The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-03-21 00:00:00

THE LATE ATTEMPT TO UPSET A

RAILWAY TRAIN.

Charles Denning was brought up on remand
charged with unlawfully placing iron chairs on
the Great Western Railway, in the parish of
Amblecote, with intent to overthrow the engine
and carriage. There was a second charge against
the defendant for placing iron chairs on the
Great Western Railway, with intent to endanger
the safety of divers persons.

Mr. Bentley, of W,orcester, appeared to sup-
port the charge, and Mr. Holberton defended.
Mr. Bentley, in opening, said that it was his
duty to prefer a very serious charge against the
prisoner, but it was a duty the Company had to
protect the public. The information was laid
under the atiud and 33rd secs., of the 24th and
25th Viet., which enacted that if any person or
persons placed any wool, iron, or other thing to
endanger the lives of the public. They were
liable to a term of imprisonment. He should
prove that on the 25th January, at a bridge
at Ainblecote, a quantity of iron chairs
were placed up both fines of the railway ; that
John Smith felt a "jerk." and a few yards fur.
ther he felt soother. The road was examined.
and a quantity of iron chairs were found to
have been placed upon the lines, and he bad no
doubt be should prove that it was the prisoner
who placed them there. The chairs must have
been placed on the line near the crossing points,
between the hour of six and half mist. The
prisoner was seen there by three persons, and
the prisoner had no right whatever to have been
flier t, as there la no ll4ht OC roil, or crossing.
Prisoner was met where the chairs were found
by two men, who saw him in the act of stooping
down. He did not say that the 3, wonld actually
say they saw the prisnner placing the chairs On
the line ; hut 111, thought he s itisfy then,
beyond a doubt that he was where be ought not
te have been, and that he was seen in, a stooping
position ; and enquiries were made ahont the
prisoner, who had left the neighbauthool, and
who was apprehended by Sergeant Richards, and
he considered that it would be a case for enquiry
at another tribunal.

John Smith, engine-driver, residing at Kidder-
minster, in the employ of the Great Western
Railway Company, said that on the 28th July
last. He drove the 6. i•O passenger train to Bret-
tell Lane Station. He knew the footbridge over
the line between Stourbridge and Brettell Lane.
On getting towards the points he felt something
jerk. The engine kept on at a redncad speed.
When near the Amblecote bridge he felt another
jerk. Was going at the rate of 30 miles per
hour. When at Brettell Lane he reported the
circumstance to the station-master. Placing
chairs across the line would be very likely to
turn the train off.

Richard Dyke Penson deposed: I tun station-
master at Brettell Lane Station. Was there on
Wednesday, the 28th January. There was a pas-
senger train due from Stourbridge to Brettell Lane
at 6.4& in the evening. I remember the train ar-
riving. Four minutes is the time allowed for the
trains to go from Stourbridge to Brettell Lane.
John Smith was the driver of that train, and on
arriving ho made a communication to me. In
consequence of that communication I sent a man
named Richard Johns to examine the down line at
Amblecote Bridge. Johns went away for that pur-
pose, and was away about 20 minutes. From what
he said, I went down to Amblecote Bridge with
Johns and a ganger, named John Smith. We ex-
amined the down rails by Amblecote Biidge. Saw
four iron chairs that had been broken. Johns
placed them by the bridge. Went farther on, to
the points, and found three broken chairs between
the points. They were wedged down. I took pus
session of the broken pieces, and produce them to-
day. Had the chairs not been broken by the en-
gine, the effect would probably be to throw a train
off the rails. I do not know a more dangerous
thing.
Cross-examined : Do not know the prisoner, but
know his brother, who gave nie prisoner's address.
There is not a passenger crossing, but a footbridge.
Have seen persona from the brickworks, walking
up and down the line from the works.
Richard Johns, watchman on the Great Wes-
tern Railway, said On the 28th January I was at
Brettell Lane Station. Was there when Smith's
train came in. Was sent by Penton to examine the
rails. When at Amblecote Bridge, found four
broken chairs on the down line. Walked on to the
footbridge, where the siding points and crossings
are. Found two chairs on the points, and two on
the crossings. They were fixed and wedged in the
points, As the engine came up it broke them off.
Went to fetch John Smith to get them out. and
removed them. There were other chairs farther
up the line. The rails were being repaired. The
broken chairs were some of them inside the rail,
and some out. They were wedged in, and had te
unlock the rails to get them out.
Cross-examined Have been in the employ of the
Company fl)r more than 30 years. There is no
crossing near.
Charles Smith, "ganger," residing at Brettell
Lane, said: From orders I received from Mr. Pen-
son I went to Amblecote Bridge, with the last
witness. Found several broken chairs. After.
wards went to the footbridge, and examined the
points. Found one piece in the points, and two
on the crossings. Examined the rails, and found
the marks cut into the rails, caused by the wheel
of the engine. They are there now. The chairs
would be likely to throw the engine off the line.

