Brutal Assault

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 68, 26 November 1892, Page 2

Brutal Assault

(PER PEESB ASSOCIATION.) Wellington, This Day. What waa apparently a deliberate attempt at murder occurred about 4.30 thiß mornsng, the victim being Mr J. L. Kirkbride, proprietor of the Evening Press, who was savagely attacked by a strange man while lying in bed. The instrument used was a small carpenter's hammer, and with this the assailant struck Kirka heavy blow on the forehead above the eye, smashing the frontal bone. The blow did not stun him and he jumped from the bed and rushed at his assailant, following him outside the house as far as the gate, but whenabout to collar the man he became dazed aad felt compelled to stay there inert, the blood pouring down his face, while the man made his escape. The latter did not attempt to get away immediately, but stopped, crouching under the fence till he saw Mr Kirkbride was powerless, when he walked off. Medical assistance vras obtained and the wound dressed. Mr Kirkbride says he does not think he would be able to identify the man as he had his face blackened. It is believed the house was not entered for plunder as nothing had been touched. The key of one of the doors was placed under a mat tor the servant, who did not sleep on the premises, to gain entrance in the morning, and the man must have been aware of this as he got in by that door. The hammer was found on the verandah^ The detectives are investigating the affair.