The Sun.
London, England, 1851-08-18 00:00:00

A VETERAN.

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

NORTHERN ClRCUlT.—Liverpool, Aug. 16.
Thomas Williamson, aged 40, and Thorns Egerton,
aged 41, were charged with the manslaughter of Ti-
mothy O'Neil and eight other persons, at Manchester,
on the 25th of last March.
Mr. Monk and Mr. Pollock conducted the prosecu-
tion ; Mr. Seger defended the prisoner Williamson
and Mr. Wheeler the other prisoner.
The prisoner Williamson was the proprietor of a
circular saw-mill, in Riga-street, Manchester, and
the prisoner Egerton had the management of the
steam-engine and boiler connected with the mill. It
appeared from the evidence of one of the workmen,
named David Read, that on the 25th of March last, at
two o'clock, he saw the prisoner Egerton in the en-
gine-house packing the cylinder-lid to keep it tight,
and the witness, along with three other workmen, as-
sisted him to get the lid down, whilst Egerton screwed
it down. After this Egerton asked the witness and a
workman named Sunderland to start the engine.
They tried to move the fly-wheel with a lever, but it
would not stir, and Egerton then moved his starting-
rod and said, "I will start her whether I break aught
or naught." There did not, however, appear to be
any steam, and Egerton said, " There is no steam ; by
G--, it's a case." Immediately after the witness
heard a great noise and was knocked down ; the
building was blown down and he was in the midst of
the ruins. A little before the explosion Egerton went
to the throttle-valve and tried to blow some steam into
the cylinder. No steam came, but there was a blue
glimmer in the cylinder.
Mr. Fairbairn, an engineer, who had paid much
attention to the causes of boiler explosions, said he
had examined the boiler in question after the explo-
sion ; it was 6 ft. 2 in. in diameter and made of plates
5-16ths of an inch thick. The internal flue was
raised six or seven inches above the bottom. There
were two internal stays riveted to the ends of the
boiler and to the flue. The boiler appeared to have
been well made, with the exception that there ought
to have been two more stays at each end. The opinion
he had formed of the cause of the explosion was that
the plates had been red-hot, and a portion of the in-
ternal flue not covered with water, and that this had
caused the boiler to burst from the high pressure of
the steam engendered. The cylinder could not have
become red hot had it been covered with water. His
opinion was, from the appearance of the safety valve,
that it must Either have been made fast or become so
by accident at the time of the explosion. It would
not matter how strong the boiler was if the safety
valve were fast. The boiler in question was strong
enough to generate steam for a 25-horse power engine.
The "blue glimmer" spoken of by the last witness was
what was called " dry steam." The diameter of the
safety valve was three inches. It would have been
better had it been of four inches diameter, but even
that would have been inoperative if weighted too
much. He had no fault to find with the weighting o
this valve; assuming that there had been a proper
supply of water, the weight would have been right.
The feed valve was a self-acting one, but no water
could get in when the engine was not at work. It
was dangerous to allow a large fire to remain under
the br)iler from one o'clock to a quarter to three with-
out the engine being at work. The engineer had the
power of turning water into the boiler or into §

