Mexborough and Swinton Times October 5, 1918

Unruly Boy.

Row in the Goldthorpe Pit.

At Doncaster, on Saturday, a pony-driver Harry Brown, of Highgate, was summoned by the Goldthorpe Colliery Co. for two breaches of the Mines Act

a. disobeying orders and
b. behaving in a violent manner.

He had issued a cross-summons against Harry Bowyer a deputy, for assault. Mr. W. Baddiley stated that on September 18 defendant was ordered to do certain work. He refused and was ordered out of the pit. The next day when he got to the pit bottom and was having his lamp tried by the deputy be was very abusive and used bad languager He was ordered out, and Bowyer took him to the pit bottom. While there another boy asked him what he was going out for and defendant made an obscene reference to Bowyer.

Bowyer put out his hand, and pushed defendant against some tubs. Brown took his lamp from his belt and threw it at the deputy, which hit him on the head and knocked him down.

Evidence was given by the deputy Bowyer, John Hepworth the on-setter, the Corporal Gardner, and Mr Fisher, the manager.

Mr R. Hartley admitted that defendant had thrown the lamp but argued that he was provoked.

Defendant said that when he went try his lamp, Bowyer told him “take your —— Hook home.” He did not say anything to him

At the pit bottom, in conversation, with another boy, he spoke of Bowyer as the big Staffordshire pig,” and of Bowyer pushed him into a tub. He pushed and tries and it was then the lamp. Bowyer made for him” and threatened him.

Chairman (Brigadier – General Bewick Copley) said he wished boys would behave themselves in the pit. Brown would have to pay 30 shillings for the violent conduct, and the case against Bowyer was dismissed. In the second case Brown was found 20 shillings.