The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-12-11 00:00:00

THE STOKER KILLED AND FIVE INJURED.

•
Bence of the entnmite
all in connection with them.—Mr. Skeldieg remarked
that it did appear strange that the parties should Owe
tendered on two oceasions, and on both they were within
El of etch other. —atter tome furffier disauttien, it Was
resolved unanimously that the contract of £247 for car-
rying out the specific improvements in Level-street should
be eceepted.—The rest of the Reeds Committee Report
was atlopted.—Mr. Seriven suggeeteil thnt the attention
of the Roads Committee should be directed to that part
of Mootelane between the Railway Bridge and Farmer's
Bridge.—ln reply to Mr. Jeffries, the Surveyor said that
plans were prepared for the improvement of John-street
and the Clerk hai written to the Great Western Railway
Company in respect to the watereouree, of which there
had been much complaint-'J' letter from the crimpegy
was read, in which they maintained that the cause of
complaint was not the raising of their bridge, but the
sinking of the ground by mining operations. They would
be willing to allow the laying down of 9 inch pipes, pro.
vided some nominal sum was paid as ground rent—The
melte?, tater some diecuasion, was referred to the Roads
Committee, and it woe suggested that the owners of pro-
perty in the street alluded to ahould be consulted, with
respect to the payment of a portion of the outlay which
it might be decided to incur.—The mortality returns
showed that, during the past month, 20 deaths had 00.
warred, being 12 deaths leas than the returns of the car'
responding month of last year. Six had died under 1,
five between the ages of 1 and 5, three between the ages
20 and 50, and three at the age of 'attend upwarde.—The
meeting then terminated.
UNJUST SCALES AND WED:M.N.—At the Petty Sessions
held on Monday last, before S. St. John Matthews and
H. Smith, Ewire., the following persons were summoned
by George Herder, Inspector of Weights and Measures,
for having in their possesainn unjust ecalea and weights:
Thomas Webb, butcher, Wordsley, a pair of unjust
scales. Mr. Horder amid they webs 51 drachms against
the purchaser. Fined 203 and costs. El 12a; in default
one month. —William Price. grocer, Holloway End, for a
pWr of unjust scales. Mr. Horsier stud the scales were 2
o cures against the purchaser. Fined Ile and costs,
Li
135.—William Williams, of Peesnett. a pair of tiejuet
steelyards. Mr. Herder said they were 1"z. att minet the
purchaser Finei 2ele and costs, El 'lee—Mary Cadman,
grocer Pensnett, test peers .t 1 unjust seeles. Mr. Hordes
proved tit-t they were Bdi earns omit of balance. Fined
20e sod coste.—Jainee iest, two unjust weights. }need
58 and costs.—Rieharti Dunn, Brettell Lane. meal seller.
with four utijuet weights. Fined 10. and costs.—Mark
Fuilford, Btettell Lane, a pair of unjust Scales, foe. out
ef bleance. Fined 20e and costa—Daniel Green, of
Wordsley, with having four unjust weights. Mr. Herder
said the defendant kept a machine at Wordsley, and
weighed loads of coal for persons. The weights were all
against the purchasers, who depended upon tee machine
to be correct. Mr. Lewis was called, and said they were
not weights, but merely b tlanees. The case wet, ad-
joarned to test the balances.—Thomas Best, of Worley,
one pair of uujuat scales. It was preyed that the scales
were loe, against tile purchaser. Fined 2ds and costa.—
Joree, of Werdelev. one unjust weight 100. 11
drechtes out of balence. Mr. Herder said the piece of
iron hi: had put in to make it balance was out. Fined 5a
ane costs.--W illiam Green, leather, Rinser, a pair I f
uejust scales, lite ageiust the liurceeser. Had only been
in business three weeks. Fined 104 and coste.—lletiry
Hoek of Kinver, one pair of unjust scales and one un-
just weiget. Fort me first case fined 20s and canto; for
the eectied 5e and cots —John Griffiths, of Arley, one
pair of uuitiet ecelea Fee. out of balance ; amid najust
weights. For the first offence fined 20s and costa; for
the second is and costs.--John Henry Gill, of Arley, one
pair of uojuet scales, loz. 6 dreelims ageinst the purelne.
