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Liverpool Mercury
Wednesday September 8 1880

Alleged Murder at Burnley

An itinerant cutler, named Charles Noble, living in wapping, a low part of Burnley, was in Rawson's lodging-house at eleven o'clock on Saturday night, when John Eveson came in, in company with Annie Jones, an unfortunate. Noble accused Eveson of improper conduct with his(Noble's) wife at Todmorden some time ago. Eveson indignantly denied the accusation, cursing at the same time at Noble. Jones jumped up, squared her fists, and challenged Noble to a fight, calling him a returned convict. Noble pushed her away, and said if Eveson did not take her away, he should strike her, whereupon she struck Noble several times. Seeing him defending himself, Eveson knocked him down with his fists, inflicting heavy blows on the chest. When Noble was down on the floor the proprietor of the house entered, and tried to separate the combatants, lifting Noble up and putting him on a chair. James and Mary Fairhurst then entered, and the latter, seeing Noble, rushed at him and struck him several times, her husband inciting all three assailants to "give it to him." The landlord again tried to separate them, but could not succeed, the woman Fairhurst striking Noble all the time, and again knocking him down, when he was severly kicked. Ultimately he was removed, and medical aid procured, but he died yesterday morning. The inquest will be opened to-day. The assailants have been arrested, and a charge of murder will be preferred against them. Noble was 70 years of age.

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Mel

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Liverpool Mercury
Thursday September 9 1880

Alleged Manslaughter At Burnley
At burnley, yesterday, ann Jones, John Emerson, Jane Fairhurst and James Fairhurst, were charged with causing the death of Charles noble, under circumstances already reported. Frederick Pickering said he saw Jones, Emerson, and Jane fairhurst assault Noble, and James Fairhurst said, "Give it him; punch his head off." The prisoners were remanded until tomorrow, and in the meantime an inquest will be held.

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Mel

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The Times
Thursday September 14th 1880

An Inquest Has Been Held At Burnley

An inquest has been held at Burnley upon the body of an old man, a scissors grinder, named Noble. The deceased was in a lodging-house where a number of people were assembled. Soon after he had been seated he had some words with a man named Everson. A woman named Jones said the deceased was a liar and a returned convict, and becoming infuriated cried out, "I'm a woman; fight me." she then commenced "squaring" at Noble with her fists, and hit him several times without receiving the slightest provocation. Deceased put up his hands to ward off the blow, and told the woman to desist, as she was hurting him. At length he pushed her from him, then Everson leaped up, rushed at the deceased, and struck him heavy blows about the face with both fists. The woman Jones joined in the attack until the old man dropped from exhaustion. When on the floor Everson violently kicked the old man in the chest. He moaned several times and commenced to spit blood. James Fairhurst and Mary Fairhurst also joined in the attack. The old man died from the injuries received. The jury returned a verdict of "Manslaughter," and Everson, Jones and the two Fairhursts were committed for trial at the assizes.

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Mel

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Liverpool Mercury
Wednesday November 3 1880

Manchester Assizes
Manslaughter At Burnley

James Evanson, aged 31, Ann Jones, aged 26, James Fairhurst, aged 39, and Mary Fairhurst, aged 33, were indicted for having, on the 4th September, feloniously killed and slain one Charles Noble. The prisoners and the deceased were quarrelling in a lodging-house at Burnley, and the latter, after being struck by the women, was kicked by James Fairhurst, who is a cripple. It was proved that the injuries caused by the kick led to the man's death.-James Fairhurst was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment; the other prisoners were acquitted.

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Mel

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Nothing much changed is there, still let off lightly even then.
Stephanie.