Curious Denaby Case – Contractor’s Domestic Affairs – Four Hours’ Hearing.

July 1908

Mexborough and Swinton Times July 11 1908

Curious Denaby Case,
Contractor’s Domestic Affairs.
Hysterical Housekeeper.
Four Hours’ Hearing.

A case containing plenty of unsavoury detail occupied the attention of the Doncaster West Riding magistrates on Saturday for four hours, and was in, the end dismissed. The particulars were not without local interest the parties being well known. Ernest Robinson, building contractor, of Tickhill Street, Denaby Main, was summoned by Emily Alpine, single woman of 82, Tickhill street, Denaby Main, to show cause, etc.

The applicant was represented by Mr. Frank Allen, and the paternity was disputed. Mr. W. M. Gichard defended.

The applicant, in her evidence, said that in June of last year she went to keep house for defendant, whose wife died on the day following that upon which she took up her residence. On the advice of his brother defendant engaged her as housekeeper. For two months all went well, and then defendant objected to her keeping company with a certain young man. She asked him his reason, and he said he was not in a position to say at the time. They became very intimate, and he was very attentive. On the 14th of August “he got the better of her” after he had promised to marry her. The same thing occurred on other dates, including the 18th. On the 19th, he left for Douglas, where he spent his holiday. While he was away she received a letter and three postcards, during ten days. When he came back he said he wanted a kiss, as they had been away from each other so long,

She showed some postcards of other young men, and he snatched them from her hand and threw them in the fire, urging her to have nothing -to do with any other young men, but to trust him, and when he was in a position to do so he would tell her something more.

Shortly afterwards they went shopping to .Mexboro’, and Robinson bought her a belt. He had brought her a brooch from Douglas. She related further instances, of intimacy, and said that on the 18th Sept. he came in the house with a man named Rose, and was intoxicated. He began “actiing” with her, and at last hit her with .a belt. She told him she would go home rather than, put up with that sort of treatment, and he came to the door, and asked her not to do so. She suspected her condition on the 14th Sept., and on the 30th told him of it. He said he was very sorry, but that they would have to make the best of things. Shortly afterwards his conduct towards her changed, and on. the 3rd Oct. they had some trouble about another girl. He told her he was going to live at Brodsworth worth, and she again reminded him of her condition. She left him on Sunday, the 13th October.

Ernest and “Emmy.”

Replying to Mr. Allen, she said that in general conversation she mostly called him Ernest and he called her “Emmy.”

Cross-examined by Mr. Gichard applicant said that at the time she was 20 years old.

Mr. Gichard: When was the first tinie,he attempted to interfere with you?—On Wednesday, the 14th Aug. he approached me and put his arm round me.

Did you shove him away?.—Yes.

Were you a willing party when he promised to marry you —Yes.

Knowing the great risk you ran why did you not insist on his carrying out his promise? —Because he said he ‘wasn’t in a position at the time, because his wife was so lately dead.

How long did you walk out with the other man? – Until the 17th July; that was the last time I walked out with him.

When did Robertson asked you not to go out with him smart – it was 18 July

Fond of Robinson

Did you time to mind his own business? – I got fond of Robinson then.

That was the real reason why you gave up the other man? – Yes

You seem to have the 18th clearly fixing your mind stop when did you go on the 90? – I went to Cleethorpes.

I suggest you went to Cleethorpes because he was treating you in a proper manner as a man should his housekeeper, and not his mistress. What your conversation at all loose? – No sir

Are you in the habit of writing strange things to men? – No.

When you add his promise to marry you, you were justified in using is an Christian name? – Yes

From the time he promised to marry you did you always: quote Ernest”? – Yes, barring one letter

Letter from Cleethorpes

Mr Gichard took up the letter in question written from Cleethorpes, and quoted witness as saying.

“I am enjoying myself up to the mark – should do if there was a boy about. Of course there are plenty, and it is all right until my little flock (Robinson’s children) comes up.”

In another place there is a query; “Is there a dearth of girls there?” And when Mr Gichard read this, witness, appealing to the Bench, said it was written with no dishonourable intention. As to the remark that “There are four or five girls to every fellow hear,” she remarked that that was the “way of writing,” and Robinson made no harm out of that.”

Mr Gichard also read a letter from Douglas in reply to this letter, and which was addressed, “Dear kiddie.” Commenting on them he said there was no suggestion of love in either.

The postcards were addressed “Dear Emily.” Mr Gichard took up another letter from applicant to defendant, in which the words of a music hall song “There is a man wanted here,” were quoted. The applicant pleaded that defendant’s daughter aged 12 had suggested that.

Mr Gichard: Do you asked me to believe that the daughter of defendant told you to put that in the letter? – Yes I do

“Peter Pan”

further cross-examination witness admitted that while at Cleethorpes she met with a young man named Clark of Bradford, and a member of the Pierrot troupe named “Peter Pan,” and both saw her off the station.

