The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-10-02
BRUTAL HUSBAND
John LAWN Viciouly Assaulted
His Wife.
He Kicked Her as She lay on the
Floor in Presence OF the Children.
The Woman's Injuries Are Very seri-
Gus and May Prove Fatal.

Mrs. LAWN Is at the Rhode Island Hos
pital and doubts are entertained as TO her
recovery from injuries received at the
hands OF her husband.
John LAWN, his wife and four small
children came to this city from Lawrence,
Mass. about five weeks ago and made
their home at 81 OAK street. With them
came a man named Charles Colwell, who
until Saturday boarded with the LAWNS.
Yesterday LAWN, who Is bricklayer,
remained at home 10 assist in moving his
few household effects TO a Huntington
avenue house, and portion of the after
noon he was assisted by Colwell. The
two men were able to do ali that was
necessary, but to move the stove. and TO
do this they asked James Burns, Hunt
iDgton avenue grocer, TO loan them his
horse and wagon.
This being done the formality OF NOV
ing was completed.
Colwell then went into Fox's saloon
and got pitcher OF beer and then the ex-
citement began. After the beer had been
disposed of LAWN and wife began TO use
hard words. The latter was sitting in a
chair, chopping some cabbage for sup
per, when her husband kicked her with
all his force in the abdomen. Mrs. LAWN
fell from her chair, striking her head on
the side of bedroom door. While she
was on the floor LAWN continued to kick
his wife in most brutal manner. One
OF the children, a girl years old, ran
from the house TO find policeman, ana
succeeded in finding officer Doe. When
LAWN saw the officer coming he ran out
of the back door, through the yard, and
for time managed TO keep. out Of sight
of the officer.
He was found later in Fox's saloon, and
escorted towards the Capron street sta
tion, but before they arrived there he es-
capped, but was arrested again early this
morning in the same neighborhood.
The four children are in destitute cir
cumstances, there being but 10 cents in
the house, and the friends or relatives OF
the little ones have all that they can do
TO look out for themselves.
The children were seen this morning by
a representative of The News. They
were in the Kitchen OF the Colwell family
on Oak street. There was no fire in the
house, but little TO eat, and certainly but
little 10 cheer the hearts o. four children,
the youngest of whom was but little
more than n year old. All were dirty,
ragged and showed want of care. Socie-
ties who are oranized for Christian work
can find them on the second floor of 81
Oak street, and they will be found
worthy objects OF their attention.
1t is claimed that LAWN has just COM
pleted a sentence in Lawrence for assault
ing his wife.
AT noon Mrs. LAWNS condition was
a little more encouraging, and the prob
abilities are that she will recover. Her
husband was arraigned before Judge
Sweetland in the Sixth District ourt this
morning, where he pleaded not guilty. He
was held in the sum of 5000 for trial
Tuesday, or until such time as his wife
is able TO tell her story.
sister of the injured woman stated
that since her sister married John LAWN,
in Bradford, Eng, about 10 years ago,
IL had been continuous life OF fights and
quarrels. They came to America about
eight years ago and have lived in and
about Providence ever since.
Mrs. LAWN was weaver, and during
her married life with the exception of
perhaps is months in all, had worked to
support the household. "Whv, her chill
dren would have led of starvation long
ago il Mary had not worked for them, but
had depended upon the earning OF their
father, " said her sister when asked about
the children being neglected.
Several times she has caused him to be
arrested. but would never appear against
him. The last time scarcely week ago.