The New York herald., 1922-07-31
FRENZIED man CUTS
CROSS ON BREAST AT
ST. PATRICK'S ALTAR
Religious Maniac Nearly
Causes Panic at 10
O'Clock Mass.
PRIEST GAINS THRONG
Father DAILY Soothes In
truder Who Would Atone
for the World.
woRsHIPERs SEIZE HIM
Sought to Shed His Blood Into
Chalice Of Eucharist
Wine.
woRsHIPERs SEIZE HIM

Obsessed with the idea of shedding
his blood to atone for the wrongs of
the world. Johannes Gabriel, an arti-
san. leaped the altar railing at the ten
o'clock mass at st. Patrick's Cathedral
yesterday and after 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 1t had not been
for the GOODNESS with which he con-
tinued his priestly functions on being
confronted by man at the height of
a religious mania a panic might have
ensued among the congregation.
Gabriel timed his interruption care
fully. Father Daily had just conse-
Grated the bread and was about to
consecrate the chalice of wine when
those sitting in the front part Of the
nave saw a heavily built, smooth
shaven man dart from his pew on the
south side. He had removed the
soiied 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. a white
woolen undershirt and a workman's
belt about six inches wide.
Draws Knife as He Kneels.
~-Reaching the railing Gabriel hesitated
moment and then bent the right knee
In reverert genuiection. The ctrgrega-
ticn stirred uneasiiys but there tas no
outcry. People were craning their necks
in apprehension OF the 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 congregation. gap
ing altar boys and acolytes watching
him strode to the foot of the altar. He
knelt for moment and then drew forth
a knife. Father DAILY described II after
ward as a pronged instrument with bent
points, such as he had never before seen.
Some worshipers believed the man In
tended to kill the priest at the altar.
Warning cries, some in frightened whis-
pers and others In loud tones. were ut
tered by the worshipers.
Father Daily did not turn around. In
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 courage of the
congregation, whatever might be the i'm
pending danger. II 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 crude sign Of the
cross In blood across his breast 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 being placed on the mass
hook at his left and drop of blood fall
OIL the white linen Of the altar cloth.
Then he turned in half circle and saw
the Intruder 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
German dCttut-onb VuS tabVA 10
under a tremendous stress of emotion
Father DAILY understood instantly that
what he wanted was to mingle his
blood with the symbolic wine that was
TO be offered in sacrifice a few mo-
ments later.
II knew was dealing with maniac
and that the only thing to do was to
humor him." said the priest. Il said,
Wait a minute. now. You must kneel
down first. He kept on talking ex-
citedly and I finally said. You must
90 down TO the pulpit and tell that to
the congregation
Seized by Worshipers.
The first man to reach Gabriel as he
stood gesticuating upon the altar was
Frank J. Liebhauser. a reired Newark
policeman. who rushed from his seat In
a front pew and pinioned the mans
arms from behind. Others by this time
had run forward and Gabriel was car
ried away and turned over to two po-
licemen.
Father DAILY took no part in the strus-
gle, his duty being to continue the mass.
Intense excitement prevailed during
Coot,ouad IN Pare Three