Interesting discussion regarding divorce, expectations people had, and the new law impacting old "legends". See the story "Charge of Bigamy". ................................................................................ WEST BRITON AND CORNWALL ADVERTISER 16 OCTOBER 1857 . NOTICE . I, the undersigned, do hereby give notice that I will not be answerable for any Debt or Debts my wife MARY ANN MOYLE may contract after this notice. Signed, R. J. MOYLE, Ashton, Breage, Oct. 12th, 1857 .............................................................. . A CHALLENGE! WESLEYAN METHODIST REFORM!! FREE DISCUSSION BURKED !!! . W. WADE, of REDRUTH, herby declares the existence of Priestism, Tyranny, and the Suppression of Freedom of Speech in connection with the United Methodist Churches in the Redruth and Camborne Circuits, and CHALLENGES W. BROWN, Itinerant Minister, at Redruth, to Public Discussion to prove the contrary. Dated Redruth, October 13th, 1857 ................................................................ . LOCAL INTELLIGENCE . THE GALES - On Wednesday the 7th instant (humiliation day) the rain fell in drenching showers, and one of the fiercest gales experienced for a long time prevailed all along the southern, south-eastern, and south-western coasts. At Penzance on Wednesday evening the scene was sublime. The whole margin of the bay was covered with foam, and gigantic waves fifteen and twenty feet high, rolled majestically in, as they broke throwing columns of spray into the air and over the land. They dashed on the shore with such force that the baths and many of the houses on the Western Green were saturated, especially the lower apartments. Many of the houses had eighteen inches or two feet of water in them. . The waves which broke on the Lariggan Rocks were stupendous. The large fishing boats hauled up near Lariggan Bridge were twisted about like straws, and good-sized vessels boats were carried twenty and thirty yards beyond the line which the highest tides reach. The top of one wave fell on a strong-built outhouse attached to the Serpentine works. The rafters are cut down, as if a saw had been at work. The road to Newlyn was thickly strewn with pebbles, and a heap of the same kind of stones is piled all along the new sea-wall, several feet high - so as, in fact, to completely shield the wall. Sheets of water, probably thirty or forty tons at a time, were thrown over the high wall of the pier, near the Dolphin Inn. The vessels in harbour seemed but little inconvenienced, however, and the damage done was trifling. . A portion of one of the cranes was snapped by the bowsprit of the "Marquis of Chandos," and heavy casks of white lead were very quickly dislodged from the extension and reposed on the bed of the harbour. Complete breaches were made over the line of the West Cornwall Railway and the viaduct at Chyandour; and the large quantities of sand thrown on the rails as well as the tangled sea-weed, which even now clings to the telegraph wires, attest the fury of the gale. Fortunately, as the tide rose, the wind veered to the west, and this saved Penzance and neighbourhood from worse consequences. As it is, in spite of a gale and a sea said by many to have been unequalled for thirty years, no public works sustained injury and the private damage is not worth mention. . In Priest's Cove, St. Just, all the boats - though hauled up on the beach - were more or less severely injured, one belonging to the lighthouse being entirely destroyed. . Polperro, Looe, Fowey, Downderry, and all the sea coast was visited with a fearful thunder storm, which did considerable damage to property in a large amount, though we have not heard of any lives having been lost. The inhabitants of Polperro have sustained very considerable damage; almost all their fish, furniture, and a quantity of potatoes, have been washed away, and the town completely inundated. . SALTASH CHURCH - An unusual and interesting event occurred in this church on Wednesday, the day of humiliation. No less than sixty-four children were presented at the font for baptism at the appointed time during divine service. Facilities were afforded on this occasion by their clergyman, the REV. P.S. GLUBB, which enabled the sponsors and parents to bring their children to be partakers of this sacrament. . CAUTION TO WITNESSES - REDRUTH COUNTY COURT . At this court on the 8th instant, two hundred and twenty cases were set down for trial, not any of which were of much public interest. In the case of JOHN OLD, sued for GBP 7, for money had and received, Old gave evidence in defence which was so clearly and flatly contradicted by two respectable witnesses, that the Judge directed his committal to Bodmin to take his trial for wilful and corrupt perjury, and Old was forthwith taken into custody. JOHN YOUNG, who had been called by Old to corroborate his testimony, was declared by his Honor to