George Hill, of the Lye, in the employ of the
company, said he knew Amblecote Bridge, and the
footbridge. On the above date he passed at about
a quarter past five o'clock. At that time the line
was clear. As he walked along the line he weu+
under both the bridges.
Joseph Tithers, of Stamber Mill, said he remem-
bered the evening on the 28th January, and was
coming in the d;rection of Stourbridge, walking
up the line. It would be ten minutes to six. The
bell rang six, when he was on the viaduct. Saw
the prisoner between the two bridges at ten
minutes to six. Prisoner was in the four-foot of
the up-line, by himself- I thought he was aplate-
layer, and he was stooping down to the plates.
, When the prisoner saw hint he walked on past (he
bridge. Know the prisoner well. He worked at
the skin works.
Cross-examined : I was going home. Always
walk down the line home. It was not dark. Could
see anything in the road. It was getting dusk.
Prisoner appeared to be going to his lodgings. Saw
prisoner on the stoop.
John Wooldridge, engineer, residing at the Lye,
said that on the above date he was coming from
Amblecote Bridge, in company with Jelin Bishop.
He drew the men up Perrens and Harrison's pits,
.at 2.S ninntes past six, and it would be half-past
when he got to Ambleeote Bridge. He .Ilw the
prisoner standing up. A girl named Moliueux
called to prisoner, and said, If you don't mind
you will get killed, messing on tlw Hue so long."
Witness went on and looked round to see if there
WAS a train coining, and saw the prisener go on the
line again. He was in a stooping position.
John Bishop, residing at Beilcote, said that he
was with the last witness at 100, on the Pith
January. As he was passing saw the prisoner on
the line. First Raw him crossing the down line to
the up line. After that he went a little farther
down to look at him agsin, and he was in a stoop-
ing position close to the rails on the down line.
Watched him for ten minutes, and thought he was
doing something he ought not to be doing. He
would swear it was the prisoner.
Cross-examined : Mrs. Molineux's girl said to
the prisoner, " Charles, come off the line; or you
will get killed." Did not consider it necessary to
report what he had seen. He knew the young man
well. Had often seen him.

Henry Tuniey said I inn brother to Mr. William
Turney, who keeps the Leather Works. I know the
prisoner, and he is engaged at the works as & grounder.
The usual time for leaving the works is. half-past 5
o'clock. Prisoner left the works on the 211,1 of Feb-
runty, in consequence of some disturbance at the
shop, and left without notice. The men are not
allowed to work after half-past live, unless they have
orders.
EMMA Mohnen:, said she lived near Amblecote
Bridge. Prisoner lodged with her, lie left on the
3rd February, and did not come to his dinner. She
did not know he had left Mr. Timmy's. Soon after
leaving, prisoner sent witness his address, mud asked
her to forward his box.

Police-sergeant Richards, stationed at Thierley
Hill, said he apprehended the prisoner. on a warrant,
on the 10th March, at Cumberland Road, Bristol.
On going to the house, he asked fur Denning, Pri-
sonsr came to the door. He said, I know who you
are; you are two policemen come to take hue. I
shwa have come back and given myself up, but I
had not got the money." Witness told him he had a
warrant for his apprehension, on a charge of placing
iron chairs on the great Western Railway, between
Stourbridge and Brettell Lane, on the :Nth January.
Prisoner made no reply.
John Smith, re called said, on the following morn-
ing he found iron chairs near the up line. There
were four chairs broken into eight pieces. One of
them was driven some distance into the bank.
Mr. Holbertou addressed the Bench for the de.
fence, and contended that there was no direct evi-
dence that the prisoner put the chairs on the rails.
The Bench retired for a few minutes, and on re-
turning,
Colonel Fletcher said the Bench considered it a
very proper case for further investigation, and com-
mitted the prisoner to take his trail at the next Staf-
ford Assizes, bail being accepted in two sureties of
.ClO, and himself in £lOO.