The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-04-21 00:00:00

STOURBRIDGE oßsEßvia

for four years previously. He supposed his name was well
known in London. It was from the Fenian organization in
Ireland that the " Invincibles " were to be drawn. James
Mullett, Edward Al'Caffrey, Daniel Curley, and himself were
the four selected. Witness had served his time as a brick-
layer; Curley was a carpenter; ISl'Caffrey was a van man,
and Mullett was a grocer and publican. It was the grocer
and publican, the carpenter, the van man, and the bricklayer
who were to make history, and so they had. They hail made
many futile attempts on a man that he had no compassion
for; a perfect stranger, and one who deserved no great love
from any Irishman.

-
Dr. Webb : Did he deserve to be assassinated 4-1 did not
care what was done with him.

Dr. Webb; Did he deserve to be assassinated?—Well, you
are not going to—
Dr. Webb: Yes, I want to know what your oath is worth.
—You don't want me to approve of assassination.
Dr. Webb: I want to know whether you approve of it or
not —Well, I would not cry much after him—that is all I
will tell you. .
Dr. Webb: Did Mr. Forster deserve to be assassinated ?
I would not cry at anything that happened to him. I
would not like to see him going to heaven. I would not
like to meet him there.
- - -

-- -- ----
Dr. Webb :Are you sure, Carey, that there is an issue of
life and death depending on you?—Yes, but sure I must
answer your questions.
Dr. Webb: Do you think that Mr. Burke deserved to be
assassinated ?—No, I think not.

Dr. Webb: Was he one of the tyrants that you gave your
oath for removal l—Well, he had the name of being as bad
Dr. Webb: As what?—Only for him, Mr. Forster would
not get all the information he got.
Dr. Webb: And did you not think, or did you think ?
We did not think at all; we got word to execute the
orders, and they had to be done. We got word from
"No 1." Witness further stated that "No. 1" was in
Dublin on the 3rd, 4th, sth, and 6th of May. He was also in
Dublin on the 7th, but witness could not speak about the
Bth. Witness had six children. His son, who had given
evidence on the trial of Brady had done so entirely with-
out his knowledge or consent. He had been employed to
go on messages, but was unaware of the work witness was
engaged in at this time. His wife was indirectly connected
with him in this. "No. 1" might call and leave a
letter at his house. In this event, either his wife or
servant would open the door and take it. Questioned as
to whether Brady had been associated with his wife he
replied that if Brady came to the door for him his Wife
virould most likely open the door for him and speak as she
admitted him. There was no further association to his
knowledge. She went on one occasion in a cab for Brady
on a message from a lady. Witness was confined at this
time under the Coercion Act. This lady was not connected
with the organization to his knowledge. Joe Smith had
once come down to the meetings in Brunswick-street on
the top of a cab. He then communicated the fact to those
assembled that Mr. Forster had not gone as they expected
Witness also remembered going with Smith to Waterloo-
road. They went there for the purpose of pointing out
Colonel Hillier, of the Constabulary. Smith was to point
out Colonel Hillier to witness, but they failed in their
object. The two things—the removal of Colonel Hillier
and Mr. Burke—were arranged to be done on the 3rd of
May. He was neither glad nor was he sorry for their dis-
appointments. Witness read th daily paper, and followed
the course of the trials

Robert Farrell was next caned, and examinedgby
Mr. O'Brien, Q.C. His cross•examination by Mr.
Adams did not elicit any new features, and at its
closing the Cot rt adjourned till ten o'clock on Tuesday
morning.

The trial of Daniel Curley was resumed on Tuesday
morning, when several new and independent wit-
nesses were produced.
Daniel Curley, the prisoner, entered the dock in the
same quiet manner as on the previous day, and, bow-
ing slightly to the Bench, seated himself with his arm
leaning upon the bar He sat down on the spot he had
selected from the first at the left of the dock, resting
his arm upon the rail in front, and this attitude he
scarcely varied throughout the day. To some of the
evidence he gave apparently no attention; at other
times he seemed to follow every syllable that fell from
the mouths of counsel or of the witnesses. When
PETER CAREY, the new approver, stepped upon tin
table the prisoner's interest seem highly aroused. He
produced a piece of blue paper and a short pencil for
the purpose of taking notes. During Dr. Webb's
speech in opening the defence, he listened with great
eagerness.

