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Northern Star (1837-1852), 20th September 1845, Edition 3 of 4, Page 5, ^N*rayETi--v. vri, oui1cVs^-_iSji^ , iin...

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      Septembeb 20. 1845. , The Northern Star ...

      Septembeb 20 . 1845 . _, THE NORTHERN STAR ff

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      _# mlmtte , < Btitnit _$ , $ c _-Juqiiegts

      •Fatal Accident On The Birmingham And Br...

      • FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE BIRMINGHAM AND BRISTOL LINE . , ,. , . Defford , Sept . 15 . The adjourned inquest upon the bodies of the engine-driver , Ward , and William Miles , a carpenter who met -with tlieir deaths by a collision of trains on this line on Saturday night , the 30 th nl ., was _resumed this day before Air . Best , the coroner for this division ofthe county . It will be remembered that the inquest was _bcnn jo bc held on the Monday succeeding the accident " on which day evidence was given that the accident was caused by the engine of the up-train coming in contact with a truck which was npon the up-line , but which was intended to be shifted to the down-line , and attached toa train -which was momentarily

      ex-_ pected from Birmingham . A special goods train from Gloucester coming- « P a * the time , a collision ensued ; the engine was thrown upon the _opposite rails , and the train from Birmingham approaching at the instant , struck the engine , occasioning the deaths of the two unfortunate persons , the subjects of this inquiry , seriously injuring several other persons , destroying the engines , « fcc . It was alleged that proper signals were shown to stop the special goods train , and the porter who was in charge of the truck stated he was not aware _that a goods train was coming up from Gloucester , but that he , _notwithstanding , carried a red light as a signal for trains to

      _etcp at Defford ; that another red light was placed on the platform ofthe station , and a third was exhibited hy a labourer at Defford-road-bridge . A man named Abbott , porter at the Bromsgrove station , deposed that he came from Gloucester that night with the special goods train , which was laden with iron rails and deals ; that he did not see the red light at the station distinctly , but that ha saw the red light at Defford-bridge , and was nnable to communicate with the _cngine-drivci _* , "Ward , who did not appear to have seen it . As the evidence of the stoker and others ( who were then so seriously injured as to be unable to attend } was deemed very important , the inquiry was adjourned to this dav .

      Thejury having answered to their names , The Coroner thought thc better course to adopt would be to read over the evidence given at the former meeting , a summary of which has been given already . James Baird was thon sworn ( he appeared with his arm in a sling , from the effects of the accident)—I am a stoker on the Bristol and Birmingham Railway . I knew Joseph Ward when living . He was driver of the engine No . 75 on that line . I was stoker to that engine . On the 30 th of August we left Gloucester , following shortly after the mail train , which left at nine o ' clock that night . Ours was a special goods train , consisting of twenty trucks , ¦ eighteen were loaded , and two empty ; they were loaded with wood and iron rails . We came on

      towards Bredon , when the pumps of the engine failed , and Ward , the driver , would not allow me to put snore fire into thc engine , because he thought we should have to pull it out . We then came on towards Eckington , and finding the pumps of the engine working very well , he said we would put more fire in , nnd I accordingly did so . Then on passing Defford elation I had been putting fuel on , and Ward said there was something wrong . I was engaged in patting fuel on between Eckington and Defford , about a mile apart ; my head was down , and on passing the Defford station Ward said there was something wrong . I looked , and saw Ward shut the steam off the engine , and I was instantly tossed somewhere , and knew nothing else . I can't _eav if he reversed the engine , bnt believe he made

      lis way to the lever for that purpose , lhe hrstthing that I recollect was finding myself on the ground , and gome person pulling _' at mc . Ward was perfectly sober when wc left Gloucester . We stopped and took water at Cheltenham—perhaps for about ten minutes . I did not perceive any signal lights on approaching _Defforl-bridge , because my head was down all the way from Eckington to Defford , being engaged in putting on fuel . I saw no signal at all . I had not completed supplying the engine with fuel , when Ward told me there was something wrong . When I looked up I did not sec a signal or the truck , for I looked towards the reversal lever . I cannot tell whether the break was on when we passed Defford station or not , nor do I know in what part ef the train the guard was . Ward was , as far as I know , a steady driver . I had only been stoker with him th « t week . I never was with Ward when he _disrcnarded anv signal lamp . I cannot say what pace

      we were going at . but we were not going very fast when wc passed the Defford station . I could not tell tho pace because I was putting on the fuel . Before thc pumps got out of order we were travelling at nbont thirty miles an hour . We have many times gone fastcrwith the luggage train . I do not know whether Ward renewed the speed again after he found the engine had again got in order . The adding fuel might not be a means of decreasing speed , as that wouldllepend on tbe state of the water in the boiler . The steam was turned off entirely twice between Bredon and Defford because of the pumps being out of order . Of course that would decrease thc speed ; but when the pumps were put in order and thc steam turned on , it would increase the speed . I never lift my head up while filling the fire . If I had lifted my head 1 might have seen signals . It would occupy more time than the engine would pass over a mile in to feed thc fire . I cannot tell the pace

      we were _sromg at . Thc Foreman . —An answer we will have , and you must know whether yon wero going at two miles or tliirtv . Witness . —I can't tell . Shall I tell you a he ? The Foreman . —To the best of yonr judgment . Witness . —Well , to the best of my judgment , we were goin" tliirtv miles an hour . I don ' t know how long the mail had left Cheltenham when we arrived there . It is in nianv instances the guard s duty , and in other instances the driver ' s duty , to inquire at what time trains have left stations . I saw the mail train leave Gloucester . We were ordered to stop till that had gone forward . I do not know whether the driver or stoker of the mail train knew tliat we were to fellow thorn . I did not notice whether there was any sigual lamp at the rear carriage of the mail train . , ,, . ill * . Whatcly . —It has been proved by a prior witness that there was one .

      Examination resumed . —Ward said nothing to me about having seen any signal lights between Eckington ami Defford . I did not notice and cannot say whether Ward was standing up and attending to his duty between Eckington and Defford . There is no occasion for _sitting down with a goods' train . I can't eay if he was smoking . If Ward had been attending tohis duty as driver , if the lights had been in their proper piacc , he would have seen them . I saw no lights . It is quite _impossibla for me to see lights whoa stooping down , and aUo when the fire door is open ; the light around m * would be too strong . It docs not require Ward to stoop to open and shut the fire door . J sliould consider the engine-driver as one

      of the highest officers that could be on a railway . I never have , to my knowledge , been on au engine which passed by a " signal unheeded . I never heard of Ward passing Eckington in that way . On our _appro-ieli io the Defford station , there was no whistle from the engine which 1 was on . It is thc engine driver ' s duty to sound the whistle on approaching every station . He never approached any station before ( to mv knowledge ) without sounding the whistle , lie sounded the whistle that night at every station except at Defford . That I am certain of , to the best of iny knowledge . There arc some engines tliat when there is too much water the whistle will not _suuiid , but the pumps have nothing to do with it . 'dr . . M'Conndl said . —The whistle of no engine will

