The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-03-13 00:00:00

DREAD OF ASSASSINATION.

Mr. Anketell, the station-master at Mullingar, who ,
was shot at his own door on 'Wednesday night in last
week, died on Saturday, and was buried lin Monday, 1
in Dublin. The directors and a large manlier of the
company's officials attended the funeraL Ttie verdict 1
was wilful murder against some person unknown.' !
There was much unwillingness among the townspeople
to serve on the coroner's jury. A correspondent ,
writing upon the subject says
The alarm excited by Mr. Anketell's murder has not shire
been allayed. On the contrary, farther circumstances have
come to light which justify a belief that the thirst for
vengeance is not yet satiated, and that the mysterious 1
system to which this crime is attributed Is seeking out other '
victims. it is now evident that a c dispiracy had been entered
into against the station master, and in Is feared that another i
officer of the company was marked out for assassination. '
Mr. Anketell received threatening letters some weeks ago,
and similar letters have been addressed to many persons
in the county. 'the manager of the railway, el hearing
of the threats which lied been uttered against Mr. Anke-
tell, offered to transfer him to soother station, or send a •
body of picked men to protect him, but, with more courage
than prudence, he declined to adopt either of the suggestious.
Since his murder feelings of anxiety and dread prevail among
the servants of the company. On Saturday three porter.
named Dixon, Finn, and Ihnikee arrived from Dublin oil
teinportuy duty. Du Sunday everting Dixon went to the
stria in, in company with another porter named Farrell,
to await the arrival of the down train from Dublin, at
half.paist mane o'clock. On their way they were stopped
by three men and two women, or persons dressed
as women, who made sense observations to them
which fined them with alarm. Different versions of the
words are given, some stating that they were wanted that
"they were not wanted in Mullingar, and to take example
Irma Mr. auketell's case," others that " Orangemen were
not wanted there," and Farrell that "i.e was tot the
man wanted." In whatever terms it was conveyed the
warning has produced great agitation. One of the porters
has left the place. Ilia Me had been threatened on several
occasions, and he could not lie induced to remain another
night ha his own house. Hr. Short, the foreman of the
locomotive department, refused to remain in Mullingar, and
returned to Dublin. Mr. Sallie mr the head porter, who is
accused of having aided Mr. Anketell in the duties which
rendered him obnoxious, is reported to have also retused to
stop. The magistrates held a private meeting yesterday for
the purpose of concerting measures fur the prevention of
further outrages.
At the helmet nothing was elicited which is likely to
afford any clue to the discovery of the murderer. Mr.
Short, above alluded to, stated that about four minutes be-
fore ten o'clock he met Mr. Anketell on the platform pro-
ceeding in the directioe of his own home On hearing the
shot he hastened to the home and saw the deceased, who
said, "short, some blackguard has shot me; whoever the
ruffian is I forgive him," and added, touchingly, " God help
my wife and little children." Ellen Kilroy, a servant, de-
posed that her master worst out at twenty minutes past nine
to see the 0.35 train oil, and shortly afterwards she went
Into the front garden to bring hi some turf and water. Sire
had to pass down the little steps, and saw no one, rt d.
was there hay or straw upon them then, but there
might have been persons in the gunmen or the
turf house, as the night was very dark and she had no light
with her. She heard him shut the gate entering from the
railway as he came into the yard, and immediately after-
wards heard a report and her toaster's scream. Dr. SI iddle-
tor, who Unit arrived, found hies sitting MI a chair in the
kitchen in a state .if collapse. The wound was between the
second and third ribs ira the right side. Dr. Ferguson then
arrived and probed the wound. Dr. aliddleten made a short
wilt for him, bequeathing everything he had to his wife. Ile
was asked if he would wish to see his spiritual adviser,
and he said, "Oh ! no, I am not afraid te die." Drs.
Tuffnell arid Fleming were subsequently brought down
from Dublin to see him. Dr. Duegan, who visited hint at
ruidelght, stated that Ore wound was externally the size of a
shilling. The ball struck the second rib, shattering it and
driving one of the epl titers into the tissue of the lung along
with portions of his topcoat and a button. Ile thought it
' must have been large-sized pistol balls which were toed. Ile
observed that he had rarely seen more patient for titude and
endurance displayed by anyone. 'the deceased said he hail
Ind the slightest knowledge as to who it was who shot him.
• jury found a verdict of wilful murder against some
person unknown.