The Express.
London, England, 1861-01-09 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 9, 1861.

Till FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE sAREIV.I3OeI-
- lIRRIRPRb RAILWAY.

itriaort T . _ I'ESDA EVENINC.
1116 iiiiiiiiiiiii Peter Warburton, Esq., the coro-
ner for this city. rearmed the inquiry (which was formally
rrnus Saturday afternoon in the board-room at
WO
way station herr, into the circumstance' attending
the death; of Sophia Lowe, aged ;f2, the daughter of •
gentleman residing at Curzon-park, Cheater ; and Mary
Jones, aged 16, the daughter of Mr. Jones, of l'pper
Breintoo, a few miles from this city : who lost their lives
in the terrible accident which took place saw the Moreton
station of the Shrewsbury and Hereford Railway, on the
afternoon of Friday last.
The inquiry appeared to excite couiderable interest.
Amotipt the present were Mr. Peel, .elicitor, of Shrews-
hair, who appeared for the railway companv ; and Mr.
4:within, solicitor. 1.1 Hereford, who represented the vela-
lives of Mir Lowe. There were also present Mr. *are,
Illallager of the Lowutour Iron Works, awl various officials
of the company.
The proceeding, oo Wards,/ were limited to the identifi-
adios of the body of MAriJoses • and this morning the
jury were m.sworn ru reference to the death of Miss Lowe.
The bodies of the deceased Mime Lowe and Mir Jones
having been ideatilied,
Edwin Mown said--11 am guard on the Shrewsbury and
Hereford Railway, assil was reistaat guanl to the train that
left Shrewsbury at 2.40 ea Friday last. I was in the train
wheu the Bedard oceinvoL it took place between
This-
swr• :mil Moreton. The accident we. caused through the
breaking of a tire of a .singe aext the eagle*. It was a
second-eLsa canter, and the nue in which the deceased
WPM travellieg 1 discovered that something way the matter
ahout MS yards before the carriages were turned over, but I
ilkl not koos what it err. I Metre the ballast fie, and that
told hoc ennethieg had happeent, and I then used the regular
real. to the train. I applied the break imme-
diately. %lira I saw the caPne it was ilieroonectol from
the train, a portion of which hail been thrown into s dyke
on the aide of the line. Only two carriages went over—the
seord-class and the break van I was thrown into the
water, which was I think between four arid five feet deep.
It was ap tom mklL.. The spot where the accident m-
owed is called the Hayward creasing. After I got out of
the water I rendered all the Desistance I could to the passen-
gers. I lest know what took place while I was in the
water, for I was head downwards' part of the time. I taw
the two females taken out of the water. The oldest we,
quite dead at the time, bat the other lived for about tee
umlaute. after she was got out. They were taken to a
small cottage near the coring, and afterwards brought as
to HerronE_

Coroner- These wire ou other means than what you sued
tis dap the train
11/fteasi- No.
_ _

By the Jury—The tire was properly examined before the
train left Leominster. I never noticed more oscillation on
the sprit where the acykient happened than at other porticos
of the line. I did out experience any particular oscillation
on Friday before the train left the line. I took every pos-
sible means in ray power to resuscitate Mary Jones. I
took off her wet clothes, placed her before a large ire,
rubbed the body, and told the woman to Blake up the fire as
much as piasible. T then left her In charge of the wane%
and west to look after the other body. This was recovered
in about five minutes after. she never @poke. We did not
know the other body was under water until we searched all
the carriages. The engine-driver and stoker melded until
we got out both bodies, and I then met the engine on to
Hereford to get medical assistance
By Mr. Peel- The carriages are always examined at
Shrewsbury, and again between iihrewsbury and Here-
font. The carriage in question wan examined that
day at 'Axminster. The system of examination is
17 tapping the wheels. I am sure all the car-
nage. were examined that day at Leominster, sod
in con.sequeoce of that examination, • Great Western
Oampeny's composite carriage, which was in the train. wee
taken off, because • tome tare was diacovered. The train
=kil without any further mishap until the accident
ed. .Vll appeared right until I new the ballast
thrown up. I then mid to my followwernat, "'The train
is off the line." He replied, " Badly I' " Yee,"
and he sat down on the bottom of the carriers remarking,
"Come down here, it is the bent piece" The nazi thing 1
renumber was a sudden whirl rrouund, and 1 Rand myself in
the water. The ditch was emend with lee, sad I was
burled bead downwards upon it. After I wag get eat we
used every mesas in our power to resuscitate the deceased.
It was • bitter mild night, and the WV hung from my hair
and clothes. We obtained restoratives as soon as possible.
Peter btormouth—lt is my duty to examine the trains at
Leominster station, and I examined this particular train on
Friday last. I examine the wheels by striking them with
• hammer, and I me discover by the sound whether any of
them are defective.

