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FATAL ACCIDENT OX THE BIRMINGHAM AND BRISTOL LINE . Deffohd , Sepi . 15 , The adjourned inquest upon the bodies of the engine-driver , Ward , and William Miles , a carpenter , wlio met with their deaths by a collision of trains on this Hue on Saturday night , the 30 th ul ., was resumed this day before Mr . Beit , the coroner for this division of the county . It will be remembered that the inquest was hegun to be 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 coning in contact with a truck which was upon the up-line , but winch was intended to be shifted to the down-line , and attached to a train which was momentarily
expected from Eirnungham . A special goods train from Gloucester coming up at 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 tliis i «<] nivy , seriously injuring several other persons , destroying the engines , « fcc . It was allege ?! that proper signals were shown to stop the special goods train , and the porter who wag in charge of the truck stated he was not aware that a goods train was coining up from Gloucester , but that he , notwithstanding , carried a red light as a signal for trains to step at i ) efi ' ord : that another red liriit was placed on
ilie platform of ilie station , and a third was exhibited !»• a labourer at D <; ftord-road-bridge . A man named AUwtt , porter at the Bromsgrove station , deposed that lie 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 he saw the vtd light at Defford-hridge , and was unable to communicate with the engine-driver , 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 day . The jury having answered to their names ,
'liic Coroner thought the 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 then sworn ( he appeared with his ana 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 , lie was driver of the engine No . JO 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 -oritii wood and Iron rails . We came on torcmls Umlon , when the pumps of the engine failed ,
and Ward , the driver , would not allow me to put more lire into the engine , because he thought we should have to pull it out . We then came on towards Eekiugtou , and finding the pumps of the engine working very welL he said we would put more fire in , and I accordingly did so . Then on passing Defford station I had been putting fuel on , and Ward said there was something wrong . 1 was engaged in putting fuel on between Eckington and JX'ffonl , about a mile apart ; my head was <]<> wn , and on passing the Deiford station Ward said Buafo was something wrong . 1 looked , and saw Ward s ! mt the steam off the engine , and 1 was "instantly to-sed . somewhere , and knew nothing else . I can't say if he reversed the engine , but believe he made Ins wav to the lever for that purpose . The first thing
that I recollect was finding myself on the ground , and pome person pulling at me . Ward was perfectly sober when we left Gloucester . We stopped and took water at Cheltenham—perhaps for about ten minutes 1 did not perceive any signal lights on approaching Deffor-il-brjdjre , because my head was down all the wav from Eckinsrton to l ) efford , 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 see a signal or the truck , for I looked towards the reversal lever . I cannot tell whether the break was on when we passed Deflbrd station or not , nor do I know in what part of the train the guard was . Ward was , as far as I know , a steady driver . I had only been stoker with him that week . 1 never was with Ward when he disregarded any signal lamp . I cannot say what pace we were « oiiig at , but we were not going very fast
when we passed the Deffor'l station . I could not tell the li . it'o heouise 1 was putting- on the fuel . Before the pumps got out of order we were travelling at about thirty ' miles an hour . We have many times gone £ isier with the luggage train . I do not know whi'th'T Ward renewed the speed again after he ibaud the engine had again got in order . The adding fuel wight not be a means of decreasing speed , as chat would depend on the state of the water in the toiler . The steam was turned off entirely twice Letwecn Brcdon and Defford because of the pumps being out of order . Of course that would decrease the-speed ; but when the pumps were put in order ami the steam turned on , it would increase the spued . 1 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 out a mile in to feed the fire . I caunot tell the pace aw w- »!*» <* flni < r at _
Tin- Foreman . —An answer we will have , and you 21111 st know whether you were going at two miles or tnh'tv . Witness . —I cau't tell . Shall I tell you a lie ? The Foreman . —To the best of your judgment . Witness . —Well , to the best of my judgment we Tvcre uoing thirty miles an hour . I don ' t know Iiow lung the mail had left Cheltenham when we arrived there . It is in many 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 Lad gone forward . I do not kuow whether the driver or stoker of the mail train knew that we were to follow them . I did not notice whether there was any signal lamp at the rear carriage of the mail train . Mr . Whately . —It has been proved by a prior witlioss that there was one .
Examination resumed . —Ward said nothing to me about iiaving seen auy signal lights between Eckingtou iiiiti J ) d ! brd . I did not notice and cannot say whether Ward was standing up raid attending to his duty Ijftwccu Ei-kiuston and Defford . There is no occasion for sitting down with a goods' train . I cau't say if he was smoking . If Ward had been attending lohis duty as driver , if the lights had been in their proper place , he would have seen them . I saw no lights . It Is quite impossible for me to see lights when stooping down , and aLo when the £ re door is open ; tlw light around in * would be too strong . It does no ! rtijuire Ward to stoop to open and shut the fire dour . 1 should consider the engine-driver as one of the lushest officers that could be on a railway . I
never Lave , to my knowledge , been on an engine wii-th passed by a " signal unheeded . I never heard of Ward passing Eckington in that way . On our approach to the Deilbrd station , there was no whistle from tlie engine which I was on . It is the engine driver ' s duty to sound the whistle on approaching every station , lie never approached any station before { to my knowledge } without sounding the whistle . He sounded the whistle that night at eyevy staiioa except at Defford . That I am certain of , to the best of my knowledge . There arc some engines that when there is too much water the whistle will not sound , but the pumps have nothing to do with it . Mr . M'Connell said . —The whistle of no engine will sound if too full of water .
