The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1881-10-18 00:00:00

TUESDY, SEPTEMBER 18, 18SI.

;ETTE,

WIMMOIINS.
GREAT FIRE AT BHAPWICK.

SEVENTEEN COTTAGES BURNT.
A fire of • most destructive character oxurred at
Slispwick, a village between Wits:Wort:mend Blandfordi
on Friday afternooa. About one o'clock toe wife of the
dairyman in the employ of Mr. Bartlett, a large
farmer, perceived the thatch of the piggery, forming
part of the farm buildings, to be on fire, and at ono*
gave the alarm. Owing to the furious gale blowing at
the time, before any assistance could be procured an
adjoining haystait took tire, and the flames spreading
with almost lightning rapidity won extended ti the
whole of the premises. In an incredibly short space
of thou the rick itself, containing thirty tons of good
hay, as well as a number of other ricks and the whole
of the lowa' were on fire. But even here, not
• the conflagration did not end. The flakes of
fire driven by the fierce wind fell on to the thatched
roof of two cottages near the farm, an I these were
soon in fisinee. It was useless to try and extinguish
the lire, even if proper appliauces had been to hand,
an 1 people stared aghast while the flames spread
from cottage to cottage along the whole short street,
until 17 dwelling-house', including the poet-office,
had been consumed. A tow articles of furniture were
saved from the lower ro ems of the cottages, but the
beds, bedding, and upstair furniture, ass well as must
of the coutonce of the rooms downstairs, fell • prey ti
the flames. Mr. W. It. Bailees hanselt, as well
as Mrs. Banks., the lion. Mrs. Douglas, and
several other influential residents in the neighbour-
hood, did whit tuey could to find • ,emporary shelter
fur the night for the desnisse, and iu niaoy insteuces,
thoroughly ruined families, so suddenly deprived of
thei • homes. The barns' three in number, and the
whole of the cottages and butkimigs ilestroyeu, were the
property of Mr. W. R. Banked, ot Kingston Lauey,
and were insured. It is supposed that the tire origi-
nated through a spark flying from one of the cottages
on to the roof of the pigsty. Very sad indeed are
the accounts of the loss which some of the ooteagers
have sustained. On one Mae of the road boons
mxmpied by Charles Cuff, Henry Foster, Peter
Kerley, and William Boyt, and others' with nearly the
whole of their small belongings War, clasaroYeds and
they are all houieleas. From thence the fire
swept tharCkli to the opposite road, and here two
cottages, one occupied by James James, • labourer for
Mr. Bartlett, and Israel Audrevre, one of time old-
fashioned type of Dorset labourers—he has been work-
ing for Mr. dwell for &Dont the last 40 years—were
each burnt down, and themselves and Children lei
without a roof to shelter them. Adjoining, or
separated only by a abort Walesa was the residence
of Kerlin Kerley, who's "quivertuli" consists of ten
children. lie has saved nothing. A few yards further
on we get to the house and soup of Pneroich k"eltham.
tile occupation was a diversified one. lie kept a
daughter, and also • grocery store, the post-office of
the place, and a shoeing smith's establishment. The
score and the poet-office have been burnt, but "The
Village Smithy' stands, it having some fortunate mesas
escaped the destructive enemy. Mr. Felth SW, we
regret to hear, was uninsured, and es :1121&1411 his toes at
about £2OO. Almost adjoining this we come to the
rains of what was ono* the home of Thomas Kerley—
there are no end of ica.leys in " Shabbiok”—and his
wife and two children a man who haa been '• working
all his for Mr. Cave, and another of the roal cli
Dorset fact dying out, tie is burnt out.. Tots pretty
nearly ends the priucipal "street" of the place, but
just below hero Clara is au off-shoot to the right.
Cutting off the corner with demoniacal malice, the
' wind carried • great burning in is of straw on to the
roof of Mr. Witliam Guy, another blacksmith living in
this 'street," and guttel his premi-es. We were
glad to learn the'. he is iosured. About tan yards
instant from Mr. Guy's lived .lahourer of Mr. Smell's,
named Chivies Weekes, with bits wife and seven
childson. The cruel flames leapt across to their
cottage, and very a iou they were destitute of this
world's goods except the cloth, they were wearing.
.rhie finish. I the work of Lb, enemy, bit during it we
shouldaloi that a bare belonging to Henry Frampton,
containing about 8,000 poles and spars, an 1 ten sacks
of apple.' w estimated
at burnt does. The loss is
at about 1:200.

