Introduction

At the North Shields Police Court, yesterday - before Alex Stevenson, J. F. Spence and J Robinson, Esqs, Ald Green and Dr Bramwell - Reuben Crossman, a bombadier of the Royal Artillery (Coast Brigade), stationed at Tynemouth, was brought up on remand, charged with assaulting Julia Morris on Sunday and Monday, the 8th and 9th inst. Mr Duncan (South Shields) prosecuted, in the absence of Mr G. Kewney; and Mr Blackwell, Barrister (Newcastle), instructed by Mr Philipson (also of Newcastle) defended.

The prisoner was up before the magistrates on Wednesday last week, on the same charge, but was remanded, as the prosecutrix was very unwell and unable to attend. Crossman was meanwhile locked up in the House of Correction, bail being refused, although Captain McKenzie, the commandant of Artillery at Tynemouth, offered himself as a security in any reasonable sum.

During the week of remand, cross-summonses were taken out on behalf of the prisoner Crossman against the prosecutrix Morris, for assaulting him on the 8th and 9th inst.

The case against Reuben Crossman

Garrick's Head (1)

The principal facts of the case, as stated by the prosecution, and the evidence of the first witness, the prosecutrix, appeared in our issue of yesterday. She said that she first became acquainted with Crossman in July of last year. She was then living at the Garrick's Head public house in Saville Street, North Shields. He kept her company till about a fortnight past. She was confined on the 23rd of February of a child, of which Reuben Crossman was the father. On the night of Sunday, the 8th of May, she met the prisoner in Front Street, Tynemouth. She accosted him and asked him to assist to maintain his child. He thereupon knocked her down, telling Miss Cay to run away. She rose, and he again threw her down. She rose a second time and he once again knocked her down, and knelt on top of her. She then became insensible. The next (Monday) morning she was in Tynemouth with her landlady seeing a solicitor as to what could be done about the previous night's affair. While there, she accidentally met a wedding-party, of which the prisoner was the principal. She again accosted him, asking him to provide for their child, when he threw her to the earth twice, and a man who was with him once. He also said he would finish her. He knocked her head against the wall three or four times. She became insensible, and continued so till the next Thursday.

Julia Morris, cross examined by Mr Blackwell: On Sunday night I was alone, when I met Crossman. I had not waited long for him but I had been enquiring about him at some other places. The first person I saw was Miss Cay's mother. I do not know a person named Margaret Williams, and I did not see any one before I went to Mrs Cay's house. I enquired at the house of a woman whom I did not know. I had no conversation with the woman. She showed me where Mrs Cay's house was. She said the young person inside was going (meaning Miss Cay) to be married in the morning. I said I knew, and was going to see her (Miss Cay's) father. That was all the conversation we had. That was a little after ten o'clock. I was then residing in Norfolk Street. I left Mrs Jackson's about five o'clock in the evening. I was walking about in the meantime. I was upon the Green at Tynemouth for the first time about nine o'clock, and I walked about there till I saw the prisoner. I had no bottle in my hand. I saw the prisoner between ten and eleven. I did not walk from nine for the purpose of seeing the prisoner, but for my own convenience. I was not looking for anyone. It was about ten o'clock when I saw the woman to whom I have alluded. I went to Mr Cay's, and asked for him. - how long before I saw the prisioner I cannot say. I did not attack Miss Cay, I only spoke to her. (Witness here repeated the conversation which took place between her, the prisoner and Miss Cay) I did not at once go to him and seize him. When he knocked me down he said "Run away, Polly!" I did not attempt to touch Miss Cay. I saw Mrs Cay on the Sunday night. I did not say they would not come in if they went out that night. I made no threats whatever. I said she might take him and she would have plenty of him. On the Monday, Mrs Jackson and I left our house about nine o'clock and went to Mr Kewney's house. After seeing Mr Kewney, I did not wait to see the prisoner going to get married. When I left Mr Kewney's house I went to the Green, on the road which leads behind Mr Potts house. I saw Mr Featherstone before the wedding party came up. I do not know the clerk of that church. I did not say to him that Crossman should not leave the church with his life, nor did I use any words to that effect. The clerk went away down the road towards Tynemouth before me. I followed him. I saw Mr Featherstone before I saw the clerk. Mrs Jackson and three young women were then with me. Mr Featherstone did not come up to me at all. I had no conversation with him, until he came to see me on Friday morning with Mr Hewitt. I then told him I had no bruises on me. They had by that time disappeared. On the 9th I was carrying my child's sucking bottle. I did not attempt to strike the prisoner with it. I have the bottle here. It was not broken, but when the prisoner knocked me down, it flew out of my hand. Neither I nor those who were with me threw stones at the prisoner. Up to the time I became insensible, no stones were thrown. I remember Crossman striking my head against the wall.