Examination resumed . —The mail train which left Gloucester before us would stop at Cheltenham , Ashdiureh , SpetchJey and Bromsgrove . I am not aware of any notice being sent along the line of our being about to start from Gloucester . If the driver were taken ill I could drive an ensiue . I should say Ward was not smoking between Gloucester and Defford , as lie was not given to smoking , but chewed tobacco . An engine-driver ' s wages would be 03 . or 7 s . per uay . Ms wages are 3 s . Cd . per day . Mr . M'Comiell re-examined . —I am the superintended of locomotives on the Bristol and Birmingham Inie . I stated at my Inst examination that I believed Ward had been au eimine-driver about five years before hi- tame to this line , I lave , however , since licaru that he has been an encine-driver for about cigln years . I met iir . Stepbcnson at Birmingham , who lohlinethaihe knew Ward well , and had selected him for the North Midland line when it l
opa ; e . . J have also seen testimonials from Mr . ^ lardiall , tholoc-oiuot ' ivesuperintcndcntof the North -Midland , as to his character as a good and steady driver . There was also a testimonial from the locomotive superintendent of the South Western Railway to his good character , and another letter recommending iinu as a man having a knowledge of engines , from tiKHirm < f Laird , Kitson , and Co ,, eminent engincu * an «> , of Leeds . They were recommending him as a uriyir while he was an the service of this line . I «» nsit : « -ed him a man of considerable experience in '" c ii : aiia « cinent of an engine . I never knew any ^•« in tlTe locomotive department without his proutUjiy : satisfactory testimonials . The same rule is « - *> i-ri- tU wj t jj TeSpCCt , to stokers , because weconsitier i , i ; , i luev lnaT oeconie driers . Our wages to the eugnie-trivers arc as hi » h as the average of railways , a"J « . i- Jiisidcrab ; v hi » her " tiian some in the north . The «" - «« In < iuosuo : i . }\ o . 1 \ is one of the largest on pus i ; s , r nn ( j t ] fi - , - ] - jj }]] e iuoJ is placed
I ' } ctrnadei-ible size ; and if the iire was very ^' •'• " hi the i ] ie-box , which , as a matter of precaution , ] . ; « ; . irvn-r had allowed it to te , from his pumps JiUii !) " to ] jOej , Bn the supply of water in the boiler , « "i'i thereb y causing a risk of tie fire-box or tubes \ ™ \ ' inmA Jf iheKiro was strong , I have do doubt , ' . :: . ' ' - ' « P ii « e *« : rv to " replenish the lire ^ . is . ;] } a : ; ] .-... „ - , - : xHsuld take to travel a ; :: i : ' \ iliotiisiniu-t .- between Ei-lrinston and Jkilbrd . The ; - ~ wrjsss stated thai " the whistle would not act lu ^'" C cnriiKs if there was too much water in
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theiH . " V * failure of the whistlo to aetawses from several cauvs ; when the water is what we term bad , it eftervesees ul the" boiler , or rises in combination with the steam , anil presents the whistle from sounding distinctly . When the driver from neglect has pumped his engine too full of water , allotting the water to get too high , and the steam tooJow , the same result will follow . That is peculiar to all locomotive engines more or less , but some are 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 therefore more liable to this delect . We are getting all our new engines made on the most approved form te remedy this defect , and prevent the cireuiustauce recurring * 1 should observe that the companv have sone to srrcat
expense , and taken jjreat pains to obtain the best water . I think it was in the latter part of 1 $ 12 we discharged a man , an engine-driver , for running 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 lias been Ibund ' 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 cverr ease wherever disobedience of si gnals has been reported it lias been investigated , and wherever proved , punishment has followed . If there is one tiling more than another that I impress upon our drivers it is a strict attention to signals , the peculiarities of our line rendering that of the first importance .
The Foreman . —What would be the punishment of an engine-driver if he filled his engine too full of water , aad so rendered the whistle incapable of action ? Witness . —I should discharge him for it . There is a rule printed on a large board at the I > romsgrove , 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 . Wo keep a book in whicn 1 enter all defaulters , stating the name , the crime , and punishment . 1 have not got it with me . I 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 vemavks on the conduct of the men , aad 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 . —1 consider that a very serious offence , but 1 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 liue . They were not at all the second-class stations ; but it is to be recommended that tliev Sliould be on both sides , and we adopted them en several stations Jon our Hue . 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 alter it is loaded .
A Juror . —If a siding liad been on the down-line 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 . Wuately . —The Act of Parliament does not give us power to purchase laud , and we have 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 in ordinary eases . 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 , Brcdon and Baraet Green , on the line where the station-man is also employed as a signnl-inaii . It is so at some level crossings , police-stations , for instance , where only third-eiass 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 , Ho . lT-5 , is , 1 should sav .
£ 1 , 500 , and the value of the other , 2 \ o . 30 , is , perhaps , about £ 900 . The duties of tiie men at the Defford- sta-iion commence at about hali-past iive o ' clock in the morning , and they would remain on duty until about ten o ' eloek at night . I Lave 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 1 could judge of him his conduct was very regular . He was a very quiet man , and from his previous character 1 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 sliould 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 . 1 have never received any report , to ray recollection , of Ward having been in the habit of passing signals unheeded , though I have seen suck a report in the newspapers . The porter in charge of that train that night had been 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 see anything , as he stated he was , lie was not in a proper situation , for lie
ought 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 much 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 , ami when it was found more steam room was required it was made , not merely for tlie whistle , though that was important , but with a view to the general safety and better working of the engines . The consideration of a report aijiunst 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 . 1 honins Cook , grocer , of the city of Worcester , sworn . —1 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 tin ' s side Stonlton ; we remained under the bridge for a few minutes , ' perhaps ten minutes ( about six miies from Defiorti ) ; -wliife waiting there the up mail train to Birmingham pas-ed , ami we were informed that the detention arose from a portion of the up line being under repair , which rendered it necessary that the mail train shouIJ pass over a portion of the down line . We then moved oiF , aad got into a rapid speed , until wecametoDeiFord-bridgc , on the birmingham side of the Defford station , when I heard a whistle
from our engine , instanuy followed by a concussion that threw us oft" tlie seat , and we felt a crash behind us ; a momentary silence ensued , aud I heard voices cry , " Jump out , " and I did so . The passengers were all scrambling up the bank much alarmed , ily attention was iustautly attracted by a very large body of ( ire , which provedto be the trucks on lire , that had been thrown upon the engines . The other engine was on the up line , or between the two , but in the confusion of the moment 1 could not exactly say . except that they were lying athwart tiie lines . I remained upon tlie bank for some minutes ,. during which time exertions were being made to extricate the poor man Ward , who is dead . Shortly afterwards 1 saw two of the carriages on fire . I and a young mnu named Burk stinted off to Spctelilcy , and when about a mile on nur road we saw a lot of men at work repairing the up line , and I sent them down to the accident . Thcv took with them
some levers . While there 1 saw what I supposed was our guard . lie was a guard , ami was sittiiis on a kind of truck or bench . I niked him ii ' lio was hurt , and he told me lie was terribly shaken , lie was in a complete state of consternation . We then went on to Spetehlcy . All was quiet there , and they knew nothing of ' the accident . They told me that they expected the goods train in jroin Birmingham in ton minutes , and in about that time it arrived , the driver of which suggested , that having plenty of hands to spare and ropes , tl'cy should go slowly clown the line aud render what assistance they could , and they did so . In about two hours the engine and tender returned to Spetehley . I went as last as I could to Spetcblev , ns 1 was . anxious about the down mail train running into the wreck ; and , indeed , the Birmingham goods train , which arrived ten minutes after my arrival at Spetehlcy , would have inevitably run into it and cau-ed further daniace , if 1 had not given the
information . Benjamin Giles sworn ( this witness had his arm broken ) —I am a stoker on the Birmingham and BristolHne . On the night of the 30 th of August licit Binuiiu'ham bv the quarter before eight o'clock train from Birmingtiam to Gloucester . It was a passenger train , and consisted of six carriages . After we leit the Spclchley station we came to a place where the line was being repaired near to Wadborouah , and stopped there until the up mail had passed . We then wont on at a cood speed until we eame to the next station . Wadborou' jli , and thence to Besford station . t of tlio Dei
All proceeded well until we eame in sigh - ford station , the driver having shut off strain bdorc then . I saw the red light as usual on Use platform at the station . I then went to my break , and put it on , and on turning mrsclf round 1 saw something in the road . The first tiling I observed was the steam . I then put on the brwik its ii-ht as I could , and I saw oi ::- driver rc-vor . v-1 ho engine . 1 ran to the side of the tc : u !«\ an-. l v .-kh . the driver we junnjed oil . Tiie ai"Mon tck place instantaneously , I think before 1 S ' -yt to the ground . 1 found that my arm v ,-ns out of the sucker , aud "I went tu the staiion . I « iu
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not nvtice anything particular afterwards . I did no see more than one red light . We were above twenty minutes altei - our time , having waited for the mail tram . The red Jight was on the left baud side at JJeitoru , coming- irom Birmingham . W d &V d o ' clock the in { l"est was adjourned until . Dbkford , Wednesday . —The third day's inquiry into the cause of the fatal accident which occurred at this station of the Birmingham and JJristol llailway , on the night of the 30 th of August , was resinned to-day . Several witnesses were examined . One witness , Dove , employed on tiie railway , stated that he recollected five or s " ix instances of neglect of signals occurring within a vear and a half on the
part of the engine-drivers , lie had reported several instances , but got no reply . Ho did not report all the cases of neglect , because Jjc found his compLunts were only circulated among the guards and 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 sav that the witness had been guilty of great derilictfon of duty in not reporting every instance of disobedience . It was his duty , at every liazard 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 tlie company wero determined strictly , to enforce that order . At the time of despatching the account the inquiry was not completed .
