June 1875 News – A Water Works Tragedy and Jack-Knock-it-out
Introduction to the June 1875 News
The newspapers in June 1875 included news articles and commentary on a range of events including the Courts, a drowning at the Waterworks, slave prices and the unusual case of “Jack Knock-it-out”.
June 1875 Court News
Belfast Petty Sessions – Belfast Morning News 1st June 1875
False Representation
David Simpson, in the custody of Sub-Constable Charles Maguire, was charged with fraudulently representing himself to be a sanitary inspector to a man named Bell, residing in Warwick Street.
Sub-Constable Maguire said that the accused’s behaviour had been brought to his attention the previous Saturday. Mr Simpson was journeying around the Shankhill Road neighbourhood representing himself as a sanitary inspector of the Board of Health.
Simpson inspected the premises of a man named Bell on this basis and, after the inspection, he threatened to take legal proceedings against the Owner. Simpson suggested that, if Bell offered a glass of whisky, the offence could be overlooked on this occasion.
Consequently, Sub-Constable Maguire took the prisoner into custody. On the way to the Police Station Simpson admitted that:
another man, who was filling manure in the locality, told him if he would go round to the houses and represent that he was a sanitary inspector, he would get plenty of whisky to “raise the wind” – assuring him that he would get a half-one in every house he entered.
The victim, Jamie Bell confirmed that the prisoner had visited his premises stating his occupation, looked at Bell “rather sternly” and demanded to Bell’s yard. Simpson subsequently said that the “the yard was in a bad state and he could not pass it.” A fine would have to be paid, adding that if the witness would “stand” then the fine could be overlooked in this case. Bell sent for a “noggin of whisky” and gave the prisoner a glass of it, taking a half a glass himself.
The sub-constable stated that, from inquiries, Simpson had made similar representations at several houses in the street but was refused whisky and money in every other case. One householder, Mary Smith, deposed to the prisoner telling her that he made similar representations to her and demanded to have her yard shown to him. He inspected it, and said it was in a bad state, but that if she brought him a glass of whisky he would certify that the yard was in a proper condition. She refused to give him whisky. He then said he would call on Monday, and if she would not treat him then he would surely fine her 10s.
Mr Simpson was remanded pending a decision of the Court on the appropriate punishment.
Enniskillen Petty Sessions – Impartial Reporter 17th June 1875
[Before E. Smyth, Esq.; J. Coalter, Esq.; Dr. Walsh, and Lieut. Col. Irvine.]
The Impartial Reporter noted that “a respectable man” named Crawford was charged with being drunk in charge of a horse. Mr Crawford had been arrested on this basis. The following conversation ensued:
Crawford: Your Worship, I was well enough able to go home if I was let.
Constable: He had a good deal of whiskey in.
Crawford: I did not take a drop the whole day, your Worship. (Laughter from Court attendees). I only had two glasses of brandy. (Renewed laughter.)
Constable: This is the third conviction against him during the last twelve months.
Magistrate Smyth: And he such a respectable-looking man. You should quit the whiskey.
Crawford: I took some this day, sir; but I will take no more.
The accused was fined £1 and costs.
The Unusual Case of ‘Jack-Knock-it-out’
At this point, John Johnston, commonly known as “Jack-Knock-it-out” for reasons not divulged, was brought before the Bench.
The constable was asked if he’d had any charges against Jack. When he replied “No” Magistrate Smyth asked why the defendant was before the Court. The Constable stated that Jack had asked to be brought before the Court to face Magistrate Coalter who had promised him £1 at the end of each year of sobriety. This was the end of the third year and re remained sober.
Magistrate Graham, noting that Jack looked “very tidy” referred the matter to Magistrate Coalter who was pleased to note the 3 years of sobriety. When Jack replied that he hoped to remain sober for years to come, Mr Coalter passed over the third pound as agreed. (In spending terms, £1 in 1875 would be the equivalent of around £100-£150 today – estimates vary).
Jack responded – “Long live your honour” prompting the reply:
Mr. Coalter – “I have more pleasure in giving you that than in fining a man the same amount”.
The report concludes that “Jack pulled his forelock in acknowledgment, and then withdrew, amid a crowd of admiring friends”.
Local News
Drowning at the Waterworks – Belfast Newsletter 7th June 1875
The Belfast Newsletter reported on 7th June that a 65 year old farmer, John Beattie, was found drowned in the fourth basin of the Water Works on Friday evening. The following evening, an inquest was held in Mr. Jackson’s spirit store, Oldpark, where the deceased was brought after being taken out of the water.
