The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-29
The Narrative of the Life and Death Of
Z. Father Canny, Catholic Priest.
An ALLEGED MURDER.
Mortgages, Money, &crDip s-rr r' r"~ Nev'
/ lures in . Brool1yn Boa-As-E 49," -
Coroner Young Notified to Com 81
mence an Investigation. ~

Coroner Young was called on to, Investigate mat.
er Of deep and painful interest-nAMely money.
Alleged murder and morbid morals, with the usual
plentiful crop OF heartburning,s commonly incident
% family quarrels and disputed Wills. On due con-
liberation the Coroner did, not feel justified at the
time IN pressing the caseS6n the somewhat meagre
Information furnished plausible reasons for death
rom natural causes having per contra been brought
1orWard), and held it over telling the reh-
tives Interested, however, that should they
collect anything more tangible for HIM to go
upon they would not find him backward in
urging the dread machinery OF the law TO bring
TO condign punishment the authors of the alleged
Infamous crime This they have been diligently oc-
.cuped In obtaining and the affair has now as
sumed q shape which seems TO promise the devel-
opment of narrowing cruelties in our midst. re-
porter of the HERALD was despatched yesterday TO
interview all parties concerned, ana TO impartm lily
record their several statements. This has been
faithful1y done with the following results. Pre-
missing that the supposed victim OF avarice ana n
weakened intellect was Father p. J. Canny, 1t was
resolved to visit his sister first Mrs Croty resides
Mt OF Cranberry street. Brooklyn, facing the back
doors Of Plymouth church
Mrs. Crotty was not at home, but after an hour
and halrs industrious wandering with the tongue
of inquiry and the feet of patience the vicinity
her son-in-law, Mr. william J. Shedlock, civil engi
neer, doing business in White street in this
CITY, was discovered at 43 Willow street. and from
INN was elected the following exhaustive state
ment 1t has every symptom OF probability, but IL
must be remembered that 1t is on the side Of the
prosecution and the public, OF course, know better
Than to suffer themselves to be hurried into hasty
prejudgements
After the usual preliminary Interchange OF cOur
Teses and exhibition of credentials the reporter
rative in the planest matter offact way 1t being
understood that any points appearing to require
further calculation should be the subject OF special
questions.
Mr.. SnEDLOCK-Father p. ]. Canny native OF
the county Clare Ireland, who had been educated
In France at St. Omer. and had held passionate in
that country, came to New York in ls47 He
twenty-four years OF age an able and jealous
priest, and was at once indicted into curacy in
Boston. Here he won golden opinions for his ma
tive benevolence, his cultured energy, his inspiring
el0quence and was speedily marked for promotion.
On the death of Bishop Fitzpatrick Bishop VIII
hams, who succeeded him on the episcopal throne,
appointed Father Canny pastor OF church in
Lexington, near Boston. In 1871 he was re-
leved by the Bishop in order that he might
recruit his health and renew old friendships among
the early associations of his life In France. Be-
fore his departure he paid q visit to his sister, Mrs.
Crotty designing there to arrange his outfit for a
heightened foreign tour and to enjoy the sweets OF
0er nome circle. mrs. NrOtty nad kept DOardcrS Tor
quite number of years and had accumulated Il
not inconsiderable sum OF money. This, as u
widow, and not too well posted in business affairs
she concluded to invest in her brothers name Tor
greater supposed security, and, accordingly pur-
chased the house which she had so long rented
her thrift. One Of 'G her boarders a' Colonel
Wagner, ascertained this--ndeed, she appears to
moreover, that Father Canny was himself not
wholly destitute OF this worlds goods. The plan
agreed on was for Mrs Wagner the wife OF the
I'm Rh Af Tho
reverend father and tempt him as st. Anthony
was tempted. To her buxom charms were super
whskey. Sympathy with his not robust health,
prescribing stimnlants and eagerly ,pandering
was 70 be- the pane OF his Existence
She used every vile 10 get the priest. body and
soul In her clutches, and too fatally succeeded.
Their interviews grew tender and still tendcrer.
Prospect Park jaunts and change OF dormtories
was arranged, TIL, what with the whiskey and
duct, scandal speedily shot clouds Of arrows round
That horne. The priest was Infatuated, and re-
senting the approximations Of his sister, who bore
with him with the patience Of an angel, he was led
70 listen to the Mephstophelian suggestion OF his
Ser co Of BEING ins
out the title In his name, to raise
money on the house and leave his sister.
This audacious proposal staggered him. The bare
faced dishonesty, the barbarty Of robbng his own
sister and she widow. of the hard. earned savings
tofily and decidedly refused. Mrs Wagner re-
newed her efforts, tearfully coaxed him to sue
Mtb the Sete AMI The Whsm
stern virtue Of the beloved pastor OF Lexington,
Mass, melted like wax beneath the furnace OF this
gotiated a loan with ease for $4,000. Of which
he handed little more than third to the
duct OF the wagners had by this
time become so boisterOus-the neighbors began to
nection with Father Canny-that the g-suiIerng
widow was resolved to have no more OF them, and
bade them leave. They left nothing 10th, as 1t was
<,ooiaef 70 matt ha frnm thpir vie out nf
reach Of his relatives, and, with little persuasion.
took him with them, brbing the driver OF the close
carriage which took them or not TO disclose the
direction OF their new abode. Whether Father
Canny ever made any EFFORT, or was, indeed al
TO form wish to make such an effort to see his
relatives again, Is not and can never be
known. He was already dead to them. His
captors and jailors were accidentally discovered
by one OF the family In West Washington place but
a access to their prisoner was roughly denied with
had strictly enjoined that they were never to he
admitted to his presence. TO eude possible inter
ference they, like the Arabs, folded their tents
street, whence traced again, they removed TO their
present residence and the scene OF the alleged
Wagner, who Is Surveyor in the Central Park
A. Is said, was In the habit OF going
Father Canny's money having been all extracted,
the conspirators cared not TO be further .'put to
charges with him, and his DEATH 1t is rumored,
deliberately comprised Detectives were employed
by his Borrowing relatives to find him, but sue
Ceeded too late TO save his wretched life. He died
on the I'd, and was buried on the 4th OF July at
Goshen The records Of the Health Department in
Mulberry street show that the burial permit was
granted on the certificate of DR.. FAIRIES. OF 236
East Seventy-eighth street, who stated that the
cause OF death was apopexy. Dr. woolley
who resides In the same street, nearer
Father Canny had been simply beaten to death.
The corpse was covered with bruises, the bed was
broken down, and to his mind, no satisfactory ex.
PLANTATION was rendered. Mrs. Wagner outacted
Miss Bateman In "Medea" In her inconsolablc and
demonstratve grief for her dear uncle" and quite
will Is to be contested.
NREP0RTER with gasp; the weather was hot and
tie story long)-Is that all. Mr.. ShedlockS
Mr.. STIEDLocK-AlI, and enough TOOL
REPoRrER-IIow did you get so taken in Was
1here nothing suspicious in their conduct before
acu N tan i'm w