New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-17
A MANIAC FATHER.
HE THROWS TWO OF HIS CHILDREN OUT
OF THE WINDOW.
DAsHING HIS son AGAINST THE PAVEMENT
CAPTURED AFTER HE HAD ASSAULTED
SEVERAL MEN.


CAPTURED AFTER he HAD ASSAULTED
SEVERAL MEN.
Joseph Kracko. a Bohemian carpenter. has lived for
more than year In the house the third floor
of No. I39 Avenue A. with his wife Mary and children,
Edward, Wilhelmna and Joseph. Kracko has been
married nine years. and has always been devoted
his family. He good naturcd, and trouble Of any
sort never worried him. Though good and faithful
workman for the last three weeks he has been unable
to get work at his trade. Yesterday he got job at
Kerze q Tets shop at Twenty -fourthst. and Ninth
ave. lie cheerful when he went to work in the
morning. and when he got home last evening at 80
p. he was in the same frame of mind. lie greeted
his wife pleasantly kissed his children, and played
with the baby the floor.
After Kracko had been home about half an hour he
went downstairs and returned in about ten minutes.
His appearance had greatly changed in this short time.
His hair hung his face. and his eyes bulged out
as if they would burst from their His face
was red and his right hand clutched
his throat cOnvulsively. lie seemed 10
be struggling for breath and growled and cried like
a wild animal Mrs. Kracko alarmed, and did not
know what to make Of her husbands actions. she
spoke to him quietly ana asked If there any
thing that She could do for him. lie did not answer.
but walked up and down the room, growing and
gnashing his teeth. Mrs. Kracko and her children
became frightened and hndded together in corner
out of her husbands way.
Suddenly he stopped his march, and shouted in
voice that could be heard through the house "I'l
give my children a Christmas present. I'll send
them all to Jesus He repeated this several times,
and the children and Mrs. kracko began tJ scream.
The sound caught his ear, and he rushed and cangh
Edward first and flung him out Of the window with
great force. lie grabbed at Wilhclmna. but she
escaped him. and to another room. lie caught
her and while he was dragging her into the kitchen
Aad tbe VI
her baby Kracko then threw his daughter out o.
the window. Fortunately both the children struck
the iron railing Of the fire escape, and did not fall to tie
yard They were both stunned, and lay upon
the floor Of the hre-escape. Mrs. Kracko ran to "a
neighbors rooms the same floor and went to the
window to look into the yard, expecting TO see her
children dead She found them on the hrecscape,
hich is common 10 both apai tments, ana drdgs tc
Hrarko Thinking that he had killed his children,
ran downstairs looking for his wife. Edward, his boy;
when he recovered from the shock OF his TALL was sun
frightened and ran downstairs away from MS motnei
He ran against his father who picked him up anu
kissed him, and then dashed him on the pavement
Christian ThI a subway Inspector. who lives ~ the
and ran downstairs. Charles Spengler, florist, who
lives at No. l37 Avenue \, heard the cries oil Mrs, PIT,
was Krscko met Spenglcr and Uhl a. they were
passing through the lower hall and knocked them
down as if they were made of straw. David Fried
knocked them down and tramped on them. Nhlle
and struck him violent blow IN the abdomen. knock
ing the breath out Of him This made him powerle,ss
for a moment and the three men secured him Win
ropes i,efore he was able to renew his attack.
KrackO was taken 30 the Flfth st. station by ms
capor lie Kept up & a, issef tee t%a ad Snh Dozen
policemen TO get him of the floor and put him INTO
strait-jack lie taken To Bellevue Hospital
constantly yelling that he had sent his children 10
heaven Both the children were severely hurt. bne
will Friedman, hi and speneler were naqy
used up by the madman' but were not dangerously H.