Northampton Mercury 25 February 1854

Hanslope

Frightful Suicide.—On Friday last the town of Hanslope was shocked by the discovery that Mr. Joseph Masters Bull, farmer, of that place, had committed suicide by cutting his throat in barn on his own farm, and within view of his residence. In the morning of that day he went out at eight o'clock before breakfast, and returned again at nine. He went out again and returned home at twelve, having been, during the interval, at the Watts's Arms, with his father, Mr. Bull, of Castlethorpe. He did not take any dinner, saying the smell was enough for him, and after going up-stairs for a short time, he went out again. It appears, too, that be had not taken any breakfast, at least he had none at home. About half-past three William Amos, a man who was at work on the farm, was going through the barn, near the house, to tie up the cows, when he saw his master lying on the ground, with a pool of blood near him. With the assistance of another man, named Hillyer, the body was conveyed into the house, when it was ascertained that death been occasioned by a terrific wound in the throat, extending from the left to the right angle of the lower jaw, and dividing all the principal vessels. Mr. Heygate, the surgeon, stated that nothing could have saved the unfortunate man, even though assistance had been immediately at hand. A razor, covered with blood, was found at his feet, and the case, from which it had been taken, in his pocket. He had given the case of razors three weeks back to F. Thompson, a schoolmaster, to send it to Northampton, to get the instruments ground, and they were returned shortly after. On the 22nd December, he and his father were thrown from a gig, by which deceased's hands were a good deal hurt, and complained of having been much shaken. He did not, however, have recourse to medical advice. Whether the accident may have been remotely connected with the melancholy catastrophe must be mere matter of conjecture. At the inquest, which was held on Saturday morning, at the Globe, Hanslope, before John Worley, Esq., Mr. Thomas Higgins, a farmer, of Hanslope, stated that he saw deceased at the Watts's Arms on Thursday, but he threw no light on the state of his mind, and he could not, he said, of his own knowledge, assign any cause for the dreadful act. Robert Allen, carpenter, who had been employed by deceased, said he had complained on Thursday of a headache, which, he said, was not like a common headache, and he put his hand to his head in a way which the witness described. He thought he had erysipelas, but Mr. Heygate stated that there was no traces of that complaint, and that he should infer, from the witness's description, that the headache arose from the stomach. Mr. Heygate had not attended him for any serious illness for years, nor on account of the accident. Allen was with him at the Watts's Arms at twelve o'clock, and he described him as appearing then to be very dull and low. He had glass of gin and water there. His man Hillyer had not observed anything unusual his manner. There was no further evidence as to the state of his mind, and the jury returned a verdict that “Deceased destroyed himself in fit of Temporary Insanity." He was but 27 years of age, and has left a wife and three children.

We this week record the untimely death of the Rev. Charles Styles Drake, son of Rear-Admiral John. Drake, of Castlethorpe. The unfortunate gentleman had been spending the day (Thursday, November 22nd) with F. Thursby, Esq., of Cosgrove Priory, and on returning home, owing to  the meadows being flooded, he did not take the direct path, but proceeded by the towing path of the Grand Junction Canal, into which he appears have by some means fallen, as he was found about midnight by some boatmen lying at the edge of the water exhausted state. He was picked up and placed against the against the further edge of the path whilst the boatmen proceeded to the locks for aid. The night watchman was immediately sent off to the spot, but no traces of deceased were to be seen. Inquiry was then made at Castlethorpe, and it was found he had not reached home, fears being entertained that he had fallen into the canal, early on Friday morning they commenced dragging for the body, and continued the whole day without finding it. The dragging was resumed on Saturday morning, and after some time the body was found and taken to the Barley Mow Inn, Cosgrove, to await the coroner’s inquest, which did not take place until Tuesday, it was accessary to have the attendance of the boatmen, and messenger was sent to Woolwich for them. After hearing the whole of the evidence that could be produced, a verdict of accidental death was returned. The deceased gentleman was 44 years of age.

