Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-08-07
A MANIAC's FREAK.
A Priest Confronted Before the Altar
by MadmRn with q huge Knife.

Inc Plttsburg Dispatch OF Monday says:
It. Mary's Catholic Church, at the corner
OF Third avenue and Ferry street. was the
scene OF a very sensational Occurrences last
evening. A large congregation had assem-
bled to vespers, and service had scarcalv
begun, when a stout, well. built man, dress
ed roughly in a dark suit, stalked IN and
seated himself in the rear Of the room with
ont taking his hat off. He held in his right
hand huge black handled case knife. and
as the gas light fell upon its open blade It
cleaned like mirror, indicating that 1t had
Just been sharpened, and the point was very
sharp. A gentleman named OBrien, who
sat in the pew, motioned courteously
to the stranger to take off his hat and he
did so and at the same time struck the
weapon on the back of the pew In front of
him and closed It with a snap. This at
tracted the attention Of the whole audience,
but nothing was done, 1t being believed
that the man must be either intoxicated or
insane, and at all events dangerous to have
anything to do with. As the service was
drawing to close and the officiating priest,
Father Lambing, was about to walk to the
front OF the altar, the man arose aud walked
70 the front and stood within a few feet OF
the altar, still holding the knife In his hand,
but with the blade concealed from sight un-
der the fold Of his coat sleeve. He spoke
roughly to a gentleman who demonstrated
Father Lambing, 81 have something
very important to tell him, and must
do it now" he said. At this Father Lam
bing, who had noticed MIN before, advanced
slowly toward him with smile of recogni-
tion, when 3 shrill voice OF warning called
out: THAT man has got knifel Don't 90
near him." Several Others Joined In the
cry, and the clergyman taking in the situa-
tion at once, sprang to the door leading to
the pastoraEe and escaped, closing 1t after
him. Still nobody cared to lay hands on
the dark -broWed intruder, and he was
allowed to take his own time In
getting out of the church. He walked to-
wards the corner of Fourth and Ferry.
where he was arrested by officer Duffy, who
had been put on the track OF him by mem
bers OF the church. All the Lookup he re-
fused to give his name or make any reply
to questions asked him, but sat with look
OF spllen surliness on his face, gazing
dreamily about. He did not appear 10 he
intoxicated. He would not We his name.
and the officials IN charge said that they did
not know him, He Is about five feet seven
inches high, compaetly built, and has a
dark complexion, dark hair, and a small.
black mOustache.
shortly before eight o'clock he met
Officer Gallagher on the corner of Second
avenue and Ferry street, and said: ''Can
youcome up here and arrest a man for mee
can point him out for you"
What has he dOneg' asked the officer.
He broke open store al the corner Of
Fourteenth and Penn, aud have warrant
for him."
"Well, who are youg''
'I'm detective" was the reply. "I'va
got warrant rom Maxor L.Ean.f, vans.s.s,.t 8.
ofider. alis
Yes. ! an ~. < se
got te psxfft tHat nyhgsa NJ sui aFf eufal
'NQMs FQu 5ue1s 5Alze wafEk or III puli
you IN" was Officer Gallagher's SUMMARY
way OF disposing of his man, and he
walked away on his beat. He afterwards
spoke to young man, who said that he saw
the man pull out his knife and say: "In
cut the - out of that fellow, II catch
him again." Officer Gallagher then notified
officer Duffy 10 be on the look out, and
next saw his man after the arrest, and when
on the way to the Central Station.
1t Was subsequently sscertained that the
man boarded at Horr's saloon, corner
Fourth avenue and Ferry street, up to about
TWO months ago, when he was sent off for
refusing to ray his bills. Shortly afterlea
ing ne was sent to the workhOuse for an
ottense, the nature OF which was not learn
ed, and was discharged only few days ago.
Mr.. Horr, the saloon keeper, was visited
last night, and at first professed to be en-
tirelY ignorant Of the man, but afterWard
admitted that he knew him and that he had
boarded at his house. While the reporter
was talking to him child spoke up, "Why.
they called him Dave -" but the promDf
application of the paternal fist cut 1t off
short, and the reporter Was Obliged to de.
part unsatiefied. ,