go over the roads. The deceased had been low spirited, but they never supposed he would destroy himself. A female who lived next door, named MARGARET HILL, had recently had a child by him, and she had delivered herself up into custody at Liverpool for concealment of birth. Her brother had drowned himself on account of his sister’s disgrace, and he (witness) and his family believed the deceased (Barker) had hung himself in consequence of being summoned to the inquest on the body of the child.

The jury found that the deceased had hanged himself, but when and in what state of mind he was at the time there was no evidence to show.

An inquest was held on Monday morning by Mr. S. Smelt, Deputy City Coroner, on the body of MARTHA ANN HAIGH, aged six, the daughter of a canal boatman named REUBEN HAIGH of Leinster Street, Hulme.

On Friday morning the girl and her little brother, aged four, were in their home playing with matches. The boy struck one of the matches and put it against the girl’s nightgown, thus setting it on fire. Mrs. Haigh, on hearing the girl’s screams, ran downstairs and tore the gown off, but the deceased had by that time been severely burnt and she died afterwards. A verdict of accidental death was returned.

On Friday the 20th inst. An inquest was held at the house of Mrs. SUTCLIFFE, Bay Horse Inn, Ousle Bank, Dulesgate, before Mr. JAMES DEARDEN and a respectable jury, on the body of MARTHA BARKER, aged 3 years. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased had come by her death from her clothes catching fire, in the absence of her mother who had gone out a few moments previously, and had left the deceased and another child of 15 months without anyone to protect them. She (the mother) stated she was not absent more than 10 or 20 minutes when she found the deceased lying close behind the door, burned to death. The coroner gave the mother a severe reprimand for her negligence; and the jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.

On Tuesday an inquest was held at the White Lion Inn, Wadsworth Mill, Todmorden before T.F. Dearden Esq., coroner, on the body of WILLIAM HOLT of Butcher Hill, aged 5 months. From the evidence adduced, it appeared that on Saturday morning between five and six o’clock, MARY HOLT, a German, but who resided in Todmorden about six years, on going to her work, took the child as usual to Mrs. ANN HARRISON of Knowlwood, and laid it in the cradle. The child was then living, and appeared in its usual health, but at ten o’clock in the forenoon, when Mrs. Harrison went to look at it she found it dead.

Birmingham Daily Post (Birmingham, England), Saturday, September 20, 1862; Issue 1297

On Wednesday, much excitement was created in Todmorden by the report that a woman by the name of MARY HOWARTH, residing at Gauxholme, had died of starvation. The dwelling of the deceased is situated at Gauxholme in a back street, in a room on the ground floor. On a little narrow bed lay the emaciated body of an aged father, who had been on that miserable couch for a month. Close to the foot of the bed was an apology for a place of slumber, on which rested the corpse of the dead female. In this little place, which contained so large an amount of misery and wretchedness, there was not to be found one bite to eat, nor one piece of soap. In fact, such a place of squalid misery it has been the lot of few to witness. On enquiry from a surviving daughter of the sick man, it was ascertained that the two sisters had worked at Messrs. HELLIWELLS of Dulesgate, cotton manufacturers, whose mill, with others, has been closed for some time. They had been out of employment for the last 15 weeks, and had not, during that period, earned one penny from any other source, having subsisted on a mere pittance not by any means sufficient to keep body and soul together. The daughter stated that she had been twice to the relieving officer, driven there by urgent necessity and affection for her father and sister. The last time she applied was on Friday last, and although death was on the threshold, and poverty in its direst form reigning within, she was told by the relieving officer that he could do nothing for her until Wednesday, when she might apply to the Board of Guardians.

The Leeds Mercury (Leeds, England), Saturday, September 27, 1862; Issue 7632

On Friday the 19th inst. And inquest was held at the Mason’s Arms Gauxholme on the body of MARY HOWARTH, aged 32, who died, as reported, from starvation. After taking the evidence of the only surviving sister, the inquest was adjourned till Thursday the 25th inst. When the greatest excitement prevailed. The inquiry occupied 5 hours. The result of the post mortem examination was that the deceased did not die of starvation, but of congestion of the lungs. The consultation of the jury was a lengthened one, and the result was that the following verdict was accorded: That the deceased died from congestion of the lungs, and that the majority of the jury consider that the relieving officer on that occasion had not done his duty, and on returning this verdict, they took into consideration the great labour imposed upon that officer at the present time.

Liverpool Mercury etc (Liverpool, England), Wednesday, December 13, 1871; Issue 7454.

On Saturday, Mrs. KING, the wife of a cotton operative residing in Dulesgate, between Bacup and Todmorden, on rising out of bed gave such a hearty yawn as to dislocate her jaw, and her moth remained immediately open to the fullest stretch. Every available means was tried to close her mouth, but to no use, and with her mouth wide open she had to go to a doctor, a distance of between 2 and 3 miles, over a bleak moorland road on a cold and frosty morning.

Manchester Times (Manchester, England), Wednesday, October 31, 1849; Issue 104

A sad occurrence took place about noon on Saturday at Steanor Bottom Chemical Works, Walsden, near Todmorden, resulting in the death of two young men and injury to two others. During the storm some difficulty has been experienced in keeping the connection between the stills in working order, means having had to be adopted to thaw the contents at times. At about 11.30 on Saturday, while the foreman and another man were engaged on one of the stills, it suddenly burst, the force of the explosion tearing the upper part of the iron work away, and lifting it some distance in the air, the fragments descending almost in a perpendicular line from the seat of the explosion amongst the scattered brickwork. Two other stills were in communication with this, but they were not materially damaged. The men killed were THOMAS STANSFIELD, the foreman and analyst, about 30 years of age, and THOMAS OGDEN aged 20 years. THOMAS TAYLOR another workman, was found so badly burnt that his immediate removal to Rochdale Infirmary was deemed advisable. A fourth man was burnt about the head and hands, but not so badly as Taylor, and he was treated at home.

JOHN GILL of Langfield was charged by P.C. THOMAS with being drunk and disorderly near Todmorden on Saturday last week. The case was fully proved and the constable having swore that the defendant, having cursed and shouted at the top of his voice, disturbing the neighbourhood. In answer to the court why he was drunk, Gill said "Yes, I was drunk, for if folks doesn't get drunk, how is't National Debt to be paid, and then to, si'thee, hows't Queen to find brass feight th'Rooshuns."

The magistrate said they should at any rate fine him for being drunk; penalty and costs 3s 6d-"That's reight now, your honours" quoth Gill, " but give me an odd week or so to pay."

By Gill "Hold hard Mr. Eastwood, hold hard. I'm talking tut gentleman. I've paid lots o'brass for law, once £9 at one go; have a bit o'human nature like"-ordered to pay forthwith.

On Friday last, Mr. LUKE DEWHIRST, the worthy landlord of the Navigation Tavern, Gauxholme, gave his annual treat to the aged men in Todmorden and neighbourhood. For several years back it has been the generous practice of Mr. Dewhirst to provide annually a cheerful, substantial and liberal treat to the aged men, he gived them all a free and welcome invitation and provides for their comfort in eating, Drinking and smoking from ten o'clock a.m., till six o'clock p.m., gratis.

They also otherwise amuse them selves, and those who had been in the wars did not forget their exploits on this occasion. The concert was opened at twelve o'clock, by Mr. Dewhisrst, who sung in fine style and effect "The Down Hill of Life," which was followed by several others, some of the hale old fellows proving that their lungs were "like leather."

Toasts and sentiments succeeded, and after enjoying an excellent dinner, four of them started in a race for a hat, the distance being 120 yards, which was well contested, and ended by JAMES GREENWOOD, aged seventy, winning the hat by 12 yards.

At six o'clock they separated, after thanking the landlord and family, for the treat and wishing long life to them all.

WILLIAM LORD , a collier aged 28 years, who resided at Portsmouth near Todmorden, died on Friday week from injuries received on the 6th inst. in the Bankwell coal pit. The deceased was one of the workmen employed there and on the morning of the 6th was going to his work with a lighted candle in his hand when the liberated gas caught fire and an explosion took place. The mine belongs to Messrs. HAIGH, GREEN and Co., and we are quite sure they would not permit such carelessness and foolhardiness.

On Tuesday morning last, about 3 o'clock, MARY ANN HURST aged 33, wife of MATTHIAS HURST, was taken suddenly ill. She was near to her confinement. Her husband went for 2 doctors, but did not succeed in obtaining one. Previous to her death she was several hours and could scarcely breathe. An inquest was held on Tuesday last at the house of J. TRAVIS, Navigation Inn Gauxholme by Ffrenard Dearden. The verdict was- Died by a visitation of God

On Monday night a tramp sailor and his wife (near her confinement), and 3 children were making their way towards Todmorden. They took lodgings in a house in Blind Lane near Todmorden. The wife during the night showing symptoms of illness, was turned out next morning, by the unfeeling landlady. She then by the assistance of a woman, proceeded up York Street, where she entered the taproom of Mr. LAW, York Tavern, York Street. On the servant entering she saw a woman ill and informed her mistress of it. When they returned they found the child upon the floor, the woman not having clothing or anything prepared for the little stranger. With the assistance of the neighbours, the mother and child, who are both doing well, were put into a comfortable bed and every attention and kindness was paid them by Mrs. LAW the landlady, whose kindness on this occasion is above all praise.

Fatal accident of a Manufacturer. On Sunday, Mr. EDWARD CROSSLEY of the firm of DUGDALE and CROSSLEY manufacturers, Hurstwood, met with a fatal accident whilst at the Wood Mill Inn. He had the occasion to go to an upper room and on returning he fell down stairs and fractured his skull. He expired in a quarter of an hour afterwards.

JOHN PILLING WHITELEY a character well known about town, who was fined 10s. and costs 9s. for aiding and abetting gambling at the Royal George, Castle St., Todmorden, a few weeks ago and allowed a fortnight to pay, was apprehended at Kebcote on the 6th inst., under a commitment and removed to Wakefield for ten days.

Serious accident on Monday last, while six men were lowering the bed of water reserve at Harley Mill. They interfered with the foundations of a wall several yards high, which fell without a moment’s warning. Five of the men leaped away but one man was caught and badly injured on the leg.

Auction at farm and premises occupied by Mrs. ELLEN HAIGH at Higher Swainrod Farm. 8 heads of fresh and healthy horned cattle, 162 excellent sheep (60 wese, 40 wethers, 10 ewe hogs, 10 wether hogs, 2 tups and 40 lambs.) A hillside farm.

At 10 o'clock on Wednesday night, the death occurred of Mr. THOMAS FIELDEN JP of Birks House, Walsden, after several weeks illness. Deceased was highly respected and widely known. He was a salesman and partner in the firm of Messrs. Robert Fielden & Sons, pickermakers of Inchfield, Walsden and was 66 years of age. He had been a member of the Todmorden Local Board and District Council for over 20 years, representing the Walsden ward and it was hoped by a large number of residents that he would be spared until the charter of incorporation of Todmorden arrived, so that he might be appointed the first mayor.

At the time of his decease he was chairman of the district council and by virtue of that office, had a seat on the bench. He was a churchman and a Conservative, but he at no time took any prominent part in political matters. At various times he had fulfilled office in connection with Walsden church and was always a ready worker in any good cause for the welfare of the town. He was an energetic businessman and full of tact and far seeing ability. His loss will be keenly felt in the district and the place he leaves will be hard to fill.

On Monday morning the remains of the late Mr. THOMAS FIELDEN JP of Inchfield Villa, Walsden were interred in the graveyard of St. Peter's Church, Walsden in the presence of a large concourse of people.

The funeral cortege left the house shortly after noon, the bearers being workmen in the employ of Messrs. R. Fielden & Sons, pickemakers of Inchfield Fold, in which firm the deceased was a partner. Curtains were drawn and shutters closed all along the rout from the residence to the church where the service was conducted by Rev. J.R. Napier, vicar of the parish. The many beautiful wreaths which had been sent were placed in a special carriage. Several magistrates were present, and a number of gentleman who could not attend sent their carriages.