Coach Accident . —We regret to have to record a serious accident which occurred on Thursday evening . On the arrival in Lewes of Lcney ' s nine o ' clock conch , several persons alighted at the Brewers' Anns . On the horses starting again , one of the wheelers became restive , from some then unknown cause . The team was a unicorn , and the example of the one horse seems to have influenced the rest , for all three set off rapidly down Iligh-strcet . On reaching the Reading-room , adjoining the Sussex Advertiser Office , Mr . Scrase , surgeon , became alarmed , and jumped down , falling with considerable violence upon liis head . He was immcdiatclj taken into the Readingroom , whence he was shortly removed to his own house , iu Albion-street , where medical aid was soon
at hand . Mr . Jeiiner , salesman , followed the unfortunate example of Mr . Scrase , and before the coach had proceeded many yards , he jumped down , falling also heavily on his head . The coachman , Botton , exhibited groat presence of mind , doing his utmost to stop the horses , and-at the same time entreating the passengers to keep their scats . By the time the coach reached the end of High-street , it was found that the unmanageable wheeler had caught his bit in the hook ot the pole . All efforts to stop him were unavailing , and coach and horses dashed down School-hill with fearful rapidity . In this frightful danger Botton contrived to steer the coach , and in some degree guide the frighted animals , and
Ins admirable example had its efiect on the rest of the passengers , who retained their seats . On ncariii " Cliff corner , the danger of an upset became painfully manifest , but b } " extraordinary management , Botton was enabled to clear tlie corner , and after proceeding UP Mailing-Street , nearly to Mr . James Berry ' s yurtl , heat length succeeded in-pulling up his horses , when the cause of the accident was found to bo as above described , the entanglement of the bit in the book of the pole . It is needless to iadtl that intense alarm prevailed , both with spectators as well as passengers . Mr . Scrase received set ious injury from , his fall . Ho was insensible for a long period after the accident , and , we deeply regret to add , has since been in considerable danger . —Sussex Advertiser .
Frightful Omxihus Agcidhst ix Fleet-stuket . — Ou Tuesday evening between nine aiu \ ten o ' clock , the following fri ghtful accident occurred to a young man named Daniel Love , aged 23 years , an assistant in the service of Messrs . Harvey and Co ., the extensive lincndrapers , of . No . 0 , Ludgate-hill . It appears that the unfortunate man was standing at the corner of Bridge-street , after a walk which he had taken when the shoii was closed , when one of the Clapham omnibuses , jN ' o . 1 , 023 , with two spirited liorsos , started off from the Kings and Keys tavern , Fleetstreet , without driver or conductor . They continued
their speed until they reached the corner of l'Jeetstrect , where they turned sharply round , and , before he could get out of the way , he was knocked down by the pole , which struck him on the right side of the head , inflicting a frightful wound from the 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 poor fellow was carried to the residence of Mr . Harvey , where he was seen by two medical gentlemen , aiid thence removed to St . Bartholomew's Hospital . The horses escaped unhurt .
liiREE Persons Duowxed . —On Sunday last Mrs . Graham , the wife of one of the lightkeepeis at the Plymouth Breakwater Lighthouse , went with her son , a lad about six years of age , to visit Mr . Graham , on the Breakwater , About seven iu the evening they left in a waterman's boat , with the intention of returning to Plymouth . On Monday morning Mr . Findlater , the foreman of the works , shortly after landing , discovered the body of the lad , with a basket under his arm , on the northern side of the Breakwater , near the jetty . This discovery was the first intimation which Mr . Graham had of his loss . The boat , which was rather crank built , was in charge of a man named Ward , and , as no account has been heard of her , it is supposed that she went down in a squall , with the boatman and Mrs . Graham aud her son , soon after leaving the Breakwater . The darkness would prevent persons on board the shipping in the Sound from seeing such a catastrophe .
Dueadful axd Determined Suicide or a Lady of Foiuuxe . —On the morning of Monday the utmost excitement prevailed in the neighbourhood of Finsbury-square , in consequence of a report that Mrs . Elizabeth Harley , of 6 , JS ' cw 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 room , 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 .
