The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1868-09-08 00:00:00

19 i oft ict littins.

Tlll3 LATE FATAL EN:PLOSION AT
W EA kifil7ll4.
The lapse of a week has failed to reveal any dr
cumstance explanntery et the dreadful explosion. The
unfortunate shopwoulan, Miss Cooper. lingered until
Thursday night, when sho died shortly beton, eleven.
Every means that amid be devisel for the alleviation of
pain was taken by the medical gentlemen and the
nurse, but ruortification had intended to inch n
de", (kit it was found impossible to amputate the
Injured kg.
We understand that the house is insured but not the
stock, no that Mr. Diann must be • considerable looser
by the accident.
A person standing at the corner of tho street at the
time, states that previous to the final *rash he beard a
noise dinner to the t xplovion of thousands of crackers,
the window then buret out and a aloud of dust followed;
but there was no flame.
It is estimated that the loos of Mr. lined, jeweller,
who occupies tho adjoining shop, will be more than EAO,
and we ate sorry to say the stock is not insured. A
dock in the shop bespeakia the exact time of the
explosion, the hand,. pointing to IS minutes past 10,
when they were stopped by the concussion. A singular
circumstance in connection with the disaster is that •
large number of bees (almovt a swarm) com,rogated on
the tqa.t and were busy aupolg the heap of iubbiah that
lay tinder the window. They were of °ours. attracted
by n large quantity of aweet things toiled up with the
debris; but how they weld hive scented afar the feast
that awaited them, is one of the secrets that nature
does uot reveal.
- -

