The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1862-12-16 00:00:00

wtoditig
41 2.

Somerst tobirt.

FJ;OI7II,—A MA/I KILLED IN A FIGHT AT THE FAIR.
—On Saturday at inquest was held by Dr. Wybrants,
Coioriet; at los,wotth, tin the body of t/riah Lane,
who met with hiii dedth; it, is Opposed, (rote injuries
he received in s fight at Yeodit fait on the 17th of
November. li' consequence of the dying et ehlarittoct. of
deceased a warrant was issued for the apprehension of
two men, named William Crocker, • horse-breaker,
and John Berkley, a butcher, both residing in Yeovil,
who were taken into custody the same night as the de-
ceased died by P.C. Hannarn. The following is the
evidence adduced I—Lydia Abbots, a glover, living at
Closworth, said f I have known the deceased for years.
He was about 20 years of age, and was a shoemaker.
On i ofirtat the I.7th, of flovember, I Saw the deceased
at the oie4n /nei Tdotili sod Williem Croeker and
John Berkley were theie: le rodker threw some beer
over me, and the deceesed infieffeted; grid gall "he
would sooner have it thrown odet himself than ,Wer
me." When the deceased was echoing from the stairs
of the dancimproorn Berkley said "iie could buy all of
us for three nee." Crocker struck Guppy, when the
deeeeed,too his trait, and eaid he should not light
ther '. etklgy thets,kneeked dpvin th4bcfleMceased, who
. cried out " utdet."-elttibett Till,„a oir,' Sind ; /
saw the deceased on the night of Yeodi fifit, Wont ilf
or 7 o'clock, at the Crown Inn, but I cannot sidatr
Berkley was there. I came down stairs with the de-
ceased and then left him, but had not gone many yards
when I heard him cry out for mercy. He said, "Oh !
so many upon one, are you going to murder me ?"
When I heard him dry out I went back and found him
ill the Street, on the gtound near the inn, and a large
crowd around Wm. I saw a mar) strike and kick the
deeeased When he Was dwarf, but I Gannet tell who it
Wei, bit the riia6,4peated very like Berkley. / took
the deeliased bpi but ag rierrn Es f,had,dorte sti We *ere
both knocked clown, but I ceinnta tell by Whore: tie de-
ceased got up, but I do not know wbat Wattle of bird,
as I bad enough to do to defend myself. Crofter
struck me once when I was *boot to go away. About
five minutes afterwards I saw the deceased in the town,
and we went home together. lie complained of in-
juries in his head and side, but he oould walk very
well. -'-Crocker denied the charge, and Berkley admitted
that lit had kndeiced the deceased down, but did not
kiek ,liiiit—Mel Iri J. Perrone, surgeon, said : I was
nailed tel fitted tire dlieeed thl the Sigth of November.
Ile comiin of great pain iri his EINIMIIEtI, afid allcl of
being sick. I could not discern any eitistusi Merits an
any part of the body. I did riot km* fot two
or three. days after being eilled td sfe tint deceased
that he had reeeliii, Mit in aria: , / then Wade ,a
further examinstion, but ooti d mit distlotet Any Mitts
of violence. I attended him regularly twice a day.
and did everything I thought proper for him' but he
got worse, and died on Wednesday, the 3rd of
December. I made a post mortens examination, assisted
by Mr. Coles, in the presence of Mr. Colmer. I found
the organs in the chest and abdomen healthy, but in
the riglikside, in the region of the liver, I [Trend great
&ingestion in the Nall iltestines: Ch; examining the
Beh head, arid On oving he likirs if fotitid • fraotrite of
the bone of the skull, *IL Ch *a& ifs ihe Petle portion
of the temporal bone, and was from a half td ttiree-
quarters of an inch in extent. lam not prepared to
say that that fracture was the cause of death, but in
my opinion it would ultimatelymroduce death. The de-
ceased before his death made the following statement:
—"On the first day of Yeovil fair, at lialf-paat 7 o'clock
in the evening, myself, Robert Viii, Edward Guppy,
diid William Dolthiti were togetherat the Choughs Tap.