ser. The defence sae the %roles were nit en his premi-
ses, but on his father's: end that they were only used
between himself and his brother. the scuba which were
used for the enetotners being in the shop. Albert Rich-
ard Gill said the scales were on his father's premises, end
they were not used for weighing out potaties to eusto-
toes. The Beech said they were of opinion the scales
were on the premises, but as it bee not been proved they
were used for weighing potatoes, they should only line
defendant 10e and costs.—Sautuel Arnold, of Arley, one
at just weight. Fined di 64.1 end costs.—Jateee Knowles,
beerhoune keeper. Arley, one half-piet measure unjust.
Feted 10. and coats.—John Southern, prevision dealer,
Arley, two unjust weights. Mr. Herder said he thought
it was an overeight on defendant's part, and he was only
fined 24 and costs.
TRANSFERS.—The following transfers took place on
Mondry last;—The Bull's Head, Brockmoor, from
Miehael Baines to Thomas Harris; the Cock Inn, Moor
Lane, from Henry Adams to William Moreton ; the
I twee Furnaces. Level.etreet, from Edward Oakes to
George Taylor; the Commercial In, Brockmeor, reale
Jame& Cittieugs to Jeremiah Gittings ; the Vine Inu.
Kiegawinford, from Joseph Worrell to John Walker.
CHARDS UNDER THE PILASTER% AHD PIItItVANTa. ACT.
—Stephen Rock was chervil by Levi Willette. of (entire,
Bank, with übseitting himself from his work on the 15th
ult. Me. Ssokes appeared for oomidsleavt, Colneleio•
ant said lie waa a chain tnanufatiture, end employed the
defeedant to make up chain. When he enusg.d the des
Indent to work he advaneed him more then fB. whittle
defendant agreed to pay peek by inatalmeete, but had not
done as, Oa the above date the defendeet hail left his
work without the gsuel notiee, and he had sustained a
lOtie of We. There was plenty. of iron for hi to weds.
A witness was cabled to coreotiorete. The defence was
Mint he did nut refuse to wok, and aomplaiired that de.
te eitiet .topped liie money for ale. The Bench ordered
the defendant to pay 103 and coots.
CHAUOS 09 SIILLINO ALE WITIMUT A LICENSE...—LeVi
Willett*, of Quarry Bank, woe charged by Stephen Rock
with unlawfully selling ale on the 23rd Octaber, without
being dely licensed, to wit, three glade of ale for So.
Mr. Stoke,i appeared to defend. Complainant said that
he worked as a chain nicker for the defendant, and on the
23rd of October defendant paid him £1 78 for his wages,
and lie than paid defendant ls for three quarts of ale for
whobble, end had paid him many a pound for whobble.
Defendaut kept cards and dominoes. Cress-examined :
The men do mend their own tools sometimes, and the
defendent gives them some ale for doing no. The ale
wee drunk in the house. The information was laid the
day I was served with time summons. to make him tattle,.
Defendant's wife kept a slate a yard long with the names
of those who had hail ale on it, which had been sold to
the weritmen. Deft ndant brews ale and porter, and sells
it. William Bate, in the temple/ of aeLetidollt, was celled,
and said he could not recollect having ale on that day, at
defendant's house. A man named Bloomer Was also
called to prove the muse, but refused to say anything
about it. Mr. Stokes thee addreseed the Bench for the
defence, and contended that it wad a malicious prosecu-
tion. because the defendant had summoned complaiettut.
and that the evidence was not corroborated. The Bench
said they should reserve their decision, and would give
it at Wordsley in fourteen days.
