Charlie got into a bit of trouble for not sending children to school
12 April 1878 North Wales Express (some confusion about the child's gender!)
Charles Conlon's child had not made his appearance at all thjs year. In defence "Charlie" said she had been sick, but he had no medical certificate to prove it....The Bench, in giving their decision, said that they fined the defendants Is each and costs (except John Lewis, who was dismissed), but they would like to be more severe with Charles Conlon and William Williams, and if they would not pay they would be sent to gaol. Charlie replied "I can never pay them, sir" (laughter).—The Chairman: Will you try ?— Charlie: How can I try to pay them when I cannot?"—The Rev. J. D. Jones observed that Charlie was law and gospel to himself."—He was committed for seven day's imprisonment.
same paper, 18 April 1878
Poor Charlie left to Fate.
The case of Charles Conlon, who had been sentenced the previous Monday to 7 days' imprisonment for refusing to send his child to school, was brought before the board by the Rev J. D. Jones. The question was, whether the guardians would undertake to pay his expenses home from Carnarvon. Amongst some discussion Mr Felton remarked that it seemed very hard for an old man of 75 to be turned out of gaol penniless and friendless, and he would either have to beg, borrow or steal his way home.—It was observed that Charlie was not a pauper of that union, and if they did this act of kindness once, Charlie would take a ride very often to Carnarvon.—The matter then dropped.
