The Blackpool Herald. — 1885-12-04 (Blackpool, Lancashire, England)

IMPUDENT OUTRAGE AT FLEETWOOD.  CAUTION TO HOUSEHOLDERS.  When it became generally known throughout I the district that the perpetrator of the numerous burglaries which recently occurred had been captured, apprehensions which had been aroused gradually abated, and people began to feel once more that their property was again comparatively safe from nocturnal marauders. Neither would we for a moment be the means of renewing the anxious fears created, althouth as prevention is better than cure, we are constrained to bring under the notice of our readers an incident which occurred at Fleetwood last Friday night, which, in its general aspects is of a serious Character, and may happen to any of us. As Mr. Isaac Bradshaw was proceeding to his home in Pharosstreet, shortly after midnight, he noticed a man stood knocking at a door. Thinking it was a personal acquaintance who resided' near him, and who in the darkness was unable to find his home, he spoke to him, saying, "Is that thee, —" (mentioning his name). The man replied "Aye," so Bradshaw told him to "Come in," and at once proceeded to open his own door. The man followed him in, and as they were proceeding along the lobby, struck him a violent blow. Naturally, Bradshaw was taken completely by surprise, and turned sharply round, only to receive a second infliction. He began to think it was quite time to act on the defensive and consequently retaliated, striking his unknown foe a severe blow on the face. The latter now hurriedly took from his pocket a clasp knife, which he prepared to make free use of. Mrs. Bradshaw was in ,the kitchen, and on realising the position position of affairs, very naturally screamed "murder." This, however, did not deter the stranger from continuing the attack, so Mr. Bradshaw seized a chair, with which he struck his assailant on the head. The blow seemed to stun him for a moment or two, during which time he dropped the knife. This he regained, however, and a struggle ensued, the result of which was that operations were transferred to the open street. Here Bradshaw called loudly for the police, knowing that they passed along that part of the town once .or twice during the night. Unfortpnately, his alarm was in vain, but he still enddsvoured to retain his prisoner. The latter struggled desperately in endeavouring to effect his escape. and we 'wet to state that his efforts were successful just before the guardians of the peace arrived upon the scene. The man threw down his hat and coat, and ran with all his might across the sandhills, in which direction his form soon vanished in the darkness. His footsteps were traced for some distance in the sand, but nothing further has been heard of him. We repeat that such occurrences as these are really alarming, and point to the necessity of householders and others taking every precaution in the protection of themselves, their families, and their property. If people are I not to be regarded as safe in their own houses, it is quite time to take a serious view of the matter, and although such another incident might not occur, no one can give us an absolute guarantee against further outrages. The only pity is that the villain escaped, and we sincerely trust that should he again commit a similar act, justice will overtake him Such men are a danger to any community, and ought not to be at large.