1 'iFiY Houses Bcrxt xear Exeter . —On Monday the following deplorable intelligence was made known to the principal fire insurance-offices in the city , through the medium of their agents relative to a terrific conflagration occurring at the market-town of Morlonhampstead , Devonshire , levelling in its progress no fewer than lifty dwelling-houses , besides consuming a vast amount of property . The ill-fated tmvu is situated about twelve miles west by south of tliP city of Exeter , and contains a population of ' about 3 , 000 . It stands rather romantically on the 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 chiet support . From letter . - ; received , it appears that the fire was discovered shortly after midnight on Saturday morning , issuing from a baker ' s bakehouse at the- rear of his dwelling-house , in one of tlie small through fares , called Cross-street , between the Bell Inn and the West of England Agency-office . Notwithstanding the lateness of the 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 properly . The wind , however , which was blowing rather brisk , scattered the fire on to the roof ' ofthe dwelling , which , being thatched , like most of the
houses in the town , and in an exceedingly dried condition , kindled with astonishing rapidity , extending to the several apartments of the 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 the scene of destruction , but the hose was in such a disgraceful condition as to render it next to useless . In the meanwhile the destructive element raged with uncontrollable fury—huuse after house caught five without the least means being at hand to save them ; and by
two o'clock the conflagration had assumed a most awful aspect . The whole of the houses on one side ot Cross-streot were in one immense blaze , and the town being situated on an eminence , the country was illuminated for miles round , attracting thousands to tlio spot . It was not until thisperiotl , from some oversight , probably , that au express was . forwarded to Exeter for the aid of the city engines , and for the subsequent two hours the confusion in the town was of the most pitiable description . In the different streets were to be soon families lunning to 'tl \ c adjacent moailows , with their trifling' household furniture , fearful that tin-irrespective 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 beo n less than twelve or fourteen
burning from their basr : mcnts to the root ' . The authorities , at this junc turc , fearing that the whole town would fall a sac rifice , as there was certainly every appearance of i '; , wisely determined » Pon I' 11 " " ing some of tiie builr shigs down , with a view of stopp ing ihe course of < . i ! C conflagration . A number oi labourers were in ; tantly set to effect that object in Cross-street and Fe re-street , and engines from Exeter having by that tiir : c arrived , the work of dest ruction by six o'clock was got under . The town now presents a most desolate appearance . The whole of Crossstreet , from thf ; West of England Agcncy-oi'lice ( o the Bell Inn , if , now in ruins , while a part of Fortr . t- .-cei _ i > rcsents ; i similar deplurablc si » ht . . The number of houses consumed is rou » hly calculated at ( iity . Amongst tlio' . n are Hie premises ' of Messrs , ftix and Co ., dranct f , the Golden Liou luu , belonging to
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Messrs . Bellamy , anJ Mr . Bidder , builder . The chief portion of the buiJa ing property is said to be insured in the Sun Fire-oflic ^; but most of the inmates , chiefly ol the poorer classes , . unfortunately uninsured , and the destitute condition they are thrown into must ( jo very severe . A s imilar h ' re has not occurred in the county for a number of years . Dreadful Murder . —On "Wcdnesda evening week the son of a respectable fanner , named .. Kenny , residing at Olonderlaw-bay , county of Clare , was waylaid on returning to his lather ' s hcuse , and ba ' -uarously murdered , within a pistol-shot of his homO- The father was alarmed by the report of a » un an ' 1 ran
out , when the first person he saw was a young i . " «» of the name of Sexton , of the same ncisiibouriiot / d , hurrying off with a gun under his arm , " and a JIV yards further on the unhappy parent was almost distivitfted to find Jiis son a corpse before his eyes , the fatal ball having perforated his forehead ; and the assa . ssin , not content with his deadly aim , had also broken the poor young man ' s skull with a blunt instrument , probabl y the butt of a gun , All illQUCSt was iiola next day bv Mr . T . Whitestone , coroner , when A verdict of "Wilful Murder" was returned against wmc person or persons unknown , as more than one . may have been implicated .
Suicide . —On Monday evening Mr . Mills hold an inquest at the Greyhound , Staines , near Windsor , on the body oi Matthew Bond , aged 7 tf , who committed suicide under the following circumstances : —It appeared irom the evidence , that the deceased , old in years , was also old in crime , having been frequent ! v convicted of fgfony . On Friday night week , about twelve o ' clock , the policeman on duty near the premises of Mr . Ilsti-ris , farmer in tkc above village , discovered deceased emerging from an outhouse , lie went up to him , and on laying hold of him by the collar , he dropped from beneath his coat a low ] , which was subsequently found to be the property of Mr . Harris . He was taken to the station-house and locked up m a cell by himself . Burins the nijilit lie
was visited several times by the . man on duty , and he appeared safe , but on the cell bsing entered in the morning , lie was discovered with his liaildkcrcllk / tied tightly round his neck , tlio end being fastened to the gaspipe which ran along the wall . The deceased was not suspended , but he had pressed his neck forward , and thus produced stran » ul « iion . The handkerchief was removed , and a medical jiian was called in , but life was extinct . It further appeared that the dcccaacd had never exhibited any symptoms of insanity , and the only reason assigned for ' his committing suicide was the fear of being sent out of the country . The j ury , after some deliberation , returned a verdict off do de se . In accordance with the verdict , the body was buritd without funereal rites .
Fatal Accident io a City Merchant . —On Tuesday a gentleman , named ivlonlaunt , who carried on business as a merchant in the City , expired in Cliaring-cross Hospital irom injuries he hail rcCCJVGll !))' being thrown Irom a » omnibus . It appears tllilC a ' mut four weeks since Mr . Moruaunt was proceeding down the Strand seated on the front scat ot ' an omnibus , when , from some unexplained cause , one of the f jve-wheels oi" the vehicle c-. vmc oil ' , and deceased was precipitated to the ground with great violence . Assistance bein ? procured , the unfortunate gentleman was conveyed to Clmriiig-ci'oss Hospital , where it was ascertained that one of his legs had been severely fractured . Every attention was paid to him by tlio surgeons of the establishment , and for some tiine lie appeared to be going on well , and hopes were entertained oi'his recovery ; but on Sunday last an unexpected change took place , which terminated in death , as before stated . Mr . Mordaunt was about thirtyseven vears of ace .
