The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1865-01-03 00:00:00

SHOCKING ACCIDENT ON THE SOMERSET
AND DORSET RAILWAY.

On Thursday, the 29th ult., an inquest was held at,
the Half Moon Inn, Horsington, before Dr. Wybranta,,
coroner, on the remains of George Melmoth, who met
,ith his death on the previous Monday night, at the
Chariton gate crossing, about a mile-and-a-half from
the Templecombe junction of the above line. It ap-
peared from the evidence that the deceased, who was in
receipt of a pension for military service*, had been em-
ployed as signal-man and gate-keeper for • considerable
time, and was generally an active sad trustworthy
servant. The early part of the afternoon of Monday,
he went to Templeoombe, where he had a little drink,
but not so much as to attract attention. He returned
to his station on the line, but unfortunately wee sot
conient with the liquor he had, but cent his son, • boy
about seven years of age, for more, having altogether
three quarts. A baker, named Henry Raymond, saw
him between five and six o'clock, and deposed that he.
was considerably the worse for liquor, and that he tolit
the deceased it was time his lamps were lighted. This,
duty he appears to have done, and then returned into.
his hut, took off his boots and went to sleep. Shortly
before the last up train was due, his boy told him the
train was coming, and in a semi-unconscious state.
he rushed out, with his signal lamp and boots
in hand, and 41 is supposed, fell forward be-
tween the first and second driving-wheels of the
engine, and wan literally cut into pieces. The
engine-driver, as soon as he arrived at Templeoombe
station, informed the station-muter that he was afraid
something wrong had happened, and on examining his
engine it was found to be too true, as the engine wheels
were covered with blood and pieces of Hebb. On going
to the spot. shocking soene presented itself, the remains
of the unfortunate man were strewn about —a leg helic.
an arm there—and it was with some difficulty th
were collected. The poor boy, who returned into the
hut when his father went to signal the train, knew
nothing of what had happened, but wondering what
kept his parent, went out to call him, and was actually
found doing so near his remains when the Templeoombe
station-master arrived with lights. The jury returned
as their verdict "That the deceased accidentally met
with his death by being run over by a passenger train,
through his own fault, and that no blame could be
attached to any of the company's servants-" They also
wished that notice should he taken of this sad occur-
rence as • caution to others in such situations to refrain
from drink. Decaued was a widower with five children,
and was between 40 and Ad years of age.

DOUBLE EXECUTION. - The condemned convicts,
Hale and Brongh, were assented on Tneadsy morning
Et Stafford. Six thousand persons were present.
Hale persisted in his innocence to the last, but Brongh
confessed his guilt.

Printed and published for the Proprietor, by CZAlai
WHITHILIAD /dlLLsam, of Dorohest.r, Printer, at the
Oleos of Pm 1 Porset County Express, Chuteh-etreet,
Port6elter, Tneoisy, JeAuery 3, 1865,