Mr. A.G. Eastwood solicitor, Mr. Dan Sutcliffe, Clerk to the Todmorden District Council, as well as nearly all the members of the council, attended the funeral. Mr. S.H. Hanson played the appropriate music on the organ. The undertakers were Messrs. Fairbourn Brothers of Todmorden.

Deceased was 66 years of age and leaves a widow and a grown up family. As chairman of the District Council he was a magistrate and at the police court on Monday morning a fitting reference was made to his death.

Rochdale Free Press Friday April 10th 1903

Quite a sensation was caused in the Walsden district last weekend by the mysterious disappearance of a young married woman named ANNIE STANSFIELD, who had lived happily with her husband at Square Road, and whose body was ultimately recovered from the canal at no great distance from her home.

At the inquest on Monday afternoon, FRED STANSFIELD, husband of the deceased, identified the body. His wife was 25 years of age. He last saw her alive on Friday night. She went out at 8 o'clock to buy some meat and at half past 10, as she did not return, witness became uneasy. Then he visited the butcher's shop and found the deceased had not been there. After making several inquiries elsewhere without success, witness informed the police.

In the early hours of Saturday morning Stansfield found a note pushed under a looking glass upstairs in his house. The note read as follows:

In reply to the coroner, Stansfield stated that when he last saw deceased she did not seem at all depressed. She had consulted a doctor for nervousness in December last, but not since. TOM FIELDEN, lock keeper, gave evidence as to finding the body in the canal. There was no evidence of violence on it. The jury returned a verdict of to the effect that deceased had drowned herself whilst of unsound mind.

JONATHON CRABTREE of the Sportsman's Arms Portsmouth, charged with keeping a disorderly house on the 10 th February. Fined £5 costs 8s.

EDMUND LORD, landlord, Knowlwood was charged by MARTHA DEARDEN, a neighbour, with an aggravated defamation of character uttered on Monday last, viz: in asserting that she had poisoned her former husband who, complainant said in reply, had been killed. Mr. STANSFIELD defended and it transpired that the defendant was in liquor at the time and had been aggravated by the complainant. Bound over in is own recognisance of £5 to keep the peace for 12 month and pay costs of 14s.

NANCY THORP who a month ago had a warrant issued against JOHN RICHARD WOODHEAD for bastardy arrears, now appeared along with the father of her child and stated that she did not wish to press the case against him and to settle the case, would herself pay the costs. The happy (?) pair are now living together as man and wife at Rakewood near Littleborough, but the clerk to the bench told her if she had any more illegitimate children (having already had 2), she would be liable to be sent to prison as a vagrant.

Claim £1-8s balance of account for slating some cottages for the defendant at Walsden. STEVENSON alleged that some part of the work was much overcharged but there had been no bargain or contract, so his Honour made an order for the amount claimed to be paid.

JOHN FIELDEN of Lineholme (alias Shandy) was committed for 1 month to jail with hard labour for kicking up a "shindy" at home and ill using his wife on the 3rd. April.

Claim £4-3s-3d for shop goods, mainly supplied to defendants wife and child when living apart from defendant, and after he had advertised that he would not be responsible for his wife's debt. Mr. Blomley appeared for the defendant. His Honour said to complainant "you cannot recover from the husband if you trust a married woman under such circumstances. Plaintiff was therefore nonsuited.

JOSEPH STEPHENSON, THOMAS STANSFIELD and JAMES HENRY SUTCLIFFE, all youths residing in Todmorden were fined 40s each, 10s-5d each costs and 5s each damages, for pulling off the stones of a boundary wall at Clough Foot on the 7th April.

RICHARD NALLY of Knowlwood, for being drunk and refusing to quit the Greyhound Inn when required on the 28th ult., did not appear. A warrant was ordered.

SAMUEL FIELDEN and SAMUEL JACKSON trading as "Fielding and Jackson & Co." cotton spinners and manufacturers Clough Mill, Walsden.

WILLIAM DAWSON of Dean Farm was charged with shooting a pigeon on the 8th inst., the property of WILLIAM GREENWOOD and HEZEKIAH SOUTHWELL. He was ordered to pay 5s for the pigeon and the costs 19s-6d

JOHN TAYLOR of Castle St., for being drunk and kicking the door of the Rose and Crown Inn, Castle St. on the 11th inst. at 11-20pm was fined 10s and costs.

On Saturday ALICE HOWARTH, the daughter of the landlord of the Woodpecker Inn, Shade, was run over at Dobroyd by a vehicle belonging to HENRY TOWERS, and much injured.

JAMES NUTTALL of Tonge, Bacup, charged REUBEN JACKSON of the same place with having assaulted him at the Bay Horse, Dulesgate on the 3rd of July and having knocked out a tooth with his fist. Fined 21s and costs 25s and 6d

JAMES NUTTALL also charged ROBERT JACKSON of Bacup with an assault at the same time and place. Fined 10s and costs 23s.

Mr. J.H. Tattersall of Bacup represented the complainant in both cases. The landlord of the Bay Horse Inn (JAMES EARNSHAW) charged the last named defendant, first with refusing to quit his house when requested to do so and second with assaulting him when endeavouring to eject him on the 3rd. inst. Mr. J.H. Tattersall appeared for the complainant. The defendant stated that he was not disorderly nor guilty of any other misconduct meriting being turned out and only struck the complainant in defence as he was being "throttled" by him. A witness was called who corroborated the statement. The bench were divided in opinion and the two cases were dismissed.

JOHN RUDDERFORD of Glasgow was charged with offering a piece of a silver spoon for sale on Wednesday last at the Royal George Inn without a licence to sell silver. Fined 5s and costs or 14 days. He went to prison.

JOHN WOODHEAD clogger and shoe dealer of Todmorden 16th Jan and 6th Feb at Leeds. Barwick of Leeds solicitors. Date of fiat 3rd December, E.Stead and E. Simpson curriers and leather sellers of Leeds petitioners.

Yesterday week, Mr. Molesworth, deputy coroner, held an inquest at the White Hart public House, Todmorden, on the body of JOHN GODSON, one of the guards on the Manchester and Leeds Railway, who was killed on the line the day previous.

It appeared from the evidence of ROBERT ABRHAM, stoker, and WILLIAM BARRIE, engine driver, that on Thursday forenoon, they left the Rochdale station at ten minutes to eleven, and proceeded with a luggage train towards Leeds. When a short distance from the Bott Lee tunnel, the deceased unhooked some of the waggons; and, when within about 20 yards of the tunnel, he was seen to fall off the waggon onto the line. He was so injured that he died almost immediately. He was 30 years of age. The jury returned a verdict of - Accidental death.

Yesterday at the York Tavern, Langfield - on the body of FREDERICK WILLIAM FAIRBURN, aged two years, who was accidentally scalded to death by falling into a tub of boiling liquor in the yard of one JAMES SUTHERS at Todmorden. Verdict - Accidental death.

On Saturday last, much excitement was created in this town, in consequence of a blacksmith named ABRAHAM DAWSON, a man upwards of 40, and of very small note in the sporting world having betted £20 with some of the Todmorden sportsmen, that he would on that day, wheel a barrow to Manchester and back, a distance of 42 miles in nine hours and a half.

He started from Todmorden at 5 o'clock in the morning, and arrived at the 'Albion' Manchester in four hours and 20 minutes. After a short rest and a little refreshment, he recommenced his task, and reached Todmorden at a quarter past two, being 15 minutes before the time specified, where thousands of people were assembled to witness his triumphant arrival.

Betting was carried on to a great extent; and starting at 5 to 4 - was freely laid against the blacksmith, and it is said that hundreds of pounds changed hands on the occasion.

The wheelbarrow is of a very peculiar construction, and quite unique; several gentlemen have suggested that it ought to be exhibited at the anti-corn law Bazaar, in London, as a specimen of Yorkshire ingenuity, and one gentleman has offered a liberal sum towards defraying Dawson's expenses, in wheeling it there for the benefit of the League.

JOHN MARLAND junr of Todmorden, roller maker 22nd August and 15th September at 12.00 at Manchester. Solicitor Mr. Blair of Manchester. Official Assignee Mr. Fraser of Manchester.

On Thursday, at the Bay Horse, Cross Stones, in Stansfield, on the body of GRACE CROWTHER, and aged woman, whose death appeared to have arisen from natural causes, but to have been accelerated by a fall which she accidentally received a week before. The verdict was in accordance with the circumstances.

On Wednesday at the Shoulder of Mutton, Stansfield, on the body of WILLIAM ASTIN, aged 22, who was accidentally killed by his cart-wheel going over his body. Verdict - Accidental death.

Inquest before Mr. Dyson, at the Anchor Inn, Langfield, on the body of JOSEPH SUTCLIFFE who was found drowned. Verdict accidental death.

BARKER SUTCLIFFE of Langfield was brought up by Seed, on a charge of having in his house last Tuesday, a quantity of worsted yarn, and of worsted and cotton mixture yarn, suspected of being purloined or embezzled. The premises had been entered under a search warrant, and the 'suspiciousness' of the yarn consisted in its containing six different qualities. Defendant, who was lately assistant-overseer for Langfield, produced in defence JAMES SUTCLIFFE, (his brother-in-law), who proved that he was a 'putter-out' for Messrs Walker of Manchester, and that the yarn now produced was such as he had been in the habit of receiving for that purpose every week. The case therefore, was dismissed.

On Monday morning the body of ANTHONY CROSSLEY was found in the Rochdale canal at Gauxholme. It was first discovered by JOSEPH TURNER, who was walking on the bank, and who supposed it to be a bundle of clothes floating down. Deceased was a beamer, age 60 ? residing at Gorpley. When found he had neither coat nor hat on, but was upright in the water. No marks of violence were found on the body. Deceased was last seen alive on Sunday night, about half past ten o'clock, when he called at the White Lion Inn, Wadsworth Mill, and was supplied with twopennyworth of rum. He was a married man, and had a wife and five children, but had not resided with them for the last six years.

On Thursday an inquest was held on the body, when it was stated that deceased had been in the employ of Messrs. Ormerod, Gorpley Mill, Duelsgate, and that during that time he had frequently stolen from the premises quantities of fents, and had continued the practice up to his death. According to the statement of a witness, who was housekeeper to JOHN CROSSLEY, blacksmith (with whom the deceased lodged), the deceased had recently had in his possession between to and 30 yards of fents, which on being discovered, had led to some words between himself and Crossley, the latter having threatened to inform Messrs. Ormerod if he did not take it back. He left home at eight o'clock on Sunday evening. Verdict - Found drowned.

JOHN SUTCLIFFE, beerhouse keeper, Todmorden and Walsden was charged with selling ale at Prohibited hours on Sunday the 14th last and was fined 40s and costs.

JAMES LEEK, a youth, was charged with disturbing the Wesleyan Methodist congregation at Shade, on the evening of the 17th ult. A witness said boys had been in the habit of disturbing the congregation by shouting and kicking the door of the chapel, and on the date named, he had heard a kick on the door, on which he went out and caught the defendant running away. Defendant could give no reason why he kicked the door. Ordered to pay costs 13s-6d. As the defendant expressed a wish to be sent to prison for payment, the bench adjourned his request for further consideration.

THOMAS SUTCLIFFE, was charged with breaking three squares in the window belonging to JAMES CRITCHLEY, on the morning of the 20th inst. The case was adjourned.

JAMES MARSHALL was charged with a violent assault on EMMA SMITH, of Market Street, Shade, on the 13th ult. Complainant said that as she was coming from the sewing class at the Odd Fellows Hall, she was met by the defendant, who followed her home, and on the way pulled her about. He had also on another occasion assaulted her, and attempted to take liberties with her, He was fined 40s and costs, or in default two month's imprisonment.

MARSHALL, and ABRAHAM MARSHALL were charged with assaulting ABRAHAM CRABTREE near Pudsey on the night of the 14th ult. Complainant was returning home at a late hour, when he was met by the defendants, who shamefully ill-treated him without any provocation. A cross-summons was issued against the complainant who was charged with beating the two Marshalls. Both cases were dismissed, the statement being contradictory. Each to pay their own expenses.

