THE CHARD UNION GAZETTE - Extracts Monday December 3rd 1838 The fatal accident which about a fortnight ago befel the Defiance coach, on its way from Exeter to London, has been already made public. It is just however to remark, that the accident did not arise from a want of care on the part of the proprietors, or the badness of the line of road over which the coach travelled; indeed it was remarked by the Coroner after the inquest on the body of the coachman had been held, that although he had performed the duties of Coroner for many years, he had not heard of any fatal accidents occuring to the travellers on the Ilminster line of road. On the present occasion, it was brought about by the inscrutable designs of that mysterious providence which man will wish in vain “to look into.” From all the reports which have reached us, we find that the unfortunate coachman BEVISS, was a decidedly sober man and good driver, - he has left a widow and six children, - the former in very debilitated condition, and one of the latter an idiot. With that liberality however, which is so characteristic of the British public, a subscription has been set on foot, which already amounts to nearly £200. THE LATE COACH ACCIDENT ON BUCKLAND HILL To the Editor of the Chard Union Gazette Sir, - It appears strange, that neither the Rev. Gentleman, who is stated to have been present when the accident occurred, nor the Guard, should have been examined at the inquest, as the former particularly might have given precise and impartial information as to the nature of the accident, whether arising from alleged fog, or driving too fast down this formidable hill. The coach traveller is interested to be well informed on this point, as this is not the only accident that has recently occurred on this line of road, on which ten coaches are running daily to and from London; and in snow or fog, fast driving down this and other hills, and on the open plains is very dangerous. Every precaution is therefore necessary to protect the traveller, against the recurrence of such extensive and melancholy loss of life, and if attributable to keeping time (as it is termed) against a rival coach (which from the number is not impossible,) the practice should be exposed. I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, A TRAVELLER Nov. 20th, 1838. ---o0o--- Monday, January 7th, 1839 To the Editor of the Chard Union Gazette Sir, - In your last Gazette I noticed a letter, signed “A TRAVELLER”, in which the writer expresses his surprise at the absence of the Guard on the inquisition, held on the body of the unfortunate coachman, Bevis, who it will be remembered, was killed by the upsetting of the Defiance Coach, about 6 weeks ago. As so long a time has elapsed since the occurrence of the sad event, I should not again have drawn attention to the accident, had not some considerable impressions been made on the minds of those of your readers, who have not taken the trouble to make themselves acquainted with the particulars of the transaction. I therefore take the liberty of stating to “A Traveller,” that the evidence of the Guard was not considered necessary, either by the Jury or Coroner; as a female passenger who was seated near the Guard, was present, and gave her evidence in a very circumstantial manner; the “rev. Gentleman” also, to whom he alludes, as one who ought to have been called upon to give his evidence was not present when the accident occurred, and therefore, he could say only, what every other spectator might have said, that the Coach was upset and the Coachman was killed. I should very much like to know, what “A Traveller” meant by the expression “alleged fog.” Does he mean to insinuate that there was no fog at all on the night in question, or will he even venture to deny that the mist was so dense, as to render every thoroughfare almost impassable? But with all his appearance of candour, and love of humanity – for which excellent virtues, I give him full credit; he has not yet discovered skill enough to cover his unconquerable dislike to the Ilminster line of road. “Ten Coaches” he says, “run daily up and down this dangerous hill.” What then? – why perhaps as the number is so great, competition, or keeping time as it is called, may induce the Coachman to drive carelessly and thoughtlessly, and thus endanger the lives of the passengers.” Very plausible, certainly, and no one can be more anxious than myself, that “A Traveller” should not have his neck brok[en by t]he upsetting of a coach. But he certainly ought to have kn[own th]at up to a very recent period, the whole of the Coaches on the Ilminster line of road, have been in the hands and keeping of the same proprietors. Mr. Loaring, of Ilminster, has for a very long period, partly horsed, all the Coaches on the line, with the exception of the Vivid (one started within a few months;) and what earthly reason could there be for opposition, or rapid driving, when no second party was engaged in the contest. It is next to ridiculous, to write in the manner “A Traveller” has written about competition, when opposition to the Subscription and Defiance Coaches, was quite out of the question. These conveyances have been established upwards of 30 years, their punctuality, and general management, have been acknowledged by all parties; the accommodations they afford have been felt by every traveller who has passed on the line; and there can be no doubt, but that even our “Traveller,” would gladly avail himself of these means of transit, provided he wishes to go to the “Metropolis of the World.” As to the accidents mentioned by “A Traveller,” which have lately occurred on the Ilminster road, we have heard of but one, which will apply to the question. The Quicksilver Mail was upset the other day, without injury to life or limb. It appears the horses ran away, and the Coachman with praiseworthy magnanimity, and with a view to prevent ultimate disasters, upset the coach on some moss, by which means, all and every of her Majesty’s liege Subjects were preserved. Now, I verily believe, that if the Quicksilver had been on the other line, this accident would not have occurred, nor would the letter bags, have arrived half an hour beyond the time; for this very reason, Mr. Editor; that the horses on the other (or Chard) line, would not have been spirited enough to be able to run off with the Coach! - even if it had been empty. Believe me Sir, yours truly, OBSERVER