railway accident

The Lancaster Gazette August 10 1872

DISASTROUS RAILWAY ACCIDENT

NEAR MANCHESTER

On Saturday morning a most serious collision occurred on the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, near the Agecroft Colliery, and about a mile above the Pendleton station, involving the death of four persons, and injury to many others, besides considerable destruction of the rolling stock of the Company. It appeared that at about twenty minutes to twelve a coal train left what is known as the Agecroft siding, the outlet to which is almost immediately opposite the signal box, when it was run into by the Blackburn express, which left Victoria Station at 11.30. By the force of the collision the buffers of the express engine were torn off, and the front part of the engine otherwise damaged. A horse box, which was next to the tender, was only partially broke, and a corpse which it contained was forwarded by a later train. The two carriages next to the horse box - a third class and a composite - were smashed to pieces, the debris covering the line for a considerable space. The engine of the coal train was turned completely round and the buffers and planks and one side of the plating torn off, rendering it a total wreck. The body of the tender was detached from the wheels, and thrown over on its side, while two of the trucks were battered in by the buffers of those immediately in front of them. Those passengers of the express who were not injured rendered what assistance they were able to their more unfortunate fellow passengers. Among the debris were found the dead bodies of two men, a woman with her ribs broken, her skull fractured, and her head and face frightfully mutilated, and two other men, one of whom was in a dying condition, while the other was severely injured in the lower part of the body. Jeremiah Yates, the driver of the express, who was not seriously hurt, was taken to his own house. The stoker escaped with a slight injury. The driver of the coal train, John Saxton*, saved himself by jumping off his engine, while the fireman, William Copley, was found lying on the footplate of the engine, but the injures he had sustained were but slight. A number of other passengers by the express were also more or less bruised and shake. Almost immediately after the occurence medical aid was rendered to the sufferers by Dr. Davies, Mr Somers, and Dr. Ingle. A number of Salford and Pendleton police under Captain Torrens, some members of the County Constabulary and a large staff of the Company's servants, with whom were Mr. E. Grundy, the district superintendent, Mr. H. Johnson of the locomotive department, and other officials, assisted the sufferers and directed the work of clearing the line. The bodies of the dead were removed to the Kings Arms, Charlestown, where they have been identified as those of William Hilton, of the firm of Wooton and Hilton, plumbers, Margaret-street, North Road Preston and Thomas Holmes, of 21 New Butler street, Oldham Road, Manchester, an employe in a mill at Bolton. The latter had his son, a lad of eight or nine, in the carriage with him, but he was not hurt. The deceased are middle-aged men. The injured woman and one of the men were removed to the Salford Dispensary. The man died almost immediately after his admission, and up to a late hour on Sunday night had not been identified. He is apparently about 55 or 60 years of age, stout built and tall, with light brown hair and beard, dressed in a shooting coat, black trousers and waistcoat, blue worsted stockings, and has a belt of red flannel round his waist. In his pockets were found the half of a railway ticket from Manchester to Bolton 9s 1d in money, and a portion of a hand-bill relating to a sparrow shooting match at Abbey Hey Gardens, Gorton, in March last. Upon the back of it were the words "Mr. J. Windward, shooting. Bolton," together with a postage stamp and the Manchester and Gorton postmarks of March 5th. The woman was enabled to give her name and address as Emma Crossley, 38 years of age. of Bradford Road, factor operative, employed at Messrs. Johnson's silk mill. Manchester. She lingered in great agony until four o'clock when she died. Another man, who gave the name of James Cummings of 21, Clarendon-street, Hulme, boot and shoe maker, was removed to a farmhouse near the scene of the accident belonging to Mr. J. Nall, where he still remains in a precarious condition. He has sustained a severe punctured wound in the lower part of the body, and is attended by Drs. Davies and Ingle. He states that he was travelling to Wigan when the accident occurred. In addition to those who died after the admission the following persons were attended at the Salford Dispensary :- William Copley, 19, fireman, Liverpool-street, Salford, scalp wound; Abraham Rose guard of the express, Blackburn, scalp wound; and Richard Hodgkins, Blackburn, wound of eyebrow -The following were attended by Dr. Davies, of Pendleton:- Mary Harris, Oldham, John W. Turner, 20 Boever street, Egerton-street, Oldham; George Hughes, Crystal Terrace, Chorlton Road, Hulme; Margaret Coates and John T. Coates, a child of four and John Cooper, Whit Lane, Pendleton. All these suffering from cuts and contusions. An infant with Mrs Coates was not injured. A number of other persons were also more or less injured, but they have proceeded on their respective journeys and their names have not been ascertained. - The sufferers having been attended to, the work of clearing the line was commenced; and, not withstanding the most strenuous exertions on the part of those engaged, the line was not in a condition for the resumption of traffic until between nine and ten o'clock at night. In the meantime trains arriving with passengers for Manchester, were stopped within a short distance of the scene of the accident, and the passengers, walking round to the Pendleton side, were conveyed in other trains to their destinations. A portion of the traffic was also diverted over the London and North-Western Railway Company's lines. - During the afternoon some thousands of persons visited the scene of the accident, and it required all the efforts of the police to keep them off the line. In the course of Sunday, men were still engaged in the work of repairing the rails and removing the shattered engine of the coal train, and numbers of people visited the place.

