cornwall england newspaper
1848 NEWS
NOVEMBER
3 NOVEMBER 1848, Friday
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE
COURT OF THE STANNARIES - His Royal Highness Prince Albert presided at a Court of Stannaries held on Wednesday last, in the office of the Duchy of Cornwall, Somerset House. His Royal Highness arrived at Paddington by special train via the Great Western Railway, and a special train was ordered to be in readiness to convey his Royal Highness and suite to Slough to the afternoon, en route to Windsor.
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF CORNWALL - The annual meeting of the subscribers of this institution was held at Truro on the 27th ult., when the usual routine business was transactd, and the officers for the ensuing year elected. DR. CARLYON was elected president, and the Treasurer and Secretaries were re-appointed. There are to be only three exhibitions in 1849. the first at Truro on 11th of May, the second at Falmouth on the 22nd of June, and the last for the year at Truro, on the 7th of September.
MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS - Truro - On Wednesday last, the annual election of councilors for this borough took place. Little interest was felt in the matter by any parties, excepting those immediately concerned, and the usual whippers-in of the tory party. The retiring councilors were, for the western ward, Messrs. TIPPET, BORROW, and H. ANDREW; and for the eastern ward, Messrs. E. MICHELL, STEVENS, and Dr. CARLYON, all of whom were re-elected. EMIDY's celebrated band discoursed sweet music afterwards, doubtless at the expense of the councilors, to announce to the inhabitants the victory achieved by the tories through the indifference of the liberals.
Liskeard - There was no opposition by the tories, so that the elections have gone very quietly. The following were appointed: Messrs. JOSEPH ADAMS, (re-elected), CHRISTOPHER CHILDS, JOHN BONE, and CHARLES JAGO. The retiring councilors were Messrs ADAMS, GEACH, MILROY, and HOCKEN.
Falmouth - On Wednesday last, the votes of the burgesses for four councilors, consequent on the expiration of the term of office of Messrs. J. b. COX, J. T. PASKO, W. R. BROAD, and R. OSLER were taken at the town hall. The two first were re-elected; MR. R. B. BROAD, replaced MR. W. BROAD, and MR. R. S. DONNALL, MR. R. OSLER.
Penryn - the retiring councilors for this borough were MR. J. STEELE, MR. A. TEAGUE, MR. J. ROGERS, and MR. R. R. RAPSON; and the councilors elected on Wednesday last, were MR. GEORGE BROKENSHIR, 172, MR. JOHN ROGERS, 168, MR. CHARLES MOON, 151, and MR. JOHN C. BLAMEY, 151 votes.
Helston - Messrs. THOMAS ROGERS, JOHN KIRBY, JAMES CLARKE, and GEORGE LANYON were re-elected to [...] councilors of this borough on Wednesday last, with no opposition.
BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY - The meeting of the Helston branch of this society was held in the Town Hall, Helston, on Wednesday, the 25th ult., when the chair was taken by the Mayor as president of the branch association.
The chairman opened the meeting by speaking of the noble objects of the parent society and its operations and wonderful success both at home and in foreign parts, nothwithstanding the difficulties with which it had had to contend from the commencement down to its forty-fifth anniversary. He then introduced the Rev. THOMAS PHILLIPS, as the deputation from the parent society, who is a most efficient advocate of the great interests of the society.
The report by the financial committee was then read. [The committee reported this branch issued 286 books, only half the number disposed of in the preceding year. Subscriptions were about GBP 6 less than last year.] Perhaps this cheerless and naked report may awaken in some minds the suspicion that all is not right, that somebody is to be blamed for this state of things, and that it would not have been so if every one had done his duty. The committee cannot for a moment suppose that there is now no one in want of the scriptures, or that by any means the sacred volume is lessened in the public esteem. There are other and more palpable reasons to be assigned for the falling off.
In the first place, migration and emigration have considerably thinned the population of this district; by the failing of the mines it is computed 3,500 or about one-half of the adult male population of the mining district have been compelled to leave this neighbourhood. These men had drawn largely on the sympathies of their neighbours, had subsisted awhile on parochial relief, and were reduced to the last extremity before they overcame the natural love of home; and they were obliged to sell, at an immense sacrifice, their furniture and cottages which they had raised by the savings of their industry before they left the country. The number of purchases was, therefore, lessened, as these persons before their removal had no money to spend on books.
The failure of the mines likewise seriously affected the trade of Helston, for whilst the mines were in course of working, not less than GBP 6,500 were paid as monthly wages, and spent in the town and neighbourhood, yielding a profit to those concerned. This cause has also lessened the ability of such of the population as remain to contribute to religious and charitable institutions, and fully accounts for the decrease in the funds. In the former year, too, sermons were preached in each of the dissenting chapels of the town, and collections made in aid of the funds amounting to GBP 31.18s.6d.; but this year it was not deemed expedient to make such collections.
Should it still be said that after making allowances for the foregoing depressing causes, the sum raised by this branch is very small, the committee say they are ready to admit the truth of the observation. The committee, however, do not feel discouraged, but hope that the return of a more settled and prosperous state of things will enable them to make a more favourable report next year.
SUNDAY SCHOOL TREAT - On Monday last, the teachers, children, and friends of the Wesleyan Sunday School at Treworlas, Philleigh, took tea in the barn of MR. THOMAS, which was kindly lent for the occasion, after which the teachers and friends repaired to the chapel, where a public meeting was held, and the benefits arising from a scriptural education were enforced by the superintendent MR. THOMAS, the REV. W. JAMES (Independent), MR. PASCOE, and others.
ST. LAWRENCE SHEEP FAIR - This fair on Monday last was very large; and the sale heavy; fat sheep fetched about 5d. per lb., store cattle 25s. to 33s. each. The cattle fair on Tuesday was large and also dull. There being very little demand for plough oxen and steers, the sales were few at rather lower prices than of late. Beef fetched from 48s to 52s. per cwt; lean cows 30s. to 34s.; cows and calves 46s. to 50s. per cwt.
HELSTON WENDRON FAIR - This fair, on Monday last, was well supplied with both fat and lean cattle, but the sales effected were by no means numerous. Fat beasts realized about 47s. per cwt., and lean ones fetched from 38s. to 40s. The high prices asked for cows and calves prevented many sales from being effected.
LOSS OF TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS AT FALMOUTH - On Saturday last, while the men were employed taking out the Bullion that came as freight in H. M. Packet "Penguin," from Rio de Janiero, through the heavy roll of the ship, a barrel of dollars, amounting in value to GBP 600 sterling, slipped overboard. A man dived for the purpose of recovering it, but he was unable to succeed. There have since been several attempts to get the treasure up, but without effect up to Wednesday last. It is intended to procure a diver from some of the eastern ports, in order to recover the money.
