The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-03-08
HElNRICH'S FRENZY
On Trial for Trying to
Murder His Family
and a Policeman.
OFFICERS VERY Lucky ESCAPE
Revolver Snapped Five Times, But
Wouldn't Go O%f-slory of
of the Case.
OFFICERS VERY Lucky ESCAPE

Bernard J. Heinrich, of Ash and Wilton
streets, Lafayette. vas tried in the Gem
eral Sessions Court today for attempting
10 kill several member of his family and
Policeman Alexander Gallagher of the
Fourth precinct. The attempt was made
on the evening of October 16, last year,
and that it was partly or entirely sue
eessful was due solely to a defect in the
22-calibre revolver which Heinrich had
armed himself to do the murderous work.
Heinrich is peaceful enough when he
is sober, but he goes on occasional sprees
and at sue times becomes frenzied. On
October 16 he had been drinking heavily,
and when he returned from his place of
business in New York he was fully defer
mined to do harm to somebody. After
entering his house he locked the doors
and started around the house to find out
how many of the family were at home.
Heinrich has a wife. daughter and five
sons. His wife and daughter and two of
the boys, were at home. Heinrich first
directed his attention to his wife.
He chased her through several rooms
and she found it impossible to escape be-
cause the doors had all been carefully
locked. Mrs. Heinrich, filled with terror.
finally made a dash into the parlor and
leaped through the window into the
street. Her daughter Mary escaped the
sameS way and they took refuge in a
~neighber's house. A few minutes after
ward the boys, who had been hiding, man
aged to reach the first door while their
father was hunting through the rooms
for them ard escaped.
The screams of the women and the mad
dened yeIls of Heinrich had attracted a
large crowd to the neighborhood, but
knowing Heinrich's disposition, everybody
kept at a safe distance. One of the boys
remained near the house, while the other
went In search of a policeman.
Officer Alexander Gallagher was found
in Johnston avenue and he hurried to the
house. He found Heinrich in a dark room.
the only light coming from the open door,
and placed him under arrest. Heinrich
sprang at him with the fury of a mad
man and a desperate struggle ensued.
Gallagher could see the revolver cleaning
in Heinrich's hand. He grabbed Helm
rich around the body, ~pinning his arms
to his side and shouted for help. Helm
rich broke away and pointing the revolver
snapped it at Gallagher five times. A
small piece of lead lodged between the
barrel and the cylinder prevented the
cylinder from revolving and that was all
that saved Gallagher's life. Seeing that
his life was in danger Gallagher finally
drew his revolver and fired two shots,
both of which took effect. A bullet
lodged in each of Heinrich's hands and
disabled him.
In the meantime word had been sent to
the Fourth precinct station and officers
were sent to the house. Heinrich was
taken to the police station and thence
to the hospital, where he remained until
he recovered from his wounds.
The foregoing story was told by the
witnesses at the trial. The evidence was
closed at recess and the ease will go to
the jury this afternoon.