have been also, in his Honor's opinion, guilty of wilful and corrupt perjury, for which he was liable to indictment; but as, for the present, only one witness was forthcoming, he should not commit him. His Honor hoped, however, that for the future no one would trust him or believe a word he said. . TRURO COUNTY COURT - The case of CRADOCK formerly of Truro, now living at Penzance, against the St. Mawes Pier and Harbour Company, was expected to occupy the court some time. . In February, 1855, an Act of Parliament was obtained, entitled "An Act for Improving the Harbour, reconstructing the Pier, and Defining the limits of the Port and Harbour of St. Mawes, in the county of Cornwall," and in consequence Mr. CRADOCK was appointed to collect the tolls and dues authorized by the act, twenty-five per cent being allowed to him for the collection; but owing to some non-compliance with the requisitions of the act, the tolls and dues could not be collected, and Mr. Cradock now brought his action against the company to obtain damages for loss of time, traveling expenses, cost of removing furniture, and other items, amounting altogether to GBP 24.15s.6d. . Mr. CHILCOTT, however, who appeared on behalf of the company, moved that the case be removed for trial to a superior court, and a writ of certiorari was granted for that purpose. . The case of JOHN KNIGHT, butcher, Truro, against EDWIN ORCHARD, was a claim of GBP7.16s.6d. on account of injury done by defendant to plaintiff's sow, which was with farrows, and broke into defendant's garden in Fairmantle-street. Defendant struck the sow and injured her, and some of the farrows died. The case was referred for arbitration to Mr. TRETHEWY, of Grampound. . The following were ordered to be committed: MARY ANN GOYNE at the suit of WILLIAM BOASE, Truro, for non-payment of 17s.4d., committed for fifteen days. DOROTHEA RICE, of St. Mawes, v. RICHARD COLLINS, of the same place; defendant was committed for twenty days for non-payment of GBP18.16s.11d. JOHN ROSS, Truro, v. MARY ANN SINCOCK; defendant was committed for thirty days for non-payment of GBP5.0s.3d. . EXCISE PROSECUTION - At the Callington Petty Sessions MRS. HOSKIN, of Callington, was summoned by MR. JOHNSON, supervisor of excise, for selling two cigars without a license. She was fined in the lowest penalty GBP12.10s. A memorial is to be forwarded to the board to endeavour to get a mitigation of the penalty. The chairman, Mr. J. B. MESSENGER, remarked on the impropriety of persons employing parish constables to serve summonses &c., and thus paying two persons to do the work of one; he stated they were compelled to pay for the police, and all the monies received by them for serving summonses, executing warrants, &c. was returned into the county general fund, and applied towards the support of the police, and by means of which the county or police-rate was lessened. . CHARGE OF BIGAMY - On Friday last, ANN ARTHUR, of the parish of Roche, was taken before Mr. E. COODE, jun. and Mr. LAKE, county magistrates, charged with bigamy, she having married one SAMUEL LAWRY, knowing at the same time that her husband, ARTHUR, was still alive. She pledged that she was justified in so doing as Arthur had given his consent before a witness that she might marry any person she thought proper. She was committed to take her trial at the next assizes, but bail having been offered by her two sons, it was accepted. After the case was disposed of, the magistrates took the opportunity of cautioning persons from believing in the absurd notion which is held by the illiterate, that if a man chooses to offer his wife for sale, or give her away to another party, he is at liberty to do so. MR. BISHOP, who appeared for the prisoner, hoped the new divorce law would set matters on a better footing. . TRURO POLICE - On Monday last, before the Mayor and Mr. CHAPEL, HANNAH TONKIN, servant with Mr. J.P. ENDEAN, ironmonger, Truro, was charge with stealing a bottle of perfume, a quantity of apples, and a reel of cotton, value 5s. She was convicted under the summary jurisdiction act, and sent to the House of Correction for fourteen days. . On Tuesday, SAMUEL GLASSON, blacksmith, was fined 5s. and costs, for being disorderly in Boscawen-street on the previous night. BARNARD HAYLAND, an Irish navy, and JOHN SNELL, of London, a carpenter belonging to a vessel in the river, were each fined 5s. and expenses for being drunk and fighting in Lemon-street, at one o'clock on Tuesday morning. . On Wednesday, RICHARD DUNSTONE, miner of Truro, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Fairmantle-street at twelve o'clock on Tuesday night. It being his first offence, he was cautioned by the magistrates, and dismissed on paying 3s.6d. expenses. . STEALING APPLES - On Tuesday last, before the magistrates at St. Austell, a lad fifteen years of age, named EDWARD PONISI, was sent to the house of