FATAL BARE-KNUCKLE FIGHT IN FIELD OPPOSITE 'THE SPRAT'
LOOSLEY ROW 1834

On Monday last, an inquisition was held at The Sprat, Loosley Row on Absalom LACEY, who was killed from fighting.

On Friday, 11th July he had received considerable provocation from Thomas HAMMOND, a man residing in same Parish, who irritated him so much that the deceased agreed to fight with him. They went out of the public house and after several rounds LACEY went home, but later returned to the public house, where HAMMOND came out of an adjoining beer house (The Salmon) kept by the deceased's brother. They then agreed to settle the matter by fighting again.

They went into the field opposite, stripped and had about ten rounds. In every one, except the last, the deceased had the advantage. In the last round, however, HAMMOND struck Absalom LACEY a violent blow on the jugular vein below the left ear, which caused concussion to the brain. LACEY staggered back a few paces and fell into the hedge. Medical assistance was quickly procured, but in vain. He was removed to the house and died in a few hours, not having uttered a single word.

The deceased was perfectly sober, but HAMMOND was somewhat intoxicated. HAMMOND was a noted pugilist.

The Jury returned a verdict of Manslaughter against Thomas HAMMOND and the Coroner has issued a warrant for his arrest.

The deceased left a wife and six children (they lived in a cottage in Bottom Field).

FIGHT & RIOT AT LACEY GREEN 1838

On Sunday, July 1st 1838 the Parish Constable at Lacey Green, Solomon CLAYDON, saw the prisoners with several other men, fighting at Lacey Green for above an hour; they insulted every person they saw. Constable Claydon went to Ginger's Beer shop (now The Black Horse public house) at 3 o'clock to tell GINGER to shut up shop and said there was a great deal of noise from the house - it started as a dispute over a pint of beer. The Constable saw the accused and there were as many as 20 people in the room. The Constable then went up the road as far as the windmill and when he went back at 5 o'clock he found that GINGER had not shut up the house, the same people were there making a great disturbance and some were in liquor. They were insulting passers-by and there was a great deal of swearing. He cleared the house and they went out peacefully.

The Constable then went home at Loosley Row about six o'clock and had not been there above three minutes when he was told there was a fight in John Dell's Cow Meadow, Lacey Green. The Constable went there and saw James MORRIS and James BUCKINGHAM fighting; he parted them and MORRIS went quietly home. The Constable then ordered the others out of the field, but he saw William STONE strike Richard BUCKINGHAM, so he then took STONE into custody.

At the same time there was a religious Camp Meeting taking place in the Kiln Road with two or three Preachers - one was Mr TOMPKINS the Wheelwright of Loosley Row standing on the back of a wagon preaching. They were there two hours praying, singing and preaching.

This was between two services at St John's Church and after the Camp Meeting had finished, some of the congregation retired to Ginger's Beer Shop, but the preachers did not go in. Then another fight began in or near the above. Witness, Mr William Amos WESTOBY, a Solicitor, who was staying with Sir George STEPHEN and family at Loosley House, was returning from the church service about half past seven o'clock in the evening of July 1st. He saw a great number of people assembled at Ginger's Beer Shop. He went to speak to GINGER on the impropriety of allowing people to assemble in his house on the Sabbath Day; he estimated there were between ten to twenty people in the house, half drunk.

Witness William BARRATT said: "I was going to Lacey Green on July 1st between 5 and 6 o'clock and saw a great number of persons assembled in the road between the Chapel and near Ginger's beer shop. The road was full of men and women who were making a great deal of noise". Other witnesses reported similar occurrences that day in and outside Ginger's beer shop, near the Chapel, in the cow meadow and road.

The case was held at the Magistrates' Chambers, Aylesbury on July 14th.

Henry LEE was discharged, there not being sufficient evidence to prove that he took part in the riot.

James TANNER and James MORRIS were bound over to appear in their own recognizance of £20 each at the next Quarter Sessions.

