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Leader (1850-1860), 23rd September 1854, Edition Town of 2, Page 891, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      RELIGIOUS AMENITIES IN IRELAND . Hast week we chronicled the case of a riot at Newton * IjinaaYady , springing out of the animosities whieh prevail between Protestants and Roman Catholics in Ireland . Can it be that the atrocity we here detail has its origin in the same fertile source of division ? Looking to the religious and political status of the persons whom it was evidently intended to destroy , there is some cause for fear that it is one of the religious amenities of Ireland . The Orangemen of Enniskillen made an excursion

      to Derry last week , headed by the Earl of Enniskillen , Sir R . Bateson , &c , &c . They had a reception on the platform of the railway station at the < e maiden city , " and a good deal of speech-making and fraternisation with the " ' prentice boys of Derry , " to whom this was a return visit , "took place . At the conclusion of the day , about five o ' clock , the excursionists repaired to the railway terminus , and took their departure . " Having left Deny , two engines being placed to the train , tie journey was accomplished without anything occurring until the train , after passing Dromore , in the county Tyrone , in a townland named Stranagomer , near the cross-roads leading from Trillick to Lowtherstown , a sudden shock , preceded by a slight jumbling of the engine took place , and immediately down went the engines , flying off as it were at

      right angles- The second engine , on which , along with the engine-man , were Lord Enniskillen and one of . the railway officials , Mr . Georgo Younger , rail into the first , jamming his lordship between the engine and first carriage , from which perilous position he was rescued by the joint exertion of seven or eight of the Enniskillenevs who hud left their carriages when the concussion took place . We are happy to add his lordship was but very slightly bruised , although one of the engine-drivers ivas killed , and another had a log broken . This man is not expected io live , we -understand . A . third man , belonging to the company , is suffering . also very much from a dreadfully mangled thigh , off . which the flesh was completely torn . At the hour the accident occurred , it was , of course , quite dark , and there were , we have learned , but two lamps available . The cause of the

      accident was found to be several stones , one of them weighing close upon 3 cwt ., which had been placed by some fiendish miscreants upon the line , and these were preceded by a few smaller ones , evidently designed to throw the engines off the rail before coming to the larger block , in the hope that the latter would then the better turn them down a precipitous steep of about thirty or forty feet in depth , caused by the earth which had been thrown in at this spot to raise the line to a proper level , and at which there is no parapet or projecting wall . As a train had passed along the line about twenty minutes previously , it is manifest the fiendish coaicoctors of this diabolical scheme , which exceeds anything wo ever read of in murderous intention , were lying in wait some time to accomplish their purpose , and that the object

      of their deadly intention was the more numerously freighted train containing the D « rry visitors ; and so solicitous were they that failure should not attend them , about a mile further on the line was similarly obstructed . Happily at the time of the collision the engines were proceeding rather slowly , to which may be attributed in a great measure the slight nature of the cusualties ; for had they been going at a rapid rate , and turned off down the embankment bringing the carriages along with them , few could have escaped with their lives . As it was , the scone of confusion is indescribable , niid to _ udd to the terror inspired at the moment a rumour wns raised that another train would be likely to come up with them . Shortly after tlio occurrence took place , a crowd of country people assembled , and although wo blush for our

      common humanity when wo pen sucih a sentence , yet the truth should bo told , which , as we ha-vo been informed by an oycwitnosB , is most discreditable to the peasantry of that district . Our informant states that hardly one of those who carno up would condescend to put a hand to in order to render tlio slightest assistance ; and although one follow was paid liberally for bringing a little water , and another was paid to bring a door to carry oft" the poor sufferers , neither of theso fellows returned . That such an occurrence should tnko place in n Christian country , and bo characterised with such hard-hcartodncss in the hour of need , will scarcely bo bolurvcd ; and God knows , wo write it moro with a feeling of rogrot than indignation . Qur raiders can all hotter concoivo than yvo could rolato the peculiar feelings of between eight and nino hundred individuals thus thrown out into a strnngo ( hstriot , in the dark , and at a distance of twelve huIob from

      tieir homoa . The small village of Ballinamallard lay before them on their route , distant about four niilow , and thither most of the passengers struggled in groups , as best they pould . Wo understand Lord lOnnisltillon took up his abodo m a peasant ' house for the night , and about half-pout ninu o clock the next morning Lady Knniskillon passed through town from Floroncoeourt to quiet her anxieties by a sight of hex liege , lord . When the- news ranched lJiilfiimmallarcl , \ vncvc « , large concourse lmd nssomblud in expectation of tlio tram at tlio usual hour , a numoroiiH party sot out to render woatiud they could , and somo jaunting-oars wore got ready lor the conveyance of tho IhcUch . Many of our ibUow-towiiBm « n dd not got homo till Hix o ' clock on SuUmliiy mornings and nllBoonuHl . impressed with a duo ho . iho of Hint iu-ovU ! i ?? V m } , lT , tIon ' vllidl « llono "wound thorn from one of Iho most llondluh attempts nt wholesale mnawacro that ever CtorVli ' U 1 U W " ° UlOr 00 Ullll ' v Profcssiiig to l > u

      " We grieve to have to announce that a most diabolical attempt was made last night to upset the train which arrived in Derry yesterday with the Lnniskillen excursionists . The train , which contained upwards of 800 persons , started from Derry about a quarter past five , p . m ., for the purpose of conveying the excursionists home . It was drawn by two engines , and proceeded in safety until it came within about a mile of Trillick station , and six or seven miles from Enniskillen , when a fearful collision took place by the engine striking against several granite blocks that had , it is supposed , been laid across the rail by some miscreants , for the purpose of causing an accident . So great was the shock that the links connecting the engine to the train were instantly broken , and a stoker of the name of Mitchell was thrown between the engines and literally smashed to death .