-
The first witness called was JOSEPH &era, the man
who had been employed as a labourer in the Castle
yard, and who was engaged to point out Mr. Burke,
with whose appearance he was familiar. MICHAEL
KAVANAGH, the driver of the car, having been exa-
mined, PETER CANEY (younger brother of James
Carey) was called, and there was an evident curiosity
in court to see the new approver. He is a man bearing
a singularly strong resemblance to his brother, being
powerful of build, with rather regular features, but
having a deep scar over his right eye. Like his
brother, too, he was dressed in a brown suit, and pre-
sented a decidedly respectable appearance. On taking
his seat in the witness chair he cast a quick glance
round the court ; but evidently avoided the eyes of
the prisoner, which were fixed steadily upon him.
The examination of the several witnesses having
ended, Dr. Webb began his speech for the defence at
half-past two o'clock, .and his impassioned address
occupied an hour and twenty minutes. During the
heat of his advocacy, Dr. Webb removed his wig and
placed it on the table in front of him. In concluding
his address he said he had tried his utmost to do his
duty, and he had no doubt but the Jury would now do
theirs. The defence set up was that of an a2ibi.
Several witnesses having been examined, the Court
adjourned until ten o'clock next day.

TEE CLAIMANT.—It is stated that Mr. Quarter-
maine East visited the Tichborne claimant in Ports.
mouth Prison on Monday, accompanied by the letter's
two daughters, who were thus enabled to see their
father for the first time since his incarceration, now
nearly ten years. This interview was naturally of an
affecting character, but was much relieved by the self-
possession of the father who consoled hia children and
cheered them with the assurance that all would yet be
well.

NOVEL ANATOMY. —Tutor (to stupid boy) : "What
is a cow?" Stupid Boy: " Dunno." Tutor: "Have
I not just told you that all animals with four IPga are
termed quadrupeds?" S. B. : " Ires, sir." Tutor
"Well, now, how many legs has a cow? Count
them up." S. B. (after prolonged pause) : "Eight."
Tutor (his hair slowly rising) : "How do you make
that out, sir?" S. B.: "Why, air, it has two
behind, and two in front, and two on eaeh side, and
that makes eight." Tutor (gasping) : " Itun out and
play, boy. I don't feel well."—Judy.
THE PRESS IN THE UNITED STATES.—The number
of newspapers published in the United States at the
beginning of the year was 11,196, or 585 more than at
the corresponding period of 1882, and out of this total
10,162 were daily and 1,034 weekly journals.

THE WARWICKSHIRE COLLIERY DISASTER.—On
Saturday last the bodies of three of the ill•fated
miners who have been entombed in.Baxterley Colliery
since May last, when 32 persons perished, were
recovered. Explorations have lately been going on
with the view of getting out the dead. The three men
found, who are recognised as Blower, Ross, and
Orton, were lying about half a mile from the bottom
of the shaft, the bodies being in an advanced stage of
decomposition. In this partitrlar part of the work.
ings there are no traces of fire, and the supposition is
that Blower and Ross were suffocated in the manhole
into which they had crept for safety, while Orton was
probably knocked down by the fall of coal while
making a rush for the shaft, and was either stunned
or killed.

