The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-12-17

An investigation made yesterday into
| the circumstances and details of tho
theft committed at st. Mary's convent
on River street, Thursday, proved con-
| clusively that there is an organized
gang of burglars operating I'm this city.
| ReV. Peter Christ, pastor of st. Mary's
church congregation, was out of the
city Thursday, and upon his arrival
home, was informed Ivy his housekcep-
| er of the theft.
Yesterday morning he visited the
| convent, and there learned fully of the
robbery. When the young man who
committed the theft was met at the
door by 4 sister, he stated to her that
Father Christ, before leaving the city,
Thursday, called at the office of the
scranton Gas and Water company on
Wyoming avenue and requested that II
man be sent over To- inspect the gas
and water pipes at the rcctory, convent,
church and parochial school. The as
| tuto fellow in his Introductory remarks.
further said that the Call of Father
christ at the CompGnys office was un-
necessary, as he was assigned that
day, To make the inspections of the
houses in that neighburhood containing
water and gas pipes.
From the fact that Father Christ
invariably attends to such matter the
fellow was so freely admitted and Civ
en- such freedom. The fact that the
sisters were informed in the morning
mat the pastor was to be away that
day. and the man repeating that fact,
removed amy suspicion OF the authen-
ITCHY of his statements. While the
man was III the convent an effort was
made 10 rob the church by another fell
low, but his attempt was frustrated
by the presence Of three sisters. Pro
frssor Ackerman ana the school chill
dren who were in the church rrhears-
ing the programme for the christmas
exercises at the school.
At the time when the mar entered
the church quietly Professor Ackcr-
man was talking IN Il low manner to
the children. Upon gaining entrance
to the edifiCe, and seeing those there,
the stranger made an effort 20 get
away, but was accosted by one Of the
nuns who asked him the purpose of
his visit. He replied saving be came
there to pray, but he did not wish to
intrude. The sister requested him to
remain. The fellow stayed Il few mo-
monts, and thon left. but before going
asked if Father Christ would be home
that night He was referred to the
rectory for an answer. and was not
on again.
1t has been learned that two young
men were in the vicinity Of the convent
Of the Sacred Heart congregation yes
terday, and made inquiries of various
residents thereabouts as TO whether
gas is used in that convent. Last
night the several people engaged in
arranging the booths in the basement
hall of st. Johns church on Fig street,
for the congregations fair. saw two
men lurking about tho church. Anoth-
er suspicious incident was the ap-
proach of two fellows To "GOff" tho
young man at Hotel Best, early Thurs
day morning, who told him they We're
sent at the request OF James Pest. the
proprietor, to inspect the pipes
throughout the building. Mr.. Best.
about an hour previous. went out dliy-
ing. 1t occurred to Gofr that ne had
better call Andrew Best. who was up
stairs in bed. Andrew, upon seeing
the fellows, told them the pipes were
all right ana they had better proceed
further.
Father Christ has notified all of the
converts in this part of the state to be
on the look out for the men as they
are evidently making a speciality Of
robbing such places.