WILLIAM SOUTHWELLwas charged with throwing stones at a cock, the property of JOHN JACKSON of Holme House. Complainant's wife said she nor the defendant threw the stones. Defendant said he did not hurt the bird so much, for in a few minutes it flew about and crowed as usual. The parties were allowed to settle the case.

WILLIAM MITCHELL of Langfield was charged with violently assaulting his daughter ELLEN, on the night of the 25th December last. Mr. Heyworth, before the case was entered into, stated that the defendant had for some time past been in the habit of beating his wife and ill-treating his family. Complainant stated that her father came home the worse for liquor, and commenced beating his wife on the face and shoulder; and because she attempted to interfere, he kicked her in such a brutal manner that she was unable to walk. She had to be conveyed to the court in a vehicle. Defendant has been in prison only recently for neglect of his family. He was committed to prison for six months, with hard labour.

HANNAH HOLLOWS, who was charged at the previous court with assaulting JANE LAW, by throwing a quantity of water on her, again appeared. As the evidence was still conflicting, the case was again adjourned.

WILLIAM ACKROYD and ELLIS LAYCOCK were charged with making a disturbance in the stairs of the Sobriety Hall, on Tuesday evening. The former obstructed the people as they were leaving the hall after a religious service held there. The other defendant was caught in the act of jumping on the stairs by P.C. Nussey. They were each bound over to keep the peace for 12 months.

On Monday morning, about seven o'clock, Mr. RICHARD HOLT, lodging house keeper, Blind Lane, found his door open, and one of his drawers also opened, from which had been abstracted £7-11s-6d. The previous evening, Holt, when counting up his tickets, found he had one more than the number that had gone to bed, but not suspecting anything he retired to rest.

During Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday last, the wind blew with terrific violence from the south-west, causing the inhabitants (especially in exposed places) to be much alarmed for their safety. On Tuesday the lead on the house top of Mr. COCKCROFT, surgeon, Burnley Road, was stripped off by the wind. The heavy rain was accompanied with hail and snow.

On Sunday afternoon, between four and five o'clock, the inmates of Dr. COCKCROFT'S house were alarmed by perceiving a volume of smoke issuing from beneath the carpet in the dining room. Steps were immediately taken to discover the cause. A portion of the ceiling of the room underneath the dining room was removed, when it was found that the boards and joists of the floor were on fire. Water was immediately thrown upon the flames which were shortly extinguished.

At half-past seven o'clock on Wednesday morning SALLY KITCHEN, an old woman, aged 78 years, a resident at a place called Pudsey in the township of Stansfield was found dead in bed. A neighbour, named MARY SHACKLETON, had left her the night before, and upon going to her in the morning, found her dead.

JOHN GREENWOOD was charged with selling beer at prohibited hours, on Sunday morning the 11th inst, but as he had a good character for keeping an orderly house, he was discharged on payment of costs.

Letter from Chairman of the Eastwood Relief Committee regarding William Sutcliffe. Imposition on Our Reporter and the Eastwood Relief Committee

Sir - I am requested by the executive committee here to draw your attention to the case of W.S. as stated by your own reporter in his visit to Eastwood. Both from internal and corroborative evidence there is no doubt that WILLIAM SUTCLIFFE is the person alluded to by your reporter.

I regret that I have not time to make any comment on the imposition practiced on this committee and on your own reporter by WILLIAM SUTCLIFFE'S wife, to whom your reporter gives the character of a "respectable and superior sort of woman."

On the 28th November she stated to the visitors that the earnings of the family were but 4s, and she had 6s in relief on December 6th, she said they earned 6s and they got 6s.

On January 1st she said their earnings amounted to 7s-6d, and they has 10s from this committee. Being brought before this committee for the imposition, it was found that the earnings of the family from June, or form hay time as she expresses it, to the end of December were as under :-

June 27th 1862 to WILLIAM SUTCLIFFE £1-16s-8d - July 11th £1-15s-0d - July 25th £2 - Aug 8th £1-10s-2d - Aug 22nd £1-17s-2d - Sept 5th £1-9s-4d - Sept 19th £1-17s-6d - Oct 3rd £1-10s-6d - Oct 17th £1-10s-0d - Oct 31st £1-2s-8d - Nov 14th £1-0s-10d - Nov 28th £1-12s-8d. - Dec 11th £1-2s-0d

June 27th 1862 to wife and two sons £3-10s-6d - July 11th £2-11s-6d - July 25th £3-3s-6d - Aug 8th £2-6s-3d - Aug 22nd £2-14s-0d - Sept 5th £2-4s-0d - Sept 19th £3-2s-6d - Oct 3rd £3-1s-0d - Oct 17th £1-4s-0d - Oct 31st £1-2s-9d - Nov 14th £19s-9d - Nov 28th £10s-4d - Total of £26-9s-7d

These payments are over and above rent, rates and taxes. WILLIAM SUTCLIFFE has agreed to refund the money he had received from this committee, and to sign such apology as would satisfy this committee.

I am, sir, your obedient servant, The Chairman - I enclose my card January 22nd 1863.

Inquest - held at the Hare and Hounds Inn, Holme before Mr. J. R. Ingram deputy coroner, on the body of SARAH GREENWOOD, a child one month old, of BETTY GREENWOOD of Gate Bottom. On Sunday morning about one o'clock, Mrs Greenwood took the child and put it to her breast when the child appeared all right. At eight o'clock she found it a corpse. Verdict - died from natural causes

On Thursday morning, as ABRAHAM MILLS, joiner, was assisting in fixing some beams in the roof of a weaving shed in course of erection in Roomfield Lane, his foot slipped, and he fell a distance of two yards, his face coming in contact with an iron trough, thereby breaking his upper jaw and nose.

Monday morning, at seven o'clock, Mr. ABRAHAM GREENWOOD of Flowerscar, was getting out of bed, when his wife saw him fall back and instantly expire. Yesterday, an inquest was held on the body at the Roe Buck Inn, Portsmouth, and a verdict of death from natural causes returned.

THOMAS HOLT and JOSEPH WHITESMITH were charged with being drunk and creating a disturbance in Todmorden, on the morning of the 10th instant. Fines 5s each with costs.

JAMES SUTCLIFFE, an aged man, and an inmate of the Stansfield workhouse, was summoned for getting drunk and not being able to go home. P.C. Turner found the defendant lying on the footpath near the Post-office, and fast asleep. He awoke him and tried to get him on his feet, but he had no use in his legs, and he had to be taken home on a truck. The chairman gave the old man a caution. He promised that no one should again induce him to get drunk, and was dismissed.

SALLY HOWARTH was summoned for striking at MARY GREENWOOD, a neighbour, on Saturday morning. Complainant said, just as she had come out of the house she was met by the defendant, who, without any provocation, struck her a violent blow on the arm with a long brush. Several witnesses spoke to the assault, and to the natural quarrelsome character of the defendant. Fined 1s and costs, or in default 14 days imprisonment.

WILLIAM INGHAM and HEZAKIAH CROSSLEY were charged by P.C. Turner, with being drunk and fighting in Cheapside, on Sunday evening. Each fined 5s and costs.

JOHN CUNLIFFE, engine tender, was charged by P.C. Tillotson, with being drunk in Todmorden, and unable to go home. The officer found the defendant laid full length in the street, at Shop Lane, and he was obliged to convey him home in a hand cart. Fined 5s expenses.

HENRY COCKCROFT, a factory hand, in the employ of Messrs. Ingham, Castle Street, was summoned for obtaining coals under false pretences. Defendant and his sister lived together, and on the 22nd December he made application to the relief committee at Eastwood, for a ticket to get some coals. He then stated that he and his sister were receiving wages amounting to under 3s per head. He also, on two other occasions, made a similar statement, and he had therefore had supplied to him 4 and a half hundredweight of coals. On the 29th ult, he made a further application to the board, when he acknowledged that their income exceeded 3s per head. The witnesses in the case stated that the board had promised not to prosecute him for obtaining the coals under false pretences, providing he would make a public apology in the papers and be at the expense of the same. Mr. Stansfield, who appeared for the committee, made a similar offer in court to the defendant. During the past month their average earnings had been 3s-8d each per week. The defendant said he had not 4s to pay the price of the advertisement in the papers, and further that when he first made application for coals he only drew 3s and one half-penny that week. Mr. Cockcroft, one of the committee, said that the defendant when asked questions by the chairman, was very abusive, and made use of bad language, and also refused to make apology for his conduct. Committed to prison for three months with hard labour. On the sentence being pronounced, a strong sensation was produced in the court.

Magistrates Court, Saturday before Abm. Ormerod Esq. DAVID SUTCLIFFE, of Langfield, labourer in a foundry, was charged with stealing from the Lord Nelson Inn, a carving knife, a pair of stockings, and a cap. WILLIAM FIELDEN, the landlord said that the previous Saturday afternoon the prisoner came into his house and called for a glass of ale. He afterwards went out, and in a short time returned. Some of the company saw stockings in the prisoner's pocket, and he (witness) enquired of him where he had got them, to which he answered he had bought them while he was out. Afterwards the carving knife was found in his pocket. P.C. Stopford, apprehended the prisoner. When charged with the robbery, the prisoner denied the charge and said they were his own. Committed to the Sessions

About three o'clock on Tuesday morning, as the private watchman of Messers. FIELDEN was going his rounds, he discovered the body of a man in Swineshead Clough. Being unable to extricate him, he obtained the assistance of P.C. Turner, when the man was taken out and found to be Mr. THOMAS CROSSLEY, of Gauxholme ironfoundry. He was quite insensible and helpless. He was conveyed to his residence, at Gauxholme, where he lingered in an insensible condition until Thursday morning, when he expired. How the accident happened cannot be ascertained. Deceased was 49 years of age, and leaves a wife and four children.

On Thursday, Mr. JOHN SUTCLIFFE, farmer of Stansfield, aged 44, was found lying helpless in a fit at Waithplatts, at ten minutes past ten in the forenoon by MARY KERSHAW. He only breathed a few times and then expired. He had been with a cow to Halifax, leading it with a rope. An inquest was held yesterday evening at the York Tavern, Langfield by Mr. Ingram, and a verdict of natural death returned.

Bibulous Individuals - THOMAS SPEAK was charged by P.C. Sugden with being drunk and disorderly on the 9th inst. About ten o'clock on the day in question, defendant was caught by the police making a great noise in the Lord Nelson Inn, Cheapside, and offering to fight the landlord. Fined 5s and 10s costs.

JOHN SUTCLIFFE, labourer of Langfield, was charged with a similar offence. P.C. Tillotson, at a quarter to twelve o'clock on the night of the 8th instant, found the defendant in Omega Street, kicking the house doors. Upon requesting him to desist, he used most abusive language. Mulcted in a similar penalty

DAVID HOLLINRAKE was charged by P.S. Priestley, with having been drunk and incapable in Roomfield Lane, at half past one o'clock on Wednesday morning. Fines 5s and costs.

an inquest was held at the Queen Hotel before Mr. Dearden, on the body of Mr. THOMAS CROSSLEY, who was found in a lifeless state as reported in last week's Guardian. Several witnesses were examined, but no evidence was produced to show how the deceased came by his death. The last person he was in company with was JAMES ASTIN, mechanic of Salford, who left him at twelve o'clock on the night before he was found. Verdict - died from injuries received by a fall.

MARY GREENWOOD, ALICE GREENWOOD, MARY RYLANDS, and ROSE PICKARD, were charged with being drunk and making a disturbance at Gauxholme, on the 15th ult. MARY GREENWOOD and MARY RYLANDS were fined £1 and costs, and the others were each committed to Salford prison for seven days.

SAMUEL BARKER of the Mason's Arms, Gauxholme, was fined 5s for keeping drunken and disorderly company in his house on the 19th ult.

