The Illustrated Usk Observer and Raglan Herald

SUICIDE OF A BLIND GENTLEMAN. The coroner, Mr. J. B. Grindon, recently held an inquest at the Park Tavern, Clifton, on the body of Captain John Salter, who was found in his bedroom at six o'clock in the morning with his threat cut so severely that he died shortly after- wards. The case was a peculiarly melancholy tOnp. Deceased was 75 years of a.ge lie 1).a.d been, :totally blind for a great number of years. His wife died about a fortnight ago, and this event so wrought upon his feelings that his mind be- came affected, and while in that state he cut his throat with a razor. Mr. James Salter, the first witness, stated that he was a brother of the de- ceased, and held an appointment atSomerset-house, London. Deceased was a commander in the royal navy. His wife died about ,a; fortnight ago, and witness had been on a visit, to him for th« purpose of attending the funeral. The house was No. 4, Victoria-place. The funeral took place about a week ago, and witness had since been with the .deceased daily up till ten o'clock in the evening. 'He slept in the adjoining house. Deceased was in bad-health, had been totally blind for 33 years, -and was suffering from extreme debility, ,which had increased since the death of his wife. In fact, his mind was affected by the event, an rl it seemed to drive him into a state of dis- traction. Witness left him on Sunday night, as usual, at ten o'clock. At six o'clock in the morn- ing he was disturbed by the domestic in deeeased's 'house knocking at the wall. Thinking that there was something wrong, he went in and found de- ceased lying with his throat cut, and apparently dying. Matilda, Paget, a domestic, who had been in deceased's service for two months, corroborated thE statement as to his mind being affected by the death of his wife, and also stated that on Sundaj nignt, when she left his room, deceased, on wishing her good night,, desired her to bring up the watei as usual in the morning. At four o'clock she was disturbed by hearing deceased moving about his room, but, as he had recently been accustomed t< do$o,,she took no further notice of it. At sh o'clock, thinking she heard a groaning noise pro, ceeding from his room, she went to the door anc asked if he was ill. receiving no answer sne opened the door, and then found deceased lying near it with his throat cut, and covered with blood. She immediately ran out for a policeman. P.S. David Jones happened to be near the spot, and on the girl telling him that she thought her master was dying, he went up to the room, where he found deceased lying on his" right side in his night clothes; his throat had been cut with a razor, and he was surrounded with blood. He was insensible but not dead. His brother then came in, and witness ran for Mr. Williams, a mediqal i man, who arrived very quickly, but the unfortu- nate man died shortly afterwards. Mr. Williams, surgeon, of Park-villa, White Ladies'-read, stated that at half-past six he went to the house, and found deceased as stated by the last witness. He was insensible, and could not speak. He did not in any respect revive under witness's treatment, and he died shortly afterwards from faintness, owing to loss of blood. The wound in itself was not fatal, the vital parts not being divided to a sufficient extent to cause death. Nothing had come under the witness's knowledge which would enable him to give an opinion as to the state of deceased's mind. The coroner, in summing up, remarked that it was as strong a case of insanity as they often met with, and it was also quite clear that the deceased cut his throat himself while in that state. The jury returned a verdict to the effect "that the unfortunate gentleman died through cutting his throat while in a state of insanity."

Extraordinary Poisoning with Yew-tree Berries.—An inquiry was recently held by Dr. Lan-, caster, at the Green Man, Fincblcy-eommon, relative to the death of Emily Arkhurst, aged thwe years, who died through eating yew-tree berries in Finohley- cemetery. It appeared that the deceased was the daughter of the gardener to the cemetery, and on Wed- nesday last she was with her mother in the grounds, and was observed to eat some berries from A yew-tree. t" Shortly afterwards the child became faint. Medical I assistance was sent for, but in the meantime death en- sued. The p-ostmortem examination plainly proved that death resulted from poison. The jury returned a j wdicix.ofdeathby^^ccidentsflpdsoning* L