DRUNKEN AND NOISY DISTURBANCE OUTSIDE HOME
OF SIR GEORGE STEPHEN, LOOSLEY ROW 1840

At Aylesbury Magistrates' Chamber on October 3rd 1840 Sir George STEPHEN laid a complaint against Henry PARSLOW for having permitted Thomas HAMMOND alias James Grimsdale and another man named BUCKINGHAM to commit various misdemeanours at the beer shop (The Sprat) in Loosley Row and encouraged men with reprobate characters at the said beer shop.

Sir George STEPHEN said at 3 o'clock on Monday week on arriving home (Loosley House) he found BUCKINGHAM and HAMMOND creating a considerable disturbance in the street outside the gates of the house. He sent for a Constable. Whilst waiting, the men admitted drinking at Parslow's beer shop; both men were in a state of intoxication.

The Constable arrived about half an hour later and HAMMOND expressed his desire to continue with the disturbance. Sir George STEPHEN told the constable to take them to Sir William YOUNG'S. On the way HAMMOND begged Sir George very hard to let him off, which he consented to do. Subsequent to this, Sir George had called on PARSLOW and remonstrated with him for allowing such characters to get drunk or even drink on his property. He asked PARSLOW if he was aware that BUCKINGHAM had only just been released from gaol; also stating that the other man - HAMMOND, was a convicted felon who had been tried for the manslaughter of his brother-in-law in a drunken frolic.

There was some dispute about a piece of land and Sir George STEPHEN told the Magistrates that on one occasion BUCKlNGHAM had taken a bell and rang it in a most hideous manner outside his (Sir George Stephen's house). Lady Stephen on seeing that her husband was threatened sent a servant to help. Mr James Wilberforce STEPHEN said he was with his father at the disturbance.

PARSLOW said he had lived in Loosley Row for 60 years and there was no man who could give him a bad character.

The Court decided that PARSLOW should pay a fine of £4 and expenses of 13 shillings 6d.

GREVIOUS BODILY HARM, SAUNDERTON

William COOPER was indicted for having, at the parish of Saunderton, unlawfully stabbed, cut and wounded Ann TRIPP, with intent to do her some grievous bodily harm.

Mr O'MALLEY stated the case to the jury. Mr PRENDERGAST defended the prisoner.

Ann TRIPP
I reside with my father who is a farmer in West Wycombe parish. Previous to the 2nd of November I had been confined to the house with a cold. About half-past one o'clock on that day, I went for a walk on Slough Hill; I had two shawls on, a habit shirt, and a handkerchief. When I got towards Green-lane, leading towards Hall-lane, I returned back on hearing a dog bark; I looked round and I saw a man coming towards me; I then went on to Slough Hill, when a man came up to me and said, "What very showery weather we have". I replied, "Yes, we have", and turned my head away. I saw him side-face; he then took hold of me with his left hand and held my left arm down; commenced cutting at my throat. I could not feel at the time he was cutting at my throat. I felt a very great pressure; I screamed out "Murder". He then left me, after turning round to look at me; he ran towards Dean Wood, and I ran towards Dell's Farm; I was very much frightened.
I observed the general appearance of the man; he had a low forehead, very black hair and eyes; he was short and thick; had on a fustian jacket. Before I came to Dell's farm I stopped to take off my clogs when I found my hand was cut; I afterwards saw a person of the name of NEWELL, and told him about it and asked him to look at my neck to see if it was wounded; he said there was a cut in my neck near my head; that part of my neck was covered with my bonnet; my bonnet was cut; I was cut in several places about the head and also on my wrist and on one of my fingers.
NEWELL helped me to take off my clogs and afterwards bound up the wound in my neck, and then led me home; the wound on my finger was quite to the bone, and have lost the perfect use of the finger. I again saw the man who made the assault on me the same evening; he was brought to me by NEWELL and the constable named BRITNELL; he was brought to me again the next morning, when I recognised him as the person who committed the assault on me; when he was brought to me the first time he behaved so very ill; he turned round and round and said, "I'm the man, swear to me". I asked him to stand still, but he would not; did not recognise him when he was first brought before me the next morning because he would not stand still; I recognised him when he passed the window of the room in which I was sitting, when I saw him side face; I have no doubt that the prisoner is the man who committed the assault.

