Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 27 October 1893
The Troubles of a Miner’s Wife at Conisborough.
Elizabeth Stafford, the wife of a Conisborough miner, was summoned for having been drunk and disorderly.
The woman denied the charge, and said the disorder was caused by her husband having assaulted her. She could have brought evidence to that effect, but her friends had all gone “to seek for their living.” She had not had a bit to eat that day, and she had lived on roasted potatoes for three days, adding, “What do you want to do with a poor woman out on strike?”
Police-constable Trueman said there was no doubt about the woman having been drunk and disorderly, and the husband had denied the statement that he had assaulted his wife. The man was “put on” by his wife. This the woman contradicted.
Mr. Yarborough (chairman) said the magistrates had no doubt about the woman’s guilt, but, as she had not been before the Court before, she would only be fined 1s. and costs; the latter amounted to 16s. 6d.