The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1865-02-14 00:00:00

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THE LATE MYSTERIOUS DEATH AT
EVERSHOT.

At the Shirehall, on Monday, before H. Williams
Esq., Henry Christopher, pig dealer, of Broad-
mayne surrendered to his bail, charged with the
manslaughter of John Christopher, butcher, of
Evershot, on the 24th ult.
Mr. Baakett, of Evershot, prosecuted, and Mn
Weston defended,
Mr. Suiten, in opening the case, said he was
instructed by the widow and the eldest son to watch
this case, as the family had thought it necessary that
thereshould be some further inquiry into the matter,
not from any vindictive motive, because defendant
was a member of the family, but under the circum-
stances and the etatements he had made before the
coroner. These would be found by subsequent
evidence, which he should produce, to be not con-
sistent with truth, and they had thought it
only right, for the ends of justice, that the case
should be thoroughly investigated. He proposed to
place before the Court,first of all,the evidence which
was adduced before the ooionerl after which he
should produce some further evidence for the
purpose of showing that the statements made by the
defendant when before the coroner were untrue.
It appeared then that he stated that the last
time he saw the deceased alive was at a place
near the keeper's lodge, and his statement at the
inquest, as would be shown by the evidence, was
that he got the key at the keeper's to open the gate;
that he got down from the cart, opened the gate,
looked it, and that as he was getting into the cart
his foot slipped and he fell; that his father-
in-law drove on knecked him down, and
drove over his bead; that he was stunned, and
when he got up, ten minutes or a quarter of an
hour afterwards, he went across a field, through a
plantation, over some steps by some iron gates,
and then found his way into Evershot. Now he
(Mr. Baskett) should produce evidence before the
Court which would entirely contradict that state-
ment. He should produce persons who would say
that they saw defendant get up into the cart, and
drive away, and the consequence, therefore, was
that instead of defendant being driven over, he was
with his his father-in-law at the time of his death.
There were several other contradictions which would
come out in the course of evidence,whioh would alto-
gether raise suet% a nese tit simicion that the
Court would dome to the conclusion that it was a
Case for further investigation. He then called the
first witness.

Esau Knell said: I live at Everdhot. I remember
Tuesday night, the 24th of January. I received
some information which caused me to go in search of
the deceased, John Christopher. I found him at the
top of Rock'sluie. 1 found him under a cart which
was turned completely over. I raised the cart, with
the assistance of Mr. Fountain And Mr. Chubb.
Deeeased's legs were crouched up, and he was almost
on his face. He was dead. This was about 12
o'clock. There was nothing to show how the
accident occurred. Ido not know how it happened.
I went for Mr. Clapoott, the doctor, and he returned
with me.

Cross-examined t The cart was in a road, with
hedgee on either side, and I Muni df *este land ad-
joining, but there trite no gutter. The width of the
Waste land was from three to four feet. This was on
the right-hand side of the road, and there was a rise
on the left-hand side. The road was about 12 feet
wide. The cart was almost in the middle of the
road. I did not observe any tracks, although there
was snow on the ground. The cart was turned as if
going from Evershot • but deceased's head was in
the direetion of that pfact
Samuel Chubb Said lire at Evershot, snd am
brother+in-lit* to the defendant and son-in-law to
deceased. I remember the 24th of January, de-
fendant coming to my house about 8 o'clock in the
evening. His face was bloody, and 1 inquired
"What was the matter, and where John Christopher
was ?" He said "I do not know. I sun afraid it
is a bed job." I asked him "Where be left de-
ceased?" and he replied, "I do not know I have
been rambling." I inquired" Whether any accident
had (marred 1" and he said, " Ido not ktiott." He
leaded vety exalted and confused. He asked "If
there was a trap to take him to Maiden Newton." I
asked "where have you left deceased so that I may
go in search of him ?" when he answered "I do not
knorr." He had been 4rinklng he was not what
dcalt called drunk, but I should think he could '
transact bueiness at that time. I pressed him to
remain at Evershot, but it was of no use. He said,
"I have businese at home, end'have a young chap to
go to Maiden Newton with me." 1-do not recollect that
he gave any reason for going ereept that he must go.
There was one remark he made which struck me
particularly. He said, "Pdo not bare if he did knock
me out of the part." 1 asked iitm "it they bad
quarrelled," wheti he beplied, "No, they had not."
Cross-examined : 1 was at the inquest. I told the
same story to the coroner as I have told to-dat to
the best of my remembrenoe. I was examined twice
before the coroner, but I did not think of the words
which Christopher had said that "1 do not care if
he did knock me out of the cart." The witnesses
were out of the room and were caned in as they were
wanted. I dicl ',lot lay a word. about Christopher
bf!ilig *knocked out of the cart until I heard Knell
say so. Lam sure it was him because he said
Sc. It was not Mrs. Knell, as I was examined
before she was. I married one of deceased's daughters.
I am not one of the parties who are anxious to have
prisoner pulled up. When Christopher came to my
house there was blood on his face, but I cannot say
bow it was caused. He wanted to go home very
much. 1 have seen him at Everehot many times,
and he well knew the road to Maiden Newton. He
had a man named Dubbin to show him the way
home, I did not tell him that the train he wanted
did not stop at Everattot. Deceased and prisoner
were alwayi the best of friends. I have never
known them otherwise,