Ann TRIPP cross-examined by Mr PRENDERGAST:
The prisoner was brought to my house the same evening; I did not tell my mother the prisoner was not the man; she asked me, and I said, "I cannot tell, as he won't stand still". Mr GIBBONS told me they were bringing COOPER for me to recognise; the prisoner lives about two miles from our house; the prisoner worked for my father about 3 or 4 years ago; I never, to my knowledge, saw the prisoner before; I was not aware that I was cut until I put up my hand; the wound on my neck was rather slight, but the one on my head was rather severe.

Henry NEWELL
I am a labourer in Mr DELL's employment; on 2nd November I remember seeing Miss TRIPP, about half-past one, coming down my master's green meadow; she was coming as fast as she could walk; she was crying. I went up to her, and she made a complaint to me; I examined her and I found her head was cut; her third finger was severely cut, nearly across; I tied up her hand with my handkerchief; it was bleeding very much; I took her home and was present when an examination was made of her head and neck. I saw a cut on the neck; I saw the bonnet which was cut at the side. I know a boy of the name of DORMER; I saw him in the course of that day and had some conversation with him about this and in consequence of that had the prisoner taken up.

Eli DORMER
I am in the employ of Mr TOMPKINS; I know Hall Lane; I also know a field in which a rick was standing on the 2nd of November last; I was near there and had a dog with me; I remember seeing the prisoner on that day, about half past one o'clock; he came to me; I was sitting under the hay rick; he came up the green path on the other side of the hedge from Hall Lane; he came through the gap in the hedge; he sat down by me and sharpened his knife on his shoe; it was a knife that shut up; he asked me who was thrashing in the barn and who was grubbing in the wood; I had my dog and I remember him barking, and the prisoner got up and went through the gap and said, "Yonder goes a young woman". He came back again to the rick; I went the other side of the rick to look after my sheep and in two or three minutes went back again; COOPER was gone; in a few minutes after I heard a person hallooing, "murder" and I then got up the bank; I saw a young woman and a man a yard apart; I did not know the young woman; I did not know the man, but I knew him to be the man who had been sitting under the rick; when I saw him he had just started to run and was going in the direction of Dean Wood and ran into it; the young woman ran towards Mr DELL's farm; this happened on a Tuesday; I saw the prisoner again before the Magistrates at West Wycombe; the room was full; when I saw him there I knew him and pointed him out; I saw the knife with the constable; it looked like the blade the prisoner sharpened on his shoe.

Eli DORMER Cross-examined - I went to the Magistrates with Mr SPIERS, who told me I was going to see COOPER.

Thomas CLARK
I am a labourer at Bledlow and was grubbing in Dean Wood on the 2nd of November; l heard some person halloo "murder, murder". This was between 1 and 2 o'clock. I went out of the wood to see if I could see anybody, but did not see anybody for a minute or two; l then saw somebody coming, running very fast; he had a dark jacket on; he was coming towards me at first and afterwards seemed to bear on the left.

Jonah BRlTNELL
I am constable of Bledlow and apprehended the prisoner on this charge. I found him at a beer shop; I searched him and took his knife from him. BRITNELL here produced the bonnet, shawl and a habit-shirt, which were worn by Miss TRlPP at the time of the occurrence, they were cut in several places, as was also the crown of the bonnet.

William STRANGE
I am a shoemaker at Bledlow; on the 2nd November I was in company with the prisoner; he left me about half-past 12 o'clock; we were at BUTLER's public-house about two miles from where the occurrence took place; we were to meet again at half-past two o'clock, at the Union public-house; l went there, but he did not keep his appointment; I saw him again at 5 o'clock and he told me he did not come.

Mr John TRIPP
I am the father of the prosecutrix; I saw her about 10 o'clock on the evening of the 2nd of November; I examined the wounds on her hand and head, and l should say they were made by some sharp-cutting instrument.

Mr PRENDERGAST addressed the Jury for the prisoner and called two witnesses, who gave him a good character for humanity and kindness of disposition.

The Judge summed up the evidence and the Jury returned a verdict of Guilty.

Sentence - 15 years transportation.

