25 YEARS AGO

THE first link has been forged between Bolton and the French industrial town of Le Mans. A party of 25 councillors and Corporation officials flew back to Bolton after two hectic days of town-twinning ceremonies. After the scroll signing at Le Mans, Bolton's Mayor, Ald. Henry Devenish, cut a tape to re-open a road which had been renamed 'Rue de Bolton'.

50 YEARS AGO

PANTOMIME comes to Bolton next week with 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears' at the Grand Theatre, and 'Babes in the Wood' at the Theatre Royal. At the Hippodrome, Eden Philpots's well-known comedy 'Devonshire Cream' will be given.

125 YEARS AGO

CANNIBALISM IN BOLTON

John Veisay, labourer, 47 Carey-street, was summoned at the Borough Court on Monday charged with an assault upon David Patterson, forgeman, on the night of Saturday, the 28th of June last. Complainant stated that a few minutes after eleven on that night, he met the defendant coming our of George Lawson's Tavern, Queen-street. Defendant's wife was with him, and he asked her why her husband had bitten him, and added that he wanted no more bother with him. Upon that the defendant came up between them, and putting his arm round his neck bit a piece of his ear off whilst they were struggling. Defendant's friends then came up, they pitched into him, and 'kicked him insensible'. The next morning his eyes were blackened, his forehead emaciated, and his ribs sore. The Bench considered the case proved and fined the defendant 20s and costs; in default 14 days, and stated that there were faults on both sides, but defendant was the worst.

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