CRAM:ROY STE ,LING A WoRSE CLUTTI —Henry Hughes
of tho Delphi, was charged with unlawfully stealing a
on
en
hit
tilof
itrirn‘d:
,egolaeldrreiducC;:ll4;tut t
oirretn fmr ti
:eh; tlinhhdrdeN.
hearing,
ifacErbenaiacat:l_i, cetngebt
.ghw. ;Iteyboh saAiePii appeared
tdPjx: urpYit": oriesoli4fPcdP :Le: tr;:v°' tmo!ishwPeseuesliar:et sable: lae" sod
nd
keeper, residing at Collis-street, Dennis Park, was
charged by Superintendent Mills with having hie house
open for the sale of beer on the 28th ult, before the hour
of helf.paat twelve o'clock. Policoconstable Freeman
proved that he saw a woman Corns out of the defeeffinit's
house at a quarter to one o'clock in the night. She had
a jug of ale with her, which was nearly full In answer
to the cherge, defendant said that be tilled Mrs. Brooks
a jug of ale, as she bad been attendiug upon his wife,
who was ill. Fined he and costs, Us 6tl; in default seven
days.
BEERHOUSE OFFENCE.—At the Petty Sew:inns, on
Thureda), before I. Spooner, Esq. (Stipendiary), Joseph
Cartwriget, landlord of the Cross Guns, Round Oak, wa,
charged by Superintendent Mill. with keeping his house
open for the sale of beer on the 28th ultimo, during pro-
hibited hours. Police-constable hf eland said he visited
the defendant 'a house at half-past eleven o'clock, on the
above date, when he saw a man go into the defendant's
house, and come out with a pint of ale. Superintendent
Mills proved that defendant was fined 5s in March last,
at Wordsley, for keeping a disorderly house, and that the
house was not well couducted. Fined £5 and costs, and
fined £5 for not producing the licenee ; but if the license
was pr minced he would remit the last .£5. Before the
rising of the Court the license was produced and en-
dorsed.
UNJUST SCALES AND WEIGHTS.—S. Insall wan charged
by Joint George Border, Inspector, with having unjust
scales in his possesition, on the 18th November. The
case was proved by the Inspector. Defendant pointed
out that he put a piece of paper on the scales PO as to
make eighteen half ounces in the half-pound, for publi-
cans, and that he did not gain anything by the transac-
tion, and that he had done so forbears ; and that he was

--- --
An accident of an alarming caracter occur:ea on this
line of railway on V% ednesday last, resulting in the death
of the stoker, Charles Teske', and injury to several
others. The accident occurred at Creaky Forge, about
500 yards from the Cradley Station, on the part of the
ling leadiug to Stourbridge. The railway belongs to the
Great Western Company. and is called the Stourbridge
Extension line. It appears that the express train left
Birmingham at 4.45, and was due at Stourbridge at 5.13,
only stopping once at Sinethwick Junction. at which
place it duly arrived at 4 54, Oa the train arriving at
Cr..'ley the signals were all right for the line being clear,
but, as stated shove, on arriving at Cradley Forge, oppo-
site Messrs Swindell's iron works, a goods train was on
the line and a fearful collision took place, the engine of
the express train being thrown off the line down an ern•
bankment, and much damaged, and six carriages being
literally smashed, four of them being locked in with each
other. The engine of the goods train was also injured,
and some of the trucks upset by the collision, completely
blocking uo the line, the traffic being stopped for some
time. A number of railway officials were at once com•
municated with, and a large stsff of platelayers from
Dudley, Stuurbridge, and the district, were soon on the
spot, wider the directiou of Mr. J. Wood, Mr. Andrews,
Mr. Masters, Mr. Ledbrook, (of Birmingham. District
Inspector), Mr. J. Phillips (Station Master. Stoorbridge),
Mr. Warner (Goods Station Master). Mr. Wilkinson
(Goods Station Master, Cradled, Mr. Lock (Inspector),
Mr. Diggs (Station Master, Cradley), and others; the
whole being under the three:ion of Mr. Leilbrook. All
worked indefatigally, end the whole of the debris was
cleared off the line by 9 10. The one line of rails was
not injured, but the litht`r was torn up. Some of the
tiains were sent via Dudley. The train leaving Birming-
ham at 11.10 arrived at Gi silty, and went to Stourbrijge
ou the other ROO of rails without any delay.
