Stealing Cultivated Mushrooms at Conisborough

September 1896

Mexborough and Swinton Times September 25, 1896

Stealing Cultivated Mushrooms at Conisborough

The following persons were summoned at Doncaster on Saturday having stolen mushrooms at Conisborough on September 11, belonging to Francis Appleyard, farmer:

George Hunt, filler; Edward Rogers and Patrick Kane, miners, Conisborough; George Draper, Harry Ward and Henry Jeeves, Swindon; Harry Hill, Edward Wilkinson, Thomas Hoyle and John Kirby, alias Mills of Kilnhurst.

A gamekeeper named Kalife Stacey, of Renfrew, was also charged with having stolen mushrooms and having assaulted Frank Appleyard, the latter charge against a gamekeeper was, however, withdrawn.

Mr Gichard, solicitor, Rotherham, appeared for the prosecution and Mr H Hickmott, solicitor, Rotherham, defended in the case of the gamekeeper, who is in the service of Mr Fullerton of Thrybergh Hall.

The defendant pleaded guilty. He was seen going from the land where the mushrooms were being cultivated, and he had about 6 pounds in his possession of the value of three shillings. He said he did not know they were cultivated.

Fined 10 shillings and costs.

The rest of the defendants were then dealt with. The first two men had about 7 pounds of mushrooms, valued at 3s 6d. They said they were only on the public footpath. This was denied.

Fined five shillings and costs each.

During the trial of the other defendants it was stated that one of Appleyard’s sons galloped up on horseback and thus secured some of the men, another son been alleged to have drawn a revolver. Hill, Wilkinson, Hoyle and Kirby were each fined £1 including costs. The rest had to pay five shillings and costs.

The charge of assault against Stacey was not proceeded with.