Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-11-16
The Arrest Of Ex-Priest Gerdemaua.


Telesrams TO this city have made brief men
tiOn of the arrest In Baltimore Saturday night,
OF Father Gerdemsnn, N-pastOr Of St. B0ni-
facius Church, ia Philadelphia, who left his
charge TO get married TO the organIst of the
church. The Baltimore Gazette this morning
prints the following interesting particulars OF
the events following his flight with her, and OF
the arrest: The wandering Father was no
longer Gerdemann by his name a. it appeared
on the hotel registers, but with the doffInE Of
the cleTlcal dress he hsd dOnn6d a new German
name, coined in his own fertile brain. In a
hret time the two decided to keep no house in
this country but 10 go to the F Fschcriani, aud
with thar that end in view they toyk a jast train
for Baltimore reaching here via the Baltimore
and OHIO railroad company on Thursday even
ing and registering at the Eutaw House as
J. 2. NEUsRR AND LADY.
The news of his presence in Baltimore
reached the ears OF the Philade Iphia detectives
ana about O'Clock Saturday morning Mar-h4l
John L. Gray received dispatch from Cltef
o ID. tectiye Eeins, of Philadelphia, 70 arrest
GerdemaIn and TO Immediately notify him
tHeIns).
LARCENY AND RMBEZZLRNEET.
In reply darsbai Gray telegTaphed about a.
M, that Gerdemann was IN Baltimore aud uro.
posed to leave for Europe at . p. m, Saturday,
and ssked that specific charges be telegraphed
or an Cftcer sent with warrant. An answer
was received az 10 O'Clock. Charge, "Iarceny
and embezZlsment."
Marshal Gray did not feel fully authorized by
this dispatch, but sent Detective Phelps, one OF
the most discreet officers of the force. 10 the
Eufaw house, with orders to detsin Gerdemann
Should he attempt to leave for Europe as he
proposed. The officer stationed himself at the
laoles' entrance, on Baltimore street, ana
awaited the arrival of the eN- priest. About IL
O'CLOCK lady entered a carriage which was in
waiting and was followed in a few minutes by
GeTdemann, whom the officer recognized from
8 description furnished him. He quietly told
Gerdemann that he was an officer, and that he
was wanted at the Office OF the marshal of pO-
lice. Gerdemann cOmpTehended, and said,
without excitement: "Well, it Ia Just what /
expected; am ready, and, indeed, anxious TO
relieve myself of the imputstiOns OF dishonesty
cast upon me, and Will therefore most cheer
fully accompany yOu.'
GERURMANN INTERVIEWED.
Gerdem6nn was interviewed by 4 Gazette re-
porter. The following is part or the conseTsa-
Q. Is the charge of embezzlement or theft,
made against YOU, true?
A. 1t is utterly false; by my sudden departure
from Philadelphia lose about IS, 900; the SUN
l took along with NE did not amount TO quite
$1,000, every cent Of which is honestly, and
more than double that, my own.
g u is reported You have been married?
a. That report is true; / was msrTied TO Miss
Margaret Wettich, at Jersey City, on the 4th
of Move mber, by Rev, Mr.. Suydan, minister
Of the Reformed Church.
q; HOY long have you been acquainted with
the lgdy?
A. over ten years; she is a lady of most ex-
ceilent character; of good education, and
highly cultivated. I married her with the full
consent OF her parents; since our engagement,
at the end OF last August, a good many priests
knew all about it, and were freely shown her
photograph by me.
WARRANT PROM PHILADELPHIA.
In the meantime Detective CbaTlee w. Wood,
OF Philadelphia, had arrived and reported to
Marshal Gray. He was armed with warrant
for the arrest of Gerdeman. Shortly after /
O'Clock Gerdemanu, his wife, Detective Wood
and Detective Phelps drove to the Union depot,
and at 10 80 p. the three first IN mentioned were
speeding toward Philadelphia.
GRRDENANN,
the ex-pastor Of st. Bonifacius', who is now
before the public, remained composed and
cheerful a ia nf
age, is finely educated, speaks several IAN
guages, and has an intellectual look. His
features are large, but the general expression
et his face is good. He has no beard, has a
light moustache and wears spectacles. In
height he is about six feet, and weighs probably
1e0 pounds.
MRS. GERDEMANr.
Mrs. Oerdemann onSatuTlay was apparently
as uncOncerned, after her arrival at police
headquarters, about the charges against her
husband as himself. There was no charge
whatever against the lady, Of which fact she
was notified, but with womau's devotion. she
declared her intention of remaining with her
busband during his troubles, and said that il he
were Imprisoned Size desired to be with him.
From Mr. Gerdemsnn's statement alone it will
be seen that be has been acquainted with his
wife ten years. from which II is inferred III at
he met her while assistant pastor of the first
church to which be was assigned after being or
daiDed priest in Reading. Pa. The lady is OF
German psrentage, and is decidedly handsome.
She was dressed tastefully in black. Ske is
above the average height, and weighs perhaps
about $50 POUNDS. Her age is in the neighb0r-
hood Of 2S years. The couple have the man
ners, appearance and general bearing OF refined
and we'll educated persons.
ARRIVAL AT PHILADELPHIA,
A telegram from Philadelphia states that
Gerdemann and his wife arrived at police
headquarters in that city at 2:30 O'Clock yester-
day Sunday morning, in company with De-
tectve Wood. He was given a hearing before
Alderman Carpenter at O'Clock last evening,
and i'll default of { 2 000 bail was detained for a
further examination at O'Clock this afternoon.
He was not locked up in a cell, but accOmmO-
dated with quarters in a comfortably furnished
office OF the fire marshal. He does not seem
much troubled ever his position. His sister
spent the greater part OF yesterday with him.
With this exception he had no visitors.
Immediately upon reaching Philadelphia q
separation took place between the newly
welded pair, and Mrs. Gerdemann proceeded
direct TO the home OF her parents at K eading,
Pennsylvania.