Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser - Thursday 18 January 1900 CHESTER POLICE AND THEIR PAY. The Chester Town Council had under consideration yesterday a report on the pay the city police force by the Chief Constable (Mr. J. Laybourne), recommending a revised scale. The Chief Constable had received a petition from his inspectors asking for an increase, and pointing out that their maximum pay was scarcely equal the average minimum pay of inspectors in many other forces. Mr. Laybourne reported that he entirely agreed with the petition, and recommended that the pay of the whole force be revised. The Watch Committee supported the recommendations and Mr. J. G. Holmes, in proposing their adoption, said Chester ought not to be behind other towns in paying its police. The proposition was carried.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 10 March 1900 THE CHESTER POLICEMEN AT THE FRONT. THRILLING EXPERIENCE. The Chief Constable of Chester has received another letter from James Rogers, late of the Chester Police Force, and who is with the R.A.M.C. It is as follows : — " Spearman's Farm, Acton Homes, South Africa, February 4th, 1900. I now have the opportunity of sending you a few fines to tels you how we are progressing. I say "we" because there are three of us, Cuthbert, Clarke and myself. We are at present resting for a while after a week' s hard fighting. Cuthbert, I might mention, has the great honour of being on General Buller's staff, while Clarke has been doing duty with his regiment while the fighting was on. We have all managed to pull through without a scratch, and I think we are very lucky considering the heavy firing of shot and shell. Of my comrades experiences, I know very little, but I have had some thrilling experiences such as I wish never to have again. I have witnessed awful scenes of destruction, men and horses being blown to bits, and I have had many narrow escapes. One day I was carrying a wounded officer of the Inniskilling Fusiliers down a kopje, when I missed my footing and fell over a rock. The poor fellow, who was shot in the chest (the bullet having made its exit through his loins) did not complain, however, although I must have caused him a great deal of pain. He said "All right, Orderly, I know you could not help it." He died of his wounds three or four days ago. The next day we simply had to crawl up kopjes on our stomachs and drag the stretchers after us. When we got to the top we had to stop there and lie flat on our stomachs for nearly two hours under the fierce rays of the sun. To get up would have been to court death, and to go down the kopje would have been likewise, as the bullets came over the top of the hill and dropped about half way or three parts of the way down. Besides the bullets, we had every now and again the fearful Maxim-Nordenfelt shells dropping just behind us, and this accounted for so many of our men being wounded in the legs and feet, as they crouched well up to the rocks with their heads and bodies, leaving their lower extremities exposed. I saw a lieutenant of the "Borders" struck by a shell. His shoulder and arm were blown off on one side, his wrist shattered on the other, and a portion of his head was knocked off, scattering his brains on to a Private of the same regiment. It took the soldier quite an hour to get over the shock. The officer's death was, of course, instantaneous. When the fighting was over and the troops had retired we had orders to search the field, but the Boers came down and ordered us off, but afterwards they allowed us to take our wounded. I was present at the burial of the dead. I fairly broke down when I saw the poor fellows lowered down. I was more than surprised to see Roman Catholics and Protestants buried in the same grave, but there were two services, the Church of England being first. I cannot go into details of the week's work, but I know it was very heavy, and we had little food. In fact we have not much now, three and a half biscuits and one and a quarter pounds of meat being our ration per day, with a pint of coffee for breakfast and a pint of tea at night. We get a quarter pound of jam once in three days and two ounces of cheese occasionally. I am very lucky, and manage to earn a bit of money by hair cutting, and am able to buy a packet or two of Quaker oats at a shilling per packet, so I get a better breakfast than a good many. My space is short now. so I must draw to a close, but before doing so I beg to thank you on behalf of my comrades and myself for the manner in which you have worked for us. We feel deeply indebted to you and the people who have subscribed to the funds. Their money has not been subscribed for nothing, and they would say so if they could only see the poor fellows marching up to an almost certain death. we wish to be remembered to all our comrades, and hope soon to be back in their ranks, and then we shall be able to tell them of our experiences. In the meantime, I remain, your obedient servant. James Rogers.— P.S. We note with regret the death of the Duke."
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 18 March 1899 CRIME IN CHESTER. CHIEF CONSTABLE'S REPORT:- The Chief Constable of Chester (Mr. J. H Laybourne) has just issued his first report upon the crime of the city and the state of the police establishment. He states that the strength of the force is 50. Cost per constable, £90 7s. 8d. per annum; per inhabitant, 2s. 4d. per annum.      During the year Mr. Geo. L. Fenwick retired upon superannuation after a service of 38 years and 9 months, 34 years of which he was Chief Constable of this city;      Inspector Patrick Roe was also superannuated, and Constable John Wynne died.      A course of instruction by the Police-Surgeon (Dr. Harrison) in ambulance work was held during the year; three men passed the final examination, six men the 1st re-examination, and seven men the lat examination, bringing the total number of certificated men in the force to 45.      The cost of the force for the year was as follows: Salaries and pay, £4,117 165. 5d; clothing and accoutrements, £179 10s. 10d; station-house charges, £132 12s. 4d;      The number of indictable offences committed during the year was as follow : — Offences against the person, 1 ; offences against property with violence, 8; offences against property without violence, 64 ; other offences, 4 ; total, 77 ; or 19 more than in 1897. The increase was in cases of simple larceny, viz: — so cases in 1898, against 31 cases in 1897. For these offences 80 persons were proceeded against, 51 being summarily convicted, 11 committed for trial at assizes or sessions, and 18 discharged or the charge with-drawn.      The total of non-indictable offences, i.e., offences summarily dealt with by the magistrates, was 1,425, against 1,035 in 1897. Of this number 296 males and 117 females were apprehended, and 841 males and 172 females were summoned. The large increase was principally accounted for by the number of prosecutions under the Elementary Education Acts, viz:— 637 in 1898, against 453 in 1897. Comparing certain groups of offences for five years, it would be seen that there was an increase of two in the number of assaults, an increase of 38 in drunkenness, an in- crease of 62 under the Vagrant Act, and an increase of 104 in the rest of the offences. Compared with the average for five years that was a slight decrease, viz: — 788 against an average of 842*8. There was an increase during the year of 57 cases under local acts and borough byelaws, viz. : 141 in 1898, against 84 in 1897. This was principally accounted for by proceedings being taken against persons for using profane language and for insulting behaviour jostling in the streets. Of the 1,490 persona charged before the magistrates 1,137 were convicted, 347 discharged or cases withdrawn, four sent to industrial schools, and two handed over to a military escort. The number of licensed houses of all kinds in the city in 1876 was 244; in 1894 it fell to 222, and it remained at that figure. Six licence-holders were proceeded against for infringements of the licensing laws, five of which were convicted and one dismissed. The amount received by the police clerk on warrants, etc, and paid to the magistrates' clerk, was £177 13s. 2d.      The number of inquests held by the city coroner during the year was 57, as against 53 in the previous year. The number of hackney carriages licensed to ply for hire within the city was 149. The number of pleasure boats licensed to ply for hire on the river Dee was 561, viz., seven steamers, six electric launches, and 548 rowing boats and barges. Fifteen common lodging houses were registered, to accommodate 333 persons. Certificates were granted to 94 pedlars and two chimney sweepers. The fees received and paid to the city accountant amounted to £23 10s. 6d. (including one duplicate, 6d.). Number of lost children found and restored to their parents was 82. The number of houses, shops, etc., found open or insecure at night was 241.      Seventy-five persons were found ill, injured, or destitute in the streets, and were removed to their own homes, 37 ; to the Infirmary, 29; and to the Workhouse, nine.      Thirty six stray dogs were seized in the streets and five were restored to their respective owners, and, after the prescribed period of detention, the remaining 31 were destroyed (drowned or poisoned).
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 25 March 1899 PRESENTATION TO MR FENWICK. On Thursday at noon at Chester Town Hall the ex-Chief Constable (Mr. G. L. Fenwick) was presented with the testimonial subscribed for by the citizens in recognition of his lengthy services as head of the city police force. The attendance included the Mayor and Mayoress (Dr. and Mrs. Stolterfoth), the Sheriff (Mr. J. Lightfoot), Col. Evans Lloyd, the town clerk (Mr. S. Smith), Messrs. B. C. Roberts, W. M Weaver, J. J. Cunnah, H. Enfield Taylor, N. A. E. Way, Charles Brown, John Smith, J. F. Lowe, J. M. Hengler (chairman of the Tram- ways Company), E. L. Barber, J. E. Thomson, W. A. Gardner, J. B. Mowle, E. P. Bradbury, J. Pye, Edgar Dutton, E. Cecil Davies, J. E. Eae, E. S. Giles, J. Hobday, E. Hobday, J. L. Kemp, W. Shone, Warren Trevor, J. Phillipson, H. Dodd, W. Ferguson, J. Raymond Harris, G. Davison, W. Hewitt, J. Barlow, W. H. Jones, J. Whitefoot, the city surveyor (Mr. I. Matthews Jones), the chief constable (Mr. J. H. Laybourne), the city accountant (Mr. F. J. Beckett), the clerk of committees (Mr. W. Peers), etc. The presentation consisted of a silver salver, a silver tea and coffee service and silver candelabra of the total value of £100, and a purse containing £38 17s. 6d. The silver salver bore the civic arms and following inscription : — 'City and borough of Chester, A.D. 1899 Presented to Mr. George Lee Fenwick, with a silver tea and coffee service, candelabra, and purse, containing the balance of a public subscription, on his retirement from the office of Chief Constable, in recognition of 34 years faithful service. Mr. W. Peers read apologies for absence from Alderman George Dickson (chairman of the Watch Committee), Mr. John M. Frost, Mr. A. W. Butt, Mr. Francis Palm, and Mr. Thomas Shepheard, who wrote from Bournemouth: " Kindly tell Mr. Fenwick how sorry I am I cannot be present to bid him farewell, and how I have always appreciated his kindness and forbearance on the many occasions that I have been run in. (Laughter.) Mr. B. C. Roberts proposed that in the absence of the chairman of the Watch Committee (Mr. George Dickson) the Mayor be asked to make the presentation to Mr. Fenwick, in the name of the subscribers. The Mayor, in making the presentation, said the duty he had to perform was a very pleasant one. It was to present to an old and faithful servant of the Corporation some slight acknowledgment of the work he had done. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Fenwick had fulfilled his duties for a very long period, and he (the Mayor) thought they might have the feeling that he left the town in a better state in every respect than he found it; morally and socially Mr. Fenwick must feel that his thirty years office had made a great deal of difference in the town. During those years many events had happened; some of them were of a historic nature, and ones that it was not the fortune of every chief constable to deal with. During his term of office he held the town, as they might say, against the Fenians, and in his book of Chester he had given the very best account that could be given, and ever would be given, of the raid that was made upon Chester. It would remain in history to all time how well that affair was carried through, and how different it might have been but for the admirable arrangements made by Mr. Fenwick to prevent what might have been a very great catastrophe. He had great pleasure in making the presentation on behalf of the subscribers and friends to Mr. Fenwick, who had shewn himself to be a man of remarkable ability. The police force had gone on improving in every way since he had taken charge of it, and the citizens owed him a great debt of gratitude. (Applause.) The Sheriff seconded, and it was carried. Mr. Fenwick, in replying, said : Mr. Mayor, Mrs. Mayoress, ladies and gentlemen, — Any words at my command would entirely fall to express my gratitude for this beautiful gift, but I beg you to believe that my appreciation on that account is no less sincere. As long as I live I shall look upon the gift with pride and pleasure. When I have done with it, I hope others will treasure it as a very handsome memento of the esteem in which their father was held in their native city. The gift in itself, much enhanced in the manner of its presentation, is far beyond any deserts of mine, even if I have succeeded to some little extent in the discharge of my duties. L am indeed profoundly thankful, and shall ever feel that this presentation has added one more to the many obligations, and that by no means the least, under which the citizens of Chester have placed me. Mr. Mayor, permit me to thank you again and again for this handsome presentation. (Hear, hear.) The Mayor next presented to several policemen St. John's Ambulance medallions and certificates gained during the time Mr. Fenwick was Chief Constable. He remarked that it was a great thing that their police should be able to assist anybody who met with an accident. The following were the recipients:— Medallions to Constables Isaac Jones, T. Evans, and J. Griffiths; certificates to Sergt. T. Hughes, Constables O. Dougherty, Pryce Wynne, F. Austin, H. Tarran, J. Hewitt, H. Salter, A Douglas, J. Pruett, P. Shone, T. W. Colley, and J. Challender. Colonel Evans-Lloyd, in proposing a vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding, confirmed, as a citizen who had never been run in by Mr Fenwick— (laughter)— what had been said with regard to the manner in which they esteemed the services he had given for so many years. Mr. Fenwick not only left the city in high esteem as Chief Constable, but also as author of a most valuable historic work. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Hengler said, as representing a company trading in their midst, he had great pleasure in seconding. He, coming from a distance, had great pleasure in doing, respectfully and gratefully, honour to Mr. Fenwick, whose kindness, tempered with judgment, he had had opportunities of witnessing for twenty years. (Hear, hear.) The vote was carried, and the Mayor returned thanks.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 8 April 1899 CHESTER CABMEN AND LOST PROPERTY. A WRONG IMPRESSION CORRECTED. At the City Police Court on Saturday William Parry, cabdriver, 12, Duke-street, was summoned under 19th section of the local bye-laws for failing to report to the police within the stipulated time that he had found a pair of opera glasses in his cab. Mr. W. H. Churton defended. The Chief Constable (Mr. Laybourne) said the glasses should have been delivered up to the police within 24 hours of their discovery. On Tuesday defendant informed P.C. Dryland that he had found in his cab a pair of opera glasses, and Dryland told him he must report the discovery to the Town Hall. Defendant replied, "I shall please myself about that; I shall report it to the station when I have reported other things I have found." He (the Chief Constable) waited till Thursday morning, when he sent Inspector Gallagher down to the station to see if the glasses had been taken there. It was ascertained that they had not, and he (the Chief Constable) sent Gallagher to see defendant, who brought the glasses to the police office on Thursday afternoon. The cabdrivers plying for hire at the station were under the impression that articles they found in their cabs were to be taken to the station. They were, however, licensed by the city, and any articles they found in their cabs must be taken to the police office. He had no wish at all that the defendant should be fined, but he wished the cabmen to understand what was (required of them. ) Mr. Churton said he supposed the Chief Constable had taken these proceedings not that he considered defendant had done anything really wrong, but to shew cabmen what was really the law. The glasses were left in the, cab on Saturday night. Defendant had taken two fares; one being Mr. Bretherton, and the other two ladies. Defendant was a driver for Barnes, and as soon as he got in he told the clerk that he had found the glasses in his cab. He thought they belonged to the two ladies, and called on them on Monday, when he ascertained that they did not belong to them, whereupon he knew they belonged to Mr. Bretherton, whom he was constantly in the habit of driving.  For some time the cabmen who plied for hire at the station, and who paid a certain sum for standing there, had been in the habit of delivering articles found in their cabs at the station. It was quite right it should be known that the police office was the proper place to deliver these articles. The Chief Constable said he had no wish that defendant should be fined, and he withdrew the case. The Mayor, in consenting to this course, said there was no doubt that the police station was the place where all articles found in cabs should be taken, and not the station. It was well that that should be known.
