Now! Then! John Henry is found guilty of “debauching the minds and ruining the rising generation” in his sweetshop on Broomhall Street, Sheffield

31 January 1858: John Henry is found guilty of “debauching the minds and ruining the rising generation” in his sweetshop on Broomhall Street, Sheffield

Sheffield Independent. 1858/02/13. Magisterial proceedings. Sheffield. Get it:

Excerpt

Constable Wood: On Saturday night, I was passing defendant’s shop, and observing a number of boys there, I stopped at the window to see what was going on. Defendant was at the table with a bag in his hand, containing pieces of wood with numbers on. The boys paid money, and drew a number out of the bag, and then were served with sweetmeats by the defendant’s wife. I saw them draw from the “lucky bag” three distinct times, and then went into the shop. I made a snatch at the bag, but did not get it. There were eight or ten boys in the shop, from 10 to 16 years of age. Mr Gilley said when he went to serve the summons yesterday he found four boys in the house playing at dominoes. Mr Raynor said similar complaints had before reached him, and he had privately cautioned the defendant. He should now press for a fine. Defendant: I will drop it from this time. Mr A. Smith: It is most abominable that you should carry on such a trade. You could not do anything more objectionable. You are debauching the minds and ruining the rising generation. Defendant said he had been out of work since Christmas. Mr A. Smith: That is no reason why you should ruin these young people, by teaching and encouraging them to gamble. The magistrates convicted the defendant in the penalty of 5s. and 4s. costs. Defendant said he had not a farthing to pay with. Mr Haywood: Then a distress warrant will issue against your goods.

Order the book

Subscribe to the free daily email

To facilitate reading, the spelling and punctuation of elderly excerpts have generally been modernised, and distracting excision scars concealed. My selections, translations, and editions are copyright.

Abbreviations

Comment

Something to say? Get in touch

Original

Constable Wood said: On Saturday night, I was passing defendant’s shop, and observing a number of boys there, I stopped at the window to see what was going on. Defendant was at the table with a bag in his hand, containing pieces of wood with numbers on. The boys paid money, and drew a number out of the bag, and then were served with sweetmeats by the defendant’s wife. I saw them draw from the “lucky bag” three distinct times, and then went into the shop. I made a snatch at the bag, but did not get it. There were eight or ten boys in the shop, from 10 to 16 years of age.
Mr. Gilley said, when he went to serve the summons, yesterday, he found four boys in the house playing at dominoes.
Mr. Raynor said similar complaints had before reached him, and he had privately cautioned the defendant. He should now press for a fine.
Defendant: I will drop it from this time.
Mr. A. Smith: It is most abominable that you should carry on such a trade. You could not do anything more objectionable. You are debauching the minds and ruining the rising generation.
Defendant said he had been out of work since Christmas.
Mr. A. Smith: That is no reason why you should ruin these young people, by teaching and encouraging them to gamble.
The Magistrates convicted the defendant in the penalty of 5s. and 4s. costs.
Defendant said he had not a farthing to pay with.
Mr. Haywood: Then a distress warrant will issue against your goods.

274 words.