The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-15
A CRAZY CHRISTIAN.
in the Church of st.
Vincent Ferrer.
A Maniac Threatens to Annihilate tho Congre-
gation-Using q Knife and an Axe
Ono Man Severely Wounded.

The Church OF ST. Vincent Ferrer corner of Sixty
sixth street and Lexington avenue was yesterday
morning well nigh being The scene OF at least one
fearful tragedy. About eleven O'Clock, and when
the holy edifce flled almost to Its utmost ca
paciry with devout worshippers attentiycy listening
to the teachings of the pastor. the Rev. Father Lilly
brawny, ru1iany appearing Irishman named
John Gibney, entered and salked up the aisle short
distance where he stopped and leaned against one
of the pews. Not having
REMOVED HIS HAT
from his head. the sexton, Mr.. James McLarney,
quietly stepped up to him and requested him TO do
So Instead OF comp yng with this request he
very much to the establishment of everybody, In
loud and threatening tone pc remptorly refused,
and remarked that not only would he remove 1t,
but he would not suffer any else to do So As he
said this he quickly thrust his hand into his
pocket and drew forth large pocket knife
which he opened, as though about to pounce
upon Mr.. McLarney. Seeing this Mr.. Michael
Culley, who was sitting in the pew against which
Glbney was leaning arose and gently taking hold of
the offender in low tone OF voice demonstrated
with him. telling him he was in a house of worship
and urging him TO uncover mis- head and be quiet
Scarcely had he done talking when Glbney drew
back and
STABBED HIM IN THE FOREHEAD,
driving the blade of The knife into the bone con-
siderable distance, where It broke on.
In moment everybody was in a state of confu-
sion more COMPOUNDED, and this condition of affairs
was not at all improved when moment later, as
three or four OF the gentlemen sitting nearest the
would-be assassin sprang toward him for the pur-
pose of ejectlng him. he drew from under his coat
huge axe, which he brandished in an exceedingly
careless manner, AMI with which he declared lie
would annihilate the first person who came in his
reach.
THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN SCREAMED
men talked loudly and exctedly and many beat
hasty and precptOus retreat toward the front door.
The police state that their arrival at the church
the great majority or the male portion OF the con-
gregatlon were bent on
LYNCHING THE MAN
at once, that cries TO that effect raised all over
the house. and that some actually went far as to
procure rope with which to hang him. The axe,
which he still continued to swing around pro-
miscuousy, was taken from him by those nearest
him. just before the police arrived and Oicer Hitch
man, who was the first Of the force to make his ap.
the lnfuriatcd man after they had dlsarm cd him
was anything but gentle But for his timely arrival
he says he believes the man would have been strung
up in "less than no timen AS it was Hickman as
sisted by another officer OF the Nineteenth precinct,
rescued nm with much difficulty and conveyed him
to the FIfty-ninth street station house, where he
was locked up.
Mr. Culley, the gentleman who received the wound
drug store, where
HIS WOUND WAS DRESSED,
after which ne was taken to his residence. The
wound Is about three inches IN length and In one
place IS quite deep. the blade having penetrated to
depth OF nearly half an inch III the skull.
The knife used by Gibney Is large pocket, or
JACK knife, apparently new, and containing two
blades, the largest OF which Is three inches long.
About quarter OF an inch OF the latter Is broken
o II and IL all besmeared with blood.
The axe, like the knife, Is a perfectly new one IL
bearing no evidence OF ever having been used save
upon this OCCASION: 1t is or the ordinary sze sharp
almost as razor. and nan considerable blood on
the handle where Gibney had taken hold OF 1t with
HIS GOARY HANDS.
The man is evidently insane, at least so the police
think. Two weeks ago yesterday All otcer OF the
Nineteenth precinct found him at the top OF
ladder which was standing against q new
building In SiXtietn street, cutting the TIM
bers or the house with a small hand axe. The
officer ordered him down, pu1 he refused to
comply, and when an attempt at coercion was made
ne amused himself by trying TO brain the policeman
with his "little hatchet.n Finally, however, the
officer covered him with his shooting iron'' and
threatened to blaze away, when
he TOOK THE HINT
and descended TO the pavement, and subsequently
TO one OF the cells III the station house. The next
day he was committed for trial, and the police were
just cOngratulating themselves upon their good
fortune In getting rid OF him, when he makes his
appearance at the Church Of st. Vincent Ferrer
with results as above detailed.