Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-06-01
EPirIted Encounter in EssIand with a

On Sunday evening last one of the most
daring acts Of robbery and resistance took
place ct Bury which has occurred in the To-
cality for many years. Messrs. William
and John Driffield, carrying on an extensive
drapery business in Belton-street, had their
premises entered in AZ unknown manner,
probably some time during the Sunday, the
thief, as it is supposed, secreting himself
under a bed and in the evening, shortly
before six O'Clock, Mr.. VIM. Drihield, having
the intention of attending the Sunday-schooi
sermon at Brunswick Chapel, went into a
room up stairs and put some money in his
pocket. He then left the house and pro-
ceedsd to the Primitive Methodists' Chapel,
leaving the servant and Miss Drihield This
s%ister) alone in the house, his brother having
previously gone to Radcliffe. Before leav-
ing he bad offered to stay at home with
Miss Drifield, because she was not in a good
state of health, but she declined the offer of
such kindness, alleging that she herself
could stay very well.
The servant left the house about hal. past
six o'clock, and Miss Dfiffield took the pre-
caution to fasten the door after her, all the
other doors having been previously rendered
secure. In about five minutes after she
heard o noise up stairs, and her first impress
sion was that it was produced by q playful
kitten, and she Immediately went to see. On
entering enc of the rooms her fears were ex-
cited by the presence Of a man whom she
immediately in~terTogated by asking what he
had to do there. He then asked where the
money was, and she said she did not know.
He replied he knew it was there, and he
would have it. She then attempted to 60
down stairs, but he got hold of her by the
shoulders, brought her back into the room,
struck her head against the wall, and beat
her till she was senseless, she screaming all
the while. In a little time she partially re-
covered, and found that with a Jenny he
had wrenched open q box, and was then in
the act of taking money from q bag aud
putting it in his pocket.
She screamed again, and he then told her
that if she did not be quiet he would XIII
her. She continued to scream, and then he
knocked her down, and declared he would
lind q Iazer. He then ransacked two little
drawers in the same room, and afterWard
went into Miss Drifield's room, and exam
ined 3 box and soma drawers there. Pro.
ceeding thence, he entered the room usually
occupied by the female assistants, and opened
some drawers there but not finding the OBJ.
ject of his search, he proceeded to the young
mems room, and in the drawer of . dressing.
table he found q razor. During his absence
in search of a razor, Miss Driiield became
restored to consciousness, but was unable ID
rise. She, however, succeeded In crawling
across the room to the place where he had
left the m~oney-bsg and securing il and two
others in the box, she hid them between thu
mattress and the bed. He then entered the
room with the razor in his hand, and, having
caught hold Of her by the hair Of her head
be demanded where the money was gone
Declaring most solemnly that he would
either have her money or her life. She re,
Piled that she did not care, for she would mo-
tell. He then placed the razor to her throat
and made a slight ineision.
jun at that moment a noise Was heard be-
low, which alarmed the robber, and, after
uttering q curse, he started away, threw the
razor at Miss Drifield, and decalnped imme-
diately, taking with him the sun of E25, bul
leaving q much larger IAN behind. ID was
a most singular circumstance that q voice
should be heard below just at that moment
which probably prevented the crime ofmur.
der from being perpetrated in connection
With an act of plumber. II happened that q
neighbor (Mr. Pennington, drugRistl wa:
looking after one Of his children, and, fad.
ing her in the back yard Of the Messrs. Diff
field said: "Halloal what are you doing
theraf" Il Is just possible that the robbel
might suppose that this Interrogation wa
addressed 10 himself and would therefore
immediately make his escape. Nj. Penning
tonl howeysr, knew nothing Of Whet va.
transpfing in the house, and had len ii.
yard with his child before the robber 60
down stairs 30 that the rufiAn escaped fton
the house un0bserTed.-LOAdOR Times.