The Sun.
London, England, 1858-11-08 00:00:00

SUICIDE ON THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.

The subject of the late deliberate suicide on the
Midland Railway, near Cheltenham, proves to be a
man named Edward Brown, a gardener, who re-
sided with his wife and family at Shurdington, a
village in the neighbourhood. He left his home
shortly before 8 o'clock on the morning of his death,
his family being under the impression that he was
merely going to his garden ; but he did not return
again, and in the course of the day the dreadful in-
telligence was brought them that he had been cut
to pieces on the railway. The third-class train from
Birmingham was rather late on Wednesday, morn-
ing, and on arriving near the Sugar-loaf-bridge, at
Churchdown, half-way between Cheltenham and
Glocester, where the train was travelling at the rate
of 40 miles an hour, the driver saw the deceased
totter down the embankment on the Glocester side
of the bridge, and deliberately walk to the rails
along which the train was approaching. He then
placed himself face downwards upon the metals, his
chest resting upon the rails, and in this position the
engine and carriages passed over him, his body
literally cut in two, his headllashed to pieces, and an
arm cut off. The train was distant about 100 yards
from the deceased when he was first seen by the
engine-driver, while the act itself was obsemod-hy-
an old man, named Paul, who was _watching the
train from the Sugar-loaf bridge. Paul did not,
however, observe the deceased until he had ifot
down the embankment. It was stated at the in-
quest (the evidence given at which is comprised in
the above) that Brown had been drinking "hard,"
and lately had evinced symptoms of insanity.
John Fox, the engine driver, made the following
statement,—" I am an engine driver in the employ
of the Midland Railway Company. On Wednesday
morning I drove the train which leaves Birming-
ham at 7.5 and arrives in Glocester at 10.5. Nothing
unusual happened with the train except a little
delay. I Tas behind time about 15 minutes at
Cheltenham. Between Cheltenham and Glocester
I was going from 40 to 45 miles per hour, which is
about the speed allowed, and when I got to the
Sugar-loaf bridge at Churchdown, I saw a person
step from the embankment at the back of the
bridge. I should think I was then about 100 yards
from the bridge. I fancied he was in the act of
stepping across the line, and I thought he would
not have time to get clear of the train. I sounded
the whistle immediately, and when I got within
about 30 or 40 yards of him I saw him in the act
of lying down across the line. I am satisfied he
knew it was a narrow gauge train. I felt the surge
of the engine as it passed over the man. I left the
fireman in charge of the engine and went back with
the two guards to ascertain what had occurred.
The train had passed over the centre of deceased's
body. My opinion is that he deliberately com-
mitted suicide." The jury said they were satisfied,
from the evidence, that the deceased committed
suicide, not being of sound mind. He has left a
wife and two children.

THE POISONINGS AT BRADFORD.

BRADFORD, SATURDAY.

Three more deaths have this afternoon been added
to the fearful list of casualties arising out of this
awful catastrophe, making the total number of
deaths amount to 20. During the afternoon Mrs.
Stead, a woman residing in Croft-street, reported
to the police that her daughter, Jane Ainsworth,
wife of Jacob Ainsworth, of Wake-lane, Leeds, was
in Bradford on Saturday night last, purchased
some lozenges at Hardaker's stall, and took them
with her to Leeds. She had two children aged
two and four years respectively, to whom she gave
some of the lozenges, which they ate. She also
ate some of them herself, and all three were taken
ill, and died this morning. Mrs. Ainsworth was
34 years of age.
This morning three inquests were held by Mr.
Dyson, coroner, at Heaton, Low Moor, and Little
Horton ; that at the latter place being held at the
Punch Bowl Inn, on the body of Benjamin Crab-
tree, ageo. 16, son of Andrew Crabtree, power-loom
weaver, Jacob-street. _ _ _

