The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-07-29
From the Newark IN. J.) Journal.

FrolD the newark tNt del 5ournais
Tragedy I'm Norris Coumsy--sA Raving
Lunaftc Makes a Raid upon Post
Office, nearly DemOIishtIsg the Post
master...Kel7s One Man and Slabs
Two Others.
One Of the saddest tragedies recently en-
acted in this State happened on Saturday
last in Morris county. Although the ire
sponsible character of the principal actor
in the bloody scene relieves it of its crimi-
nal character, yet the fatal consequences
are hardly less distressing to the friends of
both victims and to the community at large.
In Madison reside several families by the
name of Bruen. One of them is that of Mr..
Alfred Bruen, respectable carpenter, who
has n son named David, about twenty-three
years of age, who has been subject at in
tervals to fits for several years past, accom-
panied by preliminary attacks of derange-
ment of mind, which had become quite Sc
we're during the past year or two. During
these attacks the young man frequently be-
comes Wild unmanageable, and desperate,
who may come in his way. 1t has been GUS
tomary for his father to lock him up in q
room upon the approach of these paroxysms,
from which he usually recovered in a few
days, becoming in the intervals of his mad
ness one of the most quiet and best-dis-
posed young men in the neighborhood, al
though his mental powers have been con-
siderably weakened by the effects Of dis
ease.
On Friday morning last, according to our
correspondent, David's father feared by the
restless appearance of his son that he might
be attacked with paroxysm, and requested
him to stay at home and do some work about
the house. David demurred to this, saying
he must 90 away. Finally his father per-
suaded him to remain at home, and left him
at work in the garden. David did not work
long, however, before he threw aside his
hoe and rushed to the railroad depot where
he began to pick quarrel with some boys,
but got aboard the afternoon mail train,
western bound. When the conductor APP
preached him he had neither ticket nor mo-
ney, and he was landed at Morristown.
No sooner had David's foot touched the
station platform than he commenced his
antics. Knocking down the messenger boy,
he seized the mailbag, hurled it In the
wagon, and told the driver to 20 by another
street but the boy told him that was not
the way to the post-ofice, and drove direct
to that establishment, when David took the
mailbag into the office.
"What are you doing with that mail ?"
demanded Postmaster Vance, who confront
ed the maniac.
"None of your business" responded
David.
Vance at once seized the young man,
but soon was made aware of his mistake.
Taking the postmaster by the throat with
grip Of iron, one or two applications of the
scrcw-power rendered that functionary
utterly helpless. His clerks coming to the
assistance of Mr.. Vance, he knocked them
aside like playthings, and left the office.
After his arrest he said if either OF the
parties at the post office had struck him he
would have killed them all. The postmaster
at once made complaint against Brucn, and
the warrant for his arrest was given to the
city marshal Of Morristown, who neglected
to perform his duty, it is alleged, through
fear of lunatic and it is reported that
complaint has been made against him to
this effect.
The next we hear of young Brucn is at
Succasunna plains on Saturday. lie de-
mandcd a ride from Il person passing i'll n
carriage, and being refused proceeded to
tear off the covering from the carriage,
when young man named Burke intcrlcred
and requested him to desist. David ut once
drew dirk knife and stabbed Burke, in
hicting wound from which he died iii
about three hours.
As soon as this fact was known several
persons started to arrest Bruen. lie stabbed
two or three of his pursucrs more or less
severely, but none of them dangerously,
before he was surrounded and his weapon
taken from him. lie was handcuffcd and
bound and carried to the Jail ut Morris
town, where he is now confined.
Immediately upon hearing the news OF
the tragedy, Mr.. Alfred Bruen, the father,
with his brother, repaired to the scene OF
the murder. He, as well as his entire fam
lily, arc deeply afflicted in view Of the sad
affair. Some arc disposed to blame him for
not having the lunatic confined in an asy-
lum; but, although it is said that Mr.
Brucn has talked Of this for some time
past, hopes of the young mans recovery
prevailed over the fears of his friends, and
he was allowed to 90 abroad, his father re-
stricting his liberty during the paroxysms
of madness. But all the watchfulness Of
his friends failed to keep him at home, and
the effect of letting Il mailman loose upon
the community is now apparent,