The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-11-09
rIGHrING FoR RELICs.
The Congregation OF tao dolly Name WIN
Hold on-U. 4. Documents in Proof.

The Congregation Of tao bolY NAmo wan
Hold On-U. y. Document in Proof.
PrTsBuRGn, Pa, Nov. Sowing to
the mysterious absence of the late
Father Mollinger's will a legal contest,
involving thousands Of dollars worth OF
property and collection of relics et
priceless value, is rapidly developing.
Even the ownership of the departed
priests vestments are IN dispute.
No more anxious were the Christian
Crusaders, OF Europe, about the sepul-
cher oil Christ, at Jerusalem, than at
present are the members OF the church
OF the Holy name, Troy hill, over the
shrine OF ST. Anthony and the sacred
relics confined within it. The report
that there was possibility OF the per-
munent removal OF the magnificent
monument, lett by Father Mollinger,
fell like thunderbolt among the con-
gregation OF the dead priest. For
moment they were bewildered by the
news, but, realizing the seriousness OF
the situation, they soon recovered, and
headed by their worthy new pastor,
Father Duifner, they set out to contest
the right OF the Mollinger heirs, from
Germany, who are at present in this
city looking up their claims.
Everything possible, regardless oil
cost, is being done by both OF the
claimants to establish their respective
rights, and the prospects are that the
final disposal OF the estate will occur
only after hard battle. Both sides
cOncede that the Mollinger residence
and its furnishings, Us we'll as some
Troy Hill land Tor which the dead
priest held personal deeds, belong to
TO the heirs, in case no Will turns up
with other provisions.
The chapel and its contents are the
cause OF the dispute. Both parties
claim them. So far, the prospects are
in favor OF the church and the basis OF
its claims are we'll founded
As soon Us Father Duilner heard OF
the action OF the heirs he took out nm
injunction on the estate. Then, as the
successor OF the late Father Mollinger
to the pastoraie OF the Church OF the
Holy Name, an investigation was begun.
Records in the books OF the Custom
House at the Port OF New York gave
valuable information, since many OF the
relics were imported from various
places in Europe. According to these
records all OF the imported articles are
made ont in the name OF the Church OF
the Holy Name, and, MS such, were adj
mitted free OF duty These facts eX-
clude all possibility OF the property be-
ing personal, and further, makes the
selling, giving or distribution OF them
an utter impossibility. The latter is
explicitly stated in the records, fac
simile atIidavits OF which Father
Dutfner has in his possession. Each
document bears the Custom House
stamp and the signature OF the
special deputy officers. According to
these documents the bronze figure OF
Saint Anthony which adorns the apex
OF the chapel ROOF and tine handsome
stained glass windows in the chapel,
which cost respectively 500 and $1,000,
belong with the rest OF the chapel dec
orations and relics. solely and exclusive
ly TO the Church OF the Holy Name,
never to be sold or transferred. 1t was
the money contributions OF the NOM
bers OF the church that paid for these
things, and Father Mollinger, as the
records show, only served in, the capa-
city OF an agent. The chapel was built
on the same plan. Ii a private build
ing, 1t would appear among the taxed
property. Instead, it is rated as church
property and goes free OF taxes. How,
then the heirs are going to attach or
lay claims to church property is puz-
zling the people of Troy Hill.
The people OF the congregation are
not very kindly disposed TO the heirs.
They claim that it would be an outrage
for anyone to usurp the property for
which their daily and weekly church
contributions have been expended for
years They have not been enduring
their old barn OF church all these
years for nothing and they claim the
right to own and enjoy the things
bought with their money. The chapel
and its relics are all that is to show for
their money, and the fact that Father
Mollinger had all documents OF impor-
tations made out in the namo OF the
church, not his own, is proof 10 indi-
cate his will in the matter.
Not only the property and relics, but
even the priests holy vestments are
claimed by the heirs. The robes used
were very rich and costly, so much so
that Father Mollinger never left them
in the church for fear Of theft, but al
WAYS kept them under lock and key at |
his residence. This precautionary aG-
ton OF the priest has furnished basis
Tor claim Of ownership on the part of
tho heirs. The robes were found among
the personal effects, they say. This
claim has caused more indignation than
any other among the member OF the
church, and they will put forth every
effort to save their possessions. The
thought that a possible fate Of proiuna-
ton awaits the sacred relics of st.
Anthony has awakened n religious sem
.iment which permeates the entire con-
gregation from prielt to the humblest
parish!oner.
TnH secret art OF beauty lies not in
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