The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette. — 1862-12-16 (Dorchester, Dorset, England)

COMB-E. —MY STETUOUS .DISAPPIS AR ANCE OF A FAIIIIIFIL—Mr. 11 Britton, a farmer in well-to.de circumstances, residing it this place, has been missing since Saturday evening, and all the efforts of the police have failed to and • Atm to hie whereabouts. Mr. Britton went home from Beth in the afternemiLes usual, and partook of tea with his wife and ebilaw About eight o'clock he went out with a lantern, SI wee his invariable etiatotn; to we that everything Alma the farm was all right. inee then he has not been seen or beard of by any so as to identify hint. His failing tit return home quickly occasioned Oft greatest nneasineen to hi.; wife, who, alarmed at his confirmed absence, connonnicated this fact to her neighbours, end soon all the men of the locality were out on the setorsia:;_ information was also sent to Police-Superintendent Milburn, at Twerton, who between two and three o'clock on Sun. day proceeded to the spot, and spent the night in win. ; pany with the villagers in scouring the premises mienpied by Mr. Britton, and the surrocuading fields. The prevailing opinion amongst the inhabitants VMS that the missing man had been the victim of some foul treatment and this feeling was strengthening in their minds by his hat and a lantern being found—the latter in a ionised oondition—outside the door of the stable, adjoining the path leading to the farm. On Sunday intelligence of the oecurrence spread far and wide, but the additions of the story were, singular to say, of very limited character. The perpetration of a murder and robbery seemed to be the predominant impression. The former seemed to be the most probable, from the fact that air. Brittue had, while it Bath, cashed • cheque for a considerable amount, and it was not clear tr Mond.iy whether or not the proceeds had been deposit in the house. During Sunday the excitement in , Altair Increased, and the news extended to Twerton, West'-u, and Bath, and • number of persons came to this r llage to inquire about the matter. With many the effect was of an entirely apposite nature, and only tende i to heighten the feeling of suspicion and alarm whicl; the present state of the metropolis has fostered in 13sth and its neighbour/Mod. No tidings tending to clear up the mystery were elicited on Sunday, though the p line, having investigated the aironmstanees, nerd ; of op;ilion that no crime had been perpetrated, but that Mr. tritton lad of ha own free will, for some purpose of his own, taken himself off unknown to anybody. The ;idea pf foul play was negatived by the positive statement of same cottaters living almost opposite the stable where the bt and lantern were dlecovered; to the effect that no scuffle or noise of any kind occurred, or they most have heard it. The idea of Mr. Britton's leaving of his  the cheque till the Twerton,  own accord is also confirmed by The affirmation of the, said oottagers, who, while getting water from the brook: saw a man like Mr. B. as to his form, pass along Om path and up the slope to the upper part of the village,, whenee ho is believed tit have gone across, the fields ' towanls Rushill. On Monday Lumping the 'wetter was to all intents set at rest, for it was found that before leaving Mr. Britton possessed himself of all the ready math in the house, except about £lO, so that he, had about him, it is imagined, between L'2oo and £300._ It is rumoured that Australia in his destination,. where Mr. B. has relatives, who are durine well. Heft; also said to have visited Bristol last week and made, preparations for going abroad. The turn things have. taken has considerably allayed the alarm which at first, animated Mr. B. 's wife and friends.