THOMAS SCHOLFIELD , for being drunk in Brook Street, on the night of the 18th ult. Was fined 5s and costs

THOMAS PICKLES, carter, was fined 5s and costs for allowing his wagon to stand on the Todmorden and Burnley Turnpike Road on the 19th ult.

A married woman named NANCY GREENWOOD, of Mankinholes, left home on the 27th ult, and visited the house of JOHN FARRAR at Pudsey. On the same day she left about two o'clock in the afternoon, and she has not been seen or heard of since

Halifax Guardian 14th March 1863

p. 005 Todmorden

Magistrates Office - Wednesday

before John Crossley and Abraham Ormerod Esqs.

An Apprentice charged with Stealing -

WILLIAM LAYCOCK, recently an apprentice to Mr. AMOS SCHOLFIELD, joiner and builder, was charged with stealing a quantity of joiners tools and hardware goods, the property of his employer. Mr. HOLROYD, of Halifax, appeared in defence. The youth had only taken the loan of the tools, and that with his master's permission. It appeared that other apprentices, as well as several of the men, had been in the habit of taking tools home. The hardware goods named were proved to have been sold to defendant by the bookkeeper, and a proper price paid for the goods. Mr. SCHOLFIELD admitted that he gave his apprentices liberty to take tools home on the conditions that they returned them in due time. Mr. Holroyd, in an able defence, contended that the charge was unfounded. The magistrates dismissed the case.

Assault -

HENRY SIMPSON was charged with assaulting Mrs SALLY BENTLEY, of Knowlwood, on Sunday. Defendant and others had been at the complainant's house where they had some drink and ultimately ended in a quarrel. Defendant seized hold of complainant and pulled her about. Inspector Heap, in answer to the magistrates, said the complainant's house was not a very orderly one. Case dismissed.

Accident at Millwood -

On Tuesday as one of the sons of Mr. JONATHAN BARKER, millwright, etc., of Mill Wood, and one of the workmen were engaged in loading a cannon, which was at the time not quite cool, it burst, and some of the fragments struck them in the face, but fortunately their injuries were not serious,

Petty Sessions - Thursday -

Before John Crossley and Alexander Ormerod Esqs.

Defrauding the Relief Committee - Mrs MOONEY, wife of Mr. Mooney, hatter of Cobden, was summoned for receiving relief from the Todmorden Relief Committee under false pretences. Mr. Ernest Jones appeared for the defendant. The bench however, did not hear the case, but adjourned it for a month, so that Mr. Stansfield, for the prosecution might obtain the opinion of the Secretary of State in reference to the case.

Drunk and disorderly -

ALLEN DAWSON, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Roomfield Lane on the 5th instant. On account of his previous good character he was only fined for being drunk, 5s and costs

THOMAS HANSON of Bradford, was charged with attempting to evade the Roomfield Lane Toll Bar, on the 26th January. Defendant was coming towards Todmorden with a wagon drawn by two horses, and when at the Shannon Inn about a quarter of a mile from the said bar, he took out one of the horses and left it there, and afterwards passed through the bar with one horse. It was proved by the defendant that the horse was left at the said Inn for rest and refreshment, and not for the purpose of evading the bar. The case was dismissed.

JOHN CROSSLEY, stone breaker of Gauxholme, appeared in answer to a summons charging him with making use of foul language towards ELIZABETH STANSFIELD, an inmate of Gauxholme workhouse - Case dismissed.

SUTCLIFFE CHATBURN was charged with being drunk and disorderly at Hebble End on the 7th instant. Fined 5s and expenses 8s.

ABRAHAM DAWSON, of Langfield, had a charge of the same nature preferred against him by P.C. Tillotson. He was fined 5s and costs of 8s., being allowed a fortnight for payment.

On Saturday afternoon as Mr. JOSEPH UTTLEY, butcher, was leading a young horse, near the railway arches on the Burnley Road, the animal took fright on the approach of a train. Mr. Uttley was dragged so suddenly that he fell with his head on to the stones, thereby causing the blood to flow profusely from a wound inflicted by the fall.

This Court was held at the Odd Fellows' Hall on Saturday before C. Temple Esq., judge.

Thomas Robertshaw, a moulder, was ordered to pay £1-1s-4d to ABRAHAM UTTLEY on a judgement summons.

Thomas Stansfield, boot maker summoned ISAAC PEEL, mechanic for £1-8s-6d for goods supplied. Ordered to pay.

James Butterworth, druggist, was ordered to pay £2-18s-9d to Messrs. Hedley and Gamble, starch manufacturers of Liverpool for goods supplied.

William Greenwood, farmer, sued JOHN ROBERTS for £5-1s-4d rent of a barn, and also for £3 odd for hay sold; Verdict for £4-5s-6d.

WILLIAM NEWELL was charged by P.C. 542 with being drunk on Sunday; he was also drunk on the turnpike road on Saturday night. Fines 5s and 10s costs.

On Monday night, JOHN WILLIAM HIRST, son of Mr. JOSEPH HIRST of Carr Green, went out to play, and as he did not return home when expected, it was feared something had befallen him. A search was instituted through the whole night, and on the following morning he was found drowned in a clough near Carr Green, with his head downwards.

At the Leeds Court of Bankruptcy, on Tuesday, AMOS SCHOLFIELD, joiner and builder, of Todmorden came up for examination. The debts of the bankrupt to unsecured creditors amount to £1,411, and to those holding securities £691, and the assets are not expected to be more than £250. There is a deficiency of £750, which he alleged had arisen from depreciation caused by the depressed state of the cotton trade. The bankrupt admitted that the day before he was sent to Lancaster gaol he represented to a creditor that he had a surplus of £700 after paying all his creditors in full, and he now stated that that was his honest belief at the time. The examination was adjourned in order that the bankrupt might file better accounts.

WILLIAM PARKER of Knowlwood, was charged with being drunk and kicking at doors on Thursday the 31st ult. Not answering to the summons, a warrant was issued for his apprehension.

W. ROBERTSHAW, B. GREENWOOD, J. GREENWOOD, G. HELLIWELL, W. CRABTREE, T. SUNDERLAND, and S. MARSHALL, were charged by P.C. 499 with playing at pitch and toss, on Good Friday, on the public footpath. As there appeared to be a doubt about Crabtree being present, he got the benefit of it. The others were fined 3s-4d each and costs, or to be committed.

MARY MOONEY was charged under the Vagrant Act, with obtaining relief from the relief committee in November and December last. The case having been adjourned twice before, was now fully entered into. Mr. Stansfield appeared on behalf of the relief committee, and Mr. Smith of Manchester, for the defendant. A more than ordinary interest has been attached to this case, arising not so much from the smallness of the amount obtained as relief, as from the pertinacity of the defendant in refusing to re-imburse the committee and acknowledge the wrong done.

The case was fully gone into, and evidence was produced that on the 29th November, and also on the 23rd and 24th December, Mrs MOONEY obtained relief, affirming that the whole of the receipts of the family in the first instance were only 10s, and in the second instance 11s weekly. It was proved that at the same time the average earnings of the family were something over 22s per week, Mr. Smith, in his defence, in the first place objected that the case did not come under the vagrant Act, and also that it applied only to common vagrants. Both these objections were over-ruled. The bench convicted, and considering the age of the defendant a low punishment was awarded than would otherwise have been given. Ordered to be imprisoned one month in the house of correction.

On Saturday, a court was held before C. temple, Esq., Judge. The following cases were tried.

Stansfield v Farrar and Hargreaves - Plaintiff was Mr. Joseph STANSFIELD, Vale Mill and the defendants Messrs. FARRAR and HARGREAVES of Crescent Mill. The action was for the balance owing on the sale of eight warps, the price of which was 1s-9d per pound, and the total amount was £57-2s-9d. They were sold on the 10th September and £30 was paid on account in October. Some deduction had to be made for short weight, which left a balance owing of £5-9s-7d halfpenny. The defence was that the warps were represented to be good ones, that they were not so, but actually incapable of being woven; that the plaintiff knew they were not good, having actually tried to wind one on, when, according to his own admission, it would try whether they were good or not. His honour gave a verdict for the plaintiff for the full amount sought,

Judgement Summons - ROBERT LAW summoned ROBERT STANSFIELD for non compliance with an order previously made. Ordered to be paid at 4s per month or 10 days imprisonment.

Yesterday afternoon week, Mr. Ingram, deputy coroner, held an inquest at the Dog and Partridge Inn, Lumbutts, on the body of JOHN WILLIAM HIRST, who was found drowned in Carr Green Clough. The particulars appeared in last week's Guardian. Verdict - accidentally drowned.

On Tuesday night or early on Wednesday morning, some person attempted to break into the hen cote of WILLIAM CROWTHER at Dobroyd Railway Gate. They pulled a slab off the roof, but finding they could not gain admission, attempted to force the lock of the door, but were also thwarted in their design.

On Monday afternoon, MARY MITCHELL, daughter of LORD MITCHELL, of Castle Street, went to her grandmother's at Horsfall. In an adjoining house some repairs were being made, and a fire was left up-stairs. A boy went up and found the poor girl in flames. She was so severely burnt that death ensued the following morning.

During the last week Mr. JAMES SUTCLIFFE, one of the oldest musicians of this town, expired in his 75th year. For a number of years he was a member of the old church choir. He was a good reader of music, and as a proof of his talents, we need only say that he once received an appointment at Durham Cathedral, but owing to his home attachments, he declined the offer. On Sunday last the choir at Cross Stone, assisted by a number of Mr. Sutcliffe's old friends, sang a funeral anthem as a mark of respect to his memory.

Yesterday evening week, between seven and eight o'clock, a youth named STEPHENSON was riding a horse along the road leading to Crowcarr Ings Mill, when it took fright, and set off at full speed, knocking down WILLIAM STANSFIELD, a boy of about 13 years of age, and rendering him insensible for a short time.

Mr. Charles MEREDITH, clerk in charge of the Todmorden station has been appointed by the directors of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company to be manager of the Goods department at Bolton. Mr. HARMER, goods agent at Bacup, will succeed Mr. Meredith.

JOHN JUDSON, a young lad, was summoned for trespassing in a field belonging to THOMAS DAWSON, of Longfield, on Sunday morning the 6th inst. Fined 1d damages and 10s-6d expenses.

THOMAS BENTLEY of Butcher Hill, was summoned for being drunk and asleep on the footpath at Gauxholme, at midnight on the 16th ult. Fined 5s and costs.

JAMES THOMAS, of Hanging Ditch, for being drunk and using abusive language at an auction sale in York Street on the 21st ult, was committed for 14 days.

At the Leeds Court of bankruptcy, on Tuesday, W. and J. Sutcliffe, cotton manufacturers, Todmorden, applied for their order of discharge. Debts £1,069 - Assets £547 and a dividend of about 7s in the pound is expected. Two days before the bankruptcy a payment of £30 was made by WILLIAM SUTCLIFFEto JOHN HOLT, a relative, who was in his employ, and which it was suggested was a fraudulent preference. There was no entry of the money in any book, and his Honour said he would not grant the order until Holt appeared to be examined respecting it. The case was therefore adjourned.

JOHN WEBSTER and WILLIAM WEBSTER were summoned by JOHN EGLAND of Lobmill, for throwing sods and stones at him whilst returning from Lane-top with some milk. One of the stones struck the complainant under the right eye, inflicting a deep cut. Complainant said the boys had frequently molested him in this manner. As they had being corrected by their parents, the bench, after a suitable admonition, discharged them on each paying 9s costs.

SAMUEL SCHOLFIELD, WILLIAM LORD, THOMAS LAW, THOMAS GREENLEES, and DUKELINA [ or DUBELIN as a 2nd copy of the report further down the page states] DAWSON were severally charged with playing at pitch and toss in Langfield on Sunday the 3rd instant. It was stated that SCHOLFIELD, who resides in Union Street, had been brought up for gambling several times. He was committed to the House of Correction for a month, the others were fined 3s-4d each and costs.

