The herald., 1897-02-27

=
gerous to life. toplungea man In Card
ner's condition into the cold waters Of
the river, and so informed those present.
Mr.. White solemnly declared that the
Lords will must be fulfilled and to suE-
gestion that the immersion be made in
one of the church fonts with tepid water
said that Gardner must follow In the
footsteps of the Savior and be baptized
In the river. He had been lawyer for
twenty years and knew Gardner's rights
In the premises, and II he wanted to go
no one could legally stop him.
The matter was finally settled by
Gardner himself who announced that
he should go anyway, and, putting or
his hat, he walked downstairs and into
the street, assisted by his friends. See
ing no other way to stop the foolishness,
Mr.. Smith called on policeman who
happened to be near and asked the Of
f1cer to do something. The patrolman
followed the trio who had walked slowly
down Broadway toward Eighth street
and, stopping them. demanded the names
and addresses of Gardner's companions.
warning them against taking man In
his condition on such an errand, and
stating that If evil results followed they
should be called to account. White gave
his address as 337 Also street, Gruwell
as $50 Wall street When the officer
had concluded they finally made up their
minds to wait awhile, and accordingly
returned Gardner to his room leaving
shortly afterward but not before White
had informed Mr.. Smith that the Lord
would call him to strict account for his
action in preventing the baptism.
Gardner was seen in his room Thurs
day evening, but refused to talk of the
matter, saying that he should continue
his fast as the inspiration from on high
to cease had not yet come to him, and
he must be baptised before that can
come. In personal appearance ne is little
changed from two weeks ago, thinner II
possible and his eyes shining with the
light of a disordered mind. He is still
able to move around cutie freely and
spends much of his time with the Bible
in his hand
Yesterday morning White and Grunell
were again on hand waiting for Gard
ner but did not come to the hotel.
About ocolck the faster came down
stairs and announced his intention of
| taking n little walk. AS soon as he APP
peared on the street he was met by
White and Grunell the trio boarding
| Downey-avenue car Gardner was taken
over to the river and baptized as per
! program, returning to the hotel between
and o'clock.
| Meanwhile Mr. Sr,ith had consulted
the district attorney and complaint
|
insanity. Shortly after his return to
! the hotel the faster was taken In GUS
tody by a deputy sheriff and escorted
to the county Jail DIR. Dwight attended
! Gardner, and succeeded in getting him
to AXE a little warm milk and beef tea.
No objection was offered by Gardner,
who was evidently about ready to quit
his enforced abstention since his bap-
tism. No evil effects were perceptible
! from his duCs ing in the river. and 1t Is
| the opinion of Dr. Dwight that with
proper food and attention his physical
condition will rapidly improve.
AS to his mind, that is another ques-
ton. and today, If Gardner's condition
warrants 1t, lunacy commission will
| sit on his case with a view of ascertain
ing the best disposition to make Of him.
A number of people in the Hotel Vogel
have criticised the action taken In hav-
ing Gardner arrested for lunacy but
that the step wa we'll taken is proved by
the statement of DIR. Dwight. who said
| that had the faster gone three days
more without food no power could have
saved him. Even now there is a possi-
| bility that he may have serious trouble
before his digestive organs are brought
into their normal condition again.
No word has yet been received from
Gardner's relatives, who are said to re-
side In Toronto, Canada. DR..
Bresee said last night that in his opin-
! ion Gardner had not tasted anything
, like fifty-one days as his physical con-
dition does not indicate it. He believes
that either something more nourishing
than water has been taken from time to
| time or else the number of days has
been mistaken by the faster