We their went into the &lietrigirtroin at the Crown,
and I tlii we were mistaken for !omit Others who
served
w
had sery out Cloiket and Berkley ill the boting
booth. , r as brovin in Lydia Abbots face,
arid I pal 'This is. ii iddianly thing to do,'
when 6oc er or lie •ey gaid, • / would do
the same to thee.' I said'l Will nnt trodhle.,Yot !will
leave the party.' I came down stairs and Beficlef rind
Crocker followed me, and Berkley hit me first on the
head and knocked me down, and whilst down lam fully
certain that both of them kicked me." The jury, after
a short consuitation returned a verdict of "Man-
slaughter" against John Berkley, and acquitted Crocker.
On Tuesday the two prisoners were brought before G.
Ha:, &q., at Mr, Shade's office, on the charge of
teens uglitet, whett jimilar eyidence was given as
detailed above. M. Fear ipptisted to watch the nese
for Berkley; and Mr. Bidns Watts fot Crocker. The
riroteedirkWO s I Alt he . , and the Moneta *ere,
core fitiltA id ,t filar t ' at,the Winter eashies on
the charge of inanslatighttiOnal being Aft:hied.
RATHER SUSPICIOUS.—Gwrf,N Actiliiii; ciiilibbitratt.'
of Me edford, was brought up fore the sly*: dit
Wednesday, in custody of P.C. Hannam, chargdd
with being concealed in • fowl-home belonging to
Mr. Wilkins, of Kingston. The prisoner said he ,
had not got no work to do, aad the authorities at
the 'Onion *child not take him in, and he went
into the fonizhonse ior shelter.--Dismissed with a
caution.
Jivrisii hr —A lectere of st very interesting
character wad delliereci by,the Hey. A. U. salmon,
of Exeter, a converted JO*, ai tint Eittil of the
I Institution on Thursday night. The AO. Mr.
James, (Independent) occupied the chair, and the
ball was filled to excess. The subject of the lecture
was Jewish life, and the rev, gentleman explained
the manners and customs of the Jews, exhibiting
several nilielt entemited diagrams of various things
in religious use, inclucthfg a copy, of the scroll of the
law, its exact size, with and witiioth ite georgeous
covering. The subject was treated in a *dry able
manner, and the lecture was listened to with much
attention.
Wirt DESERTION.—John Batson, a labourer, of
_

summoned for leaving' his wife and 1
family chargeable te the parish of Trent. The case
was heard before George Harbin, Req.' at Mr.
Slade'S office, and the defendant had the option of .
either inisiitig tlfe Alotiey advanced; or of going to
"durance He elidge tlle lett AS.
ARRELR oF WAGirs.—Wililam Osborne; 4,Mon-
taunt°, was summoned by James and illiam
Ityall, for refusing to pay them .£7, wages due for
work done. Ordered to pay the amount by_Friday
night.
HASlntfpf Ousel:rig/W.—The usual meeting of
this Board Wag 1/61d41 the board-room OE Friday,
I the Rev. R. HO& dacipiiiig the hair.—The
' Clerk reported that he had triad° Mg the order of
•
contributions upon the various parishes for the
quarteri from , Christmas to Lady-day, which
amounted o £2,4i4.—The Chairman said that a girl
named Camitne Harper; Ovid ra years of age, had
been taken into the nnion, itti she web found at
Stoke and had no where to go. Site Add that she
had 13:ien travelling about with some gipsieli for two
years, but because she left open the door of the
caravan in which the party was travelling, they
would have nothing to do with her, and left her on
Monday. She was an orphan, and had six brothers
and sisters, but did not know where they were, but
her home was at Coptborn. After some discussion
as to whether she could be kept as a common fund
pauper, the clerk was directed to write to the autho-
rities of the Fast Grimste.ad union, Sussex, to know
if they stold receive her. —A convbreatiOn then
ensued relative to a letter which bad appeared in a
contemporary from Mr. Wills, one of -the medical
officers, complaining that the Board of Guardians
had not answered letters which he sent them, re-
specting the nuisance at West Chinnock, but
nothing of general interest resulted from it, and
after despatching the usual relief business, the Board
separated.
