The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-12-19
From the Philadelphia Franklin Gazette. !

1 I
Commonwealth VS.. Patrick Coad.
This case was tried in the Mayors
Court of the city, and seems to have
excited more than ordinary interest.
The defendant is a schoel-master of
some reputation, residing in Pine-street,
having under his care and instruction
between forty and fifty pupils, between
the ages of ten and sixteen. He was
charged by the prosecutor, William
Greble, with having committed an as
sault and battery upon his son, Edwin
Greble, one of the defendants schoL
airs, a boy of about 10 years old. The
facts as given in evidence, were these =
Some time in June last, young Greble
coming into the school-room in the
morning, either accidently or by design,
allowed the door to slam with more
violence and noise than common. Mr..
I Coad, who thought the act Intentional,
desired the boy to return to the door,
and to shut it quietly. He did so, but
began muttering, and continued to NUT
ter, saying, in an under tone, g that it
was not his fault, he couldn't help it.''
Mr.. Coad babe him bold his tongue, not
to be insolent; but Edwin, when on his
seat, at his desk, repeated his murmur-
ings upon which, Mr.. Coad, at last,
ordered him to come out in the centre
Of the room, with the intention of eth
er giving him rebuke or punishment
The boy, however, peremptorily re-
fused to. come eut-and when Mr.. Coad
went up to him, and took hold of his
collar; with view to lead or drag him
forward, he obstinately resisted, cling
ing with his feet to the desk and bench.
and his hands graphing to Mr.. Coad, in
such manner as to prevent him from
succeeding in his effort. In the strug-
gle to master the boy, Mr.. Coad having
him by the collar, and pushing him
from his person, pressed his head a.
gainst the desk; a circumstance which
the prosecutor dwelt upon as evidence
OF Mr.. Coad's wish to choak the bow
Finding> however, that Edwin was too
active for him, as matters then stood.
the school-master got the knotted Irvine
or rope with which he usually chastised
the boys.-After- striking young Greble
several times with this, the rebelIious
pupil very deliberately put his hand into
his pocket, took out his knife. and
threatened, if again touched, to stick
Mr.. Coad with it. The latter was then
driven to take up, for the purpose of
intimidation, apiece of the wainscoting
OF the room but it was clear that he
had not used it. As he approached
Edwin, the boy hastily jumped, upon.
his desk. seized slate lying at hand.
and after making one sling with it al
Mr. Coad, held it in the air in menace
ing attitude. Mr.. Coad in some man.
ner getting under the desk, and LAYING
hold-of the arm which held the slate.
succeeded in depriying Edwin oft; and
then picking up round mahogany rule,
which was at hand, struck the bow A.
cross the knuckles a. smart ram. and
Obliged him to forego any further use
of his knife. Edwin now disarmed.
gave up the battle, with. loud and re-
peated shrieks and cries--and Mr.. Coad
directed boy TO run for the prosecu-
tor, William GHebte, the father Of
Edwin. Before this direction, however,
one Of the younger brothers Of Edwin.
also at the same school, had gone out.
and running upto his father, who lived
close by, told him that Mr.. Coad was
choaIing EdMin--the prosecutor, snatch
ing up his umbrella, rushed violently
into the schoolrroom; struck his, UNI
brella' loudly on the floor, and, in lam
guage of the coarsest kind, demanded
what his son had been doing, and why
he was thus treated? II was in vain,
that the defendant requested Mr.. GrebIe
to retire with him, into the parlour,
where full and satisfactory explana-
ton could be made he would not be
apPcased !, and. aftcrp pouring forth some