Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-10-08
FREAK OLA MADMAN.
An Insane Greek Burns, Eats, and
Destroys Nearly $500 In Cash.
4 CROWD STANDS By, PA0ALIzED.
con.,.h,. Fowler Rnshes 60 Stop the
wsste-A Fair Maid Of Athoos
'-.'-~ In the Case.


''-.- In the Case.
Manic Levandie. a Greek steeple-painter'
caused a sensation on Market street,
pittsburg. SAYS the Dispatch. OF that city
| tte coolIy drew a big roll Of greenbacks
amounting to 1868 from his pocket an"
standing in front OF the market-house
he nulled off three or four 800 bills, struck
n match and set fire TO them
Scores of pedestrians were passing but
the sight of a man burning good money
IN those hard times so paralyzed them
that they could not make move 10 pre-
vent the sacrifice. In an instant a'ihoSt
! crowd of two or three hundred peoPle
had congregated about the swarthy GreeK'
who held the flaming currency IN MS
| fingers. and smilingy watched II ourh
| In his other hand he held the roll. just
as he was about To peel of a few more
hills for incineration, Markct-Consiaoie
( William Fowler came up ana rea''"l"s
| that the man must be insane attempted
Ia sion the destruction OF the money
The Greek sprung away wheh ,he
| officer laid hold OF him. but before row
Ter could prevent II. he began in frantic
| manner TO tear up the money The officer
| iuuped upon his back. but the Athenian
| doubled down. examining wad OF the
| torn bills I'm his mouth. and tearing up
| the balance as II his life depended on 1t.
THE MONEY BADLY TORN.
By this time several men in the crowd
| recovered their senses and went to the
officers assistance. After a fierce strug-
gle they succeeded I'm overpowering him.
But the money was all torn to pieces
and scattered over the street. Not
single bill I'm the roll had escaped mutila-
ton. Most OF them were ripped in half
but many others were torn into little
pieces. While struggling with the officer
the Greek had deliberately chewed up and
swallowed the money he had put in his
mouth.
After the patrol wagon came the officers
gathered up all the fragments OF the bills
they could find. 1t is believed that about
500 is represented In the heap OF scraps
gathered up. Three or four OF the bills
have only "A corner torn Off. and would
probably pass muster In the business
world, but the balance are In a bad con-
ditlon. The Greek had drawn the money
out OF the bank an hour before he de-
stroyed 1t.
A little Grecian romance is connected
came to this country from Athens about
eight years ago. His cousin, Andrew An
drous. carries on the business OF painting
steeples, tall stacks. towers and roofs at
Nos. 81 and &c Third avenue. this city, and
Levandie, then only % years old, came to
work for him and made his home with
Androus. The young man was remark
ably strong and active, and soon became
proficient at the class of work required Of
him. He was Of very quiet mien. and
never sought the society of any OF the
Grecian women in this city. He accepted
the Jokes OF his relatives and acquaint-
ances good -humoredly. and on two or
three occasions replied by abiding to n
pretty maid OF Athens for whom he was
reserving his affections.
LEFT TO VISIT THE GRECIAN MAID.
Not much was thought of this until
about two years ago Levande supplied
himself with a bran-new wardrobe and
notified his cousin that he intended TO
pay a visit to his friends in Greece. He
expected TO remain about six months, but
to the surprise of Mr.. Androus returned
in few weeks. He was much changed
after that. His manner was more quiet
and reserved than before. and he Stunned
the society OF everybody. Any reference
to his visit home angered him so that he
was in a nervous condition for days. He
resumed his work. and labored hard and
industriously often taking big chances
of being killed in his hazardous employ
ment.
In August. 1892, one very hot afternoon.
as Levandie was returning to work after
dinner. his hat blew of just as he had
reached the top OF tall church-steeple
he was painting. He did not take the
trouble TO descend for It, but worked all
/ ,fs In ha hnFahQlnl1
The heat seemed to affect him, and after
that he became more taciturn and moroSe
| than ever.
1t was not until last February that he
| became violent, and his cousin realized
| that his mind was unbalanced. At that
time he partially recovered, but the at
| lacks have been recurring at intervals
| ever since. Last April he was calling on
| one of his countrymen in Allegheny, when
| he was seized with an attack. In his
| frenzy he assaulted his friend, and began
breaking up the furniture. The police
arrested him. and he was sent TO the
| work house for thirty days. Mr.. Androus
thought the confinement would do him
! good and allowed him to serve the SEN
tence out.
HE HAD DANGEROUS SPELLS.
Soon after his release the unfortunate
Greek was arrested in this city for at
| lacking several fruit-dealers on Liberty
street After being locked up In Central
station he had an attack OF madness
and, tearing up a derby hat he wore ne
literally ate the whole crown OF II. He
was sent to the work-house. but the
officials declined TO receive him. Since
then he has been dangerously violent.
hut his cousin has cared for him while
waiting for George Levandie, a brother
OF the insane man, for whom he had
cabled to Athens
The brother reached this city two weeks
ago, and at once began preparations 10
! take Manic back to Greece. a specialist
having suggested that the change OF ell
mate might effect a cure OF this malady.
BY constant watching they prevented him
from doing any violence, and for two
or three days he seemed better than Tor
| several weeks.
IL was arranged that the two brothers
were to start for Greece to-day, ana
they went to the bank yesterday morn
ing TO draw Manio's money. Soon after
leaving the bank Manic slipped away from
his brother and got out OF his sight. Being
unable to speak English, the Grecian
could not find him, and while he was look
ing for the poor fellow he destroyed his
money, as related above.
1t Is believed that the government Will
redeem at least part OF the mutilated
currency, and the journey TO Greece mas
been postponed until the matter Is settled;
Last night the police authorities declined
to be responsible for the insane man
custody. he being In a very savage mood.
The relatives, with the aid OF police
officer. transferred him 10 the st. Francis
Hospital, on Forty-fourth street. where
he will be kept until his brother Is ready
10 start.
A 13-YEAR-OlD GLOBE TROrTER.
On His Way Home from Berlin, He Tells
His story at San Francisco.