LOSS OF A BRIG - As the "Riviere," BURT, of Hayle, was entering Liverpool bay on Tuesday week, at nine p.m., with an engine from Messrs. SANDY, CARNE, and VIVIAN, she was run foul of by the Steam Packet "Orion." The crew had sufficient presence of mind to effect their escape by jumping immediately on board the steamer. The brig immediately sank; but hopes are entertained that she may be got up with the engine, as there are not above five or six fathoms of water where she went down. The cargo is insured, but not the vessel.
DISASTER AT SEA - On Wednesday last, the "Victoria" pilot-boat, MR. F. CHARD, towed into Falmouth the Hamburgian brigantine "Norma," a complete wreck. As far back as the 24th of September, on her passage from Mexico, laden with logwood, she encountered a heavy gale of wind from W.S.W., and about half-past two A.M. of the next day she was struck by a tremendous sea, which threw her on her [beam-ends], and carried away the boats, bulwarks, stanchions, cook-house, and everything else on deck.
The efforts of the captain and crew were then directed to lightening the ship, and whilst in the act of cutting away the weather lanyards, another sea broke on the ship and washed overboard four of the crew and the captain, and a large Newfoundland dog. The man at the wheel was struck with one of the handles and almost crippled; another was severely bruised by portions of the wreck, and each had a narrow escape with their lives; a third sustained such severe injuries in both legs that he has been unable to do any duty since, and from that time up to her arrival at Falmouth, the ship had to be re-fitted and worked by three of her crew. On their arrival, they were in a state of great exhaustion, and the poor fellows were obliged to have recourse to medical aid. They have received every attention and are now doing well. They report, that two days after their misfortune, they saw a brig, apparently English, in a state of wreck and abandoned.
On Saturday evening last, the French brig "La Louisa," Captain E. EVAIN, of and from Nantes, for Cork, with 250 quarters of wheat, owing to stress of weather, damage received, and cargo shifted, was compelled to bear up for St. Ives. On Monday she was surveyed by Messrs. MATHEWS, of Penzance, and DANIEL, of St. Ives, by the direction of MR. PEARCE, the French consul, and will be partly discharged in order to undergo the necessary repairs.
RATE OF MORTALITY, &C - The returns just published by authority of the Registrar General state the mortality in the kingdom, during the quarter, ending September 30th, to have been below the average, 6,034 deaths less having been registered than in the corresponding quarter, in 1847. So far as the returns down to the end of September go, there was no trace of the epidemic of cholera in England, although it has subsequently appeared.
The returns from the Redruth district, for the quarter ending September 30, show the number of deaths to have been 193, while in the corresponding quarter of last year, they were 178. In the Penzance district, the number of deaths returned, is 285; in the corresponding quarter of 1847, the number was 186. The Penzance registrar remarks, that the deaths were 164, which was considerably above average, owing to the prevalence of dysentery, from which cause no less than 65 deaths have been registered during the quarter.
The Marazion registrar states, that the deaths were 34; being somewhat above average, several having occurred from epidemic dysentery, principally with the poor, arising from the dampness of the season, and an impoverished diet. With the exception of a few days in July, and the period between the 9th and 23rd of September, the weather during the quarter ending September 30, was wet, with very little sunshine.
The month of August was extremely wet, and in many parts of the kingdom the falls of rain, both in July and September, were unusually great. So much rain falling in a period immediately following the previous bad weather, renders the season and the year very remarkable. The mean monthly temperatures of Devon and Cornwall, during the quarter, were about the same as those of other places, but the extremes of daily and monthly temperatures were much less than elsewhere. The mean temperature of the air at Truro, during the quarter, as observed by DR. BARHAM, was 57.3; at Falmouth, as observed by MR. LOVELL SQUIRE, 58.0; and at Helston, as observed by MR. M.P. MOYLE, 58.5.
EXETER DISTRICT COURT OF BANKRUPTCY - The following cases were brought before the court on Wednesday the 25th ultimo.
THOMAS CAIRNS, of Redruth, draper. Application for certificate. MR. HIRTZEL, observed that it was his duty to oppose the certificate, because the bankrupt had set down his good debts at only GBP 8, whereas a sale had been held, at which they had realised more than GBP 560, and they would even have realised more, had the trade assignee permitted the sale to take place on a different day. It also appeared that the bankrupt had himself offered GBP 100 for these debts.
Mr. Hirtzel read a letter from Messrs. Duncan, of London, who stated that had the sale been held on a Wednesday, instead of a Saturday, the debts would have made twice as much; that the bankrupt, the trade assignee, (who was not a creditor), and another had been in [collaboration] to prevent a higher price being realized, and that the bankrupt had sent away all the young men, his assistants, to Scotland, by which they were prevented introducing the customers to the purchasers of the debts. Bankrupt said he had been obliged to send them to their homes, as he had no means of supporting them.
His Honor had always said creditors were at least entitled to have a fair statement given by a bankrupt of the state of his affairs. There had been a misrepresentation in this case by bankrupt, as to the value of his property, for which he should suspend the certificate for six months, with protection.
MANSION-HOUSE, LONDON - HENRY BRAMALL, alias HENRY EDWARD BRAMALL, alias HENRY BEAUMONT, was brought before the Lord Mayor for final examination, charged with having married several young women, all of whom are now living. The REV. ALEXANDER FLETCHER stated, that in the year 1839 he married HENRY BRAMALL to REBECCA COUCH, at Prince's-street Chapel, Devonport. He believed the prisoner to be the man he married upon the occasion. The certificate of the marriage, which stated that it had taken place on the 18th of August, was produced and authenticated.
ELIZABETH TINLEY stated that she was married to the prisoner on the 25th of March, 1843. He stated to her that his name was HENRY EDWARD BEAUMONT, and five months after the marriage he went to sea.
EMILY GEORGINA ROSE, whose affections the prisoner had gained on the passage to India in the vessel in which he was acting as surgeon and she was a passenger, was the next witness called. The poor young creature was an object of commiseration. She has not yet attained her 16th year, and upon being called upon according to the customary form to say whether she knew the prisoner, she was quite over-powered by her feelings, and sobbed and wept bitterly. It was well that she had but to answer a question or two. She stated that she was now in Sussex, living with her friends, and that she had been married to the prisoner at the Old Church in Fort William, Bengal, on the 30th of October, 1847, and had lived with him afterwards as his wife.
ANNA AMELIA BLAND, who was supported to the chair in the witness-box, and appeared to be in extreme affliction, gave evidence as to her marriage with the prisoner on the 30th of September, 1848, and stated that she had lived with him till the Saturday on which he was apprehended.
MR. COUCH, a gentleman of well-known respectability in the city, stated that he was brother to REBECCA COUCH, the prisoner's first wife. She was now living with her parents at Liskeard. The prisoner left her in April, 1842. The witness here produced a letter which the prisoner had written to his wife upon his departure, excusing himself for the absence of a day or two.
