The Sun.
London, England, 1842-01-27 00:00:00

MORNING SUN

MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT on the
*vIERSEI.7.--1 OS:% of FO;.) LIVES.

A melancholy disaster occurred upon the river
Mersey, opposite Liverpool, on Sunday morning
last, by which, we regret to state, four boatmen
belonging to the port were suddenly hurried into
eternity.
It appears that the four unfortunate men in
question were the proprietors of a boat termed "a
speculating
_,gig," which generally plies for hire
near the docks, and is of the kind frequently en—
gaged by news agents and others for bringing'
papers, letters, &c., from the vessels. As several
ships were expected to come in on Sunday, the
four boatmen proceeded with their vessel towards
the rock, speculating upon meeting some ships,
and of being engaged to land either passengers or
documents. With one sail up, the tide running
swiftly, the water exceedingly rough, and the
wind rather high, they had proceeded as far as
Egremont, about half-way to the Rock lighthouse,
when the boat suddenly upset, precipitating the
boatmen into the foaming waves. The accident
occurred not far from the shore, within sight
of spectators, and not a great way from where
one of her Majesty's revenue cutters and a
ship (the Siddons, New York packet) lay at
anchor. The boat turned keel upwards, and for a
short time none of its ill•fated crew were per-
ceptible. At length two of the poor fellows were
observed grappling with the boat, and they suc-
ceeded in getting upon its bottom, from which,
however, a wave suddenly dislodged them, and for
a few minutes they were seen swimming in the
water. The crews of the revenue cutter and the
other vessel, on witnessing the accident, immedi-
ately launched their boats, but on nearing the scene
of the disaster they were almost swamped, and
compelled to return. They succeeded in throw-
ing out a hand buoy, which one of the men
clutched, but shortly relinquishing his hold, he,
with his companions, sank to rise no more. The
men, it is said, were all swimmers, but the wea-
ther was so inclement that animation was so far
suspended by the immersion as to render them
incapable of exertion to save themselves, which
accounts for the hand-buoy rendering no service.
On the shore, just opposite to where the melancholy
affair happened, there is a large avenue, or cutting
through a hill, which laces Bidston. From this
avenue an immense body of wind frequently issues
from the neighbourhood of Bidston, and it is sup-
posed that an unexpected gust from that quarter
was the cause of the accident. None of the bodies
were picked up. They will doubtless be carried
out to sea, and at the end of nine or ten days they
may probably be found at some distance from Li-
verpool.

The body of the unfortunate woman, Mrs.
Powell, who was drowned in the collision of steam-
boats during the late fog on the Mersey, has not
yet been found.
Signals of distress were hoisted off the Bidston
Lighthouse on Sunday, which caused some appre-
hension. Two of the steam tugs and one of the
life boats immediately went round the Rocks for
the purpose of rendering assistance, when they
found the Fergus from Apalachicola, at anchor off
the Bell Buoy, totally dismasted, having come in
contact with a vessel off the Skerries. No lives,
it appears, were lost ; but both vessels received con-
siderable injury. The Fergus has been towed into
port.

STARVATION and CONCEALMENT
of DEATH in SLOTLAND.

CUPAR, FIFE, FRIDAY, JAN 21.—0 n
Thursday great excitement prevailed in St. C lair-
town, Perth-head, Fifeshire, and neighbourhood,
in consequence of its having been made known by
Insueetor Bett, of the Courty Police, that the
body of Janet Forret, an aged woman, who lived
with one Fergus Wilson, teacher, and repairer of
watches, in St. Clairtown, had been found buried
in Wilson's garden. The body has since under-
gone examination, and been re-interred in St.
Clairtown churchyard, Wilson apprehended and
lodged in Kiikaldy gaol, anti the case been taken
up by the proper authorities. Under these cir-
cumstances we caw only allude to the general
features of this strange and suspicious looking affair.
The circumstances connected with Wilson and
the woman Forret, who lived with him, are these :