The Coroner Dr. Hume, opened proceedings by reporting that three letters had been found in the pocket of the unfortunate man’s coat. Having read the letters he reported that “it appeared that the deceased had been dispossessed of his farm, and the circumstance preyed so much upon his mind that he explained in the letters that he found life insupportable”.
The farm the deceased possessed was within sight of where he drowned himself – Oldpark, close by the Limestone Road.
The jury, having been sworn, viewed the body, after which Robert Livingstone was called to provide information. Mr Livingstone stated that he lived in Bann Street adding that the deceased had been living with him for the past 18 months. He had last seen John on Friday morning and that he had been depressed in mind for the space of two years back since losing his farm.
An Oldpark resident, fireman Titus Neeson, said that he saw the deceased “about ten minutes before two o’clock on Friday walking down the Barleymill Lane towards the Water Works basin. He did not see him alive afterwards”.
A caretaker in the Waterworks found the clothes of a man on the walk bounding the fourth basin and reported this to Acting Constable Price at the Clifton Park Barracks on Friday evening. Acting Constable Price accompanied the caretaker to the scene and found a coat, vest, hat, and walking stick at the side of the water.
Within a few minutes the body of the deceased was seen in the water and pulled ashore with a grappling iron. Searching the clothes for any indication of identity, three letters were found.
Dr. Robert Hudson Newett, from Ligoniel, subsequently examined the body concluded that the man had drowned with no indication of violence involved. Taking the contents of the letters into account, he concluded that the deceased must have been insane.
The jury took little time to reach a verdict:
“Found drowned, having probably committed suicide while in a state of unsound mind.”
Adverts
Forster Green
(See previous post: Forster Green – The ‘Industrious and Humble’ Philanthropist)
Robb’s Department Store
(See previous post: Castle Place – The Inn, the Jailhouse & Robb’s Store)
Correspondence
The Catapult Nuisance – Belfast Newsletter June 3rd 1875
TO THE EDITOR OF THE BELFAST NEWS-LETTER
SIR
There is a toy, as it is called, among a great portion of the juveniles of our town at the present time, and a rather dangerous one too, properly called a catapult, which I think should, and eventually must be, put down, with the manufacture of same, by the strong arm of the law, requiring it I believe as much as our unhappy country does the Peace Preservation Act.
My own child was struck with a stone on last evening, in Denmark Street, immediately below the eye, which would certainly have deprived him of the use of same had it been one quarter inch further upwards; and from a boy standing twenty yards from him at the time.
I, like many others, don’t wish to prosecute, therefore the thing goes on, although from the persons of royalty downwards no one can be safe in the evenings from their likely enough fatal effects, as has lately been proven.
I do hope these things may be inquired into, and that every parent will keep in their own house a good strong pair of leather thongs, and whenever catapults may be seen, or by whom, that they be administered, and freely too. This is, I believe, the duty of every parent in our town.-
Yours, A PARENT.
Carlisle Street, Belfast, June 2.
Other News
The Price of Slaves – Enniskillen Advertiser 8th June 1875
The Enniskillen Advertiser reported on a story, originally published in The Economiste Francais, providing “some curious details respecting the marketable value of slaves”.
In Africa “the tariff for captive humanity” is said to be lowest of all with male children costing £2, female children valued between £4-£6. Adults, meanwhile, are “often exchanged for a donkey, an old musket, or even a few pounds of copper” though they can fetch up to £20 the pair when bought in those areas most impacted by modern laws against slavery.
French Colonies – In 1816, following the emancipation of slaves in the French colonies each “proprietor” received an indemnity representing about three-sevenths of the total value of each slave. This indicated that, within the French colonies, slaves were valued around 20 guineas on average.
United States – In the United States of 1850, when slavery was still legal, “the average price of an adult black was not less than £120. The very smallest children brought with their mothers cost usually one dollar per pound, the calculation being made on the very simple basis of the weight”. By 1860 the value of “these commodities” had risen enormously with an adult sturdy slave ‘in good condition’ not to be had for less than £400. Young children were valued at £150 – £200 based on ‘bodily appearance and strength‘.
Note: The conclusion of the American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865) saw the emancipation of an estimated 3 Million slaves in the Sothern States with slavery officially ended in the United States on December 6, 1865.
Link to Previous Monthly News
Previous monthly news stories can be viewed here Monthly News of 150 Years Ago
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