      Sound if loo full of water . Examination resumed . —The mail train wliich left Gloucester before us would stop at Cheltenham , _-Ashcliurcli , Spctchlev and Bromsgrove . 1 am not aware of any notice being sent along the line of our being about to start from Gloucester . If die driver were taken ill 1 could drive au engine . 1 should say Ward was not smoking between "Gloucester and Defford , _« _s he was not given to smoking , but chewed tobacco . An engine-driver ' s wages would be 6 s . or 7 s . per day . j ; _1 Taseg are 3 s > q _^ day . _i | r . M'Connell re-examined . —I am the superintendent of locomotives on the Bristol and Birminghani line . _^ J stalcd at m last cxamination that I believed " aru nad _bjg _,, au _em-ine-drivcr about live years _before he came to this line , I have , however , since heard that he has been an ciiL'inc-drivcr for about € _»<¦« year * I _nint . Mr _Stmihonson at Birmingham ,

      who luM mc that he knew Ward well , aud had _scaled him for the 2 forth _Midland line when it opened . 1 have also seen testimonials from Mr . _ij- _uv . " _- _* * _- ! t _] lc locomotivesnperinteudent ofthe North _i , _? . " _)' , as io uJs character as a good and steady urivcr . There was also a testimonial from the locomo-» ve superintendent ofthe South Western Railway to ?! = 'W * _1 character , and another letterrecommcniling j ™ as a man having a _knowledge of engines , from _uwiina .. f l _^ _Wilson , and Co ., eminent enginema >» ers of Leeds . They wore recommending him as a driver while he was in the serviec of this line . I _C'tti _' _-iered him a man of considerable experience in _*^ management of an engine . I never knew any wan m iue locomotive department without his _profit-nig _sniisfaetory testimonials . The same rule is o _* -: n-ed with respect to stokers , because wc _consi-£ _«• uiat they may become drivers . Onr wages to thc _^ _Sn-c-drivers are as high as ihe average of railways , _»«•! _wmsideiably Li

      _«*?* _¦*«¦ m ( jue-siion . _>>" o . 75 , is one ef the largest on f _* _•«** , and tho fire-box , in which the fuel is placed , r <« co nsiderable size ; and if the lire was very _** «> the fire-box , which , as a matter of precaution , p .. •¦ _to ' _- _'cr had allowed it to te , from his pumps . ,, " ¦ ¦ - ' to keep up the supply of water in the boiler , * < _t-c-rch y causing a risk of the fire-box or tubes V , ' _-. ,, uri : t if the lire was strong , I have do doubt - ! j _,:: t iho time _mecs-arv to replenish the fire / . - ; : ' . ' * f * , i _* n * - _s" = thc _eiiL'ine would take- to travel a ,- -- ¦ - _VK * _disrn ! if-e ! _-c _* i ? _.-een _EckimrionsndDcfford . The hv " 5 tn ' :: 1 _' " i { Cu tliat " the whistle would not art SJat _ragines if there was too much water m

      •Fatal Accident On The Birmingham And Br...

      _H _^?* i rhe faih J re of the whistle to act _prises from several causes ; when the water is what we tomi bad , rtettcrvesces m the boiler , or rises in combination _SV- . _^ " « - prevents the whistle from so _undnnmn i . _? tly * J ** 50 the driver fr ° _m neglect . has Pumped his engine too full of water , allowing th , e 7 _^ 1 , 1 ° _f-n , „ igl 1 ' , the 8 team - too low ! the same resuk will iolW . That is peculiar to all W _K . _f ? . less > but sume a _™ better than others , from being higher and having more steam room . I may add that the water on the Gloucester line is bad at many places , particularly at Cheltenham , and the engines are therelore more liable to thus dofeet . We are getting ail our new engines made on the most approved form te remedy this delect , and prevent the circumstauce recurrim 1 should observe-that the comnanv havn irAni . t „ „„ . !??

      expense , and taken great pains to obtain the " best water . I thmk it was in the latter part of 1842 we discharged a man , an engine-driver , for runnin " past a signal at Stoke , and in several instances we have suspended drivers when cases of disobedience of signals have been reported , but on ' immediately investigating the circumstance , it has been found that although he had run past the signal , it had been shown too late by the station master , so that it was impossible for him to stop it in time . Stationkeepers have been fined for it . In every case wherever disobedience of signals has been reported it has been investigated , and wherever proved , DUnisll " nient has followed . If there is one thing more than another that I impress upon our drivers it » « , strict attention to signals , the peculiarities of our line rendering that of the first importance .

      lhe Foreman . —tt hat would be the punishment of an engine-driver if he filled his engine too lull of water , aud so rendered the whistle incapable of action ? Witness . —I should discharge him for it . There i » a rule printed on a large board at the Bromsgrove , Gloucester , and Birmingham stations , in which among other orders there is one requiring the drivers to report immediately to the foreman in charge any defect which they may have observed in any part of their engine or tender , among which the whistle would be included ot course . We keep a hook inwhich I enter all defaulters , stating the name , thecrime , and punishment . I have not got it with me . 1 may observe also that I have regular daily reports from all the foremen , in which arc stated the arrival and departure of all trains at their stations , and which contain also remarks on the conduct of the men , and the condition of the engines and tenders .

      Foreman . —What would be the punishment inflicted on a station-master for not reporting an engine-driver neglecting signals ? , Witness . —I consider that a very serious offence , but I do not know the punishment , as it is not in my department . I have remarked sidings on the line to prevent the necessity of trucks being taken across the main line . They were not at all the second-class stations ; but it is to be recommended that they should be on both sides , and wc adopted them en several stations ' on our line . I may observe , in connexion with that question , that the taking trucks across the main line is unavoidable at some of our stations—at Defford , for instance , as you must push it across after it is loaded . A Juror . —Ha siding had been on the down-lino at Defford , would the accident have occurred ? Witness . —In all probability net . The company have not however , I believe , any land at Defford to make a siding on the down-line .

      Mr . G . Whately . —The Act of Parliament does not give us power to purchase land , and we bave not sufficient land at present to make a siding on the down line at Defford ; but if they apply for a new Act I am quite sure they will instruct me to obtain the necessary power , if possible . Examination resumed . —At the Defford station there is a station-master and a porter iu ordinary cases . But on market-days they have the assistance of another man . The traffic is very irregular at this station , but in every instance where assistance has been applied for it has been had . The staff of the line has been greatly increased . I know of but two stations , Bredon anwiiarnet Green , on the line where the station-man is also employed as a signal-man . It is so at some level crossings , police-stations , for

      instance , where only third-class trains stop . Shaw , who was employed as a signal-man on the night of the accident _^ was in the employment of the contractor for the maintenance of the permanent way . The value of the large engine , No . 'io , is , I . should say , £ 1 , 500 , and the value of the other , No . 30 , is , perhaps , about £ 900 . The duties of the men at the Defford station commence at about half-past five o ' clock in the morning , and they would remain on duty until about ten o ' clock at night . I have not , to my recollection , had any occasion to chastise the deceased , Joseph Ward , for any inattention to signals or neglect of duty ; so far as I could judge of him his conduct was very regular . He was a very quiet man , and from his previous character I had great confidence in him as a good driver .

      Thirty miles an hour I consider too high a rate of speed for a luggage train . I think twenty miles an hour the maximum speed for a luggage train . They are a class of men ( drivers ) that 1 should like to see better paid and better educated . Before I put drivers on a train , I try them a month or two on a pilot engine . I have never received any report , to my recollection , of Ward having been in the habit of passing signals unheeded , though I have seen such a report in tbe newspapers . The porter in charge of that train that night had beeu a guard of a regular goods train for upwards of three months , but , at his own request ; he was allowed to reside at a station , but had been obliged to go out as a guard of a special goods train every week . A guard ' s is a very responsible situation , as from him the driver takes his signals . If the guard was that night between two

      trucks , so that he could not sec anything , as he stated he was , he was not in a proper situation , for lie oujjht to be able to see both before and behind . Abbott is a very steady young man . A means of communication between the guard and the driver is very mHch to be desired , and 1 hope it will soon be effected . From the experience Abbott has had , although so young a man , I consider him fully qualified . The improvement in engines has been going on gradually , and when it was found more steam room was required it was made , not merely for tiie whistle , though that was important , but with a view to the general safety aud better working of the engines . The consideration of a report against a stationmaster , for not signalling properly , would belong to the secretary and general superintendent of the line , in the management of the traffic on the line .

