The Virginia Gazette

On Thursday last the following shocking affair happened at Bow, near Mile End. Mr. Sayer, an eminent malt distiller at Bow, went early in the morning into his garden, and looking into the necessary house saw a man there, whom he questioned, asking what business he had there, and who he was. The man, who proved afterwards to be a lunatic, not making a satisfactory reply, Mr. Sayer thought proper to secure, which, with the assistance of his servants, he effected, and carried before a magistrate, who committed him for the present to the parish workhouse, until he could be more safely taken care of.

In this place he continued all day, and behaving to appearance in a reasonable manner, about 10 at night he prevailed on the beadle, and another person, who were ordered to sit up with him, to take off his handcuffs, which he said hurt his wrists, and caused them to swell. He then asked what it was o'clock, and on being told near 11, replied, it is very well, at that time I shall begin my work.

When the clock struck 11 he took up a chair, with which he endeavoured to knock down the two persons who were appointed to take care of him, one of whom (the beadle) luckily got out, on which the madman immediately bolted the door, and with a cleaver, which happened unfortunately to be left in the room, it is supposed he knocked down the other, and severed the head from the body. After this he went up stairs, where he cut and mangled several persons who were in bed in the house.

The master and mistress of the workhouse would most probably have shared the same fate, if they had not barricadoed themselves in their room, by placing chests of drawers, and other furniture, against the door, which he had very near chopped to pieces when assistance came, who with great difficulty secured him, as they were obliged to make use of fire arms. It is imagined, from the wounds he received, being shot through one arm, and one of his hands being partly shot off, as well as the contusions on his head, that he cannot live.