Robert Williams, labourer, residing at 8, White Lion-yard, Crook street was charged with being on enclosed premises for an unlawful purpose at midnight. Police-constable James Griffiths stated that he found prisoner in the garden in front of the residence of Mr. H. D. Jolliffe, solicitor, Hough Green, and as he could not give a satisfactory account of himself he arrested him. The Chief Constable stated that the police had every reason to suspect the prisoner. The magistrates, considering it a serious case, sent the prisoner to gaol for fourteen days with hard labour.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 29 April 1899 DROWNING MYSTERY AT CHESTER. THE INQUEST. Mr. E. Brassey (city coroner) held an inquest at the Bull and Stirrup Hotel, Chester, on Friday evening, on the body of a man unknown, who was found drowned in the Dee, near the Red House, the previous day. Alfred Capner said he was the proprietor of the Belgrave Hotel, Foregate-street. Deceased came to the hotel about five o'clock on Wednesday evening. He first asked what the tariff was, and then he asked if he could have a wash. Witness directed him to the lavatory. Here he asked witness if he was in danger of being lost in the house. When they shewed him to his room he gave a name something like Lawrence, but said he would be downstairs presently. Witness thought he spoke in the Yorkshire dialect. He did not see him again until next morning. He slept at the hotel during the night He paid his bill and said he would not have any breakfast, as he had a train to catch. He left about 20 past eight, taking his overcoat with him, and went in the direction of Boughton. Shortly afterwards a servant girl called him to the room where the deceased had slept. The man had been vomiting, and there were some white crystals in the room and a sediment at the bottom of a drinking glass. Deceased seemed to be a quiet, inoffensive man — quite a gentleman, in fact Henry Moulton, a labourer at the White House Hotel, said about half-past nine on the morning in question deceased came to him at the hotel, saying he wanted to be taken across the river to the other side. He made some remarks about the weather, and seemed to be quite rational. He said he wanted to have a quiet read on the meadows. Not long afterwards he heard that the deceased had been drowned by the Water work's intake, close to the Red House. Henry Lindop, Butter Bache, stated that between half-past nine and ten o'clock he was walking along the Huntingdon Road, near to the White House, when he happened to look across the river. He saw a man struggling in the water close to the shore, throwing his arms about. At first he thought deceased was bathing. Then he ran across the meadow to the river. He saw him disappear under the water, then come up again. He did this a second time. Finally he again threw up his arms and disappeared, and never came up again. Three theatricals were passing in a boat at the time, so he told them what had occurred. They advised him to get into the boat and go to the Groves. This he did, and reported the occurrence to Mr. Cook at the Groves, who immediately informed the police by telephone. James Cuthbert river policeman, said he found deceased in the river after dragging operations. He was drowned about twelve feet from the shore by the Chester Waterworks intake. The water at that spot was 10 to 12 feet in depth. Deceased had a collar, front and tie on, and had a blue suit When witness searched him he found a silver watch and chain, and 2½d. in money. A cigar and a bottle were also found in his possession, the latter having a label on with the name and address of 'Chas. A. Jones, hemist, York Street, Leeds.' The original address was 'W. H. Miller, York Road, Leeds.' Dr. Harrison said he was called to see deceased on Thursday afternoon. He found no marks of violence upon the body. He had examined the white crystals referred to, but had not been able to ascertain what they were. They were nothing poisonous, however. The jury returned a verdict of 'Found drowned, with no evidence to shew how deceased got into the water.' THE MYSTERY SOLVED. On Monday, a member of the Leeds Police Force identified the body as that of Thomas Finlay, aged 23, an ex-member of the Leeds Police Force. Deceased was unmarried, and was a native of County Sligo, had been a barman at the Argyll Hotel. Birkenhead, and he had also been a soldier. He left Leeds on Wednesday.
Cheshire Observer – 6 May 1899 RUBBISH, AT THE BACES. On Tuesday the charge sheet at the City Police Court was but light this being the usual state of things in Race Week, when the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday courts are more interesting. The magistrates were the Mayor (Dr. Stolterfoth), and Messrs. C. Brown and J. G. Frost. The first prisoner brought up was David Rushton, who, on the evidence of P.C. Rogers, was fined 10s. and costs for being drunk and disorderly in Frodsham-street on Monday afternoon.—Mr. Laybourne (chief constable) said prisoner called himself a comic singer. Thus, as Rushton presented a preternaturally sorrowful cast of countenance, we are led to think there must be truth in Grimaldi's famous mot, " I am Grim-all day that I may amuse people at night" ' A SHOCK John Jones, a dapper little man with a red necktie and ditto whiskers, received a distinct shock on Monday afternoon, and all because of an insufficiently developed bump of observation. He was in Saltney, and called at a chemist's to beg some ointment for use on a sore leg. Being here satisfied, he went on to a house close by, and asked for a shirt. Had he noticed that he was applying at the residence of P.C. John Griffiths be might not have been so pertinacious when at first gently, though firmly, refused. Perseverance once more met with its just reward. In this case that reward was seven days without the option.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 20 May 1899 Death of an ex-Constable.— A well-known ex-member of the Chester Police Force died in Cheater Infirmary on Tuesday afternoon in the person of Joseph Beatty. Deceased was taken ill with pneumonia at his residence, 62, Middle Crane-street, last Friday afternoon, and as he grew worse he was removed to the Infirmary on Sunday. Beatty, who was about 56 years of age, was pensioned, after 25 years' service, between five and six years ago. He leaves a widow and two grown-up sons. He was a native of Ireland, and will be buried at his birthplace.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 3 June 1899 SAVAGE ASSAULT AT CHESTER. A POLICEMAN GETS A BLACK EYE.      At Chester City Police Court on Saturday morning, before Messrs. William Brown and Roger Jackson, A. McDermott and Robert Burns, two soldiers, stationed at the Chester Barracks, were charged with being drunk and disorderly in Castle-street, and with assaulting P.C. R. Smith while in the execution of his duty on Friday night.      The Chief Constable said the officer had occasion to speak to McDermott, when he turned upon him and assaulted him. But for the intervention of a Mrs. Hunter he might have been seriously injured.       P.C. R. Smith, who appeared in the witness-box with a much-swollen eye, said that about a quarter-past eleven last night he saw the prisoners drunk and creating a great disturbance in Castle-street. While he was arresting Burns, McDermott came up behind him and struck him several blows in the face. Mrs. Hunter then came to his assistance, and shortly afterwards the guard from the barracks turned out and took prisoners to the Castle. Catherine Hunter, 22, Castle -street, said she saw the prisoners drunk and very violent in front of her house on the night in question. She heard the officer ordering them to go to the barracks, but they refused. They were both cruelly illtreating the officer. McDermott also knocked her brother-in-law's hat off, and hit him when he went to the officer's assistance. Witness sent for the guard, who eventually got them to the barracks.     Lieut Stevens said neither of the two prisoners had a good, character. McDermott had been in the Army about four months, and had been in prison two or three times. Burns had been 6 weeks in the Army, and had been in prison once.     The Chief Constable said it was a very bad case indeed, and asked the magistrates to make an example of prisoners. They were sent to prison for a month with hard labour. (The above appeared in our last Saturday Evening Edition).
