The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-01-04 00:00:00

HIGHWAY ROBBEFY AT ALLERTON

Unfortunately, outrages of the most daring and atro-
cious character are becoming alarmingly frequent in this
neighbourhood. Yesterday week, at noonday, Mr. Frith,
a highly respectable gentleman belonging to Liverpool,
left his own house at Allerton, near this town, on foot,
with a view of coming to town to see his son, who, he
then understood, was seriously indisposed. He had not,
however, proceeded more than a few hundred yards from
hrs residence, when he was met by two men, having the
appearance of day labourers, one of whom stopped short
on the footpath, and the other walked on. Mr. Frith,
on seeing this movement, took, or appeared to take, no
notice of them, but pursued his way as before on the
footpath. On coming near to the man, who still stood
before him, the ruffian drew from his breast a large pistol,
and ordered Mr. Frith to " stand and deliver !" Mr.
Frith immediately turned round with the intention of
retreating to his own house, but, to his surprise, when
he turned, there stood the companion of the first assail-
ant, with a large pistol also, which he cocked and pre-
sented at Mr. Frith's head, at the same time requiring,
as his comrade had done before, that gentleman to
" stand and deliver !" Mr. Frith, seeing the utter hope-
lessness of his case, immediately complied, and taking
his watch, guard, seals, and other appendages from his
neck, together with 30s. in silver from his pocket, he
quietly surrendered them, hoping thereby to escape fur-
ther attack. But the villains were not to be so easily
satisfied, for one of them, with an oath, called upon Mr.
Frith to " turn his pockets inside out," and " to give up
all his money, or else, by - they would blow his brains
out." Mr. Frith then proceeded to obey their commands,
and gave them his purse containing five sovereigns, which
was all the money he had then in his possession. With
the most audacious coolness the scoundrels then ordered
him to walk before them to his own house, as they were
resolved that he should not get to town to give any alarm
to the police, or to acquaint any of his friends with what
had happened to him. Resting their pistols quietly on
their arms, they thus escorted their victim to the door of
his own house, where they left him.

ATTEMPT AT HIGHWAY ROBBERY NEAR UPPER
PARLIAMENT-STREET.

On Tuesday evening last, about six o'clock, Mr. John
B. Neilson, stock and share broker, of this town, left the
residence of his aunt in the Park, to return to his own
house in Falkner-square. After proceeding some distance
along Lord Sefton's new street, he turned up a narrow
lane, leading to Parliament-street, and when near the
end of it he was suddenly attacked by three men, one of
whom was armed with a cane-sword. The first intima-
tion of the attack was a desperate blow with this weapon,
which cut the crown of his hat in two. Mr. Neilson
being armed with a stout oak stick, loaded with lead at
one end, he instantly dealt the fellow with the sword
such a blow upon the arm as not only knocked him down,
but disabled him during the rest of the affray. It is be-
lieved, in fact, that he broke his arm, for it dropped
down on his side. Immediately on seeing their comrade
fall, one of the other two—a tall athletic fellow—seized
hold of Mr. Neilson by the throat, with the view of clo-
sing upon him, and, perhaps, strangling him • but fortu-
nately in this hey were also foiled, for his etock giving
way with the strain upon it, which the pulling caused,
he retreated a step or so from his assailant, and again
using his stick, he felled the rascal to the earth with a
blow on the head. Notwithstanding these " heavy blows
and great discouragements," the villains were not to be
foiled without further trials, for no sooner had Mr. Neil-
son knocked down the second fellow than the third dealt
him a blow on the head which brought him to the earth
instanter; however, he regained his feet with the utmost
despatch, and retreated fighting to a gap in the fence,
where he struck down the third man. The whole gang
had now been sufficiently punished, and did not attempt
any further attack. We are glad to say that Mr. Neilson
escaped without any material injury being done to him.
His left arm, with which he warded off the blows, is se-
verely bruised ; but beyond this he has sustained no in-
jury, though his clothes were torn to pieces. We need
scarcely say that the police are actively engaged in tra-
cing the affair; and it will be satisfactory to the public to
learn that there is reason to believe that the perpetrators
of this desperate outrage will yet be apprehended.