Glasgow Courier. — 1855-03-22 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

ATTEMPTED MURDER AT MARYPORT.  On Wednesday the quiet town of Maryport was excited by the announcement that a man had been shot in the public street, in broad daylight. The consequences, however, which at first threatened to be of the most serious character, are not likely to have a fatal termination. The persons engaged in the unfortunate business are near relations by marriage, and had for along period been on the most friendly terms. The man who has been shot is Captain James M'Neil, a retired seaman and a shipowner, who has resided for a considerable time in Maryport, where he is well known and respected. The individual by whom he was shot is Mr. Fleming Coward, a man also moving in a respectable sphere of life, and formerly locker in the Customs at that port. The re 'sons which led to the rash act which we have named are of a family and melancholy nature, and have created a deep sympathy for the unfortunate man, who is rendered utterly desperate. It appears that about two years ago Mr. Coward left Maryport to reside in Liverpool, where be continued for sonic time to fill a situation in the Customs. lie afterwards formed the design of going to Australia, and had determined to leave his wife and family behind; but in order to place them in comfortable circumstances till he was enabled to return for them, he established his wife in a provision business. Soon after Isis departure, however, the premises which his wife occupied in Liverpool were broken up, the furniture and stock sold, and she herself induced to follow her husband. For this purpose she took her passage in the Lord George Bentinek, Captain Robinson, commander. During the voyage an intimacy is alleged to have sprung up between the captain and Mrs. Coward, which ended in the seduction of the latter. Information to this effect reached the ears of Mr. Coward in Australia, and on establishing the fact to his own satisfaction, he seems to have determined to be revenged on the authors of his misery. lie left Australia and returned to England in the Great Britain, 'to settle,' as be said, accounts with the persons who bad accomplished his ruin.' His dejected appearance, which his friends attributed to the deep injury his feelings had sustained, excited their utmost sympathy and compassion. They tried every means to soothe him, but in vain his mind was bent on one sole purpose. The captain of the Lord George Bentinck also returned to England in due time, and in now in Maryport, confined to his house through illness. The charge which Mr. Coward alleges against Capt. M'Neil is that, contrary to his own arrangements, and the assurance of his wife, he had frustrated his plans, and had been the means of breaking up his house, and persuading Mrs. Coward to go out to Australia with her family. Mr. Coward had several times endeavoured to obtain an interview with his brother-in-law, Capt. M'Neil, but the captain invariably found means of excuse. On Wednesday the parties met, when Mr. Coward demanded a compensation of 150. Capt. M'Neil refused to n,ake any reply. On this the former then pulled out a pistol and fired, but it missed its object. The captain then ran down the street, followed by his brother-in-law, who pulled out another pistol and fired with a more sure aim. The wound fortunately proved a mere flesh wound. The unfortunate man surrendered to the police, and the case has been remanded.—Lancuster Guardian.