RAILWAY AND INDUSTRIAL HISTORY OF THE SOUTH WEST BLACK COUNTRY

LOCAL AND DISTRICT PETTY SESSIONS.
Brierley Hill - Thursday.
(Before I. Spooner Esq., Stipendiary)

"A DRUNKEN SOT LYING DOWN ACROSS THE RAILWAY:- A drunkard named Ashcroft, was charged by Joseph Cox, a signal man, with lying across the rails and trespassing on the line at Brierley Hill. The complainant said the found the prisoner lying drunk across the rails, and when a train was due. He pulled the witness by the coat, struck him, and was very abusive. The prisoner, in reply to the bench, said he did not recollect anything about it. The magistrate told him he was liable to a conviction for obstructing the railway. He should fine him 10s. and costs, or go to prison. 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'."