LARCENY & RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY 1850

At the Quarter Sessions, Aylesbury on 14th October 1850 Simeon PARSLOW, born in 1812 at Coombes, Loosley Row was charged with having feloniously stolen on 21 August tarpaulin worth £3, the property of the Eastern Railway Company, Chepping Wycombe and again in December last. Another charge was one of receiving stolen property.

He was sentenced to 7 years transportation.

CASE OF AN EXTRAORDINARY IMPOSTOR

At Aylesbury Magistrates' Chamber on June 2nd 1866, John MOBLEY, an old man blessed with an obliquity of vision, was placed in the Dock under the following singular circumstances.

Thomas STALLWOOD of Loosley Row said that on 24th May he received a message, in consequence of which he went to The Rose and Crown Inn at Saunderton, where he saw the prisoner, MOBLEY, who said, "Do you know me?" STALLWOOD said "No". "Well, replied MOBLEY, I'm William STALLWOOD your father's brother. I was transported thirty five years ago".

The report continues to state that MOBLEY said he had returned to England with £5,000 and that it was his intention to give part of it to Thomas, his nephew. Thomas STALLWOOD recalled that his father had mentioned a relative who had gone abroad, but did not think he had been transported.

Thomas STALLWOOD invited MOBLEY to stay with him and MOBLEY took full advantage of his hospitality and his larder!

After a week or so MOBLEY said he would take Thomas STALLWOOD to High Wycombe on the following day to get his share of the £5,000, but by the morning MOBLEY had disappeared.

Later in Court, the Magistrates told Thomas STALLWOOD that he was simple to have been taken in by the story and that he had no recourse in law because he had freely and voluntarily invited MOBLEY into his house. Adding, that no doubt Thomas STALLWOOD would be a little less trusting and less liable to believe offers of 'something for nothing' in the future. MOBLEY, it was understood, was known to have used the same ploy several times elsewhere.

Case dismissed.

STABBING AT LOOSLEY ROW - 1868

At Aylesbury Magistrates' Chambers on April 18 1868 John WILLIAMS was charged with having on the 29th day of March last, unlawfully wounded John Randall JANES.

JANES deposed that he was in the company of WILLIAMS and five other men about 1.0 o'clock on Sunday, 29th March, going from The Sprat Public House, Loosley Row to Lacey Green, when WILLIAMS struck NEWELL (one of the men).
JANES then struck the prisoner, WILLIAMS and knocked him down. WILLIAMS got up and struck JANES on the lower part of the stomach and he found that his trousers were cut. (They were later produced in Court). WILLIAMS also struck JANES on the neck with some instrument, who fell to the ground.

JANES afterwards went home and bled very much on the way and kept bleeding until six o'clock the same day. Mr WARREN, the Doctor, was sent for about eight o'clock and he arrived a little before twelve.

Elizabeth JANES, the mother of John Randall JANES deposed that her son came home covered in blood and was very faint.

Daniel LOVETT corroborated the evidence as to the fighting and said he saw WILLIAMS shut up the knife and he saw blood on JANES' neck.

Doctor WARREN deposed to the state of the wound, which he did not consider of a dangerous character, although JANES was in a low state from loss of blood and he was compelled to use stimulants to a large extent.

Police Constable John NOBLE proved the apprehension of the prisoner, John WILLIAMS in Fawley Wood, near Henley on Thames, where he was working. He told him of the charge and WILLIAMS replied, "I did not do it".

For the defence Reuben LANE was called who, having given evidence as to JANES striking him, as well as the prisoner, said he did not see any knife used.

Prisoner was committed for trial at the ensuing Mid-Summer Sessions.

DEATH FROM OPIUM EATING - 1869

An Inquest was held on Monday last at The Light Dragoon Public House, Bledlow Ridge on Prudence BUTLER, who died Saturday last.

Stephen BUTLER said, "I live at Bledlow Ridge and am a Labourer. The deceased was my wife and was sixty six years of age. She was in the habit of taking opium and generally had about one shilling and sixpence worth every week.

She went on Monday night last to Loosley Row to get some opium. She got wet through and did not get home until twelve o'clock"

Verdict of death from taking too much opium.