Moser os rue nOur Or 3ries coerce.
On Friday afternoon last an inquiry wee held at the
Dutidhall, before the deputyroorener, 11007 dock,
Ewe, and • Joey touching the death of Mins Mary
c.Aper, who met with her death through the late
eplosion iellonibstreet. Mr. I lutchines was chosen
rr'e'inau. Ills worehip the bleier (J. Timed,
the Acretnry, attended on behalf of the Neer Cita
Cormeany, and It. K liowari. Et, attended to watch
the preceedinae 'or behalf
_lf the 'yerpool and London
joiairtnea Company. Ilir. Nano, and the relatives of the
4e:erased.
Mr. Howard said before the evidence of the witnesses
was taken and the jury sworn, ho would suggest that
any pi rson connected with the gas company should not
a eve aa a juryman.
The Coroner said ho hoped the iustruetlons he had
given would give general satisfaction. lie thought it
neceeeiry to mak., a few remarks before the jury viewed
the body and the evidence was taken. The jury wore
summoned on a most important inquiry which would
require their particular attention. A molaocholy gas
e %plosion had occurred, resulting in the death of
Mery Cooper. The principal question which would
engage their attention was whether there hail been any
carelessness or ignorance en the part of thee° who wee°
the ssianufactutens and dish:bet ys of gax in the town.
or that of the consumers. No person would be excused
from guilt uskas he hod ueel care and caution, with
regard to the busineet he married on. It would be tho
duty of the jmy to decide leer and by what means the
accident occurred. Ile thought it necessary in this ease
to give instructions to Mr. Leibury, the superintendent
of police, not to sunnuon anyone on the jury who was
interested indirectly or otherwise in the gas company,
either no shareholders. or connected with tho company
as servants. He had :also given instructions Lot to
eammon anyone who was connected or related to the
dowered an 1 eufferers by the accident. These instep°•
tione hi been strictly carried out. Ile thought it would
be best to confine the inquiry to-day to the identification
of the decesecel. soil to the medical testimony. The
gas company went reproeuted by Mr. Tigard, and Mr.
liuwar.l appeared for the insurance company,Mr. Hann,
and for the deceased friends. lie thought the adjourn-
ment would be necevaary in order to obtain the evidence
of some scientific gee eneiocer who would assist the
jury in their deliberation.
Mr. razzed said lie had no /ones Mandl there;
but Le was authorised by the gas company to state
that they wished tho tallest inquiry and they
wore willing fur their servants to give evidence. He
incurred with the coroner respecting the counts ,he
indended to pursue with regard to the inquiry.
Mr. Howard considered it was riot fair for the Mayor
to state be had no foots rand., and afterwards make a
eleech. In order that ho might have, Inc would say
that thin accident was caused by the neglect of the gas
company.
Mr. Ti-rd connidered Mr. Howard's remarks wore
very improper. if the accident was caused by the
neglect of the gad company, that was a point the jury
weal Lave to decade.
Me. Howard said as a scientific gentleman was to
roped upon the accideut, the position of the gam pipes
ought at once to be seen.
The Coroner considered the course he intended to
pursue was the best, and the following sal:Mina were
Thosuaa Hann was 'mom, and said, he was • baker
and confectioner in business in llond.street. The
deoemed Mary Conper was in Lis render, and attended
upon the cs,tolncs it. the Atop. She bad been in his
t Ripley about a week. 'fire accident °mitered at twenty
minutes past ten o'clock no Saturday night last. lie
RIUCII a little gA in the shop, and ho ofterwards weut
into the kitchen to give (triers for Sunday's dinner.
lie than ii. sounded into the bakehouse to ascertain if
any of tho gas tree were turned off. lie lighted three
gas bunter. and then turned thein out again. As be
was ascentlint: thn stairs leading to the ',hop, he heard
the explosion. The three lights in the shop were
lighted. There was no one in the house exempt himself,
the deceased, his two children, who were in bed, and
the savant girl. The girl said she was standing near
the shop door tit the time of the esplusion, which had tar sneer MUTING or Vl= ISLAND.
no ellect upon her. When lie get upstairs be found
that the choir was an blown to s. Ito ileferedietele Mr. A. Scriven said owing to the inareasel darkness
inquired utter the childr.m. He brought there down of the e veninge the inhabitants were desiroun that the
t Iles and handled them to soato persons, and then Leland should Ito lighted with gas, especially three who
inquired alter Mira Cooper send tho servant girl. Ile I resided near Fortune.' Well. During the winter nights
heard wine gleans route front tho interior of time shop., it weir very dangerous in that locality. lie suggested,
They afterwards found Miss Cooper burial under the an it was tho opinion of the ratepayers generally, that
ruins of tl.e shop. Slot wes then canied to the tho emit of lighting the lam,. tffiould be defrtiyel by
Infirmary where he had Well her on several occasions, making a district rate. Ile war punitive if the Board
Pri e to the Inallklit Mies Cooper was in good voted a district rate, that no ono would oppose the
health. scheme. Ile had no objection to hiving a lamp post
Dr. Moorhead said he was • medic .1 practitioner id erected at Chesil. Ile Impel they would have a district
Weymouth. on Saturday night &beat half-part ten rate for the lighting of Fortune's Well.
o'clock Inc was c tile I tea° Infirmery to attend to the The Clerk said the reeideete nt Castlelovra would
deoea.cd. Ile bond the dec. Aril wan enefering from • have no objection to the making of a elistrioe rate for
revere OP ck to the system through the iejurics she had lighting the public lamps.
received nnel from extreme bet of Itlood. ihmo Mr. T. Gibbs said some persons should go through the
examination be found a ts Yens laceration IltOn ths various districts to ascertain the views of the public
horde of the right feet. The wound was about tour upon the subject.
hobo in letn.t.th, extending In hint the auelo and to the Mr. Hinde was in favour of a district rate being made
It • I -belie. 'The ekin and arab were divided and for the payment of the lighting of the lamps.
..perated from the tette. On pa Wog his finger into The Clerk said if the appliestioa camo before them in
weund he demon...red stone me, tlll fragm tuts of the the regular manner, the Board could make a special
bone broken tor. hot still a Ihering to the bone. Dra. rate. If the inhabitants were to mono, raise the Board
Litheew and smith abo attended, and they brought they would be called upon to mai.° a epecial district
11, • edge e ~f the wonnd teg.ther, and afterward. pl need r
bindoges round the foot. Upon further examinee Mr. W. Gibbs asked whether it regain:el the majority
lion they found both bones of the leg broken of the inhabit trite to apply to the Board for the light.
alket three loch's below the knee joint. There was • lug of the lamps? Ile thought HA gm, questiou ought
cored& table elf ueion, which mad It difficult to detect to have been left over for the iineent. When 1/0
the hroketi edge. of the hone. 'Viet nose of the th ceased brought the question before the Lon,i come time since
wet. also injured nue he applied none, Oater. On be was in tope that they weal have been aseiekel in
examination of the left leg they found it was much (ho matter from the grant teensy to carry out the
bruised, but tint bone was not broken. It was not lighting of the town, and he thonght they wouldsUll do
Found inece-Aary t, do any ttttt re with the deceased's so if • committee were to maim an appliestica. If a
leg. "Pir,viotis t • his "'rival the nun° had given the 1 SUCMOriat signed by the reaidontu of Portland was pre-
ileceeired some brandy and water. Ors Sunday evening stinted to the Board, he was certain the members yenta
Imo raw tho deceneel and he discovered unfavourable listen to the application.
eymptems. Her pitlee was Up to 92. On M. ndai Mr. Striven said he could pat the matter straight,
merning n bunt tun o'clock Le found a lots of actinide, Thera had been a I,uhli rn eting online time ago, when
in all the right tees. lie thought the loss of sensibility , they were opposed by several persons, who had since
arose from the tightness of tho bandage applied on then regretted their oppeetiou, and thoy now came
Saturday. lie removed the bandages. On Monilsy forward to andat (ho movement by subset using their
night he diecovered thee mortification had set in. He , hadderowns for the lighting of the lamp.. At present
consulted the medical profession, and they teeided not he ooly kuow of one opponent to the moventent.
to tsko any steps for two or three hours. They Mr. Vir. Gillum said he should like to see the whole
attenthti the diceasetl about four o'clock, but they Island lighted, but the Board In ble opinion elloold not
found no improvement. The thigh, the only part where act in the matter until they received a mituurial flour
an operatton could be performed, woe consitgrahly the lubabitente.
swollen and linewey. They corAidered her cooditlen The Clerk said • party of gentlemen should form a
very nufavourattle for amputation and (Isere- gas committee, and then apply to the trustees of the
fore inadesisuble. 'ropy met next morning. All I grant money for to asdst thorn by a donation towards
traces of the line of demaredion at the knee hitA I defraying the expenses which noght be incurred in
disoppeand and from °the r indications they considered ligl.ting the public lamps.
threes.. hopeless. on Wednesday they came to the After a few remark. from Mr. Gibbs it was decided
conclusion that all chance of saying the deceasn d was at that the subjAt should stand over until the Inhabitants
an end, and the only question woe how lung she wonlel I reemoralized the Board, with reference to the lighting
survive. The deceased expired on Troareley night, of the street Limps. •
Mortification resulted from the deterioration id her
previous constitution and partly from the injury result-
ing from the blood vissels of the lisob at the tnne of the
accident, and thin irritation tet up by (ho laceration of
the hied Mortification WIN the cause of death.— By
Mr. Howard : Had it not been for the accident
the eleterioratiorf of her constitution would not
have roused death. She mark some declaration before
MaajOrate, but she did not make any statement to
hin, as to til.) Callße 4.1 the accident. Ho asked her two
or three eine ,us, but ho did not go into the matter,
feeling assured there would be an heiniry.
Thu booed 'a. then adjourned till Thursday morn.
leg next, at ten o'clock.