F roan what we can leari, it appears that the goods train
1 idea with coal awl other things, came out of a siding
called the Hayes Siding," and had git on to the main
line, and was in the net of shunting, when the expreas,
which was going at the rate of thirty miles an hour, ran
into it. Fortueately, the passengers were few in number
or the loss of life would have been fearful. Of course
full eequiry will be made as to the cause of the accideut,
it being very appareot that some one is to blame.
Time passengers not Misr-el got out of the ciewiages as
80011 as possible, ilia reteleirl all the assistance they
could mune were taken to Gridley. Those seriausly in-
jored were conveyed to Mrs. Cartwright's. the Vine Inu,
and Dr. Hoelgaim mei Dr. Morrow were in iiiiniedixte at-
tendance, and sendered every assistance in their power.
TLe followitig are the persons iejured :
Charles Tucker, litoker. lit Wolverhampton, killed ;
leaves a wife and family. His body was cut in two, and
the right leg was not found for Snore than half an hour.
His body now lies IA Mrs. Carteriglit'a, awaitiug a Coro-
DOC'S inquest.
Henry Richardson, engine driver, also at Catrwrighes.
Thomas Hall, of Burford, Oxfordshire, ecalp wound,
and injuries to the arin una
Mrs. Peel, of Bewdley, slightly injured.
A man named Fanner, a farmer, slight injuries.
'rise stoker of the goods train was also injured, and re-
ceived medical attendance, and was the same night con-
veyed to his home at Dudley, in a cab.
The whole of the pureeds injured are going on will.

THE INQUEST

An inquest wins held yeaterday, at the Vine Hotel,
before Mr. Bailey. Deputy-Coconer, on the body of
Charles Tacker, a stoker, inn the employ of the (heat
Western Railway Company. who Cams to his death on
the previous Wednesday. Mr Sermon, from the tine o.
Messrs. Whateley, solicitors, Birmungliam, attended on
behalf of the company ; end Mr. Crump on behalf of
the deceased. Mr. Wllliam Clayton Barker was the fore-
man of the jury. The first witness called ass
Ann Bamford, wino raid: I anu a single woman, and
live at Cannock Road, InVolrerinaalpton. Aims sisteran law
to deceased. It is his body the jury have just viewed.
lie was 26 years of age.
William Marston. the tignalnnan, said: I live at Quarry
Bank, and am a pointsman, in tile employ of the nit-eat
Western Railway Company, at Crailley Station. W. so
employed on the Bth of Decembee, at 5.15 pan. Went
in at 7 a.m.. and left at 7 p In. Signalled the trains pro.
pony all day. Signalled the 445 train from Birming-
ham by telegraph, "line clear." B:gnalled two trains
between four and half-past five. One at 4.13. a goods
train, and a passenger train. at 4 51, and another at 5.7.
also a passenger train. Signalled line *leer in each case.
No coal passel between four and half past APO. The 498
goods train went up to Sinetliwick Jun-tannin, Signalled
Bine clear in that Case. Before I tignialled I receiernd a
signal from the re at bux, and in each ease reeeived the
Intend signal that the line was clear. After I signalled
the 445 passenger train paened my box. Cannot say
how far tine plaae where the accident on:marred Is from my
box,
• At this stage of the proceedings the jury went Va. view
• the Velle of the aceideut. On returtnineh
Marston continued : Theepeenal instructions produced
. ate tine tame as deliveind ten rue as sigualunau, by which
, I am told to work the line. I thoroughly uuderitand the
i !Attraction. coutaiued there. Wittiest 'declined to state
1 whether he had kora to look the awl:ohne and stop.
