The National Register.
London, England, 1815-06-04 00:00:00

ACCIDENTS AND OFFENCES.

EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF FRAUD.—A few days since GM'
Field, alias Hewitt, alias Gibboll%, was committed for trial at St•
Alban's, for defrauding several persons out of various sums of money
under the following unprecedented eircunistaecee r—it appeared
that he was discovered in the Meadows, near Christ Church, Oxford.
weltering in blood, with many apparent marks of great violence;
upon 11w cause being inquired into, he said he had been robbed by
three villains, who not satisfied with his, money nearly dem ived hirrt
of Ins life. The commiseration of the inhabitants of Oxford was
strongly excited, and be was taken to the Horse and Groom, where
a liberal subscription was entered into for the reparation ot bis losses.
Mr. Richardson greatly interested himself in his favour and obtained
for hint sums of money to a considerable amuunt ; upon inquiry
being made after his relations, he retialed the inquirers to a Mr.
Connelly, of Swan-yard, Newington Butts. Mr. Richardson, &mime:
to complete his supposed charitable work, went to Connelly, hurt*
his great astonishment found that Connelly knew nothing of Field ;
on his return to Oxford the bird had flown, having deco ived even
the faculty themselves. An officer was employed, and succeeded 4n
apprehending him at St Alban's,
.on Thursday last, Inhere he had
played a similar tick, obtained various Mils of money, and three
soldiers had been absolutely taken up on suspieion of the robbery,
but where discharged immediately the trick was discovered. lie
counterfeited illness, by causing his nose to bleed aid swallowing
the blood, and so skilful is he in the operation, that he has maimeed
to spit blood for a week or ten days. He will be tried at the St.
Albair's Sessions for obtaining money under a " false token."
An alarming fire broke out in a stable belonging to Mr. Smith,
carrier, at Chipping Ongar, Essex, in the night of Thursday last,
which was occasioned by a lighted candle being imprudently halt
therein, during the temporary absence of the servant man, who, on
his return, found the stable enveloped in dames. Every exertion
was immediately made to arrest the progress ot the titt, and to save
fise horses that were in the stable, but ‘vhich unfortunately ptoved
ineffectual, and they perished in the flames. The fire text commu-
nicated to four cottages adjoining the stable, tenanted by lab,uring
people, which were likewise completely destroyed, most of the in-
habitant,: of which are considerable sufferers, not being able tore-
move their goods. A stable and chaise-house belonging to Mr. Pot-
ter, surgeon, also shared the same fate, and the heel: part of 31r.
Potter's house, as well as that of Mr. Hatimnimes, were eousar-
Ably injured ; this, we believe, to be the eat( nt of the damage ste-
tained by this unfortunate occurreeee. The fire engine* from
Chelmsford, &c. were forwarded wide all possible spi ed to Ongar,
but the flames had been completely subdued byline their ar rivab
The greater part of the property is insured,
Hv DttoetroniA. on the ?tide of lily, at Reaconsfield,
Bucks, James Hare, a labourer, of hydrophobia from a bite .en
the nose by a mad dog, on the vbth of March last. This poor man
had repeatedly taken the popular nostrum of the country, had been
lipped in the sea, and had had caustics applied to the parts bitten,
but unfortunately, perhaps, not until the 411 day afterwards. The
direct symptoms or hydrophobia came oil about :!ti hours before I.c
died, but had. been preceded some days by uneaey SCII• at 301!% of the
part bitten, and about the face and head. Notwithstaeding tl,e
most active means used by two medical gentlemen of the town
to preserve the life of this poor man, the dreadful effects of his
horrid disease' rapidly succeeded each other, until he suek wider
them. He retained his senses and was collected It the last, but his
aeenv froos the want of drink, and his couvul-eve but 'wave:ll.'4
aft): t to Like it cannot Le descubed.