The Sun. — 1861-06-25 (London, England)

ATTEMPTED MURDER.—A most murderous outrage was committed at Chatham at a somewhat early hour on Saturday morning, by a convict named Burkett, a most desperate character, on one of the wardens of the convict establishment, named Cooper, who, but for the timely arrival of some of the guard to his assistance, would, there is little doubt, have met with his death at the hands of his brutal assailant ; as it is, however, the unfortunate keeper has received such fearful injuries that, even if he survives, he will be totally incapacitated for further service. In describing the murderous attack it is necessary to state, that for several weeks past the whole of the convicts have been withdrawn from the dockyard and the other public works at Chatham on 'which they were employed, in order that they might be occupied in brick making, the authorities having wisely determined on rendering the labour of the prisoners more profitable, by employing them in manufacturing the bricks which will be required in building the large docks and, basins about to be constructed at Chatham. Early on Saturday morning the convicts were marshalled as usual to commence their daily toil, each gang being under the charge of a warder, who was furnished with means to defend himself in case of being attacked. The gang of which the warder Cooper had charge included the convict Burkett, the prisoners being employed in preparing their tools. At this moment Burkett, who had not received the slightest provocation, rushed at the warder, and dealt him a terrific blow on the back of the skull with a spade with which he was about to commence work. Fortunately, the thick cap worn by the warder acted as a protection to the head, or there is little doubt that the blow would have cleft the skull in twain. As it was, however, the spade cut through the cap and inflicted a ghastly cut, several inches in length, from which the blood poured in a torrent. Before the unfortunate warder could do anything to defend himself his assailant followed up his first blow by another, which knocked the warder down. From the marks on the body of the injured man, it is evident that the intention of Burkett was to murder him—indeed, he subsequently expressed as much—there being a severe cut on the shoulder from which the clothes were torn, and also one on each of the arms, all inflicted with the spade. The most serious injury, next to the wound at the back of the head, which Cooper has received is a severe cut on the right hand, which is nearly cut in half across the knuckles, his brutal assailant having "jobbed" the spade down on his hand as his intended victim lay on the ground. Should the warder recover from the effects of the injuries, he will never again have the use of this hand. The cries of Cooper attracting the attention of the ether warders and guard, they hastened to his assistance, and having secured Burkett, the injured man was removed to the prison infirmary, where, owing to the character of the wounds he had received, it was at first thought he would not survive. On inquiring at the prison yesterday, however, it was stated that he was better. Cooper is described as bearing a most exemplary character, and of a harmless, inoffensive demeanour. Ile has been employed in the convict service a great number of years. No reason whatever can be assigned for the murderous attack on the part of Burkett, except that he is a man of most brutal character. A short time since he attempted to make his escape, for which he has since been working in irons. lie was also one of the ringleaders in the late mutinies. Immediately after the occurrence on Saturday ho was placed in the cell and heavily ironed, to await the directions of Sir Joshua Jebb, after which he will be handed over to the civil power. _ _