'rile visit adon, comes witi special hardship on these
poor people, as m ,et of them had laid in 'too cs of
winter c .•14—soine a ton and others half • ton, ail hl
their it ,rei cf poLatmaii. usaoy the gat•elings from
their apple trees. All of thi, of course was hop:leasly
burnt.

--Tie fire, on breaking out, spread with such alarming
rapidity, the wind being at such a dreadful height as
is to be judged from the immense trees lying in either
side the Wimboree-road, torn up by their roots
thore being 3 especially !die elms lying prostrate elle
by side, el.*e to the scene of the fire that the unfor-
tunate trshabdanta were for a time paralysed. The
Rev. Mr. Uouglas, the respected vicar of the place,
and his two daughters, however, rallied the men,
and, forming them iht , line, endeavoured, by
the aid of buckets of watera drawn from the pond
a: the side of the road and the wells, to stem the
pro4resa of the invader, but they were powerless.
The Misses Douglas themselves helped to pass the
buckets, and the brave young holies; we are told, at the
end had faces as black as any '' Female Christys."
Seeing the great danger to which the placs warn
exposed, P.C. Chine, who acted with commendable
promptitude throughout, soon as the fire had shown
itself despatched messengers for the Witnborne and
lilandford engines. h. Wimberee engine capitally
manned an I horsed arrived about three, and, under
Captain King very soon got into working order. Tney
endeavoured to save the hay-rick to which we have
referred, but what is left is of us value. About half.
an-hour after the Blaudford engine arrived, and an
soon as they could get ready the two began playing,
upon the cottages in what is knowu se"Piccadilly
which had to.t hitherto caught, the case of saving the
others being hopel, es. In this happily they were
successful, and the fire terminated at the pp it we have
I stated the whole of the 17 bonus having been burnt
I down, and over half-a-hundred people rein fared home-
' lees in little less than three hours.
All round the s.ene of the tire trees are scorched and
withered, and the thousands of visitora who went to
view the place on Sunday amuse I themselves by carry-
ing away baked apples and baked potatoes, or pieces
of glass bottles twisted into every conceivable shape,
as momentoes of the catastrophe. The road between
Wimburue and the village on Sunday afternoon was
lined with pedestrians--others in traps, who, on arriv-
ing, beeeiged the only inn in the place, listened with
eager ears to the graphic descriptions given by some of
the natives, of the " gert fowr-fut flames o' fire that
Odle right bang acmes the road," inspected the ruins,
astonished at the tremendous thicken's' of the walls,
and, we trust, resolved on their return to send a few
stamps to the Vicar to aid the fund got up for the
relief of the sufferers. This fund, we may state, the
Vicar announced on Sunday, exceeded £l5O, while
goods beyond that amount in value has been sent.
Those who have been burnt out have either been
accommodated by their neighbours or lodged in a one
empty cottages; but we were informed that not the
least sad portion of the scene was the carrying out of
two or three bedridden old people.
The property which haa been destroye I belonged to
Mr. Banks..

lIIMOBIDBHIIRY.
THE SUICIDE CASE - SUSPICIOUS
DISCLOSURES.

