Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-02-02
ALL ABOUT "A PENNY.
A Church Ushc, Knocked Down by al Il
furiate6 Husband.

At the early mass in St. Psurs Roman
Catholic church, at Warren and Hicks
streets, Brooklyn, on Sunday morning.
Father Fransioli told his congregation
that for some time there had been de-
cline in the amount Of money received at
the collections, and that it had been de-
cided to have two collections at each mass
one for pew rents at which no pennies
would be received, and one for the gen.
eral needs Of the church, when pennies
would be accepted. At the % O'Clock
mass. Mrs. Carrie Dalton, the wife of
Gcorg &c F. Dalton, Of 222 Degraw street,
Brooklyn, attended in her pew. John F.
Murtha, one of the ushers. took up the
collection, as usual, ana when he reached
Mrs. Dalton she dropped a penny into the
box. She was not informed of the new
rule, and had no other change convenient.
Much to her surprise, Mr.. Nklrtha picked
out tho penny and handed it back to her,
saying that they did not receive pennies
at that collection.
Mrs. Dalton was much confused by the
incident. The return of the penny had
been made liz the presence of her acquain-
tances. When she returned to her home
she told her husband all about it. He be-
came very angry and kicking Off his slip
pers and pulling OH his boots, he said that
he was going to mass. He stepped off with
an air OF business that made his wife al
most wish that she had not said anything
| about it, and her head fairly rceled rs she
| thought of her six-foo5 husband meeting
| the medium sized usher.
Mr.. Dalton went to the ii o'clock mass
and took seat directly behind Mr.. Muir
tina. When the time came for taking up
| the collection Mr.. Murtha quilted his seat
So did Mr.. Dalton. Mr.. Murtlla went tc
the vestible and Mr.. Dalton, followed.
The latter said:
"Your name is Murtha, is it not 90
| Yes said the usher.
"Iavc you been talking to any woman
in church this morning." asked Mr.. Dal
| ton.
eyes,
"Did you insult any woman this morn
ing?" demanded Mr.. Dalton, in i iirmcl
tone.
| Mr.. Murtha hcsitated, looked down 4,
tic floor, and seemed to be rejecting
when Mr.. Dalton, thinking he had waited
long enough for an answer, struck Mr..
Murtha in the right eye. Another blow
upset him. He quickly regained his feet
| sthu ditcI StOppiHs, d iuoIucilV u iCSAC'
that he did not have club with him,
started Off Mr.. Dalton returned to his
pew and sat down rs quietly as though
nothing had happened. When the col
lection box was passed by substitute he
looked rs though he did not see it.
Mr.. Murtha, in tho meantime, had got
his special pollccman's badge and return
ed. He marched into church, showed his
badge to Mr.. Dalton, placed him under
arrest, and conducted him out of the
church. At Warren and Clinton streets
Mr.. Murtha turned his prisoner over tt
Policeman Gilligan and then went to But
lcr street station and made q complaint o.
assault and battery. Mr.. Dalton was re
leased on his own rccognance by Justice
Ferry, before whom he appeared ycstcr
day morning. He plead guilty. and whcr
asked what was the cause of the row he
said
"This man insulted my wife, and so
knocked him down and raped him on tho
nose
Justice Ferry said that the offence was
aggravated by the fact that the trouble
occurred in the church, and he accordingly
fined Mr.. Dalton $2j, with the alternative
of going to Raymond street Jail for TWEEN
| ty-iivc days. Mr.. Dalton paid the fin,
checrfully and went away.