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 10 June 1899 MURDEROUS ASSAULT AT CHESTER. BREAKING A BOTTLE ON A WOMAN'S HEAD. At the Chester Police Court, on Monday morning, before the Mayor (Dr. Stolterfoth) and other magistrates. Robert Downing, a grey-haired old man, described as a shoemaker, and living at 5, St. Olave-street, was charged on remand with an aggravated assault on a woman named Elizabeth Tonks, on Saturday week. —      The Chief Constable (Mr. J. H. Laybourne), stating the facts, said that prisoner had lived with Tonks for nine years, and they had three children. On the Saturday night prisoner, when he returned home, threw a cup at the woman, and told her to clear out of the house. He then got hold of her by the hair of the head, threw her out the floor, and kicked her. When he returned to the house about an hour afterwards, prisoner struck her on the head with a bottle. Tonks was taken to a neighbouring house, and there had her wounds attended to by Dr. King.      The complainant, who said she had been in the Infirmary as an out-door patient ever since the assault, generally bore out Mr. Laybourne's statement, saying that when she asked prisoner his reason for ordering her out of the house he said she could go where she liked. He then caught hold of her by the hair of the bead, threw her on the ground outside, and kicked her on the head. She was taken into a neighbour's house by her sister, and Dr. King was sent for. Prisoner came home again about a quarter past eleven when she was in bed. He snatched the bandage from her head and said he would give her something to bleed for. He struck her across the head with a bottle and said, "Now I will bang you." She then ran out of the house.      Annie Williams, wife of John Evan Williams, and sister of the woman Tonks, deposed to witnessing the assault. She said that Downing was given a cup of beer upstairs, when he came down and committed the assault complained of. In consequence of her injuries her sister was taken to the Infirmary.       Elizabeth Jones, 2, St. Olave-street, also gave evidence, stating that between six and seven o'clock on the Saturday night in question she was standing at the door, and saw the prisoner kick Tonks on the head. She asked Mrs. Williams to bring her to her house. She then Bent her brother for Dr. King.      Sergeant Porter said he found the complainant in a nude state in Lower Bridge-street about a quarter-past one on Sunday morning. He went to the house, and found the broken bottle (produced) stained with blood. He charged Downing with unlawful wounding. Prisoner, asked if he had anything to say, denied that he either kicked Tonks, or struck her with a bottle. He said he only pushed her, and that she fell down the steps because she was drunk. Mrs. Williams was also drunk. The Chief Constable remarked that prisoner was rather partial to bottles. A short time ago he threw a bottle which went through the window. The Mayor said prisoner was liable to six months hard labour, but this time they would only send him to prison for six weeks, with hard labour.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 17 June 1899 A Missing Chester Policeman. — Joseph Jones, 9, Bedward-row, a constable in the City Police Force, was summoned for withdrawing from his duties without giving the Chief Constable one mouth's notice of his intention to do so. — Mr. Laybourne informed the Bench that defendant on Friday night absented himself, and withdrew from his police duties without giving any notice. Last night he returned to the Police Office, and admitted the charge — The Magistrate's Clerk (Mr. Davison): Is there any excuse? - The Chief Constable: He has had a great deal of trouble at home. If he had come to me at the right time, I think this might have been prevented. He appears to have gone to see a sister in Staffordshire, and he came back on Monday.— The Clerk - Well, that is to be said in his favour. — The Chief Constable: He is dismissed from the force; there is no question about that. — The Bench dismissed the case; the Chairman remarking the offence was a very serious one, as defendant might have caused a great deal of trouble by leaving his duty. It was an important question of discipline.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 1 July 1899 CITY POLICE COURT. Saturday.— Before the Mayor, Messrs. Charles Brown, and J. G. Frost. The Affray on the City Walls.— John Campbell was charged on remand with having been drunk and disorderly, assaulted the police, and damaged a Corporation tree on the City Walls on the 17th inst.— P.C. Arthur Hughes stated that about four o'clock on Saturday afternoon he was informed that a man was damaging one of the trees in Park-street, which runs parallel with the Walls. He went and saw prisoner on the Walls drunk, and using filthy language to the people in the street. Witness caught hold of him, when Campbell kicked him in the stomach. A severe struggle ensued, and witness had great difficulty in removing' him to the police office. He had to obtain assistance.—      Mr. Laybourne said the officer had been off duty since the occurrence, and would be for another fortnight to come. His knee was very seriously damaged, and probably his injury would remain for life.— In reply to the Bench, prisoner said he lived at Liverpool-road, Neston, of which place he was a native. —      Mr. Laybourne said prisoner had been before the Neston and Birkenhead Magiatrates six times during the years 1897-98, and had been convicted twice of assaulting the police, and once of an assault on railway officials.      The police superintendent of the Wirral Division stated Campbell was a thorough scoundrel, and thoroughly deserved the maximum penalty.—      The Chairman considered the case a most serious one, and remarked that he had never heard of so bad a record of a young man since he sat on the Bench. The officer was perhaps injured for life. Prisoner would go to gaol for six months hard labour, and it was to be hoped the sentence would be a warning to him.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 29 July 1899 CITY POLICE COURT. Saturday.— Before Messrs. W. Brown and R.       An Acrobat in Trouble.— William Roberts, describing himself as an acrobat and contortionist, was summoned on the information of P.C, Lawrence for having been found in Curzon Park at two o'clock this morning under suspicious circumstances. — He was dismissed on promising to leave the town.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 16 September 1899 EXCITING CHASE BY A CHESTER DETECTIVE. SMART CAPTURE IN THE GROVES. Detective Crewe, of the Chester City Police force, made a very smart capture on Saturday afternoon of three men who are wanted for alleged burglary. About four o'clock that day the Chester police were requested to keep a look out for three men who were accused of attempted robbery at a public-house at Farndon on the previous night. Detective Crewe was entrusted with the task of intercepting the men, who had been traced to Wrexham, and he walked along the Wrexham-road. When not far from the city he saw three men alighting from a cart, and, his suspicions being aroused, he interviewed the driver, who said the men had asked him to give them a lift, stating that they were cyclists whose machines had broken down at Marford Hill.     Regarding this story as improbable, Crewe hurried after the men, who were walking briskly in the direction of the city, and who, as soon as they saw the officer following them, dashed off at full speed along Chester Walls behind the Castle. Meanwhile Detective-Inspector Gallagher had arrived on the scene, and he followed the trio along the Walls, while Crewe took a short cut to the Bridge-gate, and in Duke-street saw one of the men, gave chase, and overtook him. He took him in custody, and was taking him up Bridge-street when he met the other two men. He succeeded in seizing one of them, but his two captives struggled fiercely, and, no assistance being at hand, they managed to elude his grasp, one of them slipping off his muffler, and leaving it in the officer's hand. All three then ran along the Groves, Crewe giving hot chase. A well known Christleton cyclist, named Lunt, was passing on his machine at the time, and he joined in the hunt, dashing at breakneck speed after the men, and shouting to foot passengers to stop them. River-Constable Cuthbert also joined in the chase. Two of the men ran up Souter's-lane, but some men essayed to stop them, and one was captured, while his companion surrendered, the third man made a desperate effort to evade arrest, but was eventually run to earth in Mr. Baxter's garden.      The prisoners were taken to Chester Police Station and searched, and on them were found a number of articles of jewellery, supposed to be the proceeds of a robbery committed the same day at Wrexham. Later in the evening the men were handed over to the County Constabulary, and locked up at Hoole Police Station. Two of them gave addresses in Liverpool, where they are believed to be well-known, and the third gave an address in Salford. On Sunday afternoon one of the prisoners delivered up to Sergeant Farnworth a lady's gold watch, part of the proceeds of the Wrexham robbery, which he had secreted inside the lining of his coat sleeve.      Inquiries shewed that the prisoners had secured no booty at Farndon. They entered a public-house there and called for drinks, and when the bar-tender returned to the bar after a short absence he saw two of the prisoners coming downstairs, while the third was keeping watch. An alarm was raised before it could be ascertained that the men had stolen anything, but although the police were early on the scent the men succeeded in eluding them. They went in the direction of Wrexham, and it is alleged that while there, they had, by adopting similar tactics, succeeded in robbing a public-house. Further particulars have leaked out respecting the visit to Wrexham of the three men. After leaving Farndon they made straight for Wrexham, and paid their attentions to the Buck Inn, Hope-street. While two of the men sat down drinking, the other was busily engaged prowling about the premises. He got upstairs, went through the bedrooms, and broke a lock and got into the club-room, and was then able to leave the house by the outside staircase leading to the club-room. He then decamped, taking with him a number of articles, including a lady's gold watch, a diamond ring, a small clock, and some jewellery. The other two men shortly afterwards also left the inn, and the three made tracks for Chester.        PRISONERS BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES.       The prisoners were brought up before Mr. Joseph Pover at the Chester Castle Petty Sessional Court, at Mr. W. H. Churton's offices, on Monday morning. They gave their names and addresses as follows: Frederick King, gunsmith, 45, Whittier-street, Liverpool; Edward Costello, gunsmith, 50, Whittier-street, Liverpool; and Harry Bird, barman, Salford; and they were charged with attempting to rob an hotel at Farndon on Friday evening.      Sergeant Farnworth, of the Cheshire County Police, stated that the prisoners were charged with the hotel robbery at Farndon, but since they were arrested it had been ascertained that there had been an extensive jewellery robbery at Wrexham, and portions of the proceeds of the robbery had been found on prisoners. He asked that prisoners should be remanded until next day for further inquiries. Costello, in answer to the charge, said he was not guilty. Prisoners were remanded until Tuesday, when Superintendent Leah stated that he had been directed by Colonel Hamersley, the Chief Constable of Cheshire, to ask that the accused should be discharged and handed over to Deputy Chief Constable Jones, of Denbighshire, who was present, in order that they might be dealt with by the Wrexham magistrates. Colonel G. P. Miller, J. P., granted the request, and the prisoners were forthwith conveyed to Wrexham.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 28 October 1899 LOCAL NEWS. Accident to an Ex-Police Inspector. Ex- Police Inspector Lindsay, of the City Police Force, has this week been knocked down by a cyclist, on the Rowton Road. He sustained injuries to his right leg and shoulder. [Writers note: there were two Lindsay’s both Inspectors]
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 25 November 1899 ALLEGED SAVAGE ASSAULT ON THE POLICE. BEHAVING LIKE A LUNATIC-      James Kerr, of no fixed address, appeared in the dock with a much disfigured face at the Chester City Police Court on Thursday morning, before the Mayor (Alderman H. T. Brown) and Mr. George Dutton, on a charge of being drunk and disorderly in Lower Bridge-street on Wednesday night. He was further charged with assaulting P.C.'s J. Lawrence and Arthur Williams while in the execution of their duty on the same date.      P.C. Williams said about half-past eleven on the night mentioned he found the prisoner bleeding from the eye in Lower Bridge-street. He was drunk, and when arrested commenced to use foul language. He also hit witness in the mouth, kicked him heavily on the leg, and caught hold of his hand with his teeth. The end of witness' whistle, which he used to call for assistance, was bitten off. P.C. Lawrence, who stated that he went to the assistance of the last-named constable, found prisoner very violent; in fact he behaved like a lunatic. This witness was also kicked about the leg.      The Chief Constable (Mr. J. H. Laybourne) said with reference to the man's nose, which was broken, he would call P.C. Dougherty to account for his present condition.      P.C. Dougherty, on being sworn, stated that he was in charge of the police office on Wednesday night when prisoner was brought in. He behaved like a lunatic at half-past three o'clock that morning. In consequence of a great noise, which proceeded from the cells, witness went down and found prisoner knocking himself against the door of the cell in which he was locked up. His nose was not in its present bad condition, when first he was brought in. Prisoner had all his clothes off with the exception of his trousers.      Kerr, who pleaded guilty to being drunk, but not to assaulting the policemen, said he was never handled so roughly in all his life. (Laughter) When requested to be quiet by the Chief Constable, he refused to do so, saying that he had a right to defend himself in the cause of right and justice. (Laughter)    The case was adjourned for two days.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 23 December 1899 The Chester Watch Committee have resolved "That    in future the night sticks now carried by officers on duty be discontinued."
 
Retirement of a Chester Police Inspector. — At a recent meeting of the Chester Watch Committee the Chief Constable reported on the certificate of the Police Surgeon that Inspector Walter Steen is unfit for further police service owing to failing health after 23 years, approved service, and that he is entitled under the scale in force under the Police Act, 1890, to a pension of 18s. 1d. per week.. The committee resolved "That it be recommended to the Council that an allowance of £1. 8. 1d. per week be paid out of the Police Pension Fund to Police Inspector Steen."
