Mexborough & Swinton Times — March 7, 1914
A Sordid Story
The Fatal Fight at Denaby
Wildman Before the Bench
“I Am Very Sorry.”
A sordid tale was told at the Doncaster West Riding Police Court, on Friday, before Mr. J. W. Hodgson and Mr. Caleb Kilner, when Daniel Wildman, miner, of Balby Street, New Conisboro’, was charged on remand with the manslaughter of Patrick Hopkins, miner, of no fixed abode.
Tragedy Outlined
Supt. Minty explained that on the 12th Feb. the deceased man went to the Denaby Main Hotel, where the prisoner was with other men. The deceased man was apparently in a fighting humour, and he challenged the prisoner and other men to fight. He persisted, and asked the prisoner to go out and fight two rounds.
They went out, and the fight was commenced. Blows were struck on both sides, and the deceased fell on the pavement. Dr. Forster was called to him and found him unconscious. The doctor rendered first aid, and had him removed to the Fullerton Hospital, where he was attended to. He never regained consciousness, and died two or three days later.
Doctor’s Evidence
The first witness was Dr. Forster, of Conisboro’, who said that on the evening in question he was in Doncaster Road, Denaby, at about 9 p.m. He was called to the deceased, whom he found lying on the pavement, just outside the Denaby Main Hotel, and had him taken into the hotel, here he rendered first aid.
After that he was removed to the Fullerton Hospital at Denaby. He was unconscious and suffering from concussion of the brain. Witness saw the deceased on the following day, and he was more deeply unconscious. He never saw the deceased alive after that.
He received a coroner’s order, and held a post-mortem examination on Feb. 20th, which showed a fracture of the skull on the right side. There was hemorrhage of the brain in the same region. There was also a fracture of the left side of the base of the skull.
In witness’s opinion, a blow on the upper right region of the head might have caused the injuries. There were no external marks of violence. The cause of death, in witness’s opinion, was primarily fracture of the skull, and secondly, laceration and hemorrhage of the brain. Witness never detected any smell of drink in the deceased’s breath.
The prisoner had no questions to ask the doctor.
A Rival in Temper
Arthur Collough, coal miner, 39, Union Street, Doncaster, said he saw the deceased man on Feb. 8th, who was about 30 years of age. Deceased was both a miner and a professional boxer.
Witness never saw the deceased after death. Cross-examined by prisoner, witness said the deceased was variable in temper, and was of drunken habits. He was never right only when he was drunk, added the witness.
A Boxer
Thomas Edward Vaughan, miner, 3, George Street, New Conisboro’, said that at about 8 p.m. on Thursday he went into the dram shop of the Denaby Main Hotel, and there saw the deceased and other men. Witness had known the deceased several years.
Witness had worked with the deceased on one occasion at Denaby pit, and had seen him in boxing bouts.
On Thursday, when witness went into the hotel the deceased challenged a man named McGrath to fight, but the latter refused. Deceased was under the influence of drink. He challenged Wildman to fight. At first the prisoner refused, but afterwards agreed to fight two rounds.
Witness and David Walton followed to see the fight. The deceased and prisoner went in a friendly manner to fight two rounds. Deceased struck Wildman the first blow in the face, landing on with the left fist. Wildman retaliated with the second, and Hopkins dropped backward on the pavement.
The deceased made no effort to get up, and the prisoner went to his assistance in witness’s presence. A crowd gathered, and witness returned to the hotel, Wildman following.
Clerk’s Sharp Rebuke
David Walton, miner, 64, Edlington Street, New Conisboro’, said he was in the Denaby Main Hotel, where he saw the prisoner, who was not drunk. The witness proceeded to give similar evidence as at the inquest, and said that prisoner struck the deceased on the left jaw with his right hand.
The Chairman questioned the witness as to which was his left side, whereupon the prisoner replied “This, of course,” holding up his left hand.
The Magistrates’ Clerk (Mr. E. W. Pettifer): “Your whole manner is disrespectful, and has been since you went into the box. The Chairman asked you a question.”
Witness: “I have answered it, haven’t I?”
The Clerk: “When the Chairman asks you a question you must not be impertinent to him.”
Proceeding with his evidence, witness said that after the fight the prisoner drank a beer and went home.
Supt. Minty: “Did any of you attempt to evade the fallen man?”
Witness: “No, sir; we all went back to the public-house.”
Evidence was also given by Richard McGrath, miner, 2, Cliff View, Denaby; Thomas Donlan, 34, Cliff View, barman at Denaby Main Hotel, and Supt. Leverton.
At the close of the witnesses’ evidence:
Prisoner’s Statement
The prisoner said that when he was downstairs at the steps of the hotel, before he could reach up the bottom step the deceased struck him in the jaw with his left fist, saying, “That is the —— road to treat the bald-headed old man.”
Prisoner said: “Hold on a bit, old man, you have not beaten the bald-headed old man yet.”
Deceased had the bottom button of his coat fastened. He then said, “Now then, get to work.” “We started,” proceeded the prisoner, “and a blow was struck, and I am very sorry it occurred. If he had not struck me as he was going downstairs I should have gone home about my business.”
The prisoner was ordered to take his trial at the Leeds Assizes on March 16th, bail being allowed, same as before.