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a longer article including details of the inquest can be found in the Manchester Times Aug 10 1872

*surname here given as Saxon

An open verdict was returned but attention seemed to focus on the pointsman Henry Harrison.

The unidentified dead man was John Winward age 54.

J Garnett

Times (London) Thursday Aug 7 1794

SHIP NEWS

The Sophia letter of marque, Lieutenant MAYNARD, belonging to Waterford, is put into Fyal in a distressed situation, having lost her masts and rigging; she was boarded by an Algerine corsair, who took out all her provissions, except two barrels of beef, and one bag of biscuits; the crew consisted of 39 men when she sailed, but were reduced to only five when they were boarded, having lost the others by sickness.

The Albion, a new Jamaica ship, about which some apprehensions were entertained, has arrived safe. Her arrival was yesterday announced at Lloyd's.

The following particulars of the loss of the Commerce, Capt. BELL, of Lancaster, have been given by Mr. J. GARNETT, of Manchester, who was a passenger on board the unfortunate vessel:

The ship struck about six o'clock in the morning of the 30th of April last, on the coast of Newfoundland, about a hundred yards from an iron-bound shore; the boats were fraved(?) and there was little prospect of escape for the people, 22 in number. However, with the usual intrepidity of British Seamen, they constructed a small raft, by which a few of them got on shore, carrying ropes to fasten to the rocks; up these they scrambled with great difficulty, and, making proper provision, the unfortunate crew, were singly hoisted up by them. They found themselves on a barren and unhospitable country, without seeing the trace of human feet for seven days. Whilst they were on the rocks, totally destitute of provision, the tide brought a hog from the vessel, just alive, which they killed, and eat part of it raw, such was their hunger. They had no fire, nor the means of making one, having tried wood by friction, till, happily, a powder horn was thrown ashore, and also some cotton. They put the latter to their bodies, and by that method dried it; they sprinkled some powder on it, and one of them happening to have a flint, and another a steel. They made a fire and dressed their hog, by broiling it upon stones. This being carefully divided, a few ounces to each man, with some sea-weed, made a refreshing repast, and enabled them to proceed on their search for relief.

One of the crew more provident as he thought than the rest, had secured some sea biscuit in the breast of his jacket, and left them. On their travel they found him expiring under a tree; he told them, that about two miles farther they would see a boat at the mouth of a river. They proceeded, and found the boat, which they launched, and went round nearly to the situation where they had been wrecked. Their pig was now almost consumed, and no vessel in view; but they providentially found a cask of rum, and another of coffee, thrown up. They had kept their fire in by a continued watch of four at a time, the rest sleeping, covered with branches of trees, as it rained very heavily. During this period, they had frequently a number of bears looking on them at a distance. They went about dressing their coffee, having found a copper pan cover, in which they spread it, and an iron shot with which they pounded it. By heating stones, putting them into water with the coffee, and adding some rum, they made what to them was an excellent repast. In a few days, however, they must have perished, had they not seen a fishing boat, which they got on board, and were taken to Placentia, St John's, and Halifax, and from thence by a ship with 250 French prisoners to Jersey - there meeting with an American vessel, the Captain, Mate, and Mr. GARNETT went on board, and were landed at Falmouth.

One of their number died before they left the coast.

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All three ships mentioned show how dangerous ship travel was.

Who was this J Garnett? from Manchester.

just for interest

I don't think the following relate to people in your tree. But you never know they may belong to some distant twig. Anyway I can't help but be fascinated by newspaper articles of the past.I find them much more interesting than todays newspapers!

All taken from the Lancaster Gazette

Nov 14 1812

died Mr. Matthew Hewitson, of Crosby ravensworth, an extensive grazier and cattle dealer.

