The Pontypridd District Herald and Rhondda Valley, Llantrisant, Caerphilly, and Mountain Ash News. — 1892-08-13 (Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

DASTARDLY OUTRAGE ON  YOUNG LADIES.  A deliberate attempt to murder two young ladies—one of them being a daughter of the Rev. F. Wood, vicar of Btekley and brother-in law of Mr. Goschen, Chancellor of the Exchequer— was made between Bickley and Chislehurst, Kent. It seems that ab.out four o'clock in the afternoon, Miss Hilda Wood, who is 16 years old, with a friend, Miss Edith Philbrick, aged 14, a daughter of Mr. Philbrick, Q.C., were taking a walk along a path which leads from Bickley through the fields to Chislehurst. When about half a mile distant from Mr. Philbrick's house, Miss Wood noticed a man carrying a gun lounging listlessly along in their rear. They stood aside to allow him to pass, when he pointed his gun in Miss Wood's face and fired. She fell to the ground stunned. When she regained conscieusness, she found herself lying in a field, her friend being in a like condition, and the man out of sight. With an effort she was able to di ag herself to a cottage about 690 yards away, where she informed the occupants of all that had occurred. Several persons at once proceeded to the place she had indicated, and there discovered Miss Philbrick lying on the ground in an insensible condition. It appeared evident that she had been repeatedly struck with the butt-end of the uun, her head being considerably beaten aoout. She was immediately carried to the cottage and information given to the police, who were soon on the spot prosecuting strict search. After about an hoar and a half a man was found in hiding on the farm and arrested. With three others he was placed before Miss Wood, and she had no difficulty in identifying him as the man who had attacked her and MISS Philbrick. He was taken to the Chislehurst police-station, where he gave his name as Leonard Manklow, living at 9, Havelock-road, Bromley, and stated that he was a sailor or fisherman. On beiag charged he did not deny his guilt but attempted to make excuses, until advised to reserve what he had to say. Miss Wood was carried to her home at the vicarage on an ambulance, where on examination it was found that several shots had lodged in her cheek and neck. These were extracted, and she is now progressing very favourably. Miss Plillbrick's condition, on the other hand, is critical. An operation was performed on the skull on Sunday, but with little good result. Manklow was brought before the magistrates at Chislehurst and formally charged, then being remanded. On Monday, Mauklow was brought before the Bromley Magiskates. He wavered his face with his hands and sUbbed, and throughout the hearing never once removed his hands from his face.  Police-constable Henry Penny, 154 11, was sworn. He said : I was walking across Chislehurst Common abeut six p.m. on the 3rd inst., when I was informed that two young ladies had been shot. I searched about and saw a young lady lying among the wheat, who I after wards learned was Miss Philbrick. She was unconscious at the time I saw her, and her face was covered with b.ood. A hurdle was brought, and Miss Philbrick was laid ups,n it and carried to a cottage. I was told that the young ladies were shot by a man named Leonard Manklow. I did not see Miss Wood at the spot, but afterwards saw her at the cottage occupied by Vidgeon, where she had been taken. I afterwards arrested the prisoner from a description given by Miss Wood.  Upon this evidence prisoner was remanded for a week. At the conclusion of the proceedings, as Manklow was being es•orted across the road to the police station by two constables he was suddenly seized with a fit, and would have fallen to the giound but for the alertness of his escort. He was carried to the police-station, where he received prompt medical attention. After a restless night Miss Philbrick was on Tuesday reported to be a trifle better, and her friends hopes are being rekindled. Miss Hilda Wood is making as muzli progress as could be expected.