RAILWAY AND INDUSTRIAL HISTORY OF THE SOUTH WEST BLACK COUNTRY

DUDLEY COLUMN

"THE FATAL ACCIDENT AT THE RAILWAY STATION:- An inquest was held on Thursday last, by Mr. B. Robinson, at the Scarecens Head Hotel, on view of the body of John Hill. The evidence of Mr. John Wood, superintendent of the permanent way (Great Western), was to the effect that the deceased passed over the points at about one o'clock and was not again seen alive. His body was found frightfully mangled underneath an engine at about two o'clock. - James Clewett an engine driver, stated that he saw the deceased in the 'six foot', as he was about taking out the 2-30 train for Stourbridge. He took his engine out, and the stoker, directed his attention to the body of the deceased, who was lying dead under the engine. - George Badger Stoker, stoker of the engine, deposed to finding the body of the deceased at the turning of the points. The witness stated that the engine driver gave the usual signal by whistling before leaving the shed. - The jury returned a verdict of 'Accidental Death'."

"STEALING IRON:- Phoebe Whitehouse, Ann Natt and another girl named Thomson all under 15, were charged with stealing 10 iron bolts, and two pieces of iron, the property of the Kingswinford branch of the Great Western Railway. The prosecutor after having stated his case, said the girls being all under 15, he should try them under the 'Juvenile Act'. - Benjamin Stout, marine store dealer, Brierley Hill, deposed that the iron and bolts had been offered to him for sale by the prisoners. He asked where they had it from, and they said they had found it in a leasow, but having his suspicions, he sent for a policeman, who took them into custody. - George Williams a ganger on the railway (shown the stolen material), deposed that he identified the pieces of iron. It was part of a crossing, and he brought the piece from which it had been broken. He knew the bolts from some of them being newer than others. Police Constable William Hughes, after taking the prisoners into custody, made enquiries and found the bolts and pieces of iron were the property of the Great Western Railway Company. The prisoners told him, when he apprehended them, that they found it in a leasow, in Bromley Lane. - When asked to plead, each of the girls pleaded guilty to finding it, but not as to stealing it; but the bench thought differently, and find them 21s. each or 21 days imprisonment."