Mr Gichard: You arrived home on Monday? – 24 August.

Mr Robinson came home did he make a complaint that you were not doing the housework properly? – No.

Did he give you notice to leave? – No.

Did he say that after writing that sort of thing in a letter to him who are not to stay in his employment longer? – No sir.

Did you say, “Let me stay until I can get another place? – No.

Did he say, “Well, get one as soon as you can” – no: Robinson did not tell me had to clear out into the Wednesday before October 13.

Did you one night, shortly before you let become hysterical in the middle of the night? – No

did you scream? – I told Robinson of my condition.

Did you become hysterical? – No.

Excited? – A little.

Did this man go out and find you on the landing? – He came to my bedroom and asked me what was the matter.

The next morning at breakfast did he ask you if you are better? – Yes

What he Said

Did he say “I don’t like the sort of thing?” – No

Did he say, “Well, this looks very serious?” – No, he did not

did he say, “I wish I’d made you goal when I gave you notice directly you came back from Cleethorpes?” – No

Did he say “it looks as if you had stayed here for the purpose of trying to get a case against me? – No.

Did he say “you will have to go now?” – No, he did not. He told me we should have to make the best of it, and was sorry that happened so soon after his wife’s death stop

D tell you trash your parents to come up and see him at once? – No.

Did he send his brother to fetch your parents? – No, he wouldn’t see my parents. He went to bed at 8 o’clock out of their way.

In further cross-examination applicant said Robinson had fetched a policeman on the 13th to turn out of the house.

The Belt

Mr Gichard put questions with relation to the bell. He asked if the belt had not been presented to her because of her kindness to children?

Witness: A man does not give 7/6 for presents to show his appreciation of a woman’s kindness to his children.

Mr Allen, taking up one of the postcards from Cleethorpes, quoted applicant as having said, “Heaps of love, and kisses from the kiddies.”

The Inquisitive One

Henry Rose, a collier, of Ravensfield Street, Denaby Main, said that until some time ago he was a friend of the defendant, and was invited on several occasions to supper at his house. In one of those occasions he saw defendant give the applicant a rather sharp slap with a strap, she said she was not going to stand that kind of treatment, but later she undid his shoes and took them off. As he left the house he heard a cry, “All right Ernest I am coming in a minute.”

“Then,” continued witness, “be naturally of an inquisitive nature, and walk round, and could see defendant undressing himself through the back window. The girl pulled down the line, and that was all I could see.”

Mr Gichard: did you ever go to the house in Robinson’s absence? – I went to request.

What to do? Look after the housekeeper? – Well for different things.

You are interested with the oversight of people of whom he was suspicious? – Yes.

Were you there…? – Yes, sometimes.

Were you there one night on the couch with the girl? – No.

You been dragged into this case to save yourself from any suggestion? – No, I came to speak in the girl’s behalf.

Have you seen defendant do anything wrong to the girl? – Only as regards kissing her.

You were first asked about giving evidence in this case about a week or two ago? – I was asked to give evidence and I said I would stand by the girl.

Any Wall, single woman, of 1, Tickhill Square, Denaby Main, spoke to having seen defendant kiss his housekeeper on two occasions.

Further evidence was given by man named Kelsall, and by the parents of the applicant.

A Denial

Mr W Gichard, whose address the bench for the space of 40 minutes, pleaded that it was imperative that the Bench should have direct evidence of the alleged intimacy beyond the uncorroborated word of the young woman, Emily Alpine stop all they could do was to deny the charge.

The defendant, Ernest Robinson, said he was a building contractor, in partnership with his brother. He denied the alleged intimacy with his former housekeeper; he denied having kissed her, or having promised to marry her. The term “Dear Kiddie” was a common one with him stop he used it everyday to his friends. After the holidays he told her she would have to find a fresh place because of what she had written from Cleethorpes, and she had pleaded to be allowed to stay until she could find another place.

“Dear Kiddie”

Mr Allen: is it common for gentlemen your station in life to dress your servants as “Dear Kiddie,” and assign yourself as Ernest?” – Yes

Or to say, “Daddy is  thinking of them, and you?” – Yes

Would you have done so in the case of a workman? – No.

Well, you’re housekeeper was a work woman, wasn’t she? – It was a different case; she had charge of my children.

About this letter to which you objected, You reply: “I am so pleased with your kind words of encouragement.” Where is your shame and discuss their? – Well, it was there. It didn’t suit me.

Is it usual to give domestic servants presents? – Yes.

After further, cross-examination the case closed and the Bench, after a brief consultation, dismissed it on account of the conflict in nature of the evidence and want of corroboration, making no order. I did a love