THOMAS HUDSON of Bridge End, and JOHN MARSHALL of Crescent, were also charged with gambling on Sunday last. The defendants were caught in the act at Hey Head in Langfield. MARSHALL was convicted for one month, and HUDSON fined 3s-4d and costs.

At the Magistrates Office on Saturday, before Abm. Ormerod Esq., a labourer named ROBERT SANDERSON from Walsden, was charged with stealing two brass candlesticks, the property of ROBERT BARKER of Clough Foot, innkeeper, near Todmorden, on the 5th instant. The case was proved by LAWRENCE LORD, of Clough House, son in law of the prosecutor, and also by ANN BARKER, servant in the house. The prisoner was apprehended by P.C. Turner at Bacup, to whom he acknowledged the theft. Committed for trial.

Making Bad Worse - JOHN MARSHALL, THOMAS HUDSON, and LUKE LAW, were charged with gaming at Langfield on Sunday, Fined 3s-4d each and costs 8s. MARSHALL on hearing the verdict, asked what the result would be if they refused to pay the fine? The chairman said that they reserved that information. MARSHALL then said they dared not tell him. The magistrates then altered their decision, and committed him for one month.

JAMES HINDLE , of Bank Street, charged JOSEPH RIDEHALGH, a mason, with causing a disturbance at his house on Monday night, and refusing to go away when requested. He was drunk. Fined 5s and costs of 10s.

AGNES HARRISON, of Brook Street, charged MARY MARSHALL a neighbour, with assaulting her whilst standing at the end of the Odd Fellows' Hall buildings. Fined 1s and costs of 10s. Character - This was a case arising out of the former, in which MARY ACKROYD, mother of AGNES HARRISON, charged MARY MARSHALL with using objectionable expressions as to her chastity. Bound over to keep the peace for 12 months.

A horse, the property of Mr. JOHN VEEVERS, Kilnhurst, was at large in a field contiguous to Kilnhurst Wood (which was unfenced off) on Monday. It approached too near the precipice, and falling down, was killed on the spot.

Rigg v Greenwood - This was a claim brought by Mr. JOHN RIGG, for whom Mr. Holroyde, of Halifax appeared, to recover £21 from the defendant, who is a farmer at Shore, and for whom Mr. Holland of Rochdale appeared. Plaintiff proved that he married the sister of the defendant, and that the money was lent to the defendant by his [the plaintiff's] wife. Verdict for the plaintiff for the full amount sought.

Calim to recover a month's rent of 20 cottages at Walsden. Plaintiff's are trustees of a lodge, and entered into an agreement to let the cottages to the defendants at a rent of £174 per annum, to be paid monthly. As the cotton trade had failed, defendants wished to break off the contract. Verdict for the plaintiffs, with costs.

Dawson v Cryer - In this action, THOMAS DAWSON, hairdresser, of Bottomley, sought to recover £6-6s-0d from ROBERT CRYER, publican, of Walsden, under the following circumstances. On the 26th April he was in the defendant's house with the above sum of money in his pocket. He went to bed there, and whilst in bed he was robbed of his money. He therefore sued the landlord for the amount. Mr. Holroyde represented the plaintiff, and Mr. J. Stansfield the defendant. The defence was that the money was lost through the plaintiff's own negligence and foolishness. The plaintiff was non-suited and costs allowed defendant. Several other cases were disposed of.

ABRAHAM HOWARTHwas charged with being drunk and disorderly. P.C. 512, whilst on duty at Walsden, on Sunday, saw the defendant drunk opposite Inchfield Bottom Chapel, at the time the people were going into the chapel. Fined 5s and costs

ROBERT CRYER , innkeeper, of Walsden was fined 10s and 15s-6d for selling ale at prohibited hours on Sunday. The defendant had a number of men in his house during the forenoon at service time.

On Tuesday a little boy, seven years of age, son of JAMES CROSSLEY of Walsden, was riding on an ass, with the intention of joining the procession of the scholars belonging to Walsden Church Sunday School, when he accidentally fell off and was so severely injured by means of a sharp pointed stick, which he had in his hand, entering his right temple, that he expired the same evening. He was a cripple which accounts for his riding on the ass.

On Tuesday an accident happened to NATHAN STARKEY, son of JOHN STARKEY of Knowlwood. He had gone with the scholars of the Primitive Methodist school to a field at Knowl, and whilst playing with other boys at frog-leap, fell violently to the ground, and dislocated his shoulder.

Yesterday week a valuable bitch was accidentally killed on the railway near Adam Royd, Todmorden. At the time she had a litter of 4 pups, only one week old. A policeman residing at Dobroyd, hearing of the circumstance, and having a cat with two kittens, suggested to the owner of the dog, that if he would destroy one of the pups, he would destroy one of the kittens, and put the whelps to the cat. This was accordingly done, and now pussy is suckling the three young dogs and her kitten, and attends them with much care..

At Leeds Court of bankruptcy, on Tuesday, AMOS SCHOLFIELD builder of Langfield, came up by adjournment to pass his last examination, and was supported by Mr. Simpson, and opposed by Mr. Bond for the assignees, and also by Mr. Blackburn for a creditor. After a short examination, the bankrupt was adjourned for a fortnight, that search might be made for some missing books. The liabilities were £2,102 and assets, after deducting an amount in the hands of secured creditors, £300.

At the Magistrates Court on Monday, before A. Ormerod Esq. - WILLIAM HOLDEN, stone mason, was charged by Mr. HEYWORTH, relieving officer, with running away from his wife and family and leaving them chargeable to the Todmorden Union. Defendant's family had received relief at different times, the whole amounting to £5-1s-6d. For some time he had been working at Bradford, at which place he was apprehended and brought to Todmorden. He refunded the amount of relief and paid costs, promising that in future he would support his family, and was therefore discharged.

On Monday, at the Manchester Bankruptcy Court, Mr. Higgin applied to Mr. Commissioner Jemmett, to have JAMES HARGREAVES of Woodbottom Mill, near Todmorden, cotton manufacturer, committed under the 260th section of the old bankruptcy act, for not satisfactorily answering certain questions relative to the loss of three several sums of money, amounting to £230, £30, and £207, which he had received in the course of his business, and which ought to have gone for the benefit of his creditors.

The prisoner received from Messrs. W. and T. Rymer of Manchester £230, early in May. He proceeded to Rochdale by train, and stayed there several days, and one Saturday was drinking in a public house with some soldiers. On Sunday morning, when he awoke he found himself on the fairground in Rochdale, minus the £230 and the £30. He gave no information to the police, made no inquiries, and the only person to whom he mentioned the loss was his wife.

A few days afterwards he came to Manchester, and received £207 from Messrs. Rylands and Co. He then went up to London, and was present at the Derby, where in backing Lord Clifden he lost £100. The remainder of the money he spent on "pleasuring". He was ultimately arrested in London upon a warrant of the commissioner, and when searched had no money on him. The only account he could give of the total amount received, was, that he paid £40 of it to a person at Manchester, to whom he was indebted - The commissioner said that he could not think that the money was satisfactorily accounted for, and he should commit the bankrupt to prison until such time as he was prepared to give a satisfactory account of the money. The bankrupt was removed in custody to the New Bailey.

John Kaye preferred a charge of assault against THOMAS GREENWOOD, gamekeeper for Messrs. Green, Barker and Co., Complainant said that on Sunday morning, as he was going to Kebcote, he met defendant, who began to grumble about a dog which was with him, came up to him, and struck him on the head. Case was dismissed,

EDWARD KING of Strand, SAMUEL HANSON of Pavement, and URIAH BROOKE of Honeyhole were summoned for non-payment of vicar-rates, and distress warrants for the several amounts were granted.

ABRAHAM CROPPER charged HENRY HARGREAVES, a gamekeeper, with assaulting him on the 11th March last. The case had been adjourned because complainant had been in the Manchester gaol for two months, for poaching. The present case arose out of the former, the keeper being charged with an assault in taking Cropper's gun. The bench dismissed the case.

ESTHER CRABTREE, an old woman, complained of having been violently assaulted by WILLIAM SUTCLIFFE alias "Mad Bill" It appeared that the defendant married the complainant's daughter about 18 months ago, and that the three reside in a house at Pexwood. The defendant was for some time in a lunatic asylum. He was fined 20s in default to be committed for one month.

JOHN WILSON, who stated that he had come from Liverpool, for being drunk and creating a disturbance at Shade, on Tuesday night, was committed for one month.

Greenwood v Whitham - THOMAS GREENWOOD and GRACE GREENWOOD, husband and wife were plaintiffs and BETTY WHITHAM, mother of the above was defendant. The action was brought to recover wages due to Mrs Greenwood for work done, while living with the defendant, her mother, from the 24th August 18?? And 24th October 18??. The defendant's husband, a farmer, died several years ago. His Honour observed that it was a most unfortunate thing when relatives quarreled in this way, and there was no

On Saturday last, as a boy named ROWLAND, was playing with Mr. Ashworth's horse, whilst standing in a cart in York Street, the animal set off, knocked the boy down, and the wheel of the cart passed over his leg thereby fracturing his ankle.

On Wednesday noon, as SUTCLIFFE HIRST, a grinder at Messrs. Lord's mechanics, was standing on a landing one storey high, he leaned against some temporary railings when they gave way, and he was precipitated to the ground. In the fall he fractured his wrist, and otherwise injured himself so that he had to be carried home where Mr. Hardman, surgeon, attend him. On enqury last night, he is going on favourably.

On Wednesday, at the police court, ALFRED HAIGH, aged 18, was charged with stealing a flannel shirt from Clough Head Colliery, Dulesgate, the property of a collier named HENRY HARGREAVES. He was also further charged with stealing two books from Toctor-Hill Colliery, the property of Lord Bacon. Committed for trial.

On Saturday the Todmorden court was held in the Odd Fellows' Hall. The following cases were disposed of.

Greenwood v Drake - LUKE GREENWOOD sued JOHN DRAKE to recover possession of several articles of furniture which were in the defendant's house, and which he refused to give up. Plaitifff married the defendant's daughter, and had lived with him after their marriage, paying 2s per week. His Honour said that it was evident that there had been some family disputes. If the defendant returned the articles, with the exception of those struck off the list, all would be right, if not, he would assess the damages at £5

Sunderland v Sutcliffe - This action was brought for the recovery of £17-6s-0d due from THOMAS SUTCLIFFE as one of the sureties in a note of hand, dated October 1861, given to JOHN SUNDERLAND, the treasurer of a money club held in the Sobriety Hall. Plaintiff said that the money was paid to ROBERT CROSSLEY, who had absconded. His Honor said the question was as to the payments, and he would refer this to Mr. Eastwood.

On Wednesday, a desperate attempt to commit suicide was made by the wife of JAMES CROSSLEY, mechanic, who resides in a cellar in York Street. About two o'clock she was in the house with one of her children, and then she attempted the rash act. A carving knife was the weapon used in attempting to cut her throat. When the blood began to flow the child was greatly alarmed, ran into a neighbours house, and gave the alarm. Two young men found the unfortunate woman lying on the floor with her throat cut. Dr. Handley was called in, and she is in a fair way for recovery.

On Thursday an inquest was held by Mr. Ingram, at the railway Inn, Stansfield, on WILLIAM LAW, aged two years, son of JAMES LAW, of Mitchell Street, Lineholme. On the previous Friday the child fell down stairs in the house of MARY STANSFIELD, a neighbour and the aunt, and became insensible, expiring on the following Tuesday at home. Verdict - accidental death

At the Magistrates office on Monday, JOHN PILLING WHITELY was charged with obtaining from ROBERT BULLER, a scythe, with intent to defraud him of the same. Complainant is servant to Mr. KNOWLES of Kilnhurst. Defendant called on him on the 19th June, and wanted to borrow the scythe for a day, saying that JOHN HUDSON had sent him to borrow it. Complainant allowed him to take it, but it had never been sent back. JOHN HUDSON stated that the prisoner on the 18th June came to him as he was mowing. They had some talk about the scythe, and prisoner offered to fetch it, and went to Kilnhurst, but returned without it. On the following Tuesday the prisoner brought the scythe to Hudson's house. Hudson had then no sue for it, and told the prisoner to take it back. EDMUND HOWARTH deposed to having bought the scythe from the prisoner. The prisoner, who said the scythe was his own, was committed for trial.