POACHING 1870's

Roland RIXON

aged 18, born Lacey Green

Occup: Agricultural Labourer

Parent: Robert Rixon

Received: 23 February 1878

Crime: Poaching

Sentence: 21 days imprisonment

Oliver SAUNDERS

aged 18, born Lacey Green

Occup: Agricultural Labourer

Received: 21 June 1871

Crime: Poaching on two occasions

Sentence: 2 months, plus 3 months imprisonment.

ALLEGED HIGHWAY ROBBERY

At Aylesbury Magistrates' Chamber on Saturday, 9th January 1875 Frederick William SMITH and William KEENE were charged with stealing a gun on 5th January from Thomas PARSLOW.

Thomas PARSLOW
I am a Sawyer and live at the Hillocks. On January 5th I was walking in a lane a little past ten at night, between Loosley Row Windmill and The Pink & Lily Public House. I had a gun on my shoulder. I met William KEENE and Frederick SMITH. KEENE said, "l am a policeman and l shall have your gun". I have known him for three years. He tried to take my gun away and l tried to keep it. After some struggle he said if I would give him a shilling he would let me have the gun. SMITH did not interfere with me at all. He took no part on either side. Eventually, KEENE took the gun away from me and SMITH went with him. I had been taking the gun to Mr BALDWIN the Blacksmith to have it repaired. My father sent me with it".

Police Sergeant CHILTON
From information received I went on Wednesday to Lacey Green with Thomas PARSLOW. I saw KEENE coming down the road. He told me the gun was in the barn at his master's, Mr POULTON'S, I found the gun underneath the barn floor".

The Bench immediately discharged SMITH and adjourned the case against KEENE for a fortnight, he being admitted to bail in the meantime, his employer, Mr POULTON, being surety in ?20 for his appearance. Two weeks later KEENE was charged with stealing a gun.

Thomas PARSLOW was cross-examined. He said, "I was at a public house before dinner on the day. I will not swear that I was there five hours. When I left I went to Speen. I called in there at Mrs Stevens' public house. I then went to Mr BALDWINS, a blacksmith, where I took the gun to have it repaired. I next went to Lacey Green to Henry Parslow's public house (The Crown Inn). I may have left there at 10. I cannot tell how much beer I had that day, but l was not drunk.

The Bench was of the opinion that there was no felonious intent and dismissed the charges.

WOMAN PUSHED INTO BUTTER TUB AT THE OLD POST OFFICE AND GROCER'S SHOP
IN LOWER ROAD, LOOSLEY ROW IN 1879!

At Aylesbury Petty Sessions on Saturday, 26th April 1879 Alfred WARD was charged with having assaulted Mary Ann WARD on March 14th. He denied the charge. Mary Ann WARD was his sister--in-law.

On February 20th she was sent to her husband's father, who was a grocer and builder, for some barley meal and asked for the payment to be taken out of her husband's wages as a Carpenter. The money was stopped twice and she went to the shop and asked Alfred WARD if he 'would make it right'. He said he would not let her have it in money but she might in goods. She was accordingly going to take two pairs of stockings from the shop, having similarly helped herself on former occasions. She put the stockings under her shawl, but the defendant tried to throw her down and tore her hat. In the scuffle, he upset a tub of butter and pushed her head-first into it, cutting her knuckles and lip and then knelt on her. His wife, who was there at the time, laughed and told her husband to throw Mary Ann WARD out. He took her by the shoulders and pushed her out of the shop.....and threw her hat after her!

Witnesses said they did not see any blows struck and the defendant used no more violence than was necessary to take the stockings from the complainant.

Cecil WARD, aged 14, son of the complainant, said he saw his mother's lip cut and bleeding.

Sarah HICKMAN said the complainant came to her house. She had butter over her clothes and her lip and hand were bleeding.

Sarah BAREFOOT, a Nurse at Loosley Row, attended Mary Ann WARD for two days. Doctor WARREN was called, ordered hot fomentations and gave her some medicine.

Charlotte CLAYDON was in the shop at the time and heard the dispute between Alfred WARD (junior) and the Mary Ann WARD about one shilling.

After much deliberation, the Bench at Aylesbury Petty Sessions dismissed the case, each side to pay the costs of examining their own witnesses.