Fergus or Ferguson Wilson is a native of Leslie,
his father having been a small farmer in that vicinity.
He settled in St. Clairtown about forty years ago,
and is now nearly seventy years of age. Janet
Forret, who has lived with him for upwards of
thirty years, resided at that time in the neighbour-
hood with her mother and sisters, and was con-
sidered a respectable young woman. Her mother, a
farmer's widow, was possessed, it is said, of about
.300/., but upon herdecease Janet got possession of
the money (it is thought that Wilson had some hand
in this), and gave it out to her relatives that her
mother died poor. Her sisters, being disappointed
in their expectations of receiving something on their
mother's death, took legal steps to have Janet in.
carcerated in Kirkaldy Gaol, but they did not suc-
ceed in obtaining the money. On her liberation
she went to live with Wilson. Shortly after the
money was lodged in one of the Kirkaldy banks in
the name of Moses Spokesman, a name taken
from some old obsolete publication. Some time
after a person belonging to the Links of Kirkaldy,
who was in Wilson's confidence, got hold of the
money under promise of securing a higher rate of
interest, but he played false and absconded to
America, taking along with him Janet's 3001., or,
as sonic have it, 5001. or 600/. She and Wilson
had still about 401. in their own possession, but of
this they were latterly robbed. Thus, by degrees,
the money which Janet Forret had taken with her
when she went to Wilson's house got squandered,
and she was left pennyless. Wilson being fre-
quently engaged in useless litigation with his neigh-
bouts, and his school having dwindled away, has
been endeavouring for some years past to earn
a livelihood by cleaning clocks and watches. He
must have been extremely reduced in circumstances;
for, dining several years, he has allowed Janet,
whom he always designated his handmaid, to go
about the parish in a begging condition. For some
months back she had been unable to perform this
task, and had been confined to her apartment.
Wilson a few weeks ago applied to the Dysart
Kirk Session for relief, which, for some reason,
not specified, that body refused to grant. In
consequence of this refusal, he entered the case
with the Court of Session, where it is still pending.
It was under these circumstances that the melaw.
choly affair which is now exciting so much atten-
tion occurred.
Wilson's house is situate in St. Clairtown, near
to the quoad sacra chapel. He and Janet occu-
pied the the second flat, and an old man taught a
school on the ground floor. About three weeks
ago Wilson was observed by the scholars digging
in his garden and measurig the ground with a line ;
they also noticed that Janet had ceased coughing
for eeveral days, and that no light appeared in the
room where she slept. Having made known these
circumstances, one of the neighbours called and
inquired for her, but Wilson gave an evasive an-
swer and said she was not at home. Day after
day passed without any appearance of the woman,
and an Thursday last suspicion was so excited that
Mr. Walker, Bailie of the Barony, and Inspector
Bell called and made the same inquiries. To them
Wilson said that she was unwell, and in the house,
but that they could not see her. Not being satis-
fied with this the inspector proceeded to search,
hut did not find her in the house, as stated by
Wilson The scholars having told what they had
seen, forcible entrance was made into the garden,
and the body of the woman found in a grave, care-
fully dug, by the side of a well. The grave was
about four feet deep- . The body was wrapt, in a
shirt and an old sheet, and a muslin cap covered
the head and face. Some straw and a large board
were placed upon the body. Altogether the burial,
though betokening the utmost poverty, had been
decently gone about.
Wilson looked over his window, and witnessed
the disinterment ; but, on being asked by some on
the spot for some explanation of this singular deed,
he replied that the Kirk Session having refused to
give any support to her when alive, he thought
they would also deny him any assistance to bury
her when dead, and that he, therefore, considered it
his duty to inter her iii his own garden, and that he
could do with his own what he liked. He has
also given out that another individual assisted him
in the interment, but refused to name the party.
The body was taken to the Perth-head lock-up-
house on Thursday, and on Friday a post mortem
examination took place in the presence of several
medical practitioners, who unanimously agreed tha

the poor woman had died of starvation. There
%'.as nothing in the shape of food in the stomach,
and the body was reduced to the merest skeleton.
After the examination the body was interred in the
churchyard of St. Clairtown. Wilson has since
been removed to Kirkaldy gaol, and his declaration
taken. He confidently asserts that he-has done no
wrong, that the woman died a natural death, and
that the Session having refused aliment, he did not •
apply to them for burial. It is but right to state,
that Wilson is regarded in the neighbourhood as
penurious and eccentric character. Janet and he
lived together in great harmony. It is supposed
that her death took place about the Ist of the
month, that the body had lain some days in the
house, and been in the grave six or eight ere dis-