SO SUFlSM—Husband : "With these terrible ex-
plosions, one can't be too careful. You'll be pleased to
hear, my love, that I've insured my life—Wife :
" Pleased ? Not I, indeed. You men always think of
yourselves first. Of coure, it never occurred to you to
insure my life."--Funny Folks.
DENSITY OF THE POPULATION IN THE UNITED
STATES.—Although New York is the most populous
of the States, containing about one-tenth of the entire
population of the Union, it has not the densest popu-
lation. The number of square miles in the whole
Republic, not including the Indian territory and some
unorganised tract, is 2,900,170. The population in
1880 was 50,155,785, or 17.29 per square mile. But in
Rhode Island the population reaches the enormous
figure of 25487 per square mile; in Massachussetts it
is 221'78, in New Jersey 17113, in Connecticut
12852, and in New York 10614.
AN ANCIENT ALTAR.—The travelling altar of the
Emperor of Austria is taken on all long journeys,
whenever a Court chaplain is in the suite. This altar
dates from the time of the Emperor Rudolf 11.
Ferdinand I. said his prayers before it, and it accom
pulled the Emperor Joseph I. in the Turkish wars,
and also the present Emperor's brother, the Archduke
Ferdinand Max, on his ill-fated journey to Mexico.
The altar consists of a strong wooden case with iron
fastenings. The cover shows a picture of the Lord's
Supper. When opened, the two sides'are turned up '
to give the altar due length, and four feet which are
hidden in the case are lowered. The consecrated altar
stone is then put in the middle of the manse, the three
altar cloths are laid on, and the cross and wax lights
are fixed. The altar accompanied the present Emperor
on his journey to Jerusalem in 1869, and to the opening
of the Suez Canal. Dr. Bedar Dudik, travelling
chaplain and historiographer, read mass before this
altar on the open sea.
AUSTRALIAN GOLD.—The production of gold in
Australia seems to hive diminished considerably since
1875, when the mines yielded 1,068,413 ounces, In
1876 the quantity sank below a million ounces; that
is to say, to 963,760 ounces. In 1877 the figure fell
to 809,653 ounces; in 1878, to 758,040 ounces; and in
1879 to 758,947 ounces. The year 1880 showed a
slight improvement, as the yield rose to 839,121
ounces; and 1881 was still better, with 858,146 ounces
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS—Tom, ‘,,!There's a moth,
Maud. Shall I kill it?"—Mau 1.? "You shouldn't
kill anything, Tommy. Give it to me, and I'll put it
in the fire! "—Moonshine,
AN OTTER AT FLORENOE.—A correspondent of Land
and Water, writing from Florence, says :—The river
Arno runs through the town; it is a mountain stream,
and is subject to heavy floods. A few days since, after
a very severe one, an otter was seen endeavouring to
get over the weir opposite the Hotel de la Pais. A
heavy body of water was rolling over the incline, and
a great curling, foamy wave arose at the foot. The otter
frequently swam through this, but the rush of water was
too strong for him, and as often as he tried he was
thrown back. Crowds were collected along the roads
on both sides watching the unusual scene. After a
time boats and wading men attacked the otter, he was
driven into shallow water, a net was got round him,
the excitement was great; but either the net was
rotten or his teeth were sharp, for he escaped and went
down with the stream.

SUICIDE PROM LONDON BRIDGE.—On Friday morn-
ing in last week, about half-past ten o'clock, a man,
apparently about 35 years of age and dressed as a
butcher, accosted a police-constable who was on duty
on London Bridge, and taking off his apron and steel
which he was wearing round his waist, he thrust them
Into the constable's hands, at the same time exclaim-
ing, "Good-bye, I'm off." The man thereupon de-
liberately leaped on to the parapet of the bridge, and
before the constable could prevent it he threw himself
off into the water and sank. There was a strong ebb
tide at the time, and notwithstanding the prompt
arrival of Thames police with the drags the body was
not recovered.
TARDY CONSOLATIONS.—Prince Kwacho, of Japan,
having lately died from diphtheria, in his eighth year,
it is announced by the Japanese journals that pos.
thumous honours have been conferred upon him, an
imperial reecript having been issued raising him to
the third rank among Princes of the blood, and autho-
rising him to be thereafter known as the Emperor's
adopted son.
HAPPY THOUGHT.—Daughter of the house (having
tried her partner, and not finding him up to the
mark) : " Stop ! Do you know, I see that Miss
Blinkinsop isn't dancing. I really must give you up
to her I "—Punch.
SAGACITY OF NUTHATOH.—" E. L. A." writes in
Land and Water :—Mr. F. 0. Morris mentions in last
week's Land and Water that one of his correspondents
informed him of a nuthatch which, after burying a nut,
covered it with a leaf, possibly to mark the spot.
Perhaps it may interest him to hear that rooks are
given to this sort of work, and I remember an instance
in which a flock of those sable birds were observed
busy digging small holes in a piece of waste land, and
placing in each something which turned out on =mi.
nation to be acorns. It was locally supposed that
their reason in so doing was to make themselves a
future rookery; it is in any case certain that the seeds
thus hidden were never claimed, but sprouted and
grew into a fine grove of oaks, which, in course of
time, actually were tenanted by a thriving colony of
the birds, It is almost impossible to suppose they
had determined to " reforest " this particular locality,
and yet it is difficult to think they would bury acorns
for winter use, one at a time, in a place where they
were'sure to spoil.