The Express.
London, England, 1867-12-13 00:00:00

FATAL ENCOUNTER WITH POACHERS.

A desperate encounter took place on Thursday
night near Pilley—a village situate nine miles from
Sheffield and five from Barnsley—between a gang of
poachers and a party of gamekeepers in the service of
Lord Wharncliffe, of Wortiephall. The conflict, we re-
gret to say, resulted in the murder of one of the keepers
and the injury of another. It has been known
to the keepers for some time that the neigh-
bourhood was being frequently visited by poachers,
and they have consequently been exercising
an increased degree of vigilance. On Thursday night,
between 9 and 10 o'clock, when it was moonli&ht, while
two of his !ordship's watchers, named Thomas Mayes and
Thomas Oram, were on duty in a wood near the
of Piney, they detected • pug of five poachers, tb;
engaged setting nets. The poachers were armed not only
with guns, but with bludgeons, and they were also socem-
panied by a dog. The watchers, convinced that they
were unable to cope with so formidable-looking •
gang, sent, before discovering themselves, for his lord-
ship's head keeper, Mr. Thirkell. He promptly re-
sponded to the call, and came to the assistance of his
men. No sooner did the keepers discover themselves
than they were attacked by the poachers, and • short but
murderous encounter followed. Mr. Thirkell attempted
to seize one of the poachers, and while struggling with him
another of the gang seized • gun and at a distance of
about four yards took aim and fired at him. The charge
entered his abdomen, and he fell sad died almost iM11:10.
diately. He was not, we understand, even heard to speak
after being shot. With the murder of Thirkell the affray
terminated, and the poachers, abandoning their nets,
hastily made off in the direction of Thorpe Healey.
They also left behind them a hat and • walking-stick,
but they took with them the gamekeeper's gun.
Oram, one of the watchers who was engaged in •
desperate struggle with one of the poachers, received a
severe blow with a bludgeon, and was partly disabled. The
other watcher, Mayes escaped without much injury.
From the severe blows Maya,
were dealt the poachers by the
keepers it is believed that at least four of them have car-
ried off broken heads. This may prove an important clue
to their detection. Information was at once conveyed to
Wortley-hall. Lord Wharndiffe, with his steward (Mr. J.
J. Smith) and other persons, visited the scene of the
dreadful encounter, and everything likely to lead to the
detection of the murderers was carefully collected. Tele-
grams were also forwarded to the police officers at Shef-
field, Rotherham, and Barnsley, giving information of the
murder , in order that the police might be on the alert.
The body of the unfortunate gamekeeper was removed to
the Parkhonse Farm, the residence of Mr. John Sykes,
where it awaits the coroner's inquest. Mr. Thirkell, we
understand, was • widower, and he leaves • large family,
now doubly orphans. He has suffered much domestic
affliction. At the present moment one of his daughters lies
dead at hishome. On Thursday night information of the affair
was circulated all round the neighbourhood, and hopes were
entertained sitherthat the murderers would be captured or
that a clue to their detection would be obtained. Should
these hopes. not he realised, which we sincerely hope they
may be, it is the intention of Lord Wharncliffe to offer a
reward. At the time of our going to press the police at
the Town-hall had received no information that any of the
gang had been captured. It is almost needless to say that
the shocking nein crested the greatest excitement in the
neighbourhood, and late as it was many people visited the
scene of the encounter.—Sheifteld Independent.