March 27 1813

At Ravestonedale, Mr. Richard Hewitson, some time ago carrier between Kirkby Stephen, aged 64

Dec 24 1813

Ann Hewitson, who is suspected of having left a child of about six weeks old at the door of gentleman, near this town, on the 18th October last, was apprehended near Egremont, on the 17th inst.

Nov 21 1818

A person of the name of Willan has been committed to Appleby gaol, on a charge of manslaughter, for having occasioned the death of John Hewitson, of Crosby-Hall, by striking him a severe blow on the jugular vein, in a scuffle in a public-house, at Crosby.

April 17 1819

At Appleby...

James Watson was found Guilty of forging an indorsement upon a bill of exchange of £20, with intent to defraud W. Atkinson and H. Hewitson of Kendal - Death

July 22 1820

On Wednesday last, a girl of the name of Alice Hewitson, about seven years old, was unfortunately drowned in a well, at Torrisholme, near this town.

May 21 1825

On the evening of Sunday week, a party of young men and women, from Newby Bridge left Bowness in a rowboat, when, owing to some unexplained accident, one of the young men fell overboard, near Storrs Point, sunk instantly, and was drowned. The body has since been dragged for and found. His name is Robert Hewitson, 26 years of age, and he had lived 11 years with Mr. Harrison, of Landing.

Nov 5 1825

On Sunday, Mr. Peter Hewitson, of Lancaster, to Mary Thretfall, of Poulton-by-the-Sands.

Aug 9 1828

Longevity. On Sunday last six persons dined together, at Mr. John Hewitson's of Heaton, near this town, whose united ages amounted to 477 years, being all brothers and sisters, by consangunity or marriage, viz John Mawson 77, Mary Mawson 85, John Woodhouse 84, Jane Woodhouse 80, Agnes Walker 81 and Thomas Woodhouse 70.

June 15 1833

On the 8th inst. at Ulverson, after a long and tedious illnes, Miss Agnes Hewitson, aged 10.

June 15 1844

On Monday, the 3rd inst., at Kendal, of consumption Mr. John Burton Hewitson (son of the late Mr. Hewitson, draper,) proprietor and publisher of the 'Kendal Mercury' aged 24 years.

Jan 25 1817

Monday se'nnight, at Gretna Green, Mr. John Hewetson, of Little Orton, near Carlisle, to Miss Duggan, of Belle-Vue. This gallant spark is near seven'y years of age, and the fair one (a native of Hibernia) about seventeen! So impatient was the old man for the happy moment, that he arrived at Carlisle on foot from Orton before day-light, and finding his blooming intended nothing loth, he engaged a horse and cart, in which they set off together for Gretna, 'on the wings of love.'

Mar 22 1823

John Hewetson was found guilty of breaking into his master's house, at Yanwath, and stealing to the value of 5s. and sentenced to be transported for life.

(from info on ancestry - he arrived in New South Wales in 1823 on the Countess Harcourt. In a general muster of 1837 his age is 46 but it is not clear if this was his age then or when he arrived. Date of conviction, 5 Mar 1823 Westmorland Assizes.)

Feb 21 1857

Trespassing in pursuit of Rabbits - William Green and W. Hewitson a lad of about 15 years of age, were charged with trespassing in pursuit of cronies, at Over Wyresdale, on Sunday, the 8th inst. The charge against the younger defendant was withdrawn on his paying costs, and promising not to get into like trouble again. Green did not appear. Bartholomew Pye assistant gamekeeper to Mr. Garnett, said that on Sunday last about 10 o'clock in the forenoon, he saw Green catch and kill a rabbit. He had a dog and nets with him at the time. This was on Marsh Fell, a piece of unenclosed land. Green has been convicted of a like offence before. He is not a householder. The court sentenced him to pay a fine of £2, and the costs, or in default to be imprisoned, with hard labour, for two calendar months.

May 1 1847

An absentee - On Saturday last, John Hewitson, stonemason, was brought before the magistrates at the Judges' Lodgings, J.C. Satterthwaite, Esq. in the chair, for absenting himself and neglecting to pay the stipulated weekly sum towards a filiation case which had become chargeable to the township of Ray-with-Botton. The relief given by the overseer of that township towards its support, amounted t £7 19s and it was ordered that Hewitson should pay the sum of 10s weekly, through his employer, until such was paid up.

March 15 1851

Ingleton - On Wednesday last, Amelia Hewitson, aged 7 months.

