The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-01-26 00:00:00

KILLED ON THE RAILWAY.

On Saturday the mutilated remains of a telegraph
clerk were found lying across the metals on the South.
Eastern Railway. From an investigation made by
the railway authorities and the police, it appeared that
the deceased, who was in the employ of the company,
was engaged as a signal clerk at a box near the Brick-
layers' Arms branch. At five o'clock on the evening
of the 18th inst. Robert Gardner and George Leverett,
both employed by the South-Eastern Railway Com-
pany, left Charing•cross in charge of a train. On
arriving at the Spa-road Station the lights in
the carriages were extinguished, and while shunting
into the branch yard the engine struck an
object on the line. The train was stopped,
and on an examination being made, a quantity of
blood and human flesh was discovered adhering to the
driving.wheel of the engine. On proceeding alorg the
line a short distance, a leather bag was found, and
within a few yards the deceased was discovered ly;ng
across the metals with his face turned upwards. Toe
wheels of the train had passed across the lower part of
the abdomen, completely severing the body, death
being instantaneous. The decE.ased was conveyed to
the Rotherhithe Mortuary, where he was subsequently
identified by his father as Charles Catling, aged 15
years, lately residing at No. 53, Naylor-road,
Peckham.

IVORY SALES—The first ivory sales oI the year
were held at Liverpool last week, and 31 tons were
offered. Although the competition was good, lower
prices had to be accepted, and about seven tons were
withdrawn, sellers not being willing to meet the
market. There have been three advances in the Lon-
don sales of ivory since the prices of ivory handles for
utlery were increased, and the lower prices must not
"°• present be looked for. Large quantities of Egyptian
ivory has been pushed into the market recently, but as
holders cannot obtain the pricas they demand the
material has been withdrawn. It is stated that mer.
chants cannot afford to pay the prices that are now
asked for ivory.
ALLEGED ISLANSLAUGHTEE.—A verdict of man.
slaughter was returned against an officer of the Salva-
tion Army at an inquest held at Peterborough last
Saturday on the body of Thomas Garton, a youth who
was killed in a Salvation Army procession on the
previous day. It appeared that John Fairchild, who is
alleged to have struck the blow, was an officer in the
" army," hut the deceased was not, and merely fel-
lowed in the crowd. The evidence showed that the
Flow protinced concry,eion of the brlin. The jury
added to their verdict a recommendation thlt the
authorities should atop further processions o th 3
"army," which have alrea.ly lea to numeroua
tnibances in the city.

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ML BARNUM'S WHITE ELEPHAN r.

On Saturday morning a onsiderable company of
Ladles and gentlemen attended at the Z ological
Gardena in response to invitations to a private view
of the "sacred *bite elephant.' Since his arrival he
has been washed, and now stands In his fall netarA
colour. Over thebody the colour h a cleric slate, much
Mumma as ciareary Indian elephants, but the rarak-
logs that excestitnto him a sacra brute, nod
gala him the anornaleses Vele of " white," ,are
mainly confined to the front part of the head and
shoulders. Between the eyes and on the forehead,
resoling redly down the trunk, !‘ is a light
pinky hoe kat
‘behind the eyes being two patohes of
clearly dehned 'pink. The ears, which are very largo
and well shaped, are profusely mottled with pinlr,
especially near the edges, and similar mottlinga appear
on bath shoulders. There are seso a few spots on the
back. One of the most beautiful things about
the elephant is his tusks, which are very
white, anti about two and a half feet in length.
t)es have also the peculiarity of being quite
white, and his tall nearly reaches the ground. Opinions
greatly differ as to the justification for calling Toung
Taloung "White," whatever may he the Burmese
or Siamese idea of that :colour. It is, however,
generally admitted that the animal is very
well:built end symmetrical, And that its markings are
such as have never been seen before in this country,
and render it a worthy occupant of a stall in the
gardens of the Zoological Society of Great Britain.
Both Mr. White and the mahout "Raddi" were in
attendance on the elephant during the morning, the
latter wearing a picturesque native costume, consist-
ing of yellow tnioan, white jean jacket, trimmed with
embroidery and blue ribbon, and a light pink waist-
cloth or petticoat. Amongst the company at the
Gardens were the Duke of Sutherland, Mr. Russell
Lowell, Lord John Manners, M.P., Sir Frederick
Leighton, Mr. Labouchere, M.P. Sir Lyon Play fair,
Earl Derby, the Hon. St. John Brodrick, M.P.,
Admiral Hornby, Mr. J. S. Balfour, M.P., Mr. W. B.
Sheridan, M.P. Sir George Balfour, M.P., Lord
Cardwell, Sir Richard Wallace, &c. At two o'clock
the Elephant House was thrown open to the public, a
large number of whom were in waiting.

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