The Express.
London, England, 1866-05-04 00:00:00

THE ACCIDENT ON THE BRIGHTON RAIL WA Y.

After our report left yesterday,
Mr. Whitworth Jackson was examined. He said—
I reside at Whytocliffe Lodge, Purley. My house is near
the railway. On Monday night I heard the noise of
breaks, and on going out I found that a train had got off
the line. I saw two first-clams carriages, one of which was
smashed, and the other across the line. I found a man
and woman underneath a second-class carriage. The
woman was dead, but the man was alive, and I assisted
in extricating him, after which he was removed to the
station on a door, and his wounds were attended to. I re-
cognise the deceased gentleman.
John Drew examined—l am a builder, and reside at
Hornsey. George Drew, the deceased gentleman, was my
brother, and was 40 years of age. Selina Jane Drew was
his wife, and she was also 40 years of age.
William F. Coles—l am a doctor of medicine and a err.
geon. I was requested by the station master at the Cater-
ham Junction to go to the station between 10 and 11
o'clock on Monday night. My attention was called to Mr.
Drew, who was in the booking-office. He was in a state
of collapse. Two medical gentlemen who were passengers
were attending on him. I noticed cute and contusions on
the face and head, and the left leg was fractured. The
injuries were the result of a severe crushing. I left him in
charge of my partner, Mr. Bottomley. and the other medi-
cal gentlemen, and proceeded up the line, where I found
M. Drew dead. The scalp was torn off. There was a
fracture of one leg, and one arm nearly severed from the
body. Those injuries were quite sufficient to cause death.
John Carpenter examined—l am inspector of the metro-
politan police, and am attached to the London, Brighton,
and South Coast Railway. I knew Webb, the late guard.
I went to the scene of the accident on Monday night and
found the dead bodies of Mrs. Drew and Webb. I know
Jeffrey, the signal-man, and believe him to be a steady
man, and thoroughly conversant with his duty.
I saw Stephen Head, guard of the ballast train, and said to
him, " This is a bad job." He replied " Yes " and added,
" I received a hand signal from the switchman,i and gave
my driver signal to start, believing that the line was clear,
as the Dover train Chad passed. There is a distinguishing
mark at the head and tail of the trains belonging to the
Brighton and Dover Railways. I believe Jeffre had a
knowledge of the fact that the Dover train r before
the Brighton train, according to circumstances. It is un-
usual for the Dover train to precede the Brighton 8 o'clock
train. The Brighton train MI due at Croydon at 9.24, and
the Dover at 9.41. _ _ _ .

John Roche—l am station master at Caterliam Junction.
I know Jeffrey, who has been in the service of the Brigh
ton Railway for 12 months. I saw him on duty on
Monday night. He is expected to signal to the next
signalling station any train going through Caterham
Junction. In 99 case, out of 100 the Dover
train does not precede the Brighton train. Since the
accident I saw Jeffrey, and be told me he gave the chalk
train no signal to pass. Jeffrey is a sober man, and very
attentive to his duty.
John Giles, the driver of the chalk train, was then
produced.
The coroner asked him if he apprehended that any
statement hOuight choose to make would tend to criminate
Giles replied in the negative, and was sworn, when he
said—l was in charge of an engine on Monday night,
which was attached to some trucks laden with chalk.
Josh. Perkins was my fireman and Stephen Head and John
Brown were the guards. We remained on the siding till
about 9.46. The Dover train which was due at 9.36 passed.
From the time I entered the siding until I left it I saw
several trains pass. I think the Dover train paased about
9.45. I blew a whistle to know from the signalman
if I might go on. I saw a white light raised up near the
signal box, and Stephen Head, the guard, told me to go
on. I blew the whistle before I started. I had to draw
out 50 yards before the eugine came off the points. John
Hilman, a ganger of plate-layers, who had a lamp, turned
the points. I then crossed the down] line to the up line,
when the collision occurred.
Coroner—Do you swear positively you saw the white
light shown at the signal box ?
Witness—l do. I was within 200 yards of the signal
box. I thought the Brighton train had passed. I always
wait for the Dover train.
Stephen Head, after receiving a caution similar to that
given by the coroner to the last witness, was examined,
and corroborated the statement of Giles, that a white lamp
appeared at the signal-box in the usual manner.