1 blocks.
1 le.y,eetor John Look saki 1 I live at Stattber Mill,
1 near stontibridge. I urn Inapeetnr of the Great Western
Railway on the Stout:hi idge Externshia distriet, My du-
ties are to give instructions to the men, including 'tuna!
men. Have given the ins:ructions referred to. to Mars-
ton. Received them from lax after the accident. He
I was supplied with them on the 15th of May. These in-
structions contain an order to retain all keys of switches
and stop-blocks, and no train to leave the stations while
I they were absent. It is the usual order given to signal.
I men.. In ease the keys were not there, it would be hie
duty to stop the train from proceeding as long as they
as they were absent. The iustractions viculd remain in
force until further notice. The instructions were iu
I force on Wednesday, the Bth inst, at the time of the ac.
1 eirleut. Have seen the instruetious in Marston's posses-
sion. Saw them about two hours after the accideut. I
i
asked him to sign them' and he did no. Do not know
that the keys were in the box at the time the 4.45 train
arrived at e'rninlley.
William Davis said: I am yard.foreman at Cradley
Station, and live at Bower-lane. Have been employed
by the company at Cradley, far ab ell three years. My
duties were to see to the loading up in the yard, and to
mind tine points. Have control of the sidings, without
the interference of any other person. If I wanted to
shunt a goods train on the main line, I should have to
get the signal from the nigualman. Marston was the
eignalman at the station. The signal Inc would give me
would be by his hand; a lamp aud white fiag being a sig.
nal that the line was clear. I get the keys of the points
and blocks from the signalman, before I shunt. The
atop-bloeks are used to prevent the shunting of trains no
I. long as they are lacked. Have a book of rules delivered
to me. After I have received the signal I consider I
have authority to shunt a train on to the main line. On
the Bth inst I hal a signal from Marston when I shunted
the train down into livers's siding. I know the rule 51.
Received the keys from George Civill, a chequer, a man
who was doing ehanting whilst I wan at my dinner, shout
half-past three. Had a goods train loaded, and received
the signel from Marston lanfor shunting. He signalled
it with his hand. It we:ll,i he a few minutes after four.
It was a usual signal. The danger signals were shown at
the box. I left the train standing on the aiding. Do
not kunw who shunted it on to tine main line. This
would be about bail an honr before the accident. Can-
not give any evidence as ten who had control over the
train when it was shunted on to the main line. Did not
see the accident.
By Mr. Sermon: (Save isntructions to the driver,
Thomas Page. as to remaining in the eidnug, and told
him not to move oil the line until tine passenger train
had gone down. One of them, I cannot any whether it
was the fireman or driver, lurid, " How is it?" and I told
them they could not to out until the express had gone
by. This would be about five minutes before the express
passed.
By Page, the driver: I did not comets the side of your
engine when the unmet-el train hod gone. You did not
so§k we what you were to do. I asked you if you could
gee a signal. I had my lamp in may hand when I WILtl
there.
By Mr. Sermon: Have been in the employ of the com-
pany for 13 years. Do not know how long Marston has
been there.
Oeoage Civil' said: I live at Quarry Bank, and am a
chequer, in the employ of the tire. Western Railway
Company, at Cradley Station. Wan on duty in the shed
on the afteryoon of the Bth inst. Received the keys from
Marston, between one and two o'clock. The keys belong
to the stop-blocks and the main line switches. Gave the
keys to Davis. the foreman, about half-past three. As-
sisted in shunting tine goods train in the afternoon. Un-
locked the blocks when I loosed the train out, and locked
them again. They were lacked wh, n I g -ye the In vs up
1)1,11,el k, p tin. I.- .. .01, 1,-n,, an len. and