The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-16
ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION.
Vain Endeavor Of n German Sailor to Disem-
bowel the Bronze Statue Of Benjamin
Frankltn-Trcme ndOus Excitement-OldM Men

Vain Endeavor Of German Sailor to Disem-
bowel the Bronze statue Of Benjamin
FrankIin-Trcme ndOus Excitement-Old Men
Anected TO Tears.
About one O'Clock yesterday afternoon one OF the
most exciting scenes. on small scale, that has been
witnessed for some time, even in this city oil in
Vulnerable sights and sensations, occurred in
Printing House square. Some forty or nifty per-
sons were lettering about in the vicinity Of the
Franklin statue which Is as yet yelled, its
formidable and alleged artistic proportions being
obscured from the vulgar gaze by the ample folds of
colossal specimen OF our c0untrys emblem.
Some were discussing the grotesque appearance
which Benjamin presents in his gaudy coOred sack,
comparing him TO
FIRST CLASS vAGRANT
from the lowest SUM OF the Sixth ward, while
Others again spoke only OF the man and the many
acts of mis- lie which mas endeared his memory TO
every true American. In the twnkng OF an
eye, as were, all their comparisons, spcculations
aud comments were abruptly put an end TO by the
sudden appearance Of a man who came dasning up
Chatham square brandlsning q long.1laded, gilt
something in German. Right for benjamin
he shaped his course. turning over two
or three antique apple women anu their STOCK
OF goods upscttlng q policeman and 2o-cart
OF oranges the Jewish custodian OF whlcn, despite
his terror swore IN right royal Hebrew as he be-
held with anguish a pack OF urchlns making or
with Is golden lrult,
DOWN THREE OLD LADIES
who were returning from q shopping expedition to
Grand and the Bowery, ana struck terror and
disInay 70 the soul OF everything save the statue
itself anywhere within q hundred yards OF his
course. Bounding up 10 the railing which surrounds
the pile Of bronze, granite and bunting, he sprang
upon 1t and thence TO the second pedment, ron
which he could easily reach the statue, or rather,
It's covering, and then, with savge YELL quite IN
Keeping with The demOnac expression or his cOun-
tenance, buried his numerous blade clean 70 the
hilt into the bowels of-the bunting. Again and
again dld nc stab with satanic fury and the blade
Of the knife the already llfeess and lnanimate
form OF the great and good Franklin.
The excitement was now most intense. The sight
OF man carving and dealing herculean thrusts at
the beloved form OF Americas greatest philosopher
was enough " wiring the stoutest neart, and IN the
language OF the poet, draw tears IRON
EYES LONG UNUSED TO CUSHING"
And It had this effect upon several. Three old gen.
temen upon whose heads the rosts OF at least sixty
winters had fallen with such terrible effect as to
leave the upper portion or their cranums as destl-
tuoe OF ali capillary embellishments as a billiard
ball, wept as they had not wept htore since the
days when their paternal parent played animated
Juvenile delinquency or anotner. II was indeed,
a touching sight and one the writer Will remember
TO tho last 10 see the hot scading tears oil un.
rsvnese fHrrows Which p,oUrhed he honest races
Of the trio. .'Never,n said one OF thcm hrs sobs
almost silfling his words. ibid expect to live 10
behold sucn sight as tnlsI !, nend; bearing inc
emblem which NJ itself Is enough to condemn him
to eternal execraion. hut actually slashlng away ~
TIE PONDBROUs BRBADBAsKEr
OF dear, good old BENJAMIN ON, It's awful-per-
As the old gentleman uttered these last words ne
fell back into the arms of-tne superintendent OF tne
invigorative department OF neiRhboring gin mil,
and in subdued and feeling tones ne uttereo thc
suggestive words, '.phree whiskey straights." ,so
But to return TO the murderer ~. As soon as TUG
mans object became known the crowd began cNe,c c
ing itseffor his removal. policeman tnot ne Vm e
who had been upset. rushed headong tnroush "e