The Norfolk Record Office holds various records from the Petty Sessions Courts at Fakenham from the 19th Century.
Transcribed below is the record of the proceedings of a dispute about the collection of a shipment of coal at Ryburgh Station on February 5th. 1876 found in PS26/7/2
Sancroft Chambers v James Hoare
Assault.
Mr Linay for Complainant. Mr T Reeve for Defendant.
Sancroft Chambers
I reside with my father at Great Ryburgh . My father is a farmer there. I have a man named Nelson in my employ. He made a communication to me on 5th February. In consequence of this I sent 2 waggons , 4 horses and 3 men to Ryburgh Station. At 2.p.m. man came back. In consequence of what he said I went to Ryburgh Station & saw a Clerk in the office. In consequence of what he said I went to the Station Master& asked why we might not have the coals. He said he should not speak to me. I saw a truck of coals standing by itself, the No. on the truck was 295. I had seen an invoice of some coals at my father’s house. I ordered the waggons to be sent back to the truck & men did so. I got on the truck & threw 3or 4 pieces of coal into the wagon. The station master pulled the wagon away from the truck. He said he would throw me off the truck-He got up on the truck &called the porter to come upon the truck. The porter came- The Defendant seized me by the left arm. We fell upon the coals- The fall was caused by the station master & porter throwing me down. They tried to throw me off the truck the height would be about 10 feet. My brother then got upon the truck & pulled the porter off me. The station master then got down. I was not much hurt. We unloaded a load of coal into the wagon & took them home. I then went away to Fakenham. I rode down to the station I had a riding whip in my hand when on the truck The porter took it away from me & threw it away. This occurred on Saturday 5th February- I laid my information on Monday 22 February.
Cross examined.
Before I laid my information my father had seen Mr Linay. This was on the 19th inst! My father told me that he had seen Mr Stevenson, that Mr Stevenson told him the matter would most likely be settled before the Magistrates on the Monday Senight for a summons. On the 5th February. I saw Henry Kitchen at the Ryburgh Station about 2 p.m. I did not ask Kitchen why he did not advise me about the truck of coal. I did speak about some coal. Kitchen told me he had a truck of coal from Girling. He told me to speak to the station master – Henry Kitchen did not at that time tell me that he had communicated to Girling that the truck had arrived and that there was no delivery order- I do not know what a transfer order is.- He did not then say that he had no transfer order on the coals. When I saw defendant I asked why I might not have the coals. I spoke civilly. He said he would not speak to me- I did not say “is this a truck of coal for me” He did not say “No” He did not before I got upon the coals say I should not have the coals. I did say I should take the coals I may have added “for all a fool like you” I did not throw a piece of coal at the station master- I know Cady and Wright. The station master called them Cady came.- I had a hunting whip in my hand. I did not strike at them with the stalk of the whip. Cady took the whip stalk away from me. I am not aware I threw the station master down on the coals- I caught hold of him round the waist to save myself being thrown off. I did not push the station master off the truck. He got down When my father and brother came up I tried to release my brother from Cady- My brother was on the top of Cady My father did not hit or kick Cady I did not strike or kick Cady. I pushed him with my closed hand on his hand- I did not see anyone kick Cady I saw my father pick up the station masters hat & put it on his head My father did not say Here’s your hat D****Y** I did not hear my father called Defendant a D*****d scamp- My thumb was a little sprained I got the summons out to be first in the field. I had not got direction from my father to take the coals nolens volens (willing or not)
Re-examined.
The truck had the same No as the truck I was sent for. It also had Girling name upon it .
He is the merchant whom we bought from. The station master took hold of me before I touched him
John William Chambers
I am a farmer residing at Great Ryburgh the complt. is my son. On 5th. inst I went to Ryburgh station & saw the Defendant. In a coal truck & saw my son Sancroft in the same truck I next saw both of them lying on the coals & the porter was pulling my sons legs. I had been expecting a truck of coals at the station. I had received an invoice of same on 1st Feb. The No on the truck was 295. I caused the coals to be got away on the afternoon of the 5th.
Cross examined
I did not see the assault. I did not see the Station master get off the coals. When I got on the truck I took hold of Cady’s fingers to pull his fingers off my sons throat. I did not kick Cady nor strike him I did not hear Cady call. In jest I picked up the station masters hat, put it on his head and pushed it on & I did not beak the top off- in my pressure caused the hat to go in. I did not say There’s your hat d*** you. I don’t remember calling him a d****d scamp. I did not loose my temper. I & the station master are not very good friends.