On Thursday night FIELDEN GREENWOOD, a young man residing at Knowlwood, cut his throat very deeply. It appears that on coming home from the mill, and after tea he went upstairs, while the rest of the family were out, got a razor belonging to his father, and cut his throat while sitting on the bed, There he was found by a sister. Dr. Sutcliffe attended him, but gave little hope of his recovery.

The Bankruptcy Act 1861 - In the matter of HENRY INGHAM, clock and watchmaker, jeweler and dentist, of Cheapside, Todmorden in the parish of Rochdale, in the county of Lancaster, having been adjudged bankrupt under a petition for adjudication of bankruptcy, filed in the County Court of Yorkshire, holden at Todmorden, on the 29th day of June 1863, a Public Sitting for the said bankrupt to pass his last examination, and make application for his discharge will be held before Christopher Temple Esq., Q.C. Judge of the said Court, on the 29th day of August 1863, at the Court House in Todmorden, at Eleven o'clock in the forenoon precisely, the day last aforesaid being the day limited for the said bankrupt to surrender. Mr. ABRAHAM GREENWOOD EASTWOOD of Todmorden is the Official Assignee, and Mr. JOHN BLOMLEY of Todmorden is the Solicitor in the bankruptcy.

The First Meeting of creditors has been duly held in the said bankruptcies, and at the public sitting above mentioned proofs of debts of creditors who have not proved will be received; and the said bankrupt will be required to surrender himself to the said Court, and to submit himself to be examined, and to make a full disclosure and discovery of all his estate and effects, and to finish his examination - Signed A. G. Eastwood.

The Bankruptcy Act 1861 - In the matter of JOHN SUTCLIFFE, Machine Blacksmith, late Ale and Beer retailer, of Blind Lane, in that part of Todmorden which is situate in the Township of Stansfield, in the parish of Halifax, in the county of Yorkshire, having been adjudged bankrupt under a petition for adjudication of bankruptcy, filed in the County Court of Yorkshire, holden at Todmorden, on the 7th day of July 1863, a Public Sitting for the said bankrupt to pass his last examination, and make application for his discharge will be held before Christopher Temple Esq., Q.C. Judge of the said Court, on the 29th day of August 1863, at the Court House in Todmorden, at Eleven o'clock in the forenoon precisely, the day last aforesaid being the day limited for the said bankrupt to surrender. Mr. ABRAHAM GREENWOOD EASTWOOD of Todmorden is the Official Assignee, and Mr. JOHN BLOMLEY of Todmorden is the Solicitor in the bankruptcy.

On Thursday, at the Magistrate's Court, THOMAS HOLT was committed to prison for 14 days, for breaking down the fence of JOHN INGHAM, on Langfield Moor. The defendant had frequently damaged the fence to the same field.

On Monday, an inquest was held at the White Lion Inn, before Mr. Dearden, on the body of FIELDEN GREENWOOD, of Butcher Hill, Todmorden, who died on Friday from injuries he had inflicted with his own hands, particulars of which appeared in last week's Guardian. Verdict - temporary insanity,

JOHN BENTLEY, of the Waggon and Horses Inn, Redwater Foot, was summoned by the district collector, Mr. T. Gibson of Burnley, for an illegal brewing on the 30th of May last. Mr. Gibson stated that between eleven and twelve o'clock in the forenoon on that day he found a brewing operation going on which had not been entered in the brewing paper. Mr. Bentley told him that there was a mistake in the brewing paper; it was not his intention to brew on that day, till his wife came out of the cellar and said the casks were empty, and they must brew.

He knew that he should be acting contrary to Act of Parliament, for he had a paper in the house which stated that he must give twenty-four hours notice to the officer of excise before commencing to brew. Mr. Stansfield appeared for the defendant, and admitted the offence, but said there was no intention to defraud the revenue. Bentley's wife had remembered that on the following Monday would be held the Kebcote Fair, and their stock was not sufficient for that day. He submitted that the case should be leniently dealt with. The penalty of £200 was a high one; but the magistrates had the power to reduce it to £50; for any further mitigation it would be necessary to memorialise the Board of Inland Revenue. The bench convicted the defendant in the penalty of £50, and at the request of Mr. Stansfield recommended a memorial to be forwarded to the said board, wherein it might be stated that they considered £5 a penalty large enough.

BETTY WEBSTER, a girl, charged JOHN WILKINSON, a farmer, with assaulting her on the 10th instant. Defendant is the owner of the house in which the girl lives, near Rodwell End. The father of the girl had been interred on the day before the assault was committed, defendant having come to the house to get the rent. Complainant said he tried to put her out and could not, and then throttled her until she was black in the face, and struck her. Defendant denied striking or hurting the girl, he merely put her out of the house. He had let the house some two years since to the complainant's brother, and there was now two years rent owing, and he could not get to know who was master. The young man had married and left, and now said he had nothing to do with the house. Defendant had gone and stayed all day and night to try to learn who was master, but no one would acknowledge to being the tenant. The magistrates said that if he wanted any money for rent he must obtain it in a proper way, by distraint or otherwise. Fined £5 for Assault.

A well-known character, named JOHN KAYE, of Holebottom, was summoned for shooting grouse on Stansfield Moor without a certificate on the 12th instant. Mr. Blomley pleaded for him as not guilty. Mr. A. Lord, Mr. J. Helliwell, and the gamekeeper were called as witnesses, and swore to the defendant firing a gun, but none of them could say that he killed anything. For the defence, Mr. Blomley alleged that he was shooting at hares and rabbits, for which he had a licence from Mr. Howorth. Fined £5, but the money not being forthcomimg, he was left in the care of the police.

WILLIAM WALTON of Knowlwood, was summoned for being drunk and riotous at Gauxholme Fold on the 8th instant. Defendant pleased guilty, and was ordered to pay 5s and costs of 10s.

WILLIAM SUTCLIFFE of Pexwood, came before the magistrates, having given himself up on a summons issued some months ago, for assaulting his mother in law, with whom he resided when in this neighbourhood. He did not then appear, and was fined 20s, but absconded. Mr. J. Heyworth, relieving officer, said that he had three of the family on his books, defendant, his wife, and his mother in law. They were now all living together, and it would be impossible for him to pay anything. The case was allowed to stand over for a while, the magistrates saying that if he caused any further trouble, he must again be brought up.

While a boy was playing by the side of the canal at Baltimore, last Saturday, he fell into the water. Several women who saw him raised an alarm, and he was rescued alive by an apprentice of Mr. Horsfall's, whitesmith, who jumped in after him.

In the County Court of Yorkshire holden at Todmorden. In the matter of JOHN SUTCLIFFE of Blind Lane in that part of Todmorden which is situate in the township of Stansfield in the Parish of Halifax, in the county of York. Machine blacksmith, late ale and beer retailer, a Bankrupt. Whereas at a Public Sitting held on 29th August before Robert Scarr Sowler, Esq., Q.C. deputy judge of the said court, it was adjudged that the said JOHN SUTCLIFFE was entitled to his discharge, this will be drawn up immediately, to take effect 30 days from the 29th August.

In the County Court of Yorkshire holden at Todmorden. In the matter of HENRY INGHAM, clock and watch maker, jeweler and dentist of Cheapside, Todmorden in the Parish of Rochdale in the county of Lancaster, a Bankrupt. Whereas at a Public Sitting held on 29th August before Robert Scarr Sowler, Esq., Q.C. deputy judge of the said court, it was adjudged that the said HENRY INGHAM was entitled to his discharge, this will be drawn up immediately, to take effect 30 days from the 29th August.

On the 25th June, the defendant in this case, JAMES PEARSON of Centre Rock was charged by the plaintiff, RICHARD RATCLIFFE, farmer of Lower Woodfield, with cruelty to animals, it being urged that the sheep impounded were not sufficiently fed. That case was dismissed. Today, it was sought to obtain £5 for damages sustained by the impoundment, on the ground that it was illegal. Mr. Torr appeared for the plaintiff, and stated he would call witnesses to prove that his client had a legal right to pasture sheep upon the moor, by reason of his occupancy of Woodfield farm. He would call persons who could speak to seeing shepherds tending cattle for Woodfield on Todmorden Moor, from time to time, for a period of more than 30 years. JOHN GREENWOOD, who stated that he formerly lived at Royd House, was examined, and cross-examined. PETER LAW, farmer, and the plaintiff also, deposed to the use and custom of the tenant of Woodfield House having cattle grazing upon the common. Mr. Hartley, of Rochdale, for the defendant, said that the plaintiff had no documentary evidence of his alleged right of pasture. It would not be difficult to show that the right did not belong to Woodfield, but to Bearnshaw Tower, of Flower Scarr, or Stubbin. EDMUND PILLING of Sharneyford stated that he had been a moor-looker for 36 years, he always impounded the cattle from Woodfield when found on his common. Mr. Law supported the evidence, and P. Ormerod Esq. of Pexhouse, stated that Mr. Radcliffe, formerly occupier of Woodfield Farm, had stated to him in a conversation that the farm had no common right. Mr. Torr then addressed the court, contending that the uninterrupted usage of thirty years had been proved. His Honor deferred judgement till next court day.

An action to recover £25-4s-7d from the defendant, a manufacturer, for cotton yarns delivered. £15 offered immediately, and the rest in one month - Offer accepted.

JOHN SUTCLIFFE, late of Meadow Bottom, appeared for discharge; and HENRY INGHAM also applied, both supported by Mr. Blomley. Discharge order granted.

Ashton and Barker sought to recover from HENRY SHAW the amount of £10-2s-9d, due on a promissory note, Ordered to pay £5 monthly.

Last night week, about 11 o'clock, the inhabitants of this locality were alarmed at hearing a tremendous noise. It was ascertained that a portion of Mr. NUTTALL'S foundry had fallen in. Patterns, mostly belonging to Messrs. Lord Brothers, which were kept in the upper storey, to the value of £200 to £300 were broken to pieces. It is fortunate that the accident did not happen during the day, otherwise some lives must have been sacrificed.

The mistress of a beerhouse at Shade known by the name of the Whisket, was summoned for permitting drunkenness and disorderly conduct in her house on the 12th instant. She pleaded guilty, but endeavoured to show that the fault was not hers. Inspector Heap, in reply to the bench, said that the defendant kept a prostitute as a servant. Fined 10s and 10s expenses.

JAMES BIRKBACK, of Manchester, a "traveling doctor" was charged with obstructing the road by selling drugs near the Royal George Inn, Church Street, last Saturday night, he was fined 10s and costs.

Five young men named ELLIS SUNDERLAND, JAMES HOWARTH, EPHRAIM GREENWOOD, YOUNG GREENWOOD, and THOMAS HOLT, who belong to a society of their own origination, were summoned for being drunk and disorderly, and kicking up a row and disturbance at the house of Mr. N. Sutcliffe, Bay Horse Inn, Cross Stone, on Sunday last. Evidence at great length was given against them by Mrs Sutcliffe and other witnesses, shewing that there had been drunkenness and fighting.

The magistrates on the first charges dismissed EPHRAIM and YOUNG GREENWOOD and fined the other three 40s each. EPHRAIM GREENWOOD, YOUNG GREENWOOD, and JAMES HOWARTH were then charged severally with assaulting ROBERT DEAN of Cross Stone, between the hours of seven and eight o'clock. Mr. Jubb was for the defence in this as in the previous and following cases. The defendants were each fined £5 or in default each two months imprisonment - ELLIS SUNDERLAND and JAMES HOWARTH were then charged with assaulting the constable. A witness in the foregoing cases stated that his thighs were knocked black, his shirt torn, and other parts of his dress injured in the row. The two were fined £5 each on this charge. All the penalties were paid.

