Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 05 July 1869

The Row amongst the Glass-Bottle Makers at Mexbro’.

At the Doncaster County Police Court on Saturday, the following case occupied the attention of the magistrates for about four hours: Francis Barron, Thomas Barron, Walter Barron, and Eli Barron, sons’ glass-bottle maker at Mexbro’, were charged with assaulting Joshua Thompson, a glass-blower and a society man. There was a cross summons, in which Joshua Thompson and William Scaife were charged with assaulting Francis Barron.

Mr. Shirley appeared for the Barrons; Mr. Barratt, Wakefield, for the man Thompson; and Mr. C. E. Palmer for Scaife.

The case on behalf of Thompson and was briefly that the two men were walking home on the Saturday night previous, when in the High-street they heard some men (the Barrons) on the other side the road, and these men made a noise with their mouths. Scaife went towards them, Thompson trying to keep him away.

The Barrons and Scaife had a struggle, in which Scaife took to his heels, the Barrons starting in hot pursuit. The latter gave up the race, however, and on coming back, Francis Barron went up to Thompson and knocked him down, the others going in kicking and beating, till Thompson became almost insensible, bleeding freely. On the other hand it was urged, by the Barrons that ever since Thompson had come out of prison (whither he had been sent month for assaulting a non-society man in the employ of the Barrons) had taken every opportunity calling them “black sheep,” and assaulting them in divers other manners.

On the day in question, it was set up, he and Scaife went Francis and Thomas Barron, the former of whom assaulted; Thomas Barron and Scaife having afterwards a free and open tight.

The magistrates believing that the Barrons were at fault, ordered Thomas and Francis to pay into Court 20s and costs, 14s each. Walter and Eli were required to pay a fine of 5s. each and costs, 14s. The case against Thompson and Scaife they dismissed.