Cross examined
I put the station master’s hat on after the scuffle.
Henry Nelson
I have been 16 or 17 years labourer at Mr Chambers I was defendant this morning in a case- from about for my master. On 5th February & went to Ryburgh Station and saw the Station Master & a clerk. I went back to my master & told him the truck of coals was up there & the horses and waggons went out.
Cross examined.
My master lives 1 ½ miles from Ryburgh
Elijah Toll:
I am a laborer at Mr Chambers . On 5th February I went to Ryburgh Station with 2 men & 2 waggons. The station master said that he would not let me have the coal. I went back to my master. He did not say it in an offensive way. I again went to the station. I saw Mr Sancroft Chambers on the truck of coal I saw the station master get up &try& shove him off. The station master fell down I saw him and Mr S Chambers bustling about.
THE VERDICT:
Dismissed
S Chambers v Wm Cady
Assault
Dismissed
William Cady v John Wm Chambers
Sancroft Chambers
Ord Chambers (struck through)
Assault
James Hoare v Sancroft Chambers
John Wm Chambers
Ord Chambers
James Hoare v Henry Whiteside
Elijah Toll
Obstruction
Wm Cady v Sancroft Chambers
John Wm Chambers
Ord Chambers
Obstruction
Thos Stevenson:
I am district truck Superintendant on GER. I have seen the invoices connected with this transaction. If a sender consigns goods to himself the goods cannot be parted with without a transfer order from such sender without a breach of duty. I was at my office on Saturday between 11 & 12. Mr Chambers called. He said I suppose you aware of an altercation that has taken place & an assault upon me at Ryburgh. I told him The Directors would probably have him prosecuted. I reported on this case. There has been no delay that I know of. I first told Chambers he would be prosecuted on the Saturday.
Wm. Woodrow:
I am in the service of the GER. I am now at Wells. On 2nd. February I am at Ryburgh. A truck of coals No 295 reached the station middle of day. The pink paper prod.d is the invoice and the card prod.d was on the truck. I posted an advice note to Girling. I saw the scuffle between the Chambers & others. I saw the station master thrown off the truck. Sancroft Chambers threw him off. I saw the 3 Mr Chambers on the truck with Cady. They forced Cady down. When Cady was on the coals I did not see anything done to him. I saw old Mr Chambers push the station masters hat over his eyes. He said it would keep him warm.
Cross examined
.
The hat did not go over the station masters eyes-Chambers was good tempered I did not see the hat go in- I saw the whole struggle. None of the Chambers kicked Cady. They did not punch him or strike him when on the ground. The station master was thrown off the truck. The young Chambers did it. The father did not touch him. He hit?on his feet. The wagon was there. He came off the same side as the wagon.
Henry Kitchen:
I am goods clerk at Ryburgh. On 5th February S. Chambers came to my office at 2.20. He asked me why I did not advise him of a truck of coal. I told him I had advised Mr Girling. I said he must wait for a transfer order and he went to the station master. I saw soon after S Chambers on the coal truck. I afterward saw the station master on the truck, He asked S. Chambers to come down as the coals were not his till he had a transfer order. I saw S. Chambers push the station master off. I afterward saw Cady down in the truck & Chambers on him. I saw Mr Chambers knock the station masters hat in.
Cross examined.
Mr Chambers has never since I have been at the station had any coals without a transfer order.
James Hoare:
I am station master at Ryburgh. I have been there 7 months, On 5th February I saw Mr S Chambers. Mr. S. Chambers shewed me an invoice relating to some coals. I said the invoice was not a transfer order & he could not have them. He said “He should take them for all a fool like me” I went to attend to a train & then went back to the truck & found S Chambers on it. I called Cady. I got on the truck to remove him. I was thrown on the coals & rolled off on to the ground. I was bruised- After that had taken place I heard Cady call out. Cady was on his back on the coals & the 3 Chambers on him. They released him when I got up. I did not see them strike him. S Chambers threw a piece of coal at me because I moved the wagon from the truck. My hat fell off. Mr J W Chambers picked it up put it on my head hit it, cracked in & said there’s your hat Damn you
Mr Chambers, S Chambers and Ord Chambers all obstructed me in the execution of my duty. Whiteside & Toll filled 2 waggon loads of coals & took them away.