FATAL ACCIDENT.- On Friday the 13th instant, William Lovesey, an engine-driver, was killed on the railway at Wolverton. The deceased was a native of Old Wolverton, and had been in the employ of the London and North-Western Railway Company for several years. It appears he got down to oil the motion of the engine, when the fireman, at his request, moved the engine, and in a minute or so the poor fellow was a mangled corpse. An inquest was held on the afternoon of the same day at the Radcliffe Arms Inn, before J. Worley, Esq. coroner, and a respectable jury, when after a short consultation, a verdict of accidental death was returned.

FATAL RAILWAY DISASTER.- On Friday evening last, a young man named Gell, a smith in the Locomotive Works, a native of Bedford, was killed. It appears he went to the booking office about half-past seven o’clock on Friday evening to enquire for a parcel. Shortly afterwards the officials heard, as they thought, some one groaning. On Mr. Hales, ticket collector, crossing the line, he found deceased in a dying state. Gell was conveyed to the Radcliffe Arms Inn, where he expired. His back and thighs were broken. An inquest on view of the remains was held on Saturday, at the Radcliffe Arms Inn, before J. Worley, Esq., coroner, when a verdict of “Accidental death” was returned. This is another instance showing the great danger attending level crossings especially at such a station as Wolverton, where the passing of engines and trains are almost continuous.

DISTRAINT ON LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN PROPERTY.- Some excitement was caused at Wolverton on the 21st of February , in consequence of the overseers for the Parish of Wolverton, with the inspector and sergeant of police, proceeding to execute the warrant of distress granted at Stony Stratford Petty Sessions, on the 9th of that month, against the London and North-Western Railway Company, for £437 16s. 10¼d. for arrears of poor’s rates and costs, particulars of which have already appeared. Seizure was made of three carriages, recently turned out of the shop and not taken into use. The wheels were secured by chains and locks, and a man left in possession. A telegraphic message, sent by the station-master, brought down Mr. Edmonds the same afternoon, from the rating department Euston Station, London, and he paid the full amount claimed, with the costs of the distress. It is understood the overseers made repeated applications before executing the warrant, in hope of avoiding distress, but without effect.

DEATH OF THOMAS STOREY.- Thomas Storey, the lad who was shockingly burnt at the locomotive works on the 31st of January, suffered amputation of his leg on the 16th of February, at the Infirmary, Northampton, and died on Friday the 23rd instant. The corpse was brought to Wolverton for interment. Deceased was a great sufferer, which was borne with fortitude and resignation.

ACCIDENT.- On Thursday evening last, an accident happened at this station [Wolverton] to Mr. Horwood, of Old Stratford. It appears that Mr. Horwood, who is between 60 and 70 years of age, came into the station by an up-train and when alighting therefrom, by some means or other his foot slipped, and one of his legs got between the carriage and the platform. He was extricated as soon as possible, when it was found that his leg was broken near the knee. He was immediately conveyed to his residence at Old Stratford, where he received every attention from his medical adviser.

ACCIDENT.- On Thursday evening the 19th instant, an accident of a rather serious nature happened at this station; a Miss Gunn, sister to Mrs. Congreve of Stony Stratford, was riding in a carriage, and when crossing the locomotive bridge at Wolverton, the shrill whistle of an engine so frightened the horse, that it started off at a rapid rate down the hill, by the Radcliffe Arms Inn, and when having arrived nearly opposite Mr. Radcliffe’s house on the Newport road, the driver did all he could to turn the horse towards Haversham, but was unable to do so, for the animal jumped at the hedge, leaving the carriage turned over and throwing the driver on the ground with fearful violence; the horse galloped away to the river, but was eventually caught. Mr. Rogers, surgeon, of Wolverton, was quickly on the spot, and found that the lady’s arm was broken and the coachman fearfully shaken, but in the course of half an hour he was able to walk with assistance; the lady was conveyed to Stratford as quickly as possible, in company with Dr. Rogers.