Fatal Accident to a Lady . —Cohoxer ' s Inquest . —On Monday afternoon , JNir . Mills , deputy-coroner for West Middlesex , and a jury of 13 inhabitant householders , assembled in the drawing-room of Fcltham-Iodge , near llonnslow , to Inquire into the circumstances connected with the melancholy death ol ] Mrs . Gvorgiana Charlotte Theobald , aged 29 , a widow la : ly , lately resident as above , and well known in the sporting world , who was killed by being thrown from her horse on Friday last . —Mary Tapliii stated , that she was the wife of a labourer living at Feltham , and washed for the deceased . On Friday night last , about S o ' clock , she was sent for to attend upon deceased , whom she found in bed insensible . Two medical gentlemen from Hampton were present ,
and also a gentleman named lirittlo . Deceased ' s teeth were quite clinched . Her hair was cut off , and leeches applied , but she never spoke ov recovered hev senses , and died at 5 minutes before S o ' clock on Saturday morning . The lower part of her sknll was pronounced by the doctors to be fractured . Deceased vomited twice within an hour of her death . Deceased went out on horseback , accompanied by Mr . Brittle , and attended by her groom . —Mary Cox , nurse to Miss Theobald ( deceased ' s daughter , aged 0 years ) , stated , that on Friday afternoon , between 3 and - o ' clock , deceased left the house on horseback , t ' ov the purpose of going to Twickenham on business . Mr . . brittle , who was also on horseback , wont with her and they were followed by deceaseds groom . About
S o clock m the evening deceased was brought honiu in a chaise cart , accompanied by two surgeons from Hampton . She was quite insensible . The horse which deceased rode on Friday wag 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 accident , 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 hail happened to her . The horse she rode was very quiet , and one she had always ridden while he had been in her service ( 1-1 months ) . —Thomas Lunn , a labouring man , stated , that about half-past six o ' clock on Friday evening last , deceased came up to the gate leading to a field belonging to Mr . Humphries , '
farmer , at llauwortli , about two miles from Feltham , and asked , witness , who -. vas in . Mv . llumpiivws ' service , if she might ride round the field , saying thai the road was so hard she could not exercise her horse . Witness replied , " Yes . " A gcutluuum ou horseback was with the deceased , who stopped at the gate , and said to her , "Just give a gallop round . " 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 ou her head . Witness went up and found tlie pummel of the saddle off , which he picked up . The deceased seemed lifeless . There was no one near the horse when it fell . —Mr . George Henry Brittle , merchant , of iNo 110 , Wood-street , Clieapsidc , stated that ho went with the deceased to Twickenham on Friday . Whon she went into the field it was for the purpose of cantering . She always cantered when she could find a jit of turf . Where the horse fell was about 100
yards from witness , and it was at the time going at the rate of li 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 the accident in any other way than by the horse crossing it ' s logs . On the accident occurring , witness despatched the last witness on his own horse to Hampton , for medical aiil , and on tovo surgeons arriving on the ground and seeing deceased , they pronounced the case hopeless . He had seen a horse fall with the deceased lady while hunting , and she always retained her seat , which , no doubt , she would have been able to have done on Friday , but for the breaking of the saddle , as described . —There being no further evidence , the jury , having commented on the melancholy features of the case , returned a verdict of " Accidental death . "
Accidevt in- the Railway Tuxnkl at LiVKurooi ,. —A workman in the employment of the Grand Junction Railway Company met his death in thu tunnel on Saturday last , llis name was James Nixon , and he was fifty-live years old . At the inquest , John Woodward , " a plate-lnyer , who said that about a quarter past ten 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 vary wet . Four trains went down between the tiine he was sent and a quarter to twelve o ' clock , at which time witness saw him dead . William liolland , the superintendent of the engine station at Edge-hill , . said , thai about a quarter to eleven o ' clock he wciit down tlis tunnel iu a pilot-waggon ; and when about a quarUr of a mile down he felt a slight obstruction on ihe rails , and heard a noise like the breakup oi' a pices of wood . He put the break on and stopped the waggon as soon fls liu could , got out , and looked along " the line , and from the brightness of tlie rails he saw
they were clear . He went down to Lime-Btreet , and sent a man to examine the rails . 'William Jubiiec Norton , a porter at the station in Lime-stvcet , said lie was sent up the tunnel by the to witness to SCO J ' ov something that was supposed to bo upoii the rails , lie got a light for that purpose , and about a quartsr of a mile from Edge-hill , he found the deceased lying across the down rails with one i ' uot on out rail auft his right hand upon the other rail , lie was quite dent ' i and cold , ilis right hand was completely ' crushed , and his left jaw was broken . There was also a wound upon the forehead , and another upon the back part of the head . At the inquest on Tuesday , Dr . Arnott , the 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 was ottoreil , and the jury found a verdict accordingly . There is very little doubt that he was knocked down by one oi the trains , and instantaneously killed .
Malicious lxjuuny ox Tin- Siiei-tield Railway . —At hall-past seven o ' clock on Saturday evening a train left the-Sheffield station , coasting of tlirc ' o passenger carnages , containing between sixty and seventy passengers , a parcel van , and eleven linrgagc wacsons , tojoin the down train from London , iluo at Masbvo ' at eight o ' clock , and with which it was to proceed forward to Leeds . The parcel van and wasgons were placet ! next the en pmoand trailer , - m <\ the passcimer carriages at thetasl or the train . When the ivainnrrivcd at the Holmes station tlio cn-jiiic-uYiver . in conformity with his orders , sla ; k-nc'l U : s i'peud , as in passing tram the SheliieUl wA Hotherham lino there is n vci-y sharp curve round thu corner of the station . Tlie train was not ivvoccfcuing at a greater speed tlian
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ten or twelve miles an hour , and bail not passed the station more than fifty or sixty yard's , when it was suddenly stopped by some obstacle , ap" the engine and tender , with the force of the shock , « Sre lifted oil the rails and thrown on their broadsides across tiie up and down lines . The engine-driver , a mat ! naii . 'ed John Edwards , and the foreman , named llii « h T : s - sington , were thrown a distanced ' ten or twelve vanla aud lay insensible for some minutes ; three of the luggage waggons and the parcel van were thrown oil the line , and the guard , John Duckcr , who was seated on the last carriago but one , with his back to the engine , was thrown with great violence upon the root oi the carnage in front of him , and fortunately escaped injury by catcliins hold nf tl . o i » , ; i « «„
the top of the carriage . Two of the wasgons wore smashed to pieces , and a third rendered almost useless by the concussion . The shock was felt severely by the whole ot the passengers who were thrown off theii'seats , but providentiall y , from being at so « reat a distance from the engines , none of them received an / injury beyond the sliot'li and a fen- slight bruises . The guard immediately dismounted , and found the engineriian and stoker creeping , as well as they ctrakl , to a hedge bottom , j I'Jie passengers , as soon as possible , got out of the carriages , and search was then made to ascertain the cause of the accident , when it was found that » set of points used for putting waggons on a side-line , had been wedged open by some miscreant with an iron "chair" and a piece of limestone , so that it was impossible for a train to have
proceeded withont being thrown off the line . The two men who were injured were as soon as possible conveyed to Shcfiiclii , and surgical aid procured , and , 1 am happy to add , that it was- found that they had not received any greater injury than several severe concussions from the violence of their fall , and that theyare now fast recovering . The engine was 80 much damaged astobe entirely unlit for work , the wheels being driven into the firo-bsx , and ths driving wheels so injured that they would not move . The passengers wore compelled so walk to the Masbro station , A number of men ; were immediately set to work , and by six o ' closk on Sunslay morning' the engine and
waggons were clearedo £ ' the line , soasto nlioff the trains to pass without obstruction . The 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 © f the same place , and at two distinct times > several kxgc wooden sleepers and largo pieces of iron were laid across the rails , and it was only through the vigilance of the company ' s semnts that She trains escaped being thrown ort" the line ou both occasions . The Midland Company , anxious for the public safety , yesterday ( Tuesday ) morning issued placards ofleriag a reward of one hundred guineas to any person who shall prwlme evidence to cause thu conviction of the perpetrators cithis villanous act .
