Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 19 August 1892
Scene on the Wedding Day at Conisborough
John Makin, alias Stafford, a pit sinker, of Conisbrough was charged with having assaulted James Jenkins, miner, Conisbrough, on the 6sh inst.
Both men presented facial disfigurement when appearing in court, and the defendant and a large piece of plaster on the side of his head.
The complainant said the defendant went to his house on the day named and interfered with his drink, afterwards assaulted him when remonstrated with and using bad language.
The assault was increased in severity, he said, by the introduction of a clothes prop. (Laughter.) The defendant also went to where the beer barrels and left it turned on. (Laughter.) The defendant said he had been getting money, and the complainant offered in the drink in recognition of the event. (Laughter.)
The complainant denied this, and said the defendant helped himself to it. (Laughter.)
The defendant said the complainant was his next-door neighbour, and he should not have taken the drink if it had not been offered him. The complainant was drunk when he asked him to sup up.” (Laughter.) But the complainant “took it from him be before he could sup.” (Laughter.)
Complainant: You took it off my table. (Laughter.)
Defendant: No, I didn’t (Laughter.)
Complainant: And you ask your missis to sup. (Laughter.)
Defendant: She was not there. (Laughter).
And, as to the clothes prop, you fetched that, and it was a “tug of war” between us. (Laughter).
Complainant: Why, who knocked my eyes up?
Defendant: Why, the wringing machine, I expect (Laughter.)
A boy was called, and he said the defendant was fighting.
Mary Eddie was called. She said there was ale and perter on the table, and the defendant “supped” and then gave some to his wife who was standing in the doorway. The wife used bad language.
After hearing further evidence the magistrates dismissed the case.