ADJOURNED INQUEST.- This inquest, on the body of John Gates, who was killed on the line near Wolverton on the night of the 2nd of August, was resumed on the 9th instant at the Radcliffe Arms Inn, before J. Worley, Esq. coroner.- Mr. G.F. Waldener, stationmaster, at Northampton, said:- I was at Blisworth on Tuesday evening last, on the arrival of the 9 p.m. train from London. Seeing some people round a compartment of a second-class carriage, I asked what was the matter. I was told a man had fallen out of the carriage, and I asked the people inside whether it was true. They said it was, and the man nearest the door told me when the train left Euston there were four of them inside. They all went to sleep, and a short time before the train arrived at Blisworth he was aroused by some noise, and on awaking he found the man gone. I asked him for his address and he gave me a card with the name “Brigham Young. Jun.,” I told him there was no address and he wrote the address on it. I asked another man for his address and he said “it is the same, Young; I am Mr. Brigham Young’s brother.” I then asked the third man Latham, for his address and he gave it me at once. All of them gave me their addresses very readily. The two Youngs’ told me they came from Hamburgh, and Latham said he came from Southampton. I asked if the man had any luggage, and Latham said, “He had none here, only a coat.” There was a sailor’s bag under the seat, and I said “Surely that is his,” and Latham said “That is mine.” I asked for the coat, and found it had been given out. I asked the man’s name, and someone on the platform said. “It is on a card here.” I said “I should like to where he was; where was he when you last saw him? Brigham Young at once said. “You had better come in the carriage, and I will show you exactly how we were.” He pointed out the position in which they all lay, and said the missing man lay on the floor with his head towards the door. I ascertained that the door of the carriage on the other side was locked. The window was down, I looked round the carriage and there was no signs of blood, or anything to indicate anything wrong. I have not the slightest suspicion there was any foul play. The men seemed to be respectable. The coroner told the jury he was sorry to say it would be necessary to have another adjournment. Latham, one of the men in the carriage with the deceased, and who seemed to know more than anyone else, had been summoned to attend, but was in Ireland, and could not be up in time to day. There was also another reason for adjournment. There was a difficulty in identifying the body. On Sunday last Mr. Rogers came up and identified the body as that of his brother. It afterwards turned out that Mr. Roger’s brother was alive. There was then reason to suppose that the body was that of a man named Yates(sic), but he had received a letter from a bother-in-law of Yates’s(sic) requesting that the inquest might be adjourned to give him time to make inquiries as he had good reason for believing that it was not the body of Yates(sic). The inquest was again adjourned until seven o’clock the same evening, when the deceased’s wife and brother-in-law, who arrived from Liverpool gave evidence. From their statements it appeared the deceased telegraphed to his wife from Southampton to say that he should be at Liverpool on Thursday night. The following verdict was then returned: - “That the deceased John Gates, being 36 years of age, was found dead on the London and North-Western line of railway with his head cut open, and other injuries, there being no direct evidence to show by what means the said deceased came by his death, but that in the opinion of this jury it was caused by deceased having jumped or fallen from a second-class carriage attached to the evening mail train, in which he was travelling from London to Liverpool, the train running at full speed.”-From enquiries made in Liverpool, it was ascertained that the parties who were in the carriage along with the deceased are respectable men, and that the addresses given by them were quite correct.

COLLISION.- A correspondent of the Times, writing on Tuesday, says :- I travelled from Bletchley to Rugby this morning on my way to the north. On leaving Wolverton, our train came into collision with a truck which had fallen across the line. We were going very slow at the time. The account given to me by a policeman was, “that the man held the points wrong,” and consequently the truck “toppled over.” The front wheels of the engine were jerked off the line, the middle wheels partly. The policeman added, “it was lucky an express was not coming through,” and I thought so too. The train left Bletchley at 10.35. I think it right to make public this carelessness-especially as there seems to be no increasing vigilance on the part of railway officials. I may add that I was sitting opposite a lady, and the concussion was sufficient to bring us into collision likewise.

