Saturday 07 Dec 1844 (p. 3, col. 1-2) GIG ACCIDENT.-A melancholy and almost fatal accident occurred on the evening of Monday week to Mr. DAVIS, grocer, of Whitehaven. As he was returning home in the evening from the country in a gig, accompanied by Mr. Joseph LONGMIRE, shortly after passing through the Hensingham Toll Bar, the horse became frightened, it was supposed, by the jingling of a cart coming up behind it, and the affrighted animal started off with fearful velocity down the hill, in the direction of the town. Mr. LONGMIRE's efforts to stop the animal were in vain, and, to add to their alarming situation, when opposite to Hamilton Terrace one of the reins broke, and the furious animal was nearly left uncontrolled to pursue its course at will. Apprehensive of his appalling situation after the breaking of the rein, Mr. DAVIS leaped out of the gig, and in doing so pitched upon his head, from which he received a severe concussion of the brain, and was afterwards found lying helpless and in a state of insensibility upon the road. Mr. LONGMIRE kept his seat, and escaped uninjured, as the animal was stopped before it entered the town, and without either sustaining or doing any further harm. Mr. DAVIS was conveyed home, and, though he has suffered severely, we are happy to state hopes are entertained of his ultimate recovery. A PATRIARCHAL SPORTSMAN.-Mr. George THOMPSON, of Southfield, near Appleby, is, perhaps, the best shot of his years in Britain, having attained the patriarchal age of 93 years. The old gentleman during the last 57 years has without intermission annually taken out a game certificate, and never missed ranging the mountainous fells and moors of his native county during the shooting season in pursuit of game, amongst which he has at times, of late seasons, made great destruction, he being one of the best shots in the neighbourhood. One day, in the course of the present season, on Dufton Fells, he bagged 15 brace of fine grouse, and has also been very successful in bringing down partridges and hares in the lower grounds. DEATH FROM EATING OPIUM.-On Tuesday last, about three o'clock a.m., an old man named Wm. TUBMAN, of the New Town, finding his cough, which he had had for some time, more than usually troublesome, asked his wife, who is in the habit of taking opium and laudanum in large doses, for two of her pills, as they might help to compose him. These were immediately supplied by her. He soon after fell into a sleep from which he never awoke. About eight o'clock, his wife, perceiving that he slept unusually sound, tried in vain to arouse him, when she sent for Mr. MOSSOP, surgeon, who immediately attended, and began to empty the stomach by means of the stomach-pump; but his exertions were too late to be of any service to the poor man, he having died before the operation was completed. His wife was greatly astonished at the event, and could not ascribe it to the effects of the opium, having herself taken it for the last 25 years, and swallows it now to the enormous extent of one drachm per diem. Pills similar to those given to her husband were weighed by Mr. MOSSOP, and found to be four grains each. An inquest was held on the body on Wednesday last, before Mr. LUMB and a very respectable jury, who, after a careful investigation of the facts above detailed, returned a verdict "That the deceased's death was caused by opium, administered to him by his wife at his own desire.-Whitehaven Herald. ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.-About ten days ago a stranger from the South reached Dumfries, and obtained lodgings at a public house in town. He paid for his lodgings and whatever he got; but was so exceedingly frugal, we fear from necessity, that as his landlady said, his wants were so trifling that he spent very little money. On the morning of Monday, the 25th ult., he left his quarters without ordering breakfast, and in the course of the day was seen at Glencaple, walking along the beach and looking anxiously at the tide. >From this place he found his way to the jetty at Conheath, where he was observed by a roadman engaged in breaking stones by the way-side. After walking hurriedly and turning several times along the wooden pier, he threw aside his hat and stick and plunged into the water. When fairly immersed some say he called for "help,"-a fact we rather incline to doubt; but, be this as it may, the alarm was so promptly given, that Mr. CONNEL, jun., was almost instantly on the spot, and by his exertions, aided by Mr. THOMSON, jun., and another boatman, the stranger was rescued from a watery grave. At first he appeared to be totally insensible; but on being carried to a neighbouring cottage and put to bed, he gradually recovered. Many questions were at first put to him, but most of these he either evaded, or declined to answer; but when some one inquired if he had a wife, hs [sic] answered sharply, and somewhat eagerly, "no." Mr. CONNEL having kindly supplied a change of raiment, the stranger was brought to Dumfries, where he has since been carefully tended in a place of safety. In the end of the week, he was examined by the Sheriff and Fiscal, when his name and other facts were elicited, which we at present withhold from motives of delicacy. Suffice it, therefore, to say, that the unfortunate belongs to the Cumberland side, is fresh complexioned, about sixty years years [sic] of age, was decently arrayed in a suit of black, with no money in his pockets, or documents of any kind-and is obviously of those who have seen better days.