covered.
We refrain at present from any remarks upon
this singular and melancholy case. We do not as
yet know the grounds upon which the Kirk Ses-
sion of Dysart refused to grant relief. Fergus
Wilson, though eccentric and penurious, had never
shown any symptoms of cruelty towards the wools"
which could lead to the belief of his wilfully
neglecting her ; on the contrary, the reason he ae"
signs for burying the body in his garden unknown
to the public, was the little svmpathy shown by
them and the neighbours during her illness. On
Sunday fortnight he instructed the precentor of the
Secession Meeting-house in Perth-head, which he
attended regularly, to request in her behalf the
prayers of the minister and congregation ; be
neither the minister nor any of the congregati°ll
visited her after this intimation. Wilson says that
it was on that day the poor woman died.

THE MARKETS.-(YESTERDAn
CORN EXCHANGE.
The arrivals of all Grain since Monday have bee/
small. There was very little doing in any article, ee'
prices remain as on Monday._ Flour very dull sale.
COL ONIAL MARKETS;
There was little business transacted, either for hod e
consumption or export, but prices were fully sustaine

-TEA. MARKET. -
The demand was good, and full rates were paid. C°lll-
- Congou Is. 101-d. cash.
TALLOW MARKET.
Prices continue firm, with a good demand, at 485. 6d.
on the spot, and 48s. 6d. to 48s. 9d. for delivery.
METAL MARKET.
Iron in good request, at firm rates. Lead sold gol,:
but prices firm. Spelter in good request at 381. per to n•

IRISH MARKETS.
DUBLIN MARKET NOTE for the Wcek

ending JA42I

' From
475 Wheat,per barrel ut stone.... .9.1 0
015 Bere .... l6 stone l4 0
342 Barley
537 Oats l4 sterie 9 3
o Four, per cwt. .. ti stogie." —. 0
419 Oatmeal-- 6 stone ll 6 I 13 6
Sold to Bakers only. 1 09
l',lEO Cwt. I, 10ur........ .... „ .
from ls. ed. t° .7/".0t1
Average price *o' li% heat and lour 55. Od per sack.
.. ed
Receipts of Flour, 9,13;6 1 sFeclr'6Ltis ...................
Sales of Do. 13,781 from 225. Od to t,r, 01
Thirds ......... from 10s, Od. to ••

To
35 0
14 G
17 0
13 2

Averf.
14
.. 0

12 li

Fitter OF BREAM •
Quartert. Loa{ ..... Quatern
CORE MARKETS.—Jan £2.
Wheat (per `103:.)17s Od. t3ss Od.watsiper 14st. 513.91. to 0 B
Harley (per 16131.'11 0 i 8 0 11.1 or r (per cwt 7
Oatmeal 4per Od to 14s Od
Beef, 6d. to 61d.--ISlutton' sd. 6a.—Veal, 41i1 to 7"
Pork. 4d. to 5d.--Fresh Butte', 11d. to 12d per lb'
PRICE OF BUTTER.
To the 241,

_ .
To the Cole/

lants.

icrr.....
Fast Quality.... .......... ....... 89, ...........................?j
i
timend .. St ~,oe ••• ••••II.• No.. •••..... a
Third
Fourth
Fifth ............ • 10. 10•• • •••• •••••••• 50 .....•.........•.. .."•". 03
Sixth ••• 28 ............. ... ...........
CLO N 51ELL Al A RKET4.....Ian. 22
Per t wt.. 0 ti.
.
3. d. d. d. 1. d. "
0 0
New Butter
Oatmeal — 0 14 6 8ac0nP.0............44 % .... .
Rendered Lard 0 52 •J dead8..................28
...
V 0
Per Os,. 0 Y.

