Mexborough and Swinton Times April 20, 1918

Swinton Couple’s Troubles.

Edward, Wilson (74), glass blower, Swinton, was charged with having deserted his wife, Emily Wilson.

Complainant said she was married to the defendant on April, 12th, twenty-four years ago, at Doncaster Registry Office.

She was now 64 years of age. When be deserted her seventeen years ago they were living in a house at Mexhoro’ and he left her and three children.

She did not know the reason he left her, except that she had been constantly for six months in bed. She continued to live in the house for about twelve months after he left her.

Defendant pleaded that one Sunday, when he objected to complainant going to the theatre with a lodger she rushed at him with a knife, and then dropped the knife, and she and the lodger pushed him out of the house. He had only 21s per week as a labourer, and 8s per week superannuation allowance from his trade society. He only worked four hours per day cleaning glass.

The Bench made an order for the defendant to pay his wife 2s. 6d. per week.