5.--A series of military tournaments, given by the 20th Hussars in aid of
the city charities, commenced at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, and
concluded on the 9th.
9.--A severe gale did great damage to the fishing fleet in the North Sea.
Several Yarmouth fishermen were drowned. Heavy snowstorms occurred on
the 10th.
20.--At the Norwich Assizes, before Mr. Justice Field, George Edward
Brock (46), solicitor, was sentenced to ten months' imprisonment for
obtaining money by false pretences.
21.--A murderous attack was made upon Police-constable Southgate, of the
Norwich police, by a man named Joseph Betts, who in 1883 was charged with
sending threatening letters to the Bishop of Norwich and Mr. J. J.
Colman, M.P., signed "Another Invincible." Southgate was returning from
night duty at 6.35 a.m., when he was accosted by Betts, who fired a
revolver at him, the bullet passing between his left arm and the side of
his body. Betts then withdrew to his house in Northumberland Street,
where he barricaded himself. Several police-officers went to the house
to effect his apprehension; a ladder was procured, and while Inspector
Guiett was preparing to ascend to the bedroom window Betts appeared above
and deliberately fired at the officer. The bullet struck the leather
peak of the inspector's cap, and, glancing off, inflicted a superficial
wound upon his head. Ultimately the prisoner was captured by a ruse, and
removed to the police-station. On March 1st he was committed for trial.
Betts was tried at the Norwich Assizes on July 20th on the charge of
firing a pistol at Police-constable Southgate with intent to murder him.
He was found guilty of intent to do grievous bodily harm, and was
sentenced by Lord Chief Justice Coleridge to fifteen years' penal
servitude. The prisoner was afterwards removed to Broadmoor Criminal
Lunatic Asylum.
--Died, at Ashill Rectory, the Rev. Bartholomew Edwards, "within ten days
of his 100th year." Born on March 2nd, 1789, he graduated at St. John's
College, Cambridge, taking his B.A. degree (7th Sen. Opt.) in 1811. He
was ordained deacon by Bishop Bathurst at Norwich in 1812, and priest in
1813. In the last-named year he received his only preferment, which he
held for 76 years. Mr. Edwards, who was the oldest clergyman in the
Church of England, was a rural dean, a justice of the peace, and a Deputy
Lieutenant for Norfolk. He recorded his vote at the County Council
election on January 24th, and caught a chill; congestion of the lungs
supervened, and this attack was the immediate cause of his death.
27.--The Marquis of Hartington visited Norwich and addressed a large
meeting of the Unionist party held at St. Andrew's Hall. The Earl of
Leicester presided, and was supported by several representatives of the
nobility and county gentry.