Fleur, Second 0 40 ,• It Urtir 1:..rda.......... s:, r
—Household...-0 38 0 I --2 Fourtns.~ 18 " 0
Per Barrel, 18 0
i!apeseed....... ........ 20 0 Of Barley ...».«16 0
..,
Der •••..... ..... " ..... - 13 0 I C•xvls ........."," ..... 4, 4'
KILKEN MA K El S ~,i ..
W!,eat,perbarrel)2Bz Od.to 33N,.0dY . beet U ' .ver It .. .... Oa. '`.. f( 0 a
Bark, 12 0 19 0 Witten ~..,444,4 0 5 0
vats 14 0 15 0 Pork . ..... "........ fl I Af„
Hour (per bag) 25 0 39 0 t'ea' ..........,.., 4 0 u j .
Buttcr(per cwt.) 0 0 98 0 ercsh Butter .4.. 0 0 010
Bacon Pigs 45 0 46 0 Salt Ditto .4,44." 0 6,, u U
Coals 1 0 1 2 Fotatoes,:per at.) 1., I' - . •

His Majesty the King of Prussia and suitweh;
take their departure from Windsor for town on -L"-f
day next. The King will not leave England uritil 111
the meeting of Parliament, at which his Maiesti
be present. AB Tl'
THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN 111 E: asked
CLE "A" AND " THE."—A Merry Andrew belnib hot
by a young aspirant for fame to inform bite by.
means he might discover the difference between the o
hy
de finite article a and the definite article the ? r
tOPi

