The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-14
APHYSICIAN PRIESTS POWERS.
In the Name Of st. Anthony He Effects
Miraculous Cures.
MANY BLIND PILGRIMS MADE TO SEE.
Thousands Flock to Father Mollinger and
are Made Whole With Touch of His
Hand-Description of His Work.

PIrTsBURG, Pa, June 19.-This is the great
day Of the year for Father Mollinger, and in
cidentally for the wearied pilgrims who flock
10 SEQ him. II is the Feast Day of St Anthony,
the fathers patron Saint, and from whom he
claims he derives his healing powers outside
of his medical attainments. The Little Church
of the Most Holy Name was decorated last
night with a wealth of flowers and blossom
ing plants.
The scenes and incidents Of to-day in the
vicinity of the'church are without precedent
and beyond description. Many of the afflicted
passed last night as best they could within the
walls surrounding the church-yard in order
that they might not fail TO gain an entrance
TO the church at the earliest possible moment
this morning. Long before the light of day
hundreds Of people thronged the avenues
leading to the shrine of st. Anthony. When
the doors were opened for the 5 o'clock mass
between two thousand and three thousand
people pressed about the door, while not more
than third of the number could possibly
gain an entrance with the church packed AS
il was TO sufocation.
TEN THOUSAND SOULS.
BY o'clock the throng had increased TO
fully 5000 souls, and at 10 o'clock low estl;
mate places the number Of people that hlled
the church. the yard and streets sur
rounding at 10000. Street cars, public and
private conveyances brought thousands and
yet were unable to carry all who wished TO
attend the early services. During the pro-
gress of the masses and religious services
within the church. the sounds of which couldbe
indistinctly heard on the outside. the surging
mass Of pain-racked patients we're upon their
knees. In the streets, the cutters. the side
walks reciting prayers and invoking the help
of God in their particular cases
IL oil nf "a Father
Mollinger would appear at the church
door, then pass through the kneeling
crowd, giving 10 them words of encourage
ment. The physician priest then announced
that he would not to-day treat any case lndi;
vidually, but called upon all who had received
treatment during the past few days TO attend
the and o'clock masses
HEALED THEM WITH A TOUCH.
When the doors were closed after the 7
o'clock services Father Mollinger again pass
ed through the crowd, preceded by a uni
formed policeman The father sprinkled
with blessed water all within his reach. Men.
women and children grasped his hands, MS
robes and his feet. aflectionately kissing them
as he passed One poor woman, kneellng at
his feet. in agonizing tones pleaded with the
priest for his blessing. upon her bind baby;
which she held up in front of him. The kind
father stopped, complied with her request
and passed on. An aged lady, VINO Tor years
has been the victim Of rheumatism. threw
herself in his path saying: Dear father,
please place your hand upon me.' The re-
quest was granted, the woman arose and was
led away while her joyful shouts hlled the
air. Incidents of like nature were often
repeated. The crowd which emerged from tho
church at the close of the o'clock mass wrs
a strange one. More than half were crippies'
some carried by friends, Others leading the
blind, etc.
THE BLIND MADE TO SEE.
About 9 o'clock Father Mollinger again. ap-
peared. bearing high above.his head the gold
box in which were the miracle-working relics.
He again passed through the thrOng exhibiting
the precious bones of st. Anthony 10 the
view Of the multitude. When the bell an
nounced 10 o'clock mass tho Jam surround
ing the door was terrible Many OF the IN
valids were carried upon the shoulders OF
friends. othersless favored were crushedb the
lam and piteously begged fOrrelef, which the
police officers were wholly unable 10 afford.
Father Mollinger's commanding voice soon
restored order, and the church was quickly
filed During the services those on the out
side again bowed their heads and knelt where
they stood MANY of the pilgrims from dis
tance now on Mount Troy are in bad way.
The thrOngs have prevented their yet seeing
Father Mollinger personally, and most OF
their funds are exhausted. Some OF them
have not the means 10 buy food. The kind
plying to-day free of cost to the hungry sui
ferers food.
This morning Miss Ella Breslaham, Of
Scranton. Iowa, who arrived three days ago
almost blind, appeared entirely cured This
afternoon each person will be gwen the
special blessing of st. Anthony and receive
touch from a relic of the Saint. There will
also be benediction at o'clock.
OTHER REMARKABLE CURES.
Mr.. Lawrence. of Nashville, Tenn, ar
ranged to-day with the Pennsylvania COM
pany for transportation of over 200 residents
of Nashville who have been consulting Father
Mollinger They leave for home at S.l5
o'clock this evening Miss Mary Pendegraf,
of Cincinnati, who was entirely helpless from
rheumatism, and Miss Maggie Brown, of
Covington, Ky., terrible sufferer with spinal
trouble are among the cured. They have
made but two visits to the physician-priest:
Father Mollinger again announced to-day
that he would not leave Troy Hill until he had
met all persons who wished TO see him; not
withstanding the fact that he is greatly ex-
hausted by his labors.
ACCIDENT NARROWLY AvERTED.
A frightful accident was narrowly averted
this morning. One Of the motors under
Pleasant Valley electric car failed while max
ing the long ascent on Troy hill There were
one hundred and fifty people on the car at
the time. and when the car started down the
mountain side and crashed into cab in
which were two helpless crippes. throwing
the cab to one side a panic ensued.
People on the front and rear platforms
were pushed or fell from the car
and several were painfully injured. Finally
the car wa stopped. About fifty people
alighted. The car attempted to ascend the
hill, but again at the steepest part the motor
foi cd nd tha ha1 bfl