MR. W. MEDLAND, medical and drug agent in Upper Thames Street, stated that he was married to the prisoner's first wife's sister, and knew him well. He believed the writing produced to be that of the prisoner. He had been at the prisoner's house at St. Blazey, in Cornwall, where the prisoner carried on the business of a druggist. "I met the prisoner," said the witness, "one day in Bishopsgate-street, and he told me he was surgeon to a ship. I expressed some surprise at the circumstance, knowing his want of qualification, and he assured me that he had got his certificate from Apothecaries' Hall upon the subject, when it was found that there was no entry of thh[sic] name. It is supposed that the certificate which he became possessed of belonged to another person, whose name he erased by a chemical process for the purpose of substituting his own."
Mr. BUCHANAN said, the prisoner wished him to state that some of the women who came forward against him knew, when they were receiving his addresses, that he was a married man.
The Lord Mayor - If such were the case it would be an aggravation of his crime, for in again marrying he was making those who were aware of the fact parties to the felony.
The prisoner requested to be allowed to remain at the Giltspur-street Compter until the time of trial, for the convenience of consulting his solicitor upon the subject of his defence. The Lord Mayor peremptorily refused to grant the favour, and said that Newgate presented adequate facilities. The prisoner, against whom many strong expressions of ill-suppressed indignation were uttered during the investigation, was then committed for trial.
Between the first examination and the committal of the prisoner a gentleman of the medical profession to whom the prisoner had become accidentally known in India waited upon the Lord Mayor and made some details, which showed that the fellow had been long in the habit of imposing upon young women by a great variety of gross misrepresentations, and that he spoke of his marriages as forming examples of his genius in his plans of seduction. As the case at present stands, the heaviest punishment that can be inflicted upon the prisoner is transportation for seven years, but it is believed that the Apothecaries' Company may come forward to prosecute him for the forgery of the certificate.
ROBBERIES AT CALLINGTON - On Friday night last, three robberies were committed in Callington. The shop windows of MR. WILLIAM BUDGE, watch maker, were broken open and twenty-two watches and a quantity of watch keys stolen. A board was taken down, and a hold cut into the shop of MR. JOSIAH WADGE, watch maker, and a time piece, a lot of watch chains, and other articles stolen; and the dwelling-house of MR. JOHN PETER, purser of the Callington Mines, was entered at the parlour window, and a pair of sugar tongs, a toast rack, a pair of plated candlesticks, and other things stolen. It is generally supposed that the thieves broke open this house under the impression that they should be able to carry off the money which they expected would be there for paying the miners on the next day. The thieves are supposed to be all one gang, and at present they remain undetected. Two men were apprehended on Saturday last, on suspicion of having committed the robberies, but they were af!
terwards liberated, as nothing could be proved against them.
SHOP LIFTING AT FALMOUTH - For some time past, a number of shopkeepers at Falmouth have missed things from their counters, &c., without having any clue to the depredators, but two females being suspected, policemen JULYAN and HARRIS kept on the look out. It was the practice of the parties to visit the shops in the morning about breakfast time, when there was no one in them. On Wednesday morning about nine o'clock, Harris saw one of the women enter Mr. EVERY's, a tailor's shop, when she appeared to conceal something about her person. On her coming out he inquired if Mr. Every had sold her anything; she said no, he was not aware of her being in the shop.
Harris afterwards overtook, and apprehended the woman, and on bringing her back, she was found to have a long piece of brown cloth under her arm, which Mr. Every identified as his property. The constables then went to her house and found a large quantity of articles of different descriptions. The prisoner was subsequently brought before J. B. COX, Esq., mayor, and J. HILL, Esq., when there were produced on the table two cakes, two canisters of tea, one canister of coffee, a coffee pot, a quantity of ribbons, satins, remnants of cloth, gimp, caps, basket, and other articles, many of which parties who were present identified.
Mr. Every swore to the piece of brown cloth, and Mr. FROOD to a piece of black satin, which had been taken from his shop and pledged with MR. JACOB, the pawnbroker, by the prisoner, on the 24th ult. MR. EDWARD HOCKING swore to a piece of bacon, about 12 lbs. weight, and the magistrates remanded the prisoner till twelve o'clock on Friday next, in order that parties might come forward to identify the other articles found. The prisoner calls herself MARY O'CONNELL, the wife of a private soldier of the 82nd regiment, now at Pendennis Castle, and she lives at New-street, in the parish of Falmouth.
COMMITTAL - On Thursday the 26th ultimo, at Pool, Illogan, during the parish wake, a show was exhibiting at the village, conducted by a man called BERNICEY, but the players having left the booth for a short time to go to Redruth, a young man, BENJAMIN DOWER, aged 24 years, induced a little girl of the age of eight years to enter the booth, where he attempted to take improper liberties with her. He was afterwards brought before STEPHEN DAVEY, Esq., charged with the offence, and MR. HARRIS, surgeon of Redruth, having been examined, the accused was committed for trial at the next assizes.
CORONERS' INQUESTS - The following inquests have been held before JOHN CARLYON, Esq., Coroner, since our last report: On Tuesday last, at Illogen, on the body of WILLIAM HOCKING, miner, aged 21 years, who was killed in Carn Brae Mine last Monday, by accidentally falling from the 105 to the 115 fathom level in one of the shafts at the western part of the mine. Verdict, accidental death.
On Wednesday last, at Falmouth, on the body of PETER DUNSTAN, aged about 70 years. From the evidence, it appeared that on Monday last, the deceased, who was a bachelor and lived by himself, had been out spending the evening with a friend, and returned home at about half past twelve on the following morning. A young man called EDWARD WARREN accompanied him home, lit his candle for him, and after drinking about half a wine glass full of whiskey, which deceased insisted on his taking, wished him good night.
Deceased said he must bolt the door after him, and followed him down stairs for that purpose; about an hour and a half after this, a person called JAMES TOY, who lived under the same roof, heard a noise, and on going out to ascertain the cause, he found that deceased had fallen down stairs, and was lying insensible, with his head over the last stair, and his legs some stairs above. With the assistance of some neighbours, he was carried up stairs, and MR. BROUGHAM, surgeon, was sent for, who attended shortly afterwards, and did all he could for him, but he had received a concussion of the brain by the fall, of which he died in a few hours. Verdict, accidental death.
10 NOVEMBER 1848
STANNARIES COURT - [MICHELL v. ... - a case of fraudulent sale of property, missing a large section of information, but included because it described the real-estate prices in 1848.]
[MR. MICHELL testified] The tenant lived in the house for six months, and at lady-day last it became unoccupied. Witness lived in the house by the railway; it was not worth GBP 10 a year to live in, except for the trade. If he had been about to leave the county, and was not in difficulties, he would have sold it for GBP 150. Buller's-row house, on the five lives, he considered not worth GBP 100. The house by the railway was purchased at the sale for GBP 69.
RE-EXAMINED: When he built the house at Buller's-row there were seven rooms in it, but two small ones had been since built up outside; the upper room could be entered from the interior of the house, but the lower only from the outside.