I Re-examined ;I am certain prisoner made use of
the statement about being knocked out of the cart,
although I did not remember it at first.
' Louisa Knell: am wife of Esau Knell. I re-
member the 24th of January. I was at Chubb 's
hones on that evening. 1 saw prisoner there and
had some conversation with him, When he came
in the house I saw his face was bloody, and I asked
him, "What was the matter?" He said, "Not
muoh." I said, "Has there been an accident ?" He
replied, "No, I fear it is a bad 40b." He mid the cart
was upset. asked him "if they left Hermitage to-
?" meaning deceased and prisoner. He replied
"Yee.' I asked if "They had an imoident?" He said
"No, and I do not care a 4—if hedid knock me ontof
the cart." I said "You mast bay* been fighting;
do tell me the truth, that we may go and search for
Mr. Christopher." He said," I cannot tell, I have
been rambling, where.' do not know," He com-
plained of his head. He said "My head is bad, 11
moot go home." He was in liquor and IMMO
wild, but 1 have !meg x pomp more tipsy.

-
BLANDFOR.D. —DEATH OP LADY POSTMAN. —The
decease of tlijs umeh esteented lady on Wednesday
morning,the.Bth inst., (a short notice of *high appeared
in the Telegram), will be most Piverely felt by a large
number of the poorer ihabitents of Biandford,
Pimperne Derweiton and itirrodnding Villages, to
whom slib' Was endeared bj lbi kindiihse Of her dis Pos-
ition and unostentatious liberality. The deceased lady
was the third daughter of Henry, aecond Earl of Hare-
wood, of Harewood, in the county of York, and wee
born March, 1809. She was married to the Right
Hon. Lord Portman, June 16, 1827, by whom
she leaves issue four eons and three daughters.
Lady Portman was sister to the Countess of
Sheffield and Lady George Cavendish. For many years
she was attached to the Court of Her Majesty, and
was up to the time of her death an extra lady of the
bed chamber to the Queen,who evinced towards her the
most intimate friendship. So highly did Her Majesty
appreciate the excellence of her ladyship's judgment and
amiability o, disposition as to send for her at the hour
of her severe trial ; and on the Saturday and Bosley
previous to her death the Queen sent telegraphic
messages inquiring after the sufferer, to the second of
whioh, alas 1 the answer was that all would soon be over.
Her Ladyship took great interest in the various public
schooL established in the neighbourhood, and in addition
superintended a mother's meeting in Bryanston-street,
one of the most destitute parts of the town, which she
I regularly attended °nee a week to instruct the mothers
in making up clothes for themselves and families. The
' amount of good which was thus done it is impossible to
calculate. She also regularly visited the poor old people
in the almshouses, and in many other ways manifested
her spnipatby with the suffering and distressed. On
the evening of her death the Rev. J. R. Quirk feelingly
alluded to the sorrowful event at his weekly service
held at the Assembly Rooms, and particularly remarked
on her prayerful solicitude, not only for the members
of her own family, but also for all with whom
she was connected. No sooner was her death known
throughout the town than the whole of the tradesmen
partially closed their shops, and many private residences
had their blinds down, thus evincing the respect in
which the deceased lady was held. The death of Lady
Portman was suitably improved in the sermons preached
on Sunday morning and afternoon. That in the
morning was preached by the Rev. J. R. Quirk, and in
the afternoon by the Vat!, Q. J. Wickham.
POOLE.—PooLs awn Citssiourto.—lt is very
generally stated that early in the spring a steamer will
run between the ahoy° ports,