It appeared that the prosecutor, who is a clock
maker, and about 60 years of age, was out on busi•
ness on the 14th of July, in the neighbourhood o
Coleford, in the Forest. He went to three or four
public-houses, and in the course of the evening called
at the Feathers, about one mile and a half from Cole-
ford, and there saw the prisoners and a woman named
Sophy Smith. He left that house about two o'clock
in the morning, and was then, as he swore, sober,
though he had had something to drink. After he
left the prisoners and Sophy Smith came up to him,
and Brown, the prosecutor admitted, appeared to be
" fresh," and was singing. There had been a club
meeting that night at the Feathers, and the house was
cleared out by the police soon after two o'clock. Jones's
house was about three miles from Coleford, a little be-
yond Bury-hill. The prisoners went with Jones as far es
Bury-hill turnpike, and there bid him good-bye, and
he went on homewards. " I went on," said he, " till I
came to within about 120 yards of my own house, and
did not see or hear anything till I received a violent
blow on my head. When I received the blow I turned
my head round, and I saw Thomas Smith and James
Brown close behind me. lam positive as to them.
Thomas Smith NI, as in the act of striking me again
with a stick. I said, " You can rob me without
murdering me." They did not speak. The blows
came in rapid succession; one blow broke my jaw in
two places. I fell down, and I remember, as I fell,
Baying, " Oh, dear 1" and that is the last I remember.
It was a moonlight morning, and it was light enough.
It appeared as though it was daylight. Thomas
Smith and Brown were dressed as they were when I
saw them at the public-house. When I recovered
my senses Brown was stooping over me, and
was searching my pockets, and Thomas Smith
said at some sound or signal, "It is all
right," and they ran away in the direction of
Colesford and of Thomas Smith's house. I got up,
and went to my house, and about four o'clock went
with my two sons to Coleford, to a surgeon's, and to
give information to the police."
Mason, a policeman, said he cleared the Feathers
at a quarter past two o'clock that morning, and
amongst the persons there were the prisoners and the
prosecutor, who was in company with a man named
Teague, and remained after the prisoners. Thomas
Smith and Brown came back twice, and asked Jones
if he was coming home. Teague remained in the
house all night. The prisoners and Jones went out
last. Jones walked steadily, and appeared to be
sober. Jones came to the station about five o'clock
in the morning, and made a complaint, and witness
went and apprehended Brown at his mother's
house, where also Thomas Smith lodged. Brown
was in bed and undressed. Jones said he had been
robbed by Thomas Smith and a man in a brown
jacket; but did not mention Brown's name. Brown's
jacket was of a brown colour. There were seven or
eight other men besides the prisoners and the prose
cutor in the Feathers befure he cleared it out.
Several witnesses corroborated the prosecutor'
statement as to the fact of the prisoners Thomas
Smith and Brown being on the road near him when
he was attacked. Two men passed them, and bade
them a good morning a few hundred yards from the
spot where he was knocked down. Another swore he
saw them running away from the spot towards their
home, and Richard Smith running towards his in
another direction. The stick with which Jones was
beaten was broken off a gate near the scene of the
robbery, and was taken home by him. Jones said
that Thomas Smith wore a blue smockfrock. Oee of
the witnesses for the prosecutio❑ named Harris, who
wore a blue smockfrock that night, and who, as he,
appeared in the witness-box, certainly was not unlike
Smith, swore that he was in a quarry that night by
the side of the road where Jones passed, about 113
yards from the spot where he was attacked, and saw
him pass by, and afterwards saw the prisoners Thomas
Smith and Brown running away. This man, in
cross-examination, admitted that he bad been six
times tried for felonies, and once convicted, and that
he lived about 113 yards from the scene of the rob-
bery, and was out that morning to sell whinberries.
For Brown an alibi was set up, but failed ; and he
and Thomas Smith were convicted, and Richard
Smith was acquitted. Against the two former sen-
tence of death was recorded.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MANSION-HOUSE.
On Saturday the justice-room was densely
crowded in consequence of its having become gene-
rally know❑ that the Lord Mayor had determined
upon investigating the circumstances attending the
death of a labouring man named ‘Villiam Hogan, alias
John Bull, upon whose body an inquest had been
held before Mr. Payne, the coroner, about a fortnight
since, when the jury returned a verdict of " Man-
slaughter against some person or persons unknown."
The death of the deceased was alleged to have oc•
curred from violence used towards him by a constable
of the City police.
Mr. Pearson, the City solicitor, attended as adviser
of the Lord Mayor; Mr. Daniel Whittle Harvey, the
commissioner, and Mr. Hodgson, the superintendent
of the City police, were also present.
Mr. James Lewis appeared on behalf of Benjamin
Cole, the officer supposed to be the person who com-
mitted the violence.
The LORD MAYOR said—l have specially appointed
to-day to investigate this case. A memorial was for-
warded to the Secretary of State complaining of the
conduct of some person connected with the City police,
and that memorial was forwarded to me. Sub-
sequently an application was made to the coroner to
furnish the depositions that were taken by him with
reference to the loss of life of some poor man
in Shoe-lane. I have read the depositions, and
certainly I feel it my duty to make a rigid inquiry
into all the circumstances connected with this case,