Stanley Kewney, solicitor: On Sunday evening, 8th May, shortly before eleven, I was on the Green at Tynemouth. I heard the cries of a female, and went in the direction of those cries, and saw a woman, the prosecutrix, lying on her back, and the prisoner was on top of her. I saw a policeman coming from the opposite direction. When I got to the place, the woman was in a fit, and bleeding from the mouth. The prisoner got up, and asked for his stick. I said, "Here it is". He took it and went away. Dr. Scott was then sent for, and that gentleman applied brandy and other stimulants to the prosecutrix without effect. She was removed to the Temperance Hotel. The next morning, I met the prosecutrix about quarter past nine, near the Blyth and Tyne Railway Station, and I observed a red mark upon one of her cheeks.

Cross-examined by Mr Blackwell: When I met the prosecutrix on Monday, she was going towards Front Street, Tynemouth. Mr Reid was with me.

Jane Jackman, the landlady of the first witness, corroborated her evidence as to the assault on Monday.

Cross-examined by Mr Blackwell.

Re-examined by Mr Duncan.

Mary Jane Robson: On the 9th inst, I was in the company of Mrs Jackson near Tynemouth Church. I saw the prisoner knock the complainant down. A man who was with the prisoner also knocked the complainant down. The prisoner then several times knocked the complainant against the wall. The complainant then fainted. The complainant's dress was open, and she remained insensible for about a quarter of an hour. The complainant was then taken away.

By the Bench: I was a good distance off when I saw the assault. I did not see the first of it. I did not see the complainant assault the prisoner.

Ellen Jackson: I live at Hudson Street. On 9th May, I went to Tynemouth to see a wedding. When I was there I saw another wedding party approach. The prisoner was the principal. (This witness otherwise corroborated the last witness' evidence).

Robert Tomlin, gardener with Mr Laws, Tynemouth, said on the 9th May I saw a wedding party, of which the prisoner was one. I passed the prisoner, and when I turned the complainant was making a catch at the prisoner. The prisoner turned round. One of the party turned her away. She caught up a handful of gravel and threw it at him. She caught at him again, and he kept her off as well as he could. He shouted: "Police, will no-one take this woman off." He then took her by the throat. I stepped up, remarking that he was not going to choke the girl. I then drew her away. I saw him do nothing else. I turned away. When I looked again, I saw him knocking her head against the wall. She was then standing, but fell fainting afterwards. Mr Featherstone then came down from the church, and took her by the arm. I went away. There were three females standing at the opposite side of the road.

Cross-examined by Mr Blackwell: When I went up to the prisoner a second time, he was bleeding from the mouth, and had some buttons torn off his tunic. I did not see the first of it. Mr Featherstone came just before she fainted.

Sophia Christy said she was present at the assault by prisoner on Monday. She corroborated the evidence given by the previous witnesses, Miss Ellen Jackson and Miss Robson.

This was the evidence for the prosecution.

Continued in column 2...

Crossman's defence

Mr Blackwell said that if the magistrate who issued the warrant for the apprehension of the prisoner had not been imposed upon, the warrant would not have been granted. And he believed the person who imposed upon the magistrate was Mrs Jackson.

Mr Stevenson: I do not understand what this means. I do not know who granted the warrant, but I believe he is not on the bench.

Mr Dale: The magistrate who issued the warrant is not on the bench.

