The Sun.
London, England, 1859-02-11 00:00:00

DARING GAROTTE ROBBERY.

Very. great excitement has prevailed in West
Bromwich and the vicinity from the fact that in
broad daylight on Saturday afternoon last a person
holding a responsible situation under the Messrs.
Dawes, of Bromford Works, was waylaid, garotted
and robbed of cash belonging to his employers to
the amount of £lOl 6s. 6d. From the inquiries we
have made we are enabled to furnish the following
particulars :—On the day referred to, as early as
half-past four, a man named Noah Timmins, who
is a timekeeper at a stone-pit at Friar-park' in the
parish of West Bromwich, belonging to the Messrs.
Dawes, left the pit to go to the works of the firm
at Bromford. Here Timmins had to receive the
cash necessary to pay the hands employed at the
stone-pit. Accordingly the sum of £lOl 6s. 6d.
was handed over to him, and, as is usual, the money
was put into a bag, which the timekeeper placed in
his pocket. He then started on his return, and
when in Crank-hill-lane, a rather lonely place,
within a quarter of a mile of the stone-pit, he was
met by three men, who suddenly, and without speak-
ing a word, attacked him in a body. One of the
ruffians seized hold of his throat, the second at-
tempted to blindfold him, while the third put his
hand into his pocket and laid hold of the bag con-
taining the cash. Timmins was then thrown vio-
lently on the ground, and, perceiving the determi-
nation of his assailants to rob him, he resisted with
all his strength for a few minutes. It was, indeed,
but for a short time that he could do this, for, not
content with what they had already done, they
beat and kicked him on the head and face, and
knelt upon his body. Such was the nature of the
assault that Timmins could not call out, nor was he
able, though the men's faces were exposed, to notice
their features minutely, or see what clothes they wore.
Leaving their victim for a few moments insensible,
they, having secured the money bag, ran off along
the canal side towards Wednesbury and Hill Top.
When the poor timekeeper was able to get upon his
legs he pursued the runaways, calling out "Mur-
der !" as well as he was able ; but, although several
persons were about the canal and towing-path, not
the least effort was made to arrest the progress of
the thieves, and they got clear off. They were
met immediately afterwards by a person who heard
the cry of " Murder !".and he asked the three men
what was the matter, to which one replied that he
had given a man a " smack in the chaps," and that
was what he " holler'd" for. Timmins traced the
thieves in the direction of Hill Top, and, seeing a
ploughman in a field engaged at work, he induced
him to lend him one of the horses, which he forth-
with mounted, and seemed likely to come up with
the miscreants. Unfortunately, the horse, which
doubtless had already done a hard day's work, fell,
and could not be got to go afterwards at a quick
pace. Thus the poor fellow was obliged to aban-
don the pursuit, and the only course left him was
to procure the assistance of the police. Major
M‘Knight, deputy chief constable, placed the mat-
ter in the hands of Inspectors Dew, Blayney, and
Holland, and Sergeant M'Crea. These officers
started off at once in various directions, working
up to 10 o'clock on Sunday night, but without suc-
cess. We are sorry to add that up to 4 o'clock on
Tuesday the same result attended the efforts of
these officers. As to Timmins, we learn that one
of his eyes is blackened, his head cut and bruised,
and he has a spitting of blood. He is a steady
man, of good character, and respected by his em-
ployers. A reward of £25 is offered for the ap-
prehension of the perpetrators of this daring and
brutal outrage. The money stolen consisted of 84
sovereigns, 14 half sovereigns, £lO in two packets
of silver, and 6s. 6d. in loose silver and copper
money.—Birmingham Post.

The Madrid journals of ,the 6th, as frequently
happens on a Sunday, contain no political news,
The Gazette contains five decrees which nominate
civil governors of provinces.