The Sun. — 1861-07-12 (London, England)

THE COLLIERY ACCIDENT AT CLAY CROSS.— Thirteen more bodies of unfortunate fellows who perished in this accident have been found. The number at present recovered is seventeen, and the bodies of those still unaccounted for were expected to be recovered during last night, as the ventilation has materially improved, and it is expected before this morning the pit will be filled with atmospheric air, so as to permit of an examination of every part of the workings. If the bodies should be recovered the coroner will hold another inquest, for the purpose of their identification, to-day, but the causes that led to the disaster will not be entered upon until Monday next. Mr. Jackson, M.P., has been frequently at Clay Cross, and has evinced the greatest anxiety for the recovery of the bodies, and we cannot but express our admiration of the indefatigable exertions that have been made by all engaged in this melancholy affair.  This morning, shortly before 12 c'clock, the greatest consternation was occasioned in Northumberland-street, Strand, at the hearing the report of pistols, and a loud outcry on the first floor, No. 1, Northumberland-street, occupied by a Mr. Roberts, an army agent, and who, it afterwards appeared, had fired two pistols at a Major Murray, who was in his office at the time and inflicted two bullet wounds in the neck. Major Murray, although thus wounded, finding that Mr. Roberts had locked the door, and was in possession of another pistol, seized the poker and tongs, and commenced a fierce onslaught on his attempted murderer, inflicting the most fearful blows over the head and face, so as to thoroughly disarm him and render him insensible. A man named Pomfret first raised the cry of murder ; and Mr. Ransom, who occupies offices in the same house, saw Major Murray make his escape from the back yard window into the yard, and as he was bleeding profusely from the wounds in the neck and forehead, he at once led him off to Charing-cross Hospital. In the meantime information was conveyed to the Police-station, Scotland-yard, where a number of policemen rushed to the house, and on going up stairs they found the door locked, and they could obtain no answer. A ladder was procured, and entering the room from the back window, they found it in the most frightful state of confusion, and the floor covered with blood, and in the corner near the door they discovered Mr. Rebuts in a crouching position, bleeding profusely from numerous wounds in the head and face, they being fairly smashed, and on the flour they found the two pistols, one of which had recently been discharged. Mr. Roberts was immediately raised up by ;the police, a cab sent for, and conveyed to Charing-cross Hospital, where Major , Murray had previously arrived; they were both placed under the care of Mr. Skegg, the house surgeon, and assis• tents, when their wounds were found to be of the most fearful and dangerous character ; but from the short time that elapsed since the dreadful occurrence, it was impossible to learn the exact nature of the injuries, and for the same reason it is not possible to obtain any reliable information as to the cause of Mr. Roberts attempting the life of Major Murray, further than that Major Mur • ray, who is the brother of Captain Murray, of 35, §tanley-street, states that there were pecuniary transactions between them, and that shortly before he met Mr. Roberts who invited him to his office, and an angry altercation took place between them, when Major Murray suddenly saw Mr. Roberts take up the pistol and fire it, finding himself wounded, he then in self-defence commenced the attack on Mr. Roberts with the poker. Both parties are in charge of the police at the Charing-cross Hospital, and no hope is entertained of the recovery of Mr. Roberts.  DR. S3LETTITIRST_AND