Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-03-29
RELIGIOUS MANIA.
Wan "na wife who Think They
Have True Religion.

Have True Religion.
NEW YORK, March 2s.-Among the wor.
shippers at st. Joseph's German Catholic
church. in Iorkyille. Easter Sunday, was
little woman wearing faded blue shawl
covering her shivcring form. She was
seated in the front pew, attracting no
special attention, and listened with atten-
ton TO the words OF Father Durthaller.
Suddenly she arose and passed into the
aisle, displaying much agitation. From her
garments she nervously produced q dollar
bill. and with feeble steps advanced to the
altar. Raising her arm she essayed 10 de.
post the bill on il, but was prevented.
Displaying violent emotion she cried out,
while led away, THE dollar is for God!
The dollar is for God,
The scene caused q sensation which
scarcely aDa,ed when she re.entered through
another door and again attempted 10 give
up the money. At this point the rector in
itrfered and she was removed. DIR. Henry
Won Musits, a qualified examiner in cases
OF lunacy, was summoned and made care.
ful examination of her mental condition.
He declared she was suffering from acute
Religious Mania,
snd that she had evidently not tasted food
acquainted with her aud her habits, said
she was the wife Of Franz Ackerman, OF
I,GI3 Second avenue, whittier he at once
proceeded, accompanied by the physician
and three officers from the Twenty third
Precinct Station. Here a phenomena IN.
stance OF destitution was revealed.
The family occupied two rooms on the
fifth floor Of a crowded tenement which
were devoid OF furniture. In one corner
two beautiful girls, aged five and three
years respectively, crouched near sJualld
mattress, meaning piteously. with the
exception OF their under garments they
were destitute OF apparel. Their pinched
faces BETRAYED an expression born only oil
hunger. Ackerman was pacing wildly be.
fore an altar formed from the remnants Of
a splendid bedstead, on which pictures OF
the Deity. q broken crucifx and dollar
bill reposed. When INTERCEPTED As TO the
cause Of bis demeanor, he replied giee'
fully:
"Ab, ha, I'm 90 happy that have re-
covered. Now possess
The True Restgtss."
why don't ycu buy food with the money
on your aliar?' ..
A look of horror came over him ~ he re-
piled:
I'VE eat no food. 1t is the command Of
God"
A piteous wall from the children prompt.
ed another inquiry:
lis there no TODD for the little ones
No one eats here; neitser myself. wife.
nor my children. We are following the
true religion"
Taking up the broken cruciax, be fondled
II reverently, and said Christ hsd come 70
them.
The Bellevue officials were cauei, but
Surgeon Lewengood, who responded, quick:
ly decided insanity was not apparent, and
refused 10 recognize them. They we're &C.
cordipgly taken TO the. station house, where
food was placed before the people, bat the
parents declined 70 pzrtzke OF it and would
not allow the children 70 do 20.
II required the united efforts OF four 20.
liosmen 10 separate them from ths Oh:
spring. The children, who IL tRsnspired
had been deprived Of food for three days.
thsn ate rsvsnously. Toe fansiicsi parents
then refused sustenanee; and said they
would prefer death 10 charity. They we're
committed 10 the care OF the Commtssion.
ers II Charities and Correction. while the
girls we're plscsd in custody a the Boclpt9
for the Prevention Of Cruelty. q. q.