      Mr . Thomas Cook , grocer , of thc city of Worcester , sworn . —I was a passenger on the down line from Worcester on the night of the 30 th of August . We left Worcester at a quarter before nine . We arrived at an open work bridge ( the Abbott ' s Wood ) on this side Stoulton ; we remained under the bridge for a few minutes , ' perhaps ten minutes ( about six miles from Defford ); while waiting there tbe up mail train to Birmingham pas * ed , and we were informed that the detention arose from a portion of the up line being under repair , which rendered it necessary that th _« mail train should pass over a portion of the down line . We then moved ' off , and got into a rapid speed , until we came to Defford-bridge , on the biriuiugham side of the Defford station , when I heard a whistle from our _engine , instantly followed by a concussion

      that throw us off the seat , and we Iclt a crash behind us * a momentary silence ensued , and I heard voices cry , " Jump out , " and I did so . The passengers were all scrambling up the bank much alarmed . My attention was instantly attracted by a very large body of lire , which proved to be thc trucks on fire , that had beeu thrown upon thc engines . The other engine was on tlie up line , or between the two , but in the confusion of thc moment I cculd not exactly say , except that they were lying athwart the lines . I remained upon the bank " for some minutes , during which time exertions were being made to extricate the poor man Ward , who is dead . Shortly afterwards I saw two of thc carriages on fire . I and a vomig man named Burk started off to Spctchlev , and when about a mile on our road we saw a lot of men at work repairing the up line , and I sent them down to the accident . They took with them

      some levers . While there I saw what I supposed was our "uard . He was a guard , and was sitting on a kind of truck or bench . I asked him if he was hurt , and he told me he was terribly shahen . He was in a complete state of consternation . We then went on to Spetciilev . All was quiet there , and they knew nothing of ' the accident . They told me that they expected the goods train in from Birmingham m ten miuutes , and in about that time it arrived , the driver of which suggested , that having plenty of hands to spare and ropes , tbey should go slowly down the line and render what assistance they could , and tlicy did so . In about two hours the engine and tender returned to Spctchlev . I went as fast as I could to Spetehloy , as 1 was anxious about the down mail tram running into the wreck ; and , indeed , the Birmingham goods train , which arrived ten minutes after my arrival at Spetciilev , would have inevitably run into it and « . n _£ d further damage , if I had not given the

      information . Benjamin Giles sworn ( this witness had his arm brokcnl -1 am a stoker on thc Birmingham anil Sto line ! On the night _oftheSOthof August I left B _rminAiam bv the quarter before eight o ' clock train _SS _^ S _jU _toWestcr . It was a . passenger train , and consisted of six carnages . After _« e left the Snetchlev station we came to a place wheie the K was being repaired near to Wad borough and stopped there ° Until the up mail had passed . We then went on at a good speed natil wc came to the . next station . Wad borough , nnd thence to Besford btiitipn . ht of tno Dot

      All proceeded wellluitil we came in sig - ford station , ihe driver having shut oil steam before then 1 saw thc red light as usual on the J . iatiorni at thc station . 3 then went to my break , -and put it on , and on turning myself round I saw something m the road . Thc first thing I observed _wivi the steam . I then put on the break as tight as 1 could , and i saw our driver revewe the engine . I ran to the » mf « f 1 i _» _twfcY , M _» V _* Hh * - . « fi ver - «« _« _£ _^ T ! i « _eoBrvon took _nhu-c _mstnataneou .-ly , 1 _ihnik _ucfoi-e _ft otto tiesr _™*! . 1 _^ . _^ " _^ 1 did out of the socket , aud I went to wc _auumu I _dut

      •Fatal Accident On The Birmingham And Br...

      not notice anything _particular afterwards . I did not see more than one red lighv We were above twenty minutes alter our time , having waited for the mail tram lhe red light was on the left hand side at _??« ' COming from BirmingbA . m . Wed i ° ' clock tue _MQuest _waJ adjourned until - . "Sf » _WmwESDAY . —The third day's inquiry into the cause of the fatal accident wh ieh occurred at th . _'s station of the Birminghani and h ' ristol Railway , an the night of the 30 th of _August was resumed _^ to-day . Several witnesses were ekaniined . One _witness , Dove , employed on the railway , stated that he recollected five or six instances of _negiect of signals occurring within a year and a half on the part of the engine-drivers . He had reported several instances , but got no reply . He did not report all the cases of neglect , because he found his complaints were only circulated among the guards and i

      drivers , and that bad feeling towards himself was the consequence . Mr . Whateley said that he felt it his duty , on the part of the company , to say that the witness had been guilty of great derilietion of duty in not reporting every instance of disobedience . It was his duty , at every hazard of unpopularity or otherwise , to report every case of negligence which came under his notice ; and it was his . ( Mr . Whateley ' s ) duty to say that the company were determined strictly to enforce that order . The inquest was again adjourned . On Thursday the inquiry was resumed , and after the examination of several additional witnesses , the jiny retired , at half-past four o ' clock , to consider their verdict . At eight o'clock the Courtroom was thrown open again , when it was stated that a verdict of " Accidental Death" had been returned In both cases > with a deodand of £ 1 , 500- ( the value ofthe engine , as stated by Mr . M'Connell ) , on the luggage engine driven by Ward .

      T _* _iuonTFT- & Omnibus Accident IN Fl / EET'STKEBT . ' _' *" On Tuesday evening between nine and ten o ' clock ,-the following frightful accident _occurred to a young man named Daniel Love , aged 28 years , an assistant in the service oif Messrs . Harvey andl Co ., the extensive lincndrapers > of No . 9 , _Ludgate-ftili . It appears tliat the unfortunate man was standing at the corner of Bridge-street , after s walk which he had taken when thc shop was closed , when one of the Clapham omnibuses , No . 1 , 623 , with two spirited horses , started off from the Ivings and Keys- tavern , Fleet-Street , without driver or conductor . They continued

      their speed until they reached the corner © f Fleetstreet , where they turned sharply round ; - an * , before he could get out of the way , he was knocked down by the pole , which struck him on tha- right aide of the head , inflicting a _frigiWuI wound from , t & e top of the head to the lower jaw . The wheels of the omnibus were forced off by the collision ,. and the vehicle was completely broken' to pieces . The _pwr fellow was earned to the residence of Mr .- Harvey , where he was seen by two medical gentlemon ,. and thence removed to St . Bartholomew ' s Hospkali Th * horses escaped unhurt .

      DnEADFUl . AND _DeTEHMI . VED SdCIDE OF A IiADXOF _FonruxE . —On thc morning of Monday the utmost excitement prevailed in the neighbourhood of Pinsbury-squarc , in consequence of report that Mrs . Elizabeth Harley , of 6 , New Union-street , had committed suicide . On Tuesday morning the time had long passed when she should have been down to breakfast , and one of her daughters went to her bed roouv , but could not gain admission until the door was broken open , when the unfortunate parent was found suspended by a handkerchief to the bed rail . This lady was possessed of good property , and no reason can be possibly assigned for her self-destruction , except a statement or prediction she made about twelve months since that she was sure she should not die a natural death , but by her own hands .

      _Duatii of Thomas Davis , Esq . —This gentleman , who has been one of the principal writers for the Nation newspaper since its establishment , died on Tuesday morning , at his residence in Lower Baggotstreet , Dublin , after three days' illness , of typhus fever . Mr . Davis had been called to tlie Irish bar in 183 S , but he had devoted his attention chiefly to literary pursuits . Some of the political articles and poetical pieces produced as evidence by the Crown during the State trials , were from the pen of Mr . Davis . In politieS he was ardent and thoroughly sincere , and in private life he was remarkable for a most kind and benevolent disposition . —Morning Chronicle .

      Fifit Houses Burst near Exeter . —On Monday the following deplorable intelligence was made known to the principal fire insurance-offices in tho city , through the medium of their agents relative to a terrific conflagration occurring at thc market-town of Mortonhampstead , Devonshire , levelling in its progress no fewer than fifty dwelling-houses , besides consuming a vast amount of property . The ill-fated town is situated about twelve miles west by south of the city oV Exeter , and contains a population of about 3 , 000 . It stands rather romantically on thc confines of Dartmoor , on an eminence , and is bounded on all sides by high lofty hills . The town comprises a long street , with two or three smaller ones leading into it . Most of the buildings are somewhat of an ancient form , and the woollen trade is its chief support .

