The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-24
Serious Charge Against Catholic Priest,


COMMIT A RAPE.
from the Cincinnati Enquirer, June 81
The Police Court was crowded yesterday in con-
sequence of it having leaked out that German
priest had been arrested upon the above charge.
After the usual business had been disposed Of Peter
KDeger was arraigned upon a warrant which had
been sworn out for assault and battery upon kathe-
rine F. Myers. This was, by request of the Prose
cutting Attorney Mr.. Logan, dismissed and charge
of assault with intent 10 commit rape preferred.
The defendant is an elderly man, apparently about
fifty years Of age, middle sized, and of rather flo
rid cast of countenance. The girl, Katherine Myers,
is turned of fourteen rather stout built, good look
ing German girl, of a very modest appearance with
remarkably large speaking black eyes. She did not
understand English, aud her testimony had to be
translated by an interpreter She appeared to be
laboring under excess of fright, and gave her evil
aence in so low tone that it caused considerable
Eelay as Mr.. Norman, who appeared as counsel for
The defence insisted upon the right Of his client to
hear what she said Upon being sworn, she de-
posed as follows:--
Am fourteen years old; am acquainted with Mr..
Kroeser; don't know what day went to confession but
1t was the day before yesterday (Monday) found him
In the church Fifth street. built the site of the
Bne burned down. went to confession some girls went
With me; the 6rst question Mr. Kroeger asked me
elf had sinDed il was in the confessional there
a girl with me; replied that had done nothing; he
then out Of the confessional ard told 10 fol
low him into his house; he then asked me he was al
lowed to whip me-; he spoke to me in low Dutch !
speak high Dutch; he put other questions to me did
not understand; he asked me If had snned with
man; be then asked me if he allowed to whip me;
thing to me- he said want to know It. meaning IL
had sinned with man; this before went out of
the confessional he said nothing OF whipping in confess
sionai when he went in the he asked me to
tell what sin ] had done | replied, no more
than | told him he locked the door when I
frst went in, and asked me If he was al.
lowed to whip me; / told him he no, had no right
to whip he then again asked me IL / had sinned
with man told him he speaking in low Butch
did not understand all he said; when told him had
not sinned with man he told me that must have done
30 he lifted up my Clothes and said he going whip
md wit a
small stick he struck four times the bare skim he
lifted my clothes up In front directly aerward and said
ne wanted TO then said he not do IT, and he
EAAks Was allowed said nothing he then looked he
3ell my mother he wanted see her said NV mother
had time when he whipped he laid me on his Ian.
when he lifted my clothes with the right hand he naced
his left hand on my stomach screamed loudly ana the
neghbors heard me that the time he told me TO 90
home he unlocked the door and went home md told
my mother that Father Kroeger had whipped mo. I ala
mot tell my mother about his lifting my dress ninth she
made me; when he in the confessional he told me
fhat was not the place for him must 20 TO his room
Cross. examined-H was about the time school com
rnenced IN the afternoon, the went into was on
the main floor Of the church IL on the same side s
abe school house Father Ritter in and asked IL
there girls who wanted to 90 "a ccnfas
zion Father Kroeger said somebody hallooed ebove
fhat girl getting beating Father Ritter camo Ia
OF the door that goes into the house, aher Kroegar
locked IL to let him In and locked il when he vent outs
heard carpenters working all the time; / know Of no
difficulty which bad seviousy occurred between Father
IroeQer and my parents no struck four time with
Tie stick; Father Ritter not In the when was
winged.
Jufana schmoltzln sworn-I live near the chnrch:
nniy partition between my and the church
boaay afternoon heard some one halo, and cried