The Sun. — 1856-02-26 (London, England)

SOUTHWARK.—DIABOLICAL ATTEMPT TO COMMIT MURDER IN THE SUP.REY THEATRE.—Frederick Quennell, a diminutive and rather repulsive-looking row), about 40 years of age (a relative to Quennell who was hung a few years ago at Hormemonger-lane Gaol for the murder of his brother), described in the charge sheet as a painter, was brought before Mr. A'Beckett charged with attempting to murder W. Hercule, in the Surrey TLea're, by striking him on the head and body with a heavy iron rod. Police-constable John Measures, 160 L, said that on Saturday night, about 10 o'clock, he was on duty in the Blaekfriars road, near the portico in front of the Surrey Theatre, when he was informed that the audience and every ore inside of the theatre were alarmed at a murder being committed on the stage by one of the scene-shifters. He instantly went to the stage door, and was admitted by the proprietors, when the prisoner was given into his custody for attempting to murder William Hurcum by striking him on the head with an iron rod about five feet long and rather more than an inch in circumference, which witness received from a man named William Leonard, one of the scene shifters. There was at the time considerable excitement on the stage, as well as among the audience, who were, however, soon pacified. _ The prisoner gave himself up to bins without making any remarks, and he conveyed him to Tower-street police-station. Mr. A'Beckett—la the injured man in attendance ? Measures—Re is not, sir. He was attended to immediately by a medical gentleman, and removed to his house, where he now remains in bed. Mr. A'Beckett—Did you see William Hurcum, the injured man Measures—Yes, sir ; I saw him lying on a table in one of the dressing-rooms, bleeding profusely from a wound at the back of his head. He was then insensible. Mr. A'Beckett—ls there any medical man present to give evidence ?_  - Measures—There is not sir ; but I produce a certificate from Dr. lionarlhue, who attended him, setting forth that he had a severe scalp wound at the back of the heal, and other injuries about the body. Mr. A'Beckett--Is there any one in court who witnessed the transaction ?  Measures—l have a female who was in the dressingroom at the time, sir. Mary Hall, a middle-aged female, residing at No. 34, Grosvenor-place, Borough•road, stated that she was employed at the Surrey Theatre as a dresser. She knew the prisoner as being a painter, and the injured man, William Hurcum, as a scene-shifter at the same place. On Saturday night, about ten o'clock, witness was sitting in her dressing-room on the stage, when the prisoner came in, and after remaining there a short time he crossed the room towards the entrance, just as Hurcum was pas'ing. She beard him make u'e of some angry w irds towards the latter, and strike him on the head with something which he held in his hand. Hureutn then fell down, and witness saw that the back part of his hea 1 was bleeding, and immediately afterwards she saw the iron rod produced taken away from him. Mr, A'Beckett to the prisoner)—Have you any question to ask this witness ?  Prisoner ( I have not. Measures said that he had no other witnesses to call at present, but if the prisoner was remanded he should be able to produce William Leonard, who wrenched the rod from him, and prevented him from accomplishing his object, and who heard him say when he attacked Iluicum that he would be hung for him the same as his cousin was a few years ago. Ile also understood that they had bad some words together several times in the course of the evening. Mr. A'Beckett accordingly remanded the prisoner for a week, and he was conveyed to lioracnonger-lano gaol.