SHOCKING RAILWAY ACCIDENT.- On the night of Friday the 7th instant one of the London and North-Western Railway Company’s porters was killed at Wolverton station, by coming into collision with a carriage whilst riding on the steps of an engine. An inquest was held on Monday at the Radcliffe Arms Inn, before J. Worley, Esq., coroner, and a respectable jury, Mr. J. Lepper, foreman. After being sworn the jury proceeded to view the body, which presented a shocking spectacle. The following evidence was then adduced:- Joseph Scrafton said- I am a driver living at Rugby, and am in the employ of the London and North-Western Railway Company; on Friday the 7th instant I was in charge of No. 1047 engine at Wolverton; about 11.45 p.m. I crossed with my engine and tender from the down to the up line, for the purpose of removing some loaded trucks from the up to the down line; when the trucks were coupled the shunting porter said “All right,” the policeman gave me the signal, and I started; before reaching the main line points there are a pair of siding points leading to the carriage department; I was not aware there was anything wrong till my engine struck a carriage on the siding, I then found I was on the siding leading to the carriage department; I was going about six or seven miles an hour when the collision took place: I did not see the deceased, but my fireman told me the man was knocked off that was standing on the steps of the engine; I looked under the trucks and saw the deceased stretched on the ground; he quite dead, his bowls protruding; I struck the carriage at an angle, and where deceased was standing he would come into collision with the carriage, and would be crushed between that and the engine. Robert Algar said- I am a policeman in the employ of the London and North-Western Railway Company; I was on duty on Friday night at the locomotive bridge when the last witness crossed to the up line to remove some loaded trucks from the arcade to the down line; Robinson, the foreman porter, told me they wanted to cross to the down line; I then went to the down line points north of the station, and signalled to the driver to come on; between these points and where the engine was there was a pair of siding points, and as I passed I saw they were all right; near there I met Samuel Styles; he said, Robert, shall I go to the points; I said, no I must attend to them myself; the distance from the main line to the siding points is seventy yards; after the engine started I saw it leave the main line, and directly heard a collision; I ran back and met the fireman, who said, “Oh policeman, we have killed the porter who was on the step of the engine; I passed on to the siding points and saw Styles standing there; he was very much agitated, and said, “Oh, Robert I have turned it in here,” and said something about his poor mate; deceased was not in his place, but it is not unusual for porters to ride on the steps of the engine; Smith was 35 or 40 years of age, and had been a porter I think about two years; Styles has been at Wolverton fifteen or sixteen years, and has often assisted at the points, but I do not know that he has ever assisted me at the points in question; I had no communication with Styles about the siding points before the collision; he had no right to interfere with them; sometimes three or four points require moving at nearly the same time; the policeman then takes the main points, and assistance is given by porters or others; the marshalling of trains always takes place south of the station, but the work was done north of the station the night in question, owing to a previous collision on the south siding. William Hadfield, fireman, said – I live at Rugby; I was on duty with Scrafton at Wolverton on Friday night last; when we left the arcade to cross the line deceased got on the step of our engine; I afterwards saw him knocked off; he was squeezed between the tender and one of the carriages on the siding; the collision took me quite by surprise; deceased and I were talking at the time; I saw a light at the points just before the collision, and some one had hold of the handle, but I could not see who it was; the policeman came up with his lamp, and we went and found deceased. James Robinson, foreman porter, said - I was in charge of the station on Friday night last; I gave directions as to the shunting of some trucks from the up to the down side; at 11.45 p.m. I was under the up arcade and saw the deceased couple the trucks; he said to me, “Are you all right?” I gave the word “All right,” and the engine started; I did not see deceased get on the step, but expected he would do so; I should have done it myself; I then went back to see that the line was clear where the trucks would eventually come to; I had given Styles directions to assist, but did not see him when the engine started; I expected he would be further down the line to assist the police if required, or to assist in getting trucks back; he would be about in his proper place near the points where the collision took place, but he had no direction from me about the points; they are in the charge of the police; I either told the policeman myself or told Styles to tell him that we wanted to cross; I knew nothing of the accident till Styles came back and said poor Smith was killed; I asked how it was done, and he told me he held the points and turned the engine into the siding; he said he thought he was turning them across the main line. The jury, after deliberating some time, returned a verdict of manslaughter against Samuel Styles, who was accordingly committed to take his trial, but admitted to bail. The sad occurrence cast a gloom over Wolverton, Styles being an old servant, and generally respected. Deceased leaves a wife and eight children, the two youngest being twins only four months old

CASTLETHORPE.

