Punches By Priest Break Four Ribs

1914

Thrashes Man Who Turned Family Out of House

Wilmington, Del., Jan. 19. — John Cavanaugh, who was given a severe beating when he attempted to attack Rev. John Lynch at his home on Lancaster pike, will not be able "to get around" for three or four weeks, according to his physician, Dr. J. Harvey Spruance. Rev. Mr. Lynch said Cavanaugh tried to use a knife.

The priest, who is assistant pastor of Thomas' Catholic church, after wrenching the knife from his assailant, proceeded to give him a whipping the like of which Cavanaugh had never experienced in his life before.

Among other injuries Cavanaugh received four fractured ribs and a wound over the left eye. He told his physician that he thought he had been struck by a trolley, so painful were his injuries.

The clerical exponent of muscular Christianity had hurried to Cavanaugh's home on learning that the man had driven his wife and four children out into the cold. The priest had no more than entered the house when the man, it is alleged, made a lunge at him with the knife.