Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 October 1893 — A MANIAC’S DEED. [ARTICLE]

A MANIAC’S DEED.

Frightful Tragedy in the Chicago Board of Trade. A Lunatic Fatally Wounds Two Man—Fired Hv« Timas From th* Gallery. A fusillade of bullets was fired into the wheat pit on the Chicago Board of Trade, Wednesday. Instantly business was. bronght to a standstill arfdthewlldest excitement ensued. M- F. Bennett, a broker, received a frightful wound in the neck. Charles Boswell, a telegraph operator, was shot in the leg. The perpetrator was quickly overpowered and taken Into the office of the secretary of the board. ■ It was reported among the excited throngs on the floor and the crowds that gathered outside the building that the prisoner was a maniac. The Individual who did the shooting was a stranger who gained access to the gallery a few moments before noon. He fired at random into the throng of speculators, fortunately only injuring two persons. Mr. M. F. Bennett, secretary of the* Board of Trade Mutual Benefit Association, and a prominent member of the board, will die from his injuries, and little hopes are given for the recovery of C. W. Rosswell, one of the telegraph operators. The man who did the shooting fired his revolver five times. He stood up at the rear end of the gallery and fired twice at. the wall, and then pointing tho weapon down at the floor fired three more times. Bennett fell mortally wounded and was carried into the secretary’s room while physicians were sent for. Thomas Barrett; a member of the board, captured the man and handed him over to the police. The man >vas evidently a lunatic. He is a stout man of middle age, poqrly dressed, and for a time refused to give any name but “Chicago.” Subsequently he gave the name of Cassius Belden, of 305 La Salle avenue. Business was completely suspened. As soon as the physicians arrived they pronounced Bennett fatally shot. Streams of blood flowed from the unfor nate man’s neck and a gaping wound presented itself. Bennett lay on the table gasping for breath and the end was momentarily expected. Roswell was picked up senseless and laid on a table. The ball entered his chin on tho left side and ranged downward. “I want to talk to a reporter,” said the prisoner to Police Lieutenant Golden, as he was led downstairs in tho Harrison street police station. “My name is Cassius Beldln. lam a carriage painter, and live at 265 La Salle avenue. I’vo been under hypnotic influence for three years. Three years ago a maxi named Jones hypnotized me at 229 Huron street. Hypnotism is slow, and It has only been a short time -since I reached the exalted state. I was in the vulgar state for a long time. I have visited the Board of Trade frequently. I knew 1 was In bondage. It has been a struggle for bread with all of us, but when they began to sell my soul in the Board of Trade, to-day, I resisted. Before they sold my soul they sold my two children, who are in Philadelphia. I have a wife in Philadelphia, besides two children. We are all in bondage. It is a struggle for bread.” Mr. Barrett, who captured the madman singlchanded. is the hero of the hour, but disclaims any special bravery.