Furiously Driving

George Black, waggonette proprietor, Mexborough, and Joseph Brooks, boat hauler, Mexborough, were each charged with driving a pair of horses and a carriage furiously at Mexborough on July 1st.

Brooks appeared and pleaded not guilty.

Thomas Hall, painter, Mexborough, said that on the day in question, which was Conisborough Feast, he left Conisborough about half-past nine and rode home in George Black’s waggonette. Black was driving himself, and had two horses. When they got to New Conisborough one of George Newell’s waggonettes, with Brooks driving, passed them. Brooks said, “Pull aside Black.” Black struck his horses and said “Get along.” Both pairs of horses then started galloping. They went on side by side, and witness called out to Black to pull up, but he did not do so until he got to the Masons’ Arms in Doncaster-road.

Witness then went and pulled Black off the box into the waggonette and drove the remainder of the journey himself. Witness had his wife and family in the waggonette, and they were greatly frightened when the horses were galloping. Black was not drunk, though he had had something to drink. He could have managed his horses properly if he had wished.

Cross-examined by Brooks, witness said he did not see him whip his horses.

Joseph West and George Henry Wagstaff said they saw the waggonettes go by at a gallop and heard a number of women who were riding scream out as if frightened.

The Bench fined Black 20s. and costs, and Brooks 10s. and costs.