CREWKERNE.—FonzsTuv.--We have great pleasure
in flaying that, noble as has been the response to the
call for help, in the present emergency in the cotton
manufacturing districts, one of
.the first benefit societies
to come forward to the help of their brethren in
distress has been, the Ancient Order of Foresters.
This association gave £.500, and the High Court sent a
requisition to all the other courts to make a subscrip-
tionfor,a like purpose, and the consequence has been, the
Crewkerne Committee has instituted a house to house
visitation, so that we have no doubt the Crewkerne
Foresters will be fully equal to most other towns in the
amount of their contributions, according to the number
of inhabitants.
NETTL EBRIDGE.— DREADFUL MURDER. —A
SON KILIAD Be His FemaKß.—A very shocking
tragedy has taken place at Nettlebridge, a little
village among the Mendip Hills, and distant about
four miles from Shepton Mallet. In the village
lived a'man named Joseph Langley. a publican, and
with him resided his . eon,. Charles Langley, a re.
110,111 Y fine y.owig than of 21 years. On Setup-
daY afiernoon, the gth indent, the father and son
quarrelled. The son was provoked to strike his
father, and, shocking to relate, the father stabbed
•

the son with a clasp knife which be had in his hand.
The unfortunate young man lingered till Monday
morning, when he died. The father was taken into
custody within an hear after the fatal event, and,
on being taken before the Temple Cloud magis-
trates on Monday, was remanded. From the
position of the beam, on the verge of the eoroner's
division, the inquest on the body woe not held till
Thar:ol4i morning, when Mr. Bruges Fry, the
coronet' tot the riot thern division of Somerset, and
14 jurors, investigated tfie matter at the Nettle-
bridge Inn, Where the body ley, respeoting the en,
einnitanced attending the death tof Charles Langley.
The deputy chief Constable of the etionty was
present, and very great interest was manifested in
the proceedings. The prisoner was present at the
inquiry. tie id between 50 and 60 years of age, and
of somewhat dissipated appearanee. —Eli Gould
stated: I am a coal miner, residing in the parish of
Mideorner Norton. 1. knew the dedeatied, who was
21 years of age. On Saturday night last, about 6
, o'clock, I was at the George Inn, Nettlebridgei in
company with Charles Langley, the deceased, his
brother, Frederick Langley, and William Green.
The deceased'il mother was also present. The
deceased was taking his tea, The prisoner, Joseph
Langley, came into the room at that time. He was
In liquor. He had a plate with sonie meat in his
left hand, and a clasp knife in the other, (The
knife was produced—it was a long blade instra
went) The prisoner put down tha rlate on the
table,and afterwards cut some bread. The deceased
allied hie father if he was going to eat it all. The
prisoner said; "What odds is that to thou?" He
then sat down by the fire, mid mid to deceased, "I
am very near starved to death for than already."
The deceased then said, " Nattnag that ever you
starved yourself for mo made me fat." The father
and son went on quarrelling, and cursed aint !More
at each other for some time. The prisoner &kid
the deceased "A thief." The deceased said, "If
you call me that again I'll knock your b— eye
;out." The deceased; then got up and raised his hand
to strike his father. Ile did not do it at that time,
but before he sat down he struck his father, who was
sitting in • chair, on the left eye. The prieoirer bad
then a knife in his hand, and was eating his food
with it. The prisoner instantly struck the
deeeased with the knife in the right groin.