John Brown, the other guard of the ballast train, stated
in his examination that he saw the white light, but he
could not say whether it was moved.
Samuel Bailey, a porter at the Caterham Junction, was
next examined—ln the course of his evidence he said be
attended on the last down train on Monday night, and
went as far as the Caterham branch to show a light to the
guard that he might uncouple sonic trucks. On return-
ing he stopped between the signal box and the shed, but
showed his lamps across the line so that they could not be
seen either up or down. He extinguished the lights before
taking the lamps to the lamp room.
The Coroner asked the witness if it was. probable that
in putting his light down in front of the signal box it
MSS mistaken for the signalman's light!
The witness replied in the negative.
William Jeffrey, the signalman, was then produced.
He received the usual caution from the coroner, but
having expressed a wish to be examined, was sworn, and
said—l went on duty at 6.40 on Monday evening, and
booked all trains up to the time of the accident, and after-
' wards, until I was relieved by another signalman. I heard
' no whistle or signal until the Dover train bad passed.
Coroner—Did you on that night give any signal that the
ch:dk train might go away!
Witness—No.
Coroner—Did you hear any whistle!
Witness.—No.
Coroner—Were you aware that the Brighton train had
not passed!
itness—Yes.
Coroner—With that knowledge would you have allowed
the ballast train out with a white light!
Witness—Certainly not. My signals were "all right"
for the up train to pass. Bailey, the porter, passed my
box, but I did not notice whether he had any light. There
was a hand-lamp in my box, but I did not go out of my
box with any light.
After the examination of Marcus Sharpe, an under
guard of the Brighton train, the evidence concluded.
Mr. Sharpe asked the coroner to be allowed to ex-
amine some o: the passengers as independent witnesses.
The Coroner said he did not see the use of assenting to
such a course, as the passengers could not throw any light
on the causes which led to the accident.
The father of Mrs. Drew, who was present, and seemed
very much affected, essayed to address the coroner and
the jury, but he was persuaded from doing so by a re-
lative.
The Coroner then addressed the jury, who, after an
hour's deliberation, returned the following verdict :
" That the deceased persons met their deaths accidentally,
and we are of opinion that as far as rennin Jeffrey, no
accusation has arisen, but we consider that misconceptions
on the part of those connected with the chalk train arose
from the crossing of the road by the porter with the
lamps, leading them to conceive it was a signal, and
advise a more perfect mode for signalling and starting the
trains."
Mr. Hawkins said he would place a copy of the verdict
before the board of directors.
The inquiry then terminated, having extended over nine
min.

THE DEATH OF LORD AND LADY RIVER/L-
A few weeks since we announced that Lord Rivers was
detained in London by ill-health, having been suffering
from inflammation of the veins of the leg ; but it was
then hoped that, with a little attention and perfect rest,
he might recover long before the period fixed for the
assembling of the Dorsetahire 1 eomanry Cavalry, of
which he was the colonel-commandant. Up to almost
the last moment there had been scarcely an idea that
the malady under which his lordship was suffering
would have a fatal termination. In fact, he had
been going on so well that all danger was con-
sidered to have been long passed ; and on Friday
he expressed a hope that he should be able to leave
his sofa in ten days from that time. To appearance, too,
he looked remarkably well during the whole of his con-
finement,resawiindredrehi,siitfoseritehnerLise wsee.sireeThelooedkeEaisnigesrlfoGerwfmnal
which had extended to just three months,
forward to
We
had been bees°l4onnvisidb. sitting
with with him on Saturday evening up to about half-past 9
o'clock, when so little was anything serious apprehended,
that his lordship took leave of his brother-in-law with
the full expectation of soon meeting again. Shortly af•
terwanls the noble lord was assisted to bed, when he com-
plained of feeling faint. Restoratives were min tinistered , and
be rallied a little, but immediately afterwards sank back
and expired at half-past 10, surrounded by his daughters
and his sou-in-law, the Marquis of Carmarthen. Lady
Rivers was at the time confined to her bed in another
room, worn out with anxiety and constant watching
over her beloved husband • and so precarious was her
ladyship's condition that it was considered unadvisable
to break the melancholy intelligence to her. Un-
fortunately the worst foretaxlings were too fully realised,
for her ladyship never rallied, and expired from conges-
tion of the lungs shortly before S o'clock on Monday
morning, without having been made aware of the lees,
which would have undoubtedly hastened her own end.
