| Reference Number | t18950107-162 |
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| Verdict | Not Guilty > unknown |
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| Actions | Cite this text Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 26 September 2023), January 1895, trial of ALFRED JOSIAH GREEN (30) (t18950107-162). | Print-friendly version | Report an error |
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162. ALFRED JOSIAH GREEN (30) , for the manslaughter of William Clark.
MR. TORR Prosecuted, and MR. PURCELL Defended.
ALFRED WALDEN . I am a labourer employed at Ridley, Whiteley and Co.'s floorcloth factory in Angel Street, Edmonton—I was at work there on the morning of the 24th December—I knew the prisoner and the deceased William Clark—Clark was in charge of a van belonging to the contractor for canvases—he had to cart the canvases from the barges on the wharf to the workshop on the River Lea, that is a distance of from 150 to 200 yards—Green was ganger over the canvases, and was in charge of the working party in the barge, which came in about nine to 9.20—the loading of the van began as soon as he came—Clark was there, but he was at the other end of the shed, he did not appear in time—Clark said to Green, "I want you to go to the workshop with this load," and he kept swearing at him—Green took no notice of it—the van was loaded and went on—Clark came up several times that morning and was swearing at Green—it went on till about twelve, when Green told him to come out of the canvas shed—he did not care about coming out, and he began swearing at Green again—at last Green said, "Are you going to be quiet, or do you mean to have a row?"—Clark said, "I don't care," and then Green struck him and he fell down—I picked him up and Green also—he was unconscious—in a short time he recovered—Green suggested that he should be taken to the hospital—he did not go, he wanted to look after his horse—Green said, "Will you go and see a doctor?" and he said to Wheeler, "Will you take him to the hospital?"—he said, "Yes," and he did so.
Cross-examined. Green has been some time in this employ, and he is a good-tempered man—I have only been at the works about five months—when Clark came up he began to grumble and swear at Green, after having had a few words with Joe the bargeman; he called him all manner of foul names, and went on from nine to twelve—he was in drink, he had been drinking all the morning—he was following Green about and poking his nose up into his face—the blow and fall were all in an instant—Clark was on the reel at the time, and lunging towards Green, and Green gave him a sort of shove, whether with his open hand or not I could not say—it was more a push than a blow—Clark's hand was raised at the time as if to strike Green—there was a sort of incline at the spot, and the stones were slippery, the least touch would upset him—Green appeared to exercise great control over himself.
WILLIAM SMITH . I live at Chingford—I am under-foreman at Ridley's—I was at the factory on Christmas Eve—I saw Clark, who was engaged by one of the contractors, driving vans to the factory—I heard him using bad language to Green—I noticed that the first thing after breakfast, and it went on all the morning; he was the worse for drink—at the barge where we were at work at a quarter to one I was standing at the back of the cart that had the canvas in—Clark's van was about fifty yards away—he came towards us and abused Green, who was helping to unload the cart—I did not notice what Green said—he struck Clark in the face and knocked him down on his back, and his head went on the stones in the yard—he was insensible when he was picked up—his head was cut at the back—it was only one blow—before dinner Green was angry with Clark for wanting him to unload his van.
Cross-examined. I could not say whether the blow was with a clenched fist or not—I have been seventeen years with the firm—I believe Green has been there fifteen years—he is a good-tempered man, liked by all his shopmates—I was surprised that he had put up with Clark's insolence so well as he did—he showed great self-command—Clark was calling him all manner of names—Green took no notice—it went on from nine till twelve, continual abuse and foul language—he was in drink when he came in, and he had been drinking all the morning—he stood in front of Green—I did not see him reel towards him in a threatening way.
FREDERICK WHEELER . I am a carman in the same employ as Clark—on Christmas Eve I was with a cart at the works—when I came up there was a discussion about taking Clark to the hospital—he did not want to go—I persuaded him to go, and went with him to have his injury dressed—I waited till he came out, and he drove part of the way home—he had half a pint of ale on the way—he began to get a bit sleepy, and I drove home—we got home about four, or a little after—I put him in charge of the landlady and came away.
Cross-examined. When he came out of the hospital he said it was a nasty cut in the same old wound.
NOT GUILTY .