On the body of the young carpenter, Henry Thomas
Spencer, 21, who, as reported in the fekprase last
week, hanged himself in • house in his garden on
Monday, an inquest was held on Wednesday evening,
before Nichol:a, H. Loggia, Esq., distrizt coroner.
fhe reports circulated about the hamlet of Broadosk,
and throurh the pariah of Symondebury, calmed • feel-
ing of much excitement in the neighbourhood, and in
many quarters the father-in-law of the unfortunate
Spencer was subjected I: a deal of blame in the matter,
as was also his wife, Mrs. Henley, for, as openly
stated, the part she and her husband bad taken in
separating their daughter from her husband (the
damaged). It would appear that in February last the
deceased married Ellen Henley, daughter of Mr. John
Henley, carpenter, &., Broadoak, and the oouple went
to Portland for their honeymoom. Deceased bad been,
and was up t.) the time ~f his death, in the employ of
Mr. Healey, his father-in-law, and lived in • cottage
near. Soon after the marriage, the wife became ill, by
ressm, it is sail, of taking add from a damp bed.
Little more than a week prior to the death of her
husband, His. Spenoer went to made at the house of
her parents, and since that time dew-aged bad told
several persons dist he had been refused interviews
with his wife, amid that on Saturday, the Bth October,
Mrs. Henley (his mother-in-law) had pushed him out
of doors, abused him, and told him never to come
O again. n that day (Saturday) deceased went to his
father's house at Bowoorl, informing him of the treat-
ment he had received at Broadmk, and saying he
would come back to Bowood to reside.
The following were the jury :—Mr. B. Hedditch
(foreman), Hew., rtisinuql Weller, gdmund Elliott,
W. King, T. Pearce, G. Miller, J. Chubb, I. Chubb,
G. Cook, G. Gilliugham, J. Slade, and G. Welch.
The body having been viewed, Henry John Chubb
was the first witness. He had worked with deoeseed
for Mr. Henley; on Monday an main deceased was
talking with his fathw-in-law. There were • few worde
0 11 Saturday, and on hi sudsy deceased said he amid
not be happy with his wife any more, and should give
her up. After deceased said that be went to his
cottage, and witness did not see him alive after that,
liome time after he wad seat to look for dictated, to
see if he was going to Bridport, and found him hung
up in the closet by a small rope about quarter to 12
(noon). Witness wee told ti look in the closet for
deceased if he could not find him in the house.
Deceased did not like his wife to stop at her father's
house. Re did not know that they (her parent.) re-
fused to let deceased see his wife.
The Coroner Liked the nature of the conversation
between demasel and his father-in-law, and about
going to Bridoort, but witness showed a deal of rail-
mace. The Coroner said he would commit him if he
did not state what he knew, when witness very
timorously said he believed they had agreed to a meet-
ing at Bridport to see a lawyer about drawing up •
paper to get deceased and his wife parted. He believed
it was deceased's own doing.
, Kr. Isaac Chubb (a juror) said that on the Sunday
night bef are his death deceased told him he wanted
hia wife home with him, and if necessary he would get
someone to attend her and himself. Deessed was
much disturbs I. He asked deceased to have some tea
with him, but be replied that be hoped he was going to
have tea with his wife. The deceased did not quarrel
with his wife, but with her pereuts.
The second witneag was Mr. John Henley. Re laid
decease' married his dalghter about eight month. a,
and had behaved inhumanly towards her, and she
hardly knew how t: put up with him. She took •
chill at Portland, and getting worse, was obliged to
have attendance. The deces&ed behaved indifferently,
and a nurse was kept with her. 3 he {tot into& Sea-
state and her mother sometimes went to assist
her. About • fortnight mg) she said she should like to
come home and she did so. Witness went for Dr.
Daastioe. Deceased afterwards saw his wits and h

