The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-02-08 00:00:00

ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION IN
LONDON:

The neighbourhood of Clerkenwell, and particularly
that in close proximity to the House of Detention,
was thrown into a state of great excitement on Wed-
nesday, in consequence of a report which gained general
and rapid currency that another Fenian outrage had
been committed, and that a serious loss of life had
been the consequence. Numberless persons started to
the scene of the disaster to ascertain the facts, but
although a great oubrage upon an uuoffending person has
been committed, which it is very probable may lead to
fatal results, yet at present that announcement is
premature. The following facts in reference to it
may, however, be relied upon as authentic, as they
have been collected from the most trustworthy and
authentic sources :

It appears from inquiries made that at about a quarter.
past nine o'clock on Wednesday morning, as a very respect-
able-looking man, named Thomas Charrington, in the employ
of Mr. Hicks, meteorological instrument cleaner, No. 8,
liattoffgarden, was passing between Northampton-street
and Compton-street, within a short distance of the House of
Detention, he was, without the slightest warning,
tired at by some man, who suddenly made his appear-
ance, and the bullet entered the right side of his
neck, just below the car. The unfortunate gentle-
Man did not immediately fall to the ground and before
anyone could approach him to render assistance and
there were several persons near at the time', three other
shots were tired in rapid succession from the same
deadly instrument, but fortunately missed the man for whom
they were intended, and did not take effect. As may be sup-
posed the utmost excitement prevailed, and some hesitation
was felt in encountering a man who was armed with such a
deadly weapon, which was a revolver, anti which he still
held in his hand, and of which, as was afterwards dis-
covered, three chambers still remained undischarged. A
man named Robert Bass, living at Seward-street, St. Luke's,
however, more courageous than the rest, went up to the
attempted murderer, seized him by the collar with one
hand and the revolver with the other, and lirinly grasped
and held him until such time ass police-constable came
up and took the man into custody. He also secured the
revolver from bins, and thus prevented him attempting
any farther mischief. A large crowd soon assembled,
and as it was believed to be another Fenian outrage, loud
execrations were expressed at what was deemed to be
another dialvdical Fenian attempt to murder, and un-
restraibed, there was no tolling what vengeance might have
been taken impost him on the spot. A cab was, however,
procureJ, and the man, Robert Bass, and the Police-constable
were speedily driven to the police-station in Bagnigge Wells-
road, where he was placed at the bar before Inspector
Bryant, and charged with the attempt to murder a Mr.
Charrington or Simrrington, and an entry to that effect was
made on the charge-sheet. Ile was asked his name, and he
gave it as James Needle, and his address as living at No.
13, New-street-square, Fetter-lane, Holborn, and that he
was by profeuiou a solicitor's clerk. He appeared to be
quite indifferent to his situation, and Indeed seemed to be
under the impression that he was rather the injured party
than one who had been guilty of the highest offence known
to the law.
. . .

'the revolver taken from the prisoner was carefully ex-
-11,7111,.1, and it was found to be one of a very perfect con-
struction, with au the latest improvements, consisting of
seven barrels, and mounted with German silver. There was
no maker's name on the weapon, and it was of the pocket
size.

The injured man wns as speedily as possible conveyed to
St. Bartholomew's liospitai, fl.ye he was at once admitted
and attended to by the house-surgeon, a 1.5..,,, him it was
ascertained that the bullet was still in the neck, so ue.,,,,
seated that at the time it was not deemed prudent to effect
its extraction. It is believed that his life is not in immediate
danger. In consequence of his very exhausted state, how-
ever, it was not considered right to put any questions In
reference to the occurrence further than obtaining his
name.

There was a rumour that Mr. Bird, the milkman, who was
a mincipal witness in the Clerkenwell outrage at the House
of Detention, was the person who had been shot, and in con-
sequence numerous persons went to his house to ascertain if
that was the fact.