A Husband’s Cruelty at Conisborough

November 1906

Mexborough and Swinton Times November 24, 1906

A Husband’s Cruelty at Conisborough

Mary Holland summoned her husband, Joseph Holland, a Conisborough labourer, for persistent cruelty.

Defendant apply to have all the witnesses in the case leave the Court, and the wife then told her tale.

When her husband came home last Saturday she was getting his dinner ready and he told her not to get any – – – – dinner ready for him, or he would blind her with it. “I offered to get him his dinner,” she went on, “and he took a bowl of water and put the fire clean out with it.” I said, “Don’t do that; let me get some dinner ready.” And the defender picked up his quart can and threw it at me.”

He then got the poker up and run me out of the house, saying that he would murder me. I met the sergeant, and asked him what I should do. He had previously brutally assaulted her by kicking her under the breast. That was last April, and he dragged her up and down the floor by the hair of the head. She had a letter which the doctor gave her on that occasion. After the assault he went away and they did not know where he was gone. He had been very fairly good until recently but a month ago he threw a quart jug at her, and also a sewing machine breaking the latter.

“He has always been assaulting me – night after night,” she said.

“A week yesterday he assaulted me, and thumped me in bed.”

“How long is it since you kicked me in the eye?” Asked defendant.

“I hit you when you kicked me on the left breast.” Replied the complainant

Mrs Davey, a witness said she was passing the house to which the litigants resided on Saturday afternoon, when she saw defendant run Mrs Holland out, and pick a bucket up to throw at her. It did not strike her as she turned the corner too quickly.

“And the language?” asked the Chairman.

“The language,” said the witness, in withering tones, “was such as would not bear repetition.” She told the defendant to cease his language as there were children were in the yard.

“Did you ever see me hit her?” Queried the defendant.

“No,” said witness, “but I saw you run out of the house.”

“That’s not evidence of assault,” commented the defendant amid laughter.

An order was made for 6/-a week against the defendant, who seemed quite elated at the Ventures decision.