New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-30
THE OLD NAN FOUGHT HARD
PETER GONGELMANNS DESPERATE
STRUGGLE WITH A MESSENGER

ATTACKED IN HIS OWN HOUSE BY AN EMPLoYB
OF THE AMERICAN DISTRICT TELEGRAPH
CoMPANY-A WILD BhTTLE IN THE PAR
LoR-HIs DAUGHTER DYING UPSTAIRS
Henry Cyse,man, an American District Telegraph
messenger. made desperate attempt 10 rob Peter
Gongelmann. Old man Of seventy. in the parlor
Of his house No III East Twelfh-st.. last evening.
He succeeded IN snatching ST. but a desperate
struggle took place. during which the furniture OF
the parlor wrecked. and an uproar was created
which lei to the assaiants capture While this
was going on Mr. Gongemanns daughter lay IN
A dying condition upstairs.
Mr.. Gongelmann Is a manufacturer or artlhciai
eyes and has his office in his home. With him
live three OF his six daughters. one Of whom. Mrs.
William Michel. Hes the point OF death. He
assailant the messenger Gyselman. Is thin.
wiry little Eng,shmsn. twenty-six years old. who
lives at No. 2isS Eghth-ave.. and is attached for
duty 10 the station at No +22 Coumbus-ave
At o'clock last night Gyseiman on his way
TO deliver message to Assembyman Sulzer. who
lives at No 30 East Twefth-st. 1t CHANGED that
that time Mr.. Gongelmann wanted messenger
to bring some ice for his sick daughter. and seeing
an American District messenger passing. he raped
a, his paror window and got Gyseman TO so on
the errand.
on his return from the errand Mr. Gongelmann.
taking him into the parlor. took on; some money
about s22 or 23-tO pay him. The sight OF the coin
evidently aroused the cupidity of the man. With u
| hasy movement Gyselmann made grab or the
money secured OF IT and tried 10 run But
Mr. Gongemann Is strong. and he began desperate
! struggle for possession OF the money. Gyselmann
fought hard He took Mr. Gongelmann by the
throat ard tried TO choke him. The old and
the young struggled desperately all over the
room. Chairs broken, the bookcase vas over
turned and papers and books whired about as they
fought Seized by the throat. Mr.. Gongelnann had
no chance to cry out. but help came from unex-
pected direction.
William Michel. Mr.. Gongelmann's son-in-law. re-
turning home after pacing the streets in silent mis-
cry his wifes condition heard terrible noise
OF breaking furniture and OF a man gaspng for
breath ne passed the pariOr door. In instant
Michel had the messenger pinioned the floor.
where h. found ne had his hands full. The police
soon called in an. in few moments. Mr.
Gongelmann reclining exhausted on the paror
couch. while his assailant in the arms of three
officers. pieousiy begging for mercy Mr.
Gongelmann was too much exhausted at first to tell
a coherent story OF the assault, but length the
main facts learned and the prisoner was
brought TO the Fifth-st station. Mr. Gongelma mn s
waistcoat pocket. In another pocket found So
Ia small bills.
Ciyselmann told the sergeant that he was an Eng
lishman by birth. and had been in this country for
five years. He had been employed BY the American
District company for some time.
Mr.. GOngelmann Is n man Of some wealth. and Is
widely known and greatly respected IN the neighbour
hood in which he lives.