The Express.
London, England, 1853-08-24 00:00:00

CLITHEROE ELECTION.

The poll commenced yesterday (Tuesday) morning,
and went Let but languidly, or the 4GO voters might soon
have decide(.' the contest. The borough had been unusual')
quiet during the night, and we heard of no attempts at
" bottling," or .other of the more bold and strategic pro.
I
zecdings which ay.'usually resorted to in places like these
on the eventful nig ht p eceding the poll. The presence of
the police was no dotbt calculated to prevent any course
which might be likely 03 endanger the peace, and as large
bodies of either party we.'e posted about the streets keepiog
watch, proceedings of this ,kind would have been very likely
to have called forth resist:lnca% The first return issued wsa
at 9 o'clock, when Mr. Peel w,...5 declared to have only 45
voters to 57 for Mr. Stollen. At a quarter past 10 the
numbers stood—Starkie 118, and Peel 89. At 11 o'clock,
.. . ... .. .... _

Starkie 157, Peel 148; at 12 o'clock, S'tarkia 204, Peel 170:

CLOSE OF THE POLL.
(By ELSA:TIM TELIGRAPIL.)
Starkie
Peel

MANSLAUGHTER OF AN OFFICER IN liElt

MAJESTY'S CUSTOMS.

Yesterday afternoon Mr. W. Carter, coroner for
East Surrey, held a long inquiry at the Rising Sun Tavern,
Bermondsey, relative to the circumstances attending the
death of Mr. William Stone Gampton, an officer in her
Majesty's Customs, aged 13.

Mrs. Elizabeth Gampton, the widow of the dectwd
deposed that on the 11th of April last the deceased left
home about 8 o'clock in the morning to go on duty, being
at that time in exceedingly good health. lie returned home
in the evening, and appeared extremely ill, his face being
dreadfully cut and bruised. He also had a large lamp at
the back of his head, which he said caused him great pain.
Although deceased continued to complain of the back of
his head, he refused to leave otf attending to his duty until
the 29th day of May, when he was obliged to apply to Hr.
dl' Williams, the Medical Inspector of Customs, who at-
tended him until the Ist of July, when, having become
perfectly insane, he was removed to St. Luke's Hospital, •
where he expired on Wednesday last.
By the Coroner—Witness had heard how the injuries
were inflicted on the head and face of deceased, but was
not with him when he received them.

Dr. M' Williams, Medical Inspector of Customs, deposed
that when he was called in to attend the deceased on t►e
29th of May, he examined his (deceased's) head, and bound
traces of effusion or eecnymoais behind the left ear, but there
was no wound. He (deceased) complained of violent head-
ache, giddiness, impaired vision, and weakness. Frogs
these appearances he (witness) was of opinion that deceased
had received a blow on the back part of the bead, and wis
suffering from compression on the brain. Had no doubt
that the state he found the deceased in was the result of
violence.

Ms. William Taylour, Acting Surveyor of Customs, of
88, Princes-road, Bermonasey, stated that on the I Ith of
April last, about five o'clock in the evening, the
deceased came to his house, accompanied by a man
named Patrick Sullivan, who stated that he was
&detective officer, and said that the deceased had stolen a
boat cloak he was carrying, and also that he knew the de-
ceased bad taken a man named Jesse for smuggling, and
that he would be revenged, and would not leave him until
he had examined the cloak. Witness told Sullivan that if
he were an officer they had better go to the police-station,
where he (Sullivan) could examine the cloak, and they
accordingly started to do so, but nad not gone above 100
yards when Sullivan stopped and said, " Oh you mean to
go to the police-office, do you ? " and immediately after-
wards struck the officer on the face and head, knocked him
down, and afterwards kicked and fell upon him. Witness
then dragged Sullivan off deceased but he made his escape,
and was ultimately taken into custody by Inspector Bowlai,
of the Thames police, while endeavouring to get into a
bAt en the river Thames. A charge was preferred at the

Southwark Police Court against Sullivan, )10 admitted the
assault.

