A Lively Defendant from Denaby

Nehemiah Mawson, Butcher, Doncaster Road, Mexborough, sued John Whitlam of Denaby, for £1 8s, balance of a meat Bill, owing several years

The wife of the defendant appeared, and said the plaintiff ought to be ashamed of himself for bringing a poor woman before the court.

The judge: I think you ought to be ashamed of yourself

Witness: He ought to be.

The judge: If you interrupt me again I will find you five shillings.

Witness: All right, sir. It is the first time I have been in the court.

The judge. People who come here should behave themselves. That is information for you, and mind if I don’t have to fine you.

(To the plaintiff): why have you waited so long?

Plaintiff said defendant continued to buy meat, and kept promising to pay.

The woman again interrupted, and his Honour promptly observed: I have warned you once, and if you have not the money to pay a fine, I shall very likely send you to prison.

The woman said she had not been to the shop for a “tooth-full” of meat since “flitting” from Denaby.

Judgement for the amount, at the rate of 4s. Per month.