      We regret to say that poor Mitch « U has left a large family to mourn his loss . Tlie engine driver ' s life was saved by his leaping off before the collision took place . There have , however , been several serious injuries sustained . It is generally rumoured that Lord Enniskillen has had a leg broken , but for the truth of this statement we cannot yet vouch . When the news of this horrible outrage became known in Derry , a feeling of the utmost horror and consternation rapidly spread amongst the people , and there were several who were not slow to pronounce it to be the work of some religious fanatics . It "was rumoured also that the excursionists were so exasperated by the accident that they immediately proceeded to wreck and burn several of the neighbouring houses belonging to Roman Catholics , whom in the excitement of the moment , they suspected of being implicated in the crime .

      " It is worthy of note that no exhibition of party spirit took place during the day , nor was there the slightest inclination on the part of any of the Catholics of Derry to riot or disturbance . It is also to be observed that there were several Catholics in the train amongst the excursionists ; so that , 'from all we at present hear , there is nc reason-to suppose that party spirit had anything to do with the diabolical outrage . It is hoped , however , that a searching investigation will be made into the whole" affair , and that the culprits will l ) e brought to a speedy -punishment . We purpose publishing full information as soon as we can obtain the exact particulars . Lord Enniskillen has , witb great promptitude , offered 500 ? . for the apprehension of-the offenders , and several arrests hare , we learn , been already made . " Several " navigators" have been arrested on suspicion . A coroner ' s inquest has been sitting , to inquire into the death of Mitchell , the stoker , but it has been thought advisable that the inquiry should be private . Another paper says ;—

      " The place selected for the execution of this nefarious plot plainly demonstrates that a wholesale destruction of human life was expected to result . About a quarter of a mile on the Derry side of Trillick- station there is an embankment off the height of upwards of 30 feet , over which , when the train came in contact with the obstructions , both engines weie preci p itated , the links which connected them with tho train being providentially broken . The second engine dashed on the first , and poor ' Mitchell was crushed to death between them . There is also a viaduct at the . embankment , from the parapet of which the stones Qone weighing Dcwt ) were moved on to the line . " That the spirit which we above indicated largely exists , take another specimen of sectarian squabbling . The scene is a union workhouse in Dublin . The Rev . Mr . Fleming , tlio Protestmrt ^ iapitfin , is , as he alleges , molested by "the Roman Catholic chaplain in thiswise . lie says : —

      " On the 4 th of September , in discharge of my duty , I visited tlie female hospital , and while there engaged in giving religious instruction to the Protestant patients in the ward , tho Roman Catholic chaplain rushed in , and after some time caused considerable disturbance by making a very great noise . He inquired of one of the Koman Catholic patients in the word—¦ ' Are you obliged to listen to that fellow ? ' ami added , ' shut your ears against him ; ' and nguia caused considerable annoyance by walking violently to and fro through the ward . " Mr . O'Farrell gives his version thus : —

      " Iho Sontli Union workhouse is now divided into a sectarian establishment—sopimito schools for Protestant and Catholic children of both koxos—separate shods—separate work-rooms for tho able-bodied paupers of both soxossopnrato hospitals for the sick and infirm of both sexes ; tho shed hospital in the garden , ' erected for unfortunato and erring females , ' Is tlio only exception . In this both Catholic and Protest ant females « ro cpminiuglad . " I was informed that tho Protestant chaplain ^ or his substitute , wns in tho habit of reading aloud , at a table in tho middle of this hospital , tlio Protestant version of tho

      Scriptures , and making copious comments on tho same ; that tho Cutholio l ' ornwlos folt tlioir foolings outraged , and tlieir religion calumniated by this conduct of the Protestant olmplain . " As the spiritual guardian of those unfortunato siok females , I folt called ou to visit tho hospital and aoo if what I lmd heard was truo ; 1 c ' id so on Monday , tho 4 th inwt ., and found tho liov . ilobort . Flaming seated nt the tablo reading and preaching out of tho I ' rotostnnt Bible to all tho MiiiTorors in tho hoapitul . His congregation , ' out of 83 inniiites at tlint date in 1 ho hospital , ' contested of two ProteMtant glrl . i mid u wuriliniistrcsH , a Mrs . Lynch , also a Protest wit . '

      IIo denies that ho mmlc any disturbance . Tho matter is brought before tlio Poor-law Commissioners . An inquiry is instituted . Tho two reverend gi'iith'inon tiro confronted ; tlioro is plenty of recrimination iuuI cross-examining of witnosBos , and ho on , and ( inmost requests for a flepuration of Protestant !< nd Catholic inmntcu in tho workhouso—and the matter stands for decision . le all Hub religion or priestcraft ?