By the Coroner—When the deceased got up from the
pavement be staggered about a great deal and complained
of a ♦iolent pain in the back of his head. The cloak
which Sullivan accused the detested of stealing belonged
to witness.

By Mr. Cumberland—Sullivan was not a detective officer.
Mr. Henry Stevens, the resident medical officer of St.
Luke's Hospital, deposed th►t when the deceased was ad•
mitted into that establishment he was decidedly insane.

When walking he staggered about • good deal, and had
consideriale difficulty of speech, indicating pressure on the
brain. Deceased progressed favourably for some time, but
gradually sank and expired on tbe 17th inst. Witness made
• post mortems examination of the body, and found the

viscera of the chest and abdomen healthy. On examining
the skull could not discover any fracture, but there
was a large shot embedded in the forehead above the right
eye, which, however, had nothing to do with the
cause of death. On removing the skull he found
an enormous clot of partially coagulated blood occupying
almost the whole of the left side of the brain, the quantity
being fully two ounces, pressing upon the brain. The effu-
sion arose from the rupture of one of the vessels of the
brain, and was the immediate cause of death, and bad evi-
dently existed some considerable time. There was also
another clot of blood at the base of the brain partially ab-
sorbed, and which, from pressing on the brain, caused him
to stagger about. He had no doubt the effusion was the
result of concussion by a blow or fall.
Dr. Id.Williama, on being recalled, said that the death of
deceased had arisen from the violence inflicted.

Mr. Robert Brown, a superannuated officer of the CU.
toms, stated that the deceased received the shot found in
his forehead about twenty-two years ago, when in the coast
guard.
. . .

-
Several ether witnesses having been examined,
The Coroner summed up, and the jury returned a verdict
of "Manslaughter against Patrick Sullivan," and a war.
rant was placed in the hands of Mr. Inspector Bowles for
his apprehension.

CMAIRMANSILIP OF THE LONDON AND NORTEK
WISTEIII.—The chairmanship declined by Lord Lonsdale
has been accepted by Mr. Benson, who occupies it in lieu of
General Anson, resigned.
TESTIMONIAL TO A WORKING CLEROYMAN.-A
public meeting of the congregation of St. Mary, Rigger-
, stone, was held at the National School Rooms, on Friday,
the 12th of August, for the purpose of expressing the es-
teem they felt for their late curate, the Rev. John H.
Knox, Theological Associate of King's College, London,
when en appropriate address was presented to him, accom-
panied with an elegant silver tea and coffee service. In-
scription : " This service is presented to the Rev. John H.
Knox, T. A. of King's College, by the congregation of St.
Mary, Haggentone, as a token of their affectionate esteem
for the unwearied zeal and ability he at all times displayed
in performing the arduous duties of that extensive district
parish.—August, 1853."

DISTRESSING SUlClDE.—Yesterday forenoon an
inquest was holden at the Eel Pie House Tavern, Peck-
ham-footpath, Peckham, before Mr. Carter, one of the
coroners for the county of Surrey, on the remains of Mr.
Thomas Atkinson, a respectable tradesman, whose body had
been found in the Surrey Canal, on Saturday morning,
under what at first were considered suspitious circum-
stances. On Friday, the deceased, a gas fitter in an exten-
sive way of business, accompanied a friend named Evans to
Camberwell-fair, and remained there until 11 o'clock. He
then went with his friend to the residence of the latter to
Kennington•cress, and from thence they went to the en-
trance of Vauxhall-gardens. He subsequently accompanied
his friend to hie house, and remained there until a quarter
to lour o'clock on Saturday morning, when he left, and at
eight o'clock on the same morning his body was found in
the Surrey Canal, near Buck's-bridge, with all his dress on
except his hat, and this was found on the bank at a short
distance off. In reply to the questions of the coroner and
jury, Mr. Evans admitted that the deceased appeared mach
depressed in spirits during the evening and night of Friday,
and when le►ving him on Saturday morning, said he
doubted whether he should go home, but on his (Mr.
&vane!) recommendation, said he should do so. The cause

of his depression arose in a great measure. from the circum-
stance of his bringing two actions against a person, and his
apprehension that he should lose both. It was further
stated that the place where the hat and body of the de-
ceased were found was at least a mile from his direct home,
and the jury returned a verdict to the effect that the de-
ceased had committed suicide while labouring under tempo-
rary insanity. The deceased had left a widow and family
to deplore his loss.

