The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1874-12-04
OUR ASSOCIATED PRESS. LETTER.


Philadelphia, Nov. "a, 1874. "
sCANDALoUs.
I trusted that this city would be
spared its scandal of a pastoral char
acter, but man proposes and woman's
weak, especially when the man is
clergyman. The disappearance Of
Rev. John W. Gerdiman, pastor Of
st. Bonifacious Roman Catholic
Church in this city, and the departure
for an uncertain destination of the
pretty organist of the church, Miss
Maggie Wittig, caused the congre-
cation to look into the matter; and
this the is result: Father Gerdiman
was loved and trusted by his flock;
they made him treasurer Of the saw
ings fund of the poorer members of
the church, and although the fund
amounted to nearly 100000 no Sc
curity was required, and auditing
committees were unthought Of
Weather members endorsed notes
for the pastor which were discounted
by other wealthy brethren. A few
days ago the pastor took himself off,
but forgot to take up the notes, or
return the savings fund money, and
evidently Miss Wittig went in hot
pursuit of the absconding ex-pastor,
for she has been missing since the
night Gerdiman left. The conclu-
sion of the victimized is that Gerdi-
man has stolen the money, gone to
Germany, and intends to marry Mag
gle, who is pretty, intelligent, and
20 years of age, a Protestant, and
generally regarded as the pink OF
propriety.
Father Gerdiman was born neaI
Munster, in Westphalia; he was Sec
retary of the Diocese for the German
congregation in this city, stood high
in the esteem Of Bishop Wood, and
Catholics generally, was remarkably
talented, and an eloquent orator.
Since his flight, Bishop Wood re-
ceived note from Gerdiman in
which he stated his reason for leav-
ing the Catholic church was that he
could not believe in the infalibillity OF
the Pope. The temptation Of woman
and wealth was too strong for this
fellows VOW of celibacy, and with
Maggie and the money he can live
like prince Of the Empire in Ger
many.
An attempt was made at the Point
Breeze Park by Budd Doble to have
Goldsmith Maid beat her own quick
est time, Ola, two heats were driven,
the first in 2:211, and the other in
2183 and the Maid was then with
drawn.
The day following, a race tool
place between the PAGER Copper Bot
tom and American Girl, But one
heat was trotted for when the Cir
went flying over the score the pacel
was SO near out of sight that the
Judges said Copper Bottom was dis
tanced. I suggest that hereafter this
Pittsburg PAGER does his racing
against al cothes horse or a night
mare, and if he cannot beat these
then he be made to run against tht
"ring" politicians in Pittsburg az
they are easily beaten.
Miss Maggie Brown came from
New York to see her uncle, John Nc
Cormick, living here, and having los
her uncle's address she inquired th'
way of man named johnson, whC
under pretense Of aiding her in find
ing her relative, took her to dis
reputable house on Wood Street nea
Ninth, the presiding genius of which
was named Rosanna Robinson, From
this place Miss Brown escaped anc
threw herself upon the protection o
q passing policeman. A warran
was soon obtained and johnson anC
Robinson arrested, and upon the ey
,idence of the girl, only is years o
age. who testified that Rossann
tried to persuade her to accede t.
Johnson's improper proposals, AM
that afterwards a violent attempt wa
made to force compliance, johnson
was held to answer the charge Of as
sault with felonious intent, and Ros
anna with keeping disorderly house
and the young ladies Of the establish
ment, Sadie Bell, Marie Spencer
Lidie Mitchell and three others wit
> equally pretty names, were sent t
the House of Correction for 6 months
= Of all public institutions in this city
this is the most disliked by the GRIN
, inal classes, for the reason that the
: have to work 10 hours day with
!, yigor very hardening to their sol
hands, and tiresome to their laz
bodies.
The Insane department Of our cit
alms-house has accommodations fc
900 patients, but is crowded by l Al
insane persons now there on trea
ment. A few days ago Sodom Spyt
killed, George Howe, both insane.
Spyer admitted the killing, and sal
it was done because Howe did not b
long to the church he did, and TIL
/. he meant to kill good many NOR
There were eight persons in the roo
+ where the murder was comitted, bl
only one, John Gear, could give
intelligent account Of the atfai
D which was that "Spyer was swearir
and making a great noise in the wal
and that Howe asked him to ket
quiet, Spyer then went for How
knocked him down, kicked him abo
: the head and body and choked II
breath out Of him."
ruP IfppATn HOAK