      There scorns to bo Imt one fooling in Ireland on tho subject . Tlio Durnj Journal ( Uomnin Catholic organ ) lms tho subjoined version : —

      Untitled Article

      The action by Simms against Major Maxwell and Lieutenant M'Alister has been brought in the County Court , and damages laid at 25 / .

      Untitled Article

      ROMANCE OF THE OLD BAILEY . A trial had just concluded at the Central Criminal Court , on Monday , when an elderly person , of most . respectable appearance , who had been sitting on the seat under the judges' bench , deliberately got up and walked to the counsels' table , and , placing himself close to Mr . Giffard , who was the first gentleman on the seat , he said , in an earnest and solemn tone , " Do you remember Cardiff ? " and at the same instant placed the muzzle of a pistol close to his cheek , and pulled the trigger . The weapon exploded with a slight report , and from what was afterwards discovered , it appeared that the bullet which it had contained had dropped from the barrel . The powder being thus scattered , tho fatal intention was

      frustrated , and the effect of tho discharge was merely to occasion a slight injury to the cheek of tho learned gentleman who had been made tho subject of so deadly an attack . He was seized , and ordered to bo searched , when he , with great coolness , exclaimed , "Yes , I have another pistol , " and added , "it is loaded ; " at tho same time talcing a pistol from his breast pocket ) , and handing it to the officers ; and upon its being examined it was found to be loaded with a ball . The escape of Mr . Giifard was moat miraculous , for if this second Avoapon had been used instead of tho other , eomo doadly injury , if not loss ot life , must ; necessarily have been the consequence . When ho had recovered himself sufficiently , ho looked at his assailant , and was astonished to find that ho

      waa an utter stranger . Tho prisoner , who exhibited tho utmost composure , but whose appearance gavo strong manifestations of insanity , was them removed to the ahoi'UV ' a parlour , and Mr . Alderman Finnis and Sir John Musgrovu at once proceeded thoro to tako tho necessary

      dcpusi-Tho prisoner gave his name Hugh 1 ollard Willoughby , and said that ho was tho brother ol bir iJoiiry Willougliby , ami that ho was a tslorffywnn . ana rosidod at Oxford . Upon his boiiitf " *™\™ h * $$ f watdi niul chain , live pound * in gold , tmlv « htllinirH in silver , and four Jcoys vuro tound upon Inn . lie was HuluoH-ntly collootod to require and obUun tho p ^ JTl US ,,,. * , of Mr . Clarkson whom ho named . After ii preliminary examination , tlio lu « - tlior proceeding * in tl » o matter were postponed for a wt'ok .

      Untitled Article

      THE WINDSOR COURTS-MARTIAL . The Duke of Cleveland has been in correspondence with the Mayor of Windsor on the subject of the recent courts-martial , a propos of his forwarding a subscription of 50 / . towards the Perry Defence Fund . He refers to the evidence before the Courts-martial ) and thinks " something more may have transpired than what met the public eye to induce the members of the Court to decide upoa the verdict they thought proper to give , which certainly surprised me , not as a civilian , but as an officer of long standing in the army , and I hope I may add of some experience , having served in every regimental rank , from a cornet of Dragoons to that of Lieutenanfr-Colonel

      commanding an Infantry Regiment , the 75 th Foot , in which latter capacity I served for two years . I have always studied to the best of my ability the duty of a regimental officer , in every progressive rank , and of this I speak with great confidence , that the conduct of officers in each rank , as well as the discipline of the regiment , must depend upon the actual diligence and supervision of the commanding : officer . If , therefore , youths in the lower ranks of regiments are allowed to practise every sort of riot , drunkenness , and debauchery , and no notice taken of it by their commander , are they to be made the victims , and he to be let off Scot free , when by his own culpable

      negligence he has fceen the sole cause of it ? JFor 6 uch is the case with Colonel Garrett . Was there ever such a disgraceful state of any British regiment brought to light as that of the 46 th in the late proceedings at Windsor ? What , therefore ^ does surprise me is thiSj that they , the Court , should make no report as to the -conduct of Colonel Garrett ; Is it , I will ask , the opinion of any man , civil or military , that such an officer should continue in command of a regiment , which he has publicly disgraced ? -And yet I have never heard of his being ordered to quit the regiment , or of his being allowed to retire from the service by the sale of his commission . "

      It is stated that an action for false imprisonment has been brought against Major Maxwell and Lieut . M'Alister by the friends of the boy Simms , whom they took into custody . The matter is , however , open to " arrangement . "

      Untitled Article

      Twelve peers have subscribed to the Perry Defence Fund . Only three members of the House of Commons have subscribed , viz . —Mr . D . Seymour , Mr . Ouseley Higgins , and Mr . Gore Langton .

      Untitled Article

      September 23 , 1854 , THE LEADER . 891

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Sept. 23, 1854, page 891, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2057/page/3/