MR. JOHN TIPPET, auctioneer, Truro, said he had considerable transactions in house property at Redruth, Chacewater, and the neighbourhood, within the last two or three years. He had held sales almost adjoining the property in question, and could not sometimes find purchasers. Through emigration, and the depression of the mining interest, house property was greatly depreciated in that neighbourhood; so much was this the case, that he had advised some persons who had applied to him to sell property, not to do so.
CROSS-EXAMINED: Even a most respectable style of house was greatly depreciated in value, for instance Mr. Hosking's property, which was worth GBP 400, and perhaps GBP 600 or GBP 700 when the mortgage was originally granted, but by sale he could not get even the mortgage money. Sometime he advertised property once, and sometimes twice or three times. He would certainly recommend advertising, except in cases when the property was of small value, and parties could not afford the expense.
DANIEL LANKSBURY, a captain of Consols mine, who had agreed to give Mr. Michell GBP 15 a year for the house in Buller's-row, considered that to be the full value, taking into account the present depreciation of house property in Redruth.
ALEXANDER McCANN, took the house in Buller's-row of Mr. Harris for GBP 16 a year, the landlord to pay the outgoings, and he also put it in repair for witness.
JOHN CHARLES LANYON, merchant at Redruth, had had the letting of houses there, and gave instances of the reduced rents at present given, even for good houses. The town had been in a very bad state for a long time, and was not improving. No person would live in the house by the Devoran railway, except for the purpose of business; to enter it a person must pass over the railway, and it was situate in a very disorderly neighbourhood.
WILLIAM MICHELL, town-crier of Redruth, cried the sale, and posted the placards for it on the 23rd of June; he posted about six handbills; he did as he would for any other sale.
RICHARD MICHELL, auctioneer, acted for Mr. Trevena at the sale. It was held at Mr. Harris's public-house, and was very well attended; from fifteen to twenty were present, and amongst them Mr. Bray. There were six or seven bidders, and the houses were sold to the highest; the sale lasted an hour and three-quarters; he kept it open as long as he could in order to make the most of the property. He asked Mr. Bray to bid. House property was very much depreciated in that neighbourhood.
CROSS-EXAMINED: Mr. Bray told him the following day that the sale was illegal, but did not say so at the time of sale. There were three or four brothers-in-law of Mr. Michell there. Witness had no reserved price given him.
JAMES DENNIS, mercer and tailor, at Redruth, bid for both houses at the sale on his own account, and went as high as he thought well to go; he considered the auctioneer made as much of the property as it was worth; house-property was in a very reduced state at Redruth; did not go to the auction as a friend of Mr. Michell.
JAMES POPE, agent of Wheal Basset, bid as high at the sale as he thought prudent to go. House property was now worth very little at Redruth; it was an open sale; saw placards posted; bid GBP 40 or GBP 50 for the house in Buller's-row, and taking circumstances into account, he thought that sum as much as it was worth.
MR. CHILCOTT then addressed the jury for the defendant. He cited a statute enacting that every sale of lands, goods and chattels made for the purpose of disturbing, delaying, hindering, or defrauding a creditor, should, as against that creditor, be void. He contented that the sale in this case was made with that view as against Mr. Bray, and therefore, according to the statute, it was void. [Secondly, he argued the whole sale was a sham, based on the advertisement in the papers of 23rd of June, with the sale following on the 27th. The handbills were dated 21st of June, but not posted until the 23rd. It was "incredible" that the advertisement should contain a mistake regarding the lives; and it omitted the carpenter's shop, which had let for GBP 2.10s. yearly, stated there were seven rooms, not nine, and omitted the extra piece of ground. Mr. Michell received no more money than what the house before sold for, namely GBP 51, despite three additional lives had been discovered.]
The Vice Warden summed up;[if the jury looked at the price given, it appeared from the evidence that as much was given as could at this time of depression, though perhaps not the value of the house two years ago. Had it been sufficiently published and advertised? The number of persons present at the sale was also said to be large in the auctioneer's experience. If the jury thought the sale was a good one, they would find for the plaintiff; but if they believed it to have been a bad sale, they would find for the defendant. The jury retired from the court, and after some deliberation, returned a verdict for the defendant.]
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE
SHERIFFALTY OF CORNWALL - At a meeting of the Council of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, on Monday last; the following gentlemen were nominated to serve the office of High Sheriff for this County, for 1849-1850. SIR SAMUEL THOMAS SPRY, of Tregolls; HUMPHRY WILLYAMS, Esq., of Carnanton; and WILLIAM DAUBUZ, Esq., of Killiow.
ECCLESIASTICAL - We are informed that the REV. JOHN SYMONDS, who has been for some time curate at Falmouth church has resigned, having been appointed to a similar charge at St. Gluvias.
NEWLYN - On Tuesday last, R. GULLY BENNET, Esq., of Tresillian House, in this parish, held his annual court, at the New Inn, to which in addition to his own tenantry a large number of the yeomanry of the parish were invited. After the cloth was removed and the usual toasts drunk, a new feature in the entertainment was introduced. The worthy gentleman had engaged MR. KARKEEK, of Truro, to deliver a lecture before the company then assembled, on some practical subject connected with agriculture, with a view as Mr. Bennet stated, to the mutual benefit of both landlord and tenant. The subject chosen by the lecturer was a well-timed one, being on "Farm Yard Manure," which he treated in a masterly manner. [the article then discussed the chemical constituents of a dung heap, etc.]
DISGRACEFUL OUTRAGE - On Sunday afternoon last, some young men named THOMAS WILLIAMS, JOSEPH HALSE, WILLIAM HALSE, JAMES HALSE, JOHN LEDDICOAT, ROBERT GLASSON, and JOHN LASHBROOK went to the Falmouth Arms at Kenwyn Church-town, and remained there drinking from five o'clock till about seven in the evening. The landlord, WILLIAM THOMAS, then refused to let them have any more liquor unless they paid for what they had previously drunk; and he got them all out of the house, with the exception of Joseph Halse, and bolted the front door. The other parties then came to the kitchen window, and using profane language, they called to the landlord, "Turn out our man." On this the landlord desired Joseph Halse to leave, but he refused, saying he would not go with such company.
The parties outside, in the most violent manner then broke in the window shutters and window with stones, a barrel, a crutch, and other things, threatening that they would murder every one in the house, and would knock the place to pieces. The glasses, jugs, and other articles in the kitchen were broken, and the family ran up stairs to escape being struck by the stones. The parties outside then entered through the broken window, and Williams went into the bar, where he seized the till, and a struggle ensued between him and the landlord. He, however, succeeded in taking money from the till, and also some bags of sugar that were in the bar. CHRISTIAN THOMAS, a very old woman, came down stairs and begged the parties to be peaceable, on which one of them, WILLIAM HALSE, struck her a blow with a candlestick, which cut her head open, and knocked her down insensible, causing her to be under medical care ever since.
