A MADMAN IN THE STREETS OF NEW YORK.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 978, 2 January 1883, Page 3

A MADMAN IN THE STREETS OF NEW YORK.

For some time on the afternoon of Oct. 10, terror prevailed in East Fourteenth street, New York. A crazy Frenchman, armed with a deadly weapon dashed down the side walk, starting opposite No. 16, and before he was overpowered, just below Fifth Avenue, six ladies, one man, and two little'boys were bleeding from one or more slab wounds inflicted by him. It was about half-past lour o’clock, when the street, which is lined with dry goods stores and other shops attractive to ladies, teemed with life- and bustle. As on every pleasant afternoon there were groups of people looking at the displays in the windows, a moving- line of persons shopping and hundreds of strolling promenaders. Perhaps in no other street in the city would there be apt to be more lady pedestrians at that time of the day. The south side of the thoroughfare is by far the more popular at all times, and in the afiernoon is generally crowded from curb to store front. Such was the case, when suddenly a wild cry of 11 Run, run, he’ll kill you !” broke out from a knot of people in front of the millinery store of E. A. Griesou, at No. 16. The group

L sen tiered at once. Some went into the - street, others pitched pell-mell into the store, and a few ran up the street. The cause of the excitement was a stoutlybuilt man, clad in seedy brown clothes, who, with wild-looking eyes, stood still for a moment brandishing above his head a widely-opened painter’s compass, of fully seven inches in length. At his feet lay a woman he had just knocked down, and stepping over her body he caught sight of a number of ladies examing the articles in the show windows of Johnson’s dry goods store. With a yell he started for them, dealing blows right and left, utterly regardless of whom he struck. Three or four ladies fell fainting to the sidewalk, while many more were knocked insensible by the madman’s fist. He grasped the compass in his left hand and made a lunge at everyone he met. Those coming up the street stopped when they heard the cries of the crowd in front, and instantly sought places of refuge. Many rushed into Johnston’s store, screaming and crying, with the maniac at their heels. He first rushed at the group in front of

the window. In it were Mrs Stoltzen- ” burg arid Miss King. Both were stabbed and both heat a retreat to the dry goods store, followed by a dozen other ladies. They had just time to get inside and shut the door when they heard the noise made by the compass as it entered the panel. Pulling out the weapon the crazy man set off on a, run towards Fifth Avenue. Near the corner he overtook Miss Checker, and aimed a blow which took effect in her back. Miss Fiedler was about to step from the crosswalk when he plunged the blood-stained instrument into her breast and rushing on met Mrs Worth, wife of the artist, who was walking with her husband and her daughter. He rushed at her with great force with the compass held out at arm’s length. She felt it enter her side, and swooned into her husband’s arms. Still the madman kept on. The next victim was Mrs Hanley, who was walking with her two little girls, and an unknown lady dressed in black silk. A determined row of men then faced the villain, and he turned to go back no Fourteenth street. Just as he did so a powerful fellow, who is said to have resembled a detective in dress, but whom nobody seems to know, grabbed him by the coat collar from behind and flung him to the ground. The crowd then threw themselves upon the prostrate man and took away his frightful weapon. He covered his face with his hands and begged in French for mercy. Patrolman Charles A. Hanley, who had run down from University place, then put in an appearance. He took charge of the prisoner and- the compass, but on starting for the Mercer street stationhouse learned of the wholesale stabbing. Sending a hoy for Patrolman Hall, of the Broadway squad, to whom ho transferred now cowed and weeping lunatic, Hanley inquired for the He was told that one of Mhem, a lady, had been taken into the office of William H. Humes, in the basement of the building on the corner. Hanley went in, but came out in a few minutes with a blanched face. “ Who is it ?” asked one of the crowd. “My wife,” Hanley replied, as he looked up the street in the . direction taken by Hall and the prisoner, Mrs Hanley is by far the most seriously hurt of all. Her wound is a deep one, and it is thought that the steel punctured the coating of the heart. The unknown lady was cut upon the wrist, and said she had also been pierced in the left breast ; but she went home immediately after her wounds wore dressed by Mr Bternes, of Alden and Sternes, in front of whose office she was attacked, and would answer no questions as to her identity.