      From letter- ; received , it appears that the fire was discovered shortly after midnight on Saturday morning , issuing from a baker ' s bakehouse atthe rear of his dwelling-house , in one ofthe small _throughfarcs , called Cross-street , between the Bell Inn and the West of England Agency-office . Notwithstanding the lateness of thc hour , the most active and prompt measures were adopted by the authorities to suppress the flames whilst in their infancy , by calling into requisition all the buckets in the neighbourhood , and throwing a copious supply of water on the burning property . __ The wind , however , which was blowing rather brisk , scattered the fire on to the roof of the dwelling , which , being thatched , like most of thc houses in the town , and in an exceedingly dried condition , kindled with astonishing rapidity , _extcilllillg

      to the several apartments ofthe building almost at thesame moment . The houses on each side , occupied by small tradespeople , in less than five minutes afterwards ignited , and the flames progressing along the thatched roofs , six contiguous dwellings were fired . The excitement that reigned throughout the town under the circumstances may be well conceived . A small engine was quickly brought to thc scene of destruction , but the hose was in such a disgraceful condition as to vender it next to useless . In tho meanwhile the destructive element raged with uncontrollable fury—house after house caught fire without tlie least means being at hand to save them ; and by two o ' clock the conflagration had assumed a most awful aspect . Thc whole of the houses ou one side of Cross-street were in one immense blaze , and the town

      being situated on an eminence , the country was llluluinataufov miles round , attracting thousands to the spot . It was not until this period , from some oversight , probably , that an express was forwarded to Exeter for the aid ofthe cityeneines , and for t ! : c subsequent two hours the confusion in thc town was ofthe most pitiable description . In the different streets were to be seen families iunning to the ailjaeent meadows , with their trifling household furniture , fearful that their respective homes would be destroyed by the progressing destructive visitation . By three o ' clock it may be said that the fire reached its height . It had gained the houses in Fore-street , and at one time there could not have been less than twelve or fourteen burning from their basements to the roof . The authorities , at this juncture , fearing that the whole town would fall a sacrifice , as there was certainly every appearance of it , wisely determined upon pnllimr some of the buildings down , with a view of

      stopp ing the course of the conflagration . A number oi labourers were instantly set to effect that object in Cross-street and Fore-street , and engines from Exeter having bv that time arrived , the work of destruction by six o ' clock was got under . The town now presents a most desolate appearance . The whole of Crossstreet _, from the West of England Agency-office to the Dell Inn , is now in ruins , while a part of Forestreet presents a similar deplorable sight . The number of houses consumed is roughly calculated at fifty . Amongst them are tlic premises of Messrs . Nix and Co ., drapers ; the Golden Lion Inn , _belonging to Messrs Bellamy , and Mr . Bidder , builder . The chief portion of the building property is said to be insured in the Sun Fire-olnee ; bnt most of the inmates , chiefly ofthe poorer classes , are unfortunately uninsured , and the destitute condition they are thrown into must he _vei-v severe . A similar fire has not occurred in the county for a number of years .

      Dreadful MuiiDKit . —On Wednesday evening week thc son of a respectable farmer , named Kenny , residin « - at Clonderlaw-bay , county of Clare , was waylaid on returning to his father's heuse , and barbarously murdered , within a pistol-shot of his home . The father was alarmed by the report of a gun and ran out , when the first person he saw was a young man ofthe name of Sexton , of the same neighbourhood , hurrying off with » gun under his arm , and a fewyards further on the unhappy parent was almost distracted to find his son a corpse before his eyes , the fatal ball having perforated his forehead and the assassin , not content with his deadly aim , had also broken the poor young man ' s skull with a blunt instrument , probably the butt of a gun . An inquest was held next day bv Mr . T . Whitestone , coroner , when a verdict of ' * Wilful Murder" was returned against some person or persons unknown , as more than one may have been implicated .

      Boy Killed nr Lioiitxixc—On the first Sabbafh of last month , a herd boy at _Pituisk _, in this neighbourhood , went out with his cattle to the field at ten o'clock . In a short time afterwards a violent thunder shower came on . and about eleven o ' clock , after the shower had partially subsided , tho cattle were observed by somo persons straying among the corn , and on going into the field , the b -y was found lying on his face , quite dead . On being lifted up , ho presented such an appearance as to leave no doubt that he had been struck by the electric fluid . —Forres Gazette . Shocking Deatu . —On Monday Mr . Win . Carter thc coroner , held an inquest at the Star and Garter Tavern , Neckiugcr . road , liermomlsey _, respecting the death of Margaret Ford ham Gumming ? , aged three veai * s . The verdict , which tells ihe whole case , \ va > _- — "That the deceased was accidentally suffocated by ialling iuto the soil of a privy . "

      •Fatal Accident On The Birmingham And Br...

      Suicide . _^ -On Monday evening Mr . Mills held an inquest at tho Greyhound , Staines , near Windsor , on the body of _Matthew Bond , aged 73 , who committed suicide under tbV following circumstances : —It appeared trom the evidence , that the deceased , old in years , was also old i ' . i crime , having been frequently convicted of felony . On Friday night week , about twelve o clock , tho _policeman on duty near tlie premises of Mr . Harris , fai . mer in tho above village , discovered deceased emergii _/ S from an outhouse . He went up to him , and on lay . ng hold of him by the collar , he dropped from beneath his coat a fowl , which was subsequently found to be . the property of Mr , Harris . He was taken to thc station-house and locked np in a cell by himself . During the night he

      was visited several times by the man . on duty , and ho appeared safe , but on the cell being _entered in the morning , lie was discovered with his _handkerchief tied tightly round his neck , the end being fastened to the gaspipe which ran along the wall . T . _' ie deceased was not suspended , but he had pressed his neck forward , and thus produced strangulation . The handkerchief was removed , and a medical man was called m , but life was extinct . It further appeared that the deceased had never exhibited any symptoms of insanity , and thc only reason assigned for his committing suicide was the fear of being sent out of the coBntry . Thejury , after some deliberation , returned av « idictol / cfodcse . In accordance with thc verdict , the body was buried without funereal rites .

      Yatxl AcciDExr to a Cm * _MEnciiAxi . —On Tuesday a gentleman , named Mordaunt , who carried on business-as a merchant in the City , expired in Ch . ir ing-cross Hospital from injuries lie had received by being thrown from an omnibus . It appears that about four weeks since Mr . Mordaunt was proceeding down the Strand seated oa the front seat of an omnibus , when , from some unexplained cause , one of the fore-wheels ofthe vehicle came off , and decease d was precipitated to the ground with great violence . Assistance being procured , the unfortunate gentleman was conveyed to _Charing-eress Hospital , where it was ascertained that one of _hiii legs had been _severely _fractnred . Every attention was paid to him by the _surgeons of tlie establishment , an « t for some time he appeared to be going on well , and hopes were entertained of his recovery ' , but on . Sunday last an unexpected- ehangc took place , which terminated in death * as before stated . Mr . Mordaunt wa » about thirty - - _screiryeajs of ace ,

      _I'iffiAii- _AeciDuxr to i-- _Ladt . _—Corok-ik ' s Inquest . —On Monday afternoon _^ . Mr . Mills , deputy-coroner for West Middlesex , and' a jury of 13 _> inhabitant householders , assembled ! in the drawing-room of _Feltbarai-ioilge , near _llouuslow , to inquke into the circumstances ** connected with the melancholy death of Mrs . Georgian * Charlotte Theobald , aged 29 , a widow lady , _lately resident * wabov « , and well known in the sporting world , who- was killed by being thrown from-her horse on Friday last . —Mary Taplin stated , that she' was tho wife of a labourer _ifcring at Fcltham , and washed for the deceased . On Friday night , last , about _S-o ' clock , she was seat for to attend I upon deceased ; whom sho found' in bed insensible . I TWO medical _gentlBKien from Hampton were present , [ and also a gentleman named Brittle . Deceased ' s

      iteeth were quite clinched . Her bain was cut off ) and leeches applied ,, but 3 he never spoke or recovered her j seases , and died' at * 5 minutes before 8 o ' clock on ! _Saturday morning .. The lower part of- her skull was-: pronounced by the doctors to be fractured . Deceased : vomited twiee within am hour ofherdoath . Deceased " I went out on horseback ,, accompanied by- Mr . Brittle _,, and attended by hen groom . —Mary Gox , nin _* se to _: Miss Theobald ( _decoasedfs daughter , aged C years ) , i stated , that on Friday afternoon , between 3 and 4 o'clock , deceased left the * house on horsebaok , for tlie purpose of going to-Twickenham on business . Mr . Brittle , who was also on . horseback , went with her , and they were followed by deceased ' s groom ; . About S o ' clock in the evening deceased was brought homo in ft chaise cart , accompanied by two surgeons from