After committing this violent outrage, the police being informed of the occurrence, one of them, FITZSIMMONS, went to MAGOR's buildings, Truro, to apprehend the parties, on which they assaulted him in the most furious manner. He, however, took two of them, though not without injury to his own person, and the town serjeants, who came to his assistance, took another two, but James and William Halse escaped. On the person of Thomas Williams, 1s.5 1/2d. was found, and he had also some bags of sugar.
On Monday last, Williams was brought before the magistrates at Truro, by whom he was fined GBP 5, and in default of payment, to be committed for one month, for aiding, abetting, and exciting Thomas Williams and William Halse in resisting the policeman. He was likewise accused of felony at the Falmouth Arms, but this charge against him was dismissed.
On Tuesday last, JOSEPH COCK** was charged with refusing to assist policeman Fitzsimmons to arrest the above mentioned parties, when duly called on; he professed, however, that he did not hear the call, and the magistrates, after some consideration, dismissed the complaint. The rest of the parties concerned in this violent outrage, have not yet been brought before the magistrates.
[**in the next issue, the paper corrects this name to JOHN COCK.]
TRURO POLICE - On Tuesday last, THOMAS GUBB was charged with stealing 20 lbs. of coal, the property of MR. J. T. TREGELLAS, who said he had from fifty to sixty tons of coal in a heap on the town quay, and from time to time had discovered that some had been stolen. It appeared that between four and five o'clock on Tuesday morning, policeman WOOLCOCK observed Thomas Gubb coming from the direction of Mr. Tregellas's coal-heap. When he saw the policeman he dropped the coat, but the policeman continuing on the watch, afterwards saw him take it up again and carry it off, on which he followed and took him into custody. The prisoner was committed for trial.
SHOPLIFTING - On Friday last, a youth named GIDLEY was committed by the REV. DR. FLETCHER, at Callington, for stealing a silk handkerchief and some waiscoat[sic] pieces from the shop of MR. L. PHILP, draper, and a waiscoat piece from the shop of MR. THOMAS BROWN, mercer and tailor, both of Callington. He also visited other shops with the same intention as is supposed, but no other charge was gone into. A comrade of his was also taken up on suspension and a jemmy found in his pocket, but there being no evidence to implicate him he was discharged.
MARY O'CONNELL, who, as stated in our last, was remanded to the Falmouth jail for stealing, was on Friday last, brought up, when after another case had been gone into in addition to those before mentioned, she was committed to take her trial at the next borough sessions.
ROBBERIES AT ST. AUSTELL - On Saturday night last, some person broke into the town mills belonging to MR. WILLIAM COUMBE, and carried off about one cwt. of flour. It appeared that they had entered the mill by getting on a linhay, and from thence through a window into the mill where they helped themselves. They then forced the door open and let themselves past. We regret that no clue has as yet been obtained to the offender.
On Monday morning the workmen of Mr. WILLIAM VERCOE, shoemaker, on going to their work, discovered that the workshop had been broken into between the time of their leaving on Saturday night, and their return on the morning of Monday. Several pounds worth of leather, some pairs of ladies boots, a quantity of tools, and a great variety of other articles were found to have been carried off. The depredators have in this case also escaped detection.
BEE STEALING - The stealing of bees still continues, and we learn that the thieves have again visited Calenick, near Truro, and stolen from MR. HENRY MICHELL's garden, two stocks. These vagabonds after having laid tributary the hives north of Truro, for several miles, appear now to be turning to the south of the town. Unless these depredations can be put an end to, there will be but little honey next year, as the bees destroyed by the thieves, are those intended for store. As the purchasers in honey must be aware that the Honest season is now past, and that what is now offered them, must have been stolen, care should be taken both by dealers and housekeepers to give immediate information to the police of the name of any party offering them honey for sale. Unless this is attended to it is clear that they identify themselves with the thieves, and expose themselves to the danger of being implicated in their guilt.
CORONER'S INQUEST - On Monday, an inquest was held before GILBERT HAMLEY, Esq., at Langa.., in the parish of St. Stephens, by Launceston, on view of the body of WILLIAM SHADWELL. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased left Launceston on Saturday evening in company with MR. WM. HICKS, of Northpetherwin, and several other persons. MR. HICKS had a waggon, and deceased for a mile held on behind it. He then walked beside the horses, and, being tipsy, several times struck the leader. Mr. Hicks repeatedly begged him not to do so as the horses were spirited. He then held on by the chain for a short distance when he fell and the wheels went over him killing him immediately. There was not the slightest blame to be attached to any one. Mr. Hicks having repeatedly begged him to get into the waggon. Verdict, accidental death.
17 NOVEMBER 1848
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE
PADSTOW DISTRICT PLOUGHING MATCH - The annual ploughing match for the district of Padstow took place near that town on Wednesday, the 8th instant. The day was fine, and a great number of persons assembled on the ground. The ploughing was excellent, the umpires being Messrs. GUY, HELLYAR, and HAWKEN. Between fifty and sixty persons afterwards sat down to a good dinner at the Commercial Hotel, MR. HENDER PEARSE in the chair, when various appropriate toasts were given and responded to, and the proceedings passed off in the most gratifying manner.
The following prizes were awarded on the occasion: Double ploughs - first prize, JOSEPH CARHART, St. Breock; second prize, JOHN WARNE, St. Issey. Single ploughs: first prize, THOMAS CLEAVE, St. Kew; second prize, WALTER MARTIN, St. Merryn; third prize, FRANCIS BLAKE, St. Minver. For youths under twenty years of age - first prize, RICHARD CLEAVE, St. Kew; second prize, JAMES KEY, Padstow; third prize, FRANCIS RABY, St. Merryn.
CALLINGTON FAIR - At this fair, held on the 9th instant, there was an average quantity of sheep, but buyers were scarce, and the greater part remained unsold. The prices for all descriptions of cattle were lower than at the September fair. Fat bullocks fetched from 45s. to 50s. per cwt., and had a very dull sale.
PLAIN RULES FOR THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF CHOLERA - We have seen a pamphlet under this title by MR. J. v. LYLE, surgeon, St. Thomas, Launceston, which is calculated we think to be of considerable service at the present time. Mr. Lyle's object is not to propound any novel theory of cure, but rather to reduce what is well ascertained in regard to the mode of preventing and treating the disease to a few simple rules for the use of those who may be resident at a distance from a medical man. Mr. Lyle's rules, without materially differing from, appear to be more clear and direct than those issued by the Board of Health, and as their form renders them extremely easy of reference they may be found of advantage, either for family use or for distribution among the poor.
DISASTERS AT SEA - On Monday last, the "Abcona," CAPT. THOMAS GULL, from Great Yarmouth, for Llanelly, with barley, arrived at Penzance with bows stoved, and other damage, occasioned by coming in contact with a cutter, name unknown, off the Lizard on Friday morning last.
