Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-04-23
A VERY BAD DOG IN CHURCH

n
A dog, supposed to be mad, created
panic in a well-flled Catholic Church
Sunday afternoon. The society of the
Holy Rosary of st. Jamos's Church,
New Bowery and James street, held its
regular weekly meeting in the church
Sunday afternoon. Father Mcdonald,
assistant pastor OF the church, presided
The meeting was eventful until about
3:45 o'clock, when q dog, frothing at
the mouth, pushed open the swinging
doors of the front entrance of the
church and started up the centre aisle.
1t swayed from side to side as it ran,
barking and snarling. The first per-
son to notice the dog when it entered
the church was a Mrs. Sullivan, of
Cherry street. She gave vent to a pi
Gus exclamation liz so loud voice that
the choir, which was singing at the
time, stopped short. The dog stopped
short, too, looked at Mrs. Sullivan a
moment in frightened way, and then
resumed its march toward the altar.
All eyes were on the animal by this
time, and the cry Of Mad dog" was
shouted all over the church. The
noise frightened the dog the more. 1t
made snap at Mrs. Manny's dress.
Mrs. Nanny gave a scream, as did
every one else in her vicinity. The
people climbed over the pews 20 get to
the back Of the church. The dog by
this time had nearly reached the altar
railing.
The twenty little altar boys, clad in
long vestments, scurried toward far
corner of the church. Father Melon
aid, who had been kneeling in front of
the altar, moved to one side. AT that
moment the dog leaped over the altar
railing. Itran up the steps leading to
the altar platform, and crouched down
and looked at the frightened congrega-
ton. Foam was dripping from its
mouth.
Every one in the church was intent
to see what the dog would do. 1t did
nothing, 1t sat still and painted. The
dog showed no inclination to move, and
assistant sexton Charles Bension ad-
vanced toward it. When he got within
a few feet of the altar the dog sprang
toward him. Bension stepped to one
side and the dog jumped the altar rail-
ing and ran toward the frightened con-
gregation. AS the dog approached the
people they made rush for the door
and elbowed their way out to the street.
The dog darted in and out among the
pews for few seconds, and then ran
back to the altar platform. No one
cared to disturb it this time.
But Bension had left the church
through side door and was running to
the Oak street police station. He told
the sergeant what had happened, and
Policeman Hoffman was sent to the
church. At tho church door he met
Policeman Britt, who had heard Of the
trouble. They went up the middle aisle
with their revolvers and billies ready
to use if necessary. There were about
fifty persons left in the church at this
time who had decided to stay and see
what would happen.
When the policemen reached the
altar railing they stopped and raised
their revolvers ready to shoot. Father
Mcdonald interfered and said that the
dog should not be shot in the church.
The policemen lowered their pistols
and after few moments argument
with the priest decided to catch the
dog. They chased him from the altar
and into the vestry. where they closed
the door on him. There they got two
long sticks and a rope. aud after a
little more trouble they caught him.
N. Y. Sun.