Boy Jullkd uy LrsiiT . NixG .- ~ On the first . Sabbath of lost month , a herd boy at I- 'itirisk , in tliis ncighbimrhood , went out witili his eatthto the Held at ten o ' clock . In a short time nftenvawba violent thunder shower came on , and abcut eleven o ' clock , after the sliowcr had partially subsided , the cattle were observed by some parsons straying among the corn , and on going into the field , the b : sy was found lying on his face , quite dealer On being : lifted uj ) ; , h 6 presented such an appearance as to ler . fcno doubt that ' he had been struck by tlic electric liaid . —Forrti Gazette . HonimsLE Citis 3 B . « = r A man . named drier has been condemned to doatk by the Court of Assizes of the Aisnu for setting { h-o to the house iu which his wife and her mother-in-law resided , with the intention of burning them to deaMi . lie confessed his crime , and saiil he had previously made three unsuccessful attempts . The intended victims were with difieulty rescued from the fate that threatened them .
Suitoseb Suicide o ? a Gkk . ma . v- Jkw . —On Tuesday night , Mr . Joseph Jj ' ayne held , " ?¦)) inquest at the Ruse and Ball Tavern , St . Bennetfss-hill , Thamesstreet , on the body of Solon Ilyams , aged fifty-one , a fishmonger , oi' Middlesex-street , WhUecluipcl . My . Joseph Kiseh , of Circus-place , Finsbury-square , said , that lie had attended the daeeased proi ' sssionally lor some time , and-that about seven weeks-ago he was called to liim by bis family in consequence of strange delusions the deceased was labouring uuds . -Amongst other things he iibiicicd that a conspiracy had been formed amongst his friends and neighbours to deprive him of his property , and that they had made an image
which- was always haunting kim day and night . There was no donbi deceased was labouring Uiidur monomania . It appeared from other evidence that the deceased left las ' house about four o ' clock on the morning of Friday last , unknown to his family , and nothing was afterwards heard or seen of hini until seven o ' clock that moyning , when his body wass-found in the causeway at St-Paul ' s-wharf , Upper Tk « messtreet , where it had bean left by the receding tide . After a few remarks by the coroner ,, who stated , that this was the fourth inquest lie had held upon a case of suicide within twouty-lbur hours , the jury returned a verdict of " Found drowned . "
Lamentably Destructive FjnB . —On . Sunday last , about a quarter past one o clock a . m ., the poliee-eoiistable at punmow descried a large ( Ire in the direction of Waltham , and immediately communicating with superintendent Kedin , the large engine wis-prepared and moved to the Saracen's llead , to be ready for tlie horses ; and very shortly afterwards Mr . iBiiae LiVormore , from Ohl-Park-farm , Great Waltham , on whose premises the conflagration was raging , arrived on horseback , in breathless haste . The engine was immediately conveyed to the farm , on reaching whieb , however , it was found that tho whole of the outbuildings were enveloped in flames , and that exertions were almost useless , except for ( he preservation of the dwelling-house . In a very short time the devouring , element had laidlow the two large barns , thestables r cart-sheds , pigsties , henhouse , a 7 id crauarv .
destroying also a number of valuable implements . There was only one horse in tlio stable , which was i ' ortiinately saved . The wheat ham was filled with a most beautiful crop , considered the best Mr . Livermore ever had there , and wor . h . t 500 . The barley barn ,, in which the fire was ; first discovered by the looker , was also quite full ; it w : is spacious enough lor a wageroii and horses to turn in it , and said to be one of 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 settiug their losses in such casts against the heavy sum it would require to protect their property . The crops and implements were fully insured in ' . the Essex Economic , upon whom will devolve a loss " of about £ 000 . There appears to be every reason to fear that this fire , which has consumed the produce of nearl y 100 acres , was the work of an incendiary .
Siiockixg" Death . —On Monday Mr . "Win . Gartev the coroner , held an inquest at the Star and Garte ? Tavern JN ' eckinjicr . road , liermondscy , respecting the death of Margaret Fordham C ' ummings , aged three years . The verdict , which tells the whole eass , was — " That the deceased was accidentally su&cated by falling into the soil of a privy . " Serious Loss of Life . — On Tuesday afternoon [ week ) last the son of Mr . Dickson , proprietor of ' the London and Brampton waggon , met with his- death in tiie following most awful manner : —The unfortunate sufferer was driving down . Wiliiam-hill ,. Hertfordshire , followed by Mr . Sergeant ' s Bedford ,
waggun . It was said that Dicksoa-was boasting , of the style in which his horses could come down tha hill without being checked by him ; they began to > trot , and soon lie lost all power over them—ho went to the head of tlie leaders , but he could not stop tliCIll until they ran I ' oul of a public-house on iho way-side ; he was crushed against the wall ,, one shaft having run into liis iiowcls ; every assistance that tiie ylace could vender him was given , but he , however , alter a short period of the most agonisLug suffering ,, ceased to exist . We hear one of ths-horses ah 0 i was killed , but hsiv true tiiis is we cannot couu'duutly assert , — Uediwd News .
