On 21st September 1892, John Matthews, a horse and cart driver for Robert Adam (Coalmasters) was travelling along the Glasgow Road, Blantyre.
The cart was being pulled by two ponies around 3 o clock in the afternoon. A van was standing by a nearby shop and just as the cart passed it, out from behind the van ran a child, Charles Cook of 87 Bairds Rows. Sadly, Charles was run over, resulting in some excitement in the street.
Charles Cook Senior, decided his son’s injuries should be taken to authorities. The case was heard in Hamilton Sheriff Court in March 1893.
However, witnesses described the events as the cart was driving at a fairly normal pace, not excessively fast or erratic. There had been groups of children all standing on the pavement off the road, but this one child wasn’t looking where he was going and had run into the way of the cart and ponies.
The court held that Matthew (and subsequently his Employer) could not be held accountable.
AI Imagines the incident.
