The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-08-08 00:00:00

Our fonbon Corrtspanbent.

rieeni it riaht to elate that we an not at all time.
den+ify onr, lye.. with our correepotalent's opinionaj

Never, perhaps, in modern times were Parliament
Aild public both go anxious for prorogation ad during
the last few weeks the Session which closed with
the month of July, 1/468. Everybody seems now glad
that it is over, that the battle of party polities hi
ended, and that Ministers and members have separated,
And have determined on basing a little relaxation
before the coining strife of a general election. The
Queen's speech-by courtesy so called on the eluding
of the Session is pretty generally admired for one
virtue, at all events it is short and concise. Different
political parties, of course, take different views of it, as
they do of the course I.f legislation during the
pied session, but everybody appears to be glad
t hat the session is over, and that we are once more in
oses. At present Parliament is merely prorogued
dl the Bth of October, but that is only a matter of
orm, of which the public take very little heed. The
main fact is, that dissolution will follow prorogation.
According to present appearances we shall have a
general election in November next, and Parliament
will meet, if only for a few days, in December. It is
a remarkable fact that no new Parliament has met in
this month for sixty-two years. It will bean awkward
lime; hut still more awkward sill be the general

eleetion in November, the darkest and dreariest
month of the year. I wonder whether the fog, and
rain, and gloom will effect the electors -whether it
will repress their animal spirits, alad make the elections
Lamer and more business-like. On /vent.
The semi-official announcements relative to the
Queen's tour--if, indeed, they are not wholly
official—are not pleasant reading. We are told
that the Queen will leave us for a short
residence in Switzerland, " under the advice of
Sir William :Termer, who will accompany her Ma-
jesty," and that her incoo. will be maintained, "so
that her Majesty may be enabled to command a few
weeks of comparative n pose, a hich are deemed highly
net:emery for her health." All this is very sugges-
tive, especially the " comparative repose," considering
that the Queen is not generally considered to have
lived a very active life lately. Everybody will be
/silly to hear that the Swiss holiday is undertaken with
this view, and will hope that it may prove beneficial
.Ind a hope, too, seems pretty generally entertained
that a certain rumour only prove true-- that the Queen
intends to pay a visit, en route, to the Empress of the
French. Such courtesies between faivereigtis tend to
the development of good feeling between nations.
I pt-opus of royal visits, I am sorry to read a statement
Jo the effect that the Prince of Wales has abandoned
It,, intention of visiting Killarney, owing to the at-
tempt on his brother's life in Australia. It is to be
hoped that this rumour, for it is nothing more, will
eel turn out to be true. The reason assigned is quite
..tadequate to account for the alteration of intention,
aipposing that the decision has been arrived at. The
Prince of Wales is nowhere more ',filmier than in
Ireland, and his second visit to that country this year
a mild call forth nothing but loyalty and good feeling.
Ireland haa, indeed, a claim on the Royal family, and
must feel that of late years she has been rather neg-
lecte,L A royal visit to the Emerald Isle would do
Ireland good, by making her happy-, and it is to be
earnestly desired that we shall, ere long, hear that the
long-talked-of visit is to be paid.
From the Continent we are receiving ugly rumours
of possible and probable war. It is said that there is
Jt coldness between Italy and Prussia, and ill-feeling
between Prussia and France. The existing relations
between these countries are eagerly discussed by the
Paris papers, and, as usual, they are more fond of
dwelling on the probable rupture of amicable relations
than they are desirous of maintaining them Amongst
other considerations which these rumours give rise to
the thought, what a blessing it might have been for
the world hail the Emperor's notion of a Congress of
Powers, and a mutual arrangement as to military
forces, been adopted. It might have been an l'topian
dream, but it bad coherence and sense in it ; and it is
ft dream which will one day, no doubt, be realised.
Fire is an awful thing a-hen it once gets the
plastery, but the fear of it is sometimes more dreadful
in its effects than fire itself. It is perfectly mar-
t ellous that some people seem utterly unable to learn
by experience. A few years ago several people were
killed and others injured by that one little word 'Fire !"
at the Surrey Music Hall, then occupied as a preaching
I ,tom by Mr. Spurgeon. It sufficed for this one little
word to be uttered once only for nearly the whole
I,INSS of people to rush to the doors, and death and
maiming were the result. A still more terrible
alamity has now occurred from the saute cause.
" Somebody in the pit raised an alarm of tire," anti
forthwith there was a rush of people to get out. "The
rush ef people attempting to leave was terrific.•'
Men, women, and children rushed pell.mell to death
er wounds in trying to escape from an imaginary evil.
I it not envy the feelings of that prison, whoever he
cc she might have been, who raised the cry of "Fire!"
•onsidering a-hat terrible consequences spring from call-
,c.J. out this word, it is marvellous how ally one in his
:ruses cannot control himself from tittering such a
oiurderous cry. Less damage might be done by
throwing half a dozen hand-grenades into a crowded
ssembly. Nor is it easy to understand the foolish
panic that at once seizes on a crowd when once this
i•iy is raised. Supposing that thtre is fire, there is
always ample time to get out of a building, without
that frantic death rush which always ensues. But it
is apparently useless to insist on this.
It would be worth while to get at the truth about
the mosquitoes, if it were obtainable. I read that they
are spreading themselves in an enlarging area all over
the country, and are to be found in every part of
Kent, Essex, Middlesex, and Survey; that it is highly
probable they will become permanently acclimatised
lit England ; that there appears to be an unceasing
and increasing supply from North Woolwich, a-here
existence has become almost unendurable. This reads
very much like exaggeration, anti it is very difficult
to believe in its truth ; hut statements so widely differ
that nothing but personal experience seems likely to
be able to settle the matter, and this personal en.
erience I by no means desire.

