Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-11-18
The Power of Love.

Sensational rumors, says a special dis
patch from Cleveland to the Cincinnati
| Enquirer, have been adoat for the past few
weeks to the effect that priest of one o.
| the largest churches in the city had asked
to be assigned to new field of labor or
| account of the attentions of married wo
man, member of his congregation. Il
now t:anspires that DR.. lillian Schloesser,
pastor of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic
Church on Woodland avenue, is the person,
he having already left the church to take
| charge of large congregation in Chicago.
The facts, as gathered by the correspondent,
point the story out as in many respects Q
remarkable one.
DR.. Schlesser entered the Cleveland
Diocese about fourteen years ago, and was
Immediately assigned to st. Joseph's con
gregation. He was graduate of the first
schools of Germany, . man of eugagsua
manners, of great eloquence and very fine
looking. He organized the congregation,
and in a few years had built one of the
fiuest church edifces in the city. About a
year ago the young and handsome wife of a
member of his congregation began to visit
him at his study. Her visits were the
| result, as she claimed, of deep religious
sensibility. Her visits became SO frequent
that other members of the congregation
| noticed them, and in as delicate manner
as possible the priest discouraged them
This appeared only to increase her infatu
alton. and in many ways she showed her
esteem and affection. Her conduct at last
became so conspicuous as to meet the en-
tire disapprobation of her husband. This
served to increase the fame, and it soon
became the commonn gossip of all the men,
bers Of the congregation that she was des-
perately in love with the handsome priest
DR.. Schloesser as last resort laid the
whole matter before tho husband, and ask
ed his cooperation in protecting the rep
utation of his wife. 1t was to no pur.
pose, howevsr, and, with mind fully
alive to the duties of his position, he de.
termined to leave his congregation.
After conference with Bishop Gilmour,
it was considered advisable for him to leave
the State, and one of the finest churches
in Chicago opened its doors to him. He
had spoken to but few intimate friends and
members of his congregation of his having
been transferred, and a few Sundays ago just
prior to his departure, he made his farewell
ado ress. With deep emotion he reviewed
the history of his fourteen years of prisstly
work among them, and spoke with tender
ness of the faith that the congregation had
always had in his work and character
When at the close he stated that he had
asked and already been assigned to new
field of labor and that it was the last ser
m IN that would ever be preached by him
there, the congregation was suddenly star
tied by piercing scream. It came from
the unfortunate woman who so deeply
loved him. She had taken seat near the
altar, and when she heard the announce
ment that he was so leave she uttered a
shrek and fell forward upon the aoor.-
Several members Of the congregation rushed
at once to her aid, and she was conveyed to
an adjoining room and physician sum-
moned. When he arrived she had reviv-
ed, but, to the CONSERVATION of her hus-
band and friends it was discovered that she
had lost her reason. She was Immediately
taken 10 her home, and every attention
possible paid her, but she grew worse day
by day until few days ago, when she be-
came SO violent that it was found necessary
to send her to the asylum at Newburg.-
The husband is almost prostrated by grief.
He had been married hut few years, and
his home was an exceptionally bright and
happy one. 1t is thought that by careful
nursing the woman's reason can be restor-
ed