Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-02-15
REMARKABLE CRIMES.
Desperate Assault upou n London Jewel
MerchanI-TwO Old stories Revived.

Desperate Assault upon n London Jewel
MerchanI-Two Old stories Revived.
A daring attempt at murder was
made in London not long since. 1t
seems that in Woodbridge street, Clerk
enwell, there resides a Mr.. Hamburger,
who is in business with his two sons as
a Jewel merchant. One Of the two sons
was on the afternoon in question walk
ing along Holborn Viaduct when be
met general dealer with whom he had
some slight acquaintance. After little
conversation his fri, nd asked TO be al
lowed to see a certain parcel of pearls.
"Where can l show themY was the
reply. "At my office. just here, was
the answer and the speaker took
young Mr.. Hamburger across the road
and led him up several pairs OF stairs
into back room in one of the large
houses which have recently been built
on the Holborn Viaduct. The moment
Mr.. Hamburger had entered the room
his companion slammed the door, fired
n pistol at him, and drawing a large,
bowie knife made a murderOus attempt
to stab him. A desperate struggle
followed but Mr.. Hamburger managed
to overpower his assailant, unlock the
door, get down into the street, and had
sufficient strength left to hail cab and
drive to his own residence. Medical
assistance was promptly called i'll, and
it was found that Mr.. Hamburger had
been severely cut on the wrists and
face, and that bullet had lodged in the
left side Of his head. His own opinion
is that his assailant, knowing that he
carried with him o considerable amount
of valuable iewelry, and possibly also of
cash, had determined to murder and
rob him.
This crime recalls to mind two other
desperate attempts at murder in the
British metropolis. Some fifty years
ago gentleman named William Howard
was sentenced to transportation for life
for an attempt to murder. The circum-
stances of the case were very singular.
Mr.. Mullay, an Irishman, had come up
to London in search of employment,
and haH offered, by advertisement in
the newspapers, loan of FL 900 to any
one who might be able to introduce him
TO situation such as he wished. In re-
ply to this announcement, he received q
letter requesting him to call upon Mr..
Howard, No. 36 Red Lion square, Hol
born, between midday and four in the
afternoon. He went to the house indi-
Gated, and saw q person purporting to
be Mr.. Howard, and it was arranged
between them that on q certain day ap-
pointed Mr.. Mullay should come with
the 81, 900 mentioned IN his advertise
ment. Although he had his suspicious,
Mullay provided himself with the
money, and attended at the appoint
ment, which was held in a small room
at the back of the house, on the third
floor. No sooner had he appeared
than Howard locked the door, and made
amurderous assault on him with clasp
knife in one hand and heavy cricket
bat in the other. A terrible struggle
ensued. Mullay, however, being the
stronger of the two, managed to over
power his assailant, the neighbors
rushed in, Howard was given into
custody, and, as we have said, he waJ
convicted and sent, according to the
custom in those days, to the colonies.
Mr.. William Howard has been long for
gotten. His bold attempt to rob and
murder stands upon record in the NeaO-
gate Calendar, and in Capt Benson's
Remarkable Trials. But such interest
as attached to him was surpassed by
the public excitement caused by the
celebrated Northumberland street
tragedy" About seventeen years ago q
man named Roberts, commonly reputed
to be usurer, occupied chambers in
the street above mentioned. For certain
reasons Roberts conceived a violent
hatred against an officer in the army,
Major Murray, and resolved to take his
life. The major one day met Roberts,
who had hitherto been stranger to him,
and was induced to accompany him to
his chambers. Roberts pretended to be
looking for some papers, and while
Murray had his back turned, shot the
major in the neck, and again in the
head, with revolver. Murray fell to
the floor stunned, and as soon as he re.
covered consciousness found Roberts
kneeling over him and feeling his heart
Hereupon he grappled with his assail-
ant, and Selling pair of tongs literally
beat Roberts to death with them. AT
the inquest which was held a verdict
was returned to the effect that Major
Murray had committed iustifable homi-