The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-09-24
VICIOUSLY
ASSAULTED.
Joseph Coleman is Then
Robbed by a Stranger.
DEC0YED TO HIS BARN.
There He Is Rendered. Unc0ns scious
During Struggle.
DECOYED TO HIS BARN.
THE ASSAILANT Is CAPTURED.

Joseph Coleman lies between life and
the result of injuries done by man
whom he had befrended.
This morning an operation was per
formed by the hospital surgeon which
show cd that Mr.. Coleman's skull had
been fractured, the operation showing
that by blow from some blunt instru-
ment piece of the skull, about three
quarters of an inch in diameter. had
been pressed down on the brain.
The membrane of the brain and the
fragments of the bone were removed and
the wound dressed. The chances now
are. that Coleman will recover from tho
effects of the terrible beating he received.
The police have worked on the case
since the matter was first reported, but
without success.
The assailant is unknown to any OF the
people who saw him in Coleman's com
pany and tie officers are of the CpiuiCn
that he Is "A tramp
Coleman who Is an Englishman, about
40 years old, while returning from his
days trip between o and Z clock, was
asked by a stranger on Pine street for
ride and without thinking anything Of
the matter, allowed the man TO climb TO
the seat.
Is answer TO the mans questions he
told him he lived on Robinson street in
south Providence, and that his barn was
on Prairle avenue near Comst0ck street
lie stranger said that he was going to
South Providence and would be much
obliged for the ride.
The two went down town and bought a
couple Of drinks and Coleman purchased
n few pairs of stockings after which they
ct IN m af
the barn the stranger helped Coleman
put up his horse, and the two repaired To
Prairie avenue saloon, where more
drinks were bought. While they were
standing at the bar, Coleman remem bered
that he mad left mis- stockings on the
wagon seat and asked his friend to GO for
them. The fellow went out, ostensbly 20
90 TO the barn, but did not do so. Upon
his return he told Coleman that ne could
not find his stockings. ana asked him To
90 over TO the barn 10 heip search for
them.
Coleman and he went to tho barn, and,
having found the stockings, Coleman
thought that he would transfer his fish
To another cart and asked the stranger
TO help him in that work. The fellow
obligingly took hold, ana, watching his
chance, stepped behind Coleman ana
struck him an ugly blow with black
jack. intending TO hit him on the top of
his head, but succeeded only in cutting
open his face.
Coleman grappled with his assailapt.
and the two had O desperate struggle, in
which Coleman was thrcwn against n
wagon wheel. One of his logs passed be-
tween the spokes. and this tripped him,
the stranger falling on top Of him and
breaking the leg in two places Being
now in a helpless condition, he coul1 10
longer resist his assailant, and tho latter
deli liberately hammered him on the head
e. Il aaIr. -,
conscious.
1t was Their an easy matter TO rifle Cole
mans pockets, which was done and the
stranger secured about S3h. lie left the
barn, locking the door after him, ana
went To the saloon they had left Dut
short time before.
Here he bought drinks for all in the
house and then loft the place.
About an hour later Coleman rogained
consciousness and began to cry Murdern'
aud " Police 80 A boy named Daniel Nc
Carthy heard him, and finding the barn
door locked, procured an axe and burst
the lock. Finding Coleman helpless and
covered with blood, he ran out and found
nn officer who sent IN a call for the am
buiance, and Coleman was taken TO the
Rhode Island Hospital. where it was dis.
covered that in addition to the compound
fracture of the leg and nearly "a duzon
wicked looking scalp wounds, Coleman
the skull aud that his chances Of sur
viving his injuries were very slim lie
lapsed into unopnsciousncss ntter inform
ing the police or the details Of the assault
and at midnight was in a comatJse con-
oiIion.
1ho ffth precinct officers began
search for tho rubUer n soon as tlOy got
the alarm. hut they Vot very little infOI-
nation which wEs Of anv Va!uo. Tao
assailant was not olly stranger 10 Cole
man. but nobody IN the saloon mad ever
seen him before. ana mono heard him
respond To any name whom Coleman was
addressing him.
SUSPECTED MAN CAUGHT.
This afternoon tho police arrested Will
lard j. Gallagher, II years old. who lives
at l25 North Main street on suspicion of
being the as.aiant OF Coleman. and ho -
now i'm cell Mt tine Central police station.
Continued on Page =.