The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-06-18
A MINISTER'S MADNESS.
SAD CONDITION OF A VENERADLE
AND BELOVED PASTOR.
lie Plunses int a Pool, Assaults a womau,
and Tries 20 Dash his Brains Out-His
Farmer Ndditien in Msesac b neetts.

lie Piunses into a Pool, Assauit a Woman,
and Tries to Dash his Brains Out-His
Former oddities in Massachusetts.
The Rev. Gordon Bradley. Episcopal
minister at Pennington, N. j., became insane
a fortnight ago, and has been sent to the asy-
lum at Trenton. Mr. Bradley was installed over
the church at Pennington last November. In
hs charge were the congregations at Plttstown
and Alexandria, eight miles apart, but he chose
the larger town Of Pennington for his place OF
residence. Mr.. Bradley is a tall, handsome man
under fifty years of age, but quite gray haired
As a preacher he soon became popular by reason
OF his eloquence, his learning and his pety.
But the people Of Pennington, who frequently
saw him ResticulatinR in the street, who heard
him talking loudly to himself, and who noted
the peculiar glare that rested In his eyes, spread
through the town rumor that he was de-
mented.
Two weeks ago, on Thursday, Mr.. Bradley
came to his home almost prortrated by the in
that he had been to Trenton to visit the Bishop
and had returned on foot, a distance OF over
amused i himself in tie garden by rskins and
hoeing the flower beds. After dinner he retired
to his room and was heard TO jump up and
fore the inmates Of the house could reach his
room he dashed out OF the house and ran along
Wildly nH Wss both sr% lie Sss Mr. and ad' MH
Lee, fellow-boarders with him, and stopping
them In the road accused them Of having " eI-
posed him " and Of using their influence against
him In some matter which he did not mention
and they did not understand.
Before his friends recovered from their sur
prise, Mr.. Bradley said he was Obliged TO catch a
train and mail letter. and he ran from them In
fierce haste screaming loudly. The train on the
the depot but he followed IL down the track.
At Copper Hill, just below the town, he left the
track and ran down country road upon which
are many farm houses close together. To some
men whom he passed Mr.. bradley declared that
he was seeking his sister Emma and his brother
Sam. Reaching pool Of muddy water by the
roadside.and pointing to a number OF tree stuinps
that protruded above the surface Of the pond,
he shouted. There they are There are Emma
and Sam" and before he could be hindered, he
plunged into the pool and ioundered through IL.
When he emerged. wet and covered with mud,
he presented pitiful appearance. He con,
tinued hi. flight along the road, shouting and
gesticulating as he ran, until he reached the
house Of Farmer Britten. opposite which son
Of the farmer was unhitching team Of horses
from his fathers wagon. Mr.. Bradley seized
one II the horses and was about to lead II away,
when the lad interfered. Just then Miss I3ritten.
the boys sister, came from the house and at
tracted Bradlcys attention. "There is my ais
ter Emma" he cried. and as he spoke he spranR
upon her and clutching her sayagely by the
throat began to tear her clothing from her. The
tied with him unnecessarily. His brother
came to his assistance. and even though they re-
,ss sr % s'
farm hands from the adjacent fields arrived pres
entity In sufficient numbers, and Mr.. Bradley was
bound hand aud foot. thrown into wagon. and
conveyed 10 Pennington. At first he screamed
| and struggled. but when he reached the village
| he was queter and only moaned. He was car
ried into the large cell In the court house Jail
and guard was appointed to watch him. All
night long he howled and screamed so shrtlly
and unceasinRly that within a quarter 81 a mile
| from the prison sleep was impossible. The
noises he made were like the cries OF wild ami.
NAL. He would have dashed his brains out had
| he not been both pinioned and guarded The
| Rev. Mr.. NAssar the Baptist minister In Elem.
| ington, telegraphcd to Bishop Scarborough. In
Trenton for his advice as to the disposition Ia b,
made OF the maniac The Bishop left the matter
| to the discretion Of the minister at Lambert
| Vile. twelve miles distant, and he, on Monday
| morning ordered MIR. Bradleys removal to the
| Insane Asylum at Trenton. The demented mar
| walked quietly to the depot, and when friendl,
| parishoner expressed sorrow for his condition
| he said cheerfully, "Oh. this will come out al
| right. have been this way before.
| A Flemlngtsn clergyman knew Mr. Bradle,
| nine year, ago when he had n charge at Lynn
| Mas. Mr.. Bradley was then somewhat notorioui
| for his odd behaviour, and Mr.. Nassar says Ia
| suddenly disappeared and IL WAS ruinored tina
| his friends had placed him In an asylum. Year
| ago Mr. Bradley was conspicuous among th'
| clergy Of New England. He has ofticiated owe
| very populous and wealthy parishes, and at on,
| time edited church Journal. Mr.. Bradley
| wife lives with her three children near Boston.