The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-09
A SCANDAL SQUELCHED.

new TAAa1~6 d4ChAE OEf ENOS his D64ESILx
FAMz-THE SENSATION SPOILED.
The Rev. Father Hickie pastor OF st. Michaers
church. Forty-second street, South Brooklyn re.
turned 20 his residence sunday evening last. after
having spent q nine days retreat at Fordham
College, The publicity which this gentleman 3
name has had for several days past places him In
an unenviable position as the principal character
IN scandal which has been going the rounds. It
would seem that BrooKlynites have grown NOR
bid for sensational stories affecting the private
character OF individuals, and the morbidity al
ways seeks to introduce the names OF respectable
ladies' as part OF the piece.
The old proverb says:-.'Runor crescit eundo {"
In the case OF the Rev. Father Hickie the truth OF
the proverb was remarkably illustrated. 1t " ould
be almost ridiculous TO state how many and how
various were the rumors concerning him. In
fac', they became absurd, and the allegations
Upon which they were founded were evidently i'm.
possible Of occurrence 10 all who knew him. For
a week previous to the reverend gentlemen's
leaving for Ills annual retreat these rumors began
TO creep around and to grow, OF course, as they
went. The priest heard them and acquainted his
Bishop OF their import having traced some OF them
to their author; out there was no way by which
lie could reach the bottom OF the scandal 30, wor.
to Fordhan,. The day ne left was Saturday ana
IN the middle Of the next week the newspapers
were informed tnAt on tue previous sunday, while
he was in reality beginning hts retreat at Ford.
ham, he was
AccosTED IN TIE sAcRrsrY
of the chapel in south Brooklyn, by o man who
had with MIN bundle OF letters witch be put up
to the priests nose. demanding that the vest.
and asserting that the priest bad had clandes.
tine correspondence with his daughter, and that
he was villain. &C. Then followed the narration
OF how the priest turned pale, divested himself Of
his vestments with detected mieu, cleared out and
had not since been heard from. The accusations
hn
caused widespread grief among those VINO had
listened 70 mis- sermons and participated in the
services at which ne was minister And among
these people, as there have been abundant as.
surances since his return to his home there not
honor. his purity or bis unspotted record as q
priest Yesterday afternoon his residence at
VISITED BY A NUMBER OF FRIENDs
VINO rendered MIN their sympathy and coincidence
IN TINS cruel blow. rne priest himself Is calm,
ISLANDERS concerning him, aud while he is fully
conscious OF the seriousness that attaches to sucn
terrible lies as have been spoken and to the gar
bed statements In some OF the newspapers ne
still has peace O. mind on account or the I'M.
shaken confidence which his Bishop reposes in
him. and which has been 30 fully expressed A
HERALD reporter yesterday had o BRIEF interview
with Father Hickie on the subject OF the scandal,
putting MIN plain questions and asking for plain,
direct answers. the following Is the interview
FATHER HICKIE INTERVIEWED.
Reconnaissance are four charges made or IN
simulated against YOU Father Hickie, as lar as
have appeared IN the newspapers. and shall only
First. misappropriatiOn OF church funds; second,
clandestine correspondence with a young LADY IN
third. frequenting the road with last horse
fourth, that while supposed to De IN retreat at
Fordham. you were In New York city at the
''ShauQhraun." Now. as TO the first accusationS
Father HiCKIE-Wel, as to the incorporation
OF the church funds, not one single dollar has been
misappied. the cnurcn property Is not IN my
since the beginning. except small parcel on
chase he was assent at Hartford. Upon the
Bishops return this parcel was also transferred
TO him. together with the Young Mems Society
building In Ninteentn street, which had bought
when assistant pastor al ST. Johns The cost OF
the church properly oil st. MichaePs was $7.700.
OF this, during the three months have been pas
tor here l have collected and paid out nearly
$1,000 i0r every dollar OF which have youch-
ers. The books and papers or the parish are at
al times ready for the Bishops inspection or that
oil any one deputed by him.
As TO the second point yiz.-tne clandestne
correspondence with Young lady 10 6osrd ing
any such correspondence Whatever. nave never
written a letter OF ciandestine nature 10 any
young lady In any school. have never written 9
or its vicinity.
Now, as to the third point-namely, frequontiug
horse, though not fast" one In the PROFESSIONAL
sense. TINS horse got through the influence OF q
nor am acquain led with any one VINO does. once
in wnile might take ride IN the summer sea:
son. but u was very seldom. Ine principal use
have for horse is Tor parish duty.
AS 10 the last point-my attendance az the
"Snaughraun" when I was supposed to be at
nam for the nine days ending sunday last, without
leaving there, making retreat
The four points having been thus answered oy
Father HicKle, he asked the reporter II there was
any further Information he could give him. 10
which the reporter replied In the negative. Tue
his visit, lett the reverend gentleman 70 the com.
pany OF some priss1 wno had Just called Ia.