The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1908-02-24
HEROIC ACTION
0E CLERGYMAN
ST. LOUIS PRIEST BRAvELY RES.
CUES AGED MAN FROM
TWO FooTPADs.
USED FISTS CL[vfRlY


ST. Louis, Feb. 23.--Rev. John r
Tracy. IS years old, pastor Of IN,
Church of Our Lady Of Good Counse
at Eleventh and Destrehan streets
added another to his list of heroic
deeds when he fought two highway
men with his fists, forced them to fee
ana rescued helpless old man
whom they We're trying to rob.
As brave man this athletic prizes,
long ago won his suprs In 1904
when grand stand collapsed at the
NATIONAL League park In PHILADELPHIA.
ne saved the lives Of four persons by
tearing away heavy beams and tim.
befs and dragging them to safety.
In 1902 at the risk Of his own Iifo
ne dragged little girl from a tangle
q live wires in North st Louis. and
ne was severely shocked and his
hands and arms We're burned by the
current In 1905, when confronted nv
Two highwaymen. he covered them
with a small derringer pistol ana
forced them to retreat.
Expert In Boxinq.
lhtil year ago he was an active
member of the Missouri Athletic clrb
and 1t was there that he gained the
knowledge Of boxing which enabled
him to cope with the two highwayruen
VINO attempted to rob Thomas Fergl,-
son. - years old, near Broadway and
Salisbury street, Thursday night
Father Tracy went to Broadway
and Salisbury street to buy news. |
paper at IL 20 % M. He stood on the
corner talking To two policemen, falri
a block from the place where the sub- |
seauent attempt at highway robbery
occurred. After the policemen started |
en- their rounds he walked one block |
north on Broadway to Destrehan
street. On the northwest corner he
saw two men supporting much
older man. They seemed to be insist.
ing that he permit them to go home
iwth him.
After a parley which the priest
watched from across the street. the h
old man started west on Destfehan
street and his companions walked
north on Broadway and entered an
alley. Fhe old man walked west and :,
Father Tracy followed on the oppo- =
site side of the street. AS the old ;
man was passing tile alley two men I,
jumped out, grabbed him and threw :
him down. One held him while the
other attempted to go through his !
pockets.
Priest to Rescue, =
Father Tracy ran across the street.
What are YOU trying to do?" he "
lsked.
For answer the shorter OF the men. u
he one who had been holding the old o
nan down, leaped to his feet and 81
advanced on the priest e
Father Tracy struck him I'm the face q
nd he turned and ran Up the alley. b.
hen the priest swung on the other
obber's jaw. knocking him against N
he wall. He was advancing to give al
i'm second blow when the highway.
len ran out of the alley to Destrehan
treet and east to Broadway. The III
riest picked IN the aid man, who was Fl
azed and was at first unable to tleI as
here he lived. ~
After walking a few blocks he said 10
p was Thomas Ferguson of 1919 Des- ~
chan street. Father Tracy took him :,
ONE and put him to bed and sat up a.
18th him until his nerves became =,
.eady oe
Il thought ! wasn't going TO get %
ITO the house. though" said the d"
lest. There was a mean dog there
nj | had to kick him to make him 40
me alone. For nice. quiet cleri- IL
Il gentleman I had quite an adven- th'
rous night. didn't have my little PR
rringer with me. either" th'
IL