THE EXPLOSION AT ERITH AND THE INSURANCE COMPANIES. At a vestry meeting of the ratepayers of Erith, convened by the churchwardens, it was suggested that steps should be taken for the speedy restora- tion of the parish church, which was severely damaged by the gunpowder explosion which took place on Saturday, the 1st inst. The chair was occupied by the Rev. Archdeacon Smith, the vicar, ( who briefly introduced the business. Mr. Church- warden Parish produced the policy of insurance with the London Insurance Corporation, and stated that, in reply to a claim, the company had flatly denied-its liability for any damage caused by the explosion. Several individuals had made claims upon the company with a. similar result. On the policy being read, several ratepayers expressed opinions that, by the terms of the document, the insurance company was undoubtedly responsible. Dr. Browne said he was not so certain upon this point. It was true true that the remote cause of the catastrophe was fire, but the immediate cause was explosion. If they went into a court of law it was probable that the issue would be determined by the immediate cause. At the same time there was no special; exemption in the policy which would do away with the liability of the company. Mr. Parish said he understood that the opinions of counsel had been obtained by various com- panies, and those opinions were in favour of non- liability. After some conversation, it was re- solved, on the motion of Mr. Read, that a- deputation, consisting of the vicar and church- wardens, do wait upon the directors of the' company to represent the case and obtain a final reply. It was resolved that the vicar and church-; wardens be requested to confer with Mr. Hall, the proprietor of the magazines, on the subject. It; 0 in was stated that the repairs of the church would amount to upwards of .£150.

CATCHING THE WRONG MAN: AN ENCOUNTER IN THE DARK. A country-looking man, known to the police, and who gave the name of Walter John Pownty, was charged before Mr. Barker, at Worship-street, with being in possession of property supposed to be stolen. Kenwood, 194 H, said: Last night I was in private clothes in Flower and Dean-street, Spital- fields, and saw the prisoner, coming towards me with a large bundle in his arms. I endeavoured to conceal myself, but he caught a view of me, I suppose, for he suddenly turned and ran. I fol- lowed him into a bye street, and saw him run into a house. He had not time to close the door, but when I entered I was instantly in the dark. I groped about, and at last caught hold of some one's hair, but had scarcely done so when some person laid hold of mine. I thought at the moment it was the hair of the man I held, but found afterwards I was mistaken, for we were both dragged into the street together, and then I I found who it was. Doughty, 87 H: It was me (much laughter). I saw the prisoner running, and my brother consta- ble follow into the house, and coming in contact with somebody's head, naturally held it tight. Then there was a great struggle, and with much difficulty I dragged my load into the light—the street. I was greatly astonished to find it was Kenwood I had hold of (much laughter). Prisoner kicked me afterwards most unmercifully about the legs. I am in pain now. The Prisoner: Who was to help it ? ;See how I was dragged along. Doughty: You kicked me when in the street as badly, while Kenwood was rubbing his head. Kenwood: Prisoner said that if I would let him go lie would make me a present s? the bundle-a coat, waistcoat, and trousers-but I told him he I knew me to be a constable, and I would not do any such thing. I then took him .into custody. I have no owner for the things. Prisoner: I purchased them from a man I do not know a. short time before this happened. Mr. Barker You must prove that. Remanded.