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 13 January 1900 On Tuesday at the Chester Castle County Petty Sessional Occasional Court, a well-dressed young woman named Jane Hooper, who said she belonged to the Principality, was charged with the theft of a pair of boots valued at 4s the property of Mrs. Margaret Hewitt, of Stamford Heath, near Chester. It was stated that the prisoner called at the house of the prosecutrix on Sunday afternoon, and asked to be supplied with tea, representing that she had met with an accident while cycling. She received the refreshment, and after hearing her story Mrs. Hewitt befriended her by allowing her to remain the night. When she had departed on Monday the boots were missed, and when arrested by Detective Inspector Hoole the same night in John-street, Chester, she was wearing them. — Prisoner was remanded until Saturday.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 20 January 1900 CHESTER POLICE AND THEIR PAY INCREASE GRANTED.          It appeared from the minutes that at a recent meeting of the Watch Committee, a letter was received from Police-Inspectors Culliford, Tilley, Reilly, and Gallagher, asking the committee to recommend an increase in the scale of their pay. They added '’ It will be seen from the attached newspaper cuttings, taken from the " Police Review " during the present year, that the maximum pay of inspectors in this force is scarcely equal to the average minimum pay of inspectors in many other forces."      The Chief Constable (Mr. J. H. Laybourne) submitted the following report on the question. “Chester, 4th January, 1900. I entirely agree with the petition, and would respectfully recommend that not only the pay of the inspectors, but that of the constables and sergeants be revised and that the force be re-organised as follows: 1 chief constable, 1 chief clerk, 2 out-door inspectors, 1 detective sergeant, four sergeants, 41 constables. With reference to the inspectors, their present pay is about the lowest in this country. I would respectfully recommend that it be revised as follows : — On appointment, 40s., after three years in rank, 42s., after six years in rank, 44s., and after 10 years in rank, 46s. per week. With reference to the sergeants, I would at once point out that a sergeant on appointment only receives the same pay as a first class constable, and as a number of constables belong to the police mutual, promotion means a loss. The present scale is as follows : — On appointment 30s. per week, after two years in rank, 32s. per week, and after five years in rank, 34s. per week. I would respectfully recommend that on appointment a sergeant receive 33s. per week, after three years in rank 35s. per week, and after seven years in rank, 37s. per week. With reference to Detective Inspector Gallagher (who now ranks as Detective Inspector), according to the proposed reorganization he would be Detective Sergeant, but would retain the hon. rank of Inspector. I am of the opinion that a Detective Inspector is not required in a city where, fortunately, serious crime is at a minimum; I would therefore recommend that the pay of a detective sergeant should be 35s. on appointment, after two years in rank, 37s. 6d., and after five years in rank 40s. per week, and that Gallagher's pay be raised to the maximum. With reference to the constables a constable obtains his maximum pay after 8½ years good service, and frequently has to wait nine or ten years for promotion. I would therefore recommend that a constable who has served 12 years, and has five years clear books may be promoted to the second merit class, receiving Is. per week extra, and after 16 years and 10 years clear books, to the first merit class of constables; these promotions only to apply to those constables who are specially recommended by the Chief Constable for meritorious and good conduct. The total extra cost will be about £50 per year, half of which is provided out of the exchequer contribution account. “ The committee recommended "That the Chief Constable's report on police pay be approved and adopted, and that the proposed revised scale be, with the approbation of the Council, substituted for the present scale." In proposing the adoption of the recommendation, Mr. J. Gooddie Holmes said the committee believed it to be a just one, and one which would tend to the efficiency of the force, and give satisfaction to the men themselves. Chester, he took it, did not wish to be behind other towns, such as Cambridge, Worcester, Carlisle, etc, in paying its police properly. The scale which the Chief Constable recommended even now did not come up to that of other towns throughout the country. £50 a year, only half of which would have to be paid by the town, was a small sum to ask for to satisfy a body of 50 men who guarded and protected the citizens, and maintained the order of the town so successfully.       Alderman George Dickson seconded the motion, which was agreed to.
Cheshire Observer- Saturday 3 February 1900 LOCAL LETTERS FROM SOUTH AFRICA. A CHESTER POLICEMAN AT THE FRONT. "HE DIDN'T EVEN SAY 'MOVE ON.' " An interesting letter has been received by Mr. Sam Whitlow, of The Boot, from Private J. Rogers, R.A.M. Corps. Private Rogers will be remembered as one of the representatives of law and order in the city. In his letter he vividly describes the dangers through which he has passed while in South Africa, and the sufferings of the wounded. He states he has had several narrow squeaks, and had been extremely lucky to escape from the ordeal unhurt. At Colenso he had quite enough to do to dodge the shells which were shrieking and whistling all around. He had to confess he was not the Balaclava hero who, when he saw two thousand Russians coming down the hill, went up the hill and stopped them. He carefully lay down and let them pass along, without even saying '”Move on." Apart from joking, they did a lot of work that day. His company brought in dozens of poor fellows shot in every part of the body. They bad some queer wounds to dress; for instance, a bullet struck a man’s jaw, turned downwards, and ran down his neck. Another man was struck in the upper part of the thigh, and the bullet passed out at the back of the knee. Pieces of shell tore great lumps of the poor fellows flesh. He (Rogers) was attending to two fellows in a ditch, one of whom was wounded in the head and the other in the arm. He decided to dress the former one's head first, as his was the most serious wound, and told the other to sit down in the meantime. Almost immediately a piece of shell struck his hand and almost tore one finger off. Had he (Rogers) attended to him first, be probably would not be living to write this letter. The next minute, while he was looking at this further injury, a shell went clean over the man with the wounded bead. He then deemed it prudent to move away, which he did quickly. After the battle the Boers came among our men for their wounded. They searched all the dead and wounded they saw, even taking the rings off their fingers and stealing their shoes. The Boers were badly clad. Cuthbert, another former Chester Constable, was on the spot, and sent his best wishes to his friends in the city.
 
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 10 February 1900 STIRRING LETTER FROM A FORMER CHESTER CONSTABLE.      Another letter has just been received in Chester from Private Jas. Rogers, late of the Chester Police Force, and who is with the R.A.M.C. at Frere Camp, near Colenso. The letter, which is dated January 2nd, states that the writer was in pretty good health, which was a great point in that country, where such diseases as enteric fever, dysentery, etc, are prevalent. They landed at Durban on the 1st  of December, and all the people turned out to give them a hearty welcome, distributing as they did a large quantity of fruit, caps, tobacco, lemonade, among them. They were ordered to proceed at once to Pietermaritzburg. The night had set in as they entrained in open carriages rigged up purposely for the Imperial troops, and soon they were on the way to the front. As the day broke, they were first up some high mountains, and afterwards a few small stations were quickly passed, each one patriotically flying a Union Jack. At eight o'clock they reached Pietermantzburg, where they struck camp and waited instructions. Everything was in warlike order, forts built, trenches dug, earth- works thrown up, and the ever useful barbed wire fences to prevent rushes. These he says he need hardly remark are superfluous, as the Boers never rush at anything. They are too cunning and sly. Leaving Peitermaritzburg in a few days, they proceeded to Estcourt by rail. Here was their brigade, and waiting to move forward, which they did the next day (the 8th of December), marching to Frere. Here again they waited a few days for supplies to come up, leaving on the 13th for Chievely, a few miles from Colenso. They rested on the 14th. On the morning of the 15th they got up at 3.30. Everything was packed as if for another march, and at 4.30 the Brigade moved forward. Little did they think that they were so near the enemy, as within half an hour the battle of Colenso had begun. They had landed at a hot shop indeed. Although not in the thick of the fight, the Boer shot and shell fairly hummed and whistled round them. They quickly got the order to retire, and get their stretchers out and surgical haversacks. Soon they got back to the fighting line, picking up the poor fellows as they fell. They hoisted a Red Cross flag, but the Boers simply made a target of it, and they were as badly off as the regiments. The fellows belonging to the regiments made a brave stand against a withering fire from the Boer trenches, and not one could be seen. What prevented their men from reaching them was the river Tugela, which was 10 or 12 feet deep. Could they have crossed, the Boers would nave suffered something more than they did. Another most unfortunate thing was that their Artillery could not get a position to support the Infantry, as the Boers had whitewashed the anthills all about, and had got the exact range of nearly everywhere. Every time the Artillery got a position they were hotly peppered out of it by Boer shells. Then they began to shell their ambulance wagons. The mules took fright and bolted, one ambulance going over in a ditch. Their sergeant-major ordered about a dozen to try and get it out, but the Boers kept on sending their shells, so they cut the traces and retired rather hurriedly to get out of their range. It was a long time before they could get the mules to face it again. Well, they stuck to their stretchers all day, carrying the wounded. Some were shot in the head, some in the chest, others in the arms, legs and abdomen. On the field the sights were truly awful. Men were so horribly mutilated that they were beyond recognition, except for the tallies in their pockets. Others were alive and suffering intense agony. To add to their suffering, the sun shone out its rays most fiercely, making them very thirsty. It was truly an awful day, yet all for the honour of dear old England. He (the writer) never thought it was "dear old England" till now. Although they did not succeed in the battle they did not lose, "so Mr. Boer has got to have a little more yet." They were sticking to the old saying, "If at first you don't succeed, try again," and they were going to try, and no "bunkum" about it the next time. At present they were very quiet, only the flies almost made him get into a bad temper. They were walking all over the paper on which he was writing, while on the side of an ambulance wagon.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 10 February 1900 ALLEGED DARING BURGLARY AT CHESTER. LIPTONS' shop entered. On Monday morning, at the Chester City Police Court, a man who gave the name of John Jones, and said he came from London, was charged with burglariously entering the house of John Davies, 19. Steele Street, Chester, and stealing the keys of Liptons' Limited and 3s. 7d. in money. He was further charged with breaking and entering the shop of Messrs. Liptons Limited, and stealing £1 Is. Od. in coppers, the property of the firm.—      Chief Constable Laybourne said he had to ask for a remand for eight days, as the prisoner would have to go for trial. About twenty minutes to three o'clock that (Monday) morning the prisoner was seen by P.C. Colley to go up Bridge-street and into Northgate-street. Afterwards the man returned to the Cross. The constable suspecting something was wrong, went to Liptons shop, and heard a noise inside. He got the assistance of Constable Shone, who went to the rear of the premises and found the prisoner in the yard. After a struggle he arrested the prisoner, in whose possession were found the keys of Liptons shop. The safe had been opened, and in the possession of the prisoner was also found the sum of £1 Is. 0d. in coppers.      Constable Shone went to the private residence of the manager of the shop and knocked him up. The prisoner must undoubtedly have followed the manager from the shop to his house on Saturday night. He had evidently broken into the house of the manager and got into his bedroom, taking away with him the keys and 3s. 7d. Then he must have come down to Liptons' shop and broken into that.      After their worships had heard sufficient evidence he should ask for a remand. The prisoner had refused to give an account of himself, and said he belonged to London, which was a very large place.      Constable Colley gave evidence, and the Bench remanded the prisoner for eight days.      The Chairman: Was the safe open ? — The Chief Constable: Yes, sir. He had got this copper from the safe. He had not time to get to the gold. There was from £20 to £40 in the safe. The manager was in bed at his house, and heard nothing.
