A LUNATIC WITH A REVOLVER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4530, 5 December 1884, Page 4

A LUNATIC WITH A REVOLVER.

Alarming Episode In a Country Tows.

As showing the danger of lunatics being at large, we quote from the "Sydney Evening News" the following account from its Armidale correspondent of an exciting incident at that place :— li A man, whose name is believed to be L. S. Thomas, went into Mr Moore's store yesterday and selected a revolver. He offered to pay for it with a cheque. His manner was peculiar, and the cheque was declined" and the revolver not sold; Thomas then repaired to Friedman's- shop, where a revolver was shown to him. Having profited by his former experience, he abandoned the cheque scheme, and tried the effect of loading the weapon and presented it at Mr Friedman's head. This had the effect of lowering Mr Friedman's head and body with extraordinary rapidity behind the counter. Thomas took advantage of the opportunity to make his way into the. street with the revolver and the ammunition. He soon encountered a policeman, but he presented the revolver at the constable's head, and got away down toward the creek. A crowd meanwhile had collected, and they followed him. One or two persons went forward to capture him, but as he took deliberate shots at them, these adventurers thought it advisable to keep at a respectful distance. The town was by this time fairly aroused, and people dashed hither and thither in wild pursuit. The police turned up from different-quarters. One carried a rifle, and the others were more or less prepared for contingencies. Meanwhile Thomas strolled up to the Rev. Mr Johnston's, where a son of that gentleman was discoursing sweet music on the pianoforte in the drawing-room. Having heard a knock, Mr Norman Johnston went and opened the door, and invited the visitor to enter. Thomas walked in, and introduced himself not by presenting his card but his revolver. Mr Johnston very promptly took hold of Thomas by the vwrist and possessed himself of the weapon. The police and others arrived at this moment, and Thomas was shoved ignominiously down the street to- his 'dungeon cell.' On the way down he addressed- the crowd, and in his own words admitted his error. Now that the excitement has cooled down, the general opinion expressed is that Thomas made- very bad shooting."