ALARMING RAILWAY ACCIDENT. - A very singular and alarming accident occurred on the London and North-Western Railway near this place late on Friday night the 5th instant, to the limited mail from London to the north. The train left London at its usual time, and when near Castlethorpe the engine and lender became detached from the carriages The train was running at its usual speed – about 40 miles an hour- when this took place, and the neither engineman nor stoker perceived the separation; indeed, they had never anticipated anything of that sort, and no noise of any description accompanied the separation they continued to look ahead and drive on in the ordinary manner. The darkness of the night also contributed to prevent any detection of it, and the train was running down an incline, the carriages for some distance kept comparatively near the lender. Neither of the guards who were with the train noticed any indication of what had happened. Eventually however, the engine having full steam on, got ahead of the train, which was now being propelled merely by its own impetus. On noticing the separation the driver slackened his speed with the intention of allowing the train to come up.  He, however, had either miscalculated the speed of the carriages, or had backed his engine too much, for immediately afterwards the train came rushing up and dashed into the tender. The collision was very violent, and the passengers, who happened not to be numerous as usual by this train, were thrown about in all directions. A guard's van was in front of the train, and it was much smashed, and portions of it were driven through the end of the post office van, which was directly behind it. The post office clerks were thrown down, the boxes were overturned, the letters were scattered about, and the lamps were broken. After this abrupt stoppage of the train, the first inquiries made were naturally whether any personal injuries had been sustained. It was found that all the passengers had sustained a severe shock, and that, one of them, a gentleman who was travelling to Glasgow, had his leg broken. One of the guards was so severely injured that he had to left at Rugby, and two of the post office officials had also to remain there. A second guard as also hurt, but he travelled forward with the train.. In addition the post office officials mentioned, two others were present; one of them, Mr. James Dewhurst, of Preston, who was severely shaken and had his head hurt, went forward home. A clerk named Flannery, who was among the injured, had only resumed duty a few weeks ago, having previously been hurt by another railway accident. Neither the driver or stoker were hurt. The tender was considerably broken, and some of the carriages were also damaged. Nearly two hours elapsed before the train could proceed. The gentleman who had his leg broken went on to Glasgow. We have not been able to ascertain the cause of the detachment of the carriages from tender of the train.

CASTLETHORPE.—SUDDEN DEATH.—Some men employed by Mr. Amos, maltster and farmer, of Castlethorpe, were engaged on Thursday to go with a waggon to fetch some barley, recently purchased at sale at Mr. Ratliffe's, of Wolverton. John Giles, being behind time, crossed a field for the nearest way, to catch the others in the waggon. He did so, and got into the vehicle. When seated, a brother-in-law said, " Didn't you hear me call you, John? " The deceased replied, " No, that was the cause of my being those few minutes behind." He thereupon swayed back and instantly expired. An inquest was held on view of the body the same day at Castlethorpe, before S. Worley, coroner, and a verdict of " Died by the visitation of God" was returned. Deceased was in the 67th year of his age.

FATAL ACCIDENT. On Thursday morning, the 4th inst. A sad fatal accident occurred to a man named Thomas Gregory, a native of Castlethorpe. It appears that the poor man, about quarter to six o’clock, was proceeding to his work at Wolverton, and while endeavouring to avoid a passing train, was knocked down by a pilot engine and literally cut to piece. Upon picking up his body it was found minus the head, portions of which we afterwards found lying strewn about in various parts of the line. The body was conveyed to the “Carrington Arms,” to await an inquest. The deceased who was an organist of Castlethorpe church, leaves a large family to mourn his loss.

CASTLETHORPE.—An Inquest was held at the Carrington Arms, Monday, before Coroner Worley, on the body of William Corkett, labourer of Bletchley, working on the London and North-Western Railway, at Castlethorpe. Deceased was 25 years of age, and met with his death most probably under the influence of drink. He had been to Stony Stratford, Thursday, the 2nd inst., and returned in the evening. He was met by the police-constable of Yardley Gobion about twelve o'clock, and was under the influence of drink. Nothing more was heard him till next morning, when was found dead near the river bridge, against some fences by the side the road leading from Castlethorpe to Thorpe Wharf. Dr. J. Smith, of Hanslope, was soon in attendance, and found that death resulted from dislocation of the neck. It is supposed that Corkett went to get over the rails, and fell, a steep incline being on the other side of the fence. Verdict, “Accidental death."

