The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-12-23
A Crank the Prototype Of Guisea"'
flor the Dispatcb.I

As the assassin Guitenu Is occupying so
large share Of attention IL may not be out
az mace 10 recall the adventures OF crazy
fanatic In the year 1900, a strange prototype
81 the present notorious "crank." Both
seem 10 feel themselves similarly inspired.
One succeeded, as we know TO our sorrow.
The other failed, but BY the merest chance.
On the night of 18th May, 1900, Just a.
George the III. entered his box at Drury-
Lane Theatre, and was bowling 10 ac-
knowledge the complimentary applause
usually extended the King as ne en-.
tered the Theatre, man rose rom sea'
In the pit near the orchestra, got up Oh,
the seat he occupied, levelled hofse-pis,oi
at the King, and fired. Fortunateiy inc
weapon was knocked up by gentieniai,,
sitting by the assassin, and the baIi, ihsteau
of lodging in the body OF his Majesty or
that Of his amiabie Queen, simply imDedoeu
itself in the wooden top OF the klng Don;
The would-be assassin threw the piston
down in disgust, with some contemp'uous
remark. lie was Immediately arrested,
conveyed TO the green-room, ana there
carefully examined by the Duke OF 10TH
During the trial the criminal turneu "
his Majesty and said: "My name Is Jaii'cS
Hatfield. / know you, God bless YOU io lou
are a good fellow. / have served WIN
your ROYAL Highness, and (poin,ihg ~
deem cut over his eye and another long
scar on his cheek got these, ana more
than these, in fighting by your side' AT
Iincelles / was left three hours among inc
dead in n ditch, and was taken prisoner ny
the French. / had my arm broken by u
shot, and got eight sabre WOUNDS III ny
head. but | recovered, and here L am.
All through the examination he gave NJ
timos evidence OF mental arrangement.
Was committed TO Cold-Bath Flelds pr
son for short while; then brought De-
fore the Privy Council for further eX-
animation. When ministers pressed nm
with many questions he sullenly replied !:
81 fred the pistol, loaded with two slugs,
NJ the King. What more do you want!
lie refused positively TO answer any oiher
question, only asserting that he was DIVINE
" commissioned or internally moved 10
DESTROY the King. On the 26th OF june ne
was brought up to Westminster Hall ana
tried by the Kings Bench. After pro-
longed examination "a great number OF WIZ
ncsSes having been summoned), the !ur!
found the prisoner "n0t guilty, beng I'M
der the influence Of insanity at the time the
act was done" He was then removed 10
Newgate and ordered INTO confinement ior
life. where he remained until he died. The
King is said t. have been remarkably calm:
The audience sang "God Save the hlng,
70 which Mr.. Sheridan added an impromptu
stanza, which l copy:
"From every latent foe,
From the assassin's blow,
God save the King
Ger him Thine arms extend;
For Brtain's sake defend
Our father, prince. and friend.
God save the King"
A strange coincidence of stranger frea' s
II seems "therc is nothing new under d
sun"
The Grand Lodge (Masonic) held spe-
cial meeting ut FreemaSons' Hall, Lon
don, June Sd, and voted congratulatory
address, which was delivered by the Prince
of Wales in person. A copy OF that adj
dress is preserved in one of William Pres
toms works on Masonry.