Mexborough and Swinton Times December 25, 1891
Brutal Attack on Brothers at Conisborough.
A Scene after the Marionette Show.
Exemplary Punishment.
Charley Singleton, glassblower, was chanted with having assaulted William Clark, engine driver, and also with having assaulted John Clark, labourer ; Thomas Hampton, glassblower, was charged with having assaulted John Clarke. There was a cross – summons charging William, John, and Thomas Clarke with an assault upon Charles Singleton. The case was of a prolonged character, and many persons were in court during the giving of the evidence.
Mr. Baddiley appeared for the brothers Clark, and Mr. Hall represented Singleton and Frampton. On the suggestion of Mr. Baddiley, it was agreed that all the cross-summonses should be heard together.
In opening the case Mr. Baddiley said on Saturday night the three brothers went to a marionette show, and left it about 9-30. Singleton was also there. Frampton was present, and without provocation commenced to assault William Clark. Singleton was the worse for drink, and was called up by Frampton , who assaulted John Clark very violently. William Clark was attacked by Singleton with clogs most unmercifully, and it would be acknowledged that the assaults was of a brutal character. He asked that Singleton should be sent to prison without the option of a fine as the conduct of some of these men in Conisborough was something unbearable ; men were got on the ground and kicked most brutally, and it ought to be put a stop to. This
William Clark said he was in the Eagle and Child Inn yard at a marionette show. Singleton and Frampton also were. John and Thomas were also there. When they got outside, he saw Frampton strike Thomas. Thomas had said nothing to the man In any way. John then came up to take Thomas away and Frampton struck and kicked his brother John and then called out “ Pompey,” which was the nickname for Singleton. “Pompey “ ran up to John and struck him on the head and kicked him on the shins. John did nothing, but called out. Witness went up to Singleton and caught him by the jacket saying, “ Let him alone you have nothing to do with it.”
Witness was then knocked down by Singleton and kicked by him. Singleton got on the top of him. A young man named John Hepworth came and picked him up after pulling Singleton off. Witness did not know where he was owing to loss of blood. Singleton went up to him again and struck and kicked him with his clogs. Witness ran down the road as well as he could and Singleton followed and was kicked in the side. He went into Mrs Guest house for refuge, and saw a man named Beaumont there. He thought he should have got killed but for getting into the place of refuge. Afterwards he saw police constable Truman, who saw the state he was in, and there was much blood on the floor.
On the next night (Sunday) he saw Singleton, who said he was very sorry, and wanted to know if Gregory was there, because he wanted to see him. He wanted to call witness on one side, but Gregory said he should go as well. Afterwards he went to witness his lodgings and said “You have got the wrong man this time. He took out a warrant on the Monday.
By Mr. Hall : Two young men came with the defendant on Monday. I do not know that he got hurt and was lame. I did nothing to him. I have not heard that he was confined to his bed and could not get up. I have not seen the defendant’s sister. I was never asked for my name and nothing was said about summoning me. I don’t know Sarah Watson.
Mr. Hall : You don’t seem to have got hurt much.
Witness: Well, I had some bad wounds and bled much and had a wound at the back of my ear now.
Mr. Baddiley said the other side were very slow in taking out the summonses.
Mr. Hall ;said he knew that.
Re-examined by Mr. Baddiley witness said he did not assault Singleton in the slightest.
John Clark, miner, Denaby Main, said he was’ at the marionette show, and saw Singleton and Frampton there. He saw Thomas running up and took hold of him. He said Frampton had hit him. Frampton then struck and kicked witness, and called out “ Pompey.” Witness got struck on the for head and kicked him on the thigh. “ Pompey “ afterwards seized witness by the throat and struck and kicked him. Witness up to now had not spoken to Singleton, Witness then came up and told Sineleton he had nothing to do with it. Singleton then assaulted his brother William, who had a basket in his hand. Singleton kicked his brother on the head with his clogs when lying on the ground. John Hepworth pulled Singleton off his hrother and helped his brother up. Singleton continued the attack afterwards and his brother hurried away in the direction of Mr. Guest’s. Witness afterwards saw Truman. No provocation was given to either Frampton or Singleton, and no blow was struck at them. He saw no one else assault Singleton. At half-past ten on Sunday night he saw Singleton again and heard the conversation. Singleton said he was sorry for what he had done but he had got hold of the wrong man.
By Mr Hall: We had not got this man on the ground. We were not on the top of him.
Mr Hall : Can you account for his injuries? —No.
You were there all the time – Not to the end of it, because I ran away refuge.
Did he complain plain to you about the assaults? —No.
George Best, miner, Denaby said he was also at the show at Conisborough. When he came out he was going home, but hearing the disturbance he went back and saw the assault. He heard William call out “Oh give over.” Jack Hepworth picked him up and thought he was dead. His face and head was covered with blood. William ran away.
By Mr. Hall : There was many people round and a fight was going on. I did not see Singleton on the ground, and I did not see him assaulted.
Mr. L. T. Baines: What do you mean by fight? ” Do you mean ” fight ” when one man is kicking another? —Yes. (Laughter.)
Mr. Baridiley : There was really no ” fight”?
Thomas Clark gave evidence. Frampton, he said ” turned” on to him. That was about some bother there had been about a fight at Denaby at which witness was an onlooker. On this night in question Frampton kicked and punched him, and John came and got hold of witness and said “Go off home.” Frampton then punched and bit his brother on the head and thigh.
Singleton was called for and he came up and continued the attack. He seizing John by the throat and struck and punched him with his clogs. William got hold of Singleton by the coat and said ” You have nothing to do with it.” He then got knocked down and punched by Singleton the forehead and thigh, while lying on the ground. Alter release his brother got violently assaulted again, and he then escaped to the place of refuge. Witness struck neither of them and gave no provocation.
