The New York herald., 1874-12-31
CASE OF GERDEMANN.

GREAT EXCITEMENT AMONG THE GERMAN cArHo-
Lies or Observation-Disclosures OF THE
CHANGES AGAINST THE ALLEGED DEFAULrER
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 80, 1874.
At ten O'Clock this morning Judge Finletter re-
sumed the hearing. upon haoeas corpus OF the
case John W. Gerdemann the ex-Catholic priest
who was arrested upon the charge OF embeZzling
funds entrusted to him as pastor OF the Church OF
St. Boniiacus IN this city, TO deiray the expenses
OF erecting the church aud conducting other re-
iigious affairs OF his parish The examination was
begun last Saturday; but, not being concluded at
the usual hour OF adjournment, was continued
until yesterday, when a vast concourse OF people,
presumably his former par,shoners and contrbut-
ing cestuts quo trust including both sexes, filed
the old court room, situated on the corner OF
sixth ana Chestnut streets, from the opening
thereof until the closing, half past three O'CLOCK
IN the afternoon and crowded the area m ircnt OF
the court during the entire session. Testimony
produced yesterday 10 show that deposits
were made by different persons to large amount,
and that large amount had not been accoun ted
Tor.
THE BOOKS OF GERDEMANN
were shown to have been kept in such a careless
manner that It was hard matter for the expert
employed In this case to make head or tail out OF
the books. number OF ladies, many OF them
members of the church. and most OF them Ger
mans, were examined by the counsel Tor the com,
monwealth and cross-examined by the counsel foF
the reator. Rev. Father Carter, Vicar General OF
this diocese produced the laws OF the church, re-
quiring all secular priests having charge OF the
temporal affairs OF the church 10 make annual re-
turns to Keep their AFFAIRS separate from those OF
the church, and to Keep proper records OF their
transactions Mr. Power, accountant or Bishop
Wood, testified that the Bishop i very sick; he
and parsonage, held in trust Tor the church by the
Bishop, also accounts showing advances by the
Bishop to the church OF $780, 100, and credit to
Mr.. Gerdemann OF $1,000 in 1870. letter from
Gerdemann, acknowledging his Indebtedness to
the Bishop was read. An adjournment until this
morning was ordered, to give the relator an OPP
portunity TO examine the books and make state
menr OF the accounts, and TO enable both sides, II
hgures
The court room this morning was more densely
packed than yesterday, and as the tria proceeds
The interest increases. Gerdemdnn was
THE CYNOSURE OF ALL EYES
In the court and since his arrest he has cultivated
last held sacerdotal communication with his con-
gregaton. He looks ABOUT thirty five years OF age,
mas lignt brown nair and wears gold spectacies.
He sat with his counsel and frequently conferred
with them in the course OF the investigation. lie
seems 70 ne periecty seLapossesseo saa nas ratner
counsel were Messrs- James II. Heverin ana Joseph
Ford, and the prosecution was represented by
Messrs. r. Carroll Bre wster and William l.. HlrSt.
Hon. william b. Mann, the District Attorney, OF
this city was also present, but thus far has let the
case pretty much III the hanos ol Mr.. Hlrst and
Judge Brewster, both OF whom are eminent law
yers at this Bar A great many Germans are in
the court room watching lntently the proceedings,
and His Honor cautioned tnem about making any
disturbance during the progress OF the trial Sew
winch Mr.. Hirst commenced she argument
On BEHALF or THE CoMMONwEALrH
bv referring to tine duties OF a trustee. The party
n Gtad Wlf q nj m
leaves ais residence IN ,nis city ana buys ticket
for foreign land. These are evidences OF fraud
from Baltimore. MT. Gerdemann packed up In
September last and left this city after having re-
Mr.. Weitze, who deposited 1t as a loan, expecting
to be paid interest. He probably intended TO leave
70 Bishop WOOD, acknowledging ms
TO the church and promises TO liquidate the deot,
year by year, as ne becomes able during his lie.
He Is arrested in Baltimore. After the publication
Gf TINS disaster the police OF the different cities
were on the Lookout for this man. and he is
brought on 10 THIS city. His books are examined
and fraudulent entries found. Having re-
ceved over $4O0. 900 during q period OF eight
years. and being indebted to the church tor over
$2oocp, why did he not leave some accounts to
show Ghat became OF the money? The book
the book Of donations. Mr.. Hirst then referred to
the enormous amounts oi money deposited IN
book It would lave been an easy matter TO
have kept daily account OF the money received
oy hlm belonging TO other peop,e. Did he
honest maDS He was under hlgn duty, preach
Ing and administering at holy altar day by oay.
Mr.. Hlrst then read the letter from Gerdemann
to Bishop Wood, denying the in.dllDliity
OF the Pope aud referring to his Gerdemann's)
deDts almost killing him, &c, and also
read several cases from the State reports In re-
gard to the duties and reSpon slDlltes OF trustees
BANKERS brokers and agents. Mr.. Hnst, alter
closing his remarks eloquent manner, was
followed Dy Mr.. James Fl. Heverln, who opened Tor
the relator The counsel, at the opening. remarked
that his client would consent 10 nave his case 90
before Jury. but thai he did not wish the Court
to discharge him upon mere technical points, He
projected TO argue the case, and confUed himself
principally TO the legal aspect oil the case. after
remarkng tnat his client was here voluntarily and
was anxious for lu investigation oil TINS case
Mr.. Heverin referred TO several IRON the
books relating to trustees, bankers, brokers, &c.
and was very eloquent a. times aud listened to
very attentiveiy during the whole course OF his
argument. He closed his argument at two p NJ.