Castlethorpe. -Accident occurred this village on the 23rd alt., which terminated fatally on Saturday last.  A man, named John Simmons, was driving horse, which was drawing the flail portion of a thrashing machine, when the horse trod upon him, and falling down, both wheels of the carriage passed over him. He was at once conveyed to the Northampton Infirmary, where it was found by the house surgeon, Mr. A. H. Jones, that the poor man had sustained a compound fracture of the leg and he sank from exhaustion. Deceased was 53 years age, and explained to his wife how the accident happened.
An inquest was held at the Town Hall, Northampton, on Monday, before Mr. C. C. Becke, borough coroner, when verdict of accidental death was returned.

INQUEST. An inquest was held at the Carrington Arms, before J. Worley, Esq., on Saturday last, touching the death of Thomas Gregory, who was killed on the line on the previous Thursday. George Sprittles said: I live at Castlethorpe, and am a labourer. I knew deceased. He lived at Castlethorpe, and was a turner and fitter, working at Wolverton Station, where he had been employed about 20 years. His age is about 40. On Thursday morning, about six o’clock, I was passing along the line between Castlethorpe and Wolverton and found deceased lying in the four-foot way, on the down side. The place was about a mile from Castlethorpe. I noticed his back was bare, and I put my hand to it and found it warm. I moved the body out of the four-foot. I did not notice it particularly. It was dark, and I not know it was deceased, Thomas Gregory. There was no sign of life, and I did not know the body was mutilated. A policeman’s hut was about 250 yards nearer to Castlethorpe. I went there and borrowed a light, and on going back I saw a head lying in the six-foot way, about three or four yards from the body. Two men then came up, who were on their way to Wolverton, and I then returned the light to the policeman at his hut and told him about the body, and then proceeded to my work. I had not seen any train pass before I came to the body, I had come about 250 yards along the line. I believe deceased was in the habit of going along the line to his work. The men living at Castlethorpe usually go that way to their work. Deceased’s basket laid two or three yards from his feet. Edward Robinson said: I live at Hanslope, and am a foreman platelayer on the line. My work lay between Castlethorpe and Wolverton. Last Thursday I got to my work at seven o’clock, and at a quarter past I found the body of the deceased lying on the outside of the down line. It was too much mutilated to be recognised, but I knew the basket to be Gregory’s. I noticed marks on the line. Deceased appeared to have been dragged about twenty-two yards along the down line. At that point, just above where the body was, I noticed remains of his head, as if it had been smashed on the rail next the six-foot of the down line. I moved the body on my trolley to Castlethorpe. I have been on the length between Castlethorpe and Wolverton about seven years. I knew deceased. He was in the habit of going to and from his work daily along the line. The time for him to be at Wolverton would be six o’clock. It was rather a cloudy morning. A great many men walk to and from their work.-Job Cowley said: I live at Castlethorpe, and am a signalman, stationed at the box at Castlethorpe crossing. On the 4th of December the witness Sprittles called at my cabin at six minutes past six o’clock in the morning, and stated he had found a body on the line about 250 yards south of my box. I told him to take my lamp and see who it was. H e seemed as if he did not care to go, but I pressed him to do so as I could not leave my box. When he came back he said he could not recognise the body. I telegraphed to Wolverton. I had a train shunted in the loop line opposite to my box at 5.40, and it remained for the Irish Mail to pass by, which it did at 5.41, and at 5.43 the train passed from the loop into the main up-line and went on. At 5.47 a light engine and an up coal train would meet at about the place where deceased was found. An empty wagon train had passed my box at 5.36. It would take about twenty minutes to walk from my box to the works at Wolverton, along the line. The men can get into the works up to 6.16 in the morning. I heard men pass that morning, but did not look out. They are allowed to go along the line from Castlethorpe to work. I have frequently seen deceased passing to and from work. He usually was looking down in walking along. He was often last going and returning. It would not be unusual to be going alone. His age is 39. He has worked at the works for twenty years or more. The jury returned a verdict that deceased was accidentally killed whilst proceeding along the line to his work.

