The Sun.
London, England, 1862-12-13 00:00:00

THE DEATH OF lIUS.WSON.

•
At Parkside, about seventeen miles from lav
engines stopped to take in water. Here a deplorb:ble acci-
dent occurred to cne of the illustrious visitors, which threW
a deep shadow over the subsequent proceedings of the dal'
The " Northumbrian " engine, with the carriage eon-
taining the Duke of Wellington, was drawn up on one line!
-erpool, the
in order that the whole of the trains on ihe other line might"
pass in review before him and his party. Mr. Huskisson
had alighted from the carriage, and was ishtsnding eu tbe,
opposite road, along which the " Rocket" w. as Dbserveu
rapidly coming up. At this moment the Duke of
ton, between whom and Mr. Huskisson some cooln ese 123Aci
existed, made a sign of recognition, and held out his .11611:,'
A. hurried but friendly grasp was given, and before it
loosened there was a general cry from the bystanders
" Get in, get In." Flurried and confused, Mr. Huskissonendeavoured to get round the open door of the carriage,
which projected over the opposite rail ; but in so doing he
was struck down by the Rocket, and falling with his lie
doubled across the rail, the limb was instantly crushed.
first words, on being raised, were, " I have met my death,'
which unhappily proved true, for he expired that sae°
evening in the parsonage of Eccles. It was cited at the
time as a remarkable fact, that the Northumbrian ell;
gine, driven by George Stephenson himselic conveyed
the wounded body of the unfortunate gentlens an dir
34
tanee of about 15 miles in 25 minutes, or at the rate 0f
r''ivA
miles an hour. This incredible speed burst upon the 'r°
with the effect of a new and unlooked for phenomen°l:l'
The accident threw a gloom over the rest of the day's 131.°:
ceedings. The Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Pee'
expressed a wish that the procession should return to Liver'.
pool. It was, however, represented to them that a vast
cell-
course of people had assembled at Manchester to witness
s
arrival of the trains; that report would exaggerate the
O
chief, if they did not complete the journey; and that a fels°
panic on that day might seriously affect future railviao
travelling, and the value of the company's property. iful3a
party consented accordingly to proceed to Manchest,er,
on the understanding that they should return as soclt.„.°o
possible, and refrain from further festivity. As the
approached Manchester, crowds of people were found cove:6
ing the banks, the slopes of the cuttings, and eveu
railway itself. The multitude became impatient and es'
cited by the rumours which reached them, ha Theflaeie
the military, and all order was at an end. Pe:Por
clambered about the carriages, holding on by the Ztal
handles, and many tumbled over; but, happily, 11°
accident occurred. At the Manchester station, the 1),;1.,
tical element began to display itself ; placards about" re
,\co
loo," &c., were exhibited, and brickbats were thr? 0
at the carriage containing the Duke. On the carri°cigia
coming to a stand in the Manchester station the Dukeith die
not descend, but remained seated, shaking hands
•
women and children who were pushed forward by the or°.hey
Shortly after the trains returned to Liverpool, which ti f)
reached, after considerable interruptions in the dark, tt
late hour.