Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-21
HUNGRY CLUB SWINGER
SKATERS WINDOW OF
4 THE WALD0RF-AST0RlA
Henry Westerburg Becomes Angered
When He Gazes In on Food
Laden Trays In
ge Cafe

NEW YORK, Jan. 1S.-Two large
Indian clubs, tied In bundle, crashed
through the heavy plate glass Win
dows on the Thirty-third street side
of the Waldorf Astoria dining ROOM
close to Fifth avenue, scattering glass
in every direction.
The sudden breaking Of glass fright
ened all in the crowded room. Walters
dropped laden trays and men and
women scrambled to their feet, upset
ting glasses and china No one knew
exactly what had happened.
outside stood a man who was look
ing at the broken window through
which he had hurled the Indian clubs
He made no attempt to get away. He
didn't care to get away. He was des-
perate and hungry.
The man was Henry Westerburg, 81
years old, of AL Pacific street, Brook
lyn. A carpenter, ne had been out OF
work for four months and all his saw
ings were spent. For two days he
had had nothing to eat.
Early in the day he walked to
sporting goods store in Nassau street,
from his home, and explained he had
been champion club-swinger in Swe-
den years ago and believed he could
pick up a little money by giving exhi-
bitions of club-swinging in saloons.
He showed the manager what he
could do in that line and begged that
he be trusted for a pair Of Indian
clubs. The manager said he would
give him a pair.
So Westerburg started out, and al
though he went to many saloons he
could not summon up courage to try
the new game, and he passed them all
by, gradually working his way fur
ther up town.
So it was that at the luncheon hour
he came to be standing outside the
Waldorf Astoria. He looked in at the
great windows and saw all the tables
filled with people eating and drinking
The sight fascinated the hungry
man. For many minutes he gazed in,
and then a great rage filled him to
think they could eat and eat and eat
while he must go hungry.
Without stopping to think Of the
consequences he lifted his bundle
gave it a mighty swing and sent it
whirling at the nearest window. So
great was the force that it not only
crashed through the plate glass, but
went over three tables before it fell
with thump on the floor.
When some of the servants ran out
to the street they found Westerburg
standing quietly by the curb and smil-
ing little as he watched the commo-
tion in the restaurant. John Donohue,
q footman, held him until the house
detective came Then he was taken
TO the West Thirtieth street station.
A little later Westerburg was ar
raigned before Magistrate Kernochan
in Jefferson market court. To him he
told his story.
81 was hungry" he said, "and it
made me angry to see them eating
when 1 had nothing. Finally my arm
came up and | threw the clubs with
out half knowing what 1 was doing.
suppose l must go to Jail, but I will
get something to eat there. 1t will be
better than tramping the Streets"
Magistrate Kernochan expressed
sympathy for the man, but had to hold
him for trial on a charge of malicious
mischief. When Westerburg was sit
ting in a cell a little later a waiter
from a nearby restaurant appeared
with a well-laden tray and set it be-
fore the hungry man.
"Compliments of the judge" said
the waiter.