abisioadpitiwfoorulad
mratlionaaer.shTehsetaillorth,
ebroeugting:outydu-be
best for duce isede wife ti stay
deceosed agreed to it. Ile &forwards seemed er
with her mothwer, and
to force her away, but witness urged him not to do so
as she was so DI.
last words he ever heard from his eon we
re The father of decessed, Mr. John Spencer. soldihs,thebe
edthathimhisoumto
not allt.dowwhilie hi.
i,andwipteoi
like to know il that were true. wthdooore_-in•:aties would
Mr. Henley said his wile pushed the den:reed out of
doors because he ap
excitable • he tried to kick
Mr. Loggin here asked if it was a fact that deceased
up • row and spoke fr arn.dunressooalile way.
wee denied sdatiadon and refused an interview with
his own wife?
Witness said be never denied him. He thought his
wife did so if he appeared over excitable. The
Coroner still pressed the question, and wither said
his wife never in his presence refused an interview.
A Juryinsn here stated that • day or so before his
death deceased told him he was reload admission to
the house. He was crying and appeared broken.
hearted. Deceased told him he did not want to stop
with his wife if he was ill, but should like to be
allowed to have his meals with her.
Witness replied that deceased was never denied
access to his wife by himesit or his wife that he knew
of. Leeward told witness on the Monday morning
Oat Le could not du for himself, and the Wet Way
would be fr mem to part; witness told him that we,
his own ,pcion, and asked what be meant.
In reply to a juror (Mr. Pearce), witness said
deceased did nut sign any of his gouda away to him
(witness), but deceased said to him that if he would
&doer him so much money he wowd leave hie goods
and go away. Deceased dist nut say what he world
be satisfied with; damaged went t Noe his wits about
it, and she told him he could nut be right. Demand
wished his wile g od-bye, and then told Withase if he
would give him X. 5 or ahe would ga &wk.,. Witness
than told deceased they hat better have an adrwerneut
and surg,sted_going to Bridport to have t d .ne if he
waned it. Wainess was further questioned by the
Jury, but he denied that it was be who proposed the
operation. The Coroner said he did Out consider the
grimace of witness at all straighttorward. The jury
spoke strongly of • separation between the couple
under such circumstance'.
In answer to further questions, Mr. Hanley said
deoseiel'is wife took his wages, as &owed allowed
her to do so, and to manage his affairs. Deceased
earned 1.55. per week. Deceased wee in debt when he
married, and the wife took the money to pay the debut
the baiter of deosamsd said he was only in debt for •
par of boom. Several jurors stated that deceased
was • total abstainer, quiet and steady, but often had
not a stalling when he wanted one.
Mrs. Suss liouley was tue next witness. She said
her daughter came to stay with her • fort-
night ago, di, and the next morning the doctor came
to see net, and said is would be beet fur her to stay
there for a time. It was at her deughter's own request
tbac she came home, and her husband (deceased), used
to wine and see her every coy alter she left his
cottage, and she to used go and mere up his bed. Un
Satur,.ay he took the key of the cottage with him
and on Sunday cams to the house and disturbed his
wife very much, guiti• to the foot of the stairs and
telling "awful stories," and she told hiss not to say
such things. lie made use ut hard words.
The Coroner: Whitt were the hard words?
Witness seemed perplexed for an answer, but the
Coroner pressed the ques ion, as did • juryman.
Witness, &fret much prioaricouon, said perhaps her
daughter could remember; but the Coroner was deter-
mined to have an answer, and w,tuesse replied that tue
deceased was accusiug her (moose), of taking away
his wifefromhun. she told him to pass out, or he
would have to go out, and, as he did not go, she took
him by the shoulder and pushed him out. She told
him he was to come civil when lie csma again, or else
Out mime tame at all. She &sired her daughter if she
wished him to go Up to her, and her daughter said she
did not. l'ins was on OiLudisy morning. Deceased
went to the bottom of the sours, and calling to his
wife said said he wes some to wish good-bye to her,
and at this her daughter expressed sorrow.
The next mimeo was Mr. John Spencer,
father of the unfortunate deceased. HA said
he lived at Buwood, and 'woe • carpenter. About
a fortnight ago deceased said to him ' I must leave
down there; I cannot stay there." Wittier told him
he might go hums with him again. Deceased told him
he had no money, and that he did nut know whist they
• did with his wades; that sometimes he had food and
sometimes be had none; that be was nit now &bowed
to go to the home; that his motheriu-law made him a
cup of something which be threw away before her two;
CCM he would soon be deed if he stopped there much
linger. Witness gave him 3s. 61, and on Saturday
last he came to witness again and said he had had a
row, and that Mrs. Donley nail pushed him out of
imors and dared him ever to come there again. lie
once told witness he hal nut had anything to eat all day,
an Ibis mother then cooked him a beef steak. Deceased
appeared overjoyed at being at home again, and
arranged to came and stay on the Monday night. lie •
kusou hie little eaten and brothers in bed, and said be !
would be glad to come hack on Monday. Deceased '
arranged to meet witness at 11 a.m. on Monday.
Witness had no idea of his committing suicide, and
when he heard he wee dead he thought it was wiad
colic, to which he was subject. When he cams to the
cottage of deceased he found only • dish of cold
potatoes and a crust of bread. The furniture and
matting had been removed. When deceased got wet
through one day he had not a dry shirt for change,
although he had several good ones on leaving home.
When lie went to the house to make arrangement' for
the making of his son's coffin, Mr.. Henley refused to
unlock the door, but acting under advice lie broke it
open. Alter the death of his son he went to Bridpurt
to see Dr. Denzilos who told hi r. y M Rend" had
been to him post haste to get • certificate to say his
dough at was not in • condition for removal.
This concluded the evidence.

