The Sun.
London, England, 1845-03-19 00:00:00

7z7

DREADFUL FIRE in SOUTHWARK.

SUPPOSED LOSS OF LIFE.

This morning the neighbourhood of Great Bermondsey-
street, Southwark, was thrown into a state of excitement in
consequence of the discovery of a destructive fire, which, we
regret to state, there is too much ground to conclude has
been attended with fatal results to no fewer than from six
to nine human beings. It occurred at a furniture ware-
house, situate 'at No. 217, in the above thoroughfare, and
occupiedby bin Hoppermient. It appears that about half-
past twelve o'clock, as police-constable 152 M was proceed-
ings along his beat, his attention was suddenly arrested by
hearing a cry of fire raised. He immediately hastened to-
wards the spot whence the sound proceeded, when he per-
ceived flames curling round the first-floor window. The con-
stable immediately sprung his rattle, and knocked violently
at the front door, but without receiving any answer. He
next proceeded to a back door, where he likewise sprung his
rattle, and shouted " Fire" with all his might.. Whilst there,
he says, he distinctly heard cries of distress, apparently pro-
ceeding from the building on fire. Upon again reaching
the front door he found that some of the neighbours, in
their anxiety, no doubt, to rescue the inmates, had forced
open the street door. The draught thus given to the flames
made them travel through the premises with unusual ra-
pidity. The scene at that moment was of a most alarming
and agonizing character; a number of the inhabitants having
collected in front of the house, they were bewailing in a half-
frantic manner the fate of the residents—the flames rushing
out of the windows with the greatest impetuosity, threatening
devastation to the adjoining buildings. With all possible ex-
pedition a messenger started to the engine-stations with in-
telligence of the calamity ; but the building being a very old
one, shortly after the fire had gained possession of the floor-
ings. the roof and joistings gave way, and fell in with afearful
crash, carrying along with them the whole of the furniture con-
tained in the upper rooms, which descended liken htigesheet
of fire into the ground floor. The firemen continued to labour
most incessantly, in spite of the immense showers of sparks
that were continually falling upon them, and the danger that
was apprehended lest the front and side walls should fall
into the street, and injure them. During the whole of the
time thus occupied, the neighbours were running to and fro,
inquiring of each other whether or not they had seen any of
the occupiers of the building. We are sorry to say that, up
to three o'clock, notwithstanding that inquiry was made at
every house in the immediate vicinity, not the least tidings
could be gleaned of either the occupier, his wife, or children
—of the latter, we understood from a neighbour, there were
no fewer than live. The probability, therefore, is, that every
person in the house perished in the flames. The inmates of
the house adjoining, occupied by Mr. Benjamin, a wholesale
'clothier, were forced to make a precipitate retreat from the
premises, in consequence of the smoke entering the place with
such power as almost to suffocate them. The whole of the
valuable stock in trade is-also extensively injured, but more
especially from water.

POOT-RACE.—Yesterday afternoon the running
match between Marshall (of Kentish-town) and
ca Catlin (of__
• incle tkolilt),tiffie eiritt ffainp ite4 The f greifilit
'iance- was two miles, and the stakes were 161. 'Catlin hits
catered frequently in pedestrian matches, and was the
favourite in betting at six to four. Of his opponent little was
known, except to his backers. One mile of road was mea-
sured, over which the competitors were to contend, running
the mile out and return. At the start they went off at good
speed, and ran abreast of each other half a mile, when Catlin
showed in front, and continued to increase the distance.
between himself and his opponent, and completed the first
mile in 5 minutes and 29 seconds, being 40 yards in ad.
vance. Marshall came up, and turned the mile, and appeared'
determined to overtake his adversary, and which he suc-
ceeded in doing at the conclusion of the next half-mile. It
was now quite evident the pace was too fast for Catlin to
endure. They strenuously contested till within 300 yards
of the goal, when Catlin relaxed his speed, and Marshall
went in the winner at ease, and accomplishing the two miles
of road in 11 minutes and 3 seconds.

