The Sun.
London, England, 1861-05-07 00:00:00

A murderous attack and robbery of a most daring
character was perpetrated at Sheffield on Saturday
afternoon, the victim being an old man namedßalph
Barbers, and. his assailant a stove-grate fitter, named
Samuel Mitchell, aged 19 years. Mr. Barber was
a joiner's toolmaker, but had retired from business
some years ate. Some time ago a housekeeper, who
had lived with him many years, got married,' and
the old man, not liking to have a stranger near him,
has since lived alone—a respectable woman, named
Mason, going to his house once or twice a day to
clean, cook his meals, &c. The old man's house,
though in Brooke-street, a thickly-populated part
of the town, is in a rather lonely situation, being
in a separate yard, not overlooked by any other
houses, and approached by a long narrow passage.
Mitchell is nephew to Mrs. Mason, and a short time
ago inquired forhis aunt at Barber's house. Learning
from the old man that she was not there, he said his
mother had opened a small greengrocer's shop, and
had sent him to ask his aunt to borrow a sovereign
for her from him (Mr. Barber). The old man ad-
vanced a sovereign, and Mr. Mitchell went away.
Mrs. Mrs on learning' what had taken placP, in-
quired of her sister, and ascertained that the re-
presentation by 'which Mitchell had obtained the
money was a fabrication. The circumstances
reaching the ears of Mitchell's elder brother, he at
,
once went to Mr. Barber, and offered to repay the
money. Mr. Barber remarked that in the present
hard times his brother could ill afford to part with
a sovereign, and compromised the matter by ac-
cepting 10s. Having got out of one scrape
thus easily, the younger Mitchell determined upon
a bolder adventure, and between four and five
o'clock on Saturday afternoon went again to Mr.
Barber's house. He knocked at the door, was
admitted by the old man, who was alone, and said
he had come to beg pardon for having obtained
the sovereign so improperly. Mr. Barber told him
that the matter was arranged, and that there was
an end of it. Mitchell, however, continued his .
expressions of 'regret, and fog upon his knees to
hr pardon. This proceeding seems to have been
h 'mere ruse for the pnrpdse of making sure that
the old man was alone; and was possibly also,
designed to throw. him of his guard. After a few
minutes the young man became very. violent,
struck Mr. Barber about the face several times
with his fists, and afterwards seizing the poker
beat Mr. Barber about the head in the most
savage manner, at, the same time demanding his
money. Of what followed the old man has but a
very partial recollection, but he remembers being
dragged up stairs, giving up his keys, and seeing
the scoundrel search his drawers. After a short
time the fellow made off, and Mr. Barber, though
dreadfully injured, had sufficient strength left to
get to the bedroom window and attract the atten-
tion of neighbours, who went to his assistance.
The house presented abundant traces of the bru-
tality which had been perpetrated. The floor was
nearly covered with blood, and on the walls were
numerous finger marks in blood, indicating that
the poor old man in his distraction had kept put-
ting his hands on his head as a protection
against the dreadful blows inflicted with the
poker, and the running against the wall, first on
one side and then on the other in a vain effort to
escape. Medical assistance was at once called in,
and information was also conveyed to the police.
Mr. Jackson, the chief constable, finding that the
old man was in an apparently dying state, at onee
communicated with the magistrate's clerk, and Mr.
J. J. Smith, magistrate, who attended and took Mr ,
Barber's deposition within a few hours. Mr. Jack-
son also despatched a body of . police in all direc-
tions for the ,purpose of securing the robber, who
was captured at a late hour by his brother and de-
tective officer Brayshaw. The prisoner had taken
a few shillings in silver from Mr. Barber's pockets ;
but it is thought, though not at present positively
known, that he had not obtained much booty be-
yond that sum. Mr. Barber had in his bedroom a
safe for the custody of his money and valuables,
and this had not been opened, the prisoner not
having succeeded in finding the key, which was
locked up in a desk. On Sunday the old man was
still alive, but great doubts were entertained of his
recovery.

CHARGE OF FORGERY AGAINST A
COVENTRY TOWN CO UNCILLOR.

Much pain has been inflicted upon the inhabi-
tants of Coventry by the sudden apprehension of
Mr. Gilbert Burbury, the owner of an extensive
tanyard, and who is supposed to do business to a
large amount in connection with the leather trade.
The accused was taken into custody on Friday
night, and lodged in one of the cells at the police
station, on-a chargQ of forging an acceptance to a
bill of exchange for £4OO. The prisoner is a mem-
ber of the town council, and has hitherto occupied
a position of the highest respectability in the town.
He is understood to have been affected in no limited
degree by the recent heavy failures in the leather
trade, his affairs having been for some time in
state of considerable pecuniary embarrassment.
Much commiseration is universally felt for him
and his unfortunate wife and family, the prevailing
impression being that the difficulties with which
he has been surrounded are not the result of reck-
less or imprudent trading on his own part.
The prisoner was brought up in custody at the
police-court on Saturday morning, the magistrates
present being Thomas Soden, S. Vale, and E. Phil-
lips, Esqrs. He appeared deeply sensible of the
painful position in which he was placed, and to
have been suffering acute mental anguish. The
court and the avenues leading thereto were crowded
with people.
The prisoner was then in due form charged with
having, on the 26th of December last, forged a bill
of exchange, purporting to be signed by John Gre•
gory, of Birmingham, with intent to defraud the
Union Banking Company, at Coventry, of the sum
of £3OO.

Mr. Dewes appeared for the prosecution. Mr.
Thomas Browett was in attendance on behalf of
the accused.

Mr. Dewes briefly opened the case by stating
that the prosecution was instituted, though with
great reluctance, by the directors of the Union
Banking Company, The highly respectable and
honourable position which the prisoner had
hitherto borne - made it a matter of the
deepest concern to them to take this step; hut they
ftt ooe tthey
do
ho es
so h
h.
as
rHe should l fail
shareholders
did
iedr s
noti
and in t
proposet ho et
hdeispcuhgbaolrii gcn
if
tf
g nhteoyttheir
hom l
e uta
case
yde
upon this occasion, a most material witness, Mr.
Gregory, not being in attendance, sufficient time
not having been afforded to bring him from Bir-
mingham. Ile therefore applied that the prisoner
might be remanded for a week.
The truth of the information having been sworn
to by Mr. Swan, manager of the Union Bank, the
application for a remand was acceded to by the
bench.

Mr. Browett applied that the prisoner might be
admitted to bail, and Mr. Deweyoffering no ob-
jection, the bench accepted security for the pri-
soner's appearance, J=mself in £lOO, and two sure-
ties in Doc? each.—Bwmtngham Daily Post.