Mexborough and Swinton Times, May 13th, 1932
Scuffle In Pit
Trouble Over Tubs At Hickleton
A dispute between three miners at Hickleton Main as to the number of tubs they should have had resulted in the men appearing at the Doncaster West Riding Court on Saturday. Joel Biram (30), of 39, Chapel Lane, Thurnscoe, summoned Cuthbert Brennan (23), of 28, Brunswick Street, Thurnscoe, for assault.
Biram and his father, Joseph Biram, of 15, Chapel Lane, Thurnscoe were summoned by Brennan for assault, and all the men were summoned by the Hickleton Main Colliery Company for a breach of the Coal Mines Act by fighting in the mine. Mr. L. H. Brittain appeared for the Birams, Mr. D, Dunn for Brennan and Mr. C. R. Marshall represented the Colliery Company.
Mr. Brittain said that on April 16th, the Birams were working in stall No. 83. About 10 a.m. the rope-runner went with some empty tubs and left three at stall 86, four at 85, and three at 84, the last being Brennan’s stall. He was taking four to 83’s when Brennan began grumbling and went into 83’s where he complained about certain tubs he should have had. He told the Birams that they should not have any more tubs, and tried to lift one off the rails. He rushed at Joel Biram, who was thrown on his back into the bell wires. Biram shouted for help for this father who told Brennan to get off him. Brennan told him to keep out of the way and Biram, senr. closed with him and three men fell to the ground. The bell wires were broken. Brennan again rushed at Biram. junr. And struck him a violent blow in the face. Biram stumbled but got hold of a locker and struck Brennan on the head with it. The three men were taken before the manager later in the day, when Brennan admitted that he was the aggressor. The Birams simply protected themselves against a vicious assault. Biram, senr. had worked in mines for 49 years. He was a peaceable worker and a man of good character.
Joel Biram said Brennan threatened to kill him, and witness picked up a locker and hit him on the head. Brennan told the manager that “he was the aggressor but he did it in self-defence.” He appeared to be upset because they had four tubs in their stall.
Joseph Biram gave similar evidence.
Harry Middleton Joel, rope runner of 46, Victor Street, Thurnscoe said he delivered three tubs to Brennan’s stall and Brennan said he wanted four as well as the Birams He followed witness to Birams’ stall, and threw one of the tubs off the road.
Mr. Dunn described the trouble as a foolish bickering between men who should have had more sense. Brennan was stooping when young Biram tried to hit him and he grappled him about the legs to prevent him. Biram, senr. kicked him unmercifully in the ribs. If there was any violence it was on the part of the Birams. Brennan had spent the whole of his working life at the colliery and had not been in any trouble before.
Brennan said he wanted four tubs but Biram, junr. said he could have only three. This caused the trouble. He denied admitting that he was the aggressor
Cross-examined by Mr. Brittain, Brennan admitted that when the additional tubs were taken, he already had five in his stall, and the Birams only one.
The Chairman (Mr. G. E. Cooke-Yarborough) said that the Bench felt that it as a great pity that three respectable miners like them should be having trouble of that kind. As far as the bench was concerned there was no doubt that Brennan and Joel Biram were fighting in the pit, for which they must each pay £2. They had taken a lenient view about Joseph Biram and dismissed the summons. With regard to the assault, they thought the trouble was caused by Brennan going to the other men’s “gate” which he ought not have done. On the other hand, they could not justify the use of a locker by Joel Biram. Even if he had been assaulted, he had no right to use a murderous instrument of that sort. The magistrates did not want any ill feeling between the men and had therefore decided to bind them over in £5 for twelve months, and dismiss the summonses for assault.