A RESERVIST'S WIFE IN COURT.
Margaret Dunn or Cushnie, 29 Shiprow, Aberdeen, wife of Wm. Black Cushnie, reservist, at present serving in South Africa, was at a Justice of Peace Court in Aberdeen yesterday. - Mr James Murray of North Inveramsay, Mr David Sinclair of Altens, and ex-Baillie Sangster on the bench - charged with allowing her daughter, Mary, 12 years of age, to sell matches in Trinity Street, she not having yet obtained the necessary certificates under the Education Act. Accused pleaded guilty, and admitted a previous conviction. She was represented by Mr G. M. Aitken, solicitor, who stated that accused, whose husband was in the army in South Africa, had barely sufficient for her maintenance, and that was why she had to resort to something to keep herself and her other three children. Mr Maclennan, procurator-fiscal depute, stated that when accused had been convicted of a similar offence last year it was stated that she was in receipt of £4 2s 6d per month. She was getting more now, he believed, than she got when her husband was at home. If she had not enough she was squandering the money. Mr Aitken stated that accused had now only 17s 6d per week, one of the children being now 14 years old. Mr James Murray thought 17s 6d a week ought to be sufficient to provide for the woman and her children, and that was no excuse why she should send her girl out to sell matches in the streets. The Justices imposed a fine of 15s, with the option of five days' imprisonment, a fortnight being granted as the time in which the fine must be paid.
The Aberdeen Journal, Thursday 14th March 1901
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A FAITHLESS WIFE AND A BRUTAL HUSBAND.
Before Sheriff Henderson Begg in Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday, William Black Cushnie, labourer, residing at 69 Queen Street, Aberdeen, was charged with having, on the 13th ult., in the house, 29 Shiprow, assaulted his wife, Margaret Dunn Cushnie, by beating her with a stick and severely bruising her; and with having, on the 1st April again, assaulted his wife by kicking her on the head with his booted foot; and, thirdly, with having conducted himself in an outrageous manner, used violent and threatening language towards his wife, and committed a breach of the peace. Accused, who pleaded guilty, had a long list of previous convictions for assault recorded against him. In explanation, he said he had been at the front for about two-and-a-half years, and when he came home he found his wife with child to another man. While he was away his wife got an allowance of £4 a month, and when he came back she had nothing in the house, and the family were not properly looked after. That was why he committed the offence.
Mr Maclennan, depute procurator-fiscal, said that accused had joined the Gordon Highlanders and gone to South Africa. He returned about a month ago, and since his return had been drinking heavily, to the extent of six or seven gills of whisky a day. He had been hardly ever sober. He had found his wife pregnant to another man living in the same house. When accused was made aware of this he left the house, but he returned about a week ago, and said he would forgive her and be friends. They lived for a time together, but he continued drinking, and pawned some of his own and his wife's clothes. The woman had a good allowance during the time he was in South Africa.
In reply to his lordship, accused said he returned to Aberdeen on the 6th of March. The Sheriff said that one assault took place on the 13th of March, but that was not when accused had first come back, and the second assault took place on the 1st of April.
The Fiscal said that the woman was bruised from the shoulder to the waist, and the left side of her head was swollen. She was lying in bed at the time, and accused jumped into bed beside her, and tramped on her head.
His lordship said that the accused had known of his wife's condition when he came back, and he went to live with her again. The assault took place some weeks after. If, when he had first come back to Aberdeen, and discovered the condition of his wife he had committed the assault, his lordship said he could quite understand the accused being carried away by his rage, but these assaults took place weeks afterwards. His wife's conduct during his absence had really nothing to do with the assaults, which were caused by his being drunk and probably his wife's conduct together. He would pass a moderate sentence - 30 days' imprisonment.
Aberdeen Daily Journal, Friday 4th April 1902
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SENDING A CHILD FOR DRINK.
In Aberdeen Police Court yesterday - before Baillie Maitland - Wm. Black Cushnie, labourer, 69 Queen Street, was charged with having, on 31st March, knowingly sent his daughter, Mary, who is not yet 14 years of age, to licensed premises for a gill of rum, and on 1st April committed a similar offence, and sent the same girl for another gill of rum. He pleaded guilty, and was fined 15s, the option being five days' imprisonment.
Aberdeen Daily Journal, Wednesday 7th May 1902
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ABERDEEN POLICE COURT.
(Saturday - Before Baillie Middleton.)
William Cushie, labourer, Queen Street, and Margaret Cushnie, Shiprow, were charged with having, last night, in Shiprow, behaved in a riotous and disorderly manner, and committed a breach of the peace. Thirteen previouis convictions were recorded against William Cushie, while the female accused had been seven times previously convicted. Both the accused, who pleaded guilty, were sent to prison for 14 days.
Aberdeen Daily Journal, Monday 15th September 1902
Edit: I've found him on MyHeritage. He was born circa 1862, to William Cushnie, and Jane Cushnie (born Black), then, aged 24, marrying Margaret Dunn in 1886. Only one child was recorded, James Black Cushnie.