We have had another ease of baby farming. An
infant, who had been placed out to nurse with a woman
ho says she had "brought tip in about twenty alto-
gether," died, and the doctor's certificate Rays the
...lose was starvation. In the present instance the
iaby-farmer appears not to have been chiefly to blame,
oil the jury, indeed, throw the greatest share on the
Luhappy mother .if the illegitimate infant ; but in
fly case the entire oysters of baby-farming is cruelly
rking, and it is encouraging to believe, from what
Duke of Marllorough maid in the House of Lords
nights back, that the Government intend to
CC the baby-fanners Ilmb-r the snrveillance of the
It is a very difficult subject for legislation to
with, more especially as there are probably
hundreds of casco; of premature death arising out of
his system of which the public know nothing; but it
daily hemming more clear that Parliament ought
1.1, to flinch from grappling the evil.

- „
%t the close of last week, on the occasion of opening
portion of the Thames Embankment and the inangus
ion of the Abbey Mills pumping station, Mr.
odgette, whose name is so honourably associated
.'li both undertakings, expressed his belief that
' :foie generations, instead of wasting tne sewage of
I ...lon, will spread it over the broad acres of
sex, and will get back the produce. He might also
included Surrey, Middlesex. Kent, and Heft-
,' dshire at the least. The foolish and sulcidal waste
er or sewage water has been pressed home with on-
'ii force lately, in consequence of the long dnalght
I•XeeRSiVe heat. Over and over again it has been
„ved that sewage seater might be most profitably
•t•lied to the land, and men of science and practical
• iodturists agree as to the valuable results that
be expected from it. Mr. Bridges Adams has
Is. 'it advocating the storing of a rainfall for purposes
nvigation ; but the fact is, we already store what is
t.' r more valuable, and then go to enonnone expense to
:ow it where it is lea v 1. reas we might, at
• ,iderably less cost in the end, IMMO it river fields
lel pastures where it is wanted, It servos that about
• rtynvix million gallons of sewage water is every
. pumped into the river at the Southern 010411
ka alone. The time will soon come when the
orlonwill be discussed whether this °ain't must
1. I he taken lower rhovn the river— a few miles below
tlr.ivesend ; but meanwhile our engineers and prat,
.1 farmers should turn their attention to the lives.
whether London sewage water is not, in one
spict, carried too far already. NW have a great
Oval to learn and much to do in this matter ; but it is
consolatory to think that the millions of money we shall
'nova ultimately erect on our main drainage scheme
win not have been wnsted if we can but discover some
ra.tctical scheme of availing ourselves of the agricul-
val treasure we have been collecting at PO much
list the Post-office money tvder system facilitate,
-c nding of upwards of nineteen million, sterling
.ally though the post, may Ise taken as a proof
cn the whole, the plan works well for the public;
mav, nevertheless, be questioned whether the
'lid not be lowered with advantage both to the

