BRUTAL OUTRAGE ON AMERICAN GENTLEMEN.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 670, 5 May 1870, Page 4

BRUTAL OUTRAGE ON AMERICAN GENTLEMEN.

On February 7, Captain Madden, of the Bth King's ownßegiment, was brought before the Magistrates at Manchester, charged with a forcions and unprovoked attack on two gentlemen at the Queen's Hotel in that district on February 6. It appears that Captain Madden has been staying at Manchester some time, and has been addressing Orange and Conservative meetings in that city and neighbourhood. Oc February she was in the cofiee-room of the Queen's Hotel. In the same room, sitting not far from him, were Mr George Brown and Mr J . R. Clark, of New York, two well-known American buyers of Manchester goods for large firms in the United States. Mr Brown and Mr Clark were at tea, and no words passed between them and Captain Madden. Mr Brown was reading a letter to his friend, over which they chattered and laughed a good deal. While so engaged, Captain Madden left his seat, and is supposed to have gone to a private room. In a short time he returned; armed with a heavily-loaded life-preserver, and, going up behind Mr Clark, aimed a blow at him, the life-preserver descending with great force on the back of his skull. Fortunately the blow was so directed that it glanced oft the skull, but it laid open a frightful wound of the scalp, which was cut clean to the skull. Captain Madden then rushed upon Mr Brown, aiming a Wow at his forehead. Mr Brown, however, by the dexterous use of a chair interrupted the blow, which was broken and took effect only on one side of the mouth, so as to cut one of his lips. Some men waiters interfered and prevented the assault proceeding further, but it required four people to hold the captain, owing to his ungovernable excitement, until a policeman could be obtained. He was then taken to the lock-up, where two brother officers gave bail for his appearance on Feb. 7. Mr Clark, who narrowly escaped with his life, was not able to appear before the magistrates on that day ; but the case was partly heard, Mr Brown and one of the waiters giving evidence to the above effect. The prisoner expressed his sorrow, but said it was not he, but that thing itself (the life preserver) which, being loaded, went off of itself. Mr Headlam (chairman of the Bench) said the prisoner did not appear to be in his right mind, and remanded the case for a week, in order that the prisoner's friends might be communicated with. He also directed that the surgeon to the gaol should examine him as to his mental condition. This case has again been before the Magistrates at Manchester, and Captain Maddens friends, in offering evidence of insanity, said he had previously been under restraint in London. Mr Clarke and Mr Brown expressed their willingness that he should be given up to his friends if the magistrates were satisfied of J his insanity, and with the

undei taking of his friends to take care of him in future. The magistrates, however, after consultation, thought the ca3e ought to go before a jury. Mr Headlam (the stipendary) said there had been extreme violence used, and the Bench were unwilling to incur the responsibility of setting him at liberty. He would be committed for trial, so that the verdict of a jury might decide the matter.