Cross examined.
I did not complain of the coal throwing. The wagon was moved when it was thrown. Mr Chambers has often had coals before from the station. The truck is consigned from Girling to Girling. Mr Chambers told me that the coals were consigned for him from Girling. I had some doubt after what he told me. I tried to put S Chambers off the truck.
Re-examined.
I complained in a letter to Mr Stevenson of that date that S Chambers threw a piece of coal at me. The papers you hold is the complaint. I had no right to deliver the coals without a transfer order. There may be several trucks Nod 295.
Wm. Cady:
I am goods porter at Ryburgh. On 5th February S Chambers spoke to me. He asked me if he could have a truck of coals. I spoke to the station master. I heard S Chambers ask the station master if he could have the truck. Hoare said no. S.C. said he would take them. I afterwards saw S.C. throw a piece of coal at Hoare. I went to help Hoare to remove S.C. from the truck. S.C. had a whipstalk. He dared as to touch him. S.C. refused to get off the truck. I took the whipstalk from S.C. as I did not want to be hit with it. Mr Chambers and Ord came on the truck. The station master rolled off the truck. He was pushed off. Then all 3 Chambers got on the top of me on the coals. They said they would throw me off. I clung to one of them and they could not. They stamped on my leg and punched my arm. I was stiff and sore for 8 or 10 days. My trousers are torn. I did not strike any of them. I was obstructed in the execution of my duty. The Defendants Whiteside and Toll assisted to take the coals away. I saw Mr Chambers put Hoare’s hat on he crushed it in and said there that will keep you warm. Mr C said he would have the coal. In all a d….d blackg’d.
Cross examined.
The station master & S.C. were wrestling when I got on the truck. The station master said he must remove S.C. from the truck.
We both tried to remove him from the truck. The coal thrown by S.C. went near Mr Hoare. I tried to disarm him not to strike him.
Wm. Wright:
I am a porter at Ryburgh. On 5th February I saw S.C. & Hoare on the top of the truck. I saw the 3 Chambers try & push him off & he rolled off. I saw Mr Chambers hit the station masters hat hard on his head also I saw the 3 Chambers on Cady.
Matthew Edge:
I am a Platelayer in the service of the GER. On 5th February I saw Hoare & the 3 Chambers on a truck of coal & I saw Hoare roll off. I saw the 3 Chambers on the top of Cady. I didn’t see any blows.
David Buck:
I am a corn porter in the service of Mr Mesney – I was at the station on 5th February I saw S.C. had a whip. He was swinging it about in front of Hoare and Cady. I saw the 3 Chambers on Cady on the truck. I saw one of them punch him.
THE VERDICT:
|
[Complainant] |
[Defendant] |
[Charge] |
Fine |
Costs |
|
|
James Hoare |
v |
Sancroft Chambers |
Assault |
0.5.0 |
0.8.6 |
|
James Hoare |
v |
John William Chambers |
Assault |
1.0.0 |
2.1.0 |
|
William Cady |
v |
John William Chambers |
Assault |
1.0.0 |
0.8.6 |
|
William Cady |
v |
Sancroft Chambers |
Assault |
0.5.0 |
0.8.6 |
|
Withdrawn Ditto |
v |
Ord Chambers |
Assault |
* * * |
* * * |
|
James Hoare |
v |
Sancroft Chambers |
Obstruction |
0.5.0 |
0.8.6 |
|
James Hoare |
v |
John William Chambers |
Obstruction |
1.0.0 |
0.8.6 |
|
Dismissed James Hoare |
v |
Ord Chambers |
Obstruction |
* * * |
* * * |
|
Dismissed James Hoare |
v |
Henry Whiteside |
Obstruction |
* * * |
* * * |
|
Dismissed James Hoare |
v |
Elijah Toll |
Obstruction |
* * * |
* * * |
|
William Cady |
v |
John William Chambers |
Obstruction |
1.0.0 |
0.8.6 |
|
William Cady |
v |
Sancroft Chambers |
Obstruction |
0.5.0 |
0.8.6 |
|
£5.0.0 |
£5.0.6 |