And this one from the Blackburn Standard 18 Ap 1838

Lately, at Turnham Green, Middlesex, aged 82, Henry Hewetson, Esq., sincerely and deservedly respected. Mr. H was a native of Ravenstonedale, in the county of Westmoreland. He died worth nearly a million of money - and amongst various legacies, bequethed to six nephews and nieces, residing in his native parish and the adjoining parish of Orton, the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand pounds.

Anthony Hewitson

Lancaster Gazette

Saturday May 28 1853

County Court - Saturday last

TAYLOR V. ANTHONY AND JOHN HEWITSON-

Claim £6 13

Mr Sharp appeared on behalf of Anthony Hewitson. The action was brought to recover the sum of £6 13. for carting stones to a building at Poulton and the only question was whether or not Anthony Hewitson was a party in making the contract. Both the defendants are stone masons, but carrying on business each on his own account. John Hewitson contracted with Mr. Elsdon for the building of a house at Poulton. The plaintiff had only seen Anthony Hewitson once, and Anthony then asked him at what price he would cart stones by the ton, He said 4d. and Anthony then said, he (the plaintiff) must see his brother John. He did so and agreed at that price. The plaintiff had never seen Anthony since, never received any money from him, but had always applied to and received money from John before this proceeding. Mr Sharp submitted that the mere asking the price, and referring to his brother, could not make Anthony a partner. He called Anthony Hewitson who denied that any partnership existed between himself and his brother, who had taken the building entirely on his own account, and an agreement had been entered into between them, that he (Anthony) should not in any way interfere with him. Had given a guarantee for the due performance of the work, but had nothing further to do with it.- His Honor was of opinion that Anthony was liable, having made part of the contract. - Mr. Sharp asked for an adjournment of the case to produce Mr. Elsdon - His Honor said that would not alter his opinion. He could not say that there was a partnership, but there appeared a direct understanding and Anthony having been a party to making the contract must pay. Judgment for the plaintiff.

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Anthony Hewitson

I found the following article very interesting. It tells us something of the working life of Anthony. At the time (June 1856) he was employed by Christopher Baynes and was involved in the building of Ripley's Hospital. I wonder if Anthony was also paying weekly into the club. It also serves to illustrate how precarious life is.

Copied as seen from newspaper image. I have tried to follow exactly how the article was printed, but cannot say it is without error.

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Lancaster Gazetter

Saturday October 4 1856

Lancaster County Court.

Saturday before J. Addison Esq. Judge.