Awful Explosion at Woolwich , —Ssvex Mex bi .-sv . ' . n up . —Uovaj . AnsivNAi ., IVoouvici ' , Skit . 17 . — Oiiti of the most frightful accidents that has over occurred hnpocned this moraing in the Lloyal Arsenal at Woolwich . A few , minutes befsre ten o ' clock : i Jcud explosion was heard in the Laboratory Departiiunit , at a buiUliag known as No . 1 Breaking-up . Sihctl . Assistance " « ras immediately at hand , tlienii'li ruslung from various parts of the department no , tl > c spci . . As soon as ingress could be obtained , a fearful spectacle presented itself . Immediatel y behind the door ,, crowded together in a confused heap , lay the scorched bodies oJ : iive men and two boys-.. They were immediately removed to an adjaeout shod ou str-etchcre . The V ' . iikling being oa fire , the alarm , bell was runs ; , and the ensrincs irom the
diiJerent departments , with the Royal Sappers and Miners and Royal Artillery , were speedily on tlie spot . The flames , by the exertions o ' f the iflen , were soon subdued , tlicir ravages being confined to the buildings , the roof of which had been already blown off , and some slight damage done to the roof of an adjacent building . It . would appear , from what has been gleaned in other parts 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 , and throuuh some friction , the whole mass accidentally ignited ; thus at once consigning seven unfortunate individuals to instant destruction . The names of the persons who thus lost their lives , are John Crake ( master ) , an aged man , and ouc of the
oldest servants in the department ; Henry Butters , an aged man , with a large family , and his son , Henry Butters , a young married man ; Robert Buvbage ,. and Michael Purtill . Four of these were what is called laboratory men . In a ddition to these , two boys named Leonard and lien ley lost their lives . Purtill was . a labourer belonging to the storeijeeyurs department , and was engaged at the tiine in louding rockets . A rean named William Reid , who was oivacfcd with him at the same time , had a very narrow escape . It would appear thatj . wjk'ii the fatal occurrence took place , tlio unlbrtima'f o persons ma de a simultaneous rush towards the dcor . Unfortunately the i-iooi's opened inwards , and to . thisi ' : iret : nisiance some of the chief officers of tiu > . establishment attribute their destruction . By the Wide of the door out of which thoy had vainly endeavoured to escape , their blackened corpses were iQu . ad . The writer
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visited them shortly afterwards , and they presented a fearful proof of the dreadful agent to which they had been exposed . Their clothes , and even their boots , were either wholly or partially consumed , their bodies literally roasted , and the flesh in many cases deeply incised ' : every vestige of bar was consumed oil" their heads , and their features so disfigured asr to render their identification almost impossible . As scon as the fire was subdued a party of the lloyal Sapners and Miners , under the command of Colonel Haruo v , U . K ., one of the heads of the department , and Lieutenant and Adjutant Webb , R . E ., proceeded to pull down the remaining parts of the shed , many of which were in a dangerous state . The remains o . f a dog were discovered in one corner of the building :. It was the opinion of a medical gentleman , who viewed the bodies with the writer , that death took place from suffocation by carbonic acid gas .
iiiE Murder ov Mil Thomas Peacop , . near Hock Feruv . "—ArrniiiiGxainN ov tub Sl'ITOSKD MimnKKEira . — Liv >;» i'uoi / , Xcksjuv . — Yesterday morning considerable excitement was occasioned oil the other sale of the Alsvsey by r * rumour , which was rapidly circulated , to tlit ? effect that four of the murderers of the late Mr . Thwnas 1 ' encop , corn and flout ' doaloi , had been . tpprciicnJed , ami that one of tho fellows had turned approver .- On inquiry we ascertained that the report was in > t unfounded , and that the arrest oi Michael Burns in Uubjin , and tlie'in-Ibrmation he ? had given to the authorities , had led to the apprehension of three of hij su ( inosert confederates—Pat . TffJJwit , Robert Lynch , and Wm . Ivowlaii . Tallent , who is' a thick-set elderly man , was arrested at the New F ' urrv , by officers Xow'ton and Tiw .
Lynch , who is ; v !! k > - a stout fellow , about 30 years of age , was cmploycd'irs driving a main near Rock Ferry , and was arrested by Superintendent ; M'llarg ami Mr . Palmer , the Head constable of ths ' liundrud of Win-all . A dansjsrous weapon was found in liis house-. Kowlan , vUo is a tall and robust man of forty , was employed at the Birkcnlicad G-aa Works , and was apprehended' by Mr . Boughcy , tlie Bridewell-keefyi £ ? r ; and Mr . rainier also arrested Burns , tlio approver , who is ' - an athletic man oi' about a similar age . Thu four are nativss of Ireland ; -and with the-exception of Biinis , who recently went over to Dublin-, , they have all been worfcing at and iii the ucighbouTHooii of liirkeclteud ever since the perpetration of " # hc dreadful crime with which they 3 t :: « d charged , li will bo rccol&etcd that on the evening
of the 31 st of December la : $ , Mr . Peacop was on his return froiTiliis shop , in RmL : Ferry-lane , to his residence near * the Neiv Fcrvy turnpike-gate , in the ' ownsliip of IKgher 13 ebii ) gteji ,. wlien he-. Fas attacked by three or four men and "abfceil , and so severely beaten about the head that he died on the morning of Saturday , tiie 4 th of Fciivnary . The coroner ' s jury returned ! a verdict of wilful mui-dov against sonic party or pnrilss iinknov . i ) ; and immediately after , by dirostioiis of htrr most gracious Majesty ,, a reward S < ) 0 was offered by Wovernment v i » addition (^ 'another reward of similar amount sftered on the spot , for such evidence as might lead to'the- discovery of the perpetrator or perpetrators of tlio crime ; and a .- free pardon was also'oSered to anj 1 accomplice , m > t ' . ht'ii )« r tlie person
who gave- the mortal- iilow , who siibuld uivo such iufornia / 6 ion and evidence as should load to thesamo result ,. A Welslnns . « ij . oi' the name oFv ' ohn Jones , who was near the spot ornihe night of the'ocenrreuce , y , ys subserviently iti-restc . ! , and , afsor a ¦ oi ! gexaininiition rdiscluirgcd , there ntfe bring the sli » l ){» at evidence to eminecti him with tho-fatal transaction . From that time uniii within ths-last fuitni ^ ht all attempts to unravel ! iho mysterious- circumstances- of the case utterly failed , but a clue to Hums haying been then obtained ' , his apprehension' followed , and-Bubscquently the arresti of the thrcs-other parties . On Monday the pw satiera underwent an examination at the Hirkenlierwl Police Com * ,, and »» ain o » Tuesday , when they wero remanded fov further examination .
SunuKN i > EATii in ma -S-riiEET On Wednesday . " . ftcrnotiii about three o ' clock , a woman w : > : b observed to stagger and fall , in i Bear-yard , Lincoln ' s-inn . She was immediately rr . Ised from the ground , and . being found-in < t state o& insensibility , shs was at once conveyad to King ' s 0 ;> l ! ej : c Hospital , where she was promptly attended by Dvr Guy , the head physician of the iiistitution . That gcutlcimui , however , after trying the usual remedies for restoring animation , pronounced life to be i- and shawl and straw bonnet . The body remains at the above institution , awaiting identification .