      Hampton . She was quite insensible . The horse which deceased rode on Friday was named Woodbine , and was her favorite horse . It knew her well , and used to lick her hand when she went into the stable , which she did daily . Deceased when out hunting about two years ago , met with an aeeident , by which her shoulder was put out . —William _Iliggs , groom to the deceased , said , that he followed his mistress and Mr . Brittle to Twickenham , on returning whence deceased ordered him to proceed home and hasten the dinner . Up to that time no accident had happened to her . The horse she rods was very quiet , and one she had always ridden while he had been in her service ( 14 months ) . —Thomas Lunn , a labouring man , stated , that about half-past six o ' clock oh Friday evening last , deceased came up to the gate

      leading to a field belonging to Mr . Humphries , larmcr , at Han worth , about two miles from Fcltham , and asked witness , who was in Mr . Humphries ' service , if she might ride round the field , saying that the road was so hard she could not exercise her horse . Witness replied , " Yes . " A gentleman on horseback was witli the deceased , who stopped at the gate , and said to her , "Just give a gallop rouud . " Deceased then started off , and was coming back , when , about half-way , her horse fell down , and the deceased was pitched about a yard before it , falling on her head . Witness went up and found thc pummel of the saddle off , which he picked up . The deceased seemed lifeless . There was no one near the horso when it fell . —Mr . George Henry Brittle , merchant , of No . 119 , Woed-street , Cheapside , stated that he went with the deceased to Twickenham on Friday . When she went into the field it was fur the purpose of _canterinsr _. She always-cantered when she could find a

      bit of turf . Where the horse fell was about 100 yards from witness , and it was at tlie time going at the rate of 14 miles an hour . After falling , the animal struggled for about ten yards to regain its footing , but it could not . Witness could not account for thc accident in any other way than by the horse crossing it ' s legs . On the accident occurring , witness despatched the last witness on liis own horse to Hampton , for medical aid , and on two surgeons arriving on the ground and seeing deceased , they pronounced the case hopcluss . He had seen a horse fall with the deceased lady while hunting , and she always retained her seat , which , no doubt , she would have boon able to have dono on Friday , but for the breaking of the saddle , as described . —There being no further evidence , thejury , having commented on the melancholy features of the case , returned a verdict of " Accidental death . "

      Accident m _rnu Railway Tu . vnel at Liverpool . —A workman in the employment of the Grand Junction Railway Company met his death in the tunnel on Saturday last . His name was James Nixon , and he was fifty-five years old . Atthe inquest , John Woodward , a plate-layer , who said that about a quarter past ton o ' clock on Saturday morning he sent the deceased , who was also a plate-layer , down the tunnel to sand the rails , as they were very wet . Four trains went down between the time he was sent and a quarter to twelve o ' clock , at which time witness saw him dead . William Holland , thc superintendent of the engine station at Edge-hill , said , that about a quarter to eleven o ' clock he went down the tunnel in a pilot-waggon ; and when about a quarter of a mile down he felt a slight obstruction on the rails , and heard a noise like the breaking of a piece of wood . He put the break on and stopped the waggon as soon as he could , got out , and looked along tho

      line , and from the brightness of tlio rails he saw they were clear . He went down to Lime-street , and sent a man to examine the rails . William Jubilee Norton , a porter at the station in Lime-street , said he n * as sent up the tunnel by the hist witness to see for something that was supposed to be upon the rails . He got a light for that purpose , and about a quarter of a mile from Edge-hill , he found the deceased lying across the down rails with one foot on one rail and his right hand upon the other rail , llewas quite dead and cold . His right hand was _^ completely crushed , _ctiul his left jaw was broken . There was also a wound upon the forehead , and another upon the back part of thc head . At the inquest on Tuesday , Dr . Arnott , tho surgeon , stated that he had found death had been caused by a fracture of the breast bone , the result of external violence . No further evidence wa 3 offered , and the- jury found a verdict accordingly . Thero is very little doubt that he was knocked down by one ef the ' trains , and instantaneously killed .

      Malicious Ixjuuiit ox THE SHEFFIELD IuiLWAT . —At half-past seven o ' clock on Saturday evening a train left the Sheffield station , " _consisting of three pas-scnger carriages , containing between sixty and seventy passengers , a parcel van , and eleven luggage waggons , to join the down train from London , due at _Jdksbro ' at eight o ' clock , and with which it was to proceed forward to Leeds . The parcel van and waggons were placed next the engine and tender , and the passenger carriages at the tail of tlie train . When the train _arrived at thc Holmes station the engine-driver , in conformity with his orders , slackened liis speed , as in passing from the Sheffield and Rothevhsvm line there is ii very sharp curve round tho corner of the _station . The train was not proceeding at a greater speed •' _ihan ten or twelve miles an hour , and had not passed thc station more than fifty or sixty yards , when it was suddenly stopped by some obstacle , and tho engine and fonder-, with tho force of thc shock , were lifted off

      the rails and thrown on their broadsides _across the up and down lines . The engine-driver , a imin named John Edwards , and the foreman , named Il _\* . "h Tissington , were thrown a distance of ton or twr _.-lye yards ami lay insensible for some minutes _; three of the luggage waggons and tho parcel van w r . e thrown off the line , and thc guard , John _Ducr _. er who was seated on the last carriage but ono with his back to the engine , was thrown with gre _' at violence upon the roolol the carriage in ironto ' _, ] , _* , _„ _,, and fortunately escaped injury by catclii ,. g lloW of the rai | s „„ the tow ol the carnage . Two 0 f tho waegoivs were smashed to p . _eces _. andathi / drendered almost use-USS _Lv _,. i COn ( i _* ! f " - TJ _' _* eshock was felt severely by the whole ol the pnsw _, 1 RCrs wlio were thrown oil their seats , but _proviue ' . lthil ) y 1 _fi-om being at so groat a _djstanco from the e _^ aines , none of _lli _. m received any injury Iwyond t _« _^ \ . iUul a f , w sii ht brilises Lhe guard un . no lla ( clv _( _j- . _s _; _,,,,,,,,, _^ f fillll , _, _) ,,. cMiuinenianaiiU _, ¦ _¦( . ' _..,..,,,, „ _.,.-.. „ , n _., „ ,.. , i

      t „ a hedge W . _um . The _passengers , ns soon as pns * i-„ lc go- ou . , of the carriages , and search was then made to . ' ascertain the cause ol' tlic accident , when it

      •Fatal Accident On The Birmingham And Br...

      was found that a >? et of points used for putting waggons on a _side-lino , Jiad been wedged open by some miscreant with an iroi : " chair" and a piece of limestone , so that it was _impossible for a train to have proceeded without being thrown off tho line . The two men who were injured wero as soon as possible conveyed to Sheffield , and surgical _aio' procured , and , 1 am happy to add , that it was found that they had not received any greater injury than sev . eral severe concussions trom ihe violence of their fall , and that thir / are now fast rcoorerinf . The cngme was _, « o much damaged as to be entirely unfit for work , the wheels being driven mto the fire-box , and the driving _wheels so injured that they would not move . Tho passeimers were compelled to walk to thc Masbro' station A number ofmen

      were immediatel y set to work , and by six o clock on Sunday morning tho engine and waggons were cleared off the line , so as to allow the trains to pass without obstruction . Tho report of this accident has naturally caused great excitement in the neighbourhood , as it is only a few months since that , within a short distance of the same place , and at two distinct times , several _iavgc wooden sleepers and largo pieces of iron were laid across the rails , and it was only through the vigilance ofthe company ' s servants tk . _'it the trains escaped being thrown off the line on both occasions . The Midland Company , anxious for tho public safety , yesterday ( Tuesday ) morning issued p lacards offering a reward of one hundred guineas to any . person who shall produce evidence to cause the conviction ofthe perpetrators of this villanous act .