Gorouer—Hoo .10 you disoover safety by the sound?
Witness--A 'mind wheel sounds like • bell, but • de•
(active one eves u dull monad, or no sound at all.
Examination continued—l discovered a defective tire
on • Great Western iorriage in the trein last Friday, and I
bad it removed.

By the Jury- I ommider myself a pructicsj mechanic. I
have been engaged in the same profession 14 or 1k years.
The joint in the tire aprars to be a very good me, and the
weld is what is called a • lap" weld.
A Juror— I have noticed, on examining these tires, that
very bard blows an sometimes given, and I should therefore
like to know whether at this particukr seams the witness
believes that* blow with the hammer might not have caused
the fracture.

Witnees—l am sure the mode of my examlaatiou did ad
emus the fracture.

By Mr. Peel—Mr. Jeffries, the locomotive superintendent,
ims given me orders t) be very particular at this lemon of
t►e year, end I have endelivoursd to set up to his imam-
them. I have had mesa)s to reject several carriers
lately, and at the present moment there are eight standrag
at Leominster which have been thus rejected. Soros
Woes to the Oraat Wasters, sows to the London and
North Western, and others to the Shrewsbury and Rae-
ford Railway. The frost, in my spielers, has sassed this.
deserves. _ _ .

-Edward Jeffries -I am the lemmatise supsdnindest of
the Shrewsbury nod Hereford Railway, mid hairless IS
years connected with rsOways--seves years al which I
was employed in the maoofactre of railway sick. I know
melds( of the amideet but what I have seen sinew I was
at Shrewsbury at the tins it amend. but I went to the
apse oe the same evening. mid pee isetructiiine that every-
this( should 1•11:111411 as it was until the following morning.
I went to the ewt the next an saw the caerimes
the ditch es described by them . lam quite Ratified
AM the crystallisation dem lea Ohms\ the frost was the
Is um et the MOW Mikis wine the has is la loch thick.
I Mew al seem est imid bhe• rlffinied
• Jarer—Um tkli earslefia era been rePorial as difec'
five ?

RHr-u wu is the shed for iszaasismilea, sad was
th_mealt @silt by Dwzbaszered Jel
was pr, whw it
they, sad oa the 'Nth Doesssber the essrligegen was re-
pseSed, the tine baba; loose so ese pair et wheels, which
were simeasivd before it left the shed ea the 31 Jaamary.
.

Aliiiii-lliaiiiiiiiiiiii tisit plus the .as dal'?

Witneee—Ter. the very sett day.
By Mr. Peel—The Staffordshire iron a not 'elected by
me or by Mr. Breesey oa account of being cheaper than
Lawmen ins, but become it is suited to the parpose, nal
I am quite satisfied that this secideet is me which no home
foresight could have averted. These tires are now on. nib
and eve-eighths thick. They were originally l I laic
hewing Dem a little reduced by wear and tear, hat they MM.
sever lees re-turned.
By the Jen— l have estimated the raa mil km&
mains mom about them. There is au Mcßae hem the
ignmore tassel, bat the part where the fracture took plans
peediseMy level.
Afters non edpinnament,
Jarthea Cliessessaa was tailed, and rid—l live at
Bhrewebery, sad am as mese driver on the Sluembary
mit Hereford Heave.. Iwr so employed on leiday bet,
as the eels Chet met with the socidest. When we got to
Lessariter we were twenty minutes he. Nothing
Weaned my attention on the Ilse until the engine jerked
Ma before the aids went over. When I felt the Mk I
winded to the guard, reversed my engine, and cep id the
beak*, dales my but to stop the train. Men Milir the
eenteges amnieg wee, the one next the hear =
does. The esepft ekes, then broke. end the
tall over WM tke el
f. leevire my melee re the alle. I
treat to the amilleate e the pmengore, sad bed to me •
lamare break the earthy, doors apes. I misted in
=ibliMir Lowe est of the water. /the was quite dead
deembeg. I then erne ea to Hereford to obtain
medlealesireses. I did not know what aired the jerk to
Mine I hen releend. The teen ma going at the rate of
▪ ase▪ ar mikeenbeez et the time of the accident. The spot
Pj
rly • keel.
the Any—We en set is the habit of making up lost
ire between Dimmers and Hereford. I have printed rules
he piing en ems sad eleakimiag, mil I sun in the habit
d um* them sleet me
James Feetem W eeeleser to the Lowmoor Irate Weeks,
shemed—We are the hope seseaselsows of railway tires
is the world. I hen amminal the press of the tire,
end I em cedar that up le the amen of its frac-
tal* it was perfectly rand, end nothing to indi-
cate that it might not rue a considerable period with
=Kt safety. It is a fair spedinen of Staffordshiz•
sad many thousend tine made of the sere
deseription of iron are now be me on the railways in the
United Kingdom. The accident undoubtedly arra
the failure of the tire, end tire broke through
MUM of the low state of the temperature. I ham so
doubt may mere tires will break if the present weethor
esetinue.

