The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-05-11
EXCITING SCENE IN ST. AL
PHONSUS CHURCH.
Narrow Escape Of Father Gleason
A PISTOL Shot Enters One Window and
Makes Its Exit through another In
almost o Direct Line with the
Head Of Father Gleason.

The congregation of st. Alphonsus Churc
were Sunday thrown into the greatest cor
sternation and alarm by the noise Of q pistc
shot and the crashing Of the bullet through
the window on the St Andrew street sid
and its exit through the window opposite o.
the Josephine street side, the line of the sho
being almost on direct line with the person
Of Father Gleason, who had just assembled tn
pulpit and was preparing to deliver his ser
mon.
The sound of the pistol and the crashing
of glass SO near the person Of the officiating
priest naturally occssioned the greatest com
motion, and several ladies, We learn, in the
excitement of the moment, tainted away.
The time was about 10} o'clock, the choil
had just finished singing the Ieni Creator, and
the congregation settled themselves to listen
to the sermon, when the SO nearly fatal bullet
made its sudden and unwelcome entrance.
Every effort was made to discover who had
fred the shot, and whether it was accidental
or malicious, but as yet nothing definite or
conclusive has been discovered.
It is difficult to believe that any man in his
senses would make 80 daring an attempt upon
the life of . priest who, so far as we know,
has not an enemy in the world, and We pre-
fer to think that it was an accident arising
from the careless handling Of weapon by
some one in the vicinity, who became alarmed
and ran off or concealed himself when he
found the alarm he had occasioned. The
matter should be fully investigated, how
till the party who fred the shot be discovered
and his animus disclosed. The report was
thought by some to be much too loud for
pistol and more like musket shot, but it is
most remarkable that no one should have
seen the person who did the firing, or the
smoke from the weapon.
Father Girardey, who was the Celibrant, as
soon o. the commo.ion had subsidized, called
upon the congregation to unite in prayer for
the preservation of Father Gleason's life. 1t
was truly narrow escape from death.
Later.
Since the above was in type we have re-
ceived . copy of the following letter from
Father Girardey, addressed to Capt. Schrei-
boz, which clears up the mystery Of the shoot
ing:
ST.. ALPHoNsUs CHURCH,
New Orleans, May 9th, 1875.
To Capt. c. Schneider, M. p:
Dear Sr-The two young men, g. Buchers, |
Jr. and = Garvey, Jr., who fred pistol near |
st. Alphonsus Church during divine service |
this morning several of the balls Danatratino
the windows of said church, have not only |
excused themselves before me, but have en-
powered me to apologize to the whole congre- |
cation in their name; and as think they |
acted without malice, though reckless!y, I |
would suggest that they be not prosecuted for
this, as the public apology will be sufficient
atonement At the time the affair occurred, /
sent for an officer. Mr.. G. Simpson promptly
to the call, and displayed great
prudence and zeal in finding out the Offend
era. He would have arrested them had not
begged him to let the matter drop.
Yours respectfully,
FERREoL GIRARDEY, G. s. S. r.