      SurrosBD Suicide of a _Gehman Jkw . —On Tuesday night , Mr . Joseph Payne held an inquest at the Rose and Ball Tavern , St . Bcnnet ' _s-hill , Thamesstreet , ok the body of Solon Hyams , aged fifty-one , a hshmongeji ' , of Middlesex-street , Whitechapel . Mr . Joseph Kiach , of Circus-place , Finsbury-square _, said , that he had attended the deceased professionally for son » e time , and that aboutwen wteks ago lie was called to him by his family in consequence of strange delusions the deceased was labouring unde . -Amongst other things he fancied that a conspiracy had been _formed amongst his friends and neighbours to deprive him ofhis property , and that they had made an image which was always haunting him day and night . There was no doubt deceased was labouring under monoroaaia . It appeared from other evidence that the deceased left his house about four o ' clock on the

      morning of Friday last , unknown tohis family , and nothing was * afterwards heard or seen of hint until ' seven o ' clock- that morning-, when his body was found jin the causeway at St . PauA ' s-wharf , Upper Thamesstreet , where io had been left by the receding tide . After a few remarks by the coroner , who stated that this was the fourth inquest he-had held upon a case of suicide within twenty-feu ? hours , the jury returned a verdict of " Found drowned . " Lamentably D . E 3 Tm * cnvi * Finn . —On Sunday last , about ; a quarter past one o ' clock-a . m ., thepolice-constableatDunmow descried a large fire in the direction of- Waitbam , and immediately communicating with superintendent Kedin , the large engine was prepared and moved to the-Saracen ' s Head , to bo ready for the horses ; and very shortly afterwards Mr . Isaac

      Livermore , fr om 01 d-Piw _* _k-f ; irm , Great Waitbam , on whose premises the conflagration was-raging , arrived on horseback , in breathless haste . The engine was immediately conveyed to the farm , on reaching which , however , it was found that tho whole of the outbuildings were enveloped in flames , and that exertions were almost useless , except for thc preservation of thc dwelling-house _. In a very short time tile devouring ; elementhad laidlow the two-targe barns-, thestables , ; oart-sheds , pigsties , henhouse-, and granary , destroying also a number of _vaJuabla * implements : There was only one horse in tho stable , wliich was fortunately saved . The wheat barn was filled with a most beautiful crop , considered the best Mr . Livermore

      ever-had there , and worth £ 500 ' . The barley-barn , in-which the fire was first _disco-vered by the looker , was-also quite full - it was spacious-enough _font ' _waggon-and horses to turn in it , ami said to be oncof the largest , if not the largest in Essex The estates belong to Guy ' s Hospital , and the buildings , valued at £ 1 , 000 ; were uninsured , the governors of the hospital setting their losses in * such cases against the heavy sum it would require to protect tlieir property . The crops and implements- were fully insured in thc Essex Economic , upon whom will devolve a- loss of about £ C 00 _> There appears to bc every reason to fear that this fire-, which has consumed thc produce of nearly 100 acres , was the work of an incendiary .

      _SekioUS LOSS OF _Lhj-k . — On Tuesday afternoon ( week ) last the son of Mr . Dickson , proprietor ofthe Londou and Brampton waggoD , met with his death in the following most awfuF manner : —The unfortunate sufferer was driving down William-hill , Hertfordshire , followed by Mb . Sergeant's Bedford waggon . > It was said that Dickson was boasting of thc style in which his horses eould come down the hill without being checked by him ; they began , to trot _,, aud soon he lost all power over them—he-, vent to the head of the leaders , but he could not stop- them until they ran foul of a public-house on the way-sido , ' he was crushed against the waVl _, ono shaft having run into his bowels ; every assistance that the place could render him was given , but he , however , after a short period of the most agonising suffering , ceased to exist . We hear one of the horses also was killed , but how truo this is we cannot confidently , assert . — Bedford News ,

      Awful ExrLosiox at Woolwich , —Seven Mex blown ur . —Royal _Arsexal _, Woolwich , Sket .. 17 . — One of the most frightful accidents that has ever occurred happened this morning in the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich . A few minutes before ten o ' clock a loud explosion was heard in the Laboratory Department , at a bunding known as No . 1 Breaking-up Shed . Assistance was immediately at Land , the men rushing from various parts of the department to the spot . As soon as ingress could be obtained , a fearful spectacle presented itself . Immediately behind the door , crowded together in a confused lltuip , lay tlie scorched bodies of five men and two boys . They were immediately removed io an adjacent shed mi stretchers . The building being on lire , thc alarm bell was rung , and the engines Irom the

      different departments , with tho Royal Sappers and Miners and lloyal Artillery , were speedily on the spot . The flames , by the exertions of the men , __ were soon subdued , their ravages being confined to the buildings , the roof of which had been already blown off , and some slight damage done to tke roof oV * . u \ adyactivt Wild ing . It would appear , from what has been gleaned in otlier pans of the same department ( for not one of the unfortunate beings in the devoted building has escaped to furnish any information ;) , that the men and boys were at the time employed in breaking up rockets , nnd through some friction ,, the whole mass accidentally ignited ; : thus at once consigning seven unfortunate individuals to instant destruction . The names of the persous who thus lost tlieir lives , arc

      John Crake ( master ) , an aged man , and one of thu oldest servants iu the department ; Henry Butters , an aged man , withialarge familje _, and his son , Henry Butters , a young , married mau ; Hubert tturbaxc * , and Michael _Purtill . Four of these were what is called laboratory men . In addition to these ,, two boys named Leonard and Henley lost their lives . Vnrtill was a labourer belonging to the storekeepers ' department ., and was engaged ut the time ill loading rockets . A man named William I'leid , who was engaged with him at the same time , liad a very narrow csoape . It would appeal * that _wlu-n the fatal occurrence took place , the unfortunate persons made a simultaneous rusk towards the door . Unfortunately _, the doors opened . ' inwards , iind to tliiscircumstancc same of the chief oflieers of the establishment attribute their destruction . By the side of the door out of which they had vainly cudeavoiired to escape , their- blackened corpses were found . The writer

      visited them shortly afterwards , and they presented a fearful proof of the dreadful agent t (/ which tbey had ; been exposed . Their clothes , and even their _bu-its , were cither-wholly or partially consumed , their bodies literally roasted , and the ilesh in many cases deeply incised : every vestige of ha r was consumed Oil ' their heads , and their features so disfigured as to render their identification almost impossible . As soon as thc fire was subdued a party of the lloyal Sappers and Miners , under tho command of Colonel Barney , R . F-, one of thc heads ofthe department , and Lieutenant and Adjutant Webb , ll . li ., proceeded to pull ( loivn the remaining parts of the shed , many of which were in a dangerous state , The remains of a dog were discovered in one corner of the building . It was the opinion of a medical gentleman , who viewed tho bodies with the writer , that death took place from Kull ' ocation by cavboilic _nulil gas *

      Tiie _Mukder of Mr . Thomas 1 ' eacoi _' , xeak llocit FuiiRY . _—ArrnEiiKssios of the Suitoskd Mcudkheus . — Liverpool , _Tuksoay . — Yesterday morning considerable excitement was occasioned Oil the otlier side of the Mersey by a rumour , whicli was rapidly circulated , to the effect that four of the murderers of the late Mr . Thomas Peaeop , corn and _ffoui dealer , had been apprehended , and that one of the fellows had turned approver . On inquiry wc ascertained that the report was not unfounded , and that the arrest of Michael Burns in Dublin , and tlic information he had given to the authorities , had led to the apprehension of three ofhis supposed confederates—Pat . Tallcnt , Robert Lynch , and Wm . Nowlan . Tallcnt , who is a thick-set elderly man , was arrest _ei at the Now Ferry , by officers Newton and Ti . vy . Lynch , "lio is also a stout /' el / oir , about 30 _ycres oi

