The Kenilworth Advertiser. — 1879-06-07 (Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England)

MURDEROUS ATTACK UFON THE MASTER. On Saturday night a distuFbanee of an ,_extratordinary character occtirred at the Union Workhones, Foleshill. About a quarter-past six o'clock, while the suppers of the inmates were being pea pared in the kitehen, a message was brought to the master of the Workhouse (Mr. John Dawe), to the. effect that two of the male paupers were engaged in the demolition of a greenhouse, situate within a large enclosed area known as the old woman's yard. The master who at this time had his coat off and was bareheaded, immediately prbeeeded to the spot, and found that two men, named respectively William Henry Berson (20) and Lewis Coleman (22), were certainly doing their utmost to make a perfect wreak of the greenhouse and its contents. Seeing Mr. Dawe approach, Coleman who held in his hand a heavy piece of wood, dealt the former a severe blow, which fell on his right arm. Mr. Dawe then seized the man with his left hand and tripped him, whereupon Berson, with a long and heavy piece of board, struck him a blow on the head, which partially stupned him and caused him to stagger. This compelled the master to let go his hold of Coleman, who immedietely struck him again over the left arm with the same piece of wosd. Each of the men subsequently dealt him another plow, whereupon he became unconscious, and had to be removed, though with difficulty, from the yard. The men then continued their work of destruction, smasting every pane of glass in the greenhouse and con pletely destroying all the plants, as well as about 400 flower-pots, which they threw about the garden in all directions. Nearly 400 geraniums and other plants, which, had been placed in the ground and tastefully arranged during the day, were forcibly uprooted by the men, who destroyed all that they could lay their hands upon. While engaged in their work of destruction the fellows repeatedly threatened to murder the master; and the latter's wife, who remonstrated with them, was insultingly told by one of them that they meant to "do for" her husband, and that she would " look well in widow's weeds." Miss Dawe, who holds the position of governess at the workhouse, and who gallantly -ran to her father's assistance when he was attacked, was threatened by Berson, who, with a stick in his hand, chased her for some distance. Thenurse, during the disturbance, appeared on the scene with a sun, but she also was compelled to beat a hasty retreat. The rest cd the inmates were greatly alarmed, and the men appeared so desperate that nobody elite oared to interfere, Batson and his companions threatening to murder anyone who ventured to approach. At the outbreak of the affair, a body of police-officers were sent for, and after some time had elapsed the police arrived, and the fellows were secured, handcuSed, and conveyed to the lock-up at Longford. Before their arrival,— however, at the' Workhouse, the offending paupers walked arm-in-arm down the garden with a defiant air towards-the road, but a large crowd of persons who had by this time assembled ofitside prevented them leaving the premises. The distnretume lastear for nearly an hour, and while destroying the glass., and flowers, one of the men (Berson) was beard to remark that "he had waited a long time for his revenge, but had had it now." They also threatened the porter, an old man named Jopp. The men have. for some time past been troublesome to the officials, and Berson has been previously convicted for milsconduct. The antipathy of the latter towards the master appears recently to have been very great, owing, it is said, to one of his ionnger brothers, a refractory youth, having been , taken before themagistrates for insulting the governess at the workhouse, for which offence he was sentenced to a term of imprisonment, and ordered to be afterwards sent to a reformatory for five years. Dr. Orton, sen., the medical officer at the workhouse, ow learning whet was going on, speedily attended, and dressed Mr. Dawe's.wonnds.  On Tuesday, the two men, William Barton and Lewis Coleman, were brought up before the Magistrates, at. the County Offices, Coventry, and remanded until Friday, charged with having created a disturbance and committed Wilful damage in 'Foleetill Workhouse, sad also with having assaulted the ' Master of the said Workhouse, j!fr.. John De,we, and inflicted grievous bodily harm upon him.