• &ceased erred out, "Oh, I shall die," and turned
round end fell &own in the room. I lifted him up, and
saw blood tlowiag from the wound. Mr. Cartner,
surgeon, was sent for, and he eame.—Crowexamined :
After the blow was struck the prisoner did not nay
anything to his son, nor did he threatert him
before that. The prisoner certainly did not ear,
"I'll hit this knife into you." The prisoner last
had a little liquor, but he spoke very well, and knew'
What he was about When I went to pick up the
detbaded the prisoner said, "Let him bide ; there's
nothing tfte Matter with him." Some confusion
arose as to fhawitenat'edescription of the father and
son. He eventually dbirected himself by stating
that the father was drank, bf, at least; partially
drunk; at any rate he was more &Web Lb:ratite sonl
who bad had some beer. He himself WO net drank,
having only had a half-glass of beer. Two or three
other witnesses, who were present, including a
brother of the deceased, corroborated the above
evidence, The following was the first deposition
Of the deceased, taken on Saturday :—I made an
to , gtrike my father, but I am not certain
' tlfirt I street him, and my filler then hit his knife
Ude me. I d not beer trim ear a word to me
• before he struck hie knife into me: The following
.ttatement was made by the prisoner rdter being
duly Mution'ed the first pinte, I fancy he
klettiateedY bade dnop of drink. I said, " Charley,
what 'lid *mild ant do so. You have a good
home to come to; bat if you go on so you shall not
continue here." He then ierropert up an& struck me
in the face. I was sitting eating my bet of grub,
and then raid, "Charley, do not make yourself so
foolish. If you do give I the second attempt, /II put
this knifeinto you. He made the second attempt, fond
I struck him with the knife in my hand. He then
fell oVer me, and we both fell on the ground
together. I hod no intention to hurt him. I had
sib with to injure him—The Ceroner said that he
had calktfitted that of every 20 inquests he held
about lo we're difeetly or indirectly attributable to
drink. The learned gentleman then stannied up
and the jury returned e enstimmis verdict of
" Manslaughter" against the prisoner, who was
committed on that charge on the coroitcr'e warrant.
During the proceedings the prisoner was greatly
affected.
LOWER EASTON.—Tna Reessits " DONK."
Tit 11 /idioms Brr.—Ou Saturday night, sat poor hard.
working man, living near Lower Easton, was return-
ing from the neighbourhood of St. George's, where
he was on a " job,"-he met with an adventure which
at the thaw threatened an empty cupboard for the
ensuing ',reek, besldes use gratification of having a
cracked skull. lt appestat pat lon hie way home
he had to pass through a somewhat lonely lane,
where he was accosted by two men pretty well
dressed, "as far as be could judge, it being rather
dark jtst there." Having taken stock of their
victim, and made some few inquiries as to his
" whereabouts," they gave him to understand pretty
, plainly that he must "stand and deliver." On his
defy notarially eapontolating with them the taller
man a palled oat what appeared uncommon-like
like preserver," while flonriehing which in a very
artistic manner the (Whet informed him that if la
did not "tip over the dibs he ifotiki blow his d-- 1
brains out." The poor man, no doubt with thought.
ful solicitude as to consequences, after some little
demur, banded over his week's wages, amounting W
but at the same time begging them, for thili
sake of his wife and little ones at home, "to give
him two or three shallop to buy a bit of bread and
; meat for Eitnicley.." To this they dissented, the
shorter of this tiro tittering an exclamation not
, agreeable to ears polite, M the same time to
sualitiitg a step towards departure. However, they
were dot don Med to make so alley and profitable a
job, as the segdet will prove, for tire *named man
still pertinaciously prayed they would return him.
two or three shillings, and mid be °oak' notalii
home without a bit for the children. At last ,
man who bad meted as "cashier" relented,
pushing his hand into his pocket, pulled out, heha
imagined at the time, five shillings, telling him to
take that and be off. No sooner had the son of toil
felt the wins in his hand, and deposited them safely
in his pocket, than be thought it high time to he
&boa hid Matinees, fearing lest they should repedoit,
their "generosity'," and wet off at a pretty sharp"
irsee—zanitiotei, ache mama, to get out of such com-,
pony. he had hardly reached 'a hundred or so-
yards" when he bend ores of Me late assailants
shouting out in "terrible wrath" for him te
This he did not feel inclined to do but clown titer
lane he went" full speed," while the'r, with harried'
strides and load imprecations, were in fhll pursuit.
Wondering, no doubt, and frightened at his per-
suers, it was with terrible anxiety he felt they were
nearing him. It was sorne defiance yet to the high
road, and lie was nearing a bend in the lane. A
little further on he remembered there Was a "bit o'
by roadeide ditch" With renewed energy be
started, gained ft, and threw himself "all fours"
into it. Scarcely had he done so when the two,
robbers passed. He heard one of them say, "Wa
are done if we don't catch tin." He ley there some,
time, intently listening for the returning footelieps4
None striking upon his ear he determined spine.
making a" out for it for home, which he at last,
after idaki7 a oireuitous route, reached. Wet his,
was, and f ekettedi when he presented himself to hie
better half, who Was greatly alarmed at his appear'.
ance. Eagerly she listened to his amount of
the fray, and, Desdemona like, " pray'd he'd WV,
it o'er again." At last, after much manta ectagratn. I
tion at his agape with life and limb, the thought
crept to the "pecuniary," when, putting his han&
into his pocket, he pulled out five Coins. They
were ton yellow for silver, and the woman's Ifs,
quickly emight the feet, and they moreover had the
hard clear ring of gold. Imagine their exultation.'