TAW LLa
I.;
nlgt
the
authoritiesear
atsh
taot
hsoowmTem dis-
cussion cusjOtiN
sionhas arisen ell
drenss
1111
rei
eea
ssl
shl fare s
taihblelj
ewheoet duringroeenx at
the
estcautt
his
uer
Saturday,
brief
l:a in t
Thnediperiodepa:voagain
visiting
n.
to-daynl n
dia
grs toems s live,
a magistrates
run ae andttsehdsa
e (Tuesday).
twhetherQuaker's
toi
s
decided that the condemned man shall have no restrictions
put upon his diet, and that he shall die, as he lived, in his
Quaker habiliments. On Monday he was visited by his
wife, his step-daughter, Miss Cutforth, and his brother,
Mr. William Tawell, who is said to be a draper
in London. Mrs. Tawell had not seen her husband
since Sunday week last. This meeting was thought
likely to be a most painful one, and the prisoner
had been heard to declare that he dreaded it more than death
itself. It lasted for near two hours, after which they ex-
pressed themselves astonished at the manner in which it had
been sustained. Mrs. Tawell, who speaks of him with great
affection, does not hesitate to express her firm conviction of
his innocence. Iler daughter is of a similar opinion. The
condemned room is a long room, called a " day-room," about
20 feet by 10. Along one side are five doors, opening into
five cells ; in one of these he sleeps, but the door is never
locked. He has a fire and candle. He writes incessantly—.
probably answers to the numerous letters which he receives.
Much of his time is spent in prayer, particularly at night.
The day of execution is now fixed for Friday, the 28th inst.
INCORRIGIBLE YOUNG THIEF.—A young fellow,
named Mathew Steele, only fifteen years of age, was yester-
day committed for trial by the magistrates at Breutford, for
stealing two silver spoons, the property of Mr. Gilpin, of •
East Sheen, Surrey. The boy's father is a shoemaker, and,
in consequence of the bad conduct of his son, he wanted to
send him to sea. He called with him on Mr. Gilpin, for
whom lie worked, and who had promised to do something for
his son ; and at that gentleman's house young Steele had some
pudding given him, which lie ate with a silver spoon. He saw
the spoons placed in the scullery to be washed, and, having
occasion to call at the house again, he passed through the
scullery, and stole the spoons.
FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT BY MACHlNERY.—Yesterday
Mr. Higgs held an inquest at St. George's Hospital, on the
body of William Bluden, aged thirty-three. From the
evidence, it appeared that the deceased was in the employ of
Mr. Thompson, engineer and ironfounder, of Ecclesten-street,
Pimlico ; and, on Saturday, the Bth instant, he was employed
grinding some chaff knives on a stone which was turned by
steam power. Whilst so employed, by some accident, he fell
between the stone on which he was working and another.
The machinery was stopped as soon as possible, and, after
some trouble, deCeased was extricated, but not before he was
frightfully injured about the body—some of the bones being
fractured and torn away. He was removed to the hospital,
where lie lingered until the 13th inst., when death terminated
his sufferings. Verdict--Accidental Death.
THE LICENSING SYSTEM.—At Lambeth Police-
court, yesterday, Mr. Chase, thelandlord of the Black Prince,
public-house, in Prince's -road, Lambeth, attended for the
purpose of putting in bail as required by the Act of Parlia-
ment, to such an amount as will cover the expenses atten-
dant upon an appeal at the general quarter sessions, against
the decision of the licensing magistrates for the Newington
district. On Saturday last Mr. Chase waited upon Mr.
Norton, at this Court, to request that magistrate's assistance
in a case of the most serious consequence to him. From his
statement on that occasion it appeared that about six months
before he purchased the good will, &c., of the Black Prince
public-house, and his going in cost him upwards of 900/.
About three weeks ago he had been summoned to this Court
by the police, for allowing card playing in his house, but the
case was of so trivial a character that the magistrate (Mr.
Norton) merely fined him a shilling and the expenses. Far
this offence his license was suspended to the adjourned day
(Friday), and on that day they took it away from the house
altogether. Mr. Norton on that occasion expressed consider-
able surprise that for a single offence, and that too of so
trifling a character, the license should be taken away. He
also expressed his willingness to see the licensing clerk, and
give a copy of the notes taken when his case was heard, and
hoped the magistrates would rescind their judgment on the
matter and renew the license. It now, however, appears
that an appeal to the quarter sessions is the only means of
getting a renewal of the license, and to prosecute this at
Reigate Mr. Chase will be put to the expense of nearly
