Attack by Armed Cyclists.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 16 June 1910, Page 4

Attack by Armed Cyclists.

A mystrious shooting outrage by cyclists occurred one evening at a tojlbar house, a lonely dwelling at Walt'ham, near the corner of four cross roads four miles from Grimsby.

'Hie occupant, a farm 'labourer, William Dunham, his wife, nnd his eleven-year-old son, Ernest, were shot at, and Dunham's wife was seriously iiijuref]. -Mrs Dunham told the story of her experiences to a press representative. "Wo had just returned from a wedding party," she said, "when two cyclists, 'between twenty and thirty years old, rode up and asked for refreshments. They had tea. and cakes, and said that they had ridden from Lincoln, and declared they had served through .the South African war.

" r riiey appeared. restless, however, and kept going' to the door, looking keenly up and down the roads. "They mske<:l when my husband would come in. Ho came while they were finishing itoa. Tliey paid the shilling J charged thorn, and chatting until nightfall, when blinds were drawn and lamps lighted, they wont away, only, however, to return.

"They asked for a match, and again went away, but were soon back. One came in and leaned' with liis hack against the door. The other marched to the table, and, levelling a revolver at my husband, cried, 'Your money or your life!' and fired the bullet, which tore through two coats, but was stopped at the vest pocket. "Then the man fired at Ernest, but the boy slid beneath the table amd the bullet missed him. I was shot in the chest, the bullet' being deflected by my collar-bone. "One man had fled at the first shot, and I ran out to feitclh the village policeman." Mr Dunham said his son Ernest grappled with his assistant. A struggle followed, .furniture was uptiirwed, and windows were broken but eventually the man escaped and tried to mount his bicycle. ■Dunham followed' hiim. pulled him to the ground and the tight was renewed. The cyclist ran away, leaving his cyclo and his cap behind linn.