ALLEGED RAILWAY OUTRAGE.

New Zealand Mail, 21 February 1901, Page 13

ALLEGED RAILWAY OUTRAGE.

MAN ATTACKED IN A CARRIAGE. The “Glasgow Herald” reports that on the arrival of the 2.20 p.m. train from Lime street, Liverpool, at Acton Bridge on Friday, December 28th, a man was found lying unconscious on the floor of a third-class compartment. The man’s clothes were saturated with blood, and his head lay in a pool of blood. He was conveyed to the Railway Hospital at Crewe, where he was attended by Dr Atkinson, the company’s chief surgeon. Two severe jagged wounds were found in his throat, caused evidently by a knife used with great force. Tbe man rallied during the afternoon, and gave his name as James Williamson Mather, and his address as 11 Cecil street, off Preston road, Liverpool. He was a station porter in_ the .service of the London and NorthWestern Railway. His statement is that he had been secretary of a Tontine Christmas Club, and had collected a sum of money from members in his district. This was about to be distributed, and he left Liverpool by tne 2.20 train for Parkside to meet the treasurer in order to hand over the money. He wa.s in a third-class compartment by himself., but just as the train was starting for Lime street a strange man jumped in. The stranger a.sked him for a bit of tobacco, but he replied that he had not got any. The stranger almost immediately sprang upon him and tried to rifle his pocket, lie took a handful of silver out of one pocket, and then inserted his hand in the other, and drew out a knife. Then there was a struggle, and, according to the victim’s evidence, the stranger opened the knife and plunged the blade twice into his throat, afterwards knocking him down. The man, became unconscious, and in this condition was found when the train arrived at Acton* Bridge. He was then the only occupant of the compartment. His assailant must have jumped from the train previously. He missed over £6 from his pocket, all in .silver, although about £3 10s wa.s left. Had he not boen discovered at Acton Bridge and his wounds temporarily attended to he would undoubtedly have bled to death. As it is he is greatly weakened through loss of blood. The knife could not be found in the carriage. The wounds are regarded as of a dangerous character, being of cons i dera bl e d eoth.