Sarah
Hawkins Genealogy Site
Newspaper
Articles
West Somerset Free Press and Williton and Watchet Journal. Saturday 09 Apr 1864
Page 5 Column 2
TAUNTON.
A FARMER KILLED BY PASSION. - A melancholy circumstance has just occurred in the neighbouring village of Pitminster, a respectable farmer, named BICKNELL, having fallen a victim to uncontrolled passion. It appears that he quarrelled with a workman, whom he pushed to the ground and kicked. On the workman getting up, and not relishing the treatment he had received, he struck his master, and ran off. Mr. BICKNELL at once flew into a towering passion, and ran after the man, but had not proceeded far when death arrested his progress, and he fell lifeless to the ground. Being a man of very violent temperament, his medical adviser cautioned him a short time since that if he did not control his passion apoplexy would doubtless ensue, but he unheeded the caution.
AN INTRUDING COW AND A COURAGEOUS CHEMIST.
- Some excitement, and no little apprehension, were caused in several parts of the town on Thursday afternoon by the eccentric movements of a cow belonging to Mr. RENDELL, of Shoreditch. The animal was being driven through the town, and when in East-street paid a visit to the offices of the Local Board of Health, from whence it was with some little trouble got out. It also entered the Crown and Tower beerhouse, and then proceeded along Harmony-row through Black Boy-lane, to St. Mary's Church, and afterwards to the Vicarage. It then made its way to the Assembly Rooms, but being unable to gain admittance, attempted to enter the shops of Messrs. EVANS and Mr. JEANES, and likewise failed there. At the shop of Mr. GILES, chemist, the effort was successful. The animal rushed into the shop, and was a once seized by the horns by Mr. GILES, who attempted to turn it out by main force. His courage, however, exceeded his strength, and the cow forced him through a door into a small room behind the shop. Here the animal became more furious, and as all attempts to secure it in front were resented in a very threatening movement of the horns, and as there is no back or side door by which a person could have got behind it, a ladder was procured, and several persons obtained access to the rear of the premises by means of an upstair room. The cow was then attacked at the same moment in front and behind, and having by this manoeuvre been secured, its eyes were covered, and it was got from the shop. The damage to Mr. GILES's property was not considerable, but it unfortunately happened that his wife was ill in bed at the time, and has been suffering since from the shock occasioned by this unexpected and unwelcome visitor.