Star.
London, England, 1827-09-27 00:00:00

DEPLII.I.rE !Mrs AT GLOUCESTER.

CHELTENHAM, Smetssiaarr. . , ,
It seldom fall, to our lot to record any very violent
ofurage in our immediate neighblurhood ; and it is,
therefore with double poignancy we proceed to detail,
(he daring and lawless proceedings which have taken
place at Gloucester r that city has been made the scene
of violence and uproar to a degree of which, most for-1
tunately, it is seldom rendered a witness. On Thursday
evening last a body of workmen, about 100 in number,
returning from their employment at Over, where they
have, been engaged for several months past in the erec•
tion of a new bridge across the river, presented them-
selvas at the toll gate of the Westgate Bridge, and ex-
pressed a determination to pass without paying the toll.
The wife of the gate keeper having naturally refused to
comply with this demand, they threatened to rear down
every barrier which stood in their way, to demolish the
dwelling-house, and to hang up the woman in the ruins.
As she still persisted in disregarding their demand, they,
went to the other side of the road, broke down the paling
which was placed there, and walked through twins-
peded. The damage done was repaired next day;
and the same steps were repeated at night, consequently
an open thoroughfare was left across the bridge (or
foot passengers until Monday afternoon, when the
opening was again closed, a compromise having been
effected between the trustees and the individual who
employs the workmen. The cessation of outrage which
had been anticipated from this was but of short
duration, soon atter five o'clock, several of the work-
men assembled at the gate, and the number was
gradually augmented by their companions, until up-
wards of one thousand persons were collected, amongst
whom were many women. The riot commenced by
the great gate being forced from its hinges, which was
instantly thrown into the river. The smaller pftes and
every post were instantly torn up and broken into
pieces. Several constables vainly endeavoured to stop
the progress of the riot, and many of them were com-
pelled, in order to avoid ill usage, to take refuge in the
gate house, where, having secured the window-
shutters and barred the door, they, with the -gate-
keeper and family, imagined themselves to be secure.
An attack was immediately made on the house, which
was speedily unroofed, and disrobed of every article
of furniture which was broken in pieces and thrown into
the river.; the family within having wrenched the iron
bars from a back window, then made their escape
amongst a volley of stones, and so rapidly was the woik
of demolition carried on, that' in a than time scarcely
a vestige of the house or gate could be seen. After the
perpetration of this extraordinary and daring act, the',
crowd dispersed; and about ten o'clock quietness was
restored. Many of the rioters were armed with bludgeons.
The authorities immediately sent for military aid, to
prevent a recurrence of a similar scene, and on Tuesday
afternoon two troops of the 4tk Dragoon Guards ar-
rived in Gloucester. We understand that the trusters
are determined on erecting a new gate this day (Thurs-
day), near whichla guard house is to be placed; and a
military patrol stationed there. A reward has been
offered for the apprehension of any of the rioters. Thus
has for the present terminated ene of the moat dis-
graceful scenes we ever remembered to have occurred
in this part of the country. With regard to the mo-
tive which is alleged for this breach of the peace,
we do not proles' to be aware; whether the sum
already raised by toll has been sufficient for the purpose,
specified in the Act of Parliament, and consequently,
whether the demand be legal or not? but even grant-i
the latter to be the case, still such a continuance is
far from warranting the adoption of such violent mea-
sures ; if the toll cannot be legally demanded, there are
methods of redressing the g,rievanca without resorting
to such destructive acts. No disturbance has since oc-
curred, and three of the rioters were apprehended yes-
terday morning (Wednesday) and were undergoing
examination at the Tolsey when our Express
lefr—
And although the turbulent panics retired unmolested
to their retreats, they threatened another equally
serious visit, should the obstacles which they removed
be again restored; and we understand that about SOO
others from the iron works and other places have offered
their aid in the second attack.

The tolls of Weartiouth-bridge were let on the 14th
instant at 5,000 i. a year, being 1,6201. a year more than they were
originally let for thirty-one years ago; and, what is curious, the
Sunderland ferry, which at that tiny only let for 4001. now lets
for upwards of 6001. a year, although the bridge is within half a
mile of it.

Yesterday afternoon an Inquest was held at Sr. Bar.
tholomew's Hospital, on the body of Ann Hold, aged
40. Monday last, about twelve o'clock at noon, the
deceased, who sold fruit at the corner of Long-lane,
Smithfield, was sitting by the side of her stall, when
six or seven drays, belonging to garclay and Perkins,
were proceeding in a line along the lane; on their
art ival near the deceased, her attention being occupied
by a customer, the wheel of the third dray came in
tontact with the post, and turned the shaft horse round
with great violencel; the deceased was knocked down,
and the horse trampled upon het. The driver was not
Kith the horses at the time of the accident, and all the
witnesses said, that if he had been present to controul
the horses, the life of the woman might ha've been saved.
The Jury returned a verdict of Minslaughter against
Thomas Talbot, the driver, and levied a kodand of
1201. on the horse.

Yesterday afternoon an accident of, I !host shocking
description happened at the Grand Junction Wharf;
Whitefriars. It appears that a man named Stevens, about
64 years of age, residing in Bonverie-street; Fleet-street,
in the employment of Mestrs. Ha/Vey and Napier, was on
board a vessel laden with flour, lying alongside)he wharf,
for the purpose of fastening the crane to the sacks, by
means of which to haul the flour into the warehouses,
when the chain attached to one of the sacks which had
reached the third story wareroom, suddenly broke, and
the flour, about 2 cwt. was precipitated On the unfor-
tunate man below. The poor man appeared to be
aware of his darterous situation, but had not time
to get out of the way, as at the moment the chain
broke he was heard to give a shriek. He was imme-
diately taken up and conveyed by his fellow work-
men to St. Bartholomew's Hospital; his body was
most horribly mutilated the collar-bone was broken,
and both legs and thighs were literally broken to spa.
ters, and several particles of the bone lay scattered on
the vessel's bottom. On wiring at the Hospital, he ap-
peared perfectly sensible of his dreadful situation. On
being talten to the room appropriated for surgical opera-
tions, the practitioners were about to amputate both
limbs, which was the only chance of saving his life;
bat the Unfortunate man ussold not permit it, but de
dared he would die as he slat. He had been io the
employ of Messrs. Napier for upwards of 30 years, and
Chas a wife and large family