The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1842-08-23 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

WIGAN.  DARING BURGLARY BY THE TURN-OUTS OF HINDLEY AND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.—A most daring burglary was committed on the night of Friday last, the 19th instant, at the residence of Mr. Isaac Ellison, of Aspull, near Hindley, and only a few miles from Wigan. Mr. Ellison is steward to Sir Robert Holt Leigh, and was selected by the villains as being the most likely to have in his possession a sum of money to pay the labourers of Sir Robert on the following day. About 9 o'clock, Mr. Ellison, his wife, a servant, and a young man named Henry Hilton, who lodged' with Mr. Ellison, went to bed, all appearing perfectly safe and quiet. About 12 o'clock Hilton was awoke by a noise, and on looking out of the window, perceived a gang of men, about 14 in number, approaching the house. He went immediately to Mr. Ellison's room to apprize him of the fact, and took a gun which was loaded, to the window, where he called out to the men that he would fire on them if they did not leave the premises. One of the mob answered that if he did, they would shoot him, and immediately after, fired a pistol at Hilton. He then went round The villains proceeded to burst open the house door with crow-bars, but it being too strong for them to effect their purpose, recourse was had to the kitchen window, by which an entrance was effected, the bolt of the shutter having been withdrawn. Some of them immediately went up stairs to Mr. Ellison's bed-room, and a gun was presented at Mr. Ellison, whilst another man held a pistol at the head of his wife. A handkerchief was tied round their eyes, and both were. fastened together. One of the leaders then demanded £lOO from Mr. Ellison, and Mr. E. said he had not so much money in the house. The question was then asked, " where is all the money ?" Mrs. Ellison, in reply, informed them it was at the Hall, (meaning at Sir Robert Holt Leigh's.) One of them, on this observed, " Oh! we'll be there next Wednesday night," in an under tone, to his companions in villainy. They tben began to be rough, and cried out, " The mob's out, and we're like to have some money and meat, and we will have it." The drawers and boxes were burst open in Mr. Ellison's rooms, and about five shillings were taken out of a box. Mrs. Ellison's money was then demanded, and about £3 10s. was taken out of her pocket. When the mob demanded a larger sum, and were informed it was not in the house, they threatened to murder Mr. and Mrs. Ellison, and to set fire to the house and haystack ; however, the additional crime of arson was not committed. The young man who was lodging with Mr. Ellison was thrown down on the bed, and a man stationed over him with a pistol, which was presented to Hilton's head. His money was demanded, and on his observing that he had only about nine shillings in his pocket, they insisted on having that, and took it. The servant girl hid herself underneath the bed, and escaped the notice of the mob; but her box was broken open and about .£1 4s. was taken from it, and nearly all her clothing. After remaining in the house some time, the villains departed, but before leaving the yard, beat the house-dog in a brutal manner, so as to leave little hope of its recovery. On examining the house, it was found that few places had not been searched and plundered by the villainous wretches who had visited it. Nearly all the victuals had been taken, a gallon of rum and a quantity of wine and brandy, a fowling-piece, a pistol, a powder-flask and a shot-bag, twelve pairs of men's stockings, and a large quantity of clothing of every description. A reward of £5O was offered, in a placard posted round the town on Saturday, and nine persons were apprehended in the course of the day, under suspicious circumstances, by our police. They were brought before the magistrates in the evening, and remanded for further examination on Tuesday (this day). THE STATE OF WlGAN—