The Coroner suggested that all that would be
necessary would be to call witnesses to identify the
man of whom the lozenges were purchased, and
then to prove the cause of death, after which they
could return a verdict that the deceased had died
from poison.
The jury acquiesced in this course, and Richard
Standring stated that he accompanied the deceased
on Saturday night to Hardaker's stall, and pur-
chased a halfpennyworth of lozenges. He was
served by John Broadley Edmondson, Hardaker's
assistant.
Mr. John Beach, surgeon, said he had made a post
mortem examination of the body of the deceased 60
hours after death. Externally, the body had a
quantity
healthy appearance. He examined the contents
of the stomach with the usual tests for discovering
of
arsenic, and found a considerable
poison. n On the addition of the ammoniated sul-
phate of copper to the contents, there was a green
deposit, showing the presence of arsenic. The
next test was with the ammoniated nitrate of sil-
ver, which produced a yellow deposit, showing the
presence of arsenic. The third test was with-lime
water, which had the same result. lie felt satis-
fied death was caused by poisoning by arsenic. The
quantity taken must have been considerable, each
ounce of mint lozenges containing a quarter of an
ounce of arsenic. Three grains would be sufficient
to kill the deceased.
The Coroner again suggested the propriety of the
jury returning an op en and formal verdict ; and
after a few minutes' consultation they agreed that
the " Deceased died from eating a lozenge which
contained arsenic powder."
The inquests on the bodies of those who died
within the borough are to be resumed on Tuesday.
A subscription has been opened on behalf of the
families of the sufferers, who chiefly belong to the
working classes. The Mayor, Mr. Henry Brown,
headed the list with five guineas, and in a short
time afterwards 36 guineas were put down ; but
there .is little doubt but it will be greatly aug-
mented when it becomes generally known.

The following memorial has been, ad4reasedAy
the chairman of the East India and ChitutAisiicia-'
tion of Live.rpoel to-the-Earl-of Derby,-in-referencyr
to Sir James Brooke's connection with ford ;r-=
" To the Right Hon. the Earl. of Derby, -1,-
jesty's First Lord of the Tretiatity &c.
" The memorial of the Ikerpook liast:bniia, red
China AssOciatiOn by their chairman shcritetihrthlit
your memorialists are r interested in the at-
velopment of the trade been this empire, _dui.
Eastern Archipelago, and Olin&
" That our free communication with the shore)
of the Chinese- Empire is now more than ever ft
question of national and growing importance.
" That the command of the north-west coast of
Borneo by the British Crown is of vital importance
to the preEervation of this communication :
" 1. Bceaufie it has been ascertained that therein
exists a large coalfield suitable for steam purposes, .
the possession of which will carry with it the nau-
tical supremacy of the eastern seas ;
" 2. Because at this point, facing Singapore, is to
be found the best intermediate station between Sin-
gapore and Hong Kong for the electric telegraph ;
" 3. Because the imposition of a foreign nation
on that coast might be used adversely, and prove a
souroe of embarrassment and misfortune in our
commercial relations with China, and that the pos-
session of this point is alone wanting to complete
the political supremacy of Holland in the Easters
Archipelago, and
" 4. That on the north•western coast of Borneo,
in the territory of Sarawak, there already exists a
ionsiderable English community of growing commer-
cial importance, its trade being in 1817 £30,000,
and in 1857 £300,000. The possession by England
of a territory so situated must in years to come be of
vital importance to her as a maritime and commer-
cial nation.

" That your memorialists have viewed with the •
greatest sympathy and the deepest admiration tits
career of Sir James Brooke in the eastern seas.

" That through the exertions of Sir James Brooke
piracy has been suppressed, good government
established, commerce protected, and Christianity
fostered in that distant region.
"That by his exertions and by thesaerifioe of his -
private fortune the task of ...England hab been
lightened in those distant regions of the globe, and
a future for her commerce has been prepared; that
the time has arrived when the burden should be
shifted from-the shoulders of one individual on whose.
single life the prosperity of Sarawak and the well-
being of the whole continent of Borneo at present
hang to those of the nation : that your memorialists
therefore, without presuming to dictate to the Go-
vernment the terms upon which the change should
be effected, are of opinion that the British nation
shoUld now assume the responsibilities which he
has incurred, and make him liberal and proper
compensation for the sacrifices-he has made and the
services he has rendered to the British name.

" That your memorialists see no reason why a
policy already inaugurated by previous Govern-
ments should now be abandoned, but, on the con-
trary, the strongest reasons why it should be pro•
scented with greater vigour than ever.
" Your memorialists, therefore, pray that her
Majesty's Government will bring the matter to a
speedy and favourable decision in such manner as
may maintain the national faith, which has been
pledged to the inhabitants of the country, may best
promote the interests of the British nation, and
satisfy the just claims of Sir James Brooke.
" PETER EWART, Chairman.
" Liverpool, Sept. 29."

ROYAL STRAND THEATRE.
Lessee and Directress, Miss Swanborough.
THIS EVENING, WOOING IN JEST AND LOVING
IN ;EARNEST: :Messrs. Selby, Parselle, and Miss Swan-
orough.
After which THE MAID AND THE MAGPIE.
Followed by THE LAST OF THE PIGTAILS : Messrs.
C. Selby, J. Bland, J. Clarke, atc.
And THE BONNIE FISH WIFE.
Commence at 7 o'clock.