250 Years Ago:

On Monday evening a young man in this city who had laid a wager in a public house that he could drink a gallon of ale in two hours, fell down after he had drank about two quarts, and expired immediately. He ate a hearty supper of beef steaks with new bread and while he was drinking the ale, ate nuts, which it is thought choked him, as his throat immediately swelled and turned black.

* The Governors of our Infirmary at Worcester return their thanks for a bag of hops which was sent as a benefaction to the hospital on Saturday last from a person or persons unknown. The infirmary, being now and often in great want of linen rags, large quantities of which are constantly used by the surgeons, if any well disposed persons would be pleased to send their old linens to the hospital, the same will always be an acceptable present and thankfully received.

200 Years Ago:On Thursday and Friday last, there was a heavy fall of snow accompanied by a very severe storm of wind which drifted the snow in many places to a height of several feet. Our mail coach from London met with a considerable delay at Woodstock on Thursday, and the bags were forwarded in a chaise and four horses but did not arrive here at Worcester until about five o'clock in the evening, the coach arriving a considerable time after. On Friday there was another fall of snow and the coach did not arrive until nine o'clock at night, upwards of nine hours beyond its usual time. We are happy to relate that though our mail coach was several times almost buried in snow, from which it was only extricated by the unremitting exertions of the passengers, coachman etc. It arrived each day safe without any accident in consequence occurring.

* Robbery - whereas on Monday night, between the hours of 10 and 11 o'clock, the stable belonging to Mr Morton of Wick in the Parish of St John, Worcester, was broken into and a bridle, a pair of new garths and a horse brush stolen therefrom, a reward of three guineas will be paid, upon conviction of the offender, by the treasurer of the St John's Association.

150 Years Ago:

Warning to publicans - Thomas Clarke was summonsed at Worcester police court to answer a complaint preferred against him for allowing several persons to play at dice and cards in his public house, The Telegraph in George Street, Worcester, on Friday last, contrary to the tenour of his licence. Defendant said he was away from home at the time but understood that two persons came into the house and called for something to drink, and one of them pulled a pack of cards from his pocket, and they began to play. While so engaged, a policeman came in and noted the circumstances. Later, two butchers were seen playing with dice. Defendant said that they were using the dice for a friendly raffle for some fowls and he did not think that that was wrong. The magistrates pointed out to him the impropriety of his conduct but having consideration of it being a first offence, ordered him to pay only the expenses of the court hearing.100 Years Ago:Don Carlos Assassinated - The recent political troubles in Portugal have culminated in one of the most terrible tragedies that has stained the pages of history. While returning to the Royal Palace at Lisbon, King Carlos and the Crown Prince were murdered in cold blood. The progress of the Royal landau was obstructed in the roadway and when the coachman pulled up the horses sharply, the assassins, numbering up to five, rushed to the carriage, drew carbines and revolvers from under their long cloaks and fired point blank at the occupants. The King and Crown Prince were killed instantly while Queen Amelia, also in the landau but uninjured, shrieked in the most agonising manner being covered in blood. News of the assassination spread like wildfire through Lisbon and all the theatres, shops and cafes are closed and all the principal buildings are draped in black. It is rumoured that several army and navy officers are implicated in the assassination plot. The accession of the young King Manuel has been formally announced.