rim CALAMITY AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE,
SYDENHAiL

A public meeting was held last evening at the
Crystal slower Tsseru, Wistow-hi:l. Norwood, to originate
• subscription in aid of the tweeted widows end orphans of
the men who perished by the late fatal accident at the
Crystal Palace, Sydeuhain. The attendance consisted
thistly of workmen.
Ile T. Nt-ss presided, and after regretting the very
limited attendance, stated that he had received several
eommunications from members of parliament, and others
who hof been written to on the subject of this meeting.
The object was to lay the foundation of • subscription,
which should be placed is the hands of a respectable tree-
serer and trust.,s.
The SECRZTART then read the letters.
Lord D. Stuart, M.P., after regretting his unavoidable
absence, said he should be glad to join in the subscription
and to attend to any commianiestion that might be ad-
dressed to him.
Messrs. Foe, Henderson and Co. carob as follows :
t. Crystal Palace, Syilenham, Aug. 22nd, 18.53.
Mr This Nunn,—Sir,—ln reply to your f of the
19th an.tent, we beg to assure you that we sympathise
deeply with the widows and orphans of thou unfortunate
men •ho lost their lives on Monday lot, and we fully ap-
pri elate the efforts which you are so kindly making in their
&halt but regret to say that we shall not be able t
attend the meeting on Tuesday evening. In the hope that
your efforts may meet the success they deserve,
" I remain, Sir, your obedient servants,
•' Fox, Ilenderson and do.)
" BRNEAT P. Naviim•g."
Mr. Aleock. M.Y , ezpres-ed his belief that it was the
duty of the Palace Company to do everything in their
power to compensate, as far as possible, toe widows and
Children of the pour men.
The Birkbeck Life Insurance Company sent • cheque fur
by their district manager, Mr. It. Edmands.
Toe Cit•taware said he was informed that • subscription
bad already been got up at Mr. Masters's, amounting to
about 40..—(hear, hear)—' at when proper officers were
appointed, the whole would be placed under one manage-
Meet.
Mr. W. S. NOILTUKOUSE said he had come from • dis-
tance of nearly 100 miles, for the purpose of promoting the
objects of this meeting. Ile understood that • subscription
had been entered into by the gentlemen of the neighbour-
hood; but be believed the subscriptions of the working
men would be most gratefully received in this case. The
working classes were the best protectors of their own in-
terests, if they would only stand together. There were''
2,000 workmen connected with the Crystal Palace; and if
they would each abridge themselves of bat • pint of ale •
week, they miaht raise • fund of 3001. • year for the relief
of widows and orphans. (Cheers.) Messrs. Fos, Mender-
spa, and Co. had most honourably given • weekly allow-
ance to the widows and families of the sufferers. (Cheers.) ,
Be moved • writs of resolutions, expressive of the sym-
pathy of the meeting, and declaring that a subscription
&mad be opened fir the widows and families of the suf-
ferers, that the smallest suburiptions should be received,
and that a committee should be appointed to superintend
the application of the sums raised ; and that lista should be
opened at several places named. Be suggested that the
funds should be ultimately paid into the hands of Messrs.
Fes and Henderson as treasurers. (Cheers.)
Mr. *nitrates Rtirrox seconded the resolutions, and re-
toramenued that subscriptions should be opened in Dulwich,
Camberwell, and the neighbouring towns.
Mr. Attar, eecretary of the Birkbeck Life Assurance
Company, said they would be happy to receive subscrii,
hoes at their once.
The resolutions were then put, and unanimously agreed to.
The name, of several gentlemen were put down on the
committee, and the proceedings closed with a vote of thanks
to the Birkbeck Insurance Company, and to the chairman.