The Express.
London, England, 1866-09-05 00:00:00

THE CATASTROPHE AT OTTERY ST. MARY.

The inquest on the eight persona killed by the
falling of • chimney on Sunday evening was held at the
King's Arms Inn on Monday evening, before Mr. S. M.
Cox, coroner, when the following evidence was adduced :
Isaac Cox, mason, of Ottery, said--About half-past seven
on Sunday evening I came up Mill-street, Ottery, and
crossed Bioad-street. I saw a crowd at the corner of Tip-
hill. A woman was standing on the wall preaching, and the
crowd listening to her. She was the cause of the crowd.
I should think there were 50 or 60 persons in the crowd
when I first saw them, but they increased to 150 or WO
whilst she was there, which was about a quarter of an
hour. They 'increased from persons coming from the Inde-
pendent Chapel meeting-house and other places. She said
something about the rocks and stones falling on us. She
mentioned this many times—l believe in reference to the
day of judgment. I saw her also preaching in the same
place about four o'clock in the same afternoon. After I
had been in the crowd a quarter of an hour or 20 minutes,
and was standing with my back to the preacher and face
towards the building, I saw the chimney begin to vibrate.
It turned over in a solid body, and did not fall to pieces
until about two-thirds of its way to the ground, when it
broke. I shouted the moment I first saw it move, but It
fell on the crowd, killing some and injuring others. I saw
Emma Hake, whose face was covered with blood, and I
helped to carry her home. I saw Jane Lang in the crowd
before the accident, and afterwards saw her dead at the
Lamb and Flag. The house to which the chimney belonged
was burnt down at the late fire. It is the property of Mrs.
Catherine Sanford, widow. It was occupied by Mr.
Windover, saddler. I have heard that he agreed to buy it,
and I saw him clearing out the rubbish about six weeks
ago. It was a tall chimney, and appeared likely to fall
with wind. It seemed to be in perfect condition, but it
was unattached. A great many other dangerous chimneys
were standing, many more dangerous than the one that
fell. I have seen nothing done to the chimney lately. I
think uo one was touching the chimney when it fell. I
heard a horse and four-wheel carriage pass by about •
minute before the chimney fell. There was considerable
wind blowing, and there had been heavy rain in the morn-
The crowd caused an obstruction in the highway, so
mmuch so that Mr. Salter was obliged to stop his carriage
whilst the crowd separated to allow him to peas. The
chimney stood about 15 feet in from the road.
Catherine Sandford—l am the owner of the property to
which the chimney belongs. The house was burnt doWn
in the late fire, and the chimney was, I believe, left stand-
ing alone. It tever °conned to me that it was dangerous,
and no one ever told me so or asked me to have it taken
down. Mr. Windover occupied the house at the time of
the fire as my tenant, and he was about arranging with me
for its purchase. We had fixed the price, but we
found that I could only sell it for my life. He never took
possession as purchaser. I think Mr. Windover claimed
the premises, and walled up the bricks. This may have
been in contemplation of purchase.
William Windover—l was tenant to Mrs Sandford,
landlady of the house to which the fallen chimney be-
longs. I had verbally agreed with her to purchase the
house after the fire, about two months ago. I cleaned up
the bricks and packed them back, with the view to re-
building after I made the agreement. This was about six
weeks ago, and about that time I found out she had only
a life interest, and could not sell, and it was then and ever
since well understood that the bargain was off. I pur-
chased other premises about • fortnight ago. I thought the
chimney was in • good state, and I meant to leave it to
serve as a chimney for the house to be newly built. It
was of brick, and was perpendicular and straight, but not
supported by any walls, and never was, but it had parti-
tion work adjoining, and was surrounded by the wood-
work of the roof. I spoke to Mr. John Digby, mason,
when I bought it, and he said the chimney would do very
well for the new building. I did not ask him, nor did he
say, whether it was safe as it stood. A regular pond of
water got round the chimney in consequence of the rain on
Sunday morning.
Charles William Whitty, M.D.—About 8 o'clock last
evening I was called down into Yonder-street. When I
came I found Elizabeth Kellow, Mary Ann Bishop, and
Elizabeth Davieslying on theground, and labs, saw Gilham
taken out from the ruins. They had all serious injuries
about the head. I had them put on doors and taken to
their homes. I subsequently saw Emma Row, Jane Lang,
Emma Hake, and James Lang. Kellow, Bishop, Bowe,
Jane Lang, and Gilham, all died within one hour of the
accident. Mr. Edwards also attended, and Dr. Jerard and
Dr. Mayne from Mennen. I did not notice the state
of the ruins. All the eight persons clearly died front the
effects of the accident.
Samuel Norrington—l am the surveyor of highways and
inspector of nuisances under the local board. I consider it
part of my duty to notice buildings that are dangerous to
the public. I had seen the chimney that has fallen, but I
did not consider it to be dangerous, and for that reason I
gave no notice. I understand that Mr. Digby, as a builder,
would allow the chimney to form a portion of the new
building. I had all the chimuies I thought dangerous
knocked down. I had several knocked down last week ; I
should always do so if my attention were called to them.
The room was cleared, and the jury consulted together
for a short time. On the re-admittance of the public the
coroner said the jury found a verdict of "Accidental
Death" in all the cases, and they wished him to state
that the number of deaths was greatly increased by
reason of • concourse of people stopping to hear street
preaching from a woman named Eliza Hawker.—Ezeter
Gazette.

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