On Wednesday, at the Manchester Bankruptcy Court, JAMES HARGREAVES, cotton manufacturer of Wood Bottom Mill, Todmorden, came up in the custody of Captain Midland, to pass his last examination. Mr. Higgin who opposed the application, said that the case was a very peculiar one. The bankrupt had received a very large sum of money from his agents, Messrs. Rayner, of Manchester, but stated that he had lost it whilst "on the spree" getting drunk from public house to public house in Rochdale. On a subsequent occasion he received a sum of money from Messrs. Rylands, which he said he had lost at Epsom races.

Some clue had been obtained to the notes received from Messrs. Rayner, and, if the information was correct, the bankrupt could not have lost the money. The assignees whished for an adjournment of the case, with a view of ascertaining the accuracy of the information they had received. Mr. Boote, for the bankrupt, consented to the adjournment of the last examination, but said that he thought the bankrupt might be released from custody. The bankrupt had been imprisoned for sixteen weeks, for not satisfactorily answering the questions put to him. Surely he had suffered enough. The Commissioner said it was clear that the bankrupt's last examination must be adjourned, and the bankrupt must be present to be confronted with the witnesses who might be brought forward. Under the circumstances, he could not order the release of the bankrupt.

James Wilson who left this neighbourhood for India some months ago, died there of liver disease on the 1st of August. He was formerly a stoker on the Burnley branch line.

On Wednesday, an accident occurred at the tunnel above the Walsden railway station. A luggage train was coming down, and on one of the wagons was a crane, which, standing above the height of the tunnel, struck against the top. The force of the concussion threw two or three wagons off the rails. The course of the ordinary traffic was interfered with for an hour of two.

A fire was discovered in the scutching room of Messrs. Pickles' mill, at Wadsworth-mill yesterday week. It was quickly extinguished. It was caused by a nail in the cotton coming in contact with the scutcher.

On Saturday, as the workmen employed to finish the tower were hoisting up a large stone, the scaffolding became displaced and fell - one of the men having endeavoured to move a part of it , in order to allow the stone to pass. SAMUEL HEYWORTH had a narrow escape, and was so injured as to be unable to work for a few days; and others of the men were in great danger from the falling stone and scaffolding.

A general meeting was held at the committee rooms Dale Street on Wednesday evening, when the Rev. W.H. Orr, of Walsden, occupied the chair. On the suggestion that it was desirable for the committee to cease action, on account of the small amount of relief now distributed, and non-attendance at meetings of the committee, considerable discussion took place, and the subject was at last dropped without any decision being arrived at. Four cases of supposed imposition were then considered.

WILLIAM FIELDEN of Grove, acknowledges that his wife and he had agreed to state their income in order to obtain relief. He attended the meeting to express his regret at his conduct. He would, however, rather go to prison, than refund the money. 28 shillings. The committee advised him to consider, and sign the apology.

ROBERT TAYLOR had obtained 4 shillings by imposing on the committee, which he declared he could not refund.

SIMON DEWHIRST'S explanation was regarded as satisfactory, and he was continued on the relief list.

Henry Forrest, chimney sweep, was fined 5s for being disorderly at Shade, on the 15th Setember.

The keeper of the Lord Nelson Inn was charged by P.C. 370 with selling beer on Sunday week at half-past ten o'clock in the morning - Fined 1s and costs.

John Redman was again brought up, charged with passing through the toll bar at Friendly, on the 15th August and refusing to pay toll. He stated, as previously that he was at Huddersfield to see his daughter married on that day. Mr. Whitworth's cashier proved his having signed a note by making his cross on the 15th. Mr. J.T. Sutcliffe, of Hebden Bridge, for the Commissioners, produced a copy of the Halifax Guardian for the 29th, and also a marriage certificate, showing that the marriage spoken of took place on the 22nd and not on the 15th. Redman was then allowed that he was mistaken with regard to the date of the marriage, but produced a letter from a Huddersfield seedsman, saying that he was at that town on the 15th. He was fined 40s and the costs amounted to another 40s.

On account of failing health, the REV. J. EDWARDS, for a long time incumbent here, is obliged to leave the parsonage. His decision has only very lately been made known, but a subscription has been set on foot to present him with a suitable testimonial before his departure.

On Saturday afternoon, a contest of pigeon shooting was entered upon by LUKE DEWHIRST of the Navigation Inn, and SAMUEL BARKER of the Mason's Arms, the loser to be at the expense of six beef-steak puddings, and six quarts of ale. Barker shot first, but Dewhirts's gun, in firing, burst and was shattered, the splinters flying about. RICHARD TOLLEY, boiler maker residing at Pexwood, was struck in the face and badly cut. He had to be carried to a house near, where he was attended by Dr. Sutcliffe. Several other persons were struck, but none of them severely hurt.

Neighbourly Attack - HANNAH LORD, a married woman with a large family, residing at Jack Lee Gate, in Langfield, summoned JAMES SUTCLIFFE, living next door to her, for defamation of character. On the evening of the 29th last month the defendant came to her door, and shouted sundry accusations and insulted her with defamatory language. Witnesses were called in corroboration of these statements. Mr. J. Stansfield, for the defence, called witnesses to prove that the complainant was worse than the defendant, and that in the present case she had returned the attack with interest. The magistrates ordered Sutcliffe to be bound over to keep the peace for 12 months, two sureties in £5 and himself in £10.

JOHN JERSHAW. Keeper of a beershop at Walsden, known as the Butchers' Arms, was summoned to answer three charges - first allowing gaming in his house on Saturday the 3rd instant. Second assaulting P.C. Stopford, and third assaulting P.C. Turner on the same day. Fined 40s in the 1st case, and 20s in each of the others, making with costs £5-10s-0d.

JOHN BENTLEY of the Waggon and Horses Inn, was charged with allowing company in his house at prohibited hours. P.C. Tillotson stated that at a quarter to 12 he went into the house and found the company hid among the ale barrels. The landlord said he did not know about them. Fined 40s and costs of 8s and cautioned.

JOHN UTTLEY was summoned for being asleep in his cart, without anyone in care of the horse, on Monday the 5th instant. He had fallen asleep soon after leaving Halifax and was awakened at Mytholmroyd. Fined 5s and costs of 5s.

JAMES HARGREAVES, game watcher, charged ROBERT GREENWOOD, labourer of Stansfield, with poaching at Heptonstall on the 5th instant. Two other men were also implicated but they had begged off. The defendant was committed for three months, and at the end of that time to find sureties.

PAUL GREENWOOD of Lobmill, an overlooker, was brought up charged with assault and rape upon ELIZABETH CRAWSHAW, a married woman, a weaver working in the room of which he is an overlooker. On the 24th September she was left alone when the other weavers were gone, and the prisoner came to her as she was leaving, told her his intention, and proceeded to commit the offence. The case was adjourned until the next court day, when the prisoner will have to answer for this offence committed on the 24th ult and a charge of assault on the morning of the 6th instant. His own recognizance to appear at next court was taken for £10.

MARTIN NOON, a well known besom maker was charged with felony. THOMAS LORD deposed to being watching on the premises of Messrs. Helliwell, Dulesgate, on Tuesday night, when he heard someone lurking about the place. He called assistance, and the prisoner was found with a warp bag, containing sundry linen articles belonging to SUSANNAH OGDEN. Prisoner became very fierce, and after a fight got off. He was afterwards secured by a policeman, who spoke to prisoner rolling down a wood, lighting upon his feet like a cat, and throwing stones. He had to be tied to a cart tail for security, and because he refused to walk. Committed for trial.

As we noticed last week, the REV. J. EDWARDS has left Todmorden. He was presented with a silver massive inkstand on Monday. The teachers and scholars also presented him with a gold pen and pencil case, Mrs. Edwards with a gold pencil case, and Miss Edwards with a handsomely chased gold cross.

On Thursday at the magistrates Court THOMAS ASTIN, THOMAS NIXON, and THOMAS SPEAK, all lads from Knowlwood, were charged with having broken into the beerhouse of Mrs BUTTERWORTH at Heyhead in Langland. At half-past eleven on Sunday morning the house was entered and the drawers ransacked. The prisoners were identified, but were remanded for a week, until JAMES LEEK and WILLIAM WHITEHEAD, who had been of the party, but had absconded, were apprehended. These lads were taken at Bradford the same day.

On Tuesday at the Wood Mill before Mr. Ingram, on the body of Mr. JOHN FOULDS of Brook Street, whose body was found under the following circumstances. JOSEPH PICKUP of the Station House Bottoms Inn, proved that he last saw Foulds at his house at nine o'clock on Friday night. He was drunk. JOSEPH WALKER of Brighouse said he was in his boat at Burnt Acres Pool on Saturday morning when he found the body of the deceased. It was evident the poor fellow had strayed into the water and a verdict to that effect was returned.

At the Leeds Sessions on Wednesday, JAMES BARKER for stealing money, the property of his master, at Todmorden, entrusted to him for canal dues, was sentenced to hard labour for four months.

On Thursday, JOHN WHITAKER, blacksmith, called at the Shoulder of Mutton Inn, Blind Lane, when he fell from the chair and expired.

On Thursday at the petty sessions the lads JAMES LEEK and WILLIAM WHITEHEAD charged with breaking into widow Crabtree's house, at Heyhead. Were committed for trial. They pleaded guilty

It appears that a number of idle young fellows in Todmorden congregate under this name, for all manner of foolery and mischief. To which must be added - getting before the magistrates, for on Thursday, JOHN MITCHELL, WILLIAM SUTCLIFFE, JAMES HOWARTH, and JOHN LAYCOCK, members of the gang, were charged with assaulting THOMAS FIELDEN of Cobden. The affair arose out of a love affair between the complainant and a girl named GREENWOOD, the defendants attempting to make him pay "pitchering" and in the struggle ill-using him badly. HOWARTH was sent to prison for two months, and the rest for one month only. SUTCLIFFE added, in a melodramatic manner - "he (complainant) won't live until I've come out.

The business at this court was very heavy. The following are the principal cases.

THOMAS FIELDEN of Pexwood fined 10s and 10s costs for assaulting ELIZABETH PILLING on Sunday.

JOHN MITCHELL , JAMES CRABTREE, and ROBINSON ACKROYD, had 6s-6d costs to pay for Sunday gambling at Eaves.

SAMUEL SUTCLIFFE for allowing a nuisance on the road at Barewise had a fine of 10s to pay.

BALFOUR LUND, for obstructing the road at Scaitcliffe Bridge by leaving debris after asphalting the same , 10s and costs.

On Thursday, at the petty sessions PAUL GREENWOOD of Castle Street was committed to three months hard labour for having violated Mrs CRAWSHAW of Spring Side on the 24th ult.

This court was held on Saturday before Mr. Temple, judge. Most of the cases were very trifling, being summonses issued by traveling Scotchmen, for drapery goods. His Honor said he did not approve of their trusting poor people to such large sums as £6 or £7, and in no case made an order for more than 9s per month.

Mr. Torr of Manchester applied for a new trial in the case of RATCLIFFE v PEARSON, which was tried in August, and judgment given for the defendant. The action was to recover damages sustained by the plaintiff, through the alleged illegal impounding of the sheep and lambs. The real point in question, however, was whether the farm at which the plaintiff lives, Lower Woodfield, had any common right on Todmorden Moor. Mr. Torr contended that the verdict was contrary to the weight of the plaintiff's evidence, and contrary to law. His Honor said he could not grant a new trial, unless he had the facts before him.

This case was an adjourned one. Defendant is a joiner but has been made bankrupt, and the man had been adjourned in the anticipation of his receiving a discharge. Neglecting to produce his cash book, he had not done so. His Honor ordered the amount to be paid forthwith.

