The Sun.
London, England, 1865-08-02 00:00:00

Desperate Poaching Affray.

On Sunday morning, about one o'clock, -a murderous
affray took place in the plantation of Mr. W. Armstrong,
viewer at Wingate Grange Colliery. It appears that the
estate has a quantity of game on it, and the pitmen of the
neighbourhood, despite the efforts of the watchers, have
of late been committing serious depredations amongst the
game. Two of Mr. Armstrong's watchers, named Benjamin
Embleton and James Stark, on Saturday night concealed
themselves behind a hedge near to one of the plantations.
About one o'clock on the Sunday morning they saw two
men in the plantation, and they spread a large net from
one end to the other in order to catch hares. The two
watchers sprang from their hiding-place and seized hold of
the two poachers, but ono of them blew a whistle, and im-
mediately afterwards other five men came up. A struggle
at once took place. The whole of the poachers were armed
in some way or other—some had large sticks, another a
brace of pistols, and one a life-preserver. On the watchers
trying to obtain the nets, the mon rushed upon them, and
Embleton was knocked down. The party who threw him
to the ground was kicking him, and Stark, observing the
manner in which he was being treated, drew out a pistol,
and threatened to shoot any one that dared to come near.
While holding the pistol in a defiant manner at the protector
of his comrade, some of the poachers got behind him, and
by a sudden catch of his arm it caused the pistol to go off,
and it being pointed in the direction of one of the men, it
is supposedthe contents lodged in his person, as he dropped
simultaneously with the report, and moaned as though
in great agony. Stark was thrown down at the same time,
and he caught hold of his assailant and pulled him on
the ground with him. While struggling the poacher who
was armed with two pistols came up and threatened to
shoot him. Some of his companions cried out, "Don't shoot
him on the ground while he's down," but he took no notice
of their advice, and fired. Stark seeing the dangerous posi-
tion he was in, turned his back to the deadly weapon, and
the contents of the pistol were lodged in his shoulder. The
charge had not been very great, or he Would have been
killed, as the close proximity of the pistol to the person of
Stark was such that a portion of his coat was completely
blown off. While Stark remained disabled the poachers all
rushed upon Embleton, who had got up, and he was again
knocked down with a life preserver. When down the vil-
lain came across Embleton's nose with a fearful blow with
this terrible instrument and smashed his nose level with his
face. The life preserver, with the suddenness and force of
the blow, broke off by the head. Poor Embloton, also, was
most severely cut upon the head with a large rail, which
laid his skull bare, and ho now lies in a dangerous state.
When the poachers thought they had done sufficient, they
carried their wounded man away, and made off towards
Shotton Colliery. The two watchers were both rendered
almost insensible, and it was some time before they could
get up to make for their homes. On doing so, they ma-
naged, with considerable difficulty, to get home, when a
doctor and a policeman were at once sent for. Dr. Morrison
on arriving extracted several of the shot-corns from the
shoulder of Stark, and dressed the wounds of Embleton.
Mr. Superintendent Scott, on receiving information of the
affray, apprehended three notorious poachers. Their names
are Simeon Ridley, Robert Williamson, and Thomas Sim-
monds, all pitmen, belonging to Shotton Colliery. In the
house of the latter were found two horse pistols, one appa-
rently recently discharged, and the other laden with No. 6
shot, which corresponds with the shot extracted from
Stark's shoulder. The man who is supposed to have been
shot by the watchers has not been found, and the other
three are all but in the hands of the police, being absent
from their residences. The two watch&s are progressing as
well as could be expected, but Embleton is far from out of
clanger.—Newcastle Daily Express.

THE KING OF THE BELGIANS.—Accounts re-
ceived from Lackon yesterday state the satisfactory intel- '
ligence that the health of his Majesty King Leopold has
considerably improved.
HARVEST IN THE EAST RIDING.—The wheat har-
vest has already commenced in this district. In the
course of the week reaping will become almost general.
From Driffield, Northwards, the beginning of harvest will
be in about a fortnight. In all directions the wheat looks
remarkably well, especially in Ilolderness, where it is be-
lieved the crops 'will cut up satisfactorily.
EXCURSIONISTS FROM ABYSSINIA.—Our intrepid
fellow-townsman, the Count du Bisson, and his
heroic wife have arrived here on their return from a econd
expedition In Abyssinia. They both succeeded in passing
in safety from the extremity of the Red Sea to Alexandria.
At Cairo the Countess was attacked with cholera, and only
escaped by her rare energy. During the count's stay at
the Court of Theodoros, he was able, by the honesty and
firmness of his character, to acquire the good giaces of the
terrible Abyssinian monarch.—Journal de Nice.
DEATH OF A VETERAN.—CoI. Laborde, military
governor of the Palace of the Luxembourg, the last,survi-
vor of the officers of the Old Guard who accompanied Na-
poleon I. to the Island of Elba, has just expired in his 94th
year.
METRONLITAN RAILWAY.—The ordinary half-
yearly meeting was held to-day at the London
Tavern. The directors' report, which has already appeared
in The Sun, was adopted, and a dividend of five per cent.
in the preference, and seven per cent. on the ordinary
stock was declared. The chairman congratulated the
shareholders on the prosperity of the undertaking, and in-
formed them that the district railways were proceeding
very satisfactorily.

MR. SCULLY AND THE CORK ELECTION.—It is
said (remarks the Dublin Evening Mail) that Mr. Scully is
minded to test the gratitude of his former constituents by
another trial. He intends to petition for an avoidance of
the late election, on the grounds of the provisions of tho
statute of 1 Geo. IV., cap. 11, fixing tho qualification of
Deputy-Sheriffs, not having been complied with.