Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-17
NO TRACE OF A WILL.
Father Mollinger's Safe Forced Open
by Experts, but the
IMPORTANT DOCUMENT is MISSING.
Troy Hill Draped in Black by Aourners Of
the Dead Priest.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUNERAL

gossamer over Mont Troy yesterday and
thousands of people prompted by reverence
and respect went there humbled and SUBJ
dued to pay their last tribute to their dead
priest and physician. In the early morn
ing, while the mourners gathered, the
church bells on the mount rang out in
muffled tones the story of their calamity.
The will of the late Father Mollinger has
not vet been found, and the authorities of
the Catholic Church and the dead man
friends and former associates are confused
and uncertain as to how to move in arrang-
ing for the burial or the disposition of
the valuables and unique estate he
| leaves behind him. The huge
sac at the dead mans home
was drilled open at o'clock yesterday
afternoon. 1t was generally believed that
the will would be found in the safe, but it
was not there, nor was there anything else
there of value save some deeds and mort
cages, all of which he was known to
possess There was no money found in the
vaults as was expected.
The safe was opened by experts from
the Barnes Safe and Lock Company. When
the experts called at the dead mans home
the undertakers and the attending priests
were arranging the dead body for public in
spection.
Watching the Experts st Work.
After the body had been placed in the
casket the doors were thrown open to the
crowded streets. The priests, with Attorney
Miller, John Vogel and other intimate
friends of the deceased gathered in Father
Mollinger's private Office to watch with
marked interest the opening of the great
safe. 1t required fully half hour for the
workman to pierce with his steel
drill the solid iron doors
Of the vault When the
combination was finally touched the doors
yielded easily and Rev. Father Wall, rep
resenting the Bishop, assumed charge of the
safe. Every paper in 1t was removed and
carefully examined, but the will was not
there. Every drawer and apartment in the
safe was examined, but to no effect. and to
had been assembled to witness the
finding and hear the reading of the
missing paper, the hunt was abandoned
"The father certainly left will, Father
Murphy. of the Holy Ghost College, an
nounced to the disappointed crowd. "He
told me but a short time ago that he had
made will but he did not in any way indi-
cate to me what disposition he had made of
his estate or the extent or value of his
property. His chapel he always looked
upon as the bulk of his estate. but no one,
unless it be Gregory Meyer, has any infor-
nation on the subject"
Waiting for President Meyer.
Gregory Meyer is liquor dealer on Ohio
street, Allegheny. He is President of the
Allegheny Safe Deposit Company and he
has always been intimate with the late
Father Molllnger. He did much clerical
work for the dead priest and it is generally
believed that he wrote the will and
pointed executor of the estate. Mr..
Meyer is now on his way home from San
Francisco A telegram was sent to him to
Chicago last night notifying him of Father
Mollinger's death, and asking if he knew
anything of will. No reply was re-
ceived from Mr.. Meyer last night, and it
was not known whether or not he had re-
ceived the message.
Rev. Father Meyer, who has for some time
acted as assistant to the dead priest, is
greatly concerned for the missing will. He
believes that the dead mans plans for the
funeral, where and how he is to be buried,
together with the disposition of his estate
are embraced in the will.
Preparations for the funeral are going on,
however. The body will be remoy ed this
morning to the Church of the Most HOLY
Name, where it will lie in state until
o'clock tomorrow morning, when the tune
raj services will be held. Solemn high
mass will be sung with Father Wall as
celebrant, with Father Kaufman. of St.
Peters Church, as deacon and Father Langst
as sub-deacon. Father Scwab, of St. Mary's
Church, Sharpsburg, will deliver the fune-
raj sermon, while Father Wall or some
other minister appointed by the Bishop
will preach in English. Father Williams,
of Millvale, will be the master of cere-
monies. Father Dangelzer will chant the
prayer.
Mourning for tho Dead Priest.
Father Mollinger's entire congregation
gathered last night at the deceased's home
and Joined with the att tending clergymen in
fervent prayers for the departed. A large
crowd attended and for full an hour the de-
voted flock knelt in and about the house
and fervently and earnestly prayed for rest
and peace for the dead they loved so we'll.
After the prayers the great crowd was per.
mitted to pass through the room in which
the tenantless clay of the dead priest lies in
state. Each, as they filed in, knelt in rev.
erence at the casket of their dead teacher
and then turned away into the world that
seemed to them desolate in the absence of
their great healer.
The remains of the venerable priest and
physician had been placed in the large
parlors to the left of the main entrance of
the handsome residence. The casket is of
rosewood ornamented with the six hand
somely carved solid silver handles. 1t was
first lined with heavy zinc and the outer
lining is of quilted white satin and is said
to have cost $1,000. There was
no plate or inscription on the casket
lid. At its head and foot on onyx pedestals
stood a rhododendron, the full blown flow
ers of which scented the entire room
Large bouquets, sent as tokens of affection
by members of the bereaved congregation,
were scattered about through the room
with graceful taste, lighting the g loom and
seeming to relieve the distress of the sor-
rowing.
Arrangements for tho Last Sad Rites.
Rev. Father Meyer was directly in charge
Of the Mollinger home. He was most
active in arranging for the sad rites of
burial. His efforts, however, were assisted
and relieved by Father Wall, representing
the Bishop, Father McTighe, Father |
Dangelzer, Father Murphy, Father Nc
Dermott and Father Griffin. Bishop |
Phelan had not called at the dead priests |
home up until last night He was ex-
pected to come, however, and 1t is likely |
he will 90 there this morning
To the afflicted, many of whom have been |
on the Mount awaiting the dead
Fathers recovery to be treated for their all |
ments, the death was q sad blow, and many
of them hobbled on crutches and canes to |
to house yesterday to see the physician |