Documents relating to John Mitchell

Attempted Stabbing Case at Halifax

Halifax West Riding magistrates have before them a case in which a man was charged with what was shown to be a most determined attempt to stab his sister-in-law, but which proved abortive though a similar cause to that stated in the details concerning the attempt on Lady Florence Dixie.

The prisoner, John Mitchell, a tripe dealer of Elland, was, some months ago, committed to prison for an aggravated assault upon his wife. His wife left him and went to live with her sister, Grace Firth, wife of James Firth a quarryman from Rastrick.

The prisoner had entered Mrs Firth's house, and making use of an abusive epithet towards his wife, asked where she was. Mrs Firth remonstrated with him, when he drew a butcher's knife from his pocket and struck her in the breast. Fortunately the blade came into contact with the woman's stay-bone and was broken to pieces. Prisoner attempted to get another knife from his pocket, but the woman struggled until her screams brought several persons and the prisoner was secured.

The Quarter Sessions being near at hand the Bench committed the prisoner for trial there instead of the Assizes