inhuWilkoa, • sergeant of Marines, stationed at
Lodivw, deposed—l wee to the seeend-eiess carriage next
I. the maim. Thum ware sewn powegan la it altogether,
When the two fionsies who were drowned. I wee aware
tomethiag was the slater with the train • few minutes
Isedsoo the lenia tel ow. I experisosed a kind of bumping
et the WY= at Us emir is whisk I wee sitting. I
said to the eider deemed, who was sitting opposite to me,
"Mt still ; there will be sa mocideat is • minute." I put
left foot oa to the opposite Seat, sad was in the act of
my nibs foot when the dining, was (*poised, sad
tie owner. seemed to come upon us. I don't know
wheeler the amassed attempted to escape. I found the
widows closed, sod thrustiag m shoulders through,
palled myself vut. I should think the carriage was in six
fast of water. .

-
After the production of some other evidence to the same
effect as tie above the inquiry was adjourned for a fort-
night-

ri I •
'‘Daldr-
Tilt PAPAL _ _ fat _
CHATHAM, AND DOVER RAILWAY.

TETE AM, TUUDAT.
The inquest ou the body of Edward Ogden' OM
of the three unfortunate men who were killed Iv the dread-
ful accident which took place on the Londoo, Mathew, sad
Dover Railway, near this station, on liatwdey night last,
was held this morniug at the Railway Tavern, before The-
lma. Hills, Esq., one of the comers fur the county.
Moat of the leading officials connected with the line were
present during the inquiry, including Mr. Cobb, Mr. lake,
and Mr. Rion, directors ; Mr. J. Cubitt.
iruven
Mr.Finnigan, manager; and Mr. Martley, !ammo.
t.
Prior to the commencement of the proceeding the coroner
wed jury proceeded up the line to inspect the scene of the
accident, and the broken ruins of the engine and tender.
The nee. itself, a very large awl powerful one. named
hed been got up from die !kid into which it bad
and was again on the line. It was, however, stripped
el he beading wheels, and was greatly kneuked about and
Word The attention of the coroner and jury was directed
particularly to the fore wheels of the engine, which, owing
to ionic defect in the horn-plates, had become separated
from the engine, by means of which the dreadful accident
had occurred
On the retort of the jury they proceeded to view the
bodies of the deceased, which lay in as adjoining room.
The name,. of the men killed are Edward
James Pleated, fireman ; and John Maddiscin, engine-
driver.

11111. William Martley, Tlocomotive superintendent, who
was one of the witnesses, said he had carefully examined
the engine and earringes, and had had hi attention directed
to the pi em of iron shown to the jury. It formed the
loading horn of the left hand frame of the engine, which
=the wheels and kept them in their places. The
eking was the cause at the accident.
By the Coroner—There was so doubt the fracture in the
ken was faulty, but he would not say whether it was
as old fracture or not. The faults existed before the
breaking which ceased the accident, but how he was unable
to my. The quality of the iron was not first-rote, but he
did not think the iron would have broken unless it had
neeived some blow at extraordinary violence. The present
frosty weather bee a material effect on metals, rendering
them more brittle. • stone, or any obstruction, would
have the effect of ageing the accident ; but the guard was
so close to the metals It wet almost Impossible for anything
to same it. There was Babb. as the line to account for
the breaking. Putting as the brake would tend to relieve
the drain at the engine. On the previous Tuesday the
/eremenexaminedthe meat and found it all correct and
no flaw I. it. The inn is crystalised and short grained,
and Remit allldabelllik Newcastle, the makers, would
not hove put in melt iron had they been aware of
the quality. Two kinds of iron have evidently
bees used in its inumbature, one of which is of better
quality. The other been stood, although subjected to rougher
treatment. The *vim was purchased new in September
lest It was made in 1866.
Mr. Joseph Cubitt sad he had heard Mr. Hartley 's eel-
=mad he guile speed with what be had stated. He
hive thought a violent blow would have been neon-
easy to have broken the honi-plate. In the dram
iron
there were several fracture of different . The
weather was very much spinet that sort el alas-grained
iron. He had can mach better and ninth worse. He
weld offer no suggestion as to the cams of the accident.
Mr. Thomas Aveling, agricultural engineer, Rochester,
mid there was a flaw ut the iron which was of an old date.
The cold weather had no doubt helped to brisk It, but,
leaking at the state of the iroa,be should not hays been our
prised had it broken before. He had seen inuelibetter iron.
Mr. Markley here informed the coroner that the engine-
driver told him he had thoroughly examined the engine at
Landon and &Mine:norm and found it all right, sad every-
thing setted and in order.
The fury then retired, and in a few minutes it was an-
nonacid that they had agreed in returning a verdict of
Accidental Death through the breaking of the hornlike,
al the engine, but how it was mused there was no widows
to show."
The proceedings this terminated,

