The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-01-29
A Dangerous Dertist-'.Parficuiars OF
sne Massachusetts Sensation.

Charles W. LcacT Is n QenUlSCr Dy pTOlcS-
sion, and native OF Sheldon Falls. Fifteen
wears ago he commenced business at Middle
boro'. where he formed the acquaintance Of
Young lady. Miss Harriet Jenny, 4 daughter
of Mr.. James Jenny. and after Il brief court
ship, during which he contributed towards
educating her, Il marriage was the result.
The honeymoon had scarcely wancd when
the husband began TO abuse his young wife,
and from that time her marital life has been
one OF constant turmoil and anxiety Her
troubles were mainly due to his disagrccabc
and moroSe disposition, and the, numerous
petty annoy;mces which she had to suffer
when he was ut home. The manifestations
of cruelty were not only visited upon his
family, but extended even to the pets of the
household. 1t seems that for some trifling
cause, a few days since, Leach seized dog
belonging to his little daughter, and tying it
up to a post in his yard, whipped the animal
to death in the presence Of his child, who
kept pleading with her father to spare its
life. During all this time he was Il habitual
drinker, and at times neglected his DuSi-
ness. -i# -. .@' .'.'@. j
At a late hour on Friday last DR.. Leach
who had remained at home several days i'll a'
state Of high delirium, became impressed
with the idea that his house was surrounded
bv horde of infuriatcd tigers, who, with
| lanlir" tongues ard glaring eyehalls, were
endeavoring to destroy himself and his family.
| deserving for his assistance in rcpellnS the
! Imaginary foe his eldest son, bright little
fellow about ten years OF age. he forced his
wife and other children into aroom and made
preparation to defend lis castle. Armed with
| double-barrellcd shotgun and ammunition,
| consisting of a flask Of powder and bag OF
shot, lic opened the window OF his sitting
| room nearest the side door of the house. and
| waited for bis victims. The first to appear
| was Thomas Bump, Il strong, athletic man,
who was returning home with an axe in
hand from days chorping in the
woods. With cautionary order To
| his involuntary powdcr-monkey" 10
lay low, he discharged the contents
| of one barrel and snapped the cap on
the other. The shot, which were small took
effect in the left side of the. neck and breast.
of Mr.. Bump, who naturally inquired what
| he was doing. Commanding his son to load
| the gun under penalty Of being flayed alive
| in case he did not put in heavy charge, the
doctor next =" drew a bead" on John CapIin,
| 4 hired man Of one of the ncighbOrS, and who
had frequently done chores for the doctor
| He received forty-cight shot wounds III his
| breast, chin, and arms, but is not seriously
hurt. William \. Coombs, Jr., another
| neghbor. hearing that Bump had been shot,
| and supposing it wis the result of IN acci-
dent, went toward the house to offer assist
| ance. Warned of danger as he approached
the gate, he nevertheless pushed Oh, when, as
he came within range, the doctor blazed
away with both barrels, only a few
shot from which hit him, and these took
effect in his arms. a few minutes
later Captain Daniel Swift, q recent conner,
| having purchased Il farm in the vicinity
| about year ago, came along, when the now
infuriated dentist gave him double dose, OF
| which he luckily received only a homo
pathic quantity, two or three shot only
grazing his side. Soon after this transaction
Mr.. Andrew Shocklcy and friend came up,
and were also fired upon but not hit. With
presence of mind they took in at a glacc how
matters stood. Mr.. Shockley rushed into
the house and attempted to arrest the would.
be assassin. Leach met him with the butt
| of his mllskct and struck at him, the blow
taking effect Oh bis shoulder and bringing
him to his knees. Mr.. Shockley rallied, how
ever, and succeeded in overpowering the
doctor, whom he held .1,ntil assistance
arrived. BY this time the small community
had become aroused, and intelligence OF
the atfrsay had been sent to Middle
boro' with demand for assistance, Dcpl.
ty Sheriff Cole promptly responded to the
/ summons, and upon arriving at the house in
I Lakeville put manacles upon the inftiriated
doctor. He was detained in his'own house
during Friday night, two men watching him
and preventing any further violence. During
the night Leach continued in an excited state
of mind and frequently spoke of the tigers
which he had shot upon his farm.z On Satur.
day morning DR.. Leach was taken to the
Office of DR.. Drake, in Middleboro' Centre,
where a consultation Of physicians was held.
After thorough medical examination Of the
patient, the fact became apparent that heWas
insane, and a certificate Of temporary insanity
induced by excessive use of alcoholic istimu.
lants was furnished the officers, upon Which
he was placed in close carriage and conveyed
to the insane asylum at Taunton.-Bostoa
| Traceller. - FIR , .sss - es,'. ~ i..a