January 4, 1902

Never since Redditch was made the centre of a petty sessional division has there been so sad and tragic an incident in the court as that which occurred on Wednesday when a poor old woman, Mrs Farr, died when giving evidence in a very painful case, her death no doubt being due to syncope, the result of agitation.

It appeared deceased has suffered from bronchitis for some time and her weakened heart was unable to stand the nervous excitement.

The scene which followed the announcement of the poor old lady's death has no parallel in the past history of the Redditch Police Court, one of the family relatives fainting, several others being in hysterics.

The bench at once closed the court and adjourned all other business for a week.

From the sad and tragic event a valuable lesson may be learnt - the need of the cultivation of the habit of coolness and self-control.

Most people nowadays get so much to try them in their lives that it has become more than ever necessary to know how to keep the feelings under control - not to deaden or stifle them but to have them in control.