Police. - Wigton Print E-mail
The Maryport Advertiser - Friday, July 21, 1882
WIGTON
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ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER AT WIGTON. - At the Wigton Petty Sessions, on Tuesday last, ANTHONY PROCTOR and JOHN PROCTOR, father and son, bobbin-turners from Caldbeck, were charged with the manslaughter of ALEXANDER AIKEN, a bobbin-turner, belonging to the same place, on the 1st inst.  MR. M'KEEVER defended.
   It appeared from the evidence tht the deceased man AIKEN and the two prisoners worked at a bobbin mill owned by MR. JENNINGS, at Caldbeck.  On the day in question AIKEN complained to ANTHONY PROCTOR that he was making his bobbins too little.
   A dispute arose between the men and eventually AIKEN struck PROCTOR a blow in the face with his fist.  PROCTOR then seized a heavy wooden instrument called 'the clamps' which is used in the manufacture of bobbins ****************** changing blows rushed to his father's assistqance and struck AIKEN with his hand.  The men then fell against the main belt of the machine which was in the room, and which was moving at the time.

JOHN PROCTOR struck AIKEN again while he was there, and ANTHONY struck him with the 'clamps' several times.  AIKEN lost his hat in the struggle, and his head was bleeding.  He was pulled up from the floor on to his feet by some of his fellow workmen, and immediately offered to fight either of the two prisoners.
   They declined to do this, however, and AIKEN went out to get his head washed.  He came back to the mill soon after, stopped his machine, got his wages, and left the place.  He was seen on the following day by some of his fellow workmen, and appeared to be under the influence of drink.

Subsequently he was taken by Police-constable LOGAN to Bootle workhouse, from Eskdale, where he died.
   Several workmen from the bobbin mill were called to give evidence, but as no medical witnesses were present, SUPERINTENDENT ROBINSON asked for a remand.  The Bench decided to adjourn the case until Friday, and to discharge the younger prisoner, JOHN PROCTOR.
   Bail was accepted for the appearance of ANTHONY PROCTOR, in his own recognizances of £50, and two sureties of £25 each.
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