Wednesday 29 June 2011

Four stout female mendicants, and more

Telling the tale of a distressed and inequitable society, a selection of newspaper snippets from the second half of June 1861:

The other day a gentleman was casually walking down the principal street of Tullamore, when he was pounced upon by four stout female mendicants, who demanded money of him; when he refused to comply, they caught him, dragged him into a gateway, and kept him there for some time, trying to extort money from him, until a policeman happening to pass by, he called him to his aid and gave up the amazonians in charge of him. They were brought before the Town Magistrate, who fined them 4s each, which sum they immediately paid.

A woman who gave her name as Hogan, appeared before the (Tullamore) board with a child in her arms, which she stated she wanted to get admitted to the house. The child, which was illegitimate, belonged to her daughter who ran away the other day, leaving the child with her. It appearing that the mother of the child, as well as the child itself, were formerly paupers in the house, and that Mrs Hogan came before the board some time ago and agreed then to support both outside, if they received clothes from the guardians to enable them to leave the house, the Board now refused to admit the child.

A man named Darvison was charged by the Borrisokane Board of Guardians with deserting his wife and son, thereby leaving them chargeable on the ratepayers, as they were compelled to seek shelter in the Workhouse. It appearing, however, that Darvison was not married to her, though they were living together as man and wife in the town for years, the charge against him was dismissed.

Peter Birmingham, a boy about 15 years of age, pleased guilty to stealing two asses at Thurles in April last. The boy said he had been told by a neighbour to take them, and that he didn't know it was any harm at the time. He got 3 months' imprisonment and hard labour.

Hannah Ford, for having a standing in the street in Toomevara on Sunday, was fined 1shilling and costs.

Nugent, Esq, Portumna and HC Cowper, Esq, North Wales, have arrived at the Royal Hotel, Killaloe, for trout and salmon fishing on the Shannon and Lough Derg.

Lost, between Drumcondra Bridge and the Broadstone Station, an ENVELOPE, containing two five pound notes and some papers. A reward of £1 will be given to any person bringing same to Miss Carpenter, 8 Lower Dorset Street, Drumcondra Road.

Deed lost by a Gentleman on Thursday the 27th inst, between Sackville Street and Upper Dorset Street. An ENVELOPE containing a Parchment Deed. Any person bringing same to Mr Archibald Robinson, 13 Lower Fitzwilliam Street, will receive a reward of five shillings.

There is a greater influx of tourists into Killaloe this season than we remember for a long time. Scarely a steamer arrives from Athlone that does not bring large parties, almost all of whom spend a week or fortnight there, enjoying the fishing, boating and driving, and above all the delightful scenery for which the place is celebrated.