The Sun.
London, England, 1867-10-09 00:00:00

Another Attempt to Rescue Prisoners in

CI erkenwell.

A most desperate and determined attempt to
rescue prisoners from custody during their transit
from the Session-house to the prison van was made
last night by a mob of " roughs" at Clerkenwell-
green. It appears that about half-an-hour after
the court had adjourned for the day the police made
a circle round the door where the prisoners come
out, and the van was driven up and backed close to
it. A mob of between 200 and 300 persons had
collected, and their demeanour was most threatening.
The female prisoners who had been convicted during
the day were then commenced to be removed, and,
notwithstanding the strong body of police, who were
under the direction of an able superior, several of
the "roughs," who were of the worst description,
broke through the line, and before they could be
prevented nearly succeeded in rescuing a woman,
who, it was understood, had been sentenced to a long
term of confinement. The police, however, behaved
courageously, and succeeded in forcing them back.
No sooner had the line been re-formed than a second
and more desperate attempt was made. Five
"roughs" succeeded in seizing hold of one of the
prisoners, named Alice Turner, who had been con-
victed of attempting to steal from the person, and
sentenced to nine months' imprisonment. The
police immediately closed with them, and a struggle
ensued. One of the offenders, who says he is the
husband of the woman, struck Warder Crawley in
the face, and struggled with him for the release of
the prisoner. She was with some difficulty got into
the van, and the door was locked. The roughs,
finding their efforts fruitless, made their escape.
The police, however, succeeded in detaining one of
their body, who was with some difficulty conveyed
to the police station, where he was charged with
assaulting the warder, and attempting to rescue a
prisoner. He was locked up, and was to be brought
before the magistrate this morning (Wednesday.)
It is not long since that the learned assistant-judge,
Sir William Henry Bodkin, drew the attention
publicly of the authorities to the inadequacy of
accommodation for the proper discharge of
.the
duties. Only a few months ago a band of roughs
made a set upon the prison van containing a noto-
rious ruffian named " Badger," who was sentenced
to 10 years' penal servitude. The officer at that
time was struck with brickbats and other missiles,
and had the presence of mind to lock the door and
give the key to the officer on duty inside. The
scenes daily occurring when the sessions are on
seriously demand the attention of the proper
authorities.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

TEIGN VALLEY.

An adjourned meeting of this company was held
at Newton Abbott on Monday, Sir L. Palk, M.P.,
in the chair, for the purpose of considering the
scheme of arrangements between the company 4pd
their creditors under the Railway Companies Act,
1867.

The CHAIRMAN said the directors, since the last
meeting, had had to consider fresh details of the
scheme, which he believed would prove more advan-
tageous to the interests of the shareholders and cre.
ditors than any yet submitted. They had not, how-
ever, been able to complete those arrangements, and
therefore he proposed that the meeting should be
further adjourned to the 28th inst. What they pur-
posed was to raise sufficient money to complete the
line, and to defray all claims paid by parties in cash on
behalf of the company. The directors believed that
when this was done and the line completed the mort-
gage upon the works would be so light as to afford
every probability of there being a return to those
who had subscribed towards the undertaking. When
the line was completed from Teign-house to Jews-
bridge their shares, which were now valueless, and
could not be disposed of in the market, would, he
was assured, become valuable property.

Mr. C. LANGLEY seconded the motion for ad-
journment, and it was agreed to.

Mr. EDWARDS, who had been engaged by the
company to facilitate the completion of those ar-
rangements, said the scheme would include two
classes of creditors. The first would be in respect
of cash advances, and they would be the first to be
paid, and the second would be treated as ordinary
creditors. The directors since the last meeting had
been in communication with capitalists, and they
had also submitted their scheme, and he understood
it was highly approved. There was every reason
to believe, therefore, that the necessary money
would be raised for the completion of the line.
A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the
proceedings.