Lady Rivers was born in October, 1510, and was only a
month or two younger than he who had just preceded her
through the portals of the shadow of death. Grief has
quickly followed grief in this noble family. It is not a
year since we were called upon to record the unhappy end
of one of the daughters, the Hon. Mrs. Arbuthnot, while
upon her wedding tour in Switzerland, and now the father
and mother lie awaiting interment in the same vault.
Derims Gwettr.
COLONEL PACKE, M.P., AND HIS CONSTITUENTS.
—SLEAFono. —The vote of Colonel Packe against the go.
vernment on Saturday morning is regarded by the liberal
party of this neighbourhood with astonishment and regret.
His reform promises in 1559, and his vote to turn out
Lord Derby's government for not proposing a
more liberal uteasuie of reform, are held to be inconsis-
tent with his present position in joining the " Adullam-
hes " and supporting the amendment, are not quite in
accordance with his address in 1857 on his first offering
him elf to the constituency of South Lincolnshire, wherein
he stated himself to be " the strenuous advocate of that
rational progress which is identified with the principles
of the great liberal party of this country." Col. Packe
will, we think, have great difficulty in persuading his
supporters that he is not opposed to all reknn. It is
evident the supporters of the amendment were not
anxious to effect a more comprehensive scheme of re-
form, but simply to shelve the question. Col. Parke can
have but little sympathy with a liberal government, and
still less for reforut, and if he has voted for the amend-
ment to please and satisfy the tories lie will find that this
has been done at the cost of separating himself from his
independent supporters, whose efforts secured his present
position as member for South Lincolnshire. It is obvious
that Colonel l'acke has either made a great mistake, or
that it is not his intention to seek a renewal of the confi-
dence which has been placed in him, for he cannot be re-
garded as heretofore as a man esteemed not so much for
his ability as for his indisputable political honesty. The
liberal party can now hope only for a speedy dim-
lotion to correct the present unsatisfactory state of things,
unless, as there is some reason to think, they should re-
quest Colonel Parke to resign biz seat as not enunciating
the principles of that party. So great was the disappoint- i
ment felt by many of the gallant colonel's supporters at
our market on Monday last, when Ids vote became known,
that a portrait of that gentleman hanging over the mantel-
piece in the Bristol Arms Hotel was turned to the wall, MAGISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS.—At a meeting n.
and an inscription written thereon that he had " Gone to the Brighton Town Council held on Wednesday a not
the Cave."—Staniforil Mercury. cation ton
T from the Lord Chancellor, announcing
LORD CLINTON, M.P., AND THE REFORM BILL. that his lordship had appointed Mr. Alderman Brigden
P. following is a copy of the letter addressed by Lord (ex-mayor) and Mr. J. W. Silverthorne (a member of the
A. P. Clinton to Mr. Earp, of Newark, explaining the town council) magistrates of the borough. A warm dis-
groundii on which he should vote against the Reform cussion ensued, during which it was stated that these 11P-
Pall, although he had promised to support the petition P°intnients had been made unknown to the council, and
in favour of the bill which was sent to him from Newark without that body being at all consulted. The town clerk
for presentation :—" Sir,—Having by telegram announced said he had received no letters on the subject but
to you my intention to support the prayer of the petition in those containing the separate notifications ; and when
favour of the government Franchise Bill, which you for- asked if "he had any hand " in the appoint-
warded to me, I think it right to let you ments, said he could only reply that he had not
know that the full and searching discussion of written to the Lord Chancellor. The principle of making
this measure in parliament has led to a change magisterial appointments without consulting the local
of opinion on my part with regard to it. When previous authorities was strongly attacked by several sneakers, and
to the moving of the second reading I sent my telegram I seemed to be generally condemned. Alderman Cox moved—
hoped and believed that the government, influenced by the " That the letters of the Lord Chancellor be received and
remonstrance of their friends would, before the vote was entered on the minutes, and that the council regret the
taken, lay their bill for the 'redistribution of seats upon appointment of Mr. Silverthorne, as his public antecedents
the table of the house, and give an assurance that the two have given him no claim to that distinction." Alderman
measures would be dealt with simultaneously. This Bowdadge seconded the motion, which was carried unani-
has not been done. No such intention appears to mously, and it was further resolved that a copy thereof
exist, and the whole weight of argument in the length- I be forwarded so the Lord Chancellor.