because since I have had the honour of a seat here I
have always felt it my duty that the poor should be
protected as well as the rich. lam ready to hear the
evidence of the witnesses who were examined at the
coroner's inquest, and to ascertain, if possible, who
the real delinquent, or who the offending party, if
any, is. The deceased may have met with his death
by violence, or it may have been by accident, but
still I consider this a case demanding the most rigid
and searching inquiry, not only as regards the death
of the individual, but as regards the police themselves ;
because I think that their character is wrapped up in
the performance of their duty faithfully, properly,
and with attention to the wants of the people. I hope
when the evidence has been given that we may arrive
at a proper and just conclusion. If it should turn
out in the result that there has been any violence
or any improper conduct on the part of any of the
police, I beg to state most distinctly and unreser-
vedly that they are bound by and subject to the
laws the same as every other person in the king-
dom, and that they will not be screened by any
supposed authority that they possess. The verdict
which the jury have given will render this a most
difficult matter for me to deal with, unless I have
some person here who is suspected of being the delin-
quent. If any person is placed before me it will be my
duty to bear the evidence in support of the charge,
but, at the same time, I am prepared to listen to any
evidence that may be adduced for the purpose of
proving that he is not the guilty party. If there are
any persons not now present whose evidence may be
considered essential to the ends of justice, I shall be
glad to facilitate their coming forward by directing
their expenses to be paid. I have received two letters
from a Mr. Clancy, but of course, as a magistrate in
the administration of justice, I cannot attend to such
communications. As Mr. Clancy appears to be a
complaining party, or a friend of the deceased's
relatives, if he is in court I shall be glad to hear any
statement that he may think fit to make.
Mr. Clancy then came forward, and, after thanking
the Lord Mayor for instituting the present proceed-
ings, said he had reason to believe that, in consequence
of the very distressed condition of some of the persons
who could give evidence, the case could not be
brought forward in the way that it was desirable it
should be.
The LORD MAYOR—I will take care there shall be
ao obstruction to obtaining justice. If you show me
that you cannot procure justice on account of poverty,
I will take care that that shall not be a bar.
Mr. Clancy said he had reason to believe that the
officer who struck the deceased was named Cole.
Mr. Lewis—Cole is here. I appear for him. All
the witnesses who were examined before the coroner
have been summoned here to-day, with the exception
of one of the surgeons.
Cole then stood forward, and the examinatio❑ of
the witnesses, which was of a very contradictory cha-
racter, was proceeded with. The purport of it was,
that he was seen following the deceased into the pas-
sage of his house, and inflicting blows on him with his
truncheon. We think it right, in justice to the indi-
vidual who stood in the place allotted to defendants,
and who was not charged by anybody, to withhold
the evidence until the next examination, the solicitor
for Cole stating that he should have a good many wits.
nesses to call who would contradict the evidence as it
at present stood in every particular.
The LORD MAYOR—I have now to ask Mr. Pearson
what course he advises.
The City Solicitor—lf the responsibility of con-
ducting this inquiry is to rest upon me, I am quite
ready to carry it through. The important question,
as it appeared to me, will be whether this person met
with his death from violence; and supposing it should
appear from the evidence of the surgeon, Mr. Top-
ping, who saw him immediately after his death, and
who himself conducted the post mortem examination,
that he died from that cause, I shall have respectfully
to press upon your Lordship the propriety of sending
this question to a jury. This is a most unusual
proceeding. It is not for me to press upon
your Lordship that there is evidence at the pre-
sent moment before you to justify the belief that
this person died from violence, but the absence of a
most material and important witness induces me to
ask your Lordship to adjourn this case until a day
when that witness can be brought from Bath, and
then we shall know whether in his judgment, from
the evidence presented by the body of this unfortunate
deceased immediately after his death, and afterwards
upon the post mortem examination, there is ground
for believing that he met with his death from violence.
If so, then I shall propose that the inquiry should be
continued before your Lordship. I certainly am not
prepared, in the present stage of the business, to ad-
vise your Lordship to deal with the question before you.
Mr. Lewis said he had not the slightest objection to
an adjournment, as the person who was present to
meet the charge was only anxious for a thorough
investigation.
The City Solicitor—l wish your Lordship to
understand that this person is not accused by me in
any way whatever. lam only here to direct a course
of examination. The ♦erdict of the jury is against
some person unknown. I have not pointed to this
individual ; and I hope that the press will feel it
right, in justice to this individual, not to publish any
proceedings that have taken place here, which have
been wholly ex parte, until the whole subject can be
discussed.
The LORD MAYOR said he did not wish the press
to be fettered, as he had every reliance upon their
judgment.
Mr. Hodgson, the superintendent of police, then
undertook that Cole should be forthcoming at the
next examination.