Mr Blackwell: I only make the remark in the way of showing with regard to the prisoner --

Mr Dale: The woman was lying dangerously ill. Your remarks are rather --

Mr Blackwell: If you will allow me one observation. I am not to be dictated to by the Magistrates' Clerk; and I merely make this observation - and as I am a fellow member of the bar I am entitled to make it - that I think a summons would have answered the purpose. But my friend brought forward - and ostentatiously brought forward - the word "prisoner"; and I make the observation because the man Crossman having been in the Artillery for seventeen years, and being now the highest non-commissioned officer in the corps to which he belongs, they could not associate him with the degrading name of prisoner. I shall be able not only from the testimony of Captain Mackenzie and Mrs Smith, but from the books of the regiment, which we have here, to show that up to this occurrence - and you must remember that the man has been seventeen years in the regiment, and has risen to the --

Mr Duncan: I am sorry to interrupt my friend, but I do hope you will stick to the truth as near as you can (Laughter) Instead of the prisoner being the highest non-commissioned officer, he is the lowest. (Laughter)

Mr Stevenson: He is a bombadier, I believe. (Laughter) He has rised from the rank of private to bombadier, the lowest non-commissioned officer.

Mr Blackwell accepted the correction, and then commented at great length on the evidence of the prosecution, and stated in brief the evidence he was about to adduce.

The case against Julia Morris

There being a cross-petition, the prosecutrix and the prisoner changed position.

Dr Bourne: I was called in on the 9th inst to attend Julia Morris. She was then lying on the bed in a violent hysterical fit. I found that Mr Scott had seen her that morning. I approved of his treatment. She was quite insensible. There was nothing said about injuries to the head. Mrs Jackson was the person who conducted me to the house. There was nothing particular said. There was no appearance of any concussion.

Cross-examined by Mr Duncan: The fit might quite possibly have been brought on by excessive violence, such as that described as having been received by the complainant. I have never known a person, not subject to such fits, remain in one for so long as from Monday till Thursday. After having had a fit, she would have been liable to have them again.

Re-examined by Mr Blackwell: I have not heard any evidence to prove that the girl had had only one fit.

Maurice Scott: I am a surgeon. I saw prosecutrix on Monday, 9th inst, in a hysterical fit. I examined her superficially. I did not see any bruises on her head. I have continued to attend her. She has been going out of one fit into another. That is the characteristic of hysteria. I saw a few scratches about the upper part of the chest. I did not look for bruises. I saw no mark on her face.

Cross-examined by Mr Duncan: There was no mark on her face on Monday at midday. I know the prosecutrix by sight, and did not know that she was subject to fits. According to my judgment, the violence which has today been described as used towards the prosecutrix would not have been sufficient to have brought on hysteria. She had been well until she became ill in the court. I have examined the prosecutrix, but there were no marks on her hands. From the Monday to the Thursday, with one exception, she was insensible. I have not known the state of hysteria produce insensibility for so long a time.

Re-examined by Mr Blackwell: There were no marks of violence except what I have previously stated.

Union Quay and Clifford's Fort (2)

Reuben Crossman: I am a bombadier in the Royal Artillery. I have served seventeen years in that corps. On Sunday, 8th inst, I was at Tynemouth with my present wife, then Miss Cay. I returned, after a visit to Clifford's Fort, about eleven o'clock. I met the defendent near Mr Cay's house - about fifty yards from it. She stopped. Miss Cay and I also stopped. She then said: "Well, Crossman, you are going to be married tomorrow morning? What about me and my child?". I Said "I don't know anything about you or your child." She then turned aside to Miss Cay, and said "You, you d---d bitch, I'll come tomorrow morning and tear every bit of clothes off your back." Miss Cay said "What have I done?" Defendent caught hold of Miss Cay. I caught hold of defendent by the hands, and Miss Cay ran away. I followed, when defendent followed and caught hold of my tunic shirt with her right hand, grasping my whisker with her left hand. She hung on with all her weight. We fell, and in the fall I put my hand under her head and saved it from knocking against the flags. I tried to get up, but she would not let me. A policeman then arrived and lifted her up. I also got up. She rushed at me again, but the constable said "Stop that; I won't allow it!" I said to the policeman, "You saw her pull me down; she has assaulted me and my missus." She then attempted to get at me again, but the policeman stopped her. I said she had better be taken into custody. She fainted immediately. Two or three strange gentlemen came up together. Water and, I believe, brandy was brought out of the houses. The policeman then spoke to me, and I went away.