On Friday last, at St. Ives, an object was discovered in the offing, which was supposed to be a dismasted vessel. Several boats were immediately manned, and proceeded towards the object, which, however, proved to be a large round-house with part of the deck of a vessel attached to it. On examination, the vessel's papers were found therein, from which it appeared that she was the "Dealy," of Bantry, (port of Skibbereen) from Arbroath, to Shields, and thence to a port of discharge in Ireland. The crew were MARTIN DEE, master, of Youghal; JOHN SLEEMAN, mate, of Westport, N.S., ALEXANDER CHISM, seaman, of Stornaway; WILLIAM CEURY, cook, of Liverpool; WILLIAM COLE, seaman, of Selvedge; HUGH DAVIES, seaman, of Alnwick; SAMUEL SHAW, seaman, of Torpoint; ALEXANDER JAMIESON, of Dundee; and two apprentices.
CORNWALL COUNTY COURT - Falmouth - This Court was held on Saturday last, when the only case that excited any interest was that of DREW v. RAIL and Wife, which was an action to recover for the injury sustained by plaintiff in consequence of the loss of his daughter's services, occasioned by an assault by the female defendant in April, 1847.
MR. GENN, for plaintiff, stated the case, from which it appeared that a dispute having arisen between plaintiff's daughter, who was about twenty-one years of age, and MRS. RAIL, the latter, with her son (a lad sixteen years old) threw the young woman over eight or ten stairs, when the injuries she received were such as to endanger her life. Shortly after the assault an indictment was prepared against the defendant and her son, and at the borough sessions in October, 1847, she pleaded guilty thereto and was fined 40s.
The defence to the present action was, that no assault had been committed; that if there had been one, the lad, and not his mother, was the guilty party; and that defendant had pleaded guilty to the indictment under the advice of her attorney; and for the purpose of procuring her son's discharge. The Judge, however, said he was satisfied the plaintiff had proved his case, and that he was entitled to the full amount of damages claimed. Verdict for GBP 20.
TORPOINT PETTY SESSIONS - At these sessions on Tuesday last, before W. H. POLE CAREW, Esq., M.P., J. CORYTON ROBERTS, Esq., and the REV. S. WALLIS ROBERTS. HENRY HARRIS, appeared on a summons for an assault on JAMES HARRIS, but defendant replied that complainant was very abusive to his father, and said "G.. may send for the d..l if you like."; defendant admitted he then took complainant by the shoulder, to show him the way out, but denied having struck him. This testimony being corroborated by WILLIAM M..., a man in his employ, the case was dismissed.
HENRY BENNETT was charged with stealing a slide, in October last, from T. BATTEN, at St. Stephens by Saltash. The magistrates represented to the prosecutor that they could not summarily adjudicate; and wished him to understand that if a prima facie case were made out, it would be their duty to bind him to prosecute at the Quarter Sessions for the county, on which Batten declined further proceedings.
MR. WM. RICHARDS, of Landrake, appeared to answer for an assault on JOHN POLMEER, on the 19th and 20th of September last. He was fined 5s., with GBP 1.8s. expenses.
WILLIAM OLIVER, of Cawsand, was summoned by the Churchwardens of Maker, for non-payment of 1s.2 1/2d., due for church-rates, which he was ordered by the bench to pay, with 2s.6d. expenses.
TRURO POLICE - On Friday last, ELLEN NEW and ELIZABETH WILLIAMS, were committed for one month to the house of correction, for collecting alms under false pretences. Each of the prisoners had a brief, giving a fictitious account of the distress which they and their families were suffering, and wrongly stating their own names. They had, however, imposed on very few persons in the town before they were detected.
On Monday last, JOHN TREGONING, of Mylor bridge, was fined 20s., with 7s. costs, for assaulting ELIZABETH TREGENEER, in Lemon Street, on the previous Sunday morning.
Some of the parties concerned in the disgraceful outrage at Kenwyn (an account of which we gave last week) were also brought before the magistrates on Monday last. JOHN LASHBROOK compromised the matter with Mr. THOMAS, the landlord of the Falmouth Arms, by paying him 20s. We understand that a great deal of damage was done to the house, and the landlord's property; and that the old MRS. THOMAS, who was so brutally assaulted still lies under medical care from the injuries she received. JOHN LEDDICOAT, another of the parties concerned, was fined 10s. and 11s. costs, for assaulting WM. THOMAS.
WILLIAM HALSE, was charged with the same offence, but the case against him was adjourned. ROBERT GLASSON was fined 5s. and 11s. costs, for aiding and abetting John Leddicoat in the assault on Mr. Thomas. JAMES HALSE was fined GBP 5, and in default of payment committed for two months, for assisting John Leddicoat and William Halse to assault Mr. Thomas, and for assaulting Mrs. Thomas.
WILLIAM HALSE, for assaulting policeman Fitzsimmons, was fined GBP 5, and in default of payment, was committed for one calendar month to hard labour. (We stated last week that JOSEPH COCK was charged with refusing to assist policeman Fitzsimmons in apprehending the parties concerned in the outrage at Kenwyn; the name should have been JOHN COCK.)
CORONER'S INQUESTS - The following inquests have been held before JOHN CARLYON, Esq. - On Friday last, at Perranarworthal, on the body of JOHN LOBB, aged 43, who was found dead in his bed on the morning of that day. Deceased had occupied a room adjoining the foundry where he was employed, and separated therefrom by a wall built partly of stone and partly of brick, and apparently substantial and sound. Deceased had been employed at the foundry for twenty-five years, and was a valuable servant. On Friday morning, as he did not make his appearance at the works, his door was forced open, and he was found dead in his bed; and as the bed clothes were not disturbed, it is supposed that he died in his sleep.
The persons who found him dead,perceived on their entering the room a strong smell of gas. This circumstance induced inquiry, the result of which was, that there could be no doubt the deceased died from the effects of sulphuretted and carburetted hydrogen gases, which were generated by some large castings made the evening before, and which must have penetrated through the wall into his sleeping room. The jury returned a verdict to that effect.
- It appeared that an old man who formerly occupied the room in which deceased died, was also found dead in his bed about two years ago, under similar circumstances; but it was then supposed that he died from some natural cause. There had been in that case as in the present, a large casting in the adjoining foundry the evening before the death of the party; and now there is no doubt entertained that he also was suffocated by gases entering the room. The room belongs to the Perran Foundry Company, who have promised that no person shall be permitted to occupy the room again.
On Saturday at St. Columb Minor, on the body of JOHN LIDDECOAT, aged five weeks, who was found dead in his mother's straw, when she woke on Friday evening. Verdict, "found dead."
On Tuesday, at Little Trevince, in Gwennap, on the body of WILLIAM HENRY JAMES, aged eighteen months. It appeared that on Monday last, the child's mother preparing to wash some clothes, had placed a saucepan of hot water on a tray which was put on a chair. Whilst she was carrying a saucepan into another room, she heard the tray fall; and on her coming back to see what had happened, she found that the deceased had pulled the tray over himself. He was so scalded that he died the same evening. Verdict, accidental death.
