The Staffordshire and Potteries Examiner. — 1880-09-18 (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England)

SAD FATALITY AT A SHAH FIGHT. REVOLVERS IN A COURT OF JUSTICE.  On Friday afternoons grand sham fight took ; A very extraordinary scene is described as having place at Wouldham, near Rochester, the camp of the o...curred on the 27th ult, in the Court House :it ; Royal Engineers being attacked from the Custon s Isholasville, Kentucky, during the trial of hunts bY the whole of the Chatham Division of the I. Arnold for the murder of his brother-in-law, Beret Marines, the 32nd Regiment, and the 31st Itobert Little. The allegation was that during a fir' nest, with a battery of the Royal Artillery, dispute about some money Arnold shot Little, who which crossed the river Medway to Wouldham by dcol ithortly afterwards. Little was a member of the means of pontoon bridges. The Engineers, in their Richmond Legislature, and popular feeling against defence, were supported by another battery of the Arnold was very high. Mr. Bronson, the counsel Royal Artillery. Mameuvres were very successful for the prosecution, in summing up, said that Arnold throughout, and were upon the most Improved lines would have beencharged with forgery bad the murder of military tactics. General Sir Evelyn Wood, ; not taken place. This was denied by Arnold's V.C., csmmanding the district, and staff; General counsel, and repeated by Mr. Bronson. One man in llenabrea, present to inspect the pontooning opera- court hurrahed for Bronson, and called him a foul none, and many other distinguished officers took part name. Arnold's brother, who was in court, jumped in the battle. Many hundreds of civilians flocked to over a rail holding a cocked pistol. Instantly about the see., of action by road, railway, and river, to a dozcn other pistols were drawn by persons in court, the of the garrison and district being present. The ; and matters assumed a threatening aspect. Before Mayor and Mayoress of Rochester and party viewed ; the brother could reach Mr. Bronson he was seized the tight from the corporation steam launch, whilst And lodged in gaol. The prisoner's wife, fearing he ineny others obtained splendid views of the battle would be shot, pushed him beneath the table, and Irons their carriages, drawn up on the Wouldham covered him with her own body. Several persons side of the river and on the opposite hills. There rushed madly from the court, one man leaping were between 3,000 and 4,000 troops engaged. As through the window. The court was then cleared the regiments were marching to the scene of conflict altogether, and the evidence taken in private. The s sad accident occurred, which resulted in the jiffy neat morning found a verdict of "not almost instantaneous death of Major James Wit- guilty," but it was received with such pops. ham Vaughan Arbuckle, of the Royal Marine Light ler disfavour that Arnold had to be escorted Infantry, who was amongst the foremostof theattack- home by the police. On the 28th ult., when in, party proceeding to ;Custon. The major's horse this news was despatched, about 400 persons wore uk fright near the fountain on top of Star lliD, .seembled opposite Arnold's house, and great fears Rochester, and becoming unmanageable, dashed down were felt for his safety. Ike steep incline into King Street, knocking several persons down, and causing the crowds assembled to --witness the march of theitroops to fly in all directions, trampling upon each other in great confusion. By strenuous efforts the major succeeded in getting the animal under partial control, sufficient to turn it in into the line of march; but when nearing the foot uf Star Hill the •infuriated-horse again- bolted,. this time dashing into the centre of the band, injuring several of the bandsmen, and damaging tho drums and instruments. It still continued its wild career, and the major waved his hand for persons to clear from the right side of the High Street, into which he had just entered, and had succeeded in pulling the animal to that side; but it darted upon the pavement, under the sunblinds of the shops, and fell against the store windows of Mr. Banes, wine and spirit merchant. Regaining its feet, it attempted to again make off, knocking several children down and severely injuring them, and kicking a man mend Paterson, who pulled one of them from under it; but the animal shortly afterwards staggered, and fell heavily into the road, the major under it. It was secured, and the major was at once conveyed to the hospital, but so seriously was he injured that he expired before he had been carried 100 yards. Six or seven persons were injured seriously by being knocked down, and sassy received slight injuries.