201. Bail to the amount of 801. was given, and the parties
left the Court.
ACCIDENT IN THE WESTMINSTER-ROAD.—Yester-
day, about noon, an aged female, named Mary Hopkins, was
riding with her husband in a light chaise cart, and just as
they were passing the end of the New-cut, Westminster-
road, the horse stumbled, and the woman was pitched out of
the cart on her head. The left collar-bone was fractured, and
serious injuries were inflicted about the head. She was re-
moved to the Westminster Hospital.
SUDDEN DEATH IN THE STREET.--Yesterday Mr.
Higgs held an inquest at St. James's.Workhouse, Poland-
street, on the body of George Marshall, aged forty-six, of
No. 11. Upper Grosvenor-street. The deceased on Sunday
last was proceeding along Regent-street, in company with
his wife, when he fell down on the pavement. He was
carried to a neighbouring surgery, when it was found that
life was extinct. Verdict—" Natural death, by the visita-
tion of God."
Two CHILDREN BURNT TO DEATH.—Yesterday
Mr. W. Payne held an inquest at St. Bartholomew's Hos-
pital, on the body of John Topple, aged four years. De-
ceased's parents reside in Chatham-gardens, City-road, and
on Friday evening last the mother left deceased and two
other young children in the care of a boy twelve years of
age. He, however, left them for a few minutes, and whilst
the deceased and another little boy were looking in the
fender for a lost button his pinafore took fire, and before it
could be extinguished he was dreadfully burnt, and expired
in the hospital on Sunday. A second inquest was held in
Guy 'a Hospital, on the body of Matilda Sophia Blackniore,
aged fourteen. The deceased resided with her parents in
Vauxhall-walk, Lambeth. On Saturday morning last she
was alone in the room, when by some unaccountable means
her clothes caught fire. Her screams brought assistance,,but
the fire was not extinguished until she was burnt over nearly
the whole surface of her body. She was removed to Guy's
Hospital, where she expired on Monday morning. Verdict in
each case, " Accidental death."
CONDUCT OF ROCKER IN NEWGAIE.—SiIIee his
committal to Newgate, Rocker has manifested the same in-
difference with respect to the charge of murder which he ex-
hibited before the Coroner and at the Police. court. During
the day he takes exercise with the other prisoners in the
yard attached to the wing in which he is confined, and enters
freely into conversation with them. A great portion of his
time, however, is devoted to reading and writing. He regu-
larly attends the chapel, and pays the greatest attention to
the is confinedis immediately erulesand regulmateiday above thateTsteltheprison. oT f thehell cell in
hcondemned
convict Tapping, on the north side of the prison. Since
incarceration he has been visited by his father and brother.
To the latter he spoke of his innocence of the crime imputed
to
who
guiltyhim,
on
a nhdi
st
trial.ha t e
Thee nt
trial,
adoubt a
expected,bou t prol
will himself,
take idace
hadl-
ie l 1 th of April,
o the Judge
iz., Lord Judges
No, nthe)rd p
rota beeninnlgn,
:a
ona tI
now on therem Circuit,and Mr.
Baron Alderson.
SACRlLEGE.—lnformation was received by the
metropolitan 'police yesterday, that some time during the
past week the church of Shipmeadow, in the county of Suf-
folk, was broken into and robbed of two white surplices, a
black gown, an altar cloth, the pulpit hangings, and a look-
ing-glass. A reward of ten guineas is offered for the appre-
hension of the offenders.
DEATH OF Mid. \V ONIIIWELLIS LARGE ELEPHANT:AT
ACCRINGTON.—It IN ill be with feelings of regret, we have no
doubt, that the juveniles in every principal town in the coun-
try, and many thousands of riper years, will hear of- the
death of Mr. Wombwell's famous elephant "Chunty," named
after his fellow, exile of Exeter 'Change notoriety. " Chuney"
had been unwell for some little time, but (lid not exhibit any
alarming symptoms of illness till Sunday morning last, at
Haslingden, when he was foiled lying on his 'side, having
with his weight in falling, knocked out two ends of his habi-
tation. Since then he has been getting rapidly worse, and
he expired at Accrington at five o'clock yesterday (Tuesday)
morning. It is supposed that he must have caught cold during
the late severe weather. This elephant was taken from the
Birmans, with thirty-three others, at the time Lord
Comber-
mere commanded the British army in India. lie was
_
brought to England by Captain Mangles, ibrineurZhan
for Surrey, in the Ganges East Indianian, and li h
sed b$
Mr. Wombwell for 800/. He was feet 4
possessed ohm
about inches eIEaT,
and weighed nearly five tons! Mr. Wombwell_.
18 or 19 years. lie was remarkable for his sallacity,
and his death will be a severe loss to Mr. Wombweil, who,
however, is now the owner of fine fine elephants.—.Eclackburn
Standard.

~>~