The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-08-22
HAMLET'S MADNESS.
The Great James Owen
O'Connor Sent to the
County Jail as a
LunatiC.
HIS WIFE THE COMPLAINANT.
He Smites Policeman Wolverton in
the Face and Gives One of
His Exhibitions in
Court.


The much discussed and more perplex-
ing question as to whether Hamlet was
or was not mad is about to be settled by
Judicial inquiry in this country. James
Owen O'Connor. the great impersonator
of the melancholy Dane, was this morn
ing committed to the County Jail by
Justice Kimmerly in order that County
Physician Converse NAV determine
his sanity. Policeman Clemen-
son, of the Communipaw avenue
station, was patroling Storm
avenue this morning when he was ap-
preached by timid little woman in spec
tacles, who informed him that she was
Mrs. James Owen O'Connor. Her hus-
band she went on to say had been acting
exceedingly queer of late. and she was
afraid he would hurt someone.
JAMES OWEN IN CUSTODY.
The policemen went to the temple of
the tragic muse, now temporarily located
at No. Al Storm avenue, and without
much ceremony yanked High Priest
O'Connor to the station house. AS court
was in session the extinRuished trage-
diau was taken upstairs and placed in Lhe
pen with The common prisoners. If his
proud spirit was crushed he gave no
sign OF 1t. but wrapped himself in
a mantle of dignity in the same manner
saved the part OF Mark Anthony in julius
Cesar, he strode into the pen and took a
seat as far from the common herd as pos
sible. Then folding his arms q la Ma
poleon at st. Helena he bega to at
tentively study the ceiling utterly OBJ
Hvious to his surroundings.
BE GROWS PUGNACIoUs.
"James Owen O'Connor," called JUS
tice Kimmerly.
'Ha! ha! l have thee now," exclaimed
the tragedian in blood curdling tones.
whicS so frighted an old soak who was
asleep on the bench that he fell to the
floor in fit.
Then jumping to his feet O'Connor
began to dance about frantically all the
time making terrific lunges at some
imaginary foe. Policeman Wolverton
attempted to quiet him, but re-
ceived a sounding whack in the
face which almost knocked him
down. This quieted O'Connor and
he stepped before the justice in much the
same manner as he was won't to stalk out
before the footlights to receive his nightly
tribute of tired eggs and bilious vege-
tables.
Justice Kimmerly informed him of the
charge against him, and said that he
would be sent to the County Jail for ten
days In order that he might receive some
attention at the hands of the County
Physician.
ALL THE WORLD AGAINST HIM
"But most upright Judge" began Mr..
O'Connor. relapsing into his favorie role
of Shylock. "But most upright Judge,
me has an important professional engage
ment at the Star Theatre. on Broadway
this evening. and 1 shall be obliged, pain-
fully obliged, mark ye, to Display your
order and remain away from the jail"
1t did not take his Honor long to con-
vince Mr.. O'Conor that he could not keep
his engagement, and rs two policemen
led him away very much like crushed
.tragedian he fstched sigh which blew
Sergeant Coward's pet cat from the
open window, and sorrowfufly exclaimed.
SITS no use. Its no use. All the wide
world Is against me-"
Mr.. o'coNNoR's COMPANIONS.
There were three other alleged lunatics
in the pen with Mr.. O'Connor. They
were Philip Kappel. thirty years
old, no home; Richard Keene
twenty-one years old, of No, 12a Union
street, and Margaret Hennessv. of No. 70
Van Horne street. Koppel was found
acting in suspicious manner on Com
munipaw avenue and Was locked up by
Policeman Hennessy.
Keene, at four o'clock yesterday after
noon, left his residence on Union street in
perfectly nude state and started on a
walk towards Greenville. He was singing
and shouting at the top of his voice. Word
was sent to the Fourth precinct station
house, and Detective Hottie and Police
man Miller captured the lupatic after q
lively chase. Some one threw pair of
trousers out of a window of one Of the
residences on Union street. and the Off
GERS, after compelling Keene to don them,
locked him up.
Margaret Hennessy started in to exc
cute Carmencila dance on Bergen ave-
nue. near Jewett avenue. A large crowd
soon collected about her and when Police
man Westervelt arrested her she tried to
kick the hat from off his head.
Mrs. Henuessy. Keene and Koppel
went with O'Connor to the County Jail