The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1866-12-08 00:00:00

CRADLEY.

DARING BIIIIGARY.—One of the most daring attempts
at burglary ever perpetrated at this place occurred on
Saturday evening last. It appears that some thievish
fellows have SeVet.ili times lately endeavoured to obtain
an entrance into the house of Mr. David Brookes, but
their attempts proved Bailie.. Doubtless they were the
name who essayed to enter on Saturday last, and as will
be neon were successful in one respect but not in another.
Ur. Brookes's house is built with ito back to the road,
and the front overlooking the garden. At night it is
alwayn lighted up by the glare of light proceeding from
the blast furnaces and coke fires of the Corngrenves
Works. On Saturday evening, Mrs. Brookes was left in
the house alone, the rest of the family being out on
business. At slew minutes lifter eight o'clock she stirred
up the tire with the poker arid, happening to look op,
saw two men with common painted paper masks on their
faces looking through the window. She immediately
jumped up and locked the door, and then ran upstairs,
having the poker in her hand. As quickly as possible
she concealed two casts boxes—one containing their own
money, and the other containing the funds belonging to
a Women's Sick Club, held at the Wesleyan School.
Scareely had she succeeded in hiding these when sho
hart the key fall out of the house door, and the door
unlocked by a skeleton key ; and before she could get to
the top of the stairs one of the intruders met her on the
top step. lie did not speak, nor touch her, but snatched
the candle out of her hand, and she then ran down stairs.
list here she was met by the second, who as soon as she
commenced shouting, struck her on the face and neck
She In return struck her asmailant with the poker on the
arm, and then on the face ; the List blow splitting his
mask. Not liking this, lie closed with her and threw her
down, when she begged of him to spare her life on ac-
count of her soul, is whirls he replied D— your b—
soul. He afterwards twisted a handkerchief round her
neck. While this was taking place, th 2 one upstairs had
opened the drawers and tossed the things about in search
of the supposed booty; but not succeeding in finding it
there, he burst open a tea cheat in which the club mosey
formerly was kept, and again being disappointed he
searched beneath the mattress. Whilst searching here,
it is supposed he mast have heard some warning outaiiln,
for he beats retreat IS fast aa be could, followed by his
comrade downstairs, leaving Mrs. Brookes lying upon the
house floor, not quite seueclesn. llut the fright and the
violence to which she had been subjected so overcame
her as In Cause her tni be unable tx speak for three hours
•fter, and ahu Was not able to rise from her bed till the
Monday following. It is supposed the burglars hoped to
obtain possession of the contents of the club box, which
amounted to a good noted sum. In their haste, they
quite overlooked a missionary box, which was standing
on the top of the stairs, and which was nearly full of the
contributions of some children belonging to the Wesley-
an Sunday School. Owing to their being disturbed they
did not take anythiog. They were both driest in INA
etnstlies—oa'wore a billycJek and the other a cap, sod
the one that staid downstairs had • mintier with dock
spots in it round his neck. They have both as yet es-
caped detection, altlioagli the police are waking every
effort to Mel them out.