A king-size row between the works manager and a brickworks labourer at Messrs. Chamberlains Brick and Carbon Works, Dodworth Road, Barnsley, ended in murder on March 21st, 1888. The labourer, James Richardson, 23, stormed out in a huff, but returned with a gun and opened fire on the manager, William Berridge, 36, wounding him. Richardson fled, but was caught and charged with attempted murder. The charge was upgraded to murder a week later when Berridge died of his wounds.
The jury at Leeds Assizes was told that the row started over a carbon brush which Berridge accused Richardson of breaking deliberately. They recommended mercy on grounds of provocation, but he was hanged on Tuesday, May 22nd, 1888, at Armley Prison, Leeds.