The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-01-11
FATHER KILAHY AMAZED.
USHER ~ ST. srBPHENS CHURCH
ACCUSED or theft.

Marked Bin. Dropped Into the Collection
Box Fosnd In william Lsvir's Posses
sion-Tho Bnis stolen on the Way co
the Aitsr-The Thief Makes n Confession.
Tho Rev. NJ. T. Kilahy. pastor Of st. Stephens
Catholic Church, Summit and Hicks streets,
Brooklyn, has noticed for three weeks that the
collections taken at the masses on Sunday
mornings showed a falling of Of from $40 TO SIS
each. He was unable to account for this. as all
the members to whom he spoke on the subject
said that there was no reason why the collec-
lions should not average about tho same
throughout the year. lie became convinced
that some one was tampering with the collcc-
tions, and yet he could not bring himself to be-
lleve that any Of the persons who handled the
money would steal it.
Police Captain Charles II. Bedell OF tho Butler
street station. in whose precinct the church is
located, ascertained how tho collections were
taken and by whom, and then came to the oon-
cluslon that the money was stolen between tho
time II was collected and tho time II was pro-
sented to the priest ut the chancel. All this
time 1t was in the sight Of the entire congrcga-
tion.
Detectives Mooney and Roberts obtained from
Father Kilahy several dollar bills which werc
marked. and they took up their station yester-
day morning In the church. They attended all
tho masses. but nothing happened until the
mass Mt 10 o'clock. At tho earlier masses the
marked bills were in the collection.
At 10 o'clock both detectives sat on the same
side Of the church when the collection was being
taken. Detective Mooney dropped one OF the
marked bills into tho basket carried by William
LAWN. 80 years old. n son OF Edward LAWN. ono
OF the members Of the church. who lives ut 81
Woodruff street. AS young LAWN approached
Detective Roberts saw him putting his hand to
his vest pocket. This was q suspicious act. and
as soon rs the collections had been handed 10
Father kllahy at the altar the detectives with
drew to the street and subsequently entered the
vestry. Here they found Father KilRhy with
the entire collection. but the two marked bills
When the Service was over young LAWN left
the church and walked to Carroll street. Here
he was ov-rtakan by the detectives. who told
him Father kiiahy wanted to sec him at once.
They returned to the yestry, where Father
kilshy met them at the door.
81 want to see you q moment" said Father
Kilnhy to young LAWN.
Il can't come In now" answered tho young
man, i've an important Engagement"
"Oh! como In for n second" said the priest.
At last young LAWN entered the vestry. and
then Father ktlahy told him the two detectives
wanted TO speak TO him. =.
" You have two dollars In your pocket" said
Detective Roberts. which you took from the
collection baskets this morning."
%MeI." sSid ne young man Win great so sur;
sD'ssiy" Ms' why you '0n' NM s'D'1
Well | don't know what you call IL, but you
had better hand out the money" was Roberts,
reply.
LAWN broke down and admitted the crime.
How came you to do this 7" asked Father
II had been told that others were doing it,
he said. and, the sight Of the money tempted
me and | fell"
He wns escorted to tho Butler street station.
where no was locked up after making she same
confession 20 sergeant Murphy. just before he
was taken TO the cell he said
You have not got the right man yet. There
are others more guilty than J."
The young mans father refused either to 20
to the station house or TO get bail for MS son.
John Hennessy 81 All Hamilton avenue. IA
friend Of the family. furnished security in the
sum Of $500 and the prisoner was released. lie
will lie nrraigned before Justice Tighe In the
Butler Street Police Court this morning.
1t IL estimated that the loss to the church has
been between S25 and $50 each sunday.
The elder Mr.. LAWN II well known in the real
estate business. His son IL employed In this city
US u drauRhtsman. lie was 40 thoroughly trusted
by the church Officers that they made him AN
usher. and also allowed him to take up the coll
lsctions. The LAWN family has been in South
Brooklyn for fifty years. Fathsr kilahy Of
OBLIGATED al the marriage OF Mr.. LAWN and his
wife and baptized most OF the children. Four
OF Young LAWNS sisters sing In the choir. II is
said that 500 at least was stolen. from tho
Christmas Day collections, which are devoted 10
the benent OF the Catholic orphans.