The Sun. — 1859-01-01 (London, England)

SOUTHWARK.—THE ATTEMPTED MURDER OF THE MASTER OF ST. OLAVE'S WORKHOUSE. =-Dennis Mahoney, a young fellow about 20 years of age, dressed in the workhouse garb, was brought before Mr. Combe for final examination, charged with cutting and wounding the master of St. Olave's Union Workhouse, Horselydown, with intent to murder him. Mr. Corner, the solicitor to the Guardians of the Poor, appeared for the prosecution. The master of the workhouse, who seemed to have recovered in a great measure from the effects of the wonnds inflicted on him, said that the prisoner had been a burden on the parish for nine years. He was quite right in his intellects, but ;very unruly. On Wednesday, about eleven o'clock, witness had occasion to go towards the sick ward, and when near the top of the stairs he saw the prisoner, but he took no notice of him, and when endeavouring to pass him he struck witness a heavy blow on the left ear, which caused him to fall against the banisters. As soon as he turned round, and was recovering himself, he saw the prisoner with a knife in his hand, which he flourished about, and swore he would murder him with it. Mr. Combe asked 'Whether he saw where he took the knife from. Witness—Yes, sir, from his coat-pocket. It was a table-knife belonging to the house. Mr. Combe—What didthe prisoner then do ? Witness—He made several attempts to cut my throat with the knife, and in warding the thrusts off from my throat I received several cuts, one on my.right arm and -shoulder, and then fell on the stairs. As soon as I recovered myself I rushed down stairs, when the prisoner followed me, and made another desperate attempt to cut my throat. I put up my left hand to parry off the blow, and in doing so, the prisoner nearly cut off my left thumb. Mr. Combe—Did he make use of any threatening language then ? Witness—Yes, sir. He said, " You I'll murder you." I managed to get away from him, and rushed into the surgery, when Dr. Mackintosh'hut the door, and dressed my wounds. Mr. Combe—Can you account for this attack on your life ?  Witness--The only thing I can imagine is, that on Friday last he came to me, and wanted clothing to leave the house, and, on account of his previous misconduct, I refused.  Mr. James Innes Mackintosh, M.D., medical officer of St. Olave's Union, said he was in his surgery shortly before twelve o'clock on the morning in question, when he saw last witness rush in with his left hand covered with blood. He closed the door to prevent the prisoner coming iu, and examining the master's left hand, he found that he had a desperate cut at the lower end of the thumb. There were also cuts on the right shoulder and arm, all of which he dressed, and directed the master to keep his room. He now considered that there was no danger. The knife produced was such as likely to have caused the wounds.  Mr. Combo asked whether there was anything the matter with the prisoner's intellect. Mr. Mackintosh replied that there was not, and that he was quite strong and healthy. Timothy Crawley, a tailor, said he wont into the workhouse to see his daughter, who was in the sick ward, and on proceeding up the stairs he saw the prisoner make three distinct stabs at the master. Witness went to his _assistance, when the  prisoner turned on him, and the master rushed down into the surgery. Joseph Vellacott, 224 M, said when he took the prisoner into custody fOr stdbbing• the master of the workhouse, he said, " I meant it." The knife was