The North Cumberland Reformer. — 1890-11-20 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

ORD SHOOTING CASE.  At the Oxford Assizes on Saturday, Catheriue Theresa Riordan, thirty-five, of Sidney Street, Fulham Road, Louder], was charged with the attempted murder of Dr. Frank Bright on the 6th inst. Mr. Reid, Q. 0., aud Mr. Lawrence prosecuted ; Mr. Dachau', Q.C., and Mr. Terrell defeuded.—The pris suer, who looked in much better health than at the prolielluary examination, pleaded re t guilty Li a firm voice. Mr. Reid, in opening the ease, said Dr. Bright could not atteud without endwise iug his life. Mr. Haines repealed the evidence he gave at the Viers Chancellor's Court. lie said that when the prisoner called at Dr. Bright's house on the day named she said that elm cud witness were married. In crossexamination he said the prisoner had spoken to hint about his engagement, and she was excited, kat not um& distressed. Her conduct was at times smear io, but nothing more. He had written a statemerit Li which he said her conduct was eccentric, hut not insane. He had also written that lie had come to the conclusion that she suffered from intermittent fits of some kind of madness, but this was grounded on letters which he had received since hi engagement. She had, to his knowledge, threatened to commit suicide by blowing out her brains, which was after she be. earns acquainted with his engagement. Dr. Collier gave evidence as to the nature of Dr. Bright's would, and Rose, Dr. Bright's butler, spoke in ie!ci nee to the Prisoner calling twice at the Maitoi's house. On the last ctoomion she asked to ere D. B ight just to minute. Dr. Bright wis le:: :lug letters in rho hall. He steppe' forward and said, "What is it?" Witness went for a I.glit, and shortly afterwards he heard a shot.—A barmaid at the Mitre Inn said that she received a retter, which Mr. Haines swore was in the prisoner's writing. It stated that every member of Dr. Bright's family would be murdered before the weddiug-day, and the writer concluded with the words, "By God now I will be a murderese."—Tomlin, the Mill porter was cialled,and said the prisoner called at the College twice, and asked for Mr. Haines. She went to his rooms, and he suleequently requested her to leave. At that she said she would stop there all night, if necessary to see Mr. Hillues.—William Bateson, a youth, said he received the pistol produced from a bey named Wheeler. It was picked up in the gateway of the University Hall. Four chambers were loaded, and he fired gum into the wall. Mr. Wiukfield said Dr. Bright was going on favourably, but it would be dangerous for him to attend. The statement made by the prisoner in the prison infirmary was read. In it elie said she fired at Dr. Bright to frighten him, and she threw herself on the mercy of Dr. Bright, Mr. Haines, and the Court. Superintendent Head said when he emitted the prisoner in London she persisted that she was innocent. Mr. Darling, for the defence, contended that the ,prisoner's threats were empty, and that there was no intention to kill. No one regretted more than the prisoner the harm and trouble she had brought into Dr. Brighets innocent family. He asked the Jury to find the prisoner guilty of occasioning actual bodily harm. The Jury retraced a verdict on the third count, of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm. The Judge sentenced the prisoner to six years' penal servitude.  Samuel Allen,one of the men who were injured by the explosion at Messrs. Kenriok's works at IVest Bromwich, died on Saturday in the West Bromwieh District Hospital. Two other men are still in a serious condition ; but the remaining four are progressing favourably. James and Richard Laidler were sawing wood at Philadelphia Colliery, near Houghton-le-Spring, when the roof fell on them. James Laidler was killed and his brother terribly injw ed. The evictions on the Olpbert estate were continued on Saturday. At the house of a Mrs. M.Giuley, at Meenaoladdy, a determined resistance was made, and for a long time the Shorifte men woie keut out. AT a concert lately, after the ballad lady had warb:e'l " Would I were a bird," great excitement was created by a stalwart miner in the audience shouting, "Would I were a gun."  THE song, "I am weary to-night, love, without you," was composed by a man whose wife had kit him to take care of the children while she went to the theatre with one of the neighbours.