ACTION FOR DAMAGES WARD V. CROOK

In this case a journeyman stonemason of the name of Ward sought to recover £12 damages from one Crook, on account of bodily injury sustained by means of the furious driving of the defendant. Mr. Sharp appeared for the plaintiff, and Crook was defended by Mr. Baldwin, of Clitheroe. Mr. Sharp stated the case, and having related the leading particulars of the transaction out of which the action arose, informed the court that the defendant had been convicted of furious drivin at the petty sessions and fined £5, but produced his authorities to show that, this conviction notwithstanding it was open to the defendant to proceed by civil action. He then called the plaintiff, who gave his evidence to the following effect :- Was a waller, and previous to the 21st of June last was in the service of Mr. Christopher Baynes at 22s a week and employed in the building of Ripley's Hospital. On the day named was obliged by the state of the weather to leave off work between three and four o'clock, and with others, his fellow workmen, was coming into the town, just midway between the White Cross public house and the Corporation Arms, when he heard voices calling out, and was immediately struck in the chest by the shaft of some vehicle driving by and knocked down. Did his best to get out of the way, but had no time. Was led to the Infirmary where he was kept for three weeks, and after he came out was under medical treatment. Altogether he was off work seven weeks wanting a day. Was ordered porter to drink. Was still unable to do his work as formerly - could not lift the same weights. Was not aware of what injury he had received. The defendant had not been to see him or taken any notice. - On being cross-examined by Mr. Baldwin, the witness said he was walking in the middle of the street and not on the footpath. Could not see the defendant because he came so quickly upon him. Was not aware that he was calling out at the time and pulling to one side of the road. The proceedings before the magistrates were instituted by his wife. Had no one in his company when the injury was done who had been convicted of poaching through the instrumentality of the defendant. Belonged to a club and had received 7s a week during his illness - not 9s. Was not still receiving it. Was a man occasionally employed at his calling and sometimes made a little by spouting Shakespeare in public houses. Had not instructed any one to ask for compensation. Expected the defendant would call on him. Mr. Sharp was his attorney before the magistrates. His wife might have consulted Mr. Sharp about this action. Wished Mr. Sharp to write to the defendant, but was not aware that he had done so. - In re-examination the witness said he was in the middle of the road because there was no room on the footpath. It was raining at the time, and the rain beat in his face. Had regularly contributed to his club. Had been two years in Mr. Baynes' employ, with some short intermission. - Anthony Hewitson was next called and examined by Mr. Sharp. He said he was in the same employ as the plaintiff, and was walking a little behind him in Penny Street on the 21st of June. Saw the defendant coming. He was in a gig driving at a good speed - a good long trot. He was ten or twelve yards from Ward when I first saw him. There were a good many in the streets. Heard many call out. Did not see Crook offer to stop. Saw the shaft strike Ward, Ward did his best to get out of the way. He was knocked down. We took him up, put him on some steps, and got water. Crook never stopped. Witness called out to him, and said a man should not drive in that way up the street, when the defendant said he might go to __ and drove on.- In reply to Mr. Baldwin, the witness said he did not think he should have had time to get out of the way if he had been in the plaintiff's place.- Levi Baynes, another fellow workmen was next sworn. Was with Ward, walking at his side. Saw Crook driving a gig at a long trot - as fast, indeed, as some horses would gallop. Should say there were forty people about. Crook was about twenty yards off when he saw him first. He could see the crowd. The wind was beating in witness's face. Crook never offered to pull up. Saw Ward struck. He had no time to get out of the way. Crook never pulled up at all. Witness shouted to him do so before he came up. Also called after him telling him to come and see whether the man was dead or alive. He did not. Ward seemed very ill. He was taken to the Infirmary. He could not go without help. Was present when Crook was convicted. Saw him after the hearing. He told witness he was a d__d liar and called another witness, Howson, the same and offered to fight him. - In reply to Mr. Baldwin, the witness said he was not aware that anyone who had been convicted of poaching was in company. - Thomas Howson, a weaver, was next sworn. Was coming round the corner of the street just after the affair happened. Heard Hewitson call out to Crook. "Stop, stop!" Crook made answer "Go to hell, you __." After the hearing Crook called witness out to fight and said he would wring his nose - told him he could not do it.- Mr. Harker, the House Surgeon of the Infirmary, said that the plaintiff had suffered severe injury, having had the cartilage which connected the breast bone with the ribs broken. Could not do the work he had been accustomed to, though ultimately he would be able. Of course he would not recover so rapidly as if he were a younger man. - In reply to Mr. Baldwin, the witness said there was no actual fracture of the ribs.- This closed the plaintiff's case and Mr. Baldwin adressed the court. He said he did not of course deny that the injury had been sustained, but his defence was that it was owing to the plaintiff's own neglignece ; inasmuch as he was walking in the middle of the street, and ought therefore to have kept a proper look out. It was not a case of coming round a corner. The defendant was seen 20 yards ahead and it was clear, therefore, that if Ward had exercised the same degree of caution as his fellow workmen, the injury would not have been done. The summons imputed "furious driving," but there was no evidence whatever of that. He was not inciting the horse and all the witnesses could say was that he was going at a long trot. If he was coming behind the plaintiff he might have been culpable, but under the circumstances of the case submitted that he was not. With regard to these proceedings, he understood that the defendant had lately been instrumental in putting a stop to poaching in the neighbourhood. He inferred thence that the course pursued towards his client was of a vindictive character. It would be observed that compensation was never asked for. The defendant was at once prosecuted before the magistrates and convicted and now he was summoned for damages. He (Mr. Baldwin) was instructed by Mr. Starkie, the master of the defendant, and that gentleman had done so because he was impressed with the conviction that the proceedings were such as he described them. The defence was that at the time of the accident the defendant was where he ought to have been, and the plaintiff where he ought not to have been and that he did not use ordinary caution in keeping out of danger. He had brought the injury on himself, and must take the consequences. But supporting the court should be of opinion that the case was established, then in mitigation of damages, he would submit that the plaintiff was not a man in regular employ, but eked out an uncertain living by spouting at public-houses, and that during his illness he received 7s a week from his club. Then the case of furious driving had entirely failed, and on the whole he submitted that the smallest amount of damages would meet the justice of the case.- His Honour, after observing that the bringing of the action, in addition to the conviction, was not usual, though it was legal, said the defendant was not justified in driving at the rate spoken to through a crowd of persons, nor could he admit that after receiving the injury the plaintiff had received any compensation through his club, inasmuch as he himself paid weekly to the support of the club. On the whole, he thought the plaintiff entitled to £10 damages, and that sum he should award, with costs.- On application from Mr. Baldwin, His Honor ruled that the damages should be paid monthly at the rate of 10s a month.

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Pictures one.

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.