SHEEP AND LAMBS STRAYING NEAR WINDMILL

At the Petty Sessions in July 1876 John CHESHIRE, Millwright and Farmer was charged with allowing 43 sheep and lambs to stray on the road between Loosley Row windmill and Lacey Green.

Fined two shillings and costs.

ASSAULT IN LOOSLEY ROW
GIRL PUSHED INTO STINGING NETTLES 1880

Joseph KEENE, Enos HAWES, John LACEY and Samuel BIGGS were at Aylesbury Petty Sessions on Saturday, May 8th 1880 charged with an assault on Thyrza HAMMOND at Loosley Row.

The complainant said she lived at Loosley Row and on Sunday April 18th about 8.30 in the evening, was near The Rose and Crown at Saunderton with her Aunt Lena HAMMOND. They were walking home and the defendants, all of whom she knew, overtook them. They used bad language and she told them they would hear of it again ....after some banter they all caught hold of the complainant, whose Aunt had gone on before.
The boys pushed the complainant into the hedge three times, whereby her head was so stung by nettles that she could not sleep that night.

Cross examined she said she and her aunt had been to the said public house. It was alleged, but she had never heard, the landlord say she was a nuisance and he would not have them there.

Lena HAMMOND, aunt to the complainant, but apparently not much older, said they had been to Loosley Row Baptist Chapel earlier that evening and that the defendants and other young men had been hanging around Thirza.

Complainant's mother, Ruth DORMER, said her daughter had arrived home that evening at ten o'clock, very much scratched on her hands and face.

Police Constable DICKENS said on Monday morning April 19th April the complainant came to him .......and saw that her hands and neck were badly scratched.

The Bench at the Petty sessions ordered each of the defendants to pay the costs, 10s 6d without being Fined.
.......it was the general impression that 'horseplay' had got rather out of hand, consequent to the boys and girls flirting after drinking at The Rose & Crown.
So much for having been to chapel earlier that evening and the Temperance Movement'.

BRUTAL ASSAULT ON WOMAN AND SHOCKING SUICIDE 1890

A year earlier, a violent incident had occurred at the farm.

The Coroner held an Inquest in Loosley Row.

Sarah GOMME, a neighbour, said between 3 and 4pm the day before, she heard cries of "Murder" coming from Mr BIGGS'S house. She went down and saw the assailant coming up the lane looking very wild and he was carrying a mallet....
Witness (Mrs GOMME) went to MRS BIGGS (College Farm) and saw her smothered with blood and going towards her husband in the field. She was very much cut about the head and said who the assailant was.

PC THORNE from Lacey Green was sent for and he saw Mr & Mrs BIGGS. The latter appeared to have been brutally treated; blood was running all down her face and her hair was one mass of blood. She informed him who did it and the policeman went to the assailant's house and found the mallet. He then went into the stable adjoining and found the assailant lying on his face, with a large gash on the left side of his throat. He was quite dead. His jugular vein was cut right through. The razor produced at the inquest was somewhere under his body. The policeman also produced a piece of iron, which he found at Mr BIGG'S house on which there were marks of blood. Mrs BIGGS had two scalp wounds and a slight abrasion over the right eye: she was progressing favourably.

Mr Richard BIGGS, farmer, said deceased had worked for him and he had discharged him three weeks earlier. He was not aware that deceased had any bad feeling against any of his family.

DARING BURGLARY AT COLLINS FARM IN 1908

Sometime during early hours of Tuesday night or early hours of Wednesday last, the house of Mr Thomas TYLER, Collins Farm, Loosley Row was entered by one or more burglars...

Mr TYLER, his nephew, two nieces and housekeeper retired for the night between 10 and 11 0 'clock. When the Housekeeper went down in the morning she found the drawing room in great disarray - drawers and doors open and papers scattered around the room. The burglars had entered the drawing room through the window, having forced back the catch, then proceeded to ransack the place for booty. Mr TYLER found that £6 or £7 in silver was missing from a secretaire and two cases of 1902 gold and silver Coronation coins had been taken, along with an old pair of gold pince nez valued at about £4. The intruders had also helped themselves to some whisky from a decanter on the sideboard.