Wrexham Advertiser – Saturday 24 February 1900 ALLEGED EXTENSIVE THEFTS AT CHESTER.      At Chester City Police Court, on Tuesday, a respectably-dressed young woman, named Mary Thomas, was charged in custody with stealing a number of articles of jewellery at the house of Mrs Parry, Lache Hall, where she was employed as a domestic. The Chief Constable stated that prisoner went into the employ of Mrs Parry on the 3rd inst., and in consequence of her unsatisfactory conduct she was dismissed on the 12th. After she had gone, two brooches, a gold pin and a gold ring belonging to Mrs Deakin’s nurse, were found to be missing. Detective Crewe made inquiries, and found that prisoner had given the brooches to her mother. Prisoner handed the officer the stolen ring, and a female searcher discovered the gold pin upon her at the Police Office. Evidence was given in support of this and, on the application of the Chief Constable, prisoner was remanded for a week.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 3 March 1900 INTERESTING LETTERS THE CHESHIRES IN ACTION. ACONVOY FOR LADYSMITH. NEW LIGHT ON BtJLLER'S TACTICS In a letter dated January 30th, to the Chief Constable of Chester (Mr. J.H. Laybourn), Corporal H Clarke, of the l3th Hussars, writing from Spearman's farm. South Africa, says: — I saw Rogers about a fortnight ago, and he was quite well. I have not seen Cuthbert since the fight at Colenso, in which we both took part. He was seen with the police with Sir Redvers Butler, and I was sent as orderly to Sir Francis Clery, so I have had no chance of seeing him since. When the last general began l  re-joined my regiment, and have been in the thick of it. We crossed the Tugela a fortnight ago and attacked the Boars, who were occupying a range of hills on the north bank of the river. For nine days we had ARTILLERY DUELS BY DAY and infantry attacks by night, so that the Boers had little rest. The object of the attack seems to have been to keep the enemy on the move, while a convoy got through to Ladysmith, which l am glad to say was done. We then withdrew from our positions and crossed the river again, and there was some very stiff fighting — almost as bad as at Colenso. Our fellows have proved themselves more than a match for the Boers. I saw the infantry carry some positions at the point of the bayonet in grand style. There has not been much work for cavalry owing to the nature of the ground, but my squadron has more than once been in a warm corner. On one occasion we were operating on the extreme left. We advanced with two machine guns to a small wood, in the centre of which a farmhouse was situated. We dismounted with carbines to support the guns, intending to leave our horses behind the house for cover, when the Boers began to shell. For some minutes things were fairly lively, as the Boers had previously got the range of the place, and shell after shell fell around making an awful noise. Luckily a troop had remained mounted, and they dashed into the open at a gallop in extended order. That was our salvation, for the enemy thought they were the whole force and sent their shells screaming after them. Not one of their shells exploded or we would certainly have lost a lot of men. The led horses stampeded, and we were some time before we recovered them all. When we retired from our positions on the other side of the river, my regiment was detailed to cover the withdrawal of the infantry from the hills. We moved into position as it was getting dark. At 10 p.m. the Infantry started to retire, and the Boers, thinking that another night attack was coming off, opened a heavy rifle fire. The bullets came WHISTLING all round us, but we did not give the least sign that we were there. Almost before we knew it, the Infantry were past us and we were ordered to fall back. Then began one of the moat miserable marches I have ever experienced. It was a cold, dark, wet night, and we were drenched to the akin. We had already been in the saddle six hours. The Infantry, owing to it being so dark, could only more very slowly. It was awful for us mounted men, moving on a few paces and then halting for about ten minutes, and so, on through the night. Everything was done in perfect silence except that now and again a man's horse would put its foot into a hole and one would hear the sound of a fall followed by a muttered curse. The Boers continued rifle firing for a long time, but it was all guess work, and no one was hit. We were all across the river by dawn. Altogether it was an ideal night for a retreat, but not one I should care to experience again. It was a bitter disappointment too, for us to give up the position we had fought so hard for. However, our General knew best, and we have every confidence in him to lead us to victory. In his address to the troops, Sir Redvers Buller thanked all for the way they had carried out his orders in the recent operations. He told us there was but one point that he wanted to take, and then the war would be practically over, and we quite believe it.
THE DECEIT OF THE BOERS. In another letter to the Chief Constable, dated Jan. 26th, Corporal J. K. Cuthbert, of the 1st Royal Dragoons, Natal Field Force, South Africa, says : — " Just a few lines to let you know that I am quite well, and still in the land of the living. I expect by the time you get this letter you will know about the nine days fighting we have had. I am sorry to say that we suffered a heavy list of casualties, and it is a terrible sight to see some of the poor fellows with legs off, and others with seven or eight bullets in them. What grieved me most was to see about seven or eight hundred Boers drop their arms, hold up their hands as if they were going to give in, and when the Middlesex Regiment advanced towards them they shot them down like dogs. No wonder there is a lot of officers killed. They walk fifty yards or more in front of their companies, and then they are made a mark of. We live very well considering the circumstances — bully beef and biscuits one day, vice- versa the next. I have seen Rogers and Clarke when we were at Frere, but not since."
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 10 March 1900 THE CHESTER POLICEMEN AT THE FRONT. THRILLING EXPERIENCE. The Chief Constable of Chester has received another letter from James Rogers, late of the Chester Police Force, and who is with the R.A.M.C. It is as follows : — " Spearman's Farm, Acton Homes, South Africa, February 4th, 1900. I now have the opportunity of sending you a few fines to tels you how we are progressing. I say "we" because there are three of us, Cuthbert, Clarke and myself. We are at present resting for a while after a week' s hard fighting. Cuthbert, I might mention, has the great honour of being on General Buller's staff, while Clarke has been doing duty with his regiment while the fighting was on. We have all managed to pull through without a scratch, and I think we are very lucky considering the heavy firing of shot and shell. Of my comrades experiences, I know very little, but I have had some thrilling experiences such as I wish never to have again. I have witnessed awful scenes of destruction, men and horses being blown to bits, and I have had many narrow escapes. One day I was carrying a wounded officer of the Inniskilling Fusiliers down a kopje, when I missed my footing and fell over a rock. The poor fellow, who was shot in the chest (the bullet having made its exit through his loins) did not complain, however, although I must have caused him a great deal of pain. He said "All right, Orderly, I know you could not help it." He died of his wounds three or four days ago. The next day we simply had to crawl up kopjes on our stomachs and drag the stretchers after us. When we got to the top we had to stop there and lie flat on our stomachs for nearly two hours under the fierce rays of the sun. To get up would have been to court death, and to go down the kopje would have been likewise, as the bullets came over the top of the hill and dropped about half way or three parts of the way down. Besides the bullets, we had every now and again the fearful Maxim-Nordenfelt shells dropping just behind us, and this accounted for so many of our men being wounded in the legs and feet, as they crouched well up to the rocks with their heads and bodies, leaving their lower extremities exposed. I saw a lieutenant of the "Borders" struck by a shell. His shoulder and arm were blown off on one side, his wrist shattered on the other, and a portion of his head was knocked off, scattering his brains on to a Private of the same regiment. It took the soldier quite an hour to get over the shock. The officer's death was, of course, instantaneous. When the fighting was over and the troops had retired we had orders to search the field, but the Boers came down and ordered us off, but afterwards they allowed us to take our wounded. I was present at the burial of the dead. I fairly broke down when I saw the poor fellows lowered down.  I was more than surprised to see Roman Catholics and Protestants buried in the same grave, but there were two services, the Church of England being first. I cannot go into details of the week's work, but I know it was very heavy, and we had little food. In fact we have not much now, three and a half biscuits and one and a quarter pounds of meat being our ration per day, with a pint of coffee for breakfast and a pint of tea at night. We get a quarter pound of jam once in three days and two ounces of cheese occasionally. I am very lucky, and manage to earn a bit of money by hair cutting, and am able to buy a packet or two of Quaker oats at a shilling per packet, so I get a better breakfast than a good many. My space is short now. so I must draw to a close, but before doing so I beg to thank you on behalf of my comrades and myself for the manner in which you have worked for us. We feel deeply indebted to you and the people who have subscribed to the funds. Their money has not been subscribed for nothing, and they would say so if they could only see the poor fellows marching up to an almost certain death. we wish to be remembered to all our comrades, and hope soon to be back in their ranks, and then we shall be able to tell them of our experiences. Tn the meantime. I remain, your obedient servant. James Rogers.— P.S. We note with regret the death of the Duke."
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 17 March 1900 Chester Assizes: - THE DARING BURGLARY AT LIPTON'S.  John Jones, 21, described as a labourer, who gave London as his address, pleaded guilty to  committing a burglary at the house of David John Davies, residing in Steele-street, Chester, local manager to Messrs. Lipton, Limited, and I stealing a bunch of keys and 3s. 7d. in money, and to breaking and entering Messrs. Lipton's Che1ter shop and stealing £1 Is. 01/2 d in the early hours of February 5th. Prisoner, who pleaded guilty to a previous conviction, daringly entered Davies's bedroom while he was asleep and stole the key from his clothes. Then he proceeded to the shop and was engaged in extracting money from the safe when he was disturbed by the police. After a desperate struggle in the backyard prisoner was captured by Constables Shone and Colley.— His Lordship, in sentencing prisoner to twelve months' imprisonment, said the next time prisoner came before the Court he would have a longer period
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 24 March 1900 CRUEL CHESTER MOTHER. INHUMAN CONDUCT.      At Chester City Police Court, on Saturday, Elizabeth Morris, a wretched looking woman, was charged in custody with being drunk and disorderly in Cuppin Street the previous night, and with cruelly exposing her child, a girl eight years of age, in a manner likely to cause her unnecessary suffering. The prisoner, who is well known to the police, was seen by P. C. Woods coming out of a public house at eleven o'clock with the child in her arms. An hour later he saw her again in the street with the child, who was in a very neglected condition. The weather at the time was very inclement. When the woman was brought to the police station the child was afraid to go near her. — Detective Crewe said he had cautioned the prisoner on several occasions against exposing her child in the streets on wet nights for the purpose of begging. — The Chief Constable informed the Bench that in March last she was sentenced to two calendar months imprisonment for an offence similar to this. The child was sent to a comfortable home, but when prisoner was released from gaol she went with her husband to the home under the influence of liquor and took the child away. She had used it ever since for the express purpose of begging.— Prisoner: No, sir; I have not. My husband is a bad man, and I have not seen him for days.— The Chief Constable said the husband acted in alliance with his wife, and he asked for the infliction of the maximum penalty in this case. — Prisoner was fined 2s 6d. and costs, or seven days, on the charge of drunkenness, and for the other offence, which the Bench thought a very serious one, she was sentenced to three months imprisonment, the sentences to run concurrently.— On the application of Mr. Laybourne they ordered the child to be detained at a home until she attained the age of sixteen.
CHIEF CONSTABLE. The Watch Committee recommended that the salary of the Chief Constable be increased by £50 per annum. Mr. J. Gooddie Holmes bad great pleasure in moving the adoption of the recommendation, and hoped the Council would be unanimous in supporting it. They had, he said, a very excellent and efficient chief constable, who took a great interest in his work. He (Mr. Holmes) believed it was universally desired that they should try to retain his services. It was customary, he learned, in most towns that the Chief Constable's salary should be advanced after he had held the appointment twelve months. Mr. Laybourne had now been with them eighteen months. They would see — they had had his report, and he had no doubt they had all read it — that during that time he had decreased the expenses of his department at the rate of about £200 per annum without diminishing the efficiency of the department. He might also say that his remuneration appeared very unfavourable compared with that of chief constables in other towns of similar size and with the same number of police. This gave him (Mr. Holmes) greater confidence in asking the Council to endorse that recommendation. Of course when they desired to have and keep good servants they must necessarily see that they were properly remunerated, and that increase, if granted, would no doubt act as a stimulus to the Chief Constable and cause him to make even greater efforts than he had done hitherto— he had done a great deal — for the benefit of the town. Alderman George A. Dickson seconded. Alderman Churton said he supported that resolution with the greatest amount of pleasure. He had peculiar reason for saying that their Chief Constable was under paid. He thought it was distinctly understood at the time they advertised for a new chief constable that they should offer a salary of £350, but, as they did not know what sort of a man they would get, it was decided that the commencing salary should be £300, with the idea of increasing it if they got a good man. It was the very least they could do to give him the encouragement of increasing his salary to the very modest sum they were asked to do that day. The motion was carried unanimously.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 7 April 1900 CITY POLICE COURT. Monday.— Before Dr. Stolterfoth (chairman), and Messrs. Chas. Brown. T. Smith, and J. G. Frost. Gave Him the Benefit or the Doubt.— A plasterer named Robert Price, of Chester, was placed in the dock on a charge of stealing a pewter pint pot valued at 7s. 6d., from Messrs. Walker and Knight's public-house, Northgate-street, and belonging to Mr. W. Harrison Sykes. P.C. Colley said that at 10.45 on Saturday night he was on duty at the Cross, and in consequence of some information he received he went to the prisoner and asked him where the pewter was. Price ran away, but on being caught he (witness) found the pewter in his possession. Next morning he charged him with stealing it, and prisoner replied that he had never been locked op before and that he was not a thief. He said he had been drinking.  Wm. Higginson, manager of the public-house mentioned, said he saw prisoner in the house about ten o'clock on Saturday night. — Price, who elected to be tried at this court, said that he was in drink at the time, and how the pewter got in his pocket he did not know. He had not been brought up at a police court in his life before, and if they (the magistrates) would let him off this time he would take good care he would not trouble them again. — The Bench decided to discharge him.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 21 April 1900 Chester Town Council:- A monthly seating of the Chester Town Council was held at the Town Hall on Wednesday. - POLICE PENSIONS. Mr. T. Browne's criticism. The Watch Committee recommended that an allowance of £52 2s. 1Od. per annum be paid out of the Police Pension Fund to Police Constable Owen Dougherty, who had resigned after twenty-six years service, also that the sum of £7 be returned out of the rateable deductions to the Police Pension Fund to Police Constable Richd. H. Abbott, resigned. Mr. J. Gooddie Holmes moved that the recommendation be adopted. Mr. T. Browne asked the Chairman of the Watch Committee if he wanted to have more pensioners than policemen. The former were on the increase. They seemed after they left the service better men than ever they were before. He felt strongly on that point. That constable had been 26 years in the force, but he had got no further on, and he was now being permitted to go into retirement on over £1 per week. They were well clothed and well shod — different to most of the working men who were not guaranteed a pension, and he thought in the best days of that man he would have had great difficulty in getting £1 per week. He thought there should be some limit to these pensions. In another ten years they would have a supernumerary class of pensioners. He thought the time had come when the question ought to be considered. Mr. J. Gooddie Holmes: We have no choice in the matter. This man resigns, and, of course, he deserves his pension. The Mayor: We don't pay the whole. Mr. J. Gooddie Holmes: No, half of it. The expenses of the Watch Committee have decreased considerably within a year or so. Mr. T. Browne: You talk about only paying half! The ratepayers pay the other half. It is so much the worse for the other half. The proposition adopting the recommendations was carried.