flies and the publi.. It may fairly'he calculated
.••, ery money order brings a revenue of twopence
- .ta-nps to the establishm.nt. besides the profit on
t he order; and therefore tho more the plan can he de-
veloped the greater the profit will be. The subject is
oev coming before us, as there is a talk of starting a
company for the trazoomission of swan sums of money.

The success of any such rivalry must be %cry pro-
blematical, and, indeed, I cannot see the least chance
of any company, however high in commercial standing,
and however admirably organised, successfully com-
peting with Post-office machinery; but, on the other
hand, it is worth noting that a Circular Delivery Com-
pany has proved that it can - if it were allowed to do
so -deliver circular letters in a great town cheaper
than the Post-office; and it may be worth while,
therefore, for this great establishment to consider
whether it would not be well to lessen the chance of
competition, by reducing their rates. To the trans-
mission of money there would be no legal barrier; in
fact, the system is already in action, through the
means of circular notes.

was in company of the prisoner anti Watkins. We went to
a confectioner's in Dawley , and as we were coming out we
saw Police-constable Purchase. The prisoner said he was so
knocked about by the police that If he knew who bad com-
mitted the murder he would suffer Ms heart to be cut out
before he would split.
Crosaexamined : Sergeant Baxter took a note of my evi-
dence before I was examined by the magistrate. De wrote
it down, and read it over tome lam sure I then said, "If
I knew who had done iii would say so"
John Bathurst, a grocer, living at liawley, was present
when the hotly of Zusman was brought in. It was laid in a
shed, and Dr. Davies, who was present, turned the head
over, and said the man had been shot.
. .

ihirriet Moses, mother-in-law of the prisoner. remembered
the 15th of November. The prisoner went to her house
about three, and remained till about four o'clock. On the
evening of that day the prisoner had a party, and the
daughter of witness was one of the guests.
Mary Anne Moses, sister-in-law of the prisoner, said that
she spent the evening of the 15th of November at the house
of the prisoner. She went at a quarter to seven, and re-
mained in the house all night. The prisoner went to bed at
a few minutes before eleven o'clock.

Elizabeth Lane, who woos servant at the prisoner's house
at the time of the murder, confirmed the evidence about the
party on the evening of the 15th of November. The witness
Identified three gold watches produced by the counsel for
the th fence—one as being the prisoner's, one his wife's, and
one his mother's. She also identified two silver watches, ,/111,
as belonging the prisiner's wife, and the otherto the prisoner's
father. At the time the prisoner's house was searched by
the police, on the 20th of December. three of these catches,
two gold and one silver one, were upstairs in a drawer.
Witnesses were called to show when and how these watches
had come into prisoner's possession.
Isaac Vaughan said—Three weeks ago last Wednesday I
went to work for the wife of the prisoner to finish a chain.
I worked for her fifteeen days. There are two workshops
upon the prisoner's premises, and I was working in both
shops. I never saw the iron pot produced till it was shown
to sic on the 22nd July by Police-constable Purchase. The
policenum went into the little shop and brought out the pot,
mid asked me if Iliad ev, seen it before. I said, •'
No;
never have. It looks to me as if it had been burnt red-hot
and put there this morn wz."
Cross-examined.—For the work I was engaged upon I did
not require to use the pot.
The trial wasthen adjourned.

