Alston Herald, and East Cumberland Advertiser. — 1880-01-10 (Alston, Cumbria, England)

THE ALSTON HERALD. SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 1880.  tricals are practicable, as the dramatic talent which lies dormant in the bosoms of some of our notables simply requires a touch to fiend the whole into a blaze, and fill us wonder-stricken Haltonians with awe. Who knows what little beginnings may lead to, possibly we may have amongst us some of the brightest 'stars" of the future, which a little amateur theatrioalism would bring to *e fore. s  I hear our volunteers have been re-arranging and 1 revising the rules with reference to their " shooting club." I think it was very necessary indeed. The manner in which the various members are handicapped, according to the list posted on the armoury door, seems to be highly satisfactory to the corps as it is supposed to,put every one on an equal footing. I see also the new drill instructor has arrived. He seems to be thoroughly acquainted with his duties and has a regular soldier-like appearance. I hope he will win his way to and hold the hearts of the members, as did his unfortunate predecessor. ..... .  , A cry is issuing from the throats of we agonised Elaltonians The cry is: Are we to be slowly poisoned 4 or have a new gas company. There is a "nice row" J among the consumers this week. The gas bills are 1 all now in, and nice bills they are, and no mistake but its nothing paying, but to be nearly suffocated with sulphuric fumes is really too bad. I believe I have given the gas directors a hint before now, and had hoped they would have tried to mend matters, but I think I can safely say that the gas has been no better, in fact it could really not be worse than it is now. The intense heat and stench is something awful. I would now suggest to the consumers the desirability of a sample of the gas being drawn and submitted to some public analyst (say Kr Pattinson, the Newcastle analyst) and ascertain whether it is gas or simply as I suspect a very injurious light. If I 'found to be LW I think it would turn out, some pressure might fairly be brought to bear on the directors, and lead to results beneficial to both the public and the company Several consumers I hear . are substituting paraffin lamps for gas, and aver 1 is very much cheaper and much more healthy than ' lialtwhistle gas.  mg into the skull." The bleeding had been profuse, and the body was lying in a pool of blood. Resting against one Side of the room was f mud a hammer, such as is used for brealcing stones in road-making, and with this instrument the murder had evidently been CO:unfitted. The iron head weighed about three pounds, isztd Et, segment of its circle exactly fitted the wouad at the beck of the head. This had been the blow which ceased death. The blow on the face had struck the month, and had fractured both the upper and lower jaw, smashed the palate bones, and diskulged.the whole of the teeth except one. In his pocket were found his wo'c'o, and Its SS in money. At his right was a bot-, and at his left a small three-cornered table. In the closet in front were three shelves; on the bottom shelf • was a candle three or four inches in length, which had been burning, but had been extinguished. His cap was lying in front of him, with an empty candlestick inside of it. The doctor having seen sufficient to inform him what was the cause of death, made no farther examination at that time, but he telegraphed to the Superintendent of •Policemt Stanhope, by whom the matter was then taken up.