Cheshire Observer – 2 June 1900 CITY POLICE COURT. Monday.— Before Dr. Stolterfoth, Mr. T. Smith, Sarah Billingham again.— A well-known Cheater character, in the person of Sarah Billingham, was sent to prison for a month with hard labour on a charge of being drunk in Hawarden Castle-entry, Chester, on Saturday.— PS. Porter proved the case, and said the prisoner was fighting with other women shortly after 11 on Saturday night, and she behaved in a very violent manner when being taken to the police station. Her language was something disgraceful.—This was her 27th appearance.
Wrexham Advertiser - Saturday 9 June 1900 A CHESTER TRAGEDY :- About twenty minutes past four on Wednesday morning Police-constable Button, of the Chester City Police Force, discovered a man's coat and hat in the groves near the Suspension Bridge, and along- side the articles was a note which had evidently been written by a man. Dragging operations were conducted by Police-Sergeant Wynne and Constable Button, when Wynne recovered near the bridge the body of Charles Dinwoodie, labourer, of Princess- Street, Chester.      It will be remembered that a few days ago deceased was censured by the city coroner at an inquest held on the body of George Finches, labourer. Dinwoodie and Pinches procured another man's trap, and proceeded for a drive to Neston, and when Dinwoodie was obtaining drink at a public-house the horse bolted, Pinches being thrown from the vehicle, sustaining shocking injuries, which resulted in his death. It is stated that Dinwoodie was observed on Tuesday night writing the note before mentioned, and that in it he intimated he intended committing suicide.      Mr E. Brassey, Coroner, held an inquest on the body on Wednesday afternoon. The Chief Constable (Mr J. H. Laybourne) read the letter, which was addressed to deceased’s sister, and in which deceased said: "I hope I am going to a better end. Everybody seems to point me out, and is accusing me of his death. He was my chum, and I will soon be with him. Hoping this will be a lesson to all the boys not to take any more strong drink, I remain, with love to all, James Charles Dinwoodie."      The jury returned a verdict of: "Suicide while temporarily insane."
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 7 July 1900 CHESTER CITY SESSIONS. The general quarter sessions of the peace for the city were held at the Town Hall on Tuesday. Sir Horatio Lloyd, Recorder, presided, and was accompanied on the Bench by the Mayor (Mr. H. T. Brown), and the Sheriff (Mr. R. Lamb).     EVILS OF INDISCRIMINATE CHARITY. RECORDER'S AMUSING EXPERIENCE.      The Recorder, in charging the Grand Jury, said he was glad to inform them that there were only two prisoners, and the offences charged against them were of the most ordinary description. The state of crime in the city presented one feature which he should like to say a word about. The quarter had come out about the average of the last five years corresponding quarters. But in respect to one head, that of drunkenness, he was sorry to observe a very serious increase. The average for that quarter of the year, from March to June, in the previous five years had been 83 convictions but this quarter it had run up to 127 — an increase of about 50 cases in the quarter. He had casually looked over the Chief Constable's book that morning, and he found that a very considerable number of that amount was due to people who , had nothing to do with the City, who did not, live here, and of no fixed abode — tramps, or people passing through. Well, what was the reason why those people came there to get drunk? Was it because foolish people were distributing indiscriminate charity and giving them money? He was afraid there was a good deal of those good-natured, but at the same time weak-minded, people, who saw what they thought was a case of distress. He said that because, he had been a victim himself. (Laughter.) It was not so long ago, when walking along the City-road to dinner in the evening, feeling very hungry and having a fellow feeling, he was met by a man who, in a very dolorous tone, told him he wanted to know how he could find his way to Whitchurch. It was a wet and disagreeable night, and he said "My good man, you cannot get there "to-night," whereupon the man said, "I must; I cannot help myself, and I have nothing in my pocket." Instead of his (the Recorder) going back with, him to the railway station, for he was not very far from it at the time, he foolishly asked him what was the fare to Whitchurch, and gave him 1s 6d. to go there, for which he thanked him and  appeared very grateful. The next evening, about the same time, he was returning home to dinner, and he heard the same voice, which put the same question as to how he could get to Whitchurch — (laughter) — and so he opened out on to him. (Laughter.) There was no policeman about at the time, or he should have gone a step further; but he warned the man. He heard no more of him for a week; but when walking along the Grosvenor Bridge he was asked a similar question, and the town of Wrexham was mentioned. (Laughter.) He endeavoured to detain the man as long as he could in the hope of seeing a policeman. The man asked him how far it was  to Wrexham, whereupon he replied he would very  soon shew him how far it was to the Town Hall; but he failed to find a policeman — as usual.  (Loud laughter.) However, he heard no more of it; but that was the way in which charity was obtained. He was afraid very many people saw the same sort of thing, which might probably be the cause of some of that drunkenness. He did not say that that was the cause, but if it were he should like to utter a word of warning from a fellow-feeling point of view.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 14 July 1900 ALLEGED ATTEMPTED SUICIDE AT CHESTER.      At Chester Police Court on Tuesday morning, before Mr. J. J. Cunnah, an elderly woman, named Eliza Bebbington, of Puppet Show Entry, Watergate-row, Chester, was charged with attempting to drown herself in the River Dee, near the Slate yard, Crane Street, about nine o'clock on Monday night. — P.C. Douglas said he observed prisoner throw off her hat and cape on the embankment, and then proceed to the water. He succeeded in rescuing her, and when she was subsequently charged with attempting to commit suicide she replied, "Why did you not let me go; lam tired of life and have no peace with my husband. The Chief Constable said the woman appeared to have been drinking, and it would be advisable to remand her for seven days—After Thomas Bebbington, prisoner's husband, had given evidence on his own behalf, the case was adjourned till next Tuesday.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 16 June 1900 ANNOYING CHESTER SOLICITORS. A STRANGE LITIGANT.      At the Chester City Police Court on Saturday morning, before Messrs. George Dutton (chairman) and T. Smith, an elderly man named Jonathan Garner, of Farm Buildings, Tarvin Road, was summoned for committing a breach of the peace in St. John-street yesterday (Friday). Mr. E. Brassey, solicitor, who appeared to prosecute, said about twelve o'clock on the morning in question a great noise was heard in St. John Street, and it seemed that defendant was shouting at the top of his voice. He attracted a large crowd of people by exclaiming in loud tones, "They have robbed me of my money, and they are thieves and rogues," without mentioning any name. He was standing in a most respectable neighbourhood, and exactly opposite the office of Messrs. Jolliffe and Jolliffe. The tax-gatherers were also across the way, and he (Mr. Brassey) thought that Garner's conduct in a neighbourhood like this was most disgraceful. He could not give any proper explanation for this behaviour, but it seemed that Garner had been addressing correspondence to Messrs. Jolliffe and Jolliffe from time to time, accusing them of robbing him. Defendant seems to have been acting as a trustee under a will in a small estate of which he was entitled to nothing, except a little connected with the residue. The next of kin, however, turned up from America, and Mr. Churton represented the defendant, but by the order of his Honour Sir Horatio Lloyd the amount remaining due was paid to the other person referred to. Messrs. Jolliffe had nothing more to do with Garner than the man in the moon — (laughter) — but defendant seems to have thought otherwise. Since that time Garner had been sending in post-cards to Messrs. Jolliffe and Jolliffe, saying that he was entitled to some money under the will mentioned, and he (Mr. Brassey) thought it was a clear sign of lunacy. (Loud laughter) To start with, he sent a post-card to Messrs. Jolliffe, Jolliffe and Cooke, on which it was stated: "Not having received an answer from you, I must proceed to business; you are a lot of lying thieves and swindlers. Yorick! How shall you escape the damnation of Hell?" (Loud laughter) He (Mr. Brassey) thought that seemed to be a little previous. (Laughter) Again, he wrote to the solicitors in connection with the estate as follows: "I have a bill against you in connection with the above estate— £7 5s Id. Will you please pay me, or I will give my final tip. (Signed) Jonathan Garner, executor." Another post-card stated that "I have enclosed a bill with reference to the estate. You know the judge said I must go to them that brought me in the court, and that is you. I don't want to expose you, but I shall if the money is not paid soon." The letter concluded with the words, "For the truth must prevail." After this was read by Mr. Brassey, defendant exclaimed in an excited manner "Hear, hear," which created some amusement. Garner had sent other post cards, which intimated that he would pay them (the solicitors) a visit if he received no money. Mr. Brassey (continuing) said Messrs. Jolliffe did not possess any money belonging to the defendant, and, seeing his strange conduct, it was a question whether defendant should not be remanded for examination by the police surgeon or be bound over. Evidence was given by Mr. J. H. Cooke, a clerk in the office of Messrs. Jolliffe and Jolliffe, and P.C. Lawrence, who stated that defendant was creating a great disturbance in St. John Street at the time mentioned. A large number of people gathered round him, and they seemed to be greatly amused. Garner's voice could plainly be heard at the top of the street. Messrs. Jolliffe did not owe the defendant or the testator's estate one penny, and never had done so. — Defendant now flourished some documents he carried, and said the truth should prevail, and it was there. "I want to have the matter opened out in this Court," he exclaimed. (Laughter) The Chairman said they could not deal with such a question in the police court, because they had no power. Defendant must have it settled in the proper way. Mr. Dutton: Are you guilty of the charge or not? Garner: I did not make a noise at all. If anyone attracted a crowd it was the constable or Mr. Cooke. I don't want to commit a breach of the peace. Defendant further stated that he was only communicating with the solicitors in a quiet way. (Laughter.) The Chief Constable said that Garner had been twice brought up for a similar offence, and twice for being drunk and disorderly. Defendant: I say the book is wrong. How could you convict me twice for the same offence? It is a piece of dirty work, that's what I say. (Laughter) Waving his hands in the air, defendant now shouted "I never wronged any man. All I want is liberty, and it is freedom that I will carry out to the bitter end." (Laughter) After a short deliberation, the magistrates decided to bind Garner over for three months, in his own recognisances of £5 and one surety of a similar amount, or suffer a month's imprisonment. He was also ordered to pay the costs or go to prison for seven days. (The above appeared in our last Saturday Evening Edition.)