About 7:30am on Monday, I was crossing the Green at Tynemouth going to be married. When we were a little distance from Mr Potts house, defendent and a woman came forward. When about six or seven yards from them, defendent came rushing forward with a bottle uplifted to strike. She struck full at my face, but as I ducked my head, it passed over my shoulder. I caught her by both arms, and then let her go. She then stopped, picked up a handful of stones, and threw them at me. Some of them struck me in the face. I guarded them off as well as possible. She then threw stones at Miss Rowe, the bridesmaid, and my wife. The girls then ran off towards the church. The defendent attempted to follow, but I caught her by the gown. She, after several attempts, succeeded in catching me by the collar, and by the left whisker with the other hand. The back of the collar gave way. She struck me between the eyes with her clenched fist. I shook myself clear of her. She went down on the ground. I went towards the church, she followed, caught me by the tunic, and pulled a handful of hair out of my head. I called out for Edward Cay to come back and help me get away from her. She fell down again of her own accord. I picked up my hat, and was again going off towards the church, when she once more got up, ran after me, caught me, and in the struggle, as we were in the gutter, both went against the wall sideways. She then went down. When I looked round again, Mr Featherstone and Tomlin were there. I then went on towards the church, but on the way missed my medals. I then went back to Mr Featherstone, and he got the medal out of defendent's hand. I then went to the church, my mouth bleeding, and my tunic torn open. I surrendered at North Shields Police Station, on Monday morning.

Cross-examined by Mr Duncan: I have known defendent since July. She spoke about the child on Sunday night.

Mary Ann Crossman, wife of the prosecutor, corroborated his evidence.

Continued in column 3...

William Lindsay: On the 8th inst, I was a policeman at Tynemouth. On the evening of that day, about 10.55, I saw defendent walking about on the Green. She told me she had come to watch Crossman and his girl coming in. She also said she would not like Crossman to see her speaking to me. I went along a short distance and heard a noise behind me. I went towards the spot, and found Crossman and defendent struggling together. She had hold of his collar with one hand, and tried to scratch his face with the other. He had hold of her arms and tried to shake her off. As soon as he saw me he let go of her, and they both fell to the earth. He called out to take her in charge, but she ran off after Miss Cay. Not succeeding in catching her, defendent returned, and again attacked Crossman. I took her off, but she again rushed him. I then said I would not allow it. She then fell down in a fit. She was then taken to the Temperance Hotel. She recovered about 2am the next morning. She then had a slight red mark on one cheek. She complained of having been struck with a cane by Crossman.

Cross-examined by Mr Duncan: The defendent did not tell me that she wanted to see Crossman about a child. I did not see Crossman strike defendent with a cane. The soldier was on his feet when Mr Kewney came up.

Margaret Williams: On Sunday evening, 8th, the defendent came to me about 9 o'clock, and asked where Mr Cay lived. I took her down and showed her. I heard her afterwards ask a policeman what time it was. I saw prosecutor and Miss Cay coming along about 11:10pm. The defendent went down and met Mr Crossman and Miss Cay. The policeman came up after the others had met. He came from Law's gate. I saw no assault take place.

Cross-examined by Mr Duncan: The defendent told me about Crossman. I heard her cry out afterwards, and saw her and Crossman fall to the gorund. She fell twice to the ground.

Anne Cay: I am the mother of Mrs Crossman. On Sunday evening, 8th May, the woman Morris came to my house, said she believed my daughter was to be married in the morning; that as she had had a child by him, she had the best right to him, and she would have revenge that night or she would die.

Jane Miller: I am the wife of Richard Miller, of the Coastguard. On Sunday I went to Mrs Cay's house. We met the defendent, who asked if my daughter was Miss Cay. We answered no. She said she knew Miss Cay and Crossman, that she had had a baby to Crossman, and would have revenge on Miss Cay. If they got into the church she would not let them come out as they went in. She would tear her clothes off.

