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Stalbridge’s Criminal Organist

Richard Lydford was a teacher of music and the organist at Stalbridge Parish Church. In August 1875, he was sent to prison for having beaten his wife Lemira Lydford and having broken one of her ribs. Only 18 months had elapsed since they had been ‘joined together by God in the bands of holy matrimony.’ Their marriage had ‘caused a good deal of remark not entirely complimentary as Lemira was 72 years of age and the bridegroom not yet 40.’ She was the widow of the former minister of Stalbridge Congregational Chirch.

He had come home between one and two o’clock in the morning and had threatened to cut his wife’s throat with a bread knife. Eventually she had escaped the house and had walked around a quarter of a mile in a storm when drenched with rain. 

Lydford was apprehended at Semley railway station. James Bartlett, teetotal  editor of the Blandford Express commented:

‘This poor fellow’s case is another sad instance of the effects of strong drink. We understand he has been in the habit of laughing at teetotallers. Doubtless, he sees his folly.’

The Chairman of Sturminster Newton Petty Sessions addressed the prisoner:

‘You committed a most cowardly assault on your wife for which you will be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for four months and at the expiration you will enter in your recognisance in the sum of £50 to keep the peace towards your wife for the term of six months.
 
(Source: Blandford Express - 21st August 1875.)

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