New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-10-20
SATURDAY.
OCT. 20. 1894.
A REVOLVER AT HIS HEAD.
THE TELLER IN THE ASTOR PLACE BANK
THREATENED BY A CRANK
WARNING LETTERS FROM THE CRAZY MAN DE-
HANDING si.ooo-EXCITING SCENE IN THE
BANK-AFTER STRUGGLE THE
MAN Is OVERCOME.

MAN is OVERCOME
An Intellectual attempt was made yesterday after
to kill the paying teller Of the Astor Place
Bank II. Pomeroy DAWSON Last Tuesday morn
ing Mr.. Dawson received a letter signed by Charles
Freeman, asking for $1,000 and threatening death
in case the request refused Mr. Dawson at
sent the letter TO Inspector Mclaughlin VINO
sent Detective-Sergeant Freel 10 the bank to look
out for the writer Of the letter. 1t was followed
by a postal-card. in which the writer said that ne
would call for tn. money in a day or two
second postal Thursday morning, ana
yesterday the man himself walked in. Detective
Sergeant Free was nearby The man was 'aii ana
respectfully dressed. Two women were standing at
the paying teller's window when he came In. he
pushed them to side.
Il have come for that money" he said calmly
at the same time presenting a draft to the paying
teller and drawing a revolver. Mr.. Dawson called
70 Freel and dropped to the floor behind MS coun-
ter At this moment one OF the women faih'eo'
while the other screaming out OF the pace
Freel sprang forward and grabbed tne mans arm.
Freeman trei to fire his pistol but Freei hao
inserted his finger between the trigger and the
trigger guard which prevented Freeman from pull
Ing it, After a short struggle Freeman was knocked
down and the handouts were slipped over MS
wrists -
The man is unquestonaby insane. Both MS let
tors and his conversation show that clearly
J,rderneath the signature on the first letter were
a rudelv drawn head and crossbones, with the IN
scription: God Almighty Is my PROTECTOR Anu
then the writer came down to business again. io'
no had written: I'm order not TO cause any panic
among the depositors shall only draw SlVo tro"
ono hank which can easily be made good by the
bank"
The draft presented yesterday was perhaps tho
most remarkable eTusion OF all; it read
Wednesday, Oct. Is.
Aston Place Bank. after date. promises 10 pay 70
the order of God Almighty the sum o. Si;"V wnsn
nresented by Charles Freeman Penalty II not Tor
feited. death. - ,,.o,. ..Noticc.
on the back Of the draft was written; Nouco:
The draft OF 81 900 will be all VIII claim iioh oo
Notice 7 am authorized by God to draw upon
all hanks to whatever amount see ny, anu tnr
nenalrv 10 refuse me- means that have the right 70
shoot the person dead that refuses, ana py the
newer OF God no man can atay my nahh A.,
As soon as Freeman had quoted down ana tne
naving-tellor had managed TO get MS preatn rec
man was taken to the Jefferson Market COURT
where ne made crazy statement 10 justice 'oo'-
his -. oo,r,,rn,,op "
said he 'and going 70 D'ild a nome WIZ ~
MONEY FOR I know God well. and there Is only ore
God that is the why they put me OUT Oh '"e
Salvation Army -. ..o =, -.
commissioners Of Charities and Correction III oruer
that his sanity may be inquired into. - -
Freeman said that he lived ut NO 20 rnst hsj
Al that number the landady said mat sne nad
known the man for about five months re ma,
occupied small room the top moor. lie Was
auiet and never had any visitors. except ms sis,er'
who was trained nurse in one OF the c'ty nos