Three separate railway incidences in June and July, 1896 are here described. Even police officers, is seems, were not safe.
“THE OUTRAGE ON THE BRIGHTON RAILWAY. –
At East Grinstead police-court on Saturday Alfred Lock was charged with attempting to murder Miss Louisa Clarke in a carriage on the Brighton Railway on the 16th July. A second charge was now preferred against the prisoner of having assaulted Annie Pearce, nursemaid, residing at 43, Adys-road, East Dulwich, on July 10. Miss Pearce was on her way to Brighton, and the prisoner joined the train at Hassocks. As the train passed through Clayton tunnel she alleged the prisoner threw her on the floor of the compartment. She screamed and then became unconscious. When she came to herself the prisoner was standing over her and said he should not touch her. She got her hand to the communicator, but was afraid the prisoner would assault her again if she pulled it. At Preston Park the prisoner left the train hurriedly. She made no complaint till she reached her sister at Brighton. Additional evidence was given in regard to the assault on Miss Clarke. Dr. Hendley, Guy’s Hospital, described Miss Clarke’s injuries, and said that she would not be able to attend for another week. After further evidence the case was adjourned for a week.”
The Stamford Mercury, 31st July, 1896.
“THROWING STONES AT A TRAIN. –
A dastardly act was perpetrated on the Great Northern Railway on Monday as the train leaving Grantham at 3.23 p.m. for Essendine was passing Burton Coggles. A missile was hurled at the train, and a window of one of the compartments was smashed, the broken glass flying to the other end of the carriage. The occupants of the compartment were a young man living at Stamford and five members of the Stamford police-force, and the former narrowly escaped severe injuries. At first it was feared that his eyes were cut, but fortunately he sustained only a slight scratch on the face and forehead from the broken glass. The stone of other missile did not enter the compartment. On arrival of the train at Essendine the matter was reported to the station-master.”
The Stamford Mercury, 12th June, 1896.