1881

1881 Feb 19th
EPWORTH POLICE STATION
(before the Hon and Rev Canon Dundas and S Pulleine, Esqu.). Wm Oldridge, of Crowle, was charged under the Poaching Prevention Act, 1862. Inspector Wm Taylor, Crowle, said:- On the 20th January, at 4 a.m., I stopped the defendant, and took a gun out of his coat pocket, and some shot and powder. I asked him for game. He said he had not got any. I suspected him from coming from land belonging to Mr S C Brunyee. – Case dismissed. Ellmitt Turner, of High Melwood, was charged with directing the movement of sheep into another district (from High Melwood to Wakefield), without license of that other authority. Inspector Taylor, of Crowle, said:- On the 1st inst., at 10-30, I met Geo Camplin driving sheep on the highway between Epworth and Belton. He produced a declaration signed by the defendant and a license to go to Wakefield, signed by Mr Parkin. Another license was pinned to it, bearing the name of J B Foord on the back. It contained no description of animals or date, and did not name any parish except Waltham, and the man had not that paper with him when I met the sheep at Epworth. – Withdrawn on payment of costs, 12/-. Wm Kirby, of Keadby, was charged by Fredk Coleman, of Keadby, with assaulting him on the 3rd inst. Fined 5/- and costs 10/6. Henry Godfrey, of Beltoft, was charged with storing benzoline in his cart without a license. Fined 6d. and costs 10/6. Richard Sanderson, of Belton, for a similar offence, was fined 6d. and costs 10/6.

1881 Mar 5th
COURSING DAY ON THE HIRST PRIORY ESTATE.
T H Carnochan Esqu., the respected owner of the above estate, very handsomely accorded a days coursing to his tenants, their friends, and a large public concourse, on Friday last, over his estate. The tenants (the executors of Mr. T J Robinson, Little Hirst, Mr. Jos N Pindar, Mosswood House, and Mr. W G Waters, Mosswood Grange), well known for their kindness and hospitality, entertained the invited guests at lunch, which was a bountiful and substantial spread at each establishment. After the inner man had been lined to meet the exigencies of the occasion, the party set off in pursuit of game (which was plentiful), led by the keeper (Mr. Platten.) There were all the noted crack dogs of the neighbourhood, this being a day which is put down in the coursing calendar of the sportsmen of this district, as a rel red letter day; and certainly such is the fact, for Mr Carnochan not only gave the day’s coursing, but forwarded refreshments to those engaged in it. We gave an account of last year’s meeting, and mentioned the splendid day experienced; but last Friday completely eclipsed it, both in sport and number of eyewitnesses. Several private stakes were arranged and run off; and the dogs which notoriously distinguished themselves were Mr F Sale’s Mohican; Mr G W Dowson’s Little Kate; and Mr J Foster’s College Boy; Mr Glasier’s Little Em’ly, which died while in pursuit. Mr Dean is a lively sportsman, and made splendid slipper; Mr. E Belton acted the difficult part of judge, and Mr Glasier was the flag steward. A public dinner finished the pleasures of the day. This was provided by Mr and Mrs Cuthbertson, (of the Robinson’s Hotel), in a first-class and bountiful style. A large company sat down to the good spread. The evening was passed in a lively manner, toast, opinion, and chat being the chief engagements. The chief toast, “The health of Mr Carnochan and family,” was received with enthusiasm and duly honoured. One correspondent says:- The judge observed after Miss Mohican won her stake, that it was a pity that its owner had not a nomination for her in the Waterloo coursing; and that Colonel Goodlake would be proud to take the nomination for Miss Mohican. Another correspondent says:- Little Emily, while running of the deciding course with Miss Mohican, was so grieved with being beat by the fawn, that she laid down and died with the hare in her mouth.