THE' COLLI,ERS', STRIKE. Another large meeting of .colliers has been held at Doseley, which has been without any other result than ;o confirm the resolve of the ;minersto continue on strike. It was stated at the meeting that the looomo- tive drivers who bring coal to the district from Lan- jashire, North Wales, Derbyshire, and ether places, ire about to strike, with the notion ef helping the Staffordshire miners to a. victory. The announcement was received with great applause, but its correctness is auestioned in the district. Mr. Tomlinson, sergeant of police, has arrested a man as the chief of the mob who committed early on Monday morning the dastardly outrage of blowing up a house at Lower Gornal, with the intention of injuring the inmates. Considerable interest was shown by the miners on strike when the apprehension became known, and some followed him, he protesting his inno- cence to those around him. This man's real name is Thomas Marsh, but he is only known as Thomas Pea." He is a ,miner, residing at Gornal Wood, only a short way from the house of Joseph Roberts. Marsh has been on strike ever since the unhappy struggle between the masters and men began, and he has acted somewhat prominently in the demonstra- tions of the men. On Tuesday morning, as Samuel Mason, a man who had been at work at the old rate of wages, at Mr. Hodgkiss's colliery, at Wednesbury Bridge, was stand- ing near to his own door, one of the colliers' bands, which had been perambu ating the neighbourhood, approached him, with about sixty or seventy persons, andthemob hemmed him in, and taunted him with being a blackleg," pushed him about, and. struck him. He had on more than one occasion previously been way- laid by men on strike, and threatened.—On the same night, a party of about 1,000 persons (including a band) escorted some of the colliers who had been at work at Mr. Mdlington's colliery, at Stone Cross, at the old rate of wages, from the pits to Hill Top, where, after the men had been hustled about and threatened, one of them was struck by several of the men in the crowd. i At the Hales Owen Police-court, on Tuesday, John Tristram, a collier, was convicted of having assaulted Thomas Hains, a collier, employed at the Now British Iron Company, and was sentenced to twenty-one days' imprisonment. At the Dudley Police-court, on Wednesday, before Captain Fletcher, Captain Bennitt, and Mr. Swindell, Benjamin Cooper, miner, was charged with having assaulted John and Hannah Westwood.—William Hunt, Kate's-hill, miner, was charged with having assaulted Isaac Westwood.—The same-William Hunt was also charged with haying resisted Police-constable William Moore, while in the execution of his duty.— James Rowley was charged with haying resisted Police-constables Taylor and Pardoo.—John Turner, John English, and Joseph Hunt were charged with having assaulted Isaac Westwood.—Joseph Hunt, Star and Garter public-house, Eite's-hall, was charged with having resisted the police while in the execution of their duty. The whole of the above charges arose out of an attempt on the part of Joseph Hunt and William Hunt, his son, to conceal Samuel Rowley, against whom the police, had a warrant, for threatening Isaac Westwood, with the view of preventing him from going to work. This warrant was being executed on Monday last when the offences above mentioned were committed. The evidence occupied the attention of the court a long time, but the detaila are not at all of general interest. The elder Hunt, as occupier of the Star and Garter, in which house Rowley had taken refuge, was fined £6 and costs, or in default, two. months' imprisonment, with hard labour. Hunt the younger was fined 40s. and costs, or, in default,, one month's imprisonment, with hard labour. Cooper was fined 40s. and costs, or two months. English was fined 40s. and costs,, or two months. Turner, 20s. and costs, or one month. Rowley, 20s. and costs, or one month; and the two Hunts were further fined 40a. and costs each, or two months for the assault on Newbold. Tha man,Rowley was also fined ofilO and costs, or two womlkbw imprison- ment, for threatening to shoot Police-constable Isaac Taylor, and pointing a gun at him. There is good reason to conclude that, upon the most moderate computation, there are now ten thousand tons of coal being brought into this district every day, in excess of the quantity that was being imported be- fore the commencement of the colliers' strike. The agents of the railway companies state that even thia vast supply is increasing daily, and that they hitherto have been able to meet the demand made upon them.

THE ALLEGED LOSS OF H.M.S. BULLDOG. The anxiety occasioned by the reported loss of H.M.S. Bulldog has been considerably allayed by a notice issued by the Secretary of the Admiralty, which says: There appears to be no truth in the report of the Bulldog having been lost between Bermuda and Halifax." This statement, however, does not refute the original report as clearly as could be desired. Some further facts have been elicited, but the affair is still very confused. A letter was received in Devonport yesterday from a relative of Mrs. Wake, wife of the captain of the Bulldog, living at Malvern. The relative is staying with Mrs. Wake, and states that that lady has received a letter from her husband by this ma.il, in which Captain Wake states that a. man-of-war, commanded by Captain Hamilton, had been wrecked. The vessel, guns, and stores were lost, but the crew all saved. In this there must be some confusion, as the only Captain Hamilton at present in commission is Captain Richard V. Hamilton, the captain of the Vesuvius, 6, paddle sloop, and this ves- sel, from Halifax sixteen days, putintoSt, Mary's-roads Sicily, on the 4th instant, in consequence of one of her boilers being damaged, and of the strong easterly winds. She left again soon after, arriving at Ports- mouth on Sunday last. A gentleman at Truro writes that he telegraphed to the Secretary of the Admiralty on the subject, and received thefollowinganswer:—"There is no truth whatever in the report of the loss of the Bulldog." Another correspondent says:—" Should the story be correct, the report must have just arrived when the mail left, and could only have been brought by one of the fast blockade runners, of which Halifax harbour is full. But it is difficult to imagine whence it could have been brought. At any rate, till further information arrives, there is ground for hoping that the rumour will not be confirmed." The facts stand afcpre- sent thus :—The Bulldog, in July last, left Plymouth for Bermuda, having on board, besides her crew, some supernumeraries. These men, on her arrival at Ber- muda, were transferred to the Galatea, and conveyed to the admiral's ship at Halifax-viz., the Duncan. Qn the 29th of September, two of these supernu meraries-one a quartermaster, and the other a ship's steward — wrote to their friends at Plymouth, hurriedly from the deck of the Duncan, the mail being just about to close," to assure their friends that they are safe, although the Bulldog has been wrecked, with the loss, says one of the letters, of all her crew except seven; and according to the other letter, "we all "-meaning either all the crew or all the supernu- meraries-" are saved." The Admiralty say they know nothing of the occurrence. The captain of the Bulldog writes to his wife that a man-of-war," which his de- scription fails to identify, has been wrecked, and her crew saved." Captain Wake's letter, however, must have been written before the 14th of September, on which date his ship sailed for Jamaica.- Western Morning News.

