100 YEARS AGO:

THE city coroner, WB Hulme held an inquest on Thursday into the death of George Smith, aged 58, labourer of 5 Court, Tybridge Street, who died in the infirmary on Tuesday night from anthrax which he contracted from handling leather at the leather factory at Three Springs where he was employed for 30 years.

The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence presented to them but criticised the neglect of the precautions taken at the factory and also the failure to spot the symptoms of the deceased when first they appeared.

150 YEARS AGO:

HENRY Ashley, manager of a Punch’s theatre, was charged at Worcester Police Court with assaulting and resisting the police in the execution of their duty. On Saturday morning, the defendant was amusing the juvenile portion of the population with Punch’s antics in Angel Street to the obstruction of that thoroughfare which is much thronged on market days.

PC Wall accordingly told the defendant the performances could not go on there, but Ashley, getting out of the theatre, declared with many oaths that he should continue the performance if he chose to do so. The police constable left for a time to allow the irate manager to cool his temper and reflect but on his return with PC Saunders, they found the defendant determined to obstruct the thoroughfare.

As a result, the officers proceeded at once to remove his theatre. Defendant rushed at PC Saunders and struck him but the officer collared him and, with the assistance of PC Wall, removed him to the police station. In defence the prisoner said he had not been in trouble during the eight years he had travelled with his show. On promising not to offend in future, Ashley was discharged.

200 YEARS AGO:

ON Saturday night a fire broke out in the stables belonging to Mrs Spooner at Leigh Court, near Malvern, which burnt with great fury.

A messenger was immediately dispatched by horse and the fire engines belonging to the Worcester and Birmingham fire offices were sent off without delay, though one of those of the Worcester office unfortunately broke down on the road. However, the others worked with good effect, though the roof had fallen in before their arrival.

The exertions of the firemen and assistants contributed much to the preservation of the adjoining property, the destruction of which at one time seemed inevitable. Too much praise cannot be given to the judicious conduct of the persons on the premises in the early stage of the fire who, by covering the ricks near the burning stables with blankets and other woollen cloths, almost miraculously prevented their destruction. Two horses and a cow were destroyed and two other horses materially injured.