The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1882-11-16
NEW YoRK's PREACHER CRANK.
The Man Who Proposed to Fill DR.. Paxton'I
Pulnlt

Pulpit.
Patrick J. Carew Lackensteer, Hindu,
who wore dirty red fez, was detained yes
terday at the Mercer street station-house
on the charge that he was suspicious per-
son. This accusation was entered on the
blotter by Sergeant John Kellaher to avoid
the statement that Lackensteen was eccen-
trio and that there was doubts as to his
sanity Lackensteen is well known as a
book peddler and mendicant in New York,
Chicago. st. Louis and other cities. He is
twenty.eight years old, little more than five
feet high, has short but luXuriant black
beard, very tawny complexion, but rest
less black eyes that resemble jet beads.
Many will remember him by his stereotyped
introduction: "Mister, I'm Hindu, des
titute in New York." etc. He admits
that he begs, but he lays claim to
the title of lecturer, he having occasionally
delivered addresses on Mohammedanism
and the habits and customs of the Hindus
here, in Brooklyn, and in the west. He
was born at Allahabad, near Calcutta, and +,
II his story is true, he was baptised as a
Catholic under the auspices of Bishop Ca
rev. He was educated in Jesuit college,
and his family are well-known and rich.
He came to America eight years ago with
a small amount of money, and year later
married young American lady, who is
dead He receives occasionally small re-
mittances from India. He became book
canvasser when his family found that he
was confirmed drunkard and ceased to
send him money until his passion for drink
was conquered.
Recently Lackensteen has obtained no.
toriety hat does not appear TO be displeas-
ing to him by his permitting il to leak out
that he is monomaniac, and that he has a
mission. He is vogue on the subject of his
delusion, and his theological ideas are jum-
bled, but he appears to be intent on preach
ing Mohammedan Messiah and
ABoLIsHIEG CHRISTIANITY
aud Masonry. Ic gave out last week that
yesterday he would take possession Of the
Rev. w. NJ. Paxton's pulpit in the First
Presbyterian church, No. 81 Fifh avenue,
and preach. DR.. Paxton was informed OF
LacEensteen's intention, and instructed
the sexton Of the church, c. J. Day, and
Officer Francis Hughes, of the fifteenth
precinct, TO prevent him from disturbing
the congregation. Lackensteen went TO
the church yesterday morning at the hour
that the service begins, was confronted by
Day, who told him that DR.. Paxton
did not want TO see him, and when he per-
sisted in his endeavor to en-
ter the church Officer Hughes arrested him.
At the Mercer street station-house Day said
be had no charge 20 make against the
Hindu, but Sergeant kellaher remembered
the fate Of Mrs. Hanley, and how her muir
derer, Dubourque, was once let 60 by the
police, and he decided TO run no risk with
an alleged crank" Ambulance Surgeon
Edward Burns, Of the New York hospital.
examined Lackensteen, and said he WAS
cunning and odd, but he could not con-
scientiously say that be was insane. After
ward Police Surgeon Cook examined the
Hindu, and told Sergeant Kellahcr that he
was eccentric enough TO warrant detention
until he could be arraigned before a inagis-
trAte. Lackensteen had a room at the A "
man house IN east Tenth street, and his
mOther-in-law was stopping there with his
son, a pleasant little lad Of six. She knew
Of his intention % visit DR.. Paxion's
church. Lackensteen has threatened 20
preach at the Fifth avenue cathedral. In
the Judgment of several persons who know
him ana saw him yesterday, be is a weak
minded man, who wishes 10 become not0ri-
Gus in order 20 make money. He Is entirely
destitute, and persons who have befriendee
him In The past are not likely 70 do 80
nos.-lNew York Tines.