FUNERAL. The funeral of Thomas Gregory, who was killed on the Railway, on Thursday, December 4th, as recorded in our columns of last week, took place at St. Jude’s Church Castlethorpe, on Tuesday last, which was crowded to excess. The Rev. M. A. Nicholson, vicar of St. James’ Church Hanslope assisted by the Rev. Wigglesworth, curate, officiated at the ceremony. Miss A. Varney presided at the organ, and the choir sang “The dead march in Saul, together with Nos. 400 and 225 of Hymns Ancient and Modern, revised edition. Deceased was followed to the grave by a large number of relatives and friends, and the Members of the Royal Progress Lodge of the National Independent order of Oddfellows, of which lodge deceased was treasurer: and also by members of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers and Millwrights, and members of the Wesleyan Benefit Society, both of which societies deceased was also a member: and a large number of his fellow workmen from Wolverton. The coffin, which was of polished oak, was literally heaped up with flowers after it was lowered into the grave. Deceased was 39 years of age, and leaves a wife and seven children to mourn his loss.

The following is another account furnished to us by a correspondent. Last week was recorded the very sad and fatal accident which befell Mr. T. Gregory, the organist and choir master of the above parish. His death was mentioned with much feeling by the vicar and curate in their sermons at Castlethorpe, on Sunday. The awful sadness with which their friend and teacher had been taken from, as it were, their very midst, was impressively dwelt upon by the vicar, more especially addressing himself to the members of the choir, for whose instruction and improvement Mr. Gregory had laboured with unwearied patience and devotion. His loss in this respect will be irreparable, and his steady, earnest life was an influence and an example to all those whom he had to do, which we trust will yet speak in their memories, who have lost in him the ready sharer in any innocent recreation, and the friend who tried to lead them to feel that life has a fuller meaning than the present moment, that all have the responsibility he never shirked of being much help to one another. The funeral of Mr. T. Gregory took place at Castlethorpe on Tuesday last, and was attended, not only by the relatives of deceased, but by the members of different clubs, and by numerous friends, who wished then to show their feeling for one who had gained the esteem and respect of all who knew him. The service was performed by the Rev. M. A. Nicholson, and appropriate hymns were sung by the choir.

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Picture by kind permission of The Living Archive

INQUEST. An inquest was held at the Carrington Arms, before J. Worley, Esq., on Saturday last, touching the death of Thomas Gregory, who was killed on the line on the previous Thursday. George Sprittles said: I live at Castlethorpe, and am a labourer. I knew deceased. He lived at Castlethorpe, and was a turner and fitter, working at Wolverton Station, where he had been employed about 20 years. His age is about 40. On Thursday morning, about six o’clock, I was passing along the line between Castlethorpe and Wolverton and found deceased lying in the four-foot way, on the down side. The place was about a mile from Castlethorpe. I noticed his back was bare, and I put my hand to it and found it warm. I moved the body out of the four-foot. I did not notice it particularly. It was dark, and I not know it was deceased, Thomas Gregory. There was no sign of life, and I did not know the body was mutilated. A policeman’s hut was about 250 yards nearer to Castlethorpe. I went there and borrowed a light, and on going back I saw a head lying in the six-foot way, about three or four yards from the body. Two men then came up, who were on their way to Wolverton, and I then returned the light to the policeman at his hut and told him about the body, and then proceeded to my work. I had not seen any train pass before I came to the body, I had come about 250 yards along the line. I believe deceased was in the habit of going along the line to his work. The men living at Castlethorpe usually go that way to their work. Deceased’s basket laid two or three yards from his feet. Edward Robinson said: I live at Hanslope, and am a foreman platelayer on the line. My work lay between Castlethorpe and Wolverton. Last Thursday I got to my work at seven o’clock, and at a quarter past I found the body of the deceased lying on the outside of the down line. It was too much mutilated to be recognised, but I knew the basket to be Gregory’s. I noticed marks on the line. Deceased appeared to have been dragged about twenty-two yards along the down line. At that point, just above where the body was, I noticed remains of his head, as if it had been smashed on the rail next the six-foot of the down line. I moved the body on my trolley to Castlethorpe. I have been on the length between Castlethorpe and Wolverton about seven years. I knew deceased. He was in the habit of going to and from his work daily along the line. The time for him to be at Wolverton would be six o’clock. It was rather a cloudy morning. A great many men walk to and from their work.-Job Cowley said: I live at Castlethorpe, and am a signalman, stationed at the box at Castlethorpe crossing. On the 4th of December the witness Sprittles called at my cabin at six minutes past six o’clock in the morning, and stated he had found a body on the line about 250 yards south of my box. I told him to take my lamp and see who it was. H e seemed as if he did not care to go, but I pressed him to do so as I could not leave my box. When he came back he said he could not recognise the body. I telegraphed to Wolverton. I had a train shunted in the loop line opposite to my box at 5.40, and it remained for the Irish Mail to pass by, which it did at 5.41, and at 5.43 the train passed from the loop into the main up-line and went on. At 5.47 a light engine and an up coal train would meet at about the place where deceased was found. An empty wagon train had passed my box at 5.36. It would take about twenty minutes to walk from my box to the works at Wolverton, along the line. The men can get into the works up to 6.16 in the morning. I heard men pass that morning, but did not look out. They are allowed to go along the line from Castlethorpe to work. I have frequently seen deceased passing to and from work. He usually was looking down in walking along. He was often last going and returning. It would not be unusual to be going alone. His age is 39. He has worked at the works for twenty years or more. The jury returned a verdict that deceased was accidentally killed whilst proceeding along the line to his work.

