Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-04-23
NO. 81.
BEHEADED AT THE ALTAR.
A Priest Cut Down in Church by a
Mauiae in Spain.
worshirpers Attempt to Arrest the As
sassiu, Who Then Fires Into the Crowd
A Panic FoilowS.

SaSsth' " no Ihen tires Into the crowd
Il Panic Follows.
A most horrible deed was committed Ia n
church at Anglesala. village in the Province
of Lerids, Spain, The church was filled to
its utmost capacity with devout worshippers.
Everything was calm. as became the solemn
ceremonies, and Father Francisco MART. the
priest in charge Of the parish, was kneeiinE
at the altar. Suddenly, and without word
Of warning, a man armed with a revolver
and short sword, sprang oat from behind
the pulpit, at the left Of the altar, where he
had been concealed, aud rushed upon the
priest brandishing hts sword.
Father Marti, whose back was to the con
gregation seemed 20 have Instructive warn
I ing that danger threatened him. and he partly
turned his head IN tn direction Of the man,
but he was TOO late 10 10 more than raise his
rand TO attempt 10 ward Oh the sword blow
aimed at him.
The man stood over his kneeling victim.
the bright steel flashed 10 circlng blow,
and, in an instant, the priest lay dead in
front of the altar. where he had long served.
The assassin's blow had struck the back Of
his neck, and the keen blade almost severed
his head from his body. The corpse fell for
ward, and stream OF bloOl poured down
the altar steps Part OF ,he hand the priest
had raised in his vain effort to ward oil the
blow was cut of, and lay beside the bleeding
body.
The deed was committed in far less time
than it takes to tell il. BY this time IN
people realized the awtnlness Of the tragedy
they had just seen enacted. Women shrieked
in terror, aud many OF them tainted away
Some few OF the more eool-headed men at
tending the services made an attempt to sex'
Vtnst.. L. l.. Al. ~
assassin, who had undoubtedly, armed him.
self with Il revolver Cor Just such an emef-
geney. Ilaveiug his weapon he fired right
and left, and drove his would be captors to
seek safety IN flight. One woInan, shrinking
and crouching close o the altar rails was hit
by one of the bullets. She uttered most
piercing shrek, threw up her hands. and fell
dead to the floor.
The worshippers were panic-strickcn.
general rush was made for the doors and
many of the people were thrown down and
trampled upon by the excited throngs behind
them.
Several Of them were quite seriously in.
iured in this manner, among the number
being several children who IT is believed will
/ die. The assassin, whose revolver was now
empted, sprang into the fleeing crowd, and
welding his sword still dripping with the
blood Of the massacred priest, he slashcd right
and left, cutting his way to the street. The
crowd hudiled closer together 10 avoid the
vicious blows aimed At them making as IA as
POSSIBLE clear path for the murderer, but
quite anumber Of them were hit by the sharp
weapon AMI very dangerously wounje
When he reschei the street the assassin
started on run and soon vanisbel
The civil guard was alarmed by the fright
ened people and pursuit was Immediately
organized. The village was thoroughly
searched and members Of the civil guard
were sent to scour the surrounding country.
Thus far every effort to capture the murderer
has been vain, but the search has not been
abandoned.