SIEGE OF A MANIAC.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9424, 21 April 1909, Page 7

SIEGE OF A MANIAC.

A curious scene was j 5 Berlin when police and flymen laid siege to a handsome house in the West End of the German capital in / order to secure an 7- ho iK become a dangerous lunatic. The -ex-Judge inquestion .Gustav Niemn, . is a min of 63. and had to leave the Bench because the loss of his wife ' sadly unsettled his mind. He. how- ’ ever, improved very much, and eventually married his housekeeper, a woman of 32. Then his mind again ibaoame affected, and he to Italy fora change. With his wife he came back from his travels, and was- seemingly very well until the night of Saturday, February 2rth. Then'he suddenly began raying, ana •threatened to shoot his wife and her maid. He was. quieted, and seemedso much better hafcno thing more was thought of the dent until midday on Sunday* rmrif i Then the thoroughfare wafl alarn K d hv the annearanoe on the balcony or H b fe honro e f a Mrs Niemer screaming for heln A great crowd gathered, and' an attempt made to enter the touse Jevealedthe fact that the.doors had been not only locked and bolted ; but nailed np. The P ol ice were sent ■lor, and the door was forced, only to show more barricades beyond. _ At this point the maniac appeare at the window, which he out of its,frame, and then b-gan hurling various missiles at the crowd, so the fire brigade was sent for. When the firemen arrived the engine was set to work, and whenever the maniac’s face was seen at a window the hose was turned on it, and he was driven back, while a detachment of firemen made their way' np the back stairs from the court to take him in the rear. At length the door leading to the room whither Nienor had retreated was forced in. The maniac rushed forward to meet the attack armed with a stout cudgel, but he was received by a well directed jet of water from the nozzle of a hose which sent him sprawling on the carpet. After this he caused no further trouble, but allowed himself to be led off •-quite quietly.