The following inquests have been held by JOSEPH HAMLEY, Esq.- At Lawhitton, near Launceston, on the body of HARRIET MORGAN, who poisoned herself by taking corrosive sublimate. It appeared that deceased had lived in the family of MR. LOBB for many years as governess to his children. For the last three months, she had been in a very low and desponding way, constantly saying she was weary of her life, and wishing herself dead. On Wednesday last, she went into a house in the village in a very hurried manner, and asked a little girl to take a note, which she brought with her, into Launceston to a druggist. She gave the little girl a shilling and told her it would come to threepence. The girl took the note to Launceston, and brought back a paper parcel, which she gave to her. The paper was marked on the outside, but she could not read it.
On the next morning, Miss Morgan went into the maid servant's room, and called them as she usually did, and then went down stairs. When the servants came down, she went up stairs again, and very shortly after came down again, partly dressed, and ran out of doors in a very hurried manner. One of the servants went after her, but could not find her. Another servant then went in search of her, and found her in a plantation near the house, leaning against a tree and very sick. She tried to get her home, but could not. She then called Mr. Lobb, who came and brought her into the house. Seeing she was very ill, Mr. Lobb sent immediately for MR. PETHICK, surgeon, of Launceston, who soon arrived, and on seeing the state she was in suspected that she had taken something wrong; and on asking her, she in a short time acknowledged that she had taken corrosive sublimate, as she was tired of her life and wished to die. Mr. Pethick did every thing necessary, but she died in a very few hours.
MR. HURDEN, the druggist, produced the letter he had received from her, desiring him to send three pennyworth of sublimate for Mr. Lobb to strike his lambs with. He sent half an ounce and marked it poison on the outside of the paper. She dissolved it in a tea-cup of hot water the night before, and must have swallowed nearly the whole when she ran out of the house in the morning, as there was very little in the bottom of the tea cup. The evidence of Mr. and Mrs. Lobb, and the servants, went to show the state of mind she had been in for the last three months, which was likewise known to most of the jury, who immediately returned a verdict, that the said HARRIET MORGAN poisoned herself by taking corrosive sublimate, while in a state of temporary insanity.
At the Globe Inn, Fowey, on Monday last, on the body of MARTHA SOUTHERN, aged 16, an idiot. Her father (who is an old man-of-war's man without a pension) on Friday night about half-past eight o'clock was on the town quay, and the girl's mother was at the house of MR. GEORGE, near by, charring. She had the girl in the house alone, a small distance from the fire, as was usual, and was absent for seven or eight minutes. On her return the house was full of smoke. An alarm was given, and she proceeded amidst the smoke to search for her child, who had crept into bed, from which being removed her clothes and the bed were found smouldering, and she was so much burnt, that death ensued the next morning about seven o'clock. Verdict, accidental death.
The following inquest has been held before W. HICHENS, Esq., coroner: On Friday last, at St. Ives, on the body of the wife of MR. S. WILLIAMS, sawyer. Mrs. Williams had been unwell for some time, and was found dead in bed, by her husband. Verdict, died by the visitation of God.
EXETER DISTRICT BANKRUPTCY COURT
Re MENEDUE - This bankrupt, of Camborne, was brought up in custody from Saint Agnes, under the following circumstances: When he surrendered, he had a gold watch with him, which he requested the permission of the Official Assignee (MR. HERNAMAN) to retain. As his last examination he was asked for it, and stated that he had given it to MRS. SPREAT, of the Bristol Inn, Exeter, where he had lodged, as security for his bill. Mrs. Spreat was applied to to give up the watch. She refused, and was subsequently summoned, but it appeared that in the interval she had returned the watch to the bankrupt, who had left for Camborne.
The Bankrupt was therefore summoned to produce the watch; he did not attend, but sent a representation that he was unable to come, having no funds to defray the expenses of travelling. A warrant was then issued, in pursuance of which he was apprehended, and now appeared. He brought the watch with him, and gave it to the Official Assignee. MR. E. FORCE, who appeared for the estate, asked Menedue whether he had now relinquished all his property to the assignees. He declared that he had.
It will be remembered that very recently a "bustle" was taken from the person of the bankrupt's wife, and, on examination, was found to contain about GBP 100 worth of property in gold watches and jewellery. It had been stated, as coming from the bankrupt himself, that there were a number of bank notes also, but none were found. Mrs. Spreat, who had the bustle in her hands, stated on her examination, that she had felt a roll of paper inside, which appeared to her like bank notes; and a girl declared that the bankrupt had said that his wife had a roll of bank notes as thick as his arm. The bankrupt, however, denied that any bank notes had been secreted, and his answers having been taken down in writing, he was liberated.
On Thursday, the 9th inst., dividends were declared in the following cases by the official assignees: WILLIAM MEDLAND, brewer, St. Austell, 7 1/2d. in the pound; S. B. SARJEANT, attorney, Callington, 2s.3d; J. CARNE, jun., grocer, Falmouth, 2 1/2d. final, in addition to 6s.6d. in the pound previously paid.
24 NOVEMBER 1848, Friday
OPPOSITION, THE LIFE OF TRADE - At Wadebridge, on Friday last, in consequence of the butchers demanding the very high price of 6d. and 7 1/2d. per lb. for meat, at a time when farmers cannot at all obtain more than 4 1/2d. or 5d. per lb. for the same on their legs, an opposition was set on foot which not only caused a great uproar and quarrelling, but set every one busily to work to get rid of their meat for fear of a further drop on the price. In consequence of the high prices invariably demanded at this market, some of the respectable farmers of Egloshayle, have commenced killing and selling their own fat stock at a very reasonable price.
ST. COLUMB NEW MARKET HOUSE AND TOWN HALL - The opening of this building was commemorated on Tuesday last, by a public dinner in the Town Hall, which was attended by upwards of sixty of the influential inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood. JAMES WILLYAMS, Esq., of Carnanton, presided on the occasion, and on the removal of the cloth several loyal and appropriate toasts were given and suitably responded to, and the company separated highly gratified with the proceedings of the day.
BOROUGH OF FOWEY - A meeting was held at the Town Hall, Fowey, on the 14th instant, in order to carry out the provisions of the late act of parliament in reference to sanitary improvements. A committee was formed for the purpose of co-operating with the Board of Guardians for that purpose.
AURORA BOREALIS - On Friday evening last, about nine o'clock, this beautiful phenomenon was seen at Truro, extending over a large portion of the heavens. The atmosphere was clouded over at the time, and the aurora appeared of a deep red colour, suggesting to some persons who collected in the streets to witness it, the probability of the extraordinary glow being the reflection of an immense fire at some considerable distance, whilst others of the more superstitious class regarded the phenomenon as portending various dire calamities. The aurora was seen on the same evening in various other parts of the kingdom.
SINGULAR CIRCUMSTANCE - It was rumoured at Truro on Saturday last, that a woman was to be sold on the following Monday, being fair-day, by her husband, and consequently the populace were on the qui vive, in expectation of some fun.
