The Warwickshire Herald. — 1894-01-11 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

BICYCLE ACCIDENTS.  If statistics of accidents happening to, or caused by, bicyclists ever come to be compiled, the ages of the riders concerned would form an interesting and instructive feature of the return. That more mishaps do not occur is remarkable, in view of the fact that the earliest and most Inexperienced attempt* of mere boys and children are now generally made upon public ror.ds, and in the presence of more or less traffic. From their erratic course it is clear ,hey do not know even 'how to steer, while it is obvious they are not to be trusted to do She right thing on an emergency. It is for the estia,..ades of such untutored youngsters that wheelmen generally are often held responsible by public opinion; but though the mischief that is wrought, both to the individuals and to the pastime be recognised, there is a good deal of diffiAlty in devising a remedy. It devolves upon parents to see that boys of tender age, until they understand the management of a bicycle, do not launch themselves upon the highway to their own danger and that of others. Accidents are frequently happening to these young riders, who set every rule of the road at defiance through sheer Ignorance, rush round blind corners on the wrong side of the road, and indulge in freaks which render their proximity a source of some anxiety. Only a fortnight ago a boy of nine years of age, who was allowed to disport himself on a tricycle in such a busy thoroughfare as the Brixton-road, met With his death by mettles his wheel into the groove of the cable tramway, with the consequence that he was thrown under a coal waggon be was injudiciously endeavouring to pass, the wheels of which went over his head. The fact cannot be too clearly Impressed upon parents that a bicycle or tricycle is a most dangerous plaything to put in the hands of a child, and in such a case the rider should never be allowed to go upon a public road unattended. Even the tricycle-horses ridden on the footpaths by children of tender age are far from being safe toys, especially if used on anything but level ground. Children cannot DA expected to have any knowledge of the doctrine of forces, while of the youths of 15 and 16 who ride about on bicycles, many shew a very slight appreciation of their responsibilities, judging from the erratic way in which they rush along the roads and ride round corners. —Field.  In reference to the murder of the Abbe Fricot, the parish priest of Entrammes, and whose body was found in the well on his premises, some neighbours (says the Standard Paris correspondent) have affirmed they heard lusty shouts for help, though his assistant priest, named Bruneau, and his woman-servant declared they heard nothing. A ti from Laval states that the Abbe Bruneau has been arrested as the author of the crime. Blood WU found by the judicial and police authorities both on a candlestick and on the keys of the harmonium in his room. The Abbe Bruneau is also now suspected of being the author of the two unexplained fires which broke out at the presbytery of Anal., where he was employed as assistant priest before coming to Entrammes.  Details of a mralaiolla railway tragedy Come from Lyons. On y night, as the express was running between Saint Go&rd and Balvigny, near Roanne, the passengers were startled by the Bound , of revelver shots. When the train was brought to • standstill it was found that & terrible struggle had taken place in one of the saloon 'marriages. • gentleman. whose name was unlmowa, had been attacked, killed, and the body thrown upon the line. The assassin afterwards escaped, and not the slightest clue of his whereabouts has been discovered,