A SINGULAR WILL CASE. A somewhat extraordinary will case, occupying two days in investigation, at the Preston County Court, has been brought to a close. The plaintiff was a woman named Ann Archer, and the de- fendant was a man named Robert Woods. Both reside in Preston. The action was brought by the plaintiff, who is fifty-eight years of age, to recover the estate and effects of an old man nearly eighty years of age, named John Woods. Some months before his death Woods became acquainted with the plaintiff, and eventually they agreed to get married. On the 24th of last May he had-.a will drawn up in which he bequeathed all his furniture, goods, and chattels to the plaintiff. Afterwards he gave her the will, but in a fortnight, and before the marriage took place, he died. The plaintiff then claimed the property, &c., of the deceased, who was in tolerably comfortable cir- cumstances but the defendant, his son, and ".d brothers and sisters, resisted the claim, on the ground that their father, at the time he made his will, was insane. The case was then sent to the Probate Court, in London, but, as the sum in dispute was under .£300, it was referred back for adjudication to the Preston County Court. The evidence for the plantiff was to. the effect that the old man Woods, although of an eccentric, stupid disposition, was of sound mind, and that he had courted the plaintiff, who described herself as a widow, because she had never seen her hus- band for eighteen years, on voluntary principles but two of the parties examined"theattesting witnesses of the will-considerably damaged the case by stating that when deceased made his will he was not his own man." One of them said that he wrote out the document in order to satisfy the deceased, who was afraid that one of his sons was going to take his property from him. Two or three copies of the will were drawn out, but some of them did not suit the old man. One of them named the plaintiff as Ann Woods, and he had it altered to Ann Archer Woods, on the ground that she was not his wife, but would be in five weeks. The witnesses for the defendant showed that the deceased was an imbecile; that he had been subject to fits of maziness and rambled very considerably; that he had a mania for talking about the ill-treatment of his sons, who had always behaved well to him; that he was also continually talking about getting married "in five weeks;" that he was courting about a dozen women, and rambled about matri- mony to several parties; that he often did not know what he was doing, and sometimes lost himself in the streets; that he had been married twice before meeting with the plaintiff; and that since the death of his first wife he had been low in his mind. The jury were absent for upwards of an hour in trying to arrive at a decision, but as there were no signs of unanimity amongst them, they were dismissed shortly before eight o'clock on Wednesday evening, and the case was left for the decision of the judge. <».

Thirteen Persons Buried Alive.-A terrible accident has just occurred on the site of the late ex- tensive fire on the premises of MM. Mery Sanson and Fleuriot, at Lisieux (Calvados). About twenty per- sons, most of them females, were a few days ago occu- pied amongst the ruins in picking out the parts of the bales of wool spared by the flames, when a large piece of brick wall, which was considered perfectly secure, fell with a tremendous crash. Thirteen of them wera buried under the mass. A number of men were im- mediately set to work, and all were got out; but six were dead, and the others more or less seriously injured. An Eccentric Suicide.—On the night of tha 2nd inst., a receiver of one of the large towns in Belgium, committed suicide on board a vessel bound from Rotterdam for Singapore, after leaving an enormous, deficit in his cash account. Before embark- ing he wrote a long letter to his wife, announcing his intention to commit suicide in order to assure to her a pension which he estimated to amount to 3.800L The letter contained the following passage:—" I shall embark on board the Prince Frederic under my own name. I leave on shore, in the hands of M. Hooricks, notary, 19, Boomptjes, at Rotterdam, a mystic will, which you will act upon as soon as you receive notifi- cation of my death. have taken with me everything which can assist in proving my identity. 0[1 our third night at sea I shall go upon deck, and shall allow myself to slip overboard to the bottom of the sea, my body attached to a sort of silken cable long enough to allow my body being towed with the ship, so that my corpse may be easily fished up. I shall leave on the table in my cabin a note informing the captain of my disappearance. A candle, after burning a quarter of an hour, will cause a pistol to explode-, and the noise thus created will cause one of the men of the watch to enter my room. I leave the rest to tlia Carle of Providence."