Mr. Hall: You stood it like a lamb and did nothing ?—No.
Is that what you mean ?—Yes.
You want the magistrates to believe that not one of you Clarke’s did anything?—Yes.
Did you say ” Are you in the same mind that you were last night to Frampton.—No.
Anything of the kind ?—No.—Did he say ” Yes ” ?—No. I said nothing to him.
Did you strike him in the face and get him down and the brother on the top of him ?—No.
By Mr. Baddiley : Frampton said ” Now then are your mates here to night?” and then assaulted him.
John Hepworth said he was also in this show at Conisborough. He saw Frampton pull him off and commit the assault complained of. Witness lifted William Clark up and found him covered with blood. That was near the druggist’s shop. Singleton got at William after witness had shoved him off, and Clark escaped to Guest’s house. None of the Clark’s touched Singleton.
Mr. Hall : you agree with them all that the Clark’s did nothing ?—Yes.
You had been wanting to fight Lister in the Eagle and Child?—No.
Did you see him there?—No.
What time did you leave the Eagle and Child?—About half-past nine o’clock.
William Tolladay also deposed until having been in the show and then seeing the assault. He saw no provocation.
William Saunderson and John Bowman also gave evidence.
Police-constable Trueman said William Clark was bleeding very much on the forehead and also on the right ear when he saw him. He apprehended
Mr. Baddiley : I suppose you wanted to be the first in the field, that was why you sent to see
Mr. Halll—No. I sent my sister for information.
How was it the summonses were not taken out before Wednesday or Thursday?
Because we did not get to know the names. They gave the name of Gregory.
Was Did you not know one wee called Gregory?–No.
Did you take drink into the marionette show ?- No.
If You had drink in the show ; who took it in 7—William Sykes.—Were you drunk in the show?
No ; I only had one drink with him.
Were you sober?
Who began the disturbance? —I don’t know I’m sure.
Had you clogs on ? —Yes.
Did you take them off tafter the assault? – No.
Where do you live? —At my sister’s.—Why not at home?
A Mr. Hall : Has that anything to do with it ? Mr. Raines; It has nothing to do with it.
Mr. Baddiley, proceeding with the cross – examinstion, elicited the answer that the prisoner had had a disturbance with Jack Gregory. It was not true that he tried to take the prisoner home.
Mr. Baddiley ; What was the matter ?—We were trying to wrestle.
Why was that? I don’t know.
Is he your friends?—No.
Aren’t you friendly at all? – We speak.
Mr. Hall : Has that anything to with It ?
Mr. Saddiley : I shall prove he got his injuries then.
Mr. Hall : It was a friendly wrestle. (Laughter)
The defendant Frampton also gave evidence, He said one of the men Clark asked him if he was “ in the same mind for fighting,” and he said he was. Tom Clark then “let go” at him and John Clark came up and punched him. Singleton came up while the brothers Clark were on the top of him.
Cross-examined by Mr. Baddiley’s Frampton said William Clark did nothing to him.
Why did you not summon the Clarks ?—I didn’t.
Why ?–Because they summoned me. (Laughter).
You did not touch them ?—Yes, I ran at Tom, Clark.—In answer to farther questions the defendant said Singleton was not a friend of his ; they worked together.
Mr . Hall: When they struck you you struck them?— Yes.— There was a big crowd about 150 people.— There was regular fighting and kicking all round? —Yes. (Laughter.)
Sarah Watson deposed that she was going along and saw a crowd. She did not see the fight. They could were all fighting together hand – over – hand.
Cross-examined, she said she could not give the name of a single individual who was fighting.
Mr Baines: Was there a lamp here? – No, it was dark.
How well could you speak? – It was moonlight.
Superintendent Blake: It was a bright night.
Doctor Jensen said he had been caught to see the prisoner Singleton. He examined him on the Tuesday, but saw him also on the Sunday and Monday previously. He complained of pain in his ribs, but there was no bruise. He had bruises elsewhere. He was unable to walk and complained of pain.
Mr Baddiley: When was he unable to walk? – I did not say he was unable to walk.
Mr Baddiley: Yes, you did. Be more careful. The injuries might have been caused by wrestling? – Yes, I was not there to see.
Mr Hall: Kicks would do it? – Yes.
William Sykes was also called. He said he did not see the row, but afterwards went with Singleton to the house to enquire for the names.
Mr Hall, for the defence, said the magistrates could not rely on the evidence of the Clarks. Was it reasonable to think, as they had said, that they did nothing? They would fight and there will be a regular row. It was very hard on the man who had been locked up that he had been unable to find any witnesses. The brutal kicking was on the side of the Clarks, and Singleton was blamed that day. The cases ought to be dismissed.
Mr Baddiley said it was most peculiar thing friend not called a witness to corroborate his client. Of course the two men would try and make the tale as good as they could. But he (Mr. Baddiley) maintained there was not the slightest evidence to warrant the magistrates inflicting a fine on the brothers Clark.
The magistrates retired to consider the case, and on returning into court, the Chairman said the bench considered that a most brutal assault had been committee on William Clark, and for this Singleton would be sent to gaol for one month with hard labour.
At this announcement a female relative at the rear a the court gave a cry, and this was followed by crying on the part of others, a scene being caused, and Superintendent Blake directed the persons to the taken out of the court.
The costs came to £1 1s. 6d., and in default of paying this Singleton was to be in gaol another fortnight. Frampton was fined 20s. and 21s. 6d costs. The case against the Clarks was dismissed.