The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-06-10
When the baby died
A Night With a Maniac.

On lnursday evening ABOUT CLOCK u
young man about twenty-five years old ap-
parently In robust health, and calling him
self Patrick Finncgan, applied Mt the First
precinct station for lodging for the night,
which, as Is customary. was granted him,
and he was locked up in the cell set apart
for dodgers, rs they are called ut the police
station. About three hours afterwards o
couple of his friends called Mt the station
tn ascertain his whereabouts, saying that
Finnegan was afflicted with the horrors,
and had left home early In the evening
for the purpose of, he said, having a good
nights rest. Upon being satisfied that no
was quietly slumberingin one OF the hunks
they LOFT. At 8 o'clock in tho morning,
about relief time, while the station was
crowded with policemen, q cry of alarm
coming from the cells attracted Sergeant
Wynne and other officers TO the lodgcr's
cell, where through the iron bars. they
witnessed most thrilling spectacle.
About n dozen men were climbing hur-
ridIy 10 the upper hunks In tho widest
confusion and calling for assistance, while
on tho ground floor Finnegan had his Lett
arm encircling boy about ten years old,
while his right hand upliftod, threaten
'ingly hold n knife over his would be
victim.
1t took less time TO open the door of
the cell aud allow the inmates TO escape
than we have taken to pen one of these
lines.-But the maniac and the poor child,
half dead with fright, remained in the
same terrible situation. Various sugges-
tions were made by tho persons present
to save the boy from the clutches of Fin
nec,.n, who the while had struck tragic
attitude and looked rs fierce rs % liOness
defending her cubs, Then he would
swing his arms to and fro several times,
bringing the knifc's point In contact with
the child's breast. Finally, the turnkey of
the lookup in u fit of desperation. made u
bluff movement mt the maniac by drawing
a revolver, which he aimed nj Finnegan's
head, summoning him to release his hold
on the boy. In hideOus tones, Finnegan
shielding his own body with that of tho
boy, cried out, "If have to die, l must
moi die alone!" Some time having elapsed
since the onslaught began without injury
To the boy. Wynne concluded that 1t would
be prudent to leave the door open SO that
Us SOOu ibo suC Souit iDNS -" oPp'Oi
tunity he might escape, and everybody
apparently retired.
Ten minutes had scarcely elapsed when
q; clamor arose from the interior of the
lookup. Like fash of Tightening the
boy was seen to strike for the street. Fin
ncgan after him with uplifted arm, the
knife still firmly gnIsped in his hand,
cleaving his way through hedge of po-
licepen. whose surprise had fgurativcly
nailed them to the door. Then commence
cd chase for life down st. Charles street.
Two or three shots fired In the mir by the
police for the purpose of arresting Finne-
gan in his mad career, had rs much effect
rs an attempt to fill up crayfish hole
with water. The police, however, had
gained so much ground on Finnegan by
the time the latter reached tho corner Of
Poydras street, that no sought refuge in n
coffec-ho,lse, where he was cornered. The
fight now commenced In good earnest be-
tween the maniac and his pursurcrs, The
latter, Il must be said, aware of the con-
dition of his mind, using all necessary
precaution not to injure or allow him to
iniure them. Finally, plucky Sergeant
Wynnc wrestcd the knife from Finncgan's
hand, not, however. until he had received
n painful cut In his own. A few gentle
raps over Finncgan's hand completed his
subjugation, and he was taken back to the
station prisoner this time. Yesterday
morning Recorder Houghton sent tho un-
fortunate individual to the Lunatic Asy-
lum.-New Orleans Commercial Bul-
letin.