Evening journal., 1896-04-10
PREACHER AND BURGLAR
Pastor Kommer's Lively Tilt
With a Housebreaker.
CHASED HIM WITH A REVOLVER

The Clergyman Had Nerve md Followed
the Intrude- Into n Dark Cellar, but
the Latter Escaped by Jumping Out of
a window.
JERSEY CITY, April 10.-An enterpris-
ing burglar had narrow escape from
death at the hands Of tho Rev. John H.
kommers, pastor OF the Lafayette Re
formed church In this city.
The pleasant section of Jersey City
known as Lafayette has been n favorite
field Of operations for burglars during the
last winter, and many of the residents
have prepared themselves for any emergen-
cy which that fact might give rise TO.
The Rev. Mr.. kommers, who lives in
a large double house with extensive
grounds at 273 Pacific avenue, was among
that number. He had his residence thor
oughly equipped with burglar alarm and
supplied himself with a revolver.
The clergyman was awakened about 3
o'clock in the morning by the sharp jan
gle of his alarm. Hastily jumping out Of
bed and without stopping to Dress he
seized his revolver and started down stairs
to investigate. As he reached the floor
below no heard the sound Of some one
rushing down the cellar stairs, and he fol-
lowed Before he was half way down the
steps he heard loud crash mingled with
the rattle OF breaking glass and earthen-
ware and overturned pots and kettles.
He reached the bottom step just In time
to see a shadow quickly disappearing
through a small window In the rear OF the
cellar. He ran to the window, and on
looking out he saw in the uncertain light
a man scaling the fence. Before no could
e. 60
The Burglar In the Basement.
The Rev. Mr.. Kommers returned to his
bedroom and hastily donning his clothes
started out In senrch Of policeman. He
secured the neighborhood without finding
a bluecoat, but in his search discovered
that an attempt had been made to enter
the residence Of George M. Lewis, 252
Wheton street, directly in the rear Of his
house, by prying open basement window,
but the burglar was unable to manipulate
the catch.
He hurried back home to soc II his bur
alar had secured any plundor and began
an investigation. The burglar entered the
back yard and rolled the ash barrel against
the house, under a kitchen window. Pry-
ing this open, he entered the room, and,
striking a match, passed through the hall
to the dining room.
1t was while opening the door to the
dining room that the alarm went of and
aroused tho Rev. Mr.. Kommers. The
noise must have startled him and caused
him to drop the match, as the half con-
sumed stick was found just within the
threshold. He turned to fee In the dark
and must have become confused, and, mis-
taking the cellar door for the kitchen.
plunged down the stops Hearing the
clergyman rushing down the stairs behind
him and seeing no means Of escape except
the small window, he evidently plunged
through It head iirst, carrying with him
several flower pots and small oil stove
which had been placed in the recess In thu
wall made by the window.
Tho fence, which he scaled In hin flight
had lines OF barbed wire running along it,
top, and tho burglar broke through this
As some blood was found on the fence anC
bits Of clothing stuck TO the barbs, It 1.
thought that he was injured in getting
over the fence. The police are working
on the case, but they have no clew.