1881 Mar 26th
CROWLE DRAMATIC ENTERTAINMENT
On Tuesday evening, the Crowle Dramatic Company made their first appearance in the Market Hall, Crowle. The stage fittings had been planned by Mr Henry Burtonshaw. The scenery was painted by or versatile townsman, Mr Thomas Holmes. The drop scene, which was his chef d’ouvre, fulfilled the first and chief requisite of a drop scene. It caused considerable discussion. Some maintained that a white band in the middle of the background was a lime-stone road over the mountains; others said it was a glacier. An edifice on the highest peak of the mountains was also strongly questioned. The critics could not decide whether it was a Cathedral or a new Board School. How the edifice could ever have been built there was a puzzle to the uninitiated. The artist informed, however, a select few that there was a good whinestone road behind. The scene in the valley below was very refreshing. The artist himself was on the stern of a red, white and blue sailed craft, shooting some pteropterous creature of most questionable size. The first half of the entertainment consisted of songs, &c. Mr C Fox sang well, as he usually does. We are never tired of hearing him, but we think if he would introduce a new song more frequently we should enjoy him all the more. Mr Thurstan’s was again very comical in a manner all his own. His bald pate was a good hit. Miss Hicks sang very sweetly, and was appreciated. Miss Heckford made her debut, and was well received. She sang the soft part with good expression, but the upper tones were not under such good control. We have no doubt a continuation of the good training she has obviously received will ere long make her a favourite with the public. Mrs C Fox played the overture remarkably well. The second part of the programme was the real business of the evening. The play was the thing. No encores had been given in the first part, for all were anxious to see the drama. Mr H Amery played the leading part of Twitters, and the acting was very good. It was a difficult part to play, but was performed remarkably well. Mr C Bontoft played the next leading part in Mrs Twitters. No person after seeing him on Tuesday night can doubt his power of playing the woman’s part. Mr W Temperton played the commercial traveller true to life. His acting was well appreciated. Peggy and Tim were played by Mr Wm Hicks and Mr Geo Pearson. These two characters were simply irresistible. The audience roared with laughter whenever they appeared. Mr John Ogden played the farmer. His “get-up” was very amusing, and his acting was very farmer-like. The silent part taken by Mr Webster was naturally done. This is their first appearance, but we hope they will soon give another thoroughly enjoyable evening.

1881 May 14th
FOWL STEALING AT LUDDINGTON
George Ingham, V.S., was charged before S Pulleine Esqu., at Epworth, on the 10th inst., with stealing a tame fowl at Luddington, on the 9th inst. The apprehension was made by Pc Ainsworth, who detected him in the act. The fowl was the property of Mr W Burton, and was shot on the premises of Mr Autey, of the Friendship Hotel, previous to it being taken away. When apprehended, he was asked what he had in his pocket. He said, “Nothing.” But the officer having seen him take the fowl examined his pocket, and found the hen. Remanded to the Petty Sessions.

1881 May 28th
HORSE RACE AT EPWORTH
A novel match between two horses took place at Epworth on the Turbary Road, on Thursday last, the 26th inst., between Mr R Batty’s (sen.) dun pony, 16 years of age, and Mr John Needham’s bay mare, aged 6 years, each gentleman riding his own horse. Mr Richard Batty is 84 years of age, and Mr Needham is 40. The distance was three quarters of a mile; and the race attracted a large number of persons to witness it, and the style in which the “old gentlemen” rode won the applause of the crowd. Mr Needham’s horse won by 3 lengths; but not withstanding the age of Mr Batty (and his pony) he came in “like a bird,” and was not at all daunted by his defeat. He offered to jump the bay mare for five pounds, and he would be his own jockey. – The old gentleman quite pleased the audience by his “sportive pluck.” Mr Staniforth was the Judge and Mr R Emerson the stake holder.

1881 Jun 25th
EPWORTH POLICE STATION
John Stoner, landlord of the Friendship Inn, Keadby, was charged with allowing gaming on his premises on the 21st May… The evidence alleged that John Walker and Geo Cooper had, at the defendant’s house, on the 21st May, tossed for half a gallon of beer. Defendant denied that he heard any offer to toss or tossing. He prohibited gaming in his house. He denied bringing in the half gallon of beer. Several witnesses, who were called for the defence, stated that they were present on the occasion referred to, but saw no tossing. – Case dismissed.
Geo Fox, Wm Crawshaw, and Geo Mitchell of Epworth, were charged by the Epworth School Attendance Officer, with not sending their children to school… Geo Smith and Michael Malia, of Luddington, were each charged by the Luddington School Attendance Officer with not sending their children to school.
Ann Elizabeth Leggott, of Belton, was brought up on remand, charged with uttering counterfeit coin, at Crowle, on the 1st inst. Committed for trial at the Lincoln Quarter Sessions, bail being accepted for her appearance.
Thos Hutchinson, of Burnham, was charged with riding without reins, at Belton, on the 25th May. Fined 2/6 and costs 6/6.
Geo Hunt, of Belton, was charged with riding without reins, at Belton, on the 25th May. Fined 2/6 and costs 6/6.
Jas Tock, of Althorpe, was charged with cruelty to a mare, by working the same whilst suffering from sores on its back and side, on the 18th May. Fined 5/6 and costs 11/6.
Fredk Stringwell, of Keadby, was charged with cruelty to a mare, whilst suffering from sores on the foot and the mare being very lame, on the 25th May. Fined 2/6 and costs 11/6.

