The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-23 00:00:00

DUDLEY.

Sriockiem DEATIL—A. workman in the employ of
Messrs. Williams and o. found on Tuesday morning '
upon going to their limekilns, Castle Mill, that a
young man named Thomas McLaren had been burnt to
death. For some time the deceased had been out of
work, and had been in the habit of sleeping at the
ironworks, pit hovels, or limekilns of the district. His
charred remains were conveyed to the police-station.
The left leg was burnt completely off, and the right leg
was stripped of flash. One side of the abdomen was
destroyed oy the fire, making visible a portion of the
intestines, Other parts of the body presented a shock-
ing appearance. On Wednesday morning Mr. It. J
Watts, Deputy Coroner, held an inquest at the Saracen's
Head Tavern, Stone Street, on the body of Thomas
McLaren (19), who was found dead at the limekiins.—
The deceased was a blacksmith's striker, who had been
taken out of the Dudley Union Workhouse by a black- ,
smith residing at Tipton. This man, having stolen
some pigeons, absconded, leaving the deceased to shift
for himself. He was without a twine, and at night slept
where he could. The witnesses showed that McLaren
was an idle youth, and would not keep work when he
had it. He had slept near the lirnekilns before, ana
when Turley found him on Tuesday morning his legs
were hanging over the fire in the kiln. He had
evidently lain down on the warmest side, and whilst
suffocating had cast himself in the position he was
found.—The foreman of the jury held that some one,
either a watchman or a police-officer, should visit the
kilns once or twice in the night —A verdict of "Acci-
dental death " was then returned, with the understand-
ing that Mr. Williams, the proprietor, should be written
to on the subject, in accordance with the foremen's sug-
gestion.
PROPOSED CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION.—There is a
growing feeling that a Conservative Association should
be formed for this borough, and whilst the maAer is
freely discussed throughout the town, in St. Edmund's
Ward action has been taken with the view of
inaugurating the movement, On Tuesday night a meet-
ing was held at the Angel Lan, Castle Street, and
it was decided that a meeting should be formed to take
steps for the formation of a Conservative Association.
1 secretary pro tent, was a appointed and he was
deputed to wait upon the Conservative agents of the
borough with reference to the object, and report to the
adjourned meeting on the sth of ,garch. Communica-
tions have been addressed to Mr. Barton, tho Conserva-
tive agent for Birmingham, and he will no doubt give
any required assistance.
Local. Famunks.—Mr. John Dutton Phillips, of
Attercliffe House, Holly Hail, lately trading as a
coke merchant, but now as merchant's clerk, has filed a
petition in liquidation at the County Court, Messrs.
Homfray and Holberton are the solicitors, and the re-
ceiver is Mr. Samuel Insull. The liabilities amount
to about £l,OOO, and the assets are not yet known.—
Messrs. Shaw and Plant, chartermasters of the Brierley
Colliery, Bradley, have also filed a petition. The
liabilities are £5OO. Mr. Stokes is the solicitor to the
petition, and Mr. Jabez Bywater has been appointed re-
- ceiver.