Family In the News . . . Assault - 2 May 1890 ASSAULT - At the Sheriff Court on Thursday last Mrs Jeanie Carwell or Currie was charged with assaulting Jessie Houston, daughter of and residing with William Houston, colliery manager, Colliery Row, Hurlford, on the 14th April by striking her one or more blows on the face to the effusion of blood. Accused pled not guilty, and was defended by Mr N. M c Michael. After hearing evidence the Sheriff found the charge proven and imposed a fine of £2 with the alternative of 20 days imprisonment. Small Debt Court - 8 Oct 1892 The Kilmarnock Standard of 8 Oct 1892 reported that William Houston, James Spencer and Archibald Torrance, all residing in Hurlford appeared in the Small Debt Court as a result of damage to a horse they had hired for a trip to Troon. Identifying the three defendants cannot be done conclusively though the 1891 Census is helpful. It seems likely that these alleged miscreants were James Spence (23, coal miner) who was boarding with Archibald Torrance (23, painter) and his family in Mauchline Road, Riccarton, Hurlford. The families of James Spence and Archibald’s wife Elizabeth Houston had lived in adjacent houses in Houstoun Square, Abbey, Johnstone, at the time of the 1871 Census. It seems likely that William Houston was a relative, perhaps father (53) or brother(28), of Elizabeth Torrance (Houston). Old photo of beach at Troon