The Poole Telegram. — 1883-11-02 (Poole, Dorset, England)

THE ATTEMPTED MURDER ON A FRENCH  RAILWAY.  Cochois, a young architect, was arraigned on Thursday beer+ the Assize Court at Amine on the charge of an attempt to mar ler the Rev. G. F. Whidborne on the Northern Railway on the 28th of Jane. The presiding judge, in accordance with French t r enedure, began by exposing the career of the accused up to the pee-eat time in mined° detail. The prioner had, it appeared, fcught several duels, undergone imprisonment for a jewel robberir entered into an extensive building contract, now r em mining unsatisfied, and hero eel cash in all direct one. The accused acknowledged that he had lived try theft in or let to meet his bills and support his wife and child. C )(moil was accustomed to travel on the Northern Railway flo t class by the express almo it nightly for the sake of Areiling the pastengers' luggage, VAHAN% and purses when the pa reenpers proceeded to the buffet On the moraine of the attempted murder, at 1217, he arrived at Boulogne by the mail from Amiens. When the tr iin was eh nit to go back Mr. Whidborne asked whether any one would proceed by it to Fierier, and the two travelled together. They at first slept. Before reaching Abbeville, Cochoie offered a draught t the clergyman from his flask, which was declined. Mr. Whidborne then again fell asleep, turning his back to Coe lob.. Frye miles from Amiens he suddenly a aoke, feeling three thrusts from some sharp interment. He instantly rose, receiving a fourth as he did so. Being a p ewerful man, he grappled with his antagonist, and a fearful struggle ensued. Tn 9 clergyman wreated a carpenter's chisel from the erisoner'a grasp, whereupon the assassin . produced a seven-chambered revolver, but was unable to fire, his wrist being tightly held. The two men dragged each other from corner to corner of the compartment. Feeding that he was baffled, Coehois opened the door, doubtless in ordtr 1 mat Mr. Whidborne on to the railroad track. But the jot ended victim made good his escape by the footboard, and was eventually hauled int r a compartment by a brother of Lerl Leigh and another gentleman. An alarm was given, and the train brought to • standstill. The guard found Cochois besmeared with blood standing on the footboard. He declared himself the victim of an outrage. The brakeman thereupon travelled in the same carriage. Cochois suddenly swage 1. In spite of the high speed he jumped out on the hoe. Tae train was again stopped. Cochois ran for about 200 paces and stopped &night watchman, recounting the story of a pretended outrage upon himself. He then proceeded t a hut on the line. The brakesman came in search of him and found the prisoner, who thereupon fired into his own right ear. Tne train &vain started for Amiens. M. Mallet, Cemmissare of Special Police, having been communicated with, shortly arrived. assuming the custody of the prisoner. Cochois refused t speak. lie we searched, and four purses were found on him. The Advocate-General, in a spirited speech, dwelt upon the increase of railway outra zee, and demanded a verdict without mercy. Maitre Dubois, tor the defence. in no able reply, denounced the idea of premeditation, and dwelt on the forgiving bearing Whidborne exhibited on the day of the arrest of Cochois, and again that day, painting to this example cf clemency as one worthy ot his sacred calling. Cochois, who hal been composed during the proceedings, was much moved by his counsel's sicken. The trial, which had lasted Ave hours. the court being densely crowded, ended in a verdict of "Guilty. A sentence ot transportation for life was passed, the plea of extenuating chnumst %noes being admitted.  ANOTHER BANK OFFICIAL ABSCONDED SUPPOSED DEFALCATIONS £lO,