It is stated that about 7 o'clock on Tuesday evening, two men enquired of a youth named RUTLAND where a Mr TAYLOR lived. The youth said there was no one of that name in the area, but a Mr TYLER lived at Collins Farm and showed the men the entrance. He heard them stop along the drive but they did not proceed further. No enquiries had been made by them at the house and it is thought they hid in the grounds until dark.

Mr TYLER had a collie dog loose about the house, but it did not bark.

Police are investigating the matter ......... (Ref: ')

CHARGE OF USING THREATS AND THROWING STONES 1910

Kilburn GOMME of Loosley Row was charged at Aylesbury Petty Sessions on 20th October 1910 with using threats towards Alfred George WANSTALL.

Complainant said he was in a shed in his garden in Foundry Lane when he heard his dog bark. He looked out and saw Gomme throwing stones at the dog. His dog ran towards him and Gomme continued throwing stones, one of which seemed intended for Mr Wanstall. He was in fear of Gomme as he was continually throwing stones.

Defendant GOMME denied that he had threatened complainant or used the language stated.

Horace JANES of Loosley Row who was with Gomme at the time, said the dog was a dangerous one and came at them from Alfred Wanstall's garden and Gomme threw two or three stones at it.

The Bench decided to dismiss the case but the Chairman told Gomme that he must not throw stones at the dog and try and live amicably with his neighbours.

DRIVING HORSE & CART WITHOUT LIGHTS 1914.

At the Petty Sessions, Princes Risborough, William SAUNDERS of Stocken Farm, Lacey Green was summoned for unlawfully driving a cart having no lights attached on February 10th 1914. He pleaded 'Not Guilty'.

Police Constable BATCHELOR said at 6.50pm on Tuesday he was in the High Street, Princes Risborough when he saw a light sprung cart with horse outside The George & Dragon Hotel with no light on the cart. He watched until 7.15pm and then saw the defendant coming out of the hotel. SAUNDERS then lit the lamp after PC BATCHELOR had spoken to him about it and remarked, "You don't mind what I say to you, but it is pity you have nothing better to do - any schoolboy could do your job".

The bench dismissed the case, however ...... 'Police always get their man' !

On 24 March 1914 William SAUNDERS was charged again with having no light attached to his cart or having proper control over the horse at Monks Risborough. Defendant pleaded guilty to both charges.

PC BATCHELOR stated the facts of the case and a fine of 16 shillings, including costs, was imposed.

ELI DORMER. PUBLICAN OF 'WOODWAY' BEERHOUSE
THE CASE OF THE MISSING BACON!

Eli DORMER and his wife Mary Ann, lived at 'Woodway' Beerhouse, Loosley Row. The building is the thatched end of two adjoining cottages on the left hand side of the lane, just before the bend opposite the junction of Wardrobes Lane.

There is wonderful story concerning Eli, which has been passed down through the years. Like many villagers of the day, he kept pigs at the bottom of his garden. Following the annual slaughtering of these animals, the bacon was stored on racks, suspended from the ceiling of the tap room at the beerhouse. One day he noticed a considerable portion was missing. Eli and his wife decided not to disclose the fact to anyone.

Many months passed, but no remarks were ever heard regarding the missing bacon, until one day a traveller called.
During conversation, the traveller enquired if Eli had ever discovered who had taken his bacon. Eli quickly confirmed with his wife that neither had mentioned the loss to anyone. Confronting the traveller, Eli informed him that the mystery of the missing bacon had just been solved, for the man had proved himself to be the thief by words from his own lips. Eli demanded payment, which he duly received!

AMY JOHNSON FINED AGAIN FOR SPEEDING 1938

Amy JOHNSON, famous airwoman of 'Monks Straithe' cottage, near St Mary's Church, Princes Risborough was fined ?2 at High Wycombe County Police Court on Friday for speeding. Her Licence was also endorsed.

Police said Miss Johnson had entered a built up area at Loudwater, High Wycombe driving at 50 miles per hour and then dropped to 43, but rose again to 45 mph. lt was stated that she had been fined for a similar offence in May.

On her behalf a Mr K. HOLLIWELL of High Wycombe said Miss JOHNSON has given up driving from Princes Risborough to London through High Wycombe and now goes via Amersham.