MURDEROUS ASSAULT

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 283, 21 July 1888, Page 5

MURDEROUS ASSAULT

Auckland July IS. A MURDi noes assault was committed at Mount Eden Gaol at 3 o'clock ye&terday afternoon, by a con-wet named John Brown, on Warder Iluthcvfoicl, Foreman of Works. It appears that Brown, who was under Ruthei foul's supervision, without any warning rushed at the officer and struck him a violent blow with a quarry hammer, inflicting a deep wound on the foiehead. Another warder standing by struck the hammer from the hand of Rutherford's murderous assailant and secured him. llutherfoid was removed to the goal hospital, and ab Dr. Philson was away attending the prisoners at Fort Cautley, Dr. Bell, of the District Hospital, was sent for. He attended Rutherford, and upon making an examination, difecovcied that the base of the nose was broken. Fortunately, there lias not apparently been any injury caused to the brain, as no symptoms of concussion have yet exhibited themselves. Dr. Bell stitched 'up the wound, and as Ooon as Dr. Philson arrived he also attended Rutherford, and advised him to keep quiet. Dr. Philson also saw Rutherford again this morning, A\hen he appeared to be doing as well as" could be expected. He had slept well during the night. The doctor does not at present think that he is in any great danger, though of course the wound" is of a very serious nature. MURDEROUSLY DELIBERATE. The wonder is that Rutherford was not killed, as Brown rushed at him and struck •u ith lull force at his head with a 141b stonebreaking hammer. Rutherfoid had only time to put up his arm to cry and ward off the blow -when ho was felled like an ox. No doubt his arm broke the force of the blow, and thereby saved his life, for had the lull weight icached his forehead death must inevitably have re&ulted. QUITE UNPROVOKED. Apparently the assault was quite unprovoked, as llutheriord had not spoken to Brov\ii for some Aveeks past. He had therefore nob the &liohte&b warniug to take care, and was in consequence unable to defend himself. From what can be gathcied Brown does not seem to ha\e any spite against the man whom ho so murderously assaulted. When secured by the other warder, Brown appeared to be in a state of intense excitement, but this morning he is quicb enough. It has been thought that he is not quite responsible for his" actions, as he is ab times subject to delusions.

HAD PREVIOUSLY ATTEMPTED TO MURDER A MAN. John Brown is a negro, and was arreatod on January 4th, 1885, on the charge of having shot at another negro named Thomas JJrown in Parby-sbreob. The two men had been in Frank's Restaurant, and were perfectly sober. J ohn Brown left first. When Thomas Brown came outside he was met by John Brown, who shot him in the breast." A second shot missed its mark, while the third entered his side. As he ran away a fourth shot was fired after him, which, also failed to take any effect. Jp,hn. Brown was arrested by Constable Rowles and subsequently appeared ab the Police Court, when he was committed tor trial. At the Supreme Court he was sentenced to seven years' pena.l servitude, and had served three years and seven months when he committed this assault. During hjs incarceration at Mount Eden hiy conduct has been exemplary, and he has never once been reported for a breach of the regulations. Shortly after his admission to the gaol he exhibited symptoms oi a. mild form of insanity, but was not considered dangeroxis..

THE CONVICT INSANE. Dr. Philson saw the chief gaoler, Mr Reston, to-day and reported to him that fche convict Brown was insane, Mr Reston has thevefoie taken the necessary steps to have Brown immediately examined.