The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-07-06
.LURED TO A HOSPITAL.
Two Strange Men Take q Catholic
Priest Prisoner.
LOCKED IN FOR SEVERAL HOURS
His Friends All ReslCent but Say he
is Merely son v4oatiOn"-The
Strange Story Told by Rev. Father
John j. MalIon. of Brooklyn-.A Aiys.
terry That cangot be Solved.

SSAS -'fS -
New YoRK, July 5.-Rev. Father John
]. Mallon, recently pastor OF the Church
OF the Assumption, Brooklyn, gave out
o story for publication yesterday which
to many will read like tho recital OF a
nightmare. Were it not for the high
respect in which the priest is held it
might be doubted, but 1t is substantially
corroborated by the reverend gentle
mans many friends. tits to the effect
that he was lured to hospital by two
strange men and there detained q
prisoner for several hours onthe ground
that he was in need OF treatment.
Father aIallon, who told the story
with great minuteness OF detail, said
that he was sitting in the rectory adj
joining the church, York and Jay
streets. late on the night OF Friday
June "a, when he was summoned to the
reception room by two men who. repre-
sented themselves as officers with war.
rants for his arrest. They said he had
better go along and avoid trouble.
Hlssusp1cGoHs AROUSED.
The priest became alarmed and sus-
picious, and he sent for his father, Pat
rick Mallon, of No. 17S Nassau street,
but he being i'll, an uncle, Thomas Kel-
", with his wife hurried around to the
priests house. The strangers told Mrs.
Kelly they wanted Father Mallon to
hear the confession OF dying man at
St Peters Hospital. in Hicksburg
Knowing there was chaplain at tho
hospital, Father MQllon doubted their
story, and, concluding that there was
some trick on foot, said he would not go.
One of the strangers at this point disap-
peared, but tho other, whose name the
priest believes is Healey, hustled the
whole party into cab and drove them
to 81. Peters Hospital. Heaiey LETT
when the door was opened.
A sister greeted him and led him to a
sickroom. She told the priest to re-
main quiet and he would receive proper
treatment "I'm not sick man,
Father Mallon insisted, land there is no
reason why should remain here"
After the nurse left he and his uncle
went down stairs to the reception room,
where they were joined by Patrick NAL
lon, the priests brother
Tho main entrance to the hospital
had been locked and the whole party
had to remain in the place until 2 a. m.
Then they insisted on departure. The
nurses answer was that she was wait
ing for dispatch from Father James
II. Mitchell, chancellor OF the diocese.
When the dispatch came it stated that
Father Mallon should be detained until
morning. After strongly protesting
they were allowed to depart.
OPPOSED FROM THE PAsToRATE.
On returning to his house the priest
said; II found that Father Joseph
fitzpatrick had been placed in charge
by Bishop Mcdonnell. The assistant
pastor, Father Hanlon, told me that it
was the bishops wish that l should not
say mass in that church again. l ealled
upon the bishop and asked him to in
vestigate the case. also to investigate
any charges that might have been
made against me. 1 asked why ! had
been transferred and he said the bishop
could make such charges as he deemed
advisable"
Father Maiion then wentto his faith
er's house, No. 17S Nassau street, where
he is now stopping pending u settle.
ment OF his case. He says heis allowed
to celebrate mass daily at St. Johns
seminary. He was temporary pastor OF
tho Assumption church three months,
being appointed by Vicar General May,
who managed the diocese before Bishop
Mcdonnell was installed. Tho church
has had no permanent pastor since tho
Very Rev, William Kccgan, V. g., died,
The hospital authorities say they
know nothing about Father Mallon's
case. Father Mallon was seen last
night by Press reporter. He said: Il
am awaiting the return OF the bishop.
He has been misinformed regarding
me, but feel certain that he will do me
Justice when he investigates the case.
1t has been said that am sick, and
even limited that my mental faculties
were not as strong as they were, and
that / needed rest or vacation. l
am in excellent condition, and Ihave
the word of my physician, DR.. John
Griffin, for that. II ! need rest it is
only as any man OF active habits might
need rest Tor a few days at this period
OF the year"
THE BISHOP INVISIBLE.
A reporter called ut Bishop McDon-
nell's house yesterday and was told
that he would be at liberty at o'clock.
A second call was made and it was
stated then that Bishop Mcdonnell was
out Of the city. The chancellor and sec
rotary, Father James II. Mitchell, was
asked about Father Malion's case, He
replied: "Father Mallon is simply on
vacation. His physician, Dr.. Griffin,
advised him to take brief vacation
and that is all there's to 1t"
Several other questions we're put to
the reverend gentleman, but to each lie
replied: "He is on vacation"
The DR.. Griffin referred to is Health
Commissioner John Griffin, NJ. D., who
lives at No. IS LeHerts place. When
asked about Father Mallon's case he
said he did not know whether or not
the priest was sick. Hc refused to say
ii he had advised him to take vaca-
tion. He finally dismissed the matter
by saving he did not caro- to speak about
it, nor to be drawn into tho case in any
way.