Flora Miller, daughter of the last witness, corroborated her evidence.

Henry Geo. Cay, brother of Mrs Crossman, deposed that he had seen the defendent lying on the Green, Crossman standing to one side. Several other gentlemen were there, Mr Kewney included.

Wm. Higland: I am clerk to the Tynemouth Church. On the 9th I opened the church for a wedding. I had some conversation with some women at the gate, the defendent in particular. I told Mr Feathertstone.

Holy Saviour Church (3)

Thomas Featherstone: I am vicar of Holy Saviour's Church, Tynemouth. On the 9th inst, I was to attend a wedding at my church. There were five females at the gate. They went away and two of them hid in a recess of Mr Potts's house. Crossman's party came up, and the defendent sprang from the recess, and attempted to seize Crossman. A struggle ensued, Crossman endeavouring to rid himself of her by pushing her away. I saw her twice down. I saw her twice throw stones. I saw her holding Crossman by the beard and throat. One of her fingers seemed to have penetrated his lip, as blood was coming from it. The other hand had hold of Crossman's collar. Tomlin and I took her off Crossman, and she went into a fit. She was placed on the ground. Afterwards, I took a medal out of defendent's hand, and gave it to Crossman. I got a cab for her, and sent her home. Crossman never struck her, nor did he knock her head against the wall.

By Ald. Green: I am quite certain that Crossman did not knock defendent's head against the wall.

Edward Cay, brother to Mrs Crossman, corroborated Crossman's evidence as to the assault on the way to the church.

Mary Annie Rowe, who was bridesmaid at Crossman's wedding, also corroborated his statement.

John McKenzie: I am a captain of the Royal Artillery. Reuben Crossman's conduct is good. He has sixteen years and eight months' services, and has been twelve years in India. He has three good conduct badges. He has been a full non-commissioned officer for twelve months and has acted in that capacity for some years.

Mr Smith, storekeeper, Tynemouth gave evidence to the same effect.

This closed the evidence for the case against the defendent Morris.

Mr Duncan addressed the bench for the defence at some length. He said that the Sunday night's assault had, for the most part, been concocted and the summonses taken out in order that Crossman might be examined with a view to prejudicing the minds of the magistrates.

The verdict and aftermath

Town Hall and Police Court (4)

The magistrates then retired to consult, but returned after a short absence, when their chairman,

Mr Stevenson, said: The magistrates have given this matter their serious - almost painful - consideration, and have come to the conclusion that the ends of justice will be best met by dismissing all the cases.

The announcement of the decision of the magistrates was listened to by the court that had been crowded to the doors all day. The final words had scarcely escaped from the mouth of the chairman when there arose a conflicting storm of cheers, groans, and hisses, not at all complimentary to Crossman. Notwithstanding the utmost efforts of the police-officers, it was some minutes before order could be restored. After the court had been cleared, a crowd of a couple of thousand of persons assembled round the doors, and had Crossman come out just then there is little doubt that he would have been roughly handled by the mob. He, however, remained within the precincts of the police-station till the crowd dispersed, some time afterwards. It's some considerable time since any such lively interest has been taken by the public of North Shields in any mere police assault case. It will be remembered that some persons went even so far as to burn Crossman's effigy on Tynemouth Sands, one day last week. The crowd did noit disperse from the neighbourhood of the court till well on to midnight. The magistrates sat hearing the case eleven hours.

Transcribed and formatted by Alan D Craxford
Added - October 1st 2013

Additional Photographs

1. Garrick's Head, Saville Street, North Shields (adapted from) My Tyneside Pubs by Finn
2. Union Quay and Clifford's Fort, North Shields late 19th century - from an old postcard
3. Holy Saviour's Church, Tynemouth about 1880, from an old postcard
4. Police Court and Town Hall, North Shields about 1900, from an old postcard

A facsimilie of the original article can be seen at The Tynemouth Artilleryman: His sweetheart and his bride Shields Gazette and Daily Telegraph: May 19th 1870