ME LATE FATAL ACCIDENT Alr ASTLEFB

TBSLTRt.

Yesterday afternoon an inquest was opened
ftMr. Garter, the comer for fiarrey, at Use B VIII.
ern, Highaireet, Lambeth, to inquire Into the death of
• male pram kaown as Jersey, otherwise Smith, hattwhom
Christian Dare could not be iumertained, end who came to
him death from injuries received from • boo which had
broken loose in the above establishment, as reported in oar
columns yesterday.
The lint witness called was Theresa CAEN% who stated
that he was $ groom employed at Astley's Theatre. Ho
lived in a house attached to the theatre. Oa Monday last,
at about a quarter to eight o'clock In the morning, be wee
employed in the stable at his usual duties, when he heard
a noise is the rile or pussge which leada from the yard to
the stage. Reopened the door of the stage and looked out.
He there saw something on the ground by the indistinct
light. He maw the legs of a man winch he knew to he
those of the dammed, from the fact of kb
having wooden shoes on, which no other perm
In the establishment was in the habit of wearing. He
thought that the stag bad got loon, and was attackieg the
deceased, and he made • kick at what he supposed was the
stag. when he looked op end discovered • lion making
towards him. He instantly closed the door of the shah*
and kept it closed until the boa had gone sway. He last
saw deemed alive on Suaday kicra=ms. finto the
stable
yard from the wirier saw ea one of
the grooms, and Edward Brown, Mr. Cminets: keew, in
the yard, mined with pitchfork& Wirier asked ihea *
they knew whether any one else betide the deceased was
down the yard. They embed, " No." Witmer air
Crockett's man did not pto seek the deceased, but sent off
for Mr. Crockett. Ou then errata' Mr. ctockett, he almost
instantly brought the bedy of diseased oat tato the yard
from the lion.

Thomas Reynolds, groom, wee the called. He deposed
that he knew the deceased as Jaen,. Raw him cone into
the stable in which he (witoess) was at work on Monday
Let, about half-pest seven o'clock in the morning, He
came in direct from the street ; from Stan is, at the usual
eatrance need by
i the servants of the este t. Wit-
ness was employed n "mucking" out the stable at the
time. Deceased asked bin what be should do trot. He told
him he had received no orders for him, and deceased then
said, "I shall go to the harness-room." He then opened
the first door of the stable, and went out. He was quits
well end hearty when he came into the ate* sad when he
left it.. I saw him 'gala about two Wades dtenrards open
the door of the stable I was im He arid eat, "Oh, oh."
He cried out as though he was attacked ti somelltiag, or in
rot: sad terror. As 1m "shoved" the atear open I saw do
.
spring upon him and seise him by the lack of the neck,
Pulling him backwards oat of the stable iato the rids.
Tim door closed, shutting me In mad him outside with the
Iton. Zealot out to him by oar, but he made no reply.
I them Went outside the stable into the yard, when a maa
I use employed carting away the meame. I told him mew
thin sehe wrong and we bed went to the wicka
whidasede to ride, end vmed it a little way. I ti=
taw the. ham with the doomed his month, as a dog might
=vest. Desemed wew quits shill and appeared to he
We dosed the door sad in. at for anisisase. •I
bin ant made awl saelaimallea af She premiese lam
mire that the decreed mut lime died hem the effects of
the 'Vireos time to him by the hem
kt this Mese of the preeesitap the coroner thought it
advisable to adjourn. la eager that the jury might have
an opportunity al
.the &Miry overhead
some difficulty la the various dons,
and stables, and en .sees the sad also for
the attendance of the asedisal gintlermat who wee called to
the deceased.

