The Rev. —
Wilson, vicar of the parish of Desborough, charged Louisa Starmer
with disturbing the service at church.
—Mr. Wilson stated that on the morning of the 24th of July he was
engaged at the parish church in the solemnization of a marriage. There
was a large number of persons in the church-yard at the time. This woman
appeared to him to have put her mouth to the key-hole of the
chancel-door, and shouted loudly into the church, but he could not
distinguish what she said. The noise, however, had the effect of
disturbing the service, and he was obliged to stop until quiet was
restored. He heard like noises from two other doors of the church being
the same voice, and he believed defendant went from one door to another,
which she could effect in a very short time. Did not see her, but knew
her voice well, and was quite sure it was her voice that he heard
through the chancel and other doors.
—John Deacon,
carpenter, and sexton of the parish church, said that on the morning of
the 25th of July he was in the church-yard. There were a great many
persons in the church-yard at the time. Saw defendant standing close to
the chancel door. Heard her cry out loudly, "Good morning," and he sent
her away. Was close to her, and was quite certain it was she who cried
out.
—Jonathan,
son of the former witness, gave similar evidence.
—Defendant said there was a rather singular wedding at the time, and
she had promised the bridal party that whenever the matrimonial knot was
about to be tied she would wish them "Good morning." She was sure she
meant no harm by it, and also sure she did not put her mouth to the
chancel door. She was exceedingly sorry if she had done wrong, and would
take care never to do so again.
—Jane Page
and another female witness, for defendant, deposed to being in the
church-yard and hearing her say "Good morning" to the bride and
bridegroom, but did not see her put her mouth to the key-hole of the
door.
—The rev. gentleman said he had no wish to press for a conviction,
but the frequent annoyances he had met with during religious services
determined him to endeavour to put a stop to such indecorous
proceedings.
—The defendant, being called upon to pay 11s. 6d. expenses, burst
into a flood of tears, and said, "O what shall I do, I have no money,
and what is to become of my dear children."
—The kind-hearted vicar paid the expenses himself.
Northampton Mercury,
Saturday 30 August 1862