100 YEARS AGO:

THE Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Rev HW Yeatman- Biggs addressed a meeting this week of the Worcester Diocesan Penitentiary Association, formed three years ago for the reformation and rescue of unfortunate women. He said the curse of impurity was on a par with two great sins – drink and gambling – which were tending to ruin England. He regretted that there were so many books – largely written by women – which dealt with subjects which might cause a woman to blush. He was glad that many magistrates had tried to stop the exhibition of indecent pictures, and he urged upon the heads of families the necessity of suppressing the indecent anecdote and the rude jest in the family circle. He advocated for the recreation of both sexes the establishment of clubs wherein they could pass the time in healthy dances and games which did so much to develop the healthy mind in the healthy body. It was the duty of those who had been kept pure and true to rescue those who had strayed.

150 YEARS AGO:

ON Saturday last, WP Hughes, coroner, held an inquest at Lower Howsell, Malvern, on the body of a boy aged about three years named William McKenzie, son of Hugh McKenzie, an attendant at the Powick Lunatic Asylum. It appeared that the child had been placed in the care of a woman named Mary Ashton and that on Friday evening he went out to play in the road leading to Leigh Sinton, along with another child. The deceased went to wash his hands in the ditch but fell into it, head first. He was quickly got out and medical assistance procured, but he could not be restored. Verdict: Accidentally drowned.

200 YEARS AGO:

ON Wednesday evening, as Mr Best of Linton, near Bromyard, was walking along the road from Worcester to his home, he overtook, near Sapey Bridge, the stage-wagon of Mr Wynde of Leominster, unaccompanied by the driver, and fearing lest it should meet with any accident, he walked by the horses until the wagoner came up. Mr Best, of course, remonstrated with the wagoner upon the impropriety of leaving his horses, upon which the man immediately became very abusive and Mr Best said he would lay an information against him for his neglect.

The fellow then struck Mr Best who in return knocked him down. The wagoner immediately got up, ran round the wagon for the sharp instrument with which the wheels are locked, and with it struck Mr Best several such violent blows on different parts of the face and head that he fell senseless to the ground. On recovering himself, Mr Best went to a farmhouse but was refused admission. He then proceeded to a cottage where he met with more humane treatment and with the assistance of the man who inhabited it, he pursued and overtook the wagoner who, on seeing him, said “Damn you. I never thought of seeing you again.” They took from him the instrument with which he had wounded Mr Best but he was not apprehended until he got to Leominster.

It appeared that consciousness of guilt had induced him to drive his horses in a most inhuman manner in order that he might avoid apprehension and, in consequence of this, he arrived at Leominster much sooner than usual.

The horses suffered so severely by their exertions that later two of them died.

Mr Best has five desperate wounds on his head and one of his teeth is knocked out, and his situation is certainly very precarious.

The villain has been committed to Hereford Gaol to await trial.