Nowadays, you will see more cars than horses on the public streets of Stamford. In 1826, however, Elizabeth Stockdale was trampled in Red-Lion square by a horse riding at great speed. After the magistrates had agreed on the recklessness of those who deliberately try the paces of horses in public, the offender was released from custody and left with a hefty price to pay.
“CAUTION.- At Stamford town-hall on Tuesday night, John Palmer, horse-dealer, of Oundle, was brought up in custody, to answer the complaint of Elizabeth Stockdale, whom he had severely injured by riding over her in Red Lion-square, about three o’clock in the afternoon. It seemed from the evidence of the poor woman and others, that Palmer, whilst dealing in the fair, and trying the paces of a horse, rode at a very rapid rate from Peter-hill, and suddenly turning into Red Lion-square, went furiously amongst a number of persons in that great thoroughfare, to the imminent hazard of the lives and limbs of all of them. Eliz. Stockdale and two children whom she had in her care were violently thrown down, and she was so severely hurt as to become insensible, until restored through the aid of a medical gentleman living near the spot.- Palmer attempted a vindication of himself by alleging that the horse which he had been induced to mount proved to be vicious and unmanageable, and he expressed his contrition for what had occurred. After some suitable observations from the magistrates on the scandalous carelessness of dealers and others who try the paces of horses in the public streets, Palmer was allowed to make satisfaction to the complainant for the surgeon’s charges and the injury she had received; and on further payment of fees, he was discharged from custody.”
Stamford Mercury, 10 February, 1826.