The Sun. — 1861-12-04 (London, England)

ANOTHER CAB OUTRAGE.---TWO men—William Randall, a cab driver at Leeds, and John Robson, of Thwaite Mills—were on Monday committed for trial by the Wakefield magistrates, charged with having attempted to murder, by drowning in the canal at Thwaite Mills, th• wife of John Wood, a coalminer at Churwell. The story of the prosecutrix went to show that she had hired Randall's cab to take her home on Thursday night last, being too late for the last railway train. The two prisoners accompanied the cab, but instead of driving to Churwell took the direction of Thwaite Mills. Robson drove for a short distance, and then—having his place supplied on the box by Randall—entered the cab, and attempted to criminally assault the prosecutrix. She resisted, and received in retaliation two black eyes from blows given by Robson, who at Thwaite Millls threw her into the canal, and left her to drown. Such was the statement made by the woman before the magistrates. Her rescue from the water was proved, but it was also sworn that she was intoxicated, and that her statement on being taken out of the water fixed upon Randall, and not 12 °boo., attl act or pu.hins hoz. izabo tho user. The defence sought to be established was that herstory was a fiction, and that she fell into the canal when in a state of intoxication. She, however, strenuously denied the allegation of drunkenness. The magistrates determined to send the case for trial, but admitted both prisoners to bail. EXTRAORDINARY ESCAPE OF THE FEMALE BLoNDIN—The Female Blondin gave a performance at St. George's Hall, Stonehouse, on Monday night. The rope was stretched from the organ loft to the platform, being at one end about 30ft. high, and at the other 10ft. or 15ft. It had evidently been put up in haste, and was not all properly secured. When she had got half way across the first time she suddenly stopped and loudly called to have the rope tightened, as it was vibrating strongly. This was done and she managed to cleverly get to the end, receiving loud applause. The rope having been further tightened, she walked back, and all present thought the miserable exhibi• tion, which was certainly a disgrace to the town, to be finished. However, some men were stationed at the side ropes, which ran through tackling at each window, and the Female Blondin again prepared to walk, but this it will be found nearly resulted in her death. In fact, how she eseaped was a miracle. She stepped on to the platform, and bandaged her eyes, after which she put a sack over her head, her arms being at liberty for the purpose of using the pole. Again she started, everybody beholding her with terrified looks, in consequence of the slack state of the rope. When just beyond the chandelier nearest the organ-loft one of the side ropes suddenly broke, and the rope on which she was standing actually fell about three feet. A subdued groan instantly went through the room, as all expected to see her tumble headlong down. Strange to say, she did not fall, as she managed to save herself with the balancing pole. How she got up the remainder of the rope was a mystery ; we confess that a sickening sensation at the sight prevented us from seeing. The " enterprising proprietor" and his assistants instantly rushed to the gallery, where they res • cue•l the unfortunate woman irom her perilous position. Upon examination, the rope which broke proved to be totally unfit for the purpose.—Western M,rning News. "