Mexborough & Swinton Times, July 8th 1892
The Kilnhurst Outrage
Severe Criticism
Mr George Hewitt, newsagent, of Kilnhurst and Swinton, a person who is well-known and highly respected in the district, has faced a bench of magistrates and a jury on a charge of being the perpetrator of what is known as the Kilnhurst outrage.
He surrendered to bail which had been granted to him by the Rotherham West Riding magistrates and was placed in the dock at the Midsummer Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the West riding of the County of York, held at the Sheffield Town Hall on Friday last.
The case lasted about six and half hours, try which time the greatest possible interest was displayed in the proceedings, particularly in the speech of the defending barrister and the witnesses called in support of this statement. The hearing took place in the second court, which was crowded during the whole of the afternoon.
The magistrates on the bench were Mr W.G. Blake and Mr Hunter. In the grand jury which returned “a true bill” were Mr C L Stanley, Rotherham and Wath (foreman), Mr John Wilkinson (Swinton), Mr H. Hicks (Rawmarsh), and Mr Francis Johnson (Wentworth). Amongst those present in court were the Vicar of Kilnhurst (the Rev. Philip Houghton), Mr J.A. Bower (chairman of the Swinton School Board), Mr Bowman Heald, Doctor Burton, Mr E J Turner (stationmaster) Mr Thomas Ramsden etc.
The precise charge against Hewitt was that he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Florence Annie Flavell, aged 21, daughter of Mr William Flavell, newsagent, carrying on business at Swinton and Kilnhurst, on 21 May. He pleaded not guilty.
Mr L A Kershaw (instructions from Mr W M Gichard of Rotherham), prosecuting and Mr C Mellorand Mr T E Allison (instructed by Mr HH Hickmott, of Rotherham), defended.
Briefly stated, the facts of the assault on Miss Flavell were as follows: shortly after 11 o’clock on the night of 21 May, she was returning from Swinton to her home at Kilnhurst. It should be stated that she had the management of a branch shop belonging to her father at Swinton and walked home to Kilnhurst every night at the close of business.
When near what is known as Meadow View, not far from Kilnhurst, she was handled in a most dastardly manner. She was struck on the head and rendered unconscious. She sustained serious injuries. Her face and head was knocked about in a shocking way, and she lost a large quantity of blood. Indeed, so greatly disfigured was she when found, that she was almost unrecognisable. When Mr Hewitt was a proud friend and on a charge of committing the offence, considerable excitement prevailed. He held an excellent character and an all hands was looked upon as a perfectly harmless and inoffensive man, and an industrious, sober and worthy citizen. By far the majority of the residents of Kilnhurst and neighbourhood believed in his innocence, and did not hesitate to express their feelings that he had been wrongly accused. Indeed so strong was the feeling of the general public, and so widespread was the sympathy felt towards him, that a defence fund was formed in his behalf, among the gentlemen appointed thereon being the Rev P Houghton, Messrs E Jagger, E J Turner, J Goodinson, B Heald, E Kettle, T Palfreyman, H Treece, J Jeffery, J Bentham, J A Bower, T Whitfield and J W Carr.
The appeal for funds was well responded to. From the outset great sympathy has been shown to Miss Flavell and her parents, who are also well known and held in high esteem in the district.