The Sun. — 1850-10-18 (London, England)

COURAGEOUS WOMAN. On Wednesday last, the inhabitants of the village of Liddiard Millicent, near Swindon, were alarmed by the report that the dwelling-house of a woman who keeps a small shop had been broken into, and that some violence had been offered to the woman. The police were immediately on the alert, and Mr. Superintendent Haynes, of the Wilts constabulary force, apprehended Charles Clark, alias Embury, who resided about a mile from the woman's residence, on suspicion of being concerned in the outrage. On Monday last the prisoner was taken before the magistrates at Swindon, and the case was heard before the Earl of Radnor, the Rev. G. A. Goddard, Mr. J. Crowdy, and Captain Prower. The nature of the outrage, and the extraordinary courage displayed by the woman, will be best shown from her evidence. Keziah Prior stated—" I am a single woman. I keep a shop, and live in the house by myself. I sleep upstairs. Last Tuesday night►, about eight o'clock, no one was in the house but myself. I fastened the doors and windows. During the night I was awoke by hearing a noise like glass crashing. I thought at first it was the cat. The next.thing I heard was the catch of a bolt. In about a minute I saw a flare of light come from the room opposite my bedroom. That room looked out into the road. I j umped out of bed, and went towards my bedroom door. As I was going towards the door a man rushed upon me. He took hold of me, and we fell to the floor together. I was  undermost. As we were falling he said with an oath, Deliver your money.' I screamed Murder !' We had a struggle on the floor. I got from him, and went into the room opposite my bedroom. The window of that room was open. It was shut when I went to bed. I screamed ' Murder !' The man at that time was in my bedroom; not knowing the way, he could not get between the rooms so fast as I could, and there were two steps between the rooms. The man followed me into the room; he was calling out, ' Jack, Jack, come here.' I then turned from the window and met him. We closed together and struggled. I cannot say whether he struck me there. He struck me En the bedroom. I bear the marks on my face. Illy toes were trod to pieces with his nailed shoes or boots. He got to the window and he put his right leg up to get out. I put my hands round his body and helped him up. He drew his other leg up, and I put my hand on his back and struck him as hard as I could, and said, ' That's where thee's come in, and that's where thee shall go out,' and out he went. He fell about thirteen feet, and dropped on the road. I said, ' You rogue, I hope you will break your neck.' It was a clear night. I watched him get up and scramble away. lam certain it was the prisoner. I have known him for some time, and he has been to my shop. I did not see a second man. I dressed, struck a light, and went down stairs and opened the door, and went to a neighbour's and gave an alarm." In the room was found a red cap and a heavy bluigeon ; traces of blood were on the floor, and the room presented the appearance of a most severe struggle having taken place. In the road was found a hat. The prisoner is a tall powerful man, with long black hair, repulsive features, and of tha most ruffianly appearance. It is supposed that, having entered by the window, a comrade removed the ladder by which access was gained, the prisoner's intention being to descend the stairs and open the front door, when he was attacked in such a determined manner by the woman, and, finding that he could not master her, and alarmed by her cries, he called for his comrade, at the same time making for the window, from which, however, the ladder had been removed. The magistrates were engaged some hours in investigating the body of evidence produced by the police, and the prisoner was fully committed for trial at the next assiz,s.