New Britain herald., 1922-07-31
MAN CUTS
 HIMSELF AT ALTAR
Maniac Nearly Causes Panic at .5 St, PatriCk'S

NeW OTk, JuIy ol.-ODSe0sed Wltn the idea Of shedding his blood to atone for the wrongs of the world. Johanne. Gabriel, an artisan, leaped the altar railing at the ten o'clock mass at St Patrick's Cathedral yesterday and aN- CT slashing himself across the heart attempted to take the place of the celebrant.
 The Rev, Father Patrick Daily was the priest saying the mass at the main altar. at the time. If it had not been for the coolness with which he con- tinued his priesty functions on being . confronted by man at the height of . religious mania panic might have ehsued among the congregation.
 Sabriel timed his interruption care fully. Father Daily had just conse- crated the bread and was about to consecrate the chalice Of wine Swhen those sitting in the front part of the rave saw heavily built. smooth shaven man dart from his pew on the aoiled sheepskin coat he had worn upon entering the cathedral, and as he went up the aisle in full view of the large congregation he was clad only in corduroy trousers, white woolen undershirt and workman's s belt about six inches wide.
 Draws Knife as He Kneels.
 Reaching the railing Gabriel hesi- tnted a moment and then bent the right knee in reverent genufection The congregation stirred uneasily, but there was no outcry. People were craning their necks in apprehension of tfe next move of the strange looking man who had intruded at one of the most solemn moments of the mass.
 Rising, Gabriel vaulted over the altar railing and with the congrega- tion, gaping altar boys and acoytes watching him strode to the foot of the altar. He knelt for moment and then drew forth a knife. Father Daly described 1t afterward as a pronged instrument with bent points. such as he had never before seen. Some wor- shippers believed the man intended to kill the priest at the altar, Warning cries, some in frightened whispers and others in loud tones were uttered by the worshippers.
 Father Daily did not turn around. Tn that tense moment, when he did not know what was happening behind him, he said he remembered only the rules of the church and the necessity for keeping up the faith and cour- age of the congregation whatever might be the impending danger. It was his duty in any circumstances to continue the office of celebrant.
 Carves Cross on Breast.
 Gabriel barred his chest and with two vicious stabs' carved a crude sign of the cross in blood across his treast. Then he ascended the altar steps The first inkling the priest had of the cause of the commotion was when he saw a red stained hand be- ing placed on the mass book at his Left and a drop of blood fall on the white line of the altar cloth. Then he turned In half circle and saw the in- ruder standing directly beside him.
 Gabriel held his knife in one hand and with the other pointed to the chalice in front of the priest. Although the man spoke English brokenly- with a German accent-and was la boring under a tremendous stress of emotion, Father Daly understood in stantly that what he wanted was to mingle his blood with the symbolic wine that was to be offered in sacr- flee few moments alter.
 T knew I was dealing with al maniac and that the only thing to do was to humor him." said the priest T said, Wait a minute, now. You must kneel down first He kept on talking excitedly and I finally said, You must go down to the pulpit and tell that to the congregation"
 Seized by Worshippers. The first man to reach Gabriel as he stood gesticulating upon the altar was Frank J. Liebhauser, a retired Newark policeman, who rushed from his seat in front pew and pinoned the mans arms from behind Others by this time had run forward and Ga briel was carried away and turned over to two policemen.
 Father Daly took no part in the struggle, his duty being to continue the mass