The Express.
London, England, 1863-08-12 00:00:00

THE EDMONDS' MAIN COLLIERY
CATASTROPHE.

On Saturday three more bodies were recovered
from the Edmonds' Main Colliery, the bodies being identi-
fied by their respective widows as Thomas Hammertan Ox-
terby, collier, Barosley, aged 50; Thomas Cawthorn, and
Worebro' Dale ; and James Ellis, of Barnsley.
The two first were found about 500 yards from the bottom
of the shaft, in the fourth board-gate pest the first half-way
on the south side of the mine ; the other was found in the
bank level, them= distance from the bottom. The widows
expressed a strong desire that an inquest should be held on
the bodies. The inquiry took place on Monday before Mr.
T. Taylor, coroner, Worebro' Dale. The jury having been
sworn, proceeded to view two of the bodies
—little more than mere skeletons. During the
forenoon it was announced that five more bodies had
been discovered, but they had not been positively identi-
fied. The following evidence was then taken : Mary
Ellis, of Ward-green, deposed—l am the widow of Jame,
Ellis, whose body now lies in Worsbro' church. He was
thirty years of age. I last saw him alive on the morning
of the Bth December. He said he was going to his work at
the Edroond's Main pit. lam quite certain as to the
identity of the body. I recognised it soon after he
was got out, from his general appearance and the clothes ;
also by a belt and a scarf he had round his body. The
shape of hie body was somewhat eiognlar, and I was
quite sure I could identify him directly be was got
out. Mary Cawthorn, widow of Thomas Gawthorp, aged
33, burner another of the deceased men, deposed that she
last taw deceased alive on the Nth December, and next saw
his body on the 13th August. She could identify him by a
strap and a portion of his clothing. She bed not the
slightest doubt about the Lody being that of her husband.
EJizebeth Lister, widow of John Lister, of Barnsley, aged
41, identified her husband's body, which was found on the
16th of June, by the shape of his boots, which was peculiar,
and also by his teeth, which were very remarkable.
Hancah Oxterby, of Wortley-street, Barnsley, identi-
fied the body of her husband, Thomas H. Oxterby, aged
51, by his boots, stockings, sod trousers, which did not
appear to have been scorched or burnt. After bearing the
above evidence, the jury agreed to view the bodies that day
discovered, but after proceeding a short distance were in-
formed that they could not be brought to the sulfate before
two o'clock. On their return to the jury room, the coroner
said it was not necessary to see the whole of the bodies ; the
Man point was as to their identity, the part of the pit in
which they were found, and, as fax as could be suertaitied,
the general state of the pit itself. The general impression
arrived at was that it would be better to adjourn for a
month or six weeks, when everything could be properly
considered. The feeling on this point, in fact, appeared to
be unanimous, and, after some opposition on the part of
the Woraboro' Dale jurors, it was agreed to adjourn until
Thursday, the 10th of September.

NARROW ESCAPE FROM A RAILWAY ACCIDENT.
—On Sunday afternoon there was a very narrow escape
from another dreadful railway accident to the passenger
train from Dereham, 1.:i0, to Lynn, caused by more bullock a
getting on the line. On this occasion the negligence—
which almost led to another catastrophe like that
of Monday week—was not on the part of the railway
authorities, bat on the part of some perms.. who
foolishly left open the gate of • piece of pasture land
adjoining the Lynn and Norwich line; and when the
driver of the train, • mu named Collyer, saw the cattle—
which it is said consisted of eight or ton head of stock
woo after leaving Middleton he immediately abut off the
ream, blew haswhistle three times, and the break being
immediately put on, • terrible accident was happily averted.
The passengers hearing the whistle put their heads out of
the window, aed in the language of one of them, " prepared
for the won't," and got their feet on to the seat, experieg
immediately to feel the shock. Mapr4however, the
accident was averted, arid the tzar was t to a stand-
still within a few yards of the beasts. It is to be hoped
that after the experience of the last few days the suggestion
of the government inspector, not only with regard to the
frees, out also with regard to the keeping the grim locked,
aid the asoopion forsidtad with a key, will be carried aut.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

POBEST OP DEAN.

The Lalf-yearly meeting was held at the offices
in Victoria-street on Monday ; Mr. A. P. manow in the
chair.

Mr. W. H. WILSON, the secretary, read the report,
which stated that the director mince the last meeting- had
been anxiously engaged in endeavouring toeffect a settlement
of the liabilities of the company, and to provide for the
completion of the line.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
congratulated the proprietors on the prospect of a pacific
and speedy settlement of affairs. If the plan proposed by
their solicitors could be earned out is its integrity the
liabilities of the company could be satisfied, and the com-
pletion and opening of the line insured. In order to insure
the working of their collieries at the least possible expanse
and with the most productive results, they had enlisted th;
services of Mr. Bartholomew, who was intimately acquainted
with the mineral peculiarities of the district. It was esti-
mated that 10,0001. would be required to complete the line
and bring it into operation, but arrangements would have
to be made to meet the outstanding liabilities.
Mr. BAXTER, the solicitor, explained the financial plan
that had been devised by his inn. It was to capitalise or
convert into preference stock the 41,0001, of outstanding
debt. Of that sum the directors would at once borrow
26,0001., of which 10,0001. would be laid out in works to
complete the railway, and the remaining 16,000/. among the
company's creditors, who would accept the rest of the pre-
ference stock in proportionate rates to their claims.
After a long discussion it was resolved that the meeting
should be adjourned until October, to enable the directors
to negotiate with all the parties oonoerned &oil report thereon
to the proprietors for their approval