The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1880-05-18 00:00:00

ILMINSTER.

SIMON' 01P • 801111111117 MAGISTILATI.—nmhs•ter
was thrown into great excitement on Friday night on
hearing that Mr. R. T. Coombe, of Earnshill-house,
Curry Rivel, had shot himself. Mr. Coombe was
thoroughly beloved by all CIAMOs for his kindness of
manner and impartiality as • justice. It appears that
Mrs. Coombe underwent a painful operation last year,
and lately the disease again showed itself in an
aggravated form ; this preyed very much upon the mind
of ler husband, who was devotedly attached to her.
About 10 p.m. on Wednesday night the lady expired.
On learning the news of her deal Mr. Coombe seemed
frantic with grief, and as his health had been much
weakened from anxiety and also from • painful
malady which he had recently suffered from, he
became partly demented. Dr. Mules was in the house
arranging about the funeral of Mrs. Coombe, and the
servant told him that his master had fallen down in •
fit. The doctor and Mr. Coombe, jun., and his sister
hastened to the study and found the unfortunate
gentleman lying on hfs back with a five-chambered
revolver by his side, one of the barrels having just
been discharged. It was ascertained that he had shot
himself through the right temple, the shot having
(raptured the skull and scattered the brains of the
deceased gentleman about the room. He lived for
46 hours after the shot was fired, but was unconscious
till his death. Dr. Mules had only left him about
ten minutes when the servant entered his master's room
with a letter, and then made the shocking discovery.
An inquest was held on Monday, before the district
coroner. The jury returned a verdict that the
deceased committed suicide whilst in a state of
temporary insanity. The &rowed gentleman was a
Deputy-Lieutenant of the county, Recorder of Long.
port, and had served the office of High Sheriff. He
was one of the most active magistrate's at 110•110011 and
on local benches, and his heel knowledge rendered his
opinions highly valuable. He Erected as • barrister
previous to his succession to the Earpshill estates. He
took a lively interest in everything connected with the
neighbourhood in which he resided, and a few years
since was president of the Somerset Archeological
Society, on the occasion of its visit to Ilmiuster. He
suaed the late Mr. littermare am chairman of the
Ilminster bench of magistrates, in which place he was
the owner of much property. It is said that his life
was insured for the large sum of 1190,000. Deceased
was about 65 years of age. He leaves a son and
daughter, forhom much sympathy is felt.

2311DPORT.
Rimers Tesvmrss.— At the Borough Police.
court on Tuesday, before Or. Hag and T. H. Edmunds,
Esq., F,ecierick Davis and Williams Roberts, travelling
brush-dealers, were charged in custody with being
drunk and riotous on the previous evening, in North
Alington.—Fined se. and 75. 6d. costs each, or 14
days.
FrNICRAL OF A CHORISTZIL—The mortal remains of
Mr. Henry Meech, for many years a member of the
Bradpole and St. Andrew's choir, were interred in the
pretty and sequestered churchyard at Bradpole, on
Monday afternoon. The corpse was borne from the
Bradpole road, where deceased resided, and attended
by the whole of the choristerm, with the friends and
relatives of deceased. The choristers (eurpliced) sang
two appropriate hymns in the church, and Mr. G.
Hoare, organist, played the " Dead March "in " Sul."
Rev. Canon Brradley assisted by Rev. G. F.
Christmas officiated. The service was most solemn
and impressive.
AN Int/ Rucont.—The town was thrown into a
state of wild excitement on Monday evening by an
industriously spread report that an individual named
Samuel Gale, better known as "Lawyer Sam, Q.O ,"
had, in a state of frenzy committed, or attempted to
commit suicide, by throwing himself headlong into the
river Brit, between St. Mary's Bridge and the Old
Brewery. An immense crowd assembled, when the
rescued lawyer was seen escorted up South-street, sale
in the affectionate embrace of a constable. On the
following morning he we, brought before the Borough
Bench, charged with being drunk, to which he pleaded
guilty, and was dismissed on paying ss. and ss. 6d.
costs.—Gale stated he had had a glans, and was set
upon by • mob of ruffians, who tore the clothes off his
back. They came "like • lot of greyhounds" after
him and pushed him into the stream.
DaArc or A Foassrsa. About the time of
erecting the commodious Foresters' Hall, in Chard's
Mead, several years ago, a separate lodge was formed
in connection with that ancient order for younger
members, called the 'Juvenile Foresters." Not •
single death has occurred amongst its members until
now. We have to record the demise of Arthur Henry
Ackerman, eldest son of Robert and Matilda Acker-
man, of Prussia-place, which occurred after a lingering
consumption, at the early age of 13 years, on the 4th
inst. The interment took place at the cemetery on
the 10th inst. The procession was joined by 30
juvenile members of the lodge, led by Bro. J. E.
Morgan, G.M., and several scholars from the school,
attended by deceased. Some beautiful chaplet* of
flowers were placed upon the coffin. The Rev. J. T.
Eames officiated.
ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONORIOATIONAL SUNDAY
SCHOOL/L-0:i Sunday week, the annual sermons were
preached at the Congregational Chapel by the resident
pastor, Rev F. J. Austin. In the morning the text
selected was—" My son, give me thy heart, Proverbs
xxiii, 26, and in the evening, " Why sit we here
until we die," King vii., 3. Toe sermons were specially
, applicable to the children. Special hymns were rung
' at each service, and were capitally maintained, both
by the scholars and the choir. It was stated that the
number of scholars in the girls' school was 148; boys,
144; infants, 91; total 3/83. The staff of teachers
numbered 27, who did all in their power for the
'cholera under their tuition. A pleasing feature in
the statement was that a large number of young sad
adult scholars had lately identified themselves with
the church. Collections in aid of the school fund were
made at both services, and upwards of £lO was realised.
Much credit is due to the organist, Mr. S. Champ,
who spared no pains in the instruction of the choir
and the scholars especially. The idyls in which the
various anthems were sung sufficiently proved the
merits of the organist.
WORKING MRS'S INSTITUTE —At • meeting of the
committee of the above institution held on Thursday
evening last, the secretary Mr. Charles Powell, pre-
sented the following epistle, received that morning
from Sir Charles W etham, ex Lord Mayor of
London. "London, 4th of May, 1880, 52, Gordon
Square. Dear Sir,-3 should be sorry to see the
Briciport Working Men's Institute start in their
new building with a balance against them,—it could
not be pleasant to the members or to Mr. Legg, the
generous benefactor of the 'Old Castle.' With this
view I have great pleasure in endorsing you • cheque to
cover the amount. With good wishes, yours faithfully,
Charles Whetham. Mr. Charles Powell, Secretary
Bridport Working Men's Institute." It will be
remembered that at the annual meeting held a short
time since, the financial statement showed a balance
due to the treasurer of £6 16e. 94d. By the kindness
of Sir Charles this deficit has been cancelled. The
committee instructed the secretary to tender their
heartfelt thanks with the members' and supporters' for
this unsolicited act of generosity. The lease of the
premises now occupied expires on the 16th inst., and •
deputation was appointed to wait upon Mr. J. Imw,
the donor of the "Old" premises, to receive that
gentleman's sanction to occupy them in the interim.