On Monday the inquest was held at the Rose and Crown Inn, Castle Street, before J.R. Ingram, Esq., deputy coroner, on the body of JOSEPH CROWTHER, carter. On Saturday a party of gentlemen had been out hunting, and were returning home at seven o'clock, and rode up the road from Eastwood at a quick pace. The deceased heard the tramp pf the horses, and went, as he supposed, out of the way, taking shelter behind a cart which was drawn up at one side of the road, near Castle Lodge. The horse of Mr. O. BARKER, manufacturer, came against him with such force that he was fatally injured, and died at three o'clock next morning. The inquest lasted from half-past four p.m. until eleven o'clock, and ultimately resulted in a verdict of accidental death the jury recording their opinion that BARKER was not entirely free from blame.

On Thursday, at the Manchester Bankruptcy Court, Mr. Boote mentioned the case of JAMES HARGREAVES, of Wood Bottom Mill Todmorden, a bankrupt, to obtain the opinion of the Court as to a bankrupt being required to pay the expenses of an adjourned meeting. HARGREAVES not having given satisfactory answers to certain questions put to him, the Commissioner had committed him to prison.

During his imprisonment, the accountant made out a statement of his accounts, upon which the bankrupt was examined on the 30th ult. There were certain explanations required, which the bankrupt could not give, and an adjournment took place to allow him to afford the necessary information. The Registrar had ordered the adjournment to be at the bankrupt's expense, but at the same time had said he should like the general principle as to expenses of adjournments in such cases to be determined. The Court decided that as the adjournment was rendered necessary by the bankrupt's neglect or misconduct, he must pay the expenses.

AQUILLA HARWOOD, beerhouse keeper, Meadow Bottom, was charged with allowing dog fighting in his house. P.C. Tillotson, on Friday night, found 30 or 40 men in one room, watching two dogs fight. The landlord was also looking on. Fined 12s and costs of 8s.

WILLIAM WIDDUP, overlooker in Causy Wood Mill, was summoned to answer a charge of having assaulted a girl named BETTY MITCHELL, aged 11 years, on Friday the 30th last month. WILLIAM BARKER of the same place was also summoned on a similar charge. The mother and sister of complainant appeared as witnesses, but their evidence was contradicted by that of SARAH HOLLINRAKE and MARY BENTLEY, who stated that neither WIDDUP nor BARKER had struck the girl, who was very idle - Case dismissed.

JOHN LINGARD, coal dealer for being drunk and lying on the road on the 9th instant was fined 5s and costs of 10s.

On Saturday, JAMES FIELDEN, of Shade, met with a serious accident at Messrs. Lord's mill in Canal Street. He was oiling the shafting, when, feeling that he was about to fall, he seized hold of a wheel, by which tow of his fingers were torn off.

Yesterday night week, THOMAS STANSFIELD, apprentice at Mr. Nuttall's foundry, Salford, had his foot scalded by a quantity of hot metal. He was taken home in a cart.

Mr. JOHN HOWARTH, assistant of Mr. BLACKBURN, grocer, on Friday week, in jumping from a shelf, fell with his right arm upon a scale beam, which had a pointed piece of iron in the center. This pierced his arm, and for several days he was not able to attend to his work.

On Tuesday evening, GREENWOOD FELTHAM, aged 21, along with six companions, went down the canal bank from Gauxholme to Todmorden. On arriving at Dobroyd Lock, FELTHAM made a stop, but the others proceeded, and having gone a distance of about 15 yards, they looked around, when they saw him throw his jacket in the air, run across the towing path, and jump into the water, calling out "Good Night" They went to an adjoining woodyard, and obtained a piece of timber, and though they could thus reach him within a yard or two, yet he deliberately refused to avail himself of the assistance offered, and was drowned.

On Saturday, a robbery was committed at Mr. HINCHCLIFFE'S mill, Stoodley Bridge, between the hours of 12 at night and 2 o'clock in the morning. The cash box, containing £7 in silver was taken from a drawer in which there was also 5s in copper, 4s-11d halfpenny of which the burglars took away with them. Neither the windows nor the lock on the door seemed to have been disturbed, but at two o'clock the watchman found the office door open. Part of the cash box has been found near the premises.

On Saturday the inquest on the body of GREENWOOD FELTHAM, who drowned himself in so deliberate a manner in the canal at Dobroyd, was held at the Lord Nelson Inn. The evidence showed that for some time deceased had been in a strange sort of mind, and a verdict of temporary insanity was returned.

The following business was transacted, the magistrates present being J. Crossley, J.C. Sutcliffe, and A. Ormerod Esqrs.

WILLIAM WHIPP of Shade, was summoned by an order of the local board of health, on a charge of willfully setting fire to the chimney of his house, on the 13th instant. The defendant pleaded not guilty, saying the chimney was not on fire, a handful of wet shavings put on the fire causing dense smoke. Inspector Heap said that the fire was not out the following morning. Discharged on paying expenses of 8s-6d.

THOMAS SYKES of Lydgate, charged with being drunk the previous Thursday, said he was not what he called drunk, though he was not sober. Discharged on paying expenses of 8s-0d.

HENRY WALTON, masons labourer, was brought up for neglect of family. The relieving officer for Stansfield said he had relieved the man's wife to the amount of 4s-6d. Committed for one month.

At this court on Saturday, before C. Temple Esq. the following cases were heard:

Ratcliffe v Pearson - Application for a new trial. Case arising out of the impounding of 20 sheep, on Todmorden Moor, by the defendant, who was a watcher. The plaintiff claimed a right of pasture over the common, in respect to Lower Woodfield Farm. His Honour decided against the plaintiff, saying, he thought the right course would be to permit the judgment to be altered from an absolute judgment, to a non-suit. Plaintiff to pay costs.

Wheelhouse v Shaw - JAMES WHEELHOUSE, a wheelwright, brought this action to recover £4-10s-0d from HENRY SHAW, a carrier, for labour and wood in the re-making of two wheels. Defendant said the bargain was for £2-10s-0d. Verdict for the plaintiff.

Barnes v Doudale - WILLIAM BARNES, a slater, sued ANN DUGDALE, for £3-3s-0d., balance due for board, lodgings, and clothing. Some time ago defendant went to reside at the plaintiff's house, his wife being her aunt. After hearing the statements of the plaintiff and his wife, His Honour said it was a case in which the plaintiff could not recover.

Marshall v Stott - WILLIAM MARSHALL, cotton waste dealer, Roomfield Lane, sought to recover £6-5s-0d from THOMAS STOTT, manufacturer of Pavement, the amount of damage alleged to have been sustained by him through the non-delivery of as much waste cop as defendant could make and obtain within a month. His Honour said it looked like a public house bargain, and the only thing was that a drunken man must have made it. Upon that agreement he could not give anything more than 9s. the amount of damage.

This action was to recover apportion of a premium of £20 due 1st May last, the defendant's son being then an apprentice with INGHAM, watchmaker (a bankrupt) The premium was to be paid in four yearly instalments of £5 each. He remained with INGHAM till after the second instalment was due. The Judge held that the consideration of payment was the continued undertaking by Ingham to employ and instruct the apprentice for the whole seven years, and if INGHAM was not in a position to do so, because of his becoming bankrupt, there was an end of the legal right.

Yesterday morning, Mr. W. HOULDING, boot and shoe maker, of this town, died at Burnley. He had been 25 years a local preacher, and was well known as a public lecturer.

On Saturday, JOHN McGLAUGHLIN, hawker, Knowlwood, was run over at Rochdale station, and killed.

At the Queen Hotel, on Monday evening, the annual meeting was held, over which Mr. THOMAS KNOWLES presided. The officers for 1864 were elected. Mr. THOMAS HARGREAVES received his prize bat, for having got the most runs in the first eleven's matches during the season of 1863.

JACOB SHARP of Lydgate, aged 19 years was charged with committing an indecent assault upon BETTY RIGG, a young girl. Inspector croft stated that such occurrences were not unfrequently complained of in the neighbourhood, but owing to various causes no prosecution took place. Fined 10s and 10s costs.

ABRAHAM SUTCLIFFE and THOMAS LAW were charged with being drunk and disorderly in Hanging Ditch, at one o'clock on Sunday morning. SUTCLIFFE was discharged on payment of costs. LAW was ordered to find sureties for his good behaviour.

On Monday at the magistrate's office, THOMAS WHITAKER, blacksmith, was charged with breaking windows at the house of Inspector Heap, on Saturday night, he was ordered to pay 8d damages and 12s expenses.

THOMAS LAW, of Back York Street, a weaver, was charged with assaulting W. SUTCLIFFE, plumber and glazier, of Wadsworth Mill on Saturday night, he was fiend 5s and costs.

ABRAHAM INGHAM, of Cobden, stonemason, was found dead in bed on Sunday morning, about nine o'clock, by his wife and children, who were just about to breakfast. An inquest was held on the body, on Wednesday at the Black Swan Inn, when the verdict was died from natural causes.

On Wednesday, at the Manchester Court of bankruptcy, Mr. Boote applied for the discharge of this bankrupt. Mr. Shipman opposed the application on the ground that he had brought himself within the clauses of the act which related to misdemeanours; he having omitted to keep proper books of account; the cause of his insolvency being attributed to rash and hazardous speculations; and having within sixty days previous to the adjudication concealed a part of his property, above the value of £10.

He was adjudicated bankrupt about the 20th of May, and within sixty days he received £200 from Messrs Rymer, of Manchester. He received the money of a Friday, and instead of going home, he stopped at Rochdale, where he remained until nearly midnight the following Saturday, having spent the interval in visiting public houses. According to his own statement, he became so drunk that he slept in the open air, and on recovering found he had been robbed of his pocket-book. He did not communicate with the police, and made no attempt to find the money, although the notes were for £100, and could easily have been traced.

On the following Tuesday he came to Manchester, and received £207 from Messrs. Rymer, £40 of which he had paid to a man named Lord. With the remainder he went to Epsom races, and by backing a horse named - Lord Clifden - lost nearly the whole of it; having thus lost £400 within a week. Instead of consulting his creditors he caused a letter to be written to his wife by a clog-maker at London named Hinchcliffe (with whom he had been stopping) in which he asked to be informed whether the mill was running and if anyone had been attempting to take any proceedings for the money.

He also requested his wife to send the pieces in the mill immediately to Hinchcliffe's address, and that if anyone attempted to stop them she was to say that he (the bankrupt) had ordered them to be sent to Messrs. Rymer. The creditors having ascertained that he had gone away without making any provision for his debts, he was declared a bankrupt, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He (Mr. Shipman) therefore asked the commissioner to direct that a prosecution should take place, seeing that the bankrupt was engaged in hazardous speculations, thereby bringing him within the 159th section of the act.

Mr. Boote, in reply, said he did not contend that his client had done what he ought; but as to the charge that he had been guilty of rash and hazardous speculation he apprehended that those words meant rash and hazardous speculation in trade and unjustifiable extravagance in living. Taking the wording of the whole section of the act, it was perfectly plain that that was so. The bankrupt had lost £100 in betting, but it was not that sum which had made him insolvent. As to the bankrupt having omitted to keep books, the words of the section were, that he should have willfully omitted to keep proper books "with intent" to defraud his creditors. The bankrupt had not concealed any of the facts, dark as they might appear against him, and he had told the same story from the beginning.

A dividend had already been declared of 8s in the pound, and £200 was now in the hands of the assignees, available for a further dividend. The cost price of the estate would have shown over 30s in the pound; and if the property had fetched anything like the actual value the creditors would have been paid, irrespective of the two sums in question; 20s in the pound. He submitted that, although the bankrupt's conduct had not been what it ought, yet it did not bring him within the sections of the act referred to. He therefore hoped the commissioner would not order a prosecution.

The commissioner said it appeared to him that the evidence was not sufficiently strong against the bankrupt to being him within the 159th section, with regard to his insolvency being attributable to rash and hazardous speculation or unjustifiable extravagance in living. But he thought his conduct had been such that he had brought himself within the penalties of the 221st section. The course under that section was to indict the party for misdemeanour if they thought proper to do so. The conduct of the bankrupt had been extremely bad towards his creditors, and he should adjourn the consideration of his discharge for two months, so as to give the assignees an opportunity, if they thought proper, to indict the bankrupt for misdemeanour.

Rochdale Free Press Friday April 10th 1903