THE CO UN T]
LIVERPOOL, AUG. 16.-1
B.d. s. d

Wheat, per 701 b :
English, white 5 10 to 6 2
Do. red .. 5 8 6 0
Irish, best red •. 5 4 5 6
Do, lower quality 5 2 5 4
Manx, red and wh. 5 6 5 9
Dantsic, high mixed 6 6 6 8
Do., mixed • • .. 5 10 6 0
Rostock, &c• • .. 6 2 6 6

V MARKETS.

Hambaigh and
Lower Baltic .. 5 8 5 10
American& r white 5 9 6 (I
Canadian, tred 5 6 5
.8,

'ricer were as follow:

d. a. d.
Doilfeal,perl96lb 15 0 to 16 0
Barley, English, pr
imperial quarter 26 0 —2B 0
Irish, Scotch, and

Manx,per 601 b.. 3 8 3 10
Foreign, grinding 3 4 3 6
Rye, per 601 b •• 3 6 3 9
Beans, English, pr
imperial quartr 32 0 34
Irish and Scotch,

per 4801 b.. .. 30 0 31 0
Dutch .. 30 0 31 0
Egyptian .. 25 6 26 0
Peas, English, per
imperial quartr 31 0 33 0
Foreign .. .. 31 0 32 0
Oats, per 451 b :
English, Scotch,
and Welsh, old 3 4 3 6
Irish, nom^ rest
mewling .. 3 3
Do., feeding .. 3 0 3 1
Do., foreign • . 3 0 3 4
Oatmeal, English,
& Scotch,pr24olb 28 0 2e 6
Irish, new .. 25 6 26 0
Do., old . .. 25 0 25 6

Antwerp il.ouvain 5 6 5 10
French, red.. .. 5 6—5 10
Hungarian and
Mariaropoll .. 5 0— 5
Odessa, Polish .• 5 4 5
Do., common .. 5 0 5 2'
Egyptian •• .. 310 4 2
Flour, English &
Irish, per 28011 32 0 33 0,
Do., extra fine 33 0 34 0
Umted States, per
barrel .. •20 6 21 6
Canadian .. .. 20 0— 21 0
Indian corn, per
4801 b, white .. 25 0 28 0

MANCHESTER, Aua. 16.—Throughout the week great
inactivity has been experienced in the trade, all arti-
cles moving off very slowly at prices rather in favour of
buyers. With the exception of about 2,800 qrs. of malt
coastwise, the arrivals of English or Irish produce at
Liverpool and Runcorn continue on a very moderate
scale, but from abroad further liberal supplies of wheat
and flour have come to hand, together with tolerably fbir
quantities of beans and Indian corn. Our market to-
day was extremely languid, and on wheat we note a re-
duction of Id per 701bs since this day se'nnight. Flour
was difficult of sale, although holders would have sub-
mitted to rather lower rates to promote business. Oats
and oatmeal were likewise in limited request, and the
latter receded in value 6d to is per load. New oatmeal
sold in retail at 28s to 30a per load, according to quality.
WORCESTER, Auo. 16.—The extreme fineness of the
weather since our last holding out a prospect of securing
an early and abundant harvest has bad the effect of
keeping down the markets, and we must quote a decline
of is per quarter in the price of wheat on the rates of
last market day. English white wheat of the best
quality did not hardly fetch 16s per bag, and red 15s,
but the gcnaral currency must be quoted lower. In
foreign little doing, at a slight declinP. Malting barley
is now coming into demand more freely than of 1 tte, the
prier- is about 3s 6,1 per bushel, and 3s to 3s 3d f dis-
tilling qualities. English beans a slow sale at 4a t 9 4; 6d
per bushel; foreign 3s Gd to 4s per bushel. EY gosh oats
3s 3d to 3s 6d per 391bs, and Irish from 3s to 3s 3d per
bushel. Winter vetches frcm 4s to 4s 6d per bushel.
Peas also about the same.
At Stourbridge market on Friday ti ere was a very
heavy dull trade in wheat, buyers being unwilling to give
last week's prices, and holders not being swilling to cub-
mit to a reduction. Barley was more inquired for, and
good malting qualities maintained last week's rates. No
alteration in other kinds of grain.
At Stratford-on-Avon on Friday the first samples of
new wheat were exhibited. They were in excellent con-
ditiens Offers of L per pig were mallet but Poles were