The New York herald., 1871-03-27
CON SULLlVAN'S QUERY,

~ u EXCuCe
nlent-A Madman Goes for the Preacher
He il Arrested and Lodged In the "~ombs.
During the celebration Of the high mass at St.
James church in this city yesterday an incident
occurred which for some time caused scene OF the
most intense excitement The congregation In this
church IS almost entirely composed OF Irish people,
and, as is well known, 1t does not need such fine
weather as we had yesterday to make them I'LL the
church to Its extreme capacity. The service had
proceeded with Its usual solemn quiet until the Rev.
Father McKenna ascended the pulpit to preach the
sermon OF the day. At this moment
A TALL, BRAwNY MAN,
OF about forty years, with certain Wild look in his
eyes, seemed TO become uneasy IN his seat muttered
and shook his hands strangely. AS the sermon pro.
ceeded he seemed absorbed for a while and gazed
intenty on the reverend father who was unfold
ing the mystical story of the TRANSPORTATION. Sud.
denly he arose and left the pew in which he was
seated. He walked steadily and without any
noticeable excitement up the asle until he was
IN FRONT THE PULPIT.
Here he halted and crossed his arms very de-
berately and looked the preacher rull in
the face. This unusual action attracted
the attention of those in his vicinity, who at once
suspected that he was drunk. The reverend
gentleman noticed the position taken by the man,
but continued his sermon After standing in this
posture for few seconds he startled the whole
congregation of over 1000 persons, by shouting in
a loud voice -
swHAT ARE YOU PREACHING ABoUT2
Why don't you tell the people what religion you
are? Who put you there to talk to mei" At this
unwonted outburst the entire congregation started
to their feet and Wild rumors OF attempted assass
nation ran round The man now
ATTEMPTED TO SCALE THE PULPIT,
and number OF tho parishiOners rushed out and
grasped him by the arms, while he continued gesti.
culatng with growing fsrceness. He struggled for
people began pouring - out Of the Church. @ and the
story soon gained ground Oyer tns Fourth ward
'''A' f;A fAS;ATrS 81 PURITAN in; NJ :.s.j
was caught IN the act OF stabbing the priest on the
altar. While this scene was beng enacted ip the
@ church special oflcer Maaoney who WAS was near BY at
and made the best OF his way up to the scene
Of the struggle. When he gained the middle
parishloners, being led out and recognized him as
an unfortunate lunatlc named Cornelius Sullivan.
The moment the latter cast his garing eyes upon
~ - "MAHosEY, you WRETCH, -
you have come to murder my children.n Again he
wa sns oasd in he e sst asS b.
was 70 and shi M ow eS ane
three sens-at % Cherry street, and has always
borne q good character as hardworking, honest
aa& XeSHt sSnfS Rres s Months ago is commenced aoons
under fits Of temporary alteration OF mind, during
which he constantly imagined that people were
Tying IN walt about his home to murder his wife
and her boys. When these fits were not on him he
insane spells lie called on the Rev. Father Farrelly,
pastor OF st. James, and, after an apparently IA.
tiona conversation OF two or three minutes, he
BEGAN DENOUNCING his WIFE
as unfaithiul TO him, ana invoked the pastors
aid to put stop to it. .sulivan's wife
know her and Father Farreny accordingly dismissed
the man, with the advice to go home and take care
OF his family. lie went however, to the Fourth
precinct station mouse ana told Captain Allaire that
man was hanging about his door to murder their
little boy. He crayed that q policeman be sent to
arrest the man. and as he told MS story plauslby an
o1lcer was told to accompany hum. On his return
he brought back Sullivan, and as there was
NO MYSTERIOUS MAN TO BE FOUND
he concluded that sullivan was insane. Captain
sent 10 the Insane Asylum on Black
wells Island from whence he was dismissed as
cured early last week. IL has transpred that before
being sent to the Island he was III the habit OF Sleep
ing with carving knife under his pillow. He
would frequently arise in tue night and draw the
THE KNIFE ACROSS HIS THROAT,
and threaten to Kill his wife 1t Is therefore, pretty
evident that he Is not safe person to be allowed at
large, and 1t Is to be hoped the authorities will see
to his being confined as confirmed lunatlc.
As he was being brought down from the church
to the station house one Of his sons, fine boy.
rushed up In tears TO his side and cried out "Fafher
fatnerN The poor wretch turned an anxious glance
upon the child and said excitealy:-"Run home
RUN HOME TO YOUR MOTHER TOMMY
They can't hurt me, but they'll murder you and
her." While in the station house ne was visited by
his wife. who, IS was natural, seemed greatly dis.
tressed. Tne Fourth ward was much moved at the
event