200 YEARS AGO: THE following melancholy accident occurred at Mr Morton’s of Lower Wick, near Worcester, on Saturday last. George Atkins, a boy of about 12 years of age, being employed in driving a threshing machine, very imprudently got upon the shafts, where he had not been long before he fell into a cavity called the well, in which part of the machinery works. His body was of course immediately entangled in one of the wheels, and almost instantaneously his left leg and foot were mangled in a shocking manner, his right thigh fractured, the leg dreadfully lacerated and the great toe torn off. He was conveyed to our infirmary without delay and an immediate amputation of his left leg was found necessary. We are happy to say that the poor fellow is doing much better than could be expected.

􀁥 On Monday, a child of the name of Cope of Little Witley, near Worcester, was unfortunately burnt in so shocking a manner, by her clothes taking fire in the absence of her parents, that she survived but a short time.

150 YEARS AGO: ROBBERY in a brothel.

Two young women named Mary Ann Jones and Mary Williams, prostitutes, were charged at Worcester Police Court with stealing 15 shillings from the pockets of a young groom named Grubb. It appeared that on Saturday night he fell in company with the frail Mary Ann at the Falcon Liquor Vaults in Broad Street and after partaking of sundry potations there, they left and drank together at several other public houses in the neighbourhood, after which she invited the simple fellow to a room in Dolday, occupied by the other prisoner Williams. He fell asleep on the bed and the two prisoners struck a light and rifled the pockets of Grubb’s trousers of their contents. He awoke and went in search of a policeman but the two young women escaped through a window and were not apprehended by the police until two hours later.

They pleaded guilty to the charge and were both sentenced to one month’s hard labour.

100 YEARS AGO: KING Manual and Queen Amelia of Portugal, who are currently living in exile in this country, visited Worcester Cathedral on Friday, accompanied by the Duke of Orleans and the Marquis de Soveral. Ivor Atkins, the Cathedral organist, gave a private recital to the royal party, playing pieces by Handel, Mendelssohn, Wagner and Widor. His Majesty also went to the organ and played Handel’s Harmonious Blacksmith while Mr Atkins managed the stops. King Manuel presented Mr Atkins with a signed photograph of himself.

􀁥 “God Bless You” – Sarah Harrison, aged 70, widow of Newdix Court, High Street, Worcester, was charged at the City Police Court with being drunk in Sansome Street. PC Tomlinson said the prisoner was surrounded by a large crowd. She could not give her name but said she had come out of the Worcester Workhouse to get her old age pension. The chairman of the bench said: “Did you draw it?” Defendant: “No, some neighbours gave me some drink.” She was fined one shilling. On hearing the judgement the prisoner said:“God bless you, sir. May the blessing of God remain with you.”