Taunton Courier 07 Feb 1849 North Petherton Attempt at Highway Robbery on the son of Mr CHARD of Moorland

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Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser Wednesday 07 Feb 1849

Page 7 Column 2


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NORTH PETHERTON. - ATTEMPT AT HIGHWAY ROBBERY. - On Friday, Mr. CHARD, butcher, of Moorland, sent his son to North Petherton and Newton to collect money. On his going into the George, at North Petherton, he saw two men, suspicious looking characters, and whilst there, and in their presence, he received from RIDGE £5. CHARD then proceeded to Newton, where he also received some money. On his returning through North Petherton in the evening, he passed the back of the village and proceeded on his road home. On turning into Huntworth-lane he had not travelled far when he overtook a man, and after having proceeded a short way further he overtook a second, who asked permission to get into CHARD's cart and ride, to which CHARD assented. They had not gone above a quarter of mile when CHARD said - “I fancy I know your voice – what's your name?” The man replied - “It doesn't matter what my name is, yon know me well enough;” and immediately drew a short thick stick from his side pocket and struck CHARD a violent blow over the eye, which knocked him out of the cart. In his fall, CHARD caught his foot in the horses reins which were broken. The man immediately sprang from the cart, and placing his knee firmly on the neck of his victim, commenced searching his side pockets from which he had taken 4½d, only, when the sound of a horse was heard, and the man decamped; not, however, without a struggle, as CHARD endeavoured to detain him, CHARD had £23 in his side pocket, which, luckily was not taken. He had no doubt that the man was one of those he saw in the morning at the George Inn, in North Petherton. - Sherborne Mercury.

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