Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1859-09-03 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

MELANCHOLY DEATH OF TH K RCH DEACON OP F.LY,  —lntelligence has just reached England of the death, under very melancholy circumstances, of the Venerable (harks Hardwick, Archdeacon of Ely. He left England at the beginning of August, for a short tour in the Pyrenees. On 'Thursday the 18th, accompanied by an English gentleman 'shorn he had met at Bagneres de Luchon, he ascended a mountain near the Port de Veatasque. The reached the summit safely, and had made part of the descent, when unfortunately, Archdeacon Hardwick proposed taking a different path from that by which they had ascended. His companion, however, preferred keeping to the known track, and reached the foot of the mountain in safety. After waiting for the archdeacon, his (previous) companion because alarmed, and especially as he was told by some shepherds that the descent attempted by Mr. Hardwick was impossible. All attempts to trace Mr. Hardwick on that day were fruitless; but a strong body of guides and police having been procured from Bagneres de Luchon, another search was made early next day, and resulted in the discovery of the unfortunate gentleman's body. Ile appeared to have achieved the most difficult part of the descent, and then to have fallen down a shelving mass of rock, distance of about 200 feet. The lamented deceased ! must have been killed instantaneously, as the skull was found split, his left arm was broken in two places, and his watch shattered to pieces. The remains were interred at Bagueres de Luchon on the following Sunday. DESPERATE 11 Is; 14 WAY ROBBERY --One of the worst cases of highway robbery on record in the criminal annals of this country formed the subject of investigation at York Castle, on Friday last. The parties charged with the offence were three young men, named Stephen Billington, William l'ayne, and Ralph Adams. The two latter are at present under confinement at the castle for the offence of wounding. The prosecutor is Mr. Edward Fame farmer, who lives at Lingwell Gate, about five miles from Wakefield. Ile hal been selling some cattle at the market at that town on Wednesday, the lOth of March, 1838, and wishing to deposit £lOO in the bank of Messrs. Leatlsam, Tew, and Co., in the afternoon, he called there for that per pose, but found the hank closed. Ile had then in his ! possession about £145, chiefly in sovereigns and half. sovereigns but he afterwards called on his way home at two or three public-houses, and altogether partook of half a dozen glasses of whisky. From what has recently transpired. it appears he was dogged on the road by the prisoners and a man named Holdsworth, through whose instrumentality this case has beets brought to light. The prosecutor rode in his cart, and on his arrival at Blacker Lodge railway bridge. shortly after eight o'clock in the evening, he was attacked by three men, one of whom held isis, horse's head. and the others beat him severely with beige stakes. By tipping up the cart they threw him on the road, and whilst lying there they beat him again most unmercifully, and robbed him of everything in Isis possession of any value. Ile was found bleeding very profusely from a severe wound in the head, at least two inches in length, and after being assisted into his cart he went home. He became insensible, and remained in that condition for four days afterwards. Ile was confined to his bed for six weeks, and was not able to resume Isis usual occupation for three months. Billiugton states that Payne and Adams beat the proseeuter very severely, that Payne took from an inside pocket in Mr. Fames waistcoat a purse (which, according to the prosecutor, contained £145 in sovereigns and luilf-sovereigns), and that Payne also said, "Let us murder him ; dead men can tell no tales." Ile (Billington) then said, "No. let us go, we have given him enough." Payne gave him ffits. Payne, in defence, denied that he ever was with Holdsworth in his life.—The prisoners were committed for trial at the next Yorkshire winter gaol delivery.