The Warwickshire Herald. — 1887-10-06 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

LOVE AFFAIR.  Vivian Eder, 18, described as a brewer's pupil, was charged at the Lambeth Police-eourt, London, with attempting to commit suicide by jumping from a carriage of a train, whilst in motion, at Sydenham-hill. Mr. Canfield, stationmaster at Sydenham-hill, stated that some time after the 12.20 train from London had gone towards Penge, he received a telegram trom the latter place informing that a carriage-door had been found open. The prisoner was afterwards brought from the tunnel to the station. When asked why he got out of the train, he made no reply, and was then given into custody.—Mr. Chance: did he give no reason whatever for leaving the train whilst in motion 7—Witness : He (lid not.—Mr. Chance: Was he sober 7—Witnesss : Perfectly sober.—Mr. Chance : He does not appear to be injured.— Witness : He has scarcely any injury. There is a slight mark down the right side of the face, as if something had just touched it. It was greasy as if it was part of a train.—Mr. Sydney, solicitor, who appeared for the defendant, said he would address his Worship on the case later on.—W. Waite, platelayer, of the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway Company, stated that whilst passing through the tunnel with a mate, and when about 150 yards from the entrance, he saw something between the rails of the down line, which at first he thought was a dog. After an up train had gone by he turned to the spot, and there found the prisoner lying upon his face between the rails. He was praying and then speaking about some young lady. After some little time, witness, with assistance, got the prisoner out of the tunnel to the railway station. He refused to answer any (tuestions.—Mr. Chance : You say there is a mark on his head 7—Witness : Yes ; and I should think it was caused by a portion of an engine touching him. A Police-constable said he was called to take the prisoner into custody, and found him quite sober and apparently unhurt. Witness said to him that it was fortunate he was not more injured, to which he replied that he (lid not think so. Upon asking the prisoner why he got out of the train, he replied that witness ought to know without asking him, and added that he was sorry he was no:. more injured than he was. —Mr. Sydney said the prisoner was most respectably connected. He was only in a position to say, in defence, that no doubt there was a little love affair at the bottom of it. Something had been said to him about it, and that appeared to have upset him. Of course he could not for a moment justify the wicked course adopted by the prisoner, but asked that he might be allowed to go with his friends, who would take care of him —Mr.Eder, a merchant, and uncle of the prisoner, stated that he had spoken to the prisoner about his having formed an acquaintance with a female, and he seemed very excited about it and cried a good deal. The prisoner kad been likewise subject to tits. The following letter found upon the prisoner was handed to his Worship :—"27, Gordon-street, Gordor.-3quare, Sept. 20.—Dear Darling Polly,—When you get this letter I shall be no more. Let them say what they will, but remember I loved you better than anything in the world,—Vivias."—The prisoner, in answer to Mr. Chance, said he did not know what he was doing at the time. He was now sorry for what had happened. Mr. Chance said the prism,. had an extraordinary escape from fearful injuries or even death. If he allowed him to go home with his friends, would he promise never to attempt such s wicked act again 7—The prisoner saii he would certainly make that promise, and upon the further supplication of Mr. Sydney, the prisoner WU allowed to leave under the care of his uncle.  Tux Banbury Board of Guardians have decided by votes to 10 not to enforce compulsory vaccination. FROSTS have set in early And with unusual severity in Cheshire. The other morning the ponds in exposed fields were frozon over. GEOROE FORDIIAM, the v, ell-known jockey, is seriously ill. A PROJECT is under consideration at Geneva to construct a railway through Juni by tunnelling the Faucilles range of mountains, in order to shorten tho distance from Genoa to Paris.