The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-03-26
CLERICAL INPOSq0RS.
Joseph Kemp and Alfred
GansdoTff Arraigned To-
day In Hoboken.
~GANSDORFF's CONFESSION
Throws the Blame on His Accom-
plice Who Dramatically
Defends Himself.

Joseph Kemp, the alleged clergyman.
and Alfred Gansdorff, who were arrested
in Hoboken yesterday on suspicion, were
arraigned before Recorder McDonough,
this morning, for examination.
Gansdorff made a confession to the
police yesterday afternoon in which he
stated that he met Kemp about three
months ago in the Monarch Hotel, at No.
123 Pavonia avenue, Jersey City, and that
Kemp engaged him to act as a mission
airy. He also said that Kemp collected
the money for advertisements to be pub
1islled in the alleged missionary pamphlet.
When asked to explain Why cards found
in his clothes were marked REV. Alfred
e. c. Won Gansdorff,'' he said that Kemp
gave him the cards and that he never
represented himself as a clergyman.
The detectives worked hard to secure
evidence against the men. Many business
men who had agreed to advertise in the
alleged missionary pamphlet, but de-
clined to prosecute them in court. John
O'Donnell. an undertaken, of No. 237
Washington street, told the detectives
that he gave the men $3.50. He said that
the men represented themselves as mis-
sionaries and were soliciting contributions
for the building Of a home missionary
either in Jersey City or Hoboken.
Henry Salvador, q plumber, Of No. 81
Newark street, told the detectives that
he gave the prisoners 81 for the benefit
of st. Joseph's R. c. Church. Salvador
said that Kemp represented himself as
a priest connected with the church.
O'Donnell and Salvador refused to prose-
cute the men. The detectives say that
many business men in Hoboke were
swindled by the alleged imposters, but re-
fused to prosecute them.
When the alleged Rev. Mr.. Kemp was
arraigned before Recorder McDonough
this morning. he was advised by the Re
corder to employ counsel. as Gansdorff
had made a confession. Kemp, who
still wore his clerical garb, asked to be al
lowed to make a statement. He said that
the accusations that he had collected
money from business people in Hobeken
and solicited aims ere untrue. He also
denied that he was an imposter. He
claimed that he was a regularly ordained
clergyman, and that he was engaged in
missionary work. as he believed it to be
the better way of serving his God. He
also said that he had been offered a sal
airy to ~oficiate as clergyman but refused
such offers, and preferred to act as a mis-
Sionary.
wv know how Jesus of Nazareth was
prosecuted he dramatically exclaimed.
I'VE also know how Pau was persecnt-
ed. | have also been prosecuted, but /
pray to Goo that l will be given an OPP
~liortunitv to defend myself, as am inno-
cent OF any wrong doing. / don't claim
10 be a SAINT. l nave my imperfections
like other men, but that does not prevent
me from performing missionary work. I
also deny that l have solicited aims from
anybody.
Il have a paper called The Turf Many
people may think that I had other than
religious motives in view by giving it such
a name. 1 deny it. The Turf means the
earth, or the surface upon which we
tread. 1t is a missionary pamphlet, and 1
solicited advertisements in good faith. l
have a right to do so. If | went to a
newspaper office and placed an advertise
ment in the newspapers / would be COM
PEELED to pay for it. and | had the right
TO collect money for he advertisements
that I solicited
Recorder McDonough, after hearing
Kemp's statement. remanded him until
he could procure counsel. Kemp later re-
tanned Counsellor Alex c. Young to de-
fend him. He will be given an
ton Monday.
The detectives say that Kemp was for
merly pastor of the Church Of the Nazar-
enc, on Summit avenue, Jersey City
Heights, but was forced to leave under a
cloud by the congregation.