Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1883-11-02 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

THE ATTEMPTED MURDER ON A FRENCH  IMILWA Y.  Cochoie, a young arehitect, was arraigned on Thursday befioro the Assize Court at Amine on the charge of an attempt to 'nor ler the Ray. G. F. Whidborne on the Northern Railway on the 28th of Jima. The presiding judge, in accordance with French jr iceilure, began by exposing the career of the accuaed up to the praaent time in millet° detail. The ; r goner had, it appeared, !night sea -re' ducls, undergone imprisonment tar a jewel robbery, eht.re.l into an extensive building contract, now r +mainlog tinsatiallsd, and boy ore I c ash in all direct one, The accised acknowledged that he had lived by thft in or ler to meet his bills mil Import his wife rind child. C oehoia woe accustomed to travel on the Northern lt iilway fi t nines by the express elnlot nightly fey the rake of otelling the posien.tot s' luggage, valises, and purses when the paisenpers proceeded to the buffet On the moraine of the &it stupt,d murder, at 12 17, he arrived :t Boulogne by the mail from Amiens. Wier n the train was ab set to go hack Mr. Whidhorne asked whether any one would proceed by it to Peri., and the two travelled together. They at first slip:. Before reaching Abbeville, Cochoie offered a draught t t the clergyman from his flask, whlch was declined. Mr. Whiaborne then again fell asleep, turning his back to Coe lois. Five miles from Amiens he suddenly awoke, feeling three thrusts from some sharp instrument. He instantly rose, receiving a North as he did so. Being • p swerful man, he grappled with his antagonist, and a fearful struggle ensued. Tile clergyman wrested a carpenter's chisel from the rrisoneee grasp, whereupon the assassin produced a a iven-chambared revolver, but was unable to fire, his wrist being tightly held. The tgo men dragged each other from c erne, to corner of the compartment. Fmding that he was baffled, Cochois opened the door, doubtless in order to cast Mr. Whidhorne on to the railroad track. But the int m led victim made good his escape by tha footboard, and was eventually hauled lot, a compartment by a brother of Lord Lligh and another gentleman. An alarm was Riven, and the train treught to • standstill. The guard found Cochois besmeared with blood standing on the footboard. He di clared himself the victim of an outrage. The brakesman thereupon travelled in the same carriage. Cochois suddenly escape'. In spite of the high speed he jumped out on the line. The train was again stopped. , Cochois ran for about 200 paces and stopped a night watchI man, recountlng the story of • pretended outrage upon ' himself. He then proc eded t a hut on the line. The brakesman came in search of him and found the prisoner, who thereupon fired into his owe right ear. Ties train amnia started for Amiene. M. Mallet, Cemmissary of Special Police. having been communicated with, shortly arrived, assuming the custody of the prisoner. Cochois refused Laspeak. He was searched, and four purses were found on turn. The Advocate-General, in a spirited speech, dwelt upoo the increase of railway out! ogee, and demanded • verdict without mercy. Maitre Dubois, tor the defence, in no able reply, denounced the idea of premeditation, aid dwelt on tie forgiving bearing Whidborne exhibited on the day of the sorest of Cochois, and again that day, pointing to this example cf clemency as one worthy ot his sacrad calling. Cochois, who bat been composed during the proceedings, was much moved by his counsel's a ideals. The trial, which had lasted five hours, the wart being densely crowded, ended in a verdict of "Guilty." A sentence of transportation for life was oassed, the plea Of extenuating circumstances being admitted.