      _iii _' o , was employed in driving a main near Rock Awry and was arrested by Superintendent M'ila . rg and Mr . Palmer , the head constable of the hundred of Wirrall . A dangerous weapon was found in his house . Nowlan , who is a tall and robust man of forty , was employed at the Birkenhead Gas _Works , and * was apprehended by Mr . Boughoy _, the . Bridewell-keeper ; and Mr . Palmer also arrested Burn !* , the approver , who is an athletic man of ahout a similar age . Thc four arc natives of Ireland ; and with thc exception of Buni ' j , who _recently went over to Dublin , tbey have all been _working at and in tbe _neighbourhood of _Birk-enhcad ev _.-r since the perpetralion of the drcadlV . i crime w ' _s . h which they _i-tand churned . hwiW . be _recollocUd that on ihe evenine _iifthel-lsstof " Dcccnibi . " . * hut , Mr . I ' cacop was mi hi * return froiv . his hhop , in Kock _J- ' _crry-laiiL _* , to his residence r . car the i \ c » Ferry turnpike-gate ,-iu the

      •Fatal Accident On The Birmingham And Br...

      township of Higher Beb _.- ' _*! ' _<* _- _*; _wtom he was attacked by three or four men mJ » W * wl , and * «*™ _gT liaten about the head that he died on the _morauw of Saturday , tho 4 th of _February . I he coroner g jury returned a verdict at wilful fflurttar against somo party or parties unknown ; ami immediately after , by directions of her moat gracious Majesty , a reward of _-fiRM was offered by Government , in addition to another reward of similar amount offered on tlie spot , for such evidence as might lead to the discovery of the perpetrator os * perpetrators of the crime ; and a free pardon _was- " - also offered to any accomplice , not being the person who gave the niertal blow , who should give such information and evidence aa should lead to the same result . A Welshman , of the name of John Jones , who

      ; was near tlic spot on the night ofthe occurrence , was / subsequently arrested , and , after a long examination , _discharged , there not being the slightest evidence to connect him with thc fatal transaction . From that time until within the last fortnight all attempts to unravel the mysterious circumstance ! ' of the case utterly failed , but a cine to Burns having been then obtained , his apprehension followed , and _subsequently the arrest of the three other _partits . On Monday " the prisonei * a underwent an examination at tli _(* Birkenhead _police Court , and again on Tuesday , when they wet 'e remanded ior further examination on Wednesday . This day tWedneMlay > the further examination of the prisoners- was proceeded with _, when Burns made the followingstatcment : •—llesaiet

      ho had been to Ci ' icster to look Jor work , and that ho was returning to LMrkcnhe & d on the afternoon of the last day of tbe ohi year when lie met the prisoner Tallant , who asked him ( Burn »> to « o along with him ( Tallant ) to Ruck Ferry , aud they would get some money , from the baker ( mcauing Mr . _Voacop ); and desired liim to see _Lyncli . Sd . vas then agreed that he ( Burns ) and tlse other prisoners should all meet together at the toll-gate at Rock Ferry at halfpast eight o ' clock . He and Lynch walked to the place together , Lynch _saying Nowbn- had gone before , and Tallant , living ira tbat neighbourhood ,, had gone home previously . At tiie time appointed ali met at the toll-gate , wliich is almost directly opposite Mr . Peacop ' s place of business . The prisoners-then posted 1

      themselves in various parts ef the road ,, but no' far from each other , Nowlan _beingplaced to watcl . the sho * " * door to see when the baker ( as thc deceased . was _e-. \ Hwi by the prisoners ) left ; and when / he enmc up to _Tulliuib he was to whistle , when all were * to make to the spot . They waited about half an hour or more , _i-ntil about half-past nine , when _hefihirnsV heard thc whistle _,, and on going to the place- fi mnd Lynch _and'Nowlan fighting with thc baker ; Tho Jailer then- made a struggle across the _roaeLwl'cn Lynch knocked him down with a whip he had in his-hand . Burns de--scribed the whip to be the- same instrument as- tho stick loaded with lead foand in tire house of Lynch , He said there were two of fcbei n _lwlemging to Lynch , but the other had more lead-a t the end . and was in

      the possession of Nowlan _thasn'ght- AfurLynehhad knocked the baker down _hc-sftrnsglc _^ tm his right sida to rise , when Nowlnn strucliMiD mi the head with ono ofthe whips . He fell , and Nowlan threw himself upon him , and took twt _nly-five or _Jjwciity-sixshilliiigs out of his pocket . When lie baiter was _dowa , another person came ap the road Irons towards Kock Ferry . Now ' an st ? uck at thc man a , nd hit him , but could not tell whether- he fell or _noS-,. as he ( Burns ) ran off towards Birkenhead ; _hecrossediover the road intotha fields , and came part of thu way along _tne-lields . lie then waited opposite a public-house at tho lower end of Back Cheater-street , wh « re in about twenty minutes he wns joined by _NovJan , who said he had got four or five and _twenfw shillings , and gave him ( " Burns- ); a halfcrown . slibsayicntly he received nnnflmr linlf-n-f > rmv . n _ftrnii _Ninvlan . The prisoners

      were again remanded , and' ior tlieir { -renter security they were removed hi the ; evesu ' ng unde !* - escort to Chester _Giistlc ' SunDK < _r Death rx- tbk S _theiit- — On Wednesday afternoon-, about _ihi'ee-o ' _clork _. fswoman was observed to stagger- ' and fall , in Bear-yawl , Lincoln ' s-inn . She was immediately raiset I fwwi the ground , and being found in a state of insensibility , she was at once conveyed to King ' s _C-cOlcgt" Hospital , where sho was promptly attended-by Dr . Guy , the head-physician of tlte- inslitatiom T ! , iat gentleman , however , after trying , thc usual rema lies for restoring animation , pronounced life to be quite extinct . The deceased , it was sSatedy mos t probably expired from a sudden . iffeotion of the hen rt . Tho body appears to be that of a person ; eft he mi ddleage and stature , and is dressed in- a tliirlc gov * n amdi shawl and straw bonnet . Tlie body remain sat idioabove institution , awaiting . identification .

      Thuee . _Persons _Bns-ws : En . —' _i- 'ivSunday last Mrs , Graham , the wife- of one of ths * lightkeepers at tho Plymouth Break-water L ightliviuse , went with herson , a lad about six year s of _sga ; . to visit Mi * . Graham , on the Breakwater . Aboafc seven in the evening they left in . a wutsrni an ' boat , with tlic intention of returning _to-Pfo'i nouth . On Monday morning Mr . _FiiidJatei _* -, the Sc -reman ofthe works , shortly after landing ,, discovered . the b '« ty of the lad , with a basket undeis- his- arm , on the northern side of the Breakwater , near tlie je tty . Tils discovery was the first intimation _whieb 1 dr . Graham had of his loss . The boat , wliich was rather crank built , was in charge of a man nam ® . 1 Ward ,, and , as no account has been heard of * lier , it is supposed tliat she went down in a squall , uracil the boatman and Mrs . Graham and' hen-son-, s « o > a after leaving the Breakwater . The darknew--. woisMi prevent persons on . board tho shipping in tho _Sasaj id from aeeing such a caiastroime .

