National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-11-16

RArHKR dERDENANH EXPLAINS.
PrevsOustO his arrest, Father Gerdemann pub
lished the following card in the Baltimore Sun.
The publication Of this card on Saturday gave
the authorities at Philadelphia the information
Of Father Gerdsmann's whereabouts:
Myeharaeter for honesty have been attacked,
and the malicious SANDER having spread broad
east over the land, feel it my duty to right my
self before the public.
have ieft the Catholic Church. rejecting all
its peculiar tenets, and viii, please God, never
return to It. For this step offer no apology.
have married my beloved wife, nee Miss Mar
garet Wittieh, Of Heading, Pa, on the 4th inst,
the full consent Of her parents in the presence OF
the minister's amiable lady and OF q brother
priest. have known and esteemed the lady for
over ten years but no undue familiarity has ever
taken place between US. In fact, owe the happy
possession Of her, to great extent, to the slam
visits to my home during my sisters soJourn in
Europe. Our engagement dates back only from
the end Of last August
single word in vindiestion Of her excellent char
aeter. Since our engagement over half dozen
OF. priests knew about Il and saw her photograph,
given to me about that time. or course the
Church will declare our marriage null and void,
but rather trust on this point the good Judgment
or the Roman Church. For the step took in
marrying, Bishop Wood or any other eoclesiasu-
Seat ~ t sv otbsr
on me. will not have word Of remonstranee.
On the contrary, the further they kick me out Of
the Church the nearer, feel shall be to honor
now come to the only charge I wish to defend
myself against-the charge of dishonesty. MY
9th Of last July, when brother priest and
jointly bought 200 lshares Of Pennsylvania, de-
bonsbt apethsr ioo share. On this ipys1tms M
we made jointly e753S3. This profit, am sorry
TO say, We lost by investing in New York and
Erie and Reading shares. As to my gpeeuIations
In real estate, bought two houses, with the full
knowledge and permission Of the Bishop. In one
house lived with my assistants, without ever
charging the church with cent for rent
The rent for the other house, Mr.. Uhlinger Will
testify, went not into my pocket, but toward pay
Of the new church. On the houses are mortgages
to the amount Of e10, 700, which borrowed In
order 10 pay claims against the church. The in
out Of my own money. The other Of Cd 400, was
loaned from the building association, and was also
my money. did not leave the houses to my sis
Bishop Wood. They are worth about $4,000
Before buying those houses certainly lived as
modestlY and uncomfortably as any priest In the
Asto my bond speeuIations, I invested 500 in
the German Bank Of PottsYllle, which / sold
+. lately at heavy discount TO Mr.. Nagle In order
to pay depositor. Besides the one building as
ISOLATION mentioned, Ihad paid In $500 TO another,
which also withdrew 70 pay depositors with.
reach the sum Of g. 900. i, for my part look upon
this sum Of e, 600 as q rather small reward for
more Llll ten years laDOr. 6ealQea. ever SUI Oh
what took we're actually perquisltes and inten-
lions; q, 900 Of Il my sister can have at any mo-
ment, since for all her hard work for over ten
years. abe has never taken orWould take any re-
Furthermore, / have LEFT far over $500 in church
vestments and house furniture, being partly
bought by myself and partly presents, 50 that
properly speaking scarcely have 81 900 out ofthe
church revenues. also wish to remind the peo-
short interval, have acted the sexton, and for
the first two years even made the nres In the heat
ers. safely can appeal TO all the business men
or depositors have had dealings with Whetheror
not have not met all my obligations promptly
plead guilty to the greatest follyin contract
ing the heavy debt resting on the church, though
demonstrated, but in vain, against building such
Wood, that viii send all my savings during life
towards paying OF the debts Of the church, not as
debt owe 70 justice, but as penalty due 70
folly. II BY their sad experience in my case the
Catholics should learn how earelessly and ire
spensibly their affairs are conducted, think they
have paid done too dear for the lesson.
unfounded, / took none along and destroyed
none. Unless some one tempered with them,
they viii be all there, although In great confa-
Twill inform Bishop Wood Of my whereabouts
as soon as md settled home, and I promise
him that will be ready to take issue with him
IN any court on any criminal or civil charge he
may prefer against me. During my whole career
in the ministry the finger Of scandal never rested
and circulate shall not notice, provided they
leave my character for honesty intact. In that
case this viii be my only and last Communication.
love Bishop Wood yettoo dearly to wound him
III the least
The accommodation notes got from three gem
tlemen were paid to deposit0rs. At the time /
asked for them had no notion Of leaving before
next spring. ] took them IN good faith, as had
taken good many Of the same parties before, and
which were always promptly paid. may add
yet that II honors, position and influence Wonld
keep man against his convictions IWould have
the church for the sake Of principle.
J. W. GKRDEMAHN.