A decently-dressed young woman from St. Agnes being in the High Cross on Monday, some mischievous fellow, without any cause, pointed her out as the woman about to be sold; on which a number of boys, men, and women attacked and pursued her by the church and down St. Mary's-street, where a man seeing the peril she was in, got her inside a house by the back door, which having a latch-key, the mob was prevented from entering after her. She lost a small basket containing some articles, which have not been recovered. The mob then went to the front of the house which she had entered, and remained some time until policemen were sent to the scene of action.
It is commonly thought that wives may be sold in public, because it has sometimes been done; but the practice is altogether illegal, and in the [realm?] of the popular sympathies, as well as the laws of the realm, appeared to be against this barbaric notion.
SMUGGLING - On Tuesday last, JOHN FOWLER, mate of the schooner "William," of Bideford, with WILLIAM JENKIN, and GRIFFITHS ROBERTS, seamen, were brought before R. PEARCE, Esq., magistrate, at Penzance, on a charge of smuggling. The vessel, WILLIAM BRIMSMEAD, master, was bound from Nieupert, Belgium, to Bridgewater, with a cargo of wheat, beans, &c. MR. JOHN MATTHEWS, custom-house officer at Penzance, went on board the vessel just after her arrival on Monday last, and having seen the ship's "manifest," the captain, in reply to a question, said he did not know what the men had.
Mr. Matthews, with a landing-waiter named PADDY, and another officer called GROSE, then examined the men's boxes in the forecastle, and found they had each 3lbs or 4lbs of tobacco, which was said to be all they had. On going down, however, into the sail locker in the hold, three bags wee discovered concealed between the planks, containing 27 lbs. weight of tobacco. These were seized and shown to the captain, who called the crew, when Jenkin and Griffiths took up a bag each as belonging to them, and subsequently the mate claimed the other bag. The men were remanded to await communication with the Board of Customs, they being in the interim on board the "Sylvia," in custody of the collector.
HELSTON POLICE - On the 16th instant, a girl called JANE HARRIS, who was a servant to MR. SAMUEL DREW, was committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions by Mr. PENBERTHY, mayor, for having stolen several articles of wearing apparel from her mistress. She has since been liberated on bail.
ROBBERY AT ST. AUSTELL - On the night of Thursday the 16th instant, some thieves broke into the killing house of Messrs. WELLINGTON and BOASE, situated at the back of High Cross Street, and stole upwards of forty pounds of mutton and tallow.
NARROW ESCAPE - On Tuesday last, MR. JOHN CHARD, pilot of Falmouth, had a very narrow escape for his life whilst following his occupation. He was that day down some miles westward of the Lizard in his cutter the "Gem" the wind blowing hard from the south-west. About noon, it increased to a heavy gale, and the crew were obliged to take in another reef in the mainsail. Whilst doing so, Chard was standing on the gunwale of the punt on deck, tying up the reef-points, but before he had finished, the main-sheet slipped off the clue-pin, and the boom went over the quarter with a tremendous surge, carrying Chard with it. He fortunately grasped hold of the tuck of the sail, and held on until he was rescued, going every lurch of the vessel under water. By the time the cutter was brought head-to-wind, he was nearly exhausted, and must have been in his perilous position nearly twenty minutes. Few know or can conceive the dangers and hair-breadth escapes which pilots experience.
LOSS OF A VESSEL AND CREW - As the schooner "Brilliant," JENKYNS master, was passing off Trevoso Bay near Padstow, on her voyage from Hayle to Wales, she was run foul of by a large barque, through which the schooner foundered, and all the crew perished.
MINE ACCIDENT - a melancholy accident occurred at Charlestown United Mines on Friday last. As three men, named WILLIAM CROSSMAN, and WILLIAM and RICHARD TRUSCOTT, father and son, were tamping a hole, it unfortunately exploded. William Truscott had his right arm broken in two places and one finger cut off, his head very much bruised, his eyes burnt, and was otherwise severely injured. Truscott the younger, was severely cut about his head, but had no bones broken. Crossman was cut about his head, his eyes were burnt, and he was severely bruised in different parts of the body. The men, we are happy to say, are doing as well as can be expected.
ACCIDENTS - On Monday, the 13th instant, JOHN WILLIAMS, of Mawgan in Meneage, a labourer aged twenty-two years, fell into a small stream of water about five inches deep, and was suffocated. For several years deceased had been subject to fits.
On Friday last, as a miner named Benjamin HONEYCHURCH was digging for lead in Wheal Ann, near Hayle, a quantity of rubbish fell and killed him. An inquest was held, with a verdict of accidental death from suffocation.
On Monday last, ROBERT KELLOW, a labourer in Delabole slate quarry, was killed by being struck on the head by the working of a steam engine, the concussion fracturing his skull.
On the 17th inst., at Great Roughtor Consols mine, in the parish of St. Clether, JOHN MITCHELL, who was removing some rubbish in the mine, was killed by the sudden falling of some earth which buried him. He has left a wife and six children.
CORONER'S INQUEST - Held before JOSEPH HAMLEY, Esq., Coroner. On the 18th inst. at the Lunatic Asylum, Bodmin, on the body of PETER JAMES, a patient, who was found hanging in one of the water closets of the asylum. It appeared that the deceased was admitted as a pauper patient from the parish of Breage on the 20th of July last. He was of a very melancholy disposition, and being considered a suicidal patient, was placed in the hospital gallery, where patients of that description are kept. On the evening before he destroyed himself, he was removed into one of the new dormitories (where eighteen patients sleep, with a keeper in an adjoining room) to make room for another patient.
On the morning of the 16th, about four o'clock, one of the patients, named LAWRY, had occasion to go to the water closet, where he saw a man, as he thought, sitting on the bench. He spoke to him, but received no answer. He then called another patient, named UREN, who came and saw that deceased was suspended by his neckerchief to the window frame. He untied him, and Lawry called MARSHALL, the keeper, who came, and immediately called MR. TYERMAN, the superintendent of the establishment. On the keeper leaving deceased the night before, he (deceased) requested to be allowed to have his neckerchief, to put round his head, as he felt cold. This was allowed, and with this he suspended himself. Mr. Tyerman said he was called by Marshall, and when he came, found deceased as before described; he tried every means to resuscitate him, but without effect, as he had been dead for too long a time. He considered deceased as a very melancholy patient, and liable to commit suicide. Th!
e jury returned a verdict that the said Peter James hung himself being of unsound mind.
On Monday last, on the body of JANE DREW, aged 82 years, who died suddenly on the previous Saturday. About ten o'clock on that day, deceased, who had been complaining of illness for some time previously, left her house and proceeded to market. On crossing the street to the market house, she was observed to be very weak and held up her hand for assistance, when a woman named COTTAN and MRS. CARNE immediately rendered, and put her to sit against MR. SMALL's house, when she appeared to recover a little, and requested to be put home, which was done, and she was put to bed. MR. HARVEY, surgeon, was promptly in attendance, but deceased never spoke after she was put to bed, and died in about an hour. Verdict, "died from natural causes."
[ BACK ]