mod discussion, to which I have given my earnest I DASTARDLY OUTRAGE.—A brutal outrage was
attention, has, in my humble opinion, been on the side of , Perpetrated on Wednesday night near Poole, in Dorset-
the supporters 'of lord Grosvenor's amendment. I have i shire. A bay, about 15 years of age, named Edwin James
thus reluctantly come to the conclusion that the course 1 Wareham, in the employ of Mr. Swetland, baker, Park-
taken by the government in leparating into two parts a , stone, near Poole, had driven to Upton to deliver some
vital constitutional question, which hitherto has been, and . bread. On returning, about 9 o'clock, when opposite Up-
always should be, treated as a whole, cannot lead to a just, I ton-house, two men rushed from behind a hedge,
safe, and satisfactory settlement of reform. And I cannot I stopped the horse, and demanded the boy's money. }le
but think that the reasons which have been so forcibly . had upwards of V. in his pocket, which he refused
urged in debate against this course, most have influenced Ito deliver up, when one of the men, who was
and changed the views of many of the petitioners in like I armed with some heavy weapon, dealt him several
manner as they have changed my own. It is by discussion 1 merciless blows on the forehead and other parts of
and the collision of opposing arguments that opinions are . the head. The men then robeble
at d him of all his
the bottom money,
formed. Mine, I confess, have been changed by the debate ; ' and left him bleeding andns of the
and as the government decline to show any confidence in cart. The horse, being accustomed to the journey,
their friends, and persevere in their original intention of . brought the cart back to Parkstone, and the boy's em-
dealing with reform in parts, I shall feel it my duty to •
plodplover and
beepsarents then saw the fearful injuries to which
vote for the amendment. In doing so, however, I hope it . ha ubjected. It was with great difficulty that
will be clearly understood that my views as to the neces- he could make known what bad happened, and when
sity of settling this question have undergone no change, . medical assistance arrived very faint - hopes were given
and that lam influenced by no feeling of hostility to the of his recovery. Yesterday morning Superintendent Gen
and
remain, sir, yours, faithfully, ARTHUR ford, of the Poole constabulary, apprehended Reuben
Plutan CLINTON.—To T. Earp, Esq."—A very strong Dairymsn and Frank Heckford, at Lyichett, near Upton,
feeling has been created in the town againd the course 'on suspicion of being the guilty persona. Illood was found
pursued by his lordship, some even of his warmest sup. ! on Heckford's clothes, and in the poaseaston of the other
porters disapproving of his conduct.—Nottiaphaia Jour- man was a small bag believed to be the one in which Ware-
. 1 ham carried his Toney.
HEALTH AND STRENGTH RESTORED BY DU BARRY'S I blin, on Wednesday evening, a mur-
MILICIOCS REYALENTA AaAarce Poen, which cures without MO- . OeTY.lane Station, Du
While assisting in conveying a prisoner to Chan-
HEALTH
or Inconvenience dyspepsia andigestioe), cough, asthma, , derma attack was made on acting-Inspector Clifford, of
consumption, debility, constipation, Mantua', palpitation, ner- the G Division, who received a severe blow on the had
~
you, bilious, liver, and stomach complaints. It saves fifty times which necessitated his being annoyed ts Mercer's Hospital
its cost In other remedies, and Is the beet food for Infanta
60,000 cures annually.—Du Barry and Co., No. 77, Regent-street, where _, . •
1- h • manifested themselves. Two
bmidcm• W. In at la lid. ; Ilk, cuaion or the ...rain &Ting _
ha
he
now lies in a dangerous state, symptoms of con-
fabs., 40s. ; also airs Graceoluschstreet ;4, Chespakle; MI, lie, men named William Kennedy and John Toole lave been
sad Mie, Oxfordstessi ; and at all (roosts—tAdvartlasment.) taken into custody for the assault.