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 30 June 1900 A ROUGH-LOOKING CUSTOMER AT CHESTER POLICE COURT. NEVER SAW FORTY SHILLINGS A middle-aged man, named John Wise, of Staffordshire, appeared in the dock at the City Police Court on Saturday morning, with a very defiant air, to answer a charge of being drunk and disorderly in Foregate-street the previous night From the man's appearance he had certainly been in a hot country, and he wore a look which feigned innocence of the charge preferred against him. The Magistrates' Clerk:- Are you guilty or not ? — Prisoner (with folded arms and a troubled expression): Not guilty.— P.C. Woods said he found Wise drunk about 11.20 p.m. on the date mentioned in Foregate-street. He struck a youth, and his language was filthy. Prisoner: Did you say that I gave you some trouble? Wait till I see you again. I'll give you trouble. Looking towards the magistrates he now exclaimed, “If you have a man like that on the police force you might as well have me." (Laughter) — Mr. Cunnah (presiding magistrate): You are fined 40s. and costs or a month's imprisonment —Prisoner: Fined what, sir?— Mr. Cunnah: 40s. and costs. — Prisoner: Oh! all right then. I never seed 40s let alone paid it. Stop till I see that young constable again, and I'll give him 40s., I'll tell you. (Laughter) At this stage of the proceedings prisoner sat quietly down. Edition. (The above appeared in our last Saturday Evening
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 14th July 1900 ALLEGED ATTEMPTED SUICIDE AT CHESTER. At Chester Police Court on Tuesday morning, before Mr. J. J. Cunnah, an elderly woman, named Eliza Bebbington, of Puppet Show Entry, Watergate-row, Chester, was charged with attempting to drown herself in the River -Dee, near the Slate-yard, Crane-street, about nine o'clock on Monday night. — P.C. Douglas said he observed prisoner throw off her hat and cape on the embankment, and then proceed to the water. He succeeded in rescuing her, and when she was subsequently charged with attempting to commit suicide she replied, "Why did you not let me go; lam tired of life and have no peace with my husband. The Chief Constable said the woman appeared to have been drinking, and it would be advisable to remand her for seven days—After Thomas Bebbinton, prisoner's husband, had given evidence on his own behalf, the case was adjourned till next Tuesday.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 21 July 1900 ALLEGED UNLAWFUL WOUNDING AT CHESTER. At Chester Police Court on Monday, before Messrs. John Thompson and R. Jackson, Henry Kelly, a lodger at the Liverpool Lodging-house, Lower Bridge-street, was charged with unlawfully wounding a fellow-lodger named Howie by striking him on the head with a bottle, shortly after midnight on Saturday.— The Chief Constable (Mr. J. H. Laybourne) said he would like the magistrates to remand prisoner for a week, after hearing sufficient evidence. It appeared that P.C. James Griffiths was summoned to the house by the manager, where he found Howie bleeding profusely from the face. The officer washed his face, and found that he had sustained a wound on the face about six inches long, and varying in depth. There was also a wound on the head and another on the cheek bone. Howie was taken to the Infirmary, where he would be detained for a few days.— P.C. James Griffiths corroborated, stating that prosecutor asked prisoner why he struck him, and prisoner replied that Howie should have given him the bottle when he wanted it.— Kelly was remanded for a week as requested.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 11 August 1900 THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA. HOME FROM THE WAR. CHESTER POLICEMAN'S RECORD. Corporal Clarke, of the 13th Hussars, who previous to rejoining his regiment in November as a reservist was a Constable at Chester, returned to the city yesterday (Friday), having been invalided home. Clarke took part in five big engagements on the Tugela, Colenso (2), Val Krantz, Spion Kop and Pieter's Hill. He was also present at the engagements outside Ladysmith and afterwards in the Drakensberg Mountains. He acted for some time as General Cleary's orderly. Clarke has stated that no convoy was successful in getting through the Boer lines into Ladysmith. The report was purposely circulated by the officers in order to raise the spirits of the men of the relief column, who were becoming down-hearted at their repeated attempts to raise the siege.
Wrexham Advertiser – Saturday 1 September 1900 GHASTLY DISCOVERY AT CHESTER. On Friday morning, whilst workmen were passing the Shropshire Union Canal at Morris's Bridge. Mollington, Chester, they discovered the body of a newly-born child floating in the water. Information was forwarded to Detective-sergeant Crew, (sic) of the Chester City Police force, who proceeded to the canal, and removed the body to a neighbouring farm near Stone Bridge, Saughall-road. The body was without any wrapping, and there were evidences that the child had either been neglected at birth or had met with some foul play. What is described as a dressmaker's tape was found tied tightly round the neck. As the spot where the discovery was made is some distance beyond the city boundary, the matter was immediately placed in the hands of the county- police authorities. At the inquest, a verdict of  “Found Drowned” was returned.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 8 September 1900 Chester Police Changes.— Sergt. Pryce Wynne has been appointed Inspector in the place of Inspector Riley, who retires on a pension after a service of 26½ years. Detective Constable Clubbe has been appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the promotion of Sergt. Pryce Wynne. Inspector Riley was a very efficient and painstaking officer. He was on Thursday morning congratulated upon his service by the Watch Committee. He leaves the force with the best wishes of his colleagues, among whom he was very popular.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 15 September 1900 CITY POLICE COURT. Saturday. — Before Messrs. J. J. Cunnah (chairman) and Roger Jackson. Alleged Deserter. — On the information of Detective-Inspector Crewe, John Orange was remanded for escort for deserting the South Lancashire Regiment, on the 29th of June. He was arrested at eight o'clock on Friday night.
Cheshire Observer - Saturday 20 October 1900 CITY POLICE COURT. Tuesday.— Before the Mayor (Alderman H. T. Brown) and Dr. Stolterfoth. A Black Criminal Record. — Ann Walsh, a middle-aged woman of no fixed address, was charged in custody with stealing a jersey .and an apron, value 7s., from the back kitchen of a house on Sealand-road between the 9th and the 12th inst. Prisoner pleaded guilty. The evidence was to the effect that she gave the stolen jersey to a man named Thomas Dolan, living in Steam Mill street, asking him to pawn it for her, and he did so. On Friday evening prisoner called at the police office, and made a confession of the theft to Inspector Tilley.— ln answer to the charge, she now said to the magistrates "I am sorry for the thing. I was in drink. But I am better in gaol than out of it, because when I have money I am doing nothing but drinking, and when I have no money I am stealing." Prisoner bears a serious criminal record, having been convicted on indictments on numerous occasions and seat to penal servitude, while she had been convicted fifty two times of drunkenness. The Bench committed her to the city quarter sessions.
CHESTER TOWN COUNCIL. A monthly meeting of the Council was held on Wednesday afternoon, the Mayor (Alderman B. T. Brown) presiding.  THE POLICE FORCE. At a meeting of the Watch Committee, on the recommendation of the Chief Constable, it was resolved that the following police constables be promoted .- — James Dryland, No. 22, George Wakelin. No. 10, and Frederick Austin, No. 19, from the 29s. to the 30s. per week class of constables; Alfred John Woods, No. 11, from the 25s. per week to the 26s. per week class of constables; and George Knowles, No. 13, from the 24s. per week to the 25s. per week class of constables. The minutes also shewed that a letter was read from Mr. John Whalley, of Ashfield, complaining of the conduct of a police constable on September 12th last, the night of the Chester Cycle Carnival. Mr. Whalley attended the committee in support of his complaint. The Chief Constable reported that the same police constable charged two of the police inspectors with conspiring against him, and that he had examined the whole of the members of the force with the view of ascertaining if there was any ground for the charge, and found it entirely unsupported. Several members of the police force were examined in the presence of the committee and the police constable, and after a long discussion it was resolved: "That in view of the evidence produced, there is no foundation for the charge made against the two inspectors." It was also resolved that the Chief Constable report further to the next meeting.
City Police Court Thursday 25 October 1900 Driving at Ten on Twelve Miles an Hour.— James Lee, a salt hawker, living in White Lion Yard, Crook-street, was charged with furiously driving a horse along the Saltney road on the 22nd of this month, to the danger of passengers.— P.C. Griffiths, stationed at Saltney, said shortly before two o'clock on Monday afternoon, defendant was driving a horse in a spring cart in Chester-street, at the rate of ton or twelve miles an hour. He was racing with another man who had knocked a lady off her machine, and had already been dealt with. Witness had previously cautioned Lee about his reckless driving when several children were running about the streets. — Substantiatve [sic] evidence was given by Geo. Hill and Wm. Hy. Milnes (Saltney). — Defendant said the horse could not run at the pace of ten or twelve miles an hour if it was flogged to death.— Mr. J. H. Laybourne said the man had been summoned previously for a similar offence. — Fined 5s. and costs.
Cheshire Observer - 3 November 1900 A CHESTER MYSTERY. CHILD'S BODY FOUND. OPEN VERDICT.       At the Town Hall, on Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Frank Turner (deputy coroner for the city) held an inquest on the body of a newly-born female child, which was found wrapped in a piece of bed sheeting within the railings of a house at the corner of Duke-street, on Sunday morning. — Ada Wilson, a little girl of 8, Albion-street, Chester, said that shortly before nine o'clock on Sunday morning, she was walking in the direction of Lower Bridge- Street when she saw a brown paper parcel inside some railings opposite Park Cottage, at the end of Duke-street She asked a lad who was passing along the street at the time if it belonged to him, but he replied in the negative, and picked the parcel up, remarking to the girl "You had better take it home, there may be a dead cat in it". A woman named Mrs. Beech then came up and discovered the child. — Mrs. Beech, 2, Albion-place, said the last witness called her attention to the parcel, which was tied rather tightly with string. She had to borrow a knife to cut the string. On opening the parcel she was horrified to discover the body of a newly-born child, wrapped in a piece of sheeting. Information was then sent to the police. — P.C. Ward, who had the child sent to the mortuary, also gave evidence. — Dr. Geo. Harrison, police surgeon, said he examined the body externally first of all on Sunday morning. There was a distinct mark on the neck as if a tape had been tied two or three times round it tightly. In fact the whole body presented the appearance of having been tied up tightly for a few days, parts of it being flattened one against the other. In his opinion the child had been born about a week. There were evidences of recent birth, and the body presented all the marks of recent violence. By order of the Chief Constable, he made a post-mortem examination the previous day, and there was no doubt in his mind that the deceased had had a separate existence, and that it had breathed. He was not prepared to say whether death was due to strangulation or not, but the child evidently did not receive proper attention at birth. — The Deputy Coroner said under the circumstances there was no reason why the inquiry should be adjourned, as at present there was no prospect of any further evidence being obtained another time. The doctor's evidence clearly shewed that the child had breathed, but there was not sufficient evidence to prove how the deceased really came by its death. If it was true that the child died from strangulation, then it was a case of murder, evidently. — The jury returned an open verdict.
Cheshire Observer – Saturday 22 December 1900 Twenty Years Police Surgeon. — Dr. George Harrison, of Chester, has just completed twenty years as Surgeon of the Chester City Police, and to celebrate the event, he invited the members of the City Force, representatives from the Chester County Police, and a few private friends, to meet him at dinner at the Town Hall on Friday. After dinner, the Chief Constable (Mr. J. H. Laybourne), on behalf of the members of the City Force, presented Dr. Harrison with a beautiful Malacca cane with a carved ivory handle, which was also silver-mounted and suitably engraved, while Mrs. Harrison was the recipient of a silver mounted umbrella. Then followed a smoking concert, in which several members of the Force rendered songs and solos, the most notable event being the rendering of "Comrades" by the City Police Quintette Party. To add to the enjoyment of the evening the whole of the gentlemen of the "Runaway Girl" Company, which visited the theatre last week, rendered songs, solos, recitations, &c. The company broke up at an early hour.
Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser - Saturday 15 March 1902 CHESTER ASSIZES -  POACHER IMPRISONED FOR SHOOTING AT TWO CONSTABLES Chester Assizes, yesterday, Mr. Justice Walton. William Aldersey (50) labourer, Chester, was indicted for attempting to murder Police-constable Joseph Pruett on November 6th. by firing a rifle at him. Mr. S. Moss. M.P., who prosecuted, said that on the evening November 4th. when it was foggy, prisoner met Police-constable Pruett in the street and said him, "How do you like this weather? It is bad for your job, isn't it?" The officer said. It is suitable for you Bill; are you going to fetch them”. That seemed to have given offence to prisoner, for he said, “I’ll shoot, the first policeman that catches me with the stuff on me."     Two nights later, about seven o'clock, officer was going along Foregate Street and when nearly opposite an entry named Clarmont Walk he noticed the prisoner raise a rifle to his shoulder and take deliberate aim at his (the officer's) head. Pruett once drew back his head: heard a report, and felt a smarting sensation on his lips. The bullet pierced a plate-glass window on the opposite side of the street. The officer went forward to the prisoner, who fired a second shot. Pruett obtained the assistance of two other constables, and together they found the prisoner hiding in a timber yard. Prisoner fired shot at Police-Constable Hewitt, but missed him, and was then overpowered.      Constable Pruett stated that the prisoner, when charged, said. "I intended to kill you.'— Constable Hewitt sated that the prisoner deliberately discharged the rifle in his face, and witness then knocked him down with his baton.      Another witness deposed to finding in prisoner's pocket 22 loaded cartridges, five bullets, and two blanks.      Prisoner gave evidence, and stated that meant fire a blank cartridge at Pruett. He did not aim at Pruett, his intention being only to frighten him. He was a good shot, and if he had had a mind could easily have shot Pruett.      The Judge, in summing up said it was an extraordinary story that there should be such an occurrence in a public street at seven o'clock on a November evening.      The jury found prisoner guilty of shooting with intent do grievous bodily harm, and the Judge, after reading a long list of convictions against prisoner for assaulting the police and poaching, sentenced him to 18 months hard labour.
Edinburgh Evening News - Thursday 13 October 1904 Appointment for Chester Chief Constable. The "Liverpool Echo" understands that Mr Laybourne, head constable of Chester, has received the appointment of Chief Commissioner of the Detective Department of Cape Colony. The post is worth £700 a year to start with, rising to £1000, with £100 for rent.
Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser - Saturday 27 January 1906
At Chester, yesterday, the magistrates ordered the destruction of 695 indecent postcards found on a stall in the market place kept by John Adler, of Liverpool. The Chairman said the Bench were determined to try to stop the traffic, and sent Adler to prison for a month.
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 7 January 1913 OBSTRUCTING THE POLICE AT CHESTER. At to-day, Joseph Barnes. 18, Steven-street, was charged with being drunk and disorderly, and James Roberts. 37, Seaville-street, was charged with obstructing Police-Constable Lawrence. The officer had occasion to arrest Barnes for drunk and disorderly, and the other prisoner tried get Barnes away. It was with difficulty that Lawrence locked his man up. Roberts was afterwards arrested. Barnes was fined 10s and costs and Roberts and costs with hard labour.
Liverpool Echo - Monday 13 July 1914 WAITING FOR DEATH - STORY OF SUICIDE EFFORT AT CHESTER. A sensational attempt to commit suicide was brought to the notice of the Chester magistrates, to-day, when William Foxhill, junr., residing at 52, Henry-street, Chester, was charged. The chief constable said that on Saturday night the prisoner went down to the London and North Western Railway main line from Chester to Holyhead, near the golf links, and deliberately placed his head on the metals. Fortunately for him he had selected the wrong line, as the train he had no doubt anticipated came along on the other set of metals. He was seen by some ladies, who gave information to gentlemen playing on the golf links. The latter secured Foxhill and detained him at the club house until the arrival of P.C. Gidman. Prisoner was perfectly sober, and it could not be said to be a case of drink. When arrested the man said would again if he got the chance, and he (the Chief Constable) asked for a remand for a week. This was granted.
Hull Daily Mail - Saturday 18 December 1920:- A Chester police constable, Walter Ernest Aldred, (Aldritt) appeared in the dock at Chester on Friday charged with thefts. The Chief Constable said the police had received complaints of series of petty thefts and suspicion fell on Aldred, because the thefts always occurred on his beat. On Thursday night he was caught by a detective. Aldred admitted the thefts, and was remanded.
Evening Telegraph - Wednesday 30 November 1927 INTIMIDATION OF WITNESSES. Police Allegations During Case. Manslaughter Charge. Allegations that the witnesses were being terrorised were made by the police during the hearing of a case at Chester, when William Jones Messham, aged 28, a labourer and married man, of Davies Court, Steam Mill Street, Boughton, Chester, was accused of the manslaughter of John Thompson, aged 54, carter, also of Davies Court. Chief Inspector Griffiths, reply to the Chief Constable, said he had had difficulty in getting statements from witnesses, because of threats used by a woman in Court, the witnesses concerned being afraid of her. The Magistrates warned the woman that she would get into serious trouble if the throats continued. It was stated that Messham quarrelled with woman named Bird, and that Thompson, her father, had cut her inside her house when Messam struck him between the eyes. Thompson died later in the Chester Royal Infirmary. The Case. The Chester Police Court was crowded when Messham appeared in dock. The Chief Constable (Mr T. C. Griffiths) in applying for a week's remand said it would take the police some time to collect the evidence in the case and it was also necessary to report the facts to the Director of Public Prosecutions. He alleged that on Saturday night at 10.40 Messham quarrelled with a woman named Bird in Davies Court. Thompson, who was the father of the woman, put her inside her house, and was fastening the door when Messham came across the street and struck him between the eyes. Chief Inspector Griffiths said he saw Messham in Davies Court, and took him to the police station. When charged Messham replied, "I have nothing to say present." Died In Infirmary. Thompson was taken to Chester Royal Infirmary, where he died. The Chief Constable —There is one feature I would like to mention. During your inquiries in respect to the evidence of witnesses, have you had difficulty in getting statements? —I have had the greatest difficulty. Is that the result of threats used by woman in this Court? —Yes. The people are afraid of this woman?— Yes. Mr Youde (for accused) —Has this anything to do with the charge? The Chief Constable—l would like to point out that a warning from the Magistrates will quieten this woman if she is going to act in this way. Chief-Inspector Griffiths alleged that when Police-Constable Atkinson was called to Davies to Court people were afraid to make statements because of threats made by this woman. Magistrate's Warning. The Chairman (Mr Sneyd Kynnersley) said —" Let this woman understand that she will get into serious trouble if these threats continue." The Chief Constable objected to bail being granted to the accused on the grounds that witnesses were being interfered with, and also owing to the serious nature of the charge. "I think we should into the charge thoroughly before the question of bail is considered, he said. Messham was remanded custody.
Evening Telegraph - Wednesday 5 September 1928 TWO SUSPECTS SENT TO PRISON. Protest on Being Sentenced. For being suspicious persons found frequenting Chester Racecourse, Joseph Shaw and Thomas Burke, neither of any fixed address, were each sentenced to three months' hard labour at Chester. Chief Constable, Mr T. C. Griffiths, said the two men were round in the early morning, and when taken the police station were accused of lodging out. Following inquiries, they were further accused of frequenting. The police had received a message stating that the golf house, Curzon Park, had been entered. Mr Bamford, club professional and caretaker, said he was awakened by dogs harking, and saw two men, whose features he could not recognise, leaving the pavilion. He found a pane of glass had been taken out of the bar window and that attempts had been made to open two doors. Sergeant Lloyd said when he spoke to the men they told him they left Market Drayton on Friday. They could not find lodgings and intended sleeping out. Detective-Sergeant Hughes said he overheard one of the men say to the other while they were in custody. "If we had gone away when the dogs barked we would not have been here, But hold tight. Say nothing. Tell the same tale that we came from Market Drayton by walking 32 miles, and everything will be all right." The Chief Constable said there was a great deal of property belonging to Cheshire Agricultural Society on the course, which had been placed under police supervision because of the stealing which had taken place. When sentenced, Shaw said—"l refuse the punishment. The public are not present in court, and I have been accused of three different offences in 24 hours." Burke—l want to go to the Quarter Sessions for trial, Shaw- I will appeal when I get to prison The Chief Constable —They are notoriously impudent.
Evening Telegraph - Wednesday 30 December 1931 SOLDIER CHARGED WITH MURDER. ALLEGED CONFESSION TO POLICEMAN. WEARING ONLY MILITARY GREATCOAT. River Dragged Without Result. THE courtroom at Chester City Police Court was crowded today when Joseph Hughes (27), described as of the Royal Army Service Corps, Militia Buildings, Chester, was charged with the murder of a woman at present unknown during the night of December 28-29. The Chief Constable, Mr T. C Griffiths, said that Hughes was a soldier and had been stationed for the last two months At 2-45 a.m. on Tuesday lie approached P.C. Blackwell in the Hough Green District. He was in a peculiar condition, without shoes and stockings and was covered by a military great coat. He was excited and told the officer that he had "drowned' a girl and thrown her into the Dee. Articles on Bank. He went to say, continued Mr Griffiths that they had "made it up together." but he had not got the nerve. Hughes then mentioned a bridge near Handbridge The constable took Hughes to the police station and when the locality was searched various articles were found on the river bank. Hughes made certain statements as to having kept company with a woman whose name cave Jean Connor or Cunnah. He said that he used go to the Saltney area to meet her and that he had frequented public-houses in that area. Not Traced. Griffiths added have he not been to trace any woman of that name, but we have certain information to-day that Hughes has been keeping company with a woman from the Stoke district. "I should pleased if the press would give publicity to this so that any woman who might keeping company with Hughes can come forward and help us in the matter. "I am not inclined to place great deal of credit on the man's story, but in view of what he has said I would like a remand for week in custody." In reply to the chairman, Mr Griffiths said that Hughes would seen by a doctor in prison. Only His Great Coat. Chief-Inspector James Griffiths said that he had had a very rough night, and when he was seen by the constable he was almost nude, wearing only his great coat. He was exceptionally fortunate not to have contracted a severe attack of pneumonia. Articles clothing belonging to Hughes were found on the bank the river. They had apparently been reached the high tide and were soaking wet. One boot was found yards away. A week's remand was ordered.
Liverpool Mercury- January 7th 1932.      In an attempt to rescue a man from drowning in a canal lock at Chester, at Chester City Police court yesterday, Police Constable Harry Orford of the City of Chester police was presented by the Deputy Mayor Alderman John Morris with the medal and Certificate of the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, a grant for £5, a special Merit badge from the Chester Watch Committee, and £5 from the relatives of the man he tried to rescue.
Hull Daily Mail – Friday 4 March 1932 A Chester boy who, when arrested by Chief Inspector James Griffiths, of the Chester City Police, produced an imitation automatic pistol and fired three shots, was to-day sent to the nautical training school, Heswall, for four years. It was stated that he led others into trouble and showed criminal instincts.
Hull Daily Mail – Tuesday 2 May 1933 HANDSOME P.C.s – “We cannot allow you to disfigure our policemen, because they have the reputation of being the most handsome force in the country," said Sydney Sharpe, magistrates clerk, at Chester to-day, when John Henry Jones (15), Pepper-street, Chester, was charged with assaulting Constable Gleeson. The policeman appeared with scratches on his face. Jones was remanded for week for observation.
Western Daily Press - Saturday 5 August 1933 FIGHT TO SAVE CONSTABLE'S LIFE. Doctors at Chester Royal Infirmary and members Chester police force have entered in a desperate fight save the life of Police Constable Harry Orford. Orford was taken gravely ill and rushed to the Infirmary. Blood transfusion became necessary and men of the police force were asked to volunteer. Large numbers of volunteers responded and after blood tests, quantity of blood taken from Probationary Constable Steele. Orford was yesterday reported to be slightly improved
 
Hull Daily Mail – Monday 25 February 1935    Chester Watch Committee have decided that conditions in the City do not justify the introduction of women police.