Quickly was it noised shined how the robbers had
been done. They had clearly pet their bands, in a
benevolent mood, into the wrong pocket, containing
the "yellow boys," and had discovered their
blunder when their would be-victim was out of their
reach.
KNOT/et/COMB-E. —MY STETUOUS .DISAPPIS AR ANCE
OF A FAIIIIIFIL—Mr. 11 Britton, a farmer in well-to.de
circumstances, residing it this place, has been missing
since Saturday evening, and all the efforts of the police
have failed to and • Atm to hie whereabouts. Mr.
Britton went home from Beth in the afternemiLes
usual, and partook of tea with his wife and ebilaw
About eight o'clock he went out with a lantern, SI wee
his invariable etiatotn; to we that everything Alma the
farm was all right. inee then he has not been seen or
beard of by any so as to identify hint. His failing tit
return home quickly occasioned Oft greatest nneasineen
to hi.; wife, who, alarmed at his confirmed absence,
connonnicated this fact to her neighbours, end soon all
the men of the locality were out on the setorsia:;_ infor-
mation was also sent to Police-Superintendent Milburn,
at Twerton, who between two and three o'clock on Sun.
day proceeded to the spot, and spent the night in win. ;
pany with the villagers in scouring the premises mien-
pied by Mr. Britton, and the surrocuading fields. The
prevailing opinion amongst the inhabitants VMS that
the missing man had been the victim of some foul
treatment and this feeling was strengthening in their
minds by his hat and a lantern being found—the latter
in a ionised oondition—outside the door of the stable,
adjoining the path leading to the farm. On Sunday
intelligence of the oecurrence spread far and wide, but
the additions of the story were, singular to say, of very
limited character. The perpetration of a murder and
robbery seemed to be the predominant impression. The
former seemed to be the most probable, from the fact
that air. Brittue had, while it Bath, cashed • cheque
for a considerable amount, and it was not clear tr
Mond.iy whether or not the proceeds had been deposit
in the house. During Sunday the excitement in ,
Altair Increased, and the news extended to Twerton,
West'-u, and Bath, and • number of persons came to
this r llage to inquire about the matter. With many
the effect was of an entirely apposite nature, and only
tende i to heighten the feeling of suspicion and alarm
whicl; the present state of the metropolis has fostered
in 13sth and its neighbour/Mod. No tidings tending to
clear up the mystery were elicited on Sunday, though
the p line, having investigated the aironmstanees, nerd
; of op;ilion that no crime had been perpetrated, but that
Mr. tritton lad of ha own free will, for some purpose
of his own, taken himself off unknown to anybody. The
;idea pf foul play was negatived by the positive statement
of same cottaters living almost opposite the stable where
the bt and lantern were dlecovered; to the effect that
no scuffle or noise of any kind occurred, or they most
have heard it. The idea of Mr. Britton's leaving of his

the
cheque
till
the
Twerton,

own accord is also confirmed by The affirmation of the,
said oottagers, who, while getting water from the brook:
saw a man like Mr. B. as to his form, pass along Om
path and up the slope to the upper part of the village,,
whenee ho is believed tit have gone across, the fields
' towanls Rushill. On Monday Lumping the 'wetter
was to all intents set at rest, for it was found that
before leaving Mr. Britton possessed himself of all the
ready math in the house, except about £lO, so that he,
had about him, it is imagined, between L'2oo and £300._
It is rumoured that Australia in his destination,.
where Mr. B. has relatives, who are durine well. He-
ft; also said to have visited Bristol last week and made,
preparations for going abroad. The turn things have.
taken has considerably allayed the alarm which at first,
animated Mr. B. 's wife and friends.