New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-10-19
BOY FR|GHTENS SCHOOL
Gun in Hand, He Holds Up Nun,
Priest. PatroIman and Class.
BLUFF, PURE AND SIMPLE
Weapon Wasn't Loaded-Trouble
Starts When Monitor IN st.
Francis School Gets Busy.

From the time the Brahman priests OF
India established the first schools down to
the present IL has been customary for the
pupils especially the boys, TO cut up all
sorts of capers by which II amuse them
selves and at the same time get the
teachers nerve" No doubt the more ma
ture students, too, whom Socrates gathered
about him in the gardens of historic Athens
pIaved innumerabl BILE pranks upon the sedate
philosopher.
It devolved upon the twentieth century
lad, however, to break all records along this
line This bad boy drew a revolver from
his blouse. drove all the children into q
corner, and when a teacher from an ad-
joining room, who heard the commotfon,
came in the hoy forced him TO sink to his
knees and pray.
George Masgriano. thirteen years old.
living at No. 239 East 15lst street, was dis
charged from the Catholic Protectory about
a week ago, it is said, because of his in
corrigibility and entered the st. Francis
Parochial School, at No. $50 East 151st
street
In two DAYS he was recognized leader
among the pupils, who followed him
blindly in whatever disorder he proposed.
The programme arranged for yesterday by
Masgriano was throwing paper wads, and
all joined in heartily The classroom floor
was nearly covered by masses of white
paper when the sister in charge decided
TO call a halt. As a punishment she kept
some twelve of the ringleaders in after the
close of the morning session.
The real trouble started. however, In the
afternoon. when the sister left the class in
charge of little girl named Mary, with
instructions TO write on the board the
names of those children who misbehaved
during her absence. No sooner had the
sister disappeared than the Masgriano boy
jumped up and threw q ball of paper at the
monitor. Mary at once got up from the
teachers chair and wrote Georges name
on the board.
The boy ordered her to remove IL, but
Mary made 70 reply. Then the boy started
toward her. AS he reached the platform
he drew a 3S-calibre revolver from his
blouse and pointed it at the girl, who,
frightened. backed into the corner of the
room. George then directed all the children
to get in the same corner.
There he held them. shivering with fear.
as he brandished his gun and gave vent to
blood curdling oaths- Some Of the girls
began TO scream, and their cries We're
heard by Father James Merigii of No.
276 East 152d street. who had Class in the
adjoining room
Father Merighi opened the door and was
met by George who pointed his revolver at
him and told him TO get in the corner with
the rest. The priest begged the boy TO put
his gun away, but Georges only reply was
20 thrust the weapon into Father Merighi,s
face. and the latter sank to his knees and
started to Iray.
While George was attending to the priest
however, two of the boys slipped out of the
corner and rushed to the street, where
they found Patrolman O'Brien. They told
the officer what was going on and he hur-
ried into the school building. As he en-
tered the class room George turned his re-
volver on him and held him at bay.
The officer did not know whether to move
or not, and stood still for several minutes.
Then he managed to divert the boys at
tention and. bouncing upon him, wrested
his revolver from his hands.
To the establishment of O'Brien he found
the weapon was not loaded, and even il il
had been. he said later. it was doubtful II
George could have pulled the trigger. as the
action was so stiff
George was taken to the Morrisania po-
lice station and from there TO the rooms OF
the children's Society. He will be ar
raigned in the Children's Court to-day.