The Coroner then proceeded to address the jary,
saying it was a sari lug lase in his opinion, end he
should advise an adjournment of the inquiry. It, to
him, loiked very much like • question that might lead
to manslaughter, tilt did, it would be against John
Henley and Eliza, his wife. His mind we. clear as
to improper conduct on their part—the wife warn
evidently what was termed • " Virago," and had been
lording it Over her son-in-law, husband, and everyone,
and it she tied caused the death of &ceased, whether
or not by her own hand, she would be responsible for
It, Henley had given his evidenee very evasively, and
he must tell him and his wife be felt it to be his duty
to adjourn the enquiry in order to have an opportunity
of clearing the charge brauOt against them by several
of the jury— that by their improper conduct they had
caused the death of this man, the dece.sed. He
considered it necessary to take this step for their own
*ekes, in order that they might be prevented from
being committed for trial for manalaughter.
Ihe jury were then bound over in the gam of £lO,
to appear on Monday (yesterday). The coroner
ordered the burial of the batty, and the interment has
since taken plane,

A full report of the aif mane' proceediags will
appear in the Telegram' on Friday next.

I rel ant.

Mr. Parnell wasi arrested in Dublin on Thursday,
morning last, and it has, as was generally expected
caused great excitement among the Land Leaguers.
Mr. Superinten lent Mallon with a detective, armed
with two warrants, signed by Mr. Forster, in one of
which Mr. Partial is accused of inciting people to ie.
timidate other* so as to prevent them from paying
their just debts in the shape •,f rent, and in the other
he is accused of intimidating people from availing
themsslves f the benefits of the Irish Land Act, 1881,
presented himself at Morrison's Hotel shoat halfipset
eight in the mornin r and inquired for Mr. Parnell. There
seemed t he considerablo do iht as to the presence of
Mr. Parnell. Waa he in bed ? Was he downstaira?
Or was he th-re at all ? 0.1 all these points the servants
seemed p.ofectly igno. a But dr. Mallon knew well
the hauntsand habita tin, gontleman of whom he was in
search. He knew Mr. Parnell was there, and that he
was still in bed. So he directed the porter to zonduct
him to Mr. Parnell's room. air. Parnell received
his visitor in his shirt and slippers. Mr. Mallon had
nit the honour of being previonaly acquainted with
him, though he knew Devitt, lirennan, Kettle, and others of the League. Mr. Mallon politely told Mr.
Parnell his mission. The hon, member for Cork said
he would soon dress himself. and having done so, and
had a light breakfast, he sill he was ready t go, at
the same time intimating his desire to go in such • way
as that there should be n darn ..uatration. A cab was
called, and Mr. Parnell having taken hie seat in it, was
followe I by Mr. Mallon, and they pmc soled together
to Kilmainham. Ttie only precaution taken against
a rescue or dernonstrati was an eac ot of four men
In uniform, who kept the cal> in sight, followed on an
outside oar. Directly the no of the arrest leaked
out several people called at the newspaper Aloes for
information, professing their disbelief in the rumour.
Mr. Parnell will be subject to the same prison rules
as regards his tre itment and reception of visitors aa
other @aspects. Soon after his arrival Mr. Parnell
telegraphed ti the Chairman of the Kildare Convention
informing them of his arrest, and • resolution protest-
ing against the gross injustice and tyranny of the pro-
ceeding was planed.