William Evans (died 1889)
William Evans
William Evans
William Evans was born in Abergavenny. He was apprenticed to James Hopwood at Hednesford and, on completing his apprenticeship, lived in Fulford, Whitchurch, in Shropshire. During his career, he at one time rode in America. He had what proved to be his last victory on Warrior in the Codsall Hunters’ Hurdle Plate at Wolverhampton on October 24, 1889.
William Evans was born in Abergavenny. He was apprenticed to James Hopwood at Hednesford and, on completing his apprenticeship, lived in Fulford, Whitchurch, in Shropshire. During his career, he at one time rode in America. He had what proved to be his last victory on Warrior in the Codsall Hunters’ Hurdle Plate at Wolverhampton on October 24, 1889.
On the night of Friday, December 20, 1889, while visiting his father and mother-in-law in Frank Street, Birmingham, he was drinking and playing cards in the Electric Tavern in Belgrave Street, Balsall Heath, when a dispute arose over the payment for some beer. He was ejected from the pub and, on leaving, was struck twice in the face by the pub’s landlord John Weston.
On the night of Friday, December 20, 1889, while visiting his father and mother-in-law in Frank Street, Birmingham, he was drinking and playing cards in the Electric Tavern in Belgrave Street, Balsall Heath, when a dispute arose over the payment for some beer. He was ejected from the pub and, on leaving, was struck twice in the face by the pub’s landlord John Weston.
Evans was discovered lying in the street and was taken by a policeman to the Queen’s Hospital but was found to be dead on arrival.
Evans was discovered lying in the street and was taken by a policeman to the Queen’s Hospital but was found to be dead on arrival.
At the inquest it was stated that death was due to a blood clot on the brain allied to the rupture of a carotid artery, the result of violence. Evans was reportedly suffering from heart disease and the rupture was brought about by excitement. Weston was duly arrested and charged with manslaughter.
At the inquest it was stated that death was due to a blood clot on the brain allied to the rupture of a carotid artery, the result of violence. Evans was reportedly suffering from heart disease and the rupture was brought about by excitement. Weston was duly arrested and charged with manslaughter.
Among the witnesses at the trial was fellow jockey Alfred Shipley, who lived at a farm on Brunswick Road, Sparkbrook. In his evidence he remarked that Evans was “very excited” on that fateful night.
Among the witnesses at the trial was fellow jockey Alfred Shipley, who lived at a farm on Brunswick Road, Sparkbrook. In his evidence he remarked that Evans was “very excited” on that fateful night.
Weston was found guilty but the jury recommended leniency in view of the circumstances regarding Evans’ medical condition. Accordingly, the judge gave an extremely lenient sentence of four months’ hard labour.
Weston was found guilty but the jury recommended leniency in view of the circumstances regarding Evans’ medical condition. Accordingly, the judge gave an extremely lenient sentence of four months’ hard labour.
During the trial William Evans was given as being 35 years old, though it is possible he was only 32. He was a widower, leaving three children.
During the trial William Evans was given as being 35 years old, though it is possible he was only 32. He was a widower, leaving three children.