TIM CAD FAILIS.

Mr. A. Scriven said he had rimed it notice on tbo
paper about the scalo of charges for hackney carriages.
Ho then read • new natio of charges which ho hoped
the Board would approve of.
Mr. Gibbs could not agree with Mr. Soriven. lie
<Mooted to tlw charges which tho hackney carriage pro-
priAors hail proposed.
The Chairman agretel with Mr. W. Gibbs. The roads
wore in a very bad order twenty years ago, when the cab
fare ran high, but LOW the roads were in much hotter
condition, and thumforo the chergee ought to ho
reduced. .

SIIII.T.INGSTONE.

ACOMIXT ON My. SOMEINET AND DOUR RAILWAY
—On Monday ir ;firt, about 10 o'clock, an accident
oecurred near the hoiliingstoes station of the above line,
to a goods train, fortunately unattended by any sr rioui
consequence. The tr consleine of :1600 30 trucks,
and drawn by one of leglam4.l Isreest engines was
despatched from Temple.coruire at t,:7 and was signalled
•" all right" at Sturininstvr. Within • short distance
of Shillingstone elation, islo.ie the line Orollies the high
road from that village to Child ()lodged, tiara is • sharp
decline, commencing a littlo to yond whrre the signal
pet awl points aro placed. At this point it has been
the custom to separate from the forepart of the train
those,troaks to Li; loft at the station. The 'urine, tender,
and those trucks going on proceed on the main line and
those to be left being ehunted on to • siding, ant the
binder part of the train then joins the forepatt hy
running down the decline. On the present oceasiou
the porter, • man named Ocoee, who lied been in the
company's service some years, instead of waiting till the
station-master, then engaged in telegraphing, could corns
and assist him, very foolishly secured the services of a
men unconnected with the lino to attend the points,
Riving him directions that when tho first part of the
train het gone by to lift the points, nose to allow trucks
forth,' station to go on to tLe siding. Instead of doing
this, the Mon, either through fear, or from not under.
standing wh he was told, saloon an the engine cause
ups Pattie lifterl the lever of the points, and the engine,
and tender, and three trucks were thrown in • slanting
position iICII.I the Lee, tearing up the metals, and
leaving run • short distance, cairn to ti stand still. The
porter, at won as he saw the mischief which bad been
done, mole eff, and has not since been heard of. The
station master, immediately televapheil ter asaistence
and • body of Haywire and emend of the company'.
servants, were despateh;al front I 41toubUry and ether
stations to the laser. Ity this time, the down Poole
excursion train was 'lee, and on arriving at Sliillingstone
wi re obliged either to continue their journeys by the
bent means at hand, or stay in the village all night. The
line was en far cleared next morning as to allow the first
tip and recent down train to pass, but tie pessengera by
the early train front 13Loulter4 to Wineenten were
obliged to teeth from the st:tion to sow her train
waiting for thuni beyond the scene of the accident. It
was vemy fortunate that the goods train was going slow
at the time, for het it been otherwise, in all probability
both engine and tender, and trucks would have gone over
Ere embankment whieh Is somewhat uteep at this point
of the Lille,