Malicious and Mysterious Occurrence.
On Tuesday last some evil-disposed person broke several squares of glass in the house of Mr Hullah, chemist, of John-street, London-fields; and although the most rigid inquiry took place, nothing satisfactory could be learned.
The attack being shortly afterwards repeated, information was forwarded to the police station, and Inspector Cooper dispatched several officer, who were stationed in and about the house, and notwithstanding their presence, large stones were hurled with effect at the back windows, which command a view of the brick-field adjacent to the canal. Every stratagem which ingenuity and experience could devise was resorted to by Sergeant Hawkes and Francis, 221, a detective officer, but without success.
On Christmas-day the disgraceful annoyance recommenced, and about two o’clock a joyous-looking plum-pudding, which was placed in the back-kitchen to cool, was deeply indented by stony missiles, safely lodged in its sides. Attention was then especially directed to the rear of the house, and instantly the attack upon the front was renewed with vigour.
The officers then made for the front, where they found their lookers-out at their post, but heard no tidings of the mysterious agent of destruction, when suddenly a large earthenware pan, full of water, was dashed to atoms at the back.
Every effort to discover the malicious gang continued to prove unavailing, and, in consequence, Mr Hullah is obliged to close his shop, and to preserve his large variegated colour bottles, the destruction of which, from the inflammable nature of their contents, might be attended with serious consequences.
An opinion prevails that the stones are thrown from a sling or fired from a gun. The door-lamp, which was broken, is removed. The affair is altogether “mysterious,” and admits of a variety of conjectures and interpretations, but of the facts, verified by the police, there is no doubt.
Morning Advertiser, 28th December 1844.
The mysterious breaker of Mr Hullah’s windows, in John-street, London, has been discovered to be Mr Hullah’s servant, as might have been suspected at first. The girl did not like her place, as [and?] she bribed Mr Hullah’s little son to assist her in astonishing the family.
Liverpool Mail, 18th January 1845.