On Tuesday the trial was resumed. Harris occupied a seat
In the corner o! the dock, and of the principal personages
interested in the trial, he, as hitherto, remained, to all ap-
pearance, the least anoint. He wes much thinner and paler
in the face than when he first publicly appeared in connec-
tion with the nmrder as a witness before the coroner, but lie
does not betray any anxiety as the trial progresses ; and only
once—when Dr. Kenealy, m the course of his address to the
Jury, eloquently I teserthed his old schoolmaster, in the in-
terview which he had with Lint hi the cells, it.‘ speaking to
him of his boyhood and his mother and father—has lie been
observed to show signs of emotion.
. . . .

Two or three witnesses were called, who deposed to seeing
the prisoner in the neighbourhood on the day on which the
murder took place.
Mary Mapp sail : I was working in a tundp-neld at Homier
farm on the day of the murder. There is a footpath from
the coppice which runs through the foldyard at Homer on to
Stirchley. Anyone going along that way most pass through
the turnip-field OH the other site of the hedge. About five
o'clock in the aftentoon I saw a Wool passing along the foot-
path towards Stirchley. He was a little man and very dark.
A few minutes after lie passed I saw another man go loy. Ile
had on a pair of light trousers, a dark coat, and a tall hat.
Ile had a box with a strap round it hi his hand. Deceased's
box produced . It Was something like that, but I cannot
speak positively to it. Aliont ten minutes after he went by
I heard the report id a gun. The report came from the
directiim of Stirchley. It was a wet foggy day.
Cross-examined : I was not a witness either before the
coroner or the magistrate. The report I heard was not like
the report of a gun. It was a noillled sound like the sound
of a blow. I never told the police that this happened on
Stirchley market day, which is on a Tuesday. I never be-
fore saw the solicitor for the prosecution. I never, in the
presence of Superintendent Baxter, told the solicitor that
the man I saw passing along the path hail a cap on.
John Sankey, station-master at Sladeley Court stati )))) ,
situated about a mile from the scene of the nmrder, said :
I was at the station on the 15th Nov. Either on the evening
of that day or Oh the preceding one a person Caine to the
station. lam not sure whether it was the 11th or the 15th,
but it was a dark, dull day, foggy with occasional showers.
The nian dotal about 5 ft. 7} in. high. Ile had on a black
" billyeock " hat and a pair of tweed trousers with squares
In the pattern, a waistcoat to match, and a light brown
overoiat. Ile had a rather high b.rellead, large cheekbones,
sunken cheeks, and was of dark complexion. Ile carried an
oil-case pack and a haniper like a soda-water haniper. The
lid of the hamper was broken at one site, and I could see a
brown rallVit, parcel hiShIC. It was about ten minutes to
six. Ile Was sitting hi the booking-office drying his clothes.
He had apparently been washing his sleeves up to the elbows,
mid his trousers to the knees. I noticed the man particularly,
because some one who Was standing by remarked that he
would catch his death of cold, and lie made 110 reply. Ile
seemed very much put alt-sit, 211111 when anyone came to the
door lie turned round quickly to look at them Ile seemed as
If be wanted to be off. When he asked for the ticket he
spoke in a foreign accent. He went to Birmingham by the
six o'clock train.
Cross-examined.—The police have never told me that they
hail traced this inan and ascertained his 118111 e. I never
heard the name Nl'Clusky. Police-constable Christie once
told site that he had traced the Milll I have described, and it
was not he Who had o Inunitted the murder.
. .

....... .....
Jane Preece, living at Sth chlcy, was working at the rectory,
near tlb! scene of the murder. on the 15th of November.
About half-past live she heard the report of a gun coining
from the direction of the place where the body was subse-
quently found.

The 'evidence us to the report of a gun at this place and
hour was confirmed by John and Hannah Walters and John
met Maria Lougmore, who lived at fitlrchley Hall farm ;
but on being cross-extunined, the witnesses admitted that,
when upon the discovery of the body the police questioned
them, they had not said anything about the gun.
This closed the case for the defence.
Mr. Matthews then called and examined several witnesses,
who contradicted the witnesses for the defence on the points
Indicated in the crois-examination.

Sergeant Christie proved that the man ileseribed by the
witness Sankey as drying himself ity the station fire had been
satisfactorily identified.
The trial was then adjourned, barring extended over
several days.

--