1 ' EAIirULMR" YlOIiKST DliiiH OP A MoTlIKIt AX » UsriMEijY BiKirii . —A frightful , aeeidcut , from the upsetting of a vehick , occurred' -in / ShotUuId , on FrWiiy evening last ,. Hjr . which one puar- woman lost her life— . one had her wrist broken—one- had her hip dislocated —a poor girl' liail her face so- ^ istiguvud as suuvu *\ y to appear human—andt indeed , tliu wl . ole of tho oo « . u-Iiants oi the enri'iuge , nine in n-uinlier , wuru more or less seriously manned . Thu inuiKnuliuly particulars trail * sjiirvil on the inquest over ths body of Anuis Wilson , which was held , before Mr . ] Ss < lgar ,. at the house of . Mr . Iloyland , of Wood-iane , farmer , Slaniungtoii , on Monday ovouiug lust . Ik-iic-aseU was the wlt ' c ol' Mr . William . Wilson , of Jlall-cni- Pl .-iee , Sheffield , joiner , and ths unfortunate ca-jjile-had invited a few friends to accoKiyany tliem to tliu funeral of one of their
children , Jho- time fixed , osi was Tiiilay eveninsr , at the Unitarian . Cliajiel , Sktmrigtun — the Hev . Peter Wright , 3 . Ulliluvinli minister , who keeps ascliool at Sheffield ; not being abls-to perform the service earlier in the dhjv . it so great « .- < Ust « . \ K' « from home . After the fnnerai ,. tue attendants a : t ' . ! td at a nehjhUntiringinn , where they baited their horse jisid took some slight refreshment , after which they started for Sheffield , about S o ' clock . Their-route l . 'i . v tliroirfii IloylamJ ) Voorf- ]; illc , a sleep , rough , and dangerous roadj . wlik-h , being littlo frequented , was thickly studded throughout with largo projecting stones-.. Dennis Wilson , . it brother-iii-law of Ihe deceased , ' . vas- leading the hoese , aud nine imrsons , chiefly women , and cliildrcn , vere-in a Light spring cart , in which the corpse of tho dead child of the Wilsons had . been carried to-its-bst resting plnce .. Thrv had scarcely
got to the top ot ilais rugged V . mo , whua . the horse , it i * supposed , from having been pinched by iIih collar , became restive and tried tovun , Mv . Uuiinis Wilson , who was leading him , rasoiutely kept hold of the In-idle aslonjj ns lio could—hut , in thu sti'i ^ lc ,. && bit was | . ulleJ . out of the horss ' s mouth , : i : id the , bridle ovc-r hishead . 'Die Waffs , or blim ' iers ,. liciim tlws icmoved from , his eyes , the horse darted oil'at full < : j > ea <] , with his living , load behind him ilorni the stasiMind-leu ^ ful declivity . Hi-. Wilson ] i : iri : ig . iost his hold of . the iwulle , seiwd the bottom oftlieoollnr , iint ! was -dragged fov sotnu thirty or forty yards , and then thrown . into thb youil with grcut violence . Vi ' ihoa the hoise bad tirowiiled about Kill
vavtisthe carriage upset , dnsliing . ns occupants on to the stosiL-y road . llvs .. "Wilson nnlbrtnuute !; fc ! Lumli-r thu carriage , and there raniainod till ths . female ' . wi'Skm of the vm-ty were able t-a . muove it , whvit . shu u-as-talu-n up insensible , and conveyed , to the nearest bouse—viz ., that of ^ lr » lloyland , at Stauuirtgton Wood-lanu . Time slie remained insensible till Saturday evening , when . she ( Mod —and wUetii the attendant . females , were laying out the bod y , t ! : a } - discovered that the . uiih . iyj-y wointiu hail given ninth-to a six months' cljilil ,. iv ! iich nl .-o lay ( kT . dhy its mofJiHvs corpse . ~ Vo .. blame being attached to a » . iy parties ,. the Jury returned a verdict of . AuviileuUil Uei ' . ' . h .
BQW-STUBET . S . VSTHWAT . — A "SrjlBJiWi !* G . IT , —A CEOIVtl . Of younjt WMiien ( about- tan ia number ) wore charged with , being ( . lisorihj'ly and creating a , tlisturbiiiscc-iii the Strand . Police F & ? . said * that he found tjic imsouen laughing , shoivssng ,. anil uiincisig , in tho Strand-,, sit about ouc o'cloulc in tho morning . J . ic tolditihtiin to be auict ,. ai ! il , to go awiiy . but tlioy only ; rallied by using : obscene language , and k"lJinj , him if hcetocik one of fcjseni he must take them all , lie took one oi ' them , tie most dis < rdvrly , in custody , when th « ciihers followed him to the station . The uirl ho tonk to the station gavo her nainc as Eliza Clark . PvJiecmnn ¥ ' H 2 said- . i
the station Shsit she- htul l ; een in scivicuin Tottc-r . - liam - eouri-road , and that she had robbed her . master a , » d ran uvray . The Inspector said that a shopkeeper in ' . t ' ottcnliiun - court - road liiid bi'ea robbud b ? a servant , whose name , was Jane Uuvi ? . Tho prisoner said that that was her real name . -Nir . Twyfoi ' -i desired that this prisoner should I c nut back , in ordei' that inquiries might be made by Uw ; K > iic& eoncesaing the voblieiy . " The prisoners ilee-lineil making any defence at all . Mv . Tivyibnl said , tliiifc as lisiio of tUom appeared to have boon paviieulai'ly criijiin . il , ami as in the two of each this was admitted to be the first offence , he sliould let them olfthis time . They were accordingly discli ; vy <; ed , ext-cpt the prisoner Davis , who was detained upon the other oliayirn .
LwKur-ooL Coiw Market , Mos » . vy , Sv . nr . \ o . — We have had a fair supply of Hour and oatmeal from IrV' - ' tnd this week , but of wheat and oats the arrivnis iVtnn the ssvmo quarter avc s « u \\\ . The duty ou barley and rye has declined to is . per quarter on lach , and has advanced Is . per quarter ou peas ; there is no Otliei ehitfige in the scale on l'Ve ' ign produce . "With , exceedingly fine weather the whole of this week , great progress has been made with harvesting of the crops in this district . The quality and yield of tho new crop of wheat is , however , very indifferently spoken of , and the grain market gev . ovally htw assumed a firmer aspect . Tiie show of . samples of pood old wheat lias been limited , and buyers have had to pay full priees : in sonic instances , rather over the
quotations of this day week . Flour , both sack aud barrel , has likewise hail more : ittrillion , and « , very full currency obtained . Irish old wits and wilnunl have had a fair wile , at an advance ol' hi . per hinhcJ , and Gd . to Is . per load . Upwards of 20 , 000 lo : ids of the latter have been taken on specuiatim :, ( lui'iujj tlio week , at 25 s . to 20 . ' . per 240 ] !>* . ]> jirloy , j . cn-: , and Indian corn have been in veqv . rst for feedinsr tisivposcs , and have commanded lull prices . L ^ yi / tims beans are Is . per quarter dearer , am ; iiie Kiiiri-ii . ' thas liaeii relieved of a fair quantity I ' m' transit iv . to ihr interior and Tor shipment coastwise . Of Irish new ; ¦ rnduee we have had several s-umpk-j . Whc : ^ . br .-i brought from ( is . 3 d . io 7 , < , oil . per 70 Ihs . for rod . 7 s . ( id . to 7-S . Sd . foMvhilo , now outs & . to 2 s . id . per 45 lbs and oatmeal 2 'Js . to 3 Us . pei 2-iufos . v .- ' ^
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 20, 1845, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1333/page/5/
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