OUTRAGE ON A VICAR.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 271, 13 November 1909, Page 17

OUTRAGE ON A VICAR.

A ROUGH COURT OF MORALS. A sensation created by the "lynching" of a AYestmoteland vlear culminated at Klrby Stephen, in ths Lakes District or the North Of England, on September 27th, when a charge of assault was preferred by the KeV. John G. Lax, vicar of Etalnmore, Klrby Stephen, and Mlss Mary Rennlson, schcol teacher, against Thomas Bousfleld, Wllllau) Edward Bousfleld, John Bowron, George William Dent, Joseph Hall, John Hebblethwaite, Thomas Nicholson, and John Pratt, chiefly sons of Stalnmore farmers^ Mr J. G. Lax was called, Ond said he was Vlcar of Stalnmofe, and oh the Monday evening he was taking Miss Rennlsoh home to her lodgings at SkerrygiU -when, as they were at a etlle, and Miss Rennlson had her foot on the third step, she was seined from behind b> the dress and dragged back, whilst he •himself was seized by sli or seven others and throwh to the ground. He neked what he had done. The men were evidently anxious to conceal tlselr Identity. Some had blackened their faces, one toad a mnsk. ond another a policeman's helmet. Others came up and produced rope, and he was held so tightly that the rope cut hIR arms and legs and stopped the circulation. Mc was sat on by the defendant Hebblethwalte for about forty-five minutes, and, whilst so, stmie swore at him ond others quoted Scripture, and another threatened to bash his head with a stone. Whilst on the ground two toeu he knew, Sanderson and Alderson, came up, and he (witness) appealed to them to belp hlm ( but they dare hot release him. A mock service was held and hymns were sung, which were mixed up with oaths by others. "I managed," continued witness, "to get a small knife out of my pocket, but defendant Hall observed mc, and took It from mc." A bottle (produced) contained some sort of tarry liquid, and this was thrown over him when laid on the ground. They took a gate, laid him on It, bound him on the gate, and carried him towards the vicarage. Some yards from there their courage failed, and he wr.s dropped roughly on the ground. Miss Rennlson, who hail been forced to accompany them to this point, cut the cords and got him free. After defendants had fled he (witness) pursued them a short dlS' tance, but could not overtake them. RELATIONS WITH MISS RENTfISON. Cross-examined by Mr Dawson. witness said he had been vicar of Stalnmore since 1003. His age was 43. Miss Rennlson was a teacher, age 23. There was no reason for any spite against him, as far as he knew. There was concerted action In the attack. He had no suspicion whntevcr why the attack was made. He offered no excuse to the mob for being with a lady on this occasion. There Jmd not been talk of undue friendliness between him and Mies Rennlson. He had not had a talk with her fhther about ihls familiarity with her. He was nor. aware that children had been turned out of school to allow him to converse with Miss Hennison. He had been In the school between twelve and one probably twice. It was false to say he had been there twenty times or more. Mr Robinson objected to this Hue of cross-questioning, and said that the Clergy Discipline Act would bring out all these questions, and his client was not bound to Incriminate himself. Mr Dnwsou further asked if. the vicar had received from Mary Rennlson as many os twenty notes sent by scholars during the last half-year,—There was no answer. Did you pay a penny to threepence each time to a boy for bringing the notes?—No answer. What time of night was It whpn you met her?— Between 8.30 and 8.45. Plr you not on the iilght of the assault meet Mary Rennlson near the Blue Beit inn?—No answer. Is It true that Miss Rennlson came to the Ing?— Yes, It Is true. "We're yon so friendly that you used to meet her and see her by appointment?—Yfts. You say you went out on the nf£ht ol the assault at 8.45 to meet Miss Rennlson. Where were you till 0.46, when the assault took place?—No answer. Mr DuAVSon insisted on a reply, and witness replied testily that lie was , not constantly pulling out his watch, nor did he wear a chronometer. After meeting her they walked on In the direction of her home. Do-you tell the Bench that It took you 35 minutes to walk a quarter of a mile?—We walked slowly, and we heard voices and stood till they were lost In the distance. We stopped where we heard voices. At 0.30 were you not seen coming from Pratt's Wood?—No, I was not. Was not Miss Rennlson with you In Pratt's Wood?— No. Was your arm round the waist of this girl J —lt was not. Were you not with her at 11.30 p.m. at Alderson's Gnte on Friday, tie 10th Inst.? —No answer. Do you know that she did not get home that night till 12.307—1 don't know. A flue of £5 each or one month was Imposed In Lax's case. The girl's charges Were iwithdmwn In fayour of civil proceeding! for d&mtgtf.