Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-06-16
From the Chicago Tribune, June II.
A Catholic Priest Claiming his Wife IN a
Court of Justice.

The case Of The People er reiations Nicholas
Stamber against Anthony SCHNEIDER, which came
before the court of common pleas of Cook county,
Hon. John N. Wilson presiding, on Saturday, pre-
sents curious picture Of married life and reveals
some strange practices ON the part Of the Catholic
clergy, and some equally strange matters of faith
ON the part of the more ignorant portion Of their
focks.
1t appears that about year ago, Nicholas Stanl-
Der, then priest Of the Catholic Church, was uni
ted In marriage with Anna Maria Schneider Ger
man girl, the daughter Of the defendant, and a
good Catholic. The marriage ceremony was per-
formed by Father Peter Kramer, in private room,
without the use of the wedding ring, and without
witnesses. In all other respects the marriage
mony was performed according TO the rites of the
Catholic Church, the parties agreeing and assent
ing thereto, promising to be man and wife to each
other, and the priest giving them the nuptial bene-
diction and pronounciDg them man and wife,
After the ceremony, Father Nicholas took the
girl home and kept her as an upper servant or
housekeeper, treating her kindly and paying her
wages regularly. The girl says herself that although
he always spoke Of her as his wife, they occupied
separate apartments.
Some three months since she left his house and
went to Niles, Michigan, where she entered n fam
ily in the capacity Of servant Her own account
Is, that both her marriage to and desertion from
her husband was In accordance with the advice Of
her parents and friends. To use their own Ian
guage, :" she was talked into it,"
Up to the time of his wife's leaving him, Father
Nicholas had continued his public ministrations in
the church, but since then we understand has been
deposed from the priesthood, as has also Father
Peter Kramer.
This suit was brought IN the chancery side Of
the Court Of Common Pleas, by the husband, to
recover possession Of his wife, whom he alleged
was illegally detained from him by Anthony
Schneider. The writ issued, commanding Schnei-
der to produce the body Of Anna Mary before the
court II was served on Schneider on the 9th OF
June by I. s. Buckley, deputy sheriff. On going
into the country to serve the writ, he found Anna
Mary at the house Of one Judson, about four
miles from her fathers residence, and took her
there with him.
On Saturday, the defendant appeared before
Hon. John NJ Wilson, the Court Of Common Pleas,
and in obedience to the writ produced the body Of
his daughter. The husband was also present. For
the purpose Of ascertaining the true state Of the
case, and Of finding out what her wishes we're in
regard TO living with her husband, the Court or,
dered the room to be cleared Of all persons except
the officers Of the court, an interpreter and re-
porters Of the press, and proceeded TO question
the girl
We are not OF course, at liberty to disclose al
that was then elected; but il appeared, in addi
ton to the above facts that che did not consider
the marriage legal or binding, because her hus
band was a priest that she left her husband Of
her own accord and she wished now to 20 with
her parents and stay with them, and not 60 with
| her husband that the reason that she wished q
leave her husband was that she had been educated
in the belief that she could never 60 to Heaven /
she lived In marriage with a PRIEST but that nc
threats whatever had been made TO her by her
parents, by the priests, or by the bishop. She
gave her name as Anna Mary Snyder, and not Al
Anna Mary stamber.
Judge Wilson informed the young lady that the
marriage was perfectly valid and legal one, BY
the laws Of this State, although Il might be mat.
ter Of discipline in their own church and that
she could not marry any other man while her hus.
band was living; but that she was not compelled
TO live with him and asked who she would &c
with, her husband her fatber7 She answered
promptly with her father. The doors were ther
re opened, and her husband and parents, the attor
| neys on both sides, and the other members of the
bar re-entered.
The husband was informed that the body OF hi,
wife had been produced and that she was here in
court that the marriage, by the laws Of Illinois,
was perfectly legal and valid, but that he was moi
to use any force In compelling her TO 90 with him
The husband now walked across the room e
where the lady stood, and minated TO her hi,
desire that she should 70 home with him. But
she resolutely refused; nor could all his persua
sions induce her to waver from her determination
She left the court with her parents and the last
we saw Of the disconsolste spouse he was follow
ing In the wake Of his wife, pouring forth his en-
treaties, TO which she turned deaf ear.