Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-06-30
ASSAULT ON TaE REV. A. n. WAGNER,
COMPRESSOR OF THE SELF ACCUSED MUIR
DERESS, CONSTANCE KENT.
From the Manchester Guardian.

At Brighton, on Monday, James Hersee, Henry
Chatfeld and William BTazier, three chimney
sg eepS were charged with having assaulted the
Rev. a. ID, Wagner, perpetual curste Of ST. Pauls,
Brighton. and Sir Thomas Barrett Lennard. Mr..
Soaers Clarke, in opening the case briefly alluded
10 recent proceedings with which Mr.. Wagner's
name hsS been connected, and said there could DO
no doubt that 10 cause persons Of the pris )ners'
rauk of life 10 act as thy had done there must be
some melting cause, into which, however, he
would not enter, and Ieierred TO 1t not 10 aggra-
waite the case sg irs. them, but TO excuse them, 1t
being Mr Wagner's desire not to punish, but TO
prevent recurrence of what had taken place
(Fho reverend gentleman has been once or
twice previously mOlested in the public str cts but
always declined 20 give his aEsailapts into cUsOdt
IL appeared that Mr.. Wagner was proceeding up
North street, about half-past five o'clock on Sun.
day afternoon, when the prisoners aud some of
their friends shouted and hOOted at hir. BraGer
caught hold of the reverend gentleman's aims,
and saycg Here's gentleman wants to speak
TO YOU tother side began to pull him across the
road Mr. Wagner shook himself free, and swung
his walking stick round, catching BrSzier on the
leg, who Immediately knocked him down. Sir
Thomas Lennard who was walking up the street.,
seeing Hersee leave his companions 10 make q
kick at Mr.. Wagner, went TO the latters assist
ance Sir Thomas struck Hersee TO keep him of,
and Hersee turned his attention to the honorable
Baronet but got the worst of 1t, and, finding he
could not touch Sir Thomas, again aSsalled Mr..
Wagner, who had been knocked down once or
twice again by Brazier. As Sir Thomas was walk
ing ~ guarding Mr.. Wagner from the attacks
made upon him, BFazier seized Sir Thomas from
behind, and getting his head in "chaneery," Her
see again turned upon ST Thomas and struck him
several blows on the face, the left side Of which
was Dire ,dfully confused, and long deep gas was
inflicted under the eye. Tks honorable baronet got
himself free and with the assistance Of policeman
and the bystanders Brazier and Hsr'ee were Sc
cured but with great difficulty, the legs of the
latter having to be tied with cords TO prevent him
from doing mischief with his feet. Chatield in
cited the mob 10 attempt q rescue, and pulled one
or two away who were assisting in carrying
Hersee TO the police station. At the close OF the
case, Mr. Clarke, on behalf of Mr.. Wagner, again
asked the bench not to punish the men, but to
bind them over in order 70 prevent recurrence
and he refused to have the charge taken under
the act which specially protects clergymen in 60
ing to or returning from their duties, preferring
TO have it treated summsriy as one OF common as
sauIt. The magistrates, in giving their decision,
said the assault was 3 most gross and unwar.
rlntabe attack on person ipOhensiVely walking
in the street and to prevent 4 recurrence OF II,
they should visit il with the fullest penalty they
could summarily. They should, therefore. sen.
tence Brazer and Hersee TO two months hard Ia
Dor each, and fine Chatfeld twenty shillings and
costs; in default Of payment, to be committed
for a month.