-Dumfries Courier. STRANGE DISCOVERY OF A MURDER.-A good deal of excitement has been caused in Stranraer and neighbourhood during this and the past week, from the following circumstances. About five years ago a packman was known to have entered a cottage in the village or parish of Kirkcolme, and was never afterwards heard of. Shortly afterwards the neighbours remarked that the occupant of the house was much better off in worldly circumstances than before, and, therefore, could not help regarding him as having dealt the packman foul play, but nothing ever transpired that could positively justify the suspicion. The man died, it is said, about twelve months ago, and the occurrence ceased to be talked about, if it was not entirely forgotten; until last week, when some men, while making some alterations about the cottage, came upon the remains of a man buried underneath. Of their identity with the packman, the people, it is further reported, entertained no doubt. SINGULAR REPORT.-We learn that an unpleasant report is in circulation in Sunderland, to the effect that a "reverend gentleman," belonging, we believe, to the Methodist connexion, and who was lately reported to have been drowned while bathing in the sea, off Monkwearmouth, has really eloped to America with a young female, formerly a member of a congregation of which he was minister. ATTEMPT AT ASSASSINATION.-The neighbourhood of Kelso became, on Friday, the 22d inst., the scene of dastardly and atrocious bloodshed, under circumstances of a very painful nature. The victim of this cowardly and cold-blooded attempt at assassination is is [sic] James COCKBURN, a farm-servant at Quixwood, in the parish of Abbey St. Bathans, who was on that night to have been married to Jean STEEL, or RANKIN, widow of the late John RANKIN, and residing at Lintlaw, in the adjoining parish of Buncle. The bride and bridegroom were to have met at Dunse in the evening, in order to have had their nuptials celebrated by the Rev. C. MILLER, of the Second Secession Church. The bridegroom, with an acquaintance, of the name of James YOUL, was proceeding to the place of meeting in Dunse, from his residence at Quixwood, and when at a place called Preston Clough, about half a mile to the north of Preston, at about half-past five o'clock in the afternoon, was fired at with a gun or pistol from the plantation adjoining the east side of the road, or from behind a whin-bush on the road-side next the plantation. The shot took effect in the back, and the piece being heavily charged, he instantly fell. YOUL also received some of the shots in his arm; and being stunned by the murderous attack, and seeing COCKBURN fall, he fled to Preston for assistance and protection to himself and COCKBURN-having procured which, and returning immediately to the spot, COCKBURN was found as he fell, but there was no trace of the murderer. He was now conveyed to the nearest house at Preston, and medical assistance and the proper authorities sent for from Dunse. On an examination of his wounds, he was found to have received about 160 slug and round shot in the back, which was dreadfully lacerated. On recovering sensation he was heard to say "that was a poor revenge," and when asked if he suspected any one to have done the deed, he said that he thought it would be John JOHNSTON, who presently resides with Jean RANKIN, as hind to her, the bride to whom he was to have been married. JOHNSTON at that time was in the room, and was then apprehended, but was then thought to be innocent, as some came forward and said they knew him to have been elsewhere when the shot was fired. Since then he has been placed under examination, and remanded for some days until further evidence be produced. The bride and bridesmaid had arrived previously in Dunse, and were waiting the arrival of the bridegroom and his friends, when the intelligence of the deed reached them. The friends of the bride, on hearing it, saw the propriety of being cautious at such a time in communicating it abruptly to her; they therefore sent for the Rev. Mr. RIDDLE, who, in a calm and suitable manner, made her aware of what had befallen her intended husband. The poor woman, on learning it, was sorely distressed. It is not our business to surmise who may be the guilty party at the present time. JOHNSTON is in the hands of the authorities, and if there be evidence at all against him, he must stand at the bar of his country to answer for the deed. We understand that up to this time James COCKBURN is in a very dangerous condition, and not expected to survive. Some of the shots have been extracted, but there are still above 100 lodged in his body. A further examination on JOHNSTON took place on Wednesday, when he was committed for trial. From what can be learned, he had borrowed a gun from some person in Chirnside about three weeks ago, which he denies. The person from whom he got the gun is to be examined. A large concourse of people turned out to see him pass from the Town-hall to the prison. When he made his appearance, he looked unconcerned.-Kelso Chronicle.