The San Francisco call., 1899-04-22

~ A. DONOVAN, who sings in the
choir Of St. Roses Church at
Fourth and Brannan streets, made
Il a brutal assault on Alexander Jar
dine. aged II years, with hatchet last
evening. The assault took place in the
vestibule of the sacred edifce. The
wounded man lies in critical condition
in the Receiving Hospital, while his bru-
tai assailant is locked up in the City
Prison with a charge of an assault to
commit murder recorded against MS
name.
The church was crowded at the time.
and as Donovan sueaked up behind his
aged victim and struck him several times
with a hatchet the greatest excitement
prevailed.
Several men who were present, seeing
the old man fall. the result OF a severe
blow on the head. seized the infuuated
choir-sinSer and after short struggle
succeeded in disarming him. lie was
then held until a policeman arrived VINO
after Handwriting him, took him 10 the
City Prison
Donovan claims he has been connected
with the choir of St. Roses Church for
some time. At the conclusion OF. the ser
vices last evening he left the choir lott
and started to leave the church. AS ne
reached the door he espied his old vic
i'm who was also in the act OF emerging
from the sacred edilice. Sneaklng up pc
ground hatchet which he had conceaIed
in his pantalo0ns and without word OF
warning brought II down on me QIu
mans head. AS his helpless Victlm
ss+sggered against the wall Of the church
Donovan again struck him, cutting an
ugly cash in the back OF MS mead win
blood streamlng from lhe GSptnS ~, ~ +iIa
Jardine turned around as II 10 lace SiIs ne
euraged choir-singeT and received another
blow on the side of his head.
The CONGREGATION, Whlcn was CoHipoSeu
To-. % ..f
horror and made no effort to disarm the
larchet wielder. AS Donovan raised the
eraI of the male members of the congre-
cation seized him and prevented MN
from further injurlng Jardine. Ihe
wounded man had fallen on the steps ana
was bleeding profUsely from three cuts IN
the head and one in the neck. Inc am
bulauce was at once summoned ana the
unfortunate man hastily removed TO the
Receiving Hospital.
DR.. Niaher. VINO examined him, found
that one of the cuts on the top OF the
head had penetrated the skull, causing a
compound fracture. Part OF his left ear
was gone. having been chopped of by the
iufuriated man. on account of his ad-
Vauced years, it is doubtful If he re-
When seen in his cell in the City Prison
Donovan readily consented TO tell the
story Of the assault
I'm sorry l did not kill him. he re-
marked after being told that Jardine was
still alive. He has prosecuted me long
enough. For over twenty years he has
dOgged my footsteps, frequently deClar-
ing his intention of killing me.
"I meant to do him up and am sorry
that ! did not succeed. Whenever I was
engaged TO sing in church chOirs Jardine
would follow ME and induce the leader to
discharge me.
He has made my life miserable and
after these long years of suffering at his
hands / finally determined to kill him.
After thinking the matter over l select
ed d hatChet as the weapon of destruc-
ton. ! went TO a secondhand store and
after examining number Of hatchets
picked out one that ! thought was suit
shortly before the hour that I was due
at church 1 carefully ground the blade
as il seemed to be dull. Satisfied that 1t
was sharp enough to work the destruc-
tiou that 1 intended It for 1 concealed it
in my pantalOOns.
Il then went 10 the church and took nv
accustomed place in the choir. During
the services I carefully scanned the faces
OF the congregation, but failed to dis
cover my implacable enemy.
LAS I left the choir loft ! espied Jar
dine emerging from the church. I did
not want to kill him in the holy edifice
and waited until he had reached the yes
thule
Il then sneaked up behind him and, TAX
ing out my hatChet struck him on the
head. He reeled and was about to fall
when l again brought the hatchet down
on his head.
Determined to finish him I rushed at
him and aimed blow at his neck.
How pleased l felt when 1 saw the