Tins BusiiiuxuEits' Visit to . the Fish Hiveh. — The following particulars of the visit of Cuinmiiigs arid young Forari, the bushrangers, have beeu supplied to this office,, since our last issue. For the information of those of our readers" who may be unacquainted with the locality where this attempt to affect a robbery took place, we may state that Mrs Webb's residence is situated, about twenty-two miles from Bathnrst, on the left bank of the Fish River, and on the line of the old Fish River road. About 9 o'clock on the morning of Friday last, the two "bushrangers rode up to the place, and hung their horses' bridles to the fence in the yard. They proceeded at once to the store and enquired from Miss Webb if they had any pants in stock, and were answered in the. negative* They then asked for trousers; aud Miss Webb went behind the counter to supply them- Cummings imme--diately.. presented a revolver, commanding her to remain where she was. He then left her in. charge of young Foran whilst he searched the house for the purpose of bringing its inmates into the store. Miss Mary Webb, the youngest of three daughters, was in the sittingroom at work with her needle. Cummings walked in and abruptly said, "Come on." Being alarmed, she enquired, " What is if?" and the robber replied " I'll soon let you know what it is." Iv going along the passage back to the store he met Miss Hannah Webb, on whom he at once laid hands, when she screamed and struggled to get away, and, in reference to this same young girl's valorous resistance to Feely, the bushranger, on a former accasiou, Cummings said, " You'll not Jack Feely me ;" . when the , undaunted girl raised the arm she had at liberty and struck him in the eye. He then forcibly led her to her sister in the store, and ordered young Foran not to allow either of the sisters to raise their hands or to make auy alarm, at the same time swearing heavily' that if they disobeyed, Foran must at once blow their brains out. Cummings then went from, the storevto seek out Mrs Webb, anti was proceeding to the kitchen, whi^i is a buMdingjijtanding at right angils with
few days before, and who was now sitting in the kitchen, slightly raked the window, and, having possession of a loaded gun, he let fly through the opening, right in r the face of Cummings when he was within live yards of the muzzle of the piece. Tho robber fell, but rallied, and without waiting for his companion, or leaving any orders, he quickly retreated through the passage of the house, and, reaching the verandah, he rolled into the flower-garden, regained his feet, and reached his horse. Foran, iv the meantime hearing • the «hot, turned his Jiead, and seeing Cummings decamping, he followed the example, and was just in time to mount his horse it tho same moment with Cummings. sToung Webb fired again — this time it seems without effect ; but as the robbers moved away he^an. after them and discharged a third, shot, when Foran suddenly bent himself down, placing his hand upon his side, as it shot under the ribs. The blood from Cnmming's | wound flowed freely, as could " be seen from its tracks along the yard, the passage, and the flower-garden. The marauders, it appears, counted upon nothing but their safety, for they left upon the counter of the store a poncho, a hat, some tobacco, a purse containing LI 4s in money, and a bottle of whisky, three parts full. In retreating from the yard the villaius shot at an old manservant of Mrs Webb's, happily without injury, however. They also tired three shots at the kitchen"- which was held by young Webb. As soon as a hoise could be saddled and information could be conveyed, the three sons of Mrs Webb started in pursuit, and tracked the robbers some: distance, the .blood still marking their -'route. They- -were seen to pass by an old man, and also by a boy shepherd, who stated that they were thumping then horses with their revolvers, Cummings leading the way ; and both horsemen bareheaded. Foran's hat was picked up abcv ; t a mile from the store. Their tracks could not, however, be made out further than. Diamond Hill, some .three miles from the scene of their unsuccessful raid. We' have been expecting every hour to hear of their capture ; but up to: going to press last night no tidings had arrived of even the direction tl.ey had taken after arriving at Diamond Hill. — "Bathui'st Free Paper." r
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Bibliographic details
Grey River Argus, Volume III, Issue 203, 2 May 1867, Page 4
Word Count
776Untitled Grey River Argus, Volume III, Issue 203, 2 May 1867, Page 4
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