The Sun.
London, England, 1854-08-23 00:00:00

INQUIRY BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES.

Yesterday morning 4 prisoners, taken into custody by
the police, were placed at the bar before the bench of
magistrates at the Town-hall, Croydon, the magistrates
present being Mr. Byron, Mr. Keinmis, and Mr. Suther-
land.

Inspector Julien took the men into custody upon his
own responsibilty, and has received the strong approba-
tion of the magistrates for the course he has adopted.
The prisoners are Robert Simpson, engine driver of
the excursion train, and James Sladden, fireman of the
same, both in the service of the South Eastern Railway
Company, with Edward Boynett, the driver of the bal-
last engine, and Edward Knivett, the fireman of the
same, in the service of the London and Brighton and
South Coast Railway, and they were charged with caus-
ing the death of James Gammon, a gardener, residing at
East Peckham. Mr. Burgon attended on behalf of
Simpson and Sladden, and Mr. Church on behalf of the
South Eastern Bellew Company. The Brighton Com-
pany was represented by a solicitor.
Mr. William Brown, the superintendent of the Brick-
layers' Arms station, said he was in the Dover excursion
train when it came up, and was looking forward when
the train approached the Croydon station. They passed
the auxiliary signal about 600 yards below the station ;
that signal being down indicated that all was right at
the station, and the train therefore went on, although at
a reduced rate of speed. The auxiliary signal was the
protecting signal of the station. When the train arrived
at the second bridge from the Croydon station, he saw
that the danger signal was up, and at the same moment
he saw the station man run out and hold up his red
light, showing the driver that he must reduce his speed.
The driver did the best he could, but it was impossible
for him to stop.
In answer to a question from the bench,
Mr. Brown stated that when the train was at Steat's
Nest it was telegraphed to Croydon, and the driver
would have every reason to believe that the line was
clear when he saw that it was all right with the auxiliary
signal.
A magistrate stated that he had before him a docu-
ment which showed that the train was telegraphed at
Stoat's Nest, and that it was not answered at Croydon,
showing, he presumed, that no one was in charge of the
telegraph there.
Mr. Brown said this accident would not have hap-
pened if the telegraph had been properly conducted.
Sergeant John Julien, 28 P, stationed at Croydon,
deposed to arresting Boynett and Knivett.
The latter prisoners admitted to the court that they
were on the ballast-engine. Boynett said that he stuck
to it, but that Knivett jumped off.
It being here suggested that an adjournment was ne-
cessary, in order to complete the evidence,
Mr. Burgon addressed the bench, and submitted that
nothing had been proved against his clients, and there-
fore hoped that they would be liberated on bail.
The chairman remarked that they had the interests of
the public in charge, and to see that they were not ex-
posed to any neglect while travelling upon the railway.
At present the case was in the hands of the police, a
serious charge had been preferred against the company's
servants, and therefore it was the duty of the bench to
investigate it. They, however, would adjourn the
further hearing of the case until five o'clock that after-
noon.
On the re-opening of the case at that hour, after some
discussion, it was proposed to examine the signal men
at the Croydon Station, James Skinner, and Thomas
Davis; but the bench ascertaining that they worked the
signals on the up-line and might be implicated, declined
examining them.
Mr. Burgon inquired upon whose authority the pri-
soners bad been apprehended?
Mr. Lund, the superintendent of the police, said that
I he had acted in a similar way as where a party might be
killed on the public highway. Being informed of the
of
onsrule e
circumstances attending the collision, he had felt it his
duty
tor
ie ;andt eti
be
the men into custody. Ile had since received
furpthlice
from
8i
rßPriSepluende,att a
htSCfuomtutrnei Commissioner
Police
produce further important
Mr. Everett, evidence.
solicitor, who had been retained for
Boynett and Knivett
, contended that as no satisfactory
evidence had beencharged. offered the men ought to be ens-
' The chairman said that, considering life and the injury sustained the serious loss of
with other by other parties, coupled
duty if circumstances, they should
they did not institute the not bedoing their
They therefore could not most searching inquiry.
allow the l •
soners. liberation of the pri-

The pricioners were then remanded till Friday next.

A DOUGLAS DIES.—In the year 1667, when the Dutch
filling the breasts
destroyed our ships in the Mditwitayl,
of the inhabitants of London we
gallant heart, true to his heroic name,aarm and dismay, one
country's cause. Captain Douglas, of perishedti for his
Royal Oak,
ihaving defended his ship with Ale I.w-dear obstinacy,o7
pursuance of the orders he had received,
"tom in
his post to the last extremity," at length found haiiiinstipn
in flames from stem to stern, the enemy having succeeded
in firing her ; his crew finding further-resistance useless,
retreated to the shore, and Captain Douglas was urged
to accoinpany them ; he replied that be bad no com-
mands to retire, and " that it never should be said a
Douglas had quitted his post without orders ;" and thus
resolutely continued on board, and was burnt with the
ship, falling to discipline and, obedience to command,
and setting an example worthy all Greek or Roman
fame.—Deeds of Naval Paring.