      I * EAtiPULiJF : _vtoiuc ; ; t Death op a Mother ano _Uni-imklv _BliiTH-- —J _. frightful- . u _.-L'iilciit , from tlio upsettimrofai vehhsle , occurred in _SlicfSuhl , on tfriday evening _lnst _^ hy _wliii -h one poor woman lost her lifeone had lier-wrist bj -oken—oik ; had her hip dislocated — poor _gU-1 hsicG ; lier face so ili . _siignrsd as _si-arc-ely to appeal' human—a .- id , _imlcL-il , tlic- whole of the occu _> pants ot the _ciin-ia / jje , nine in nimihur _, were more or less seriously , maimed . The _nioh-.-. _ielioly p : _n-tii * ulars transpired on the in _/ _gEi : st over the body of Aimis Wilson , wliich was held bid ore Mr . _llad-xcr , at thc house of Mr . lloylaml , oft * ¦ , 7 ood . laiu > , farmer , . _Stannm-non _, ou _iloml- ' - y _evctiSi - hist , Deceased was the wife of Mr . VMlliani ; _S ilson _, of Hall-car Place , Bhcllield , joiner , and the as . fortunate couple had invited a few

      h-iends t & _aeconiimi iy _tlu-m to the _iunersl of one ot their children . The- a mo ttx < _- & ou -was Jr ' riAay _ever . iiig 4 t the _Unita-ria n Chapel , Stamiigtoii—tins Itcv . Peter Vfright , : u Unitariiin mmisler , who keeps a school at _Slieilt-iHi 1 , not being able to perform thu serviei * earlier in the iAtt . _* . nt so groat a distance from homo . After the funeriii , the attendants called at a neighbouring inn , where theiv .-6 ailed their horse and took some slixht refreshment , aft * r which tlicy started for Shclliclri , about 8 o ' clock . _TKeir route lay through Hoyland Wood-lane , a stuep , rough , s nd dangerous road , which , lichuf little frequented , v . a s thickly studded throughout with _lurg » projecting S tor . es . Dennis Wilson , a brother-in-law of the licceasi _.-d , was leading the horse , and nine _pcrsoiis , _ehitlly won sen ,, and children , were ill a liKllt Spring _CUl't ,

      in which t lit c arpsc of the dead child ot thc n ilsons had been carr * _, <<& t _< i its last resting place . They had scarcely got to the-. top of tliis rugged lane , when the horse , itis . supposed ,.. from _having been pinched by the collar , became _pestive a-nil tried to ran . Mr . IVnliis Wilson , who was leading . hira . resolutely kept hold of ihe bridle as long ns ho could—lint in the struggle , tlie bit was pulled out of _tfi'i ! horse ' s mouth , ami the bridle over his head . _Thv bluil ' s , or blinders , being thus lemnvcd from his eyes , the horse darted _olt _' nt full speed , with his living load bi jiiiirui him down the steep and fearful deelirity . Air . Wilson , _liiiriiix lost his hold of the bridle , seized tho bottom-of the collar , nnd was dr : ii : " ; _i-d An- some thirty or

      forty - yards , and then thrown into the road with great violence . When } he horse had proceeded about 100 yards thc ( Mu-vinge upset , dashing its occupants uu to tile stoliey 10 . 1 ' 1 . . Mrs . Wilson unfortunately _IV-11 nml . i- the c . _irriiigc , and . tii ure remained till tiie female portion of the party were a hie to remove it , when she was laUen up insensible , and 'conveyed to the m-ircst house —\ i / .., that of . Mr . _Il'OjJr . nd , at Stautiiiigton Wood-lane . There she remained insensible till Saturday evening , when she died —au ii when the attendant ' cinales were laying out thu bodi , they discovered that the unhappy woman bud give n birth to a six months' child , which also lay ilead by its mother ' s corpse . _Xo blame being attached to _aiiy Wa- .-lies , tiie juri ruluruud a vevJict oC AeeWtwi - -. il _Disalli .

      _Biiadford IsFii'MAiir . —This charitable and use- __ ful institution is rendered almost useless for want of funds . An effort is beinjr made by thc Odd Follows to collect small donations from the _woi-hing classesand shopkeepers . _StnuiL'ti that _Bradford , the emporium of the worsted trade , where streets of w ; irchonsing ai * o springing up , some oi' them built to rivat the most splendid mansions of our nobility , and wealth amassed is as bv ma » ic , cannot support uiujk solitary charitable institution , without au appeal / being made to the work ing classes . Mill-lords , wh _« , on the public rostrum could shed tears of sympathy for the sufferings of the people , will not give a solitary £ 1 to preserve this noble and useful institution .

      The Belthoen and Ukadfohd CoLLihits are . still " out , " and thankfully acknowledge the followir . jr S i . _ioscviutions raised W the support of those bravo '" fellows ¦ who have stood thc test of twenty-two weeks _stri ' i ; c , and are still as determined as at first , though th e contest should last as long again : —Berry district , Sv , . , _hidj-e , £ ' 2 ; from Harwell colliers , £ 10 ; fi-om Darter ,, _spir . _ui-rs , 4 s . Sd . ; _Duiikin Park , £ 1 18 s . ; lllacli . hu' _.-n _apiniuvs , £ 2 : ' s . , * _Bacii | i , £ l 10 s . ; C . Ji . T ., £ 1 ; a . P . T „ £ 1 ; Jia . vellden , £ i ; l ' . _rook side , £ 1 Is . 3 d . ; Friends , 15 ? . ; Enfield spinners , 5 s . ; Duckworth Hall . Vs ., John beach , Is . Gil . ; Park Plr-ishtir , Ss . 4 d . ; An * ,, Haworth , Is . ; Robert _Iiarkwooil . -s . ; Little Leaver district , £ 1 Is . 3 d . ; ( _lai-hut coiliers , £ 1 Is . ; Aspull < lis' _rii-t , £ 1 ; Do . _> V . 5 Loilgs , _'Js =. fid . ; Do . . _S _' h . 12 1 . i «' ro . . -Js . ( id . ; Do . So . 1 I . _oif-c , 3 s . ; Do . So . 0 I . _odire , 5 s .. ; _Dolton district , £ 1 ; Swinshaw , £ ' - '; I ' _ailibam , 7 s . ; _Tivnuzileii Kfook , 9 s . Gd . ; I ' * . II . B ., £ 1 ; Dean Church , 10 ' i . ; _Kckersley district , 10 s . ; Turner , printer , Manchester ., 3 s . -. friends , _:. s . id .

      _Hcr-OETKi ) _liiii-MT Mccoitv or Tin : < JincAs [¦ h e ,, i _*** siass . " . A Onuau jnuni _.-tl . fuinary action _hi- ' . _wa-n iho Ki :.- ' _.- ; i _:-ii . s ihout the end „ 1 ' _An-u-r .. Accoi-Clin , - to _llu-sis-. _u ! c \ . a several _tuVnvs ami : _< jiieccs of ' i _.-riiinoil _, Mill liavo left a « rcut souers i ' . i _u-. u bauds » 1 * the Circassians , Ouunr _ffui-ony . _olf , Uu- uouiinandor-iii-chi

      ^N*Rayeti--V. Vri, Oui1cvs^-_Isji^ , Iin...

      _^ N _* _rayETi--v . vri , _oui _1 cVs _^ _- _ _iSji _^ , iinj Gftl ' ifc ' _jlfiin * _"> thi . _^ y _^ _au-. _it- _^' i _^ ; : _>> _--iV _hiinrifti- _^ o _^ _--. iv . y _^ r _^' f ' _pi-S _^' : aud _ptndit _^ _o ' tiii : rkT ' - _^ h ! mseu _£ j _^ f ~ . _vriouiicVs _^ _-Jw X _„ _y-i _^ fc' _^ /< } $ thi . _^ u _^* . tt N : _^ ' _^ Q anMu _^^ y _^ _drq _^ aud iund _* . _i-i <( 5 awi'sr- ' _^ S _> _^ 3 _^ ffm _(^ _xm . . . \ J . / _i -i- STV . ; Ii !!/ m * ' _//"" ¦'• _CA'i ?'» _- _* _--r \ _i % _^(^ m _^ h M - » ' ~ r ~ - —! -Y _* . y .. . ' ¦

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 20, 1845, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_20091845/page/5/