FUNERAL. The funeral of Thomas Gregory, who was killed on the Railway, on Thursday, December 4th, as recorded in our columns of last week, took place at St. Jude’s Church Castlethorpe, on Tuesday last, which was crowded to excess. The Rev. M. A. Nicholson, vicar of St. James’ Church Hanslope assisted by the Rev. Wigglesworth, curate, officiated at the ceremony. Miss A. Varney presided at the organ, and the choir sang “The dead march in Saul, together with Nos. 400 and 225 of Hymns Ancient and Modern, revised edition. Deceased was followed to the grave by a large number of relatives and friends, and the Members of the Royal Progress Lodge of the National Independent order of Oddfellows, of which lodge deceased was treasurer: and also by members of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers and Millwrights, and members of the Wesleyan Benefit Society, both of which societies deceased was also a member: and a large number of his fellow workmen from Wolverton. The coffin, which was of polished oak, was literally heaped up with flowers after it was lowered into the grave. Deceased was 39 years of age, and leaves a wife and seven children to mourn his loss.

The following is another account furnished to us by a correspondent. Last week was recorded the very sad and fatal accident which befell Mr. T. Gregory, the organist and choir master of the above parish. His death was mentioned with much feeling by the vicar and curate in their sermons at Castlethorpe, on Sunday. The awful sadness with which their friend and teacher had been taken from, as it were, their very midst, was impressively dwelt upon by the vicar, more especially addressing himself to the members of the choir, for whose instruction and improvement Mr. Gregory had laboured with unwearied patience and devotion. His loss in this respect will be irreparable, and his steady, earnest life was an influence and an example to all those whom he had to do, which we trust will yet speak in their memories, who have lost in him the ready sharer in any innocent recreation, and the friend who tried to lead them to feel that life has a fuller meaning than the present moment, that all have the responsibility he never shirked of being much help to one another. The funeral of Mr. T. Gregory took place at Castlethorpe on Tuesday last, and was attended, not only by the relatives of deceased, but by the members of different clubs, and by numerous friends, who wished then to show their feeling for one who had gained the esteem and respect of all who knew him. The service was performed by the Rev. M. A. Nicholson, and appropriate hymns were sung by the choir.

Suicide. —On Saturday evening lasts young man named John Veen, a native of Tiverton, Devonshire, who was travelling agent this district for Singer's sewing machines, and lately in the employ of Mr. Phillips, grocer, Stony Stratford, committed suicide throwing himself in front of a railway train near Castlethorpe. A pocket book was found on him containing photograph his sweetheart, and stating that he committed the rash act because of the trouble was in. It is reported he was considerably behindhand in money matters connected with his employers, and in the pocket book found be stated that if his intended had acted differently the last time they met he might not have committed suicide. The poor fellow's body was cut pieces and scattered about the line. An inquest was held on Monday, at the Carrington Arms Inn, before J. Worley, Esq., coroner. The jury returned a verdict of " Temporary insanity."