Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-18
REMARKABLE CRIMES.

desperate assault Upon n London Je,cel
Merch0nf--TtrO Old Stories Rerired.
A daring attempt at murder was made in
Woodbridge street, Clerkenwell, there resides
a Mr.. Hamburger, who is in business with
his two sons as jewel merchant. One of
the two sons was on the afternoon in ques-
ton walking along Holborn Viaduct, when
he met a general dealer with whom he had
some slight acquaintance. After little
conversation his friend asked to be allowed
to see certain parcel of pearls. :.Where
can show them:' was the reply. CAT my
Office, just here was the answer, and the
speaker took young Mr.. Hamburger across
the road and led him up several flights of
stairs to back room in one of the large
houses which have recently been built on the
Holborn Viaduct. The moment Mr.. Ham
burger had entered the room his companion
slammed the door, fired pistol at him,
and drawing a large bowie-knife, made
a murderous attempt to stab him. A des-
perate struggle followed, but Mr.. Hamburger
managed to overpower his assailant, unlock
the door. get down into the street, and had
sufficient strength left to haila cab and drive
to his own residence. Medical assistance was
promptly called in, and it was found that
Mr.. Hamburger had been severely cut on
the wrists and face, and that a bullet had
lodged in the left side of his head. His own
opinion is, that his assailant, knowing that
he carried with him a considerable amount
of valuable jewelry, and possibly also of
cash, had determined to murder and rob
him.
This crime recalls to mind two other des-
perate attempts at murder in the British me-
tropolis. Some fifty years ago gentleman
named William Howard was sentenced to
transportation for life for an attempt to muir
der. The circumstances of the case were very
singular. Mr.. Mullay, an Irishman, had come
up to London in search of employment, and
had offered, by advertisement in the news
papers, a loan of FL 900 to any one who might
be able to introduce him to situation such
as he wished. In reply to this announcement
he received letter requesting him to call
upon Mr.. Howard, No. SO Red Lion square,
Holborn, between midday and four in the
afternoon. He went to the house indicated
and saw person purporting to be Mr.. How
ard, and it was arranged between them that
on certain day appointed Mr.. Mullay should
come with the FL, 900 mentioned in his adj
vertisement. Although he had his sus-
picions, Mullay provided himself with the
money, and attended at the appointment,
which was held in small room at the back
of the house, on the third floor. No sooner
had he appeared than Howard locked the
door and made a murdeIous 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 overpower his assail-
ant, the neighbors rushed in, Howard was
given into custody, and, as we have said, he
was convicted and sent, according to the
custom in those days, to the Colonies. MI.
William Howard has been long forgot
ten. His bold attempt to rob and
murder stands upon record in the
'Newgate Calendar and in Cap
tain Benson's 'Remarkrble Trials" But
such interest as attached to him was sur
passed by the public excitement caused by the
celebrated ''Northumberlan street Tragedy. y
About seventeen years ago man named
Roberts, commonly reported to be an usurer,
occupied chambers in the street above men
TONED. For certain reasons, Roberts con-
ceived violent hatred against an officer in
the army, Major Murray, and. resolved to
take his life. The major one day met Rob
erts, 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 recovered consciousness found Roberts
kneeling over him and feeling his heart.
Hereupon he grappled with his assailant,
and, Selling a pair of tongs. literally beat
Roberts to death with them. At the inquest
which was held, verdict was returned to the
effect that Major Murray had committed
justifable homicide in self-defense.