The Sun. — 1865-09-20 (London, England)

WESTMINSTER.  BRUTAL ASSAULT.—John Bellihamber, an elderly man, was charged on a warrant with a violent assault, whereby the complainant has been in the Westminster Hospital for some days. James Mansfield, 159, Tufton-street, Westminster, said he was employed in the same stable as defendant. They had a quarrel on Saturday. Witness was larking and prisoner told him to desist; he, however, did not, and prisoner struck him violently on the arm with a pitchfork. He then struck prisoner in the face, upon which the latter turned, took up a "spreader," fire feet long, and very thick, and struck him on the head. He fell, and remembered nothing more till he found himself in the hospital. Prisoner said he threw water over him and then struck him.  Prosecutor said he threw the water over his mate, whom he called.  Wm. Young, the person referred to, corroborated prosecutor as to the throwing water at him. When prisoner struck prosecutor first he returned the blow; prisoner then knocked him down, and as ho was rising struck him down with a fearful blow on the head, from the effects of which he bled profusely, and was carried to the hospital, where he remained for three days. Mr. Dayman said if prisoner had given the prosecutor a good hiding with his fists it was only what he would have deserved, but his violence could not be overlooked. He had received some provocation, and should only be fined 10s., or 7 days.  Forgery and Suicide by an Edinburgh  Tradesman•  (From the Scotsman.)  We regret to have to record a case of forgery and suicide by a citizen moving in most respectable society, and who has hitherto borne the highest character for integrity and propriety of conduct, both in his business and private relations. It appears that a bill for £lOO, which had been discounted at the High-street branch of the Clydesdale Bank by John Robertson, tailor and ,clothier, 5, South College-street, fell due on Saturday, and was presented at the shop of the person whose name appeared on it as acceptor, and who is likewise a tailor and clothier. The bank messenger was informed that there must have been some mistake, as no such bill had been accepted by the party to whom the bill had been presented. Before, however, taking any steps in the matter, the alleged drawer was applied to, and he at once declared that the signature of his name was a forgery. The agent of the bank (Mr. Auchie), with commendable promptitude, at once gave information to the proper authorities; and though the detective set about his inquiries on the very day that the bill fell due, it was discovered that Robertson had disappeared It has since transpired that he took the mid-day train on Saturday for Perth, and intelligence was received in Edinburgh yesterday that Robertson was found dead that morning in a bed in Carmichael's Temperance Hotel, Perth. He stayed in the hotel over Sunday, andretired to his bedroom about 11 o'clock on Sunday evening in apparent good health ; but not appearing at breakfast next morning his room was entered, when he was found lying dead in his bed. It appeared that death bad been caused by an overdose of laudanum. The body was brought to Edinburgh last night. A letter from him, intimating his intention to destroy himself, was received through the post yesterday morning by his wife, who, with five children, are left to mourn his loss; and a telegram received in the course of the day confirmed the annuuncement, and put an end to any doubts that bad existed as to whether he would carry his threat into execution. Robertson was much esteemed by all who knew him, and on whom the news of his double crime has COMO as a yery painful surprise.