The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-11-30
TRIED TO SHOOT DIR. HALL
Three Bullets That Went UncOmf0rtably
Close to the New York Divine.
Work of German lunatic Who Imagined that
the Minister, with Others. Had Been Con-
spring Against Him and His Business

NEW YORK, Nov. Gas DR.. John Hall.
pastor of the Fifth.avenue Presbyterian
Church. was passing from the church to
the parsonage adjoining. just after the
close of the morning service to-day, q man
named John G. Rath. q German, forty-tive
years old. stepped from behind wagon on
the opposite side of the avenue and
fired three shots in quick succession
at the reverend gentleman as he
was ascending the steps of his
residence. The first shot struck the stone
st0op, the second perforated one of the
glass panels of tho front door. and the
third fattened itself against the side of the
house. The shooter coolly put the pistol. q
five-chambered revolver of the pattern
known as the young American" In his
pocket, while Mr. A. L. Dick, member of
DR.. HALLS church. and the sexton jumped
upon him and held him until the arrival of
an officer. He made no resistance what
ever, and was led away to the Fifty first
street station and locked up. Shortly
afterward Dr.. Hall went to the police sta
tlon and preferred complaint against the
prisoner. Rath IS a heavy. well-built man.
with whiskers and mustaehe, we'll dressed,
and has tho appearance of well-to-do
business man. He gave his business as
A great crowd was present when the
shooting occurred. and for o while the
most intense excitement prevailed. About
500 people followed the officer TO the station
and saw that the prisoner was safely
landed behind the bars. 1t was an eminent
~ respectable crowd, however, composed
mostly of church going people. many Of
whom were members OF Dr. Halls con-
gregation. hence there was neither any
riot, attempt at rescue, nor threats OF
lyEching.
Tho prisoner was evidently not in his
right mind. He muttered about con-
spiracy which he imagined existed against
him, and papers found on his person showed
the bias of his imaginings. There were two
of these documents, one in manuscript. and
| the other printed, but both were substan-
italy the same. The printed paper was
more circumstantial in the history of
the alleged conspiracy to drive the writer
to suicide or crime. 1t stated that agents,
| in the hands of wealthy and influential
people, were doing all in their power to
prevent him from rising IN business; were
watching all of his steps, and making it
impossible for hlm to obtain justice. His
tormentors. too. he said. mixed his food
with obnoxious stuff. thereby causing him
intense distress. The conspiracy, the state
and has no human history. The statement
| goes on thus at great length. all OF which
| shows that the author Is a man of unbal-
anced mind. The document intimates that
| DR.. Hall, DIR. Potter and Judge Hilton were
| the chief conspiratOrs. Mrs A. L. Stewart,
| 1t was intinAted. was good friend of his.
The prisoner stated, after his arrest, that
DR.. Hall was chief among those conspIring
| to do him bodily and mental harm Inquiry
at the address given discovered q cheap
| restaurant and iodging-house. Andrew
| Greener is the proprietor. 1t Is located in
the tenement-bouse quarter of the city and
| Is patrOniZed by a transient class OF very
poor people. mostly foreigners. The land
| lord said that Rath had occupied room
| there for about four months; had been in
| this country twenty years, and had ac-
| quired a fair knowledge of the English Ian
| guage.
DIR. Hall was seen at his home shortly
after the shooting. lie manifested no APP
| parent nervousness In consequence of his
| narrow escape. but he declined positively
| to converse upon the topic. He admit
| ted that he had known Rath for some time
| and had received letters from him. but he
| declined to say what was the nature of the
| matter written to him or whether 1t was
| replied TO. 1t is not known whether any
| of the threats have been thus conveyed or
not. Tho prisoner was reticent and,
| though outwardly calm. seemed to be la
| boring under suppressed excitement. He
| paced nervously up and down his CELL and
| paid little attention TO his surroundings.
| Tie police declined to permit the reporters
| to talk with the prisoner. He will be ar-
raignod in the Yorkville police court to-
morrow morning.