The Mgt*, we aseardinglyedjoursed until Mosier nest,
the 141* hot, the jwry to meet at the Mitre Timers. reties
New-mad, soma^ Mr. Crockett, who was in alleadanse,
mid he &mild be happy to afford the jury every twiny
of viewing the premnes and the cep bean which the anl-
Imikysg=• makiesi practitioner, milli in the vicinity
ef Ike Shirk% and one of those called in ea the discovery
if tie frightful estastreplie, made im tion to Kr.
MINI, at the LeasitstitTeliss Court, to harm if he had
sot the power. se • megistente, to provost a kirti
rat
mperdenneses Mthe poapnt ptavtat=s en
bringing li ea e, sod In
the prednete el ma
tbe beam, by whisk eas peer anis kid lost
his life, and another bad narrowly semped. The appli-
cant gave a demriptioa of the fatal make in which the en-
fortunate man. Jarmy Ind Ist hie life, and said that the
account which he bed ;wad in the newspapers that morn-
ing would serve as adveninemmis for the exhibition, and
make the limn positively papnism le the statements that
had gone forth to tlis palls, it was mid that the
lions were soon km& maw esnlmi by limir keeper, bat
this was not we, for he Mild Arm that it um
more than half an bow meld be secured. in
hpi=s) qaiota the semegotesse el permitting sub
wetsM he scree time orother even a men'
eerie= calamity thus that which hod atienritod, for if ems
of this, lions should jump into the pit or even the Ana,
without men the Melina' to injure amp ems, the tenor at
the audieece to get out of its way Mail bee=tiselhat
several lives must be eamilieed. troika Muse
and nay feeling that moms soak ealemdty ae that width be
had pointed out would metty ) felt it
to be his duty to wait upon Ms le know if be
rtrthe power to summit Pithalmelle, end
a,d respectfully to the Weer el pada' 11 inte
egret.

Elliott replied that he was net *wage d g
which the law gave him to suppllas the 4114.100,_ ,Par-
formanees complained of, and the ray resrdy mbar be
recollected was by indictment se adr gams nideare. A
coroner's inquest would no doubt be held as the IlSeresd
and a proper inquiry take place ; sad if the jury arid be
of opinion that there was any negligence la the ratter re-
specting the keep of the animals, or danger in their par•
formanor, their verdict might lead to the acerogliahrest
of the object desired by the applicant, namely, a drier
tiaras* of the exhibition.
When informed by the applicant, that notwithstanding
the fatal affair in the morning, the lion performers went
on at night with increased :est, Mr. Elliott remarked, that
to ry the leer of it the exhibition on the part of the
management was in extreme bad taste. and there could be
no doubt whatever that the presence of boss on the siege
without all necessary control was moot dingerous, and
should not be allowed,

The appliousi Inquired lithe Lonlehandierlatulfr
power in such a Lase ; and Mr. Elliott said he was not aware
whether he bad or not ; but no doubt the permission on
the part of. the proprieless of the theatre of danyeroas or
improper performances would seriously affect their license
from the Lord Chambsdaia.

:3intriligenrt.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS COURT.—JAN. 8.
Mame Mr. (:ommirissior Nichoh.)
fig II SIR JOHN MALCOLM, DART.
This insolvent, Mr John Malcolm, had petitioned under
theact, but did not now make his appearance for exami-
nation.
Mr. Dowse and Mr. Sargood were instructed to oppose.
Mr. George Lewis, the insolvent's attorney, said he had
been informed a short time before, that it was not the in-
tention of Sir John Malcolm to appear befere the court.
The court ordered the cam to be struck out, and the pro-
tection cussed.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.

OLD COURT.
(Hefore the Recorder.)

EPTIIR, a powerful young man, was brought
up.
This prisoner stands charged with assaulting a police-con-
stable named John New, by kicking him in a most brutal
manner, and thereby indicting such serious injury upon him
that hi life is despaired of.
Mr. Clerk, who appeared for the prosecution, applied to
postpone the case to the next session, upon the ground
that the prosecutor was in such a condition, owing to the
injuries inflicted upon him by the prisoner, that it would
verylikely prove fatal if he were compelled to attend mud
give his evidence at the present session. He also stated that
it was very doubtful, under any circumstances, whether the
prosecutor would ever recover.

Mr. Sleigh, who appeared for the primmer, maid he
should not object to the deposition of the prosecutor being
read and received as evidence, sod it appeared to him that
it was just the ease contemplated by the statute for such a
003YRO to be taken, _ _

The Recorder said he did not think that he ought to allow
the ease to be disposed of in this manner, as the charge
probsbly, evestually, might assume a mach more serious
aspect.
Mr. Sleigh meld that it was with a view to this °mann.
them
that he ens duteous ea the pad el the primer that
the matter shield be disposed al fa Ma premat
The Recorder said he thought she pew owes would be
to postpone the trial to the next