sir," said the clown, ",you are a fool, but I the
—that's the difference. ' th e
An inquest was held on Tuesday evening
Feathers
Dean-street, Westminster, before Mr. Ygg,
on tile body of Thomas Rogers, aged 70, of
Maidenhead-court, Tothill-street, William Shaerni
of 16, Snow's-rents, Westminster, said that 4ehweCellCS
ceased was a tenant of his, but had for the last 11,..i5 rot
been unable, through extreme poverty, to paY " to
On Sunday morning last witness went to his revrtiby
ask if he could settle his account, or even pay a
of it, but being unable to get an answer from Ike then
knocking at the door, ho had it forced open. •ng
to
saw him sitting near the stove, and endeavour'
_eh,
raise a jug of water to his lips. He was then sP,eooe
less, and witness immediately sent to the station-'n;e4
for assistance. A surgeon soon came, but deceased in
in a few minutes. Deceased was a crossing sweepte;eid
Scotland-yard, but he earned very little, and ilre, be
able to purchase it bundle of wood to light his d slept
broke up an old table for fuel. He had no bed, an,, on!
upon a bundle of rags. His lodging cost April
rasehrpillli3il,nagtrolyper week, which witness believed he,fia
thhaevewopia.kidhothisaed
for
re
relief.been amblea.ry
Fl an
iota
er
eased
htvid,r,,oheihuaaadoentd:sn:dsinftihrie.(let)dtoibhmv
iteeei..ronnoodgNit‘in:ee:artet((nee)lvvhidat_setasotiien.litfe.edeth.msfefsoB,oheoiirar,,:ottesnh.e:iesri
whatever. ter deceased's de aht ' g
hlish
consideredi bird wa t
the i_peh-
initinyeaNtoss,iifm:
iiriteihanlepkates;:e.esaaltainhds
etetrl:drsteihwtde;:::eto:foi
not remain for any length of time at his crossit"r46►.
therefore got very little money. His clothes were 'bitisei.
the principal garment being a piece of gree°
which he wrapped over his shoulders. Verdict-- sole'
from old age and the want of the common necesse:
of life, not having applied for relief at the work
The late Robert Peel, Esq., who died on. /of'
nesday week, at his residence, Wallington-hall, Oild
folk, was a first cousin of the Premier by blood, Of°
uncle by marriage. The deceased gentleinnnu":o4'
daughters, one married to Mr. Ethelstone L1%".70°,1'
and the other to the son of the Dean of York, v. Ow;
burn. Mrs. Cockburn lately died, leaving two ru„bri't
dren, whom Mr. Peel adopted, and undertookAtilief,
up. This circumstance induced him to settle at rst spill
ton, which has been recently furnished in the 0,°,1
stantial and costly manner, and where Mrs. "" re:
now probably reside with her two grandchildren i,Ol
viously to the death of Mrs. Cockburn Mr. reelbere':.
establishment, and lived much at Exmouth, 71,,rocen'i
was fabled he died. The same paragraph greer is
rated the deceased gentleman's wealth, ivhiePue 0011
supposed to exceed 1,200,0001., and committed tP ,
important error of asserting that he died intestloeole
is true that, on the death of Mrs. Cockburn, heehis Prtro
very important alteration in the disposition 01 -er
perty ; but we feel quite assured that every Prq inter;
has been taken to secure the due execution of I'ls en 0.-
dons. We have heard that the following gentleilin the
named as his executors :—Edmund Howarthjt-cielier
Rev. Frederick Peel, and Joseph Peel, Esq.ola-
Ciironicle. avS!
SILVER PLATED CORNER PIS jibs, be
A. B. SAVORY and SONS, Manufacturing Sileers„-breilo
Cornhill, London, opposite the Bank of England, °,-oitt, for
prices of the following patterns of stroll ly plated 'OO
DISHES, with silver handles and edges,gind silver shield
the crest or coat of arms :
ThepGadroon Pattern.
Four strongly- dated coy
ner Dishes and Covers...ClO 10 ..... t
Four extra stronely.plat d and Covers ........ ... ato
CornerDishesandi_overs 12 12 S_deti
N.B. The Covers are made with moveable hallaio'i.o"
they form extra dishes. Drawings of the above ere
to any part of Great Britain or Ireland, postage free'
sserairm•
BIRTHS. trio
On the 22d inst., at Bury•place, Bloomsbury-W-
T. H. Severn, of a daughter. .10/2
Fopulart Theeplated
e x
Croarn Flowerer
st
iiele; I
of
On the 24th inst., at St. John's-wood, the lady
Ouelverlony,
inst of a (laughr. dericig
On the 25th ,at Woburn-square, Mrs. Fre
11 CIA'
of a daughter.
On the 25th inst., at Roehampton, the lady f - •
man, Esq., of a son.
;cep dof
MARRIED. F. Pr- et
Oa the lath inst., at Amberly Church, 1%.r• eangb,ioty
fllackmoor-street, London, to Charlotte, younges' _-b,
the late Mr. H. White, of Brittian Farm, RodboroMi►opt
cesterslMT jietiteTes'
At Boxley, near Maidstone, Richard Jesse, Esq' cop.
R.N., to Emily, second daughter of the late Rey', of Lin_ijet
nyson, D. C. L., Rector of Somersby, in the county ,heipsot
On the '2sth inst., at St. Alban s, Wood-stre!tp:rta
Captain 11. W. Evans, of Southampton, to Cam
daughter of Mr. James Middleton, of Bermondsey,
DIED. k on of 6
•
On the 24th inst., in Sloane. street, Frederic
Oldrini, aged 9 years and 11 months. E q.
On the '2Bth ult., at Reading, John Hooper,..„. gairistis
At Deal, in Kent, Mary Ann, relict of Air. n relict o'
On the 21st inst., at Arras, in France, D10:1'
1 t
On
nEdthwear2d3aßienvsetr Emsqr..,Gof. ABiuois•triinm,esre,nß.,eor, fk sshoieretb. bank,
the
gent's. park, aged 51.
lateO On
u2i4lettht,
and
dHinttockthneery,cifikLlrasa
On the 25th inst., C. Clifford, Esq.,
t"
Chelsea, aged 82. , „oder,
On the 25th inst., at Brighton, Henry AO' et,
eldest son of'H. Alexander, Esq., of Cork-strt:s, cbries,lepcli
On the 25th inst., in Bouverie-street, Mr. "
etta Sala*
On the 17th inst., at Brighton, Merger
'
DO Y
NUR I Str
Morris relict of Vice-Admiral Sir James (1 of
O zoc{r
London : Printed and Published by
No. 112, Strati, at The SUN Office, No.
,10 lr
4
the county of Middlesex, Thursday, .142:1W1
yl‘i,l,ill,o,lefattlit,.orteelrict_toreet,