The Sun. — 1852-09-28 (London, England)

CONFLICT BETWEEN A BURGLAR AND A POLICEMAN AT HIGHGATE.  One of the most desperate single-banded midnight encounters which has been known for many years, of a similar nature, occurred late on Saturday night last, between a police constable of the S division, at Highgate, and a professional housebreaker, which had well nigh ended in murder or homicide, and may yet terminate in the death of the burglar. The fol lowing particulars were collected at the Universiby College Hospital, where he is now lying, and it is to be regretted that the constable's name was not left there, as his conduct reflects the highest credit upon him.  It appears that about half-past ten o'clock the constable (233 S) was proceeding quietly along the road, near Highgate, having been only a short time on his beat, when he saw a tall, powerful-looking man approaching him, carrying a bundle, and trying to avoid him, as if in haste. This excited the constable's suspicions, who stopped him and required to know what he had, at the same time discovering a gun under his arm ; the answer given not being satisfactory, the officer desired him to proceed to the policestation, which the other demurred to, with imprecations, and endeavoured to pass on • but the officer seized the property and the man, the latter in turn laying hold of the policeman, and swearing that if not permitted to go unmolested the constable's days were numbered. A fight commenced, the policeman managing to disarm h; They fought tend wrestled of his gun, but being, at thesame time, prevented himself from giving,any alarm. frequently rolling about the road, without much getting hold advantage on either side, until the burglar, made the most determinedhold of the constable's head, Out his eyes, wrestled fora considerable time, and inhuman attempts to gouge the constable was enabled to get his at this juncture, and struck his murderous assailanttruncheon into aureme, by forcing the thumbs into the sockets. Fortunately, with such force as to paralyse over and so prevent the horrible attemptn't°huleese.nt'Following up the advantage, he ecyompletely hors de combat, and some himfo for a thelt Soon put arriving, both men were conveyed to the at Highgate, where, upon examining be property, it was. found . to consist of wearing t and other articles, whilst the gun, upon being apparel be charged with heavy shot. It was found to proved, ttsince been ascertained that the articles were naily the produce of a robbery which had been committed at a gentleman's house in the neighbourhood assistance that very evening. On looking to both the policeman and the robber, it was discovered that they were considerably beaten, the former having suffered extensively about the eyes by the brutal attempt at gouging. He has been placed under the care of the divisional surgeon, whilst his antagonist was immediately conveyed, in the custody of two constables, to University College Hospital, one of whom remained with him ; and he will be removed, if practicable, to the infirmary of the House of Detention, Clerkenwell, until they can both appear before the magistrate. He has given his name as il C. Johnson, is about 40 years of age, and says he came from Manchester._ a few days ago. It is thought by the police that he is one of the gang recently known as the " Northern Banditti," consisting of seven armed desperadoes, three of whom were apprehended last week, one each in the towns of Bradford. Liverpool, and Manchester, and Johnson makes the fourth. He is very ill—dangerously so—from the blows of the policeman's staff about the bead. Telegraphic messages have, it is said, been forwarded to the north to ascertain his identity. The Metropolitan Police Commissioners were apprised of the event early yesterday morning by a mounted express.  votedl2g. l ilArd'a,s