1881 July 9th
GENERAL ITEMS
At the Lincolnshire Sessions on Thursday, Ann Elizabeth Leggott, who was a servant girl at Crowle some time ago, and whose home is at Belton, was sent to prison for a month’s hard labour, for passing a bad half sovereign, at Crowle, on the Poultry Show Day.

1881 July 30th
EPWORTH POLICE STATION
George Robinson, of Amcotts, was charged with obstructing the footpath between Amcotts and Keadby, by erecting wires and posts… Dismissed on payment of costs.
George Barrowcliffe and Samuel Barrowcliffe, of Westwoodside, were charged with trespassing in search of rabbits, on the land occupied by Mr Makin Durham, in the parish of Haxey, on the 3rd inst. They were fined 10/- and costs 20/- each.
Thos Haldenby, of Mere Dyke, was charged with allowing cattle to stray on the highway on the 9th inst. Fined for 13 head of cattle 6d. each, and 6/6 costs.
Edmund Gervas Maw was charged by Christopher Belton with assaulting him, at Epworth, on the 9th inst. Fined 10/- and costs 17/6.
John Pinder Pears, of Westwoodside, was charged with assaulting his wife, Mary Pears, on the 13th July. Mary Pears said:- He came home at 10 p.m. He was not so drunk. He went and turned the box over, and struck the children. I cried “murder.” I was undressed and went to the door. On returning he held me fast between the door and post, and Barrow and his wife liberated me. They could not pull me out without removing the door. – Bound in a recognisance to keep the peace for three months.

1881 Sep 17th
EPWORTH POLICE STATION
The license of the South Yorks Hotel, Keadby, was transferred to John Day.

James Fry, of Epworth, was fined 5/- and costs 10/6 for being drunk, at Epworth, on September 3rd.

Septimus Bryers, of West Butterwick, was fined 10/- and costs 10/6 for being drunk at Owston Ferry, on August 27th.

Joseph Balderson, of Crowle, was charged with refusing to quit licensed premises at Crowle, on the 25th Novr.

Robert Hill, of Westwoodside, appeared in answer to a summons requiring him to contribute in support of his son, Wm Hill, who was in an industrial school. – Ordered to pay 6d. per week.

1881 Oct 13th
John Pettit and Richard Pettit, of Owston Ferry, were charged with being drunk and disorderly and assaulting the Police, at West Butterwick, on Sunday evening. From the evidence of Pc Leach it appeared that about 7 p.m. on Sunday evening he saw the defendant John Pettit, who was drunk in the street, and using disgusting language. The policeman saw a lot of lads near the Three Horse Shoes Inn, and ordered them away. He saw the defendant Richard there, on the highway, and he was drunk and using bad language. The policeman then visited the two public houses, after which he went to the ferry landing, when he saw that there was a row going on lower down the street. On going there he found the defendant, Richard, wanting to fight a lad named Leggott. John was encouraging him to do so. The policeman started them off, and told the two defendants several times to go away, but they refused. He afterwards took them into custody, and as they refused to walk, he obtained a cart to take them to Epworth Police Station. John passed his watch to someone, and just then someone behind knocked the policeman, and shocking language was used. The defendant John tried to throw him down, and struck him on the face; the defendant Richard kicked him on the right leg. The policeman threw both of them down; someone assisted them up, and some roughs who were present tried to take them away. Someone called out to put the policeman in the Trent, and the two defendants pulled him within a yard of it, and well nigh succeeded in their purpose, but some persons pulled the defendants the other way. The policeman was further abused by the defendants. John struck him and knocked off his helmet. Both defendant’s got him under them, and John bounced his head upon the ground, Richard meanwhile getting his handcuff off. The policeman called for help and Henry Oldfield came to his assistance. The wrongdoers were conveyed to Epworth. Superintendent Taylor said: Last night about 9 o’clock, the defendants were brought to the station, they were very drunk. Richard said he was sorry for what he had done:- for being drunk and disorderly they were each fined 5/- and costs 13/4. For the assault they were each fined 30/- and costs 7/6. In default they were each committed for one month.