correction for three weeks to hard labour, for stealing apples from the orchard of Mr. WILLIAM BENNALLACK, of St. Austell. . PENZANCE POLICE - HENRY SMITH, marine store dealer, on Penzance, was ordered by the Mayor and Mr. BORLASE on Monday last, to enter into his own recognizance in GBP 10 to keep the peace towards his wife, whom he has habitually ill used, for twelve months. . A MINING CASE - At the West Penwith Petty Sessions on Friday last, before Mr. T. S. BOLITHO, Mr. J. CARNE, Mr. D.P. LeGRICE, and Mr. S. BORLASE, the adventurers of Balleswidden, through Capt. NICHOLAS TREDINNICK, complained of JOHN BENNETTS, miner, and his co-partners, THOMAS MATTHEWS and GABRIEL THOMAS, for refusing to complete a bargain they had made in that mine. Mr. MILLETT for the complainants and Mr. ROSCORLA for the defendants. . Mr. Millett said that on the 3rd of June there was a "setting" and certain work was advertised to be taken - it was stoping over the 70 fathoms level west of one of the engine shafts, opening the pitch six fathoms long, to carry all the width of the lode, the takers to have GBP 24, and 10s. out of the pound on the tin raised. They worked for three months, but before their job was completed they left, as it turned out unremunerative, and were now employed at another mine. . Captain TREDINNICK was examined. He produced his book, but it turned out that the bargain was not entered until some time after it was made, and the bench dismissed the summons, remarking that these bargains should be invariably entered at once. In dismissing it, however, it must not be implied that they upheld the men in leaving their work. . Mr. Roscorla said he had a complete answer to the case on its merits. When the bargain was made, the captains said the takers should throw their deads down some old workings, but when they had proceeded with the job for six weeks they were told they must tram the deads, and get them hauled, which imposed much additional labour. They, therefore, relinquished the bargain. . NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWNING - On Saturday night last, about twelve o'clock, the inhabitants of the Market Strand, Falmouth, were aroused by cries of distress as of "men overboard." It appears that two men, one named HODGE, the other TREMAINE, had been wrestling or in some other way measuring their prowess on the landing stage, and succeeded in dragging each other overboard. The tide at the time was high and no boat at command. After some difficulty Tremaine was got out, but great anxiety was felt for Hodge, who had sunk, it was feared to rise no more. Fortunately at the moment a boat arrived from a steamer, and the boatmen commenced a vigorous search for the lost man. They at length found him, and lifted him from the bottom to the surface by means of an oar. He was carried in a perfectly unconscious state into the Kings Arms, (kept by Mr. JENKINS), and through the prompt and professional means resorted to by Mr. AUSTIN MICHELL, druggist, the man was after some hours restored to animation. . MINE ACCIDENTS - On the 2nd instant, a man named DAWE, of Sellers, in the parish of Linkinhorne, whilst working at Marke Valley Mine, had his leg broken and received other severe injuries from the falling in of a piece of ground on him. He was removed to his house, and Mr. PRIDEAUX, of Liskeard, surgeon, was sent for, who deemed it necessary to amputate the leg; Messrs. BROWN and BOWDEN, of Callington, were also in attendance. The operation was performed by Mr. Prideaux, but the poor fellow died about four hours afterwards. . As the shaft men at the great Wheal Busy Mine, were sending down a piece rod in the engine shaft on Monday last, some of the fastings gave way, and it fell to the bottom of the shaft, carrying with it a poor unfortunate man, called RICHARD SNELL, and killing him on the spot. His death must have been instantaneous, as only one of his legs was found on Monday; but we hear that his body was recovered on Tuesday. He has left a wife and nine children. . CORONER'S INQUESTS - The following inquests have been held by Mr. J. CARLYON, county coroner - On Monday last, in the parish of St. Stephens in Branwell, on the body of JOHN POLMOUNTER, aged 45 years, who was killed on Saturday at Zara clay-works, in that parish, by a body of clay falling on him from above, and crushing him against a wheelbarrow, which was near him. Verdict, "Accidental death." . On Wednesday, in the parish of Kenwyn, on the body of RICHARD SNELL, miner, aged 44 years, who was killed on Monday last, in Wh. Busy mine, by a bucket-rod falling through the shaft, and knocking the deceased down in its passage. Verdict, "accidental death." Julia M. West Briton Transcriptions, 1836-1856 at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wbritonad St. Austell Area History and Genealogy at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~staustell