The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-08-29
ALLEGED
, /, SWINDLERS.
Two Sharpers Safely Be.
hind the Bars on the
Charge of Obtaining |
Money Under
False Pre-
lenses.

"Rsv." Edward Roach and william
Browman alias Lsonsrd, OCCUPY tho bus
parlor at tho city hall. They arc hold
pending an investigation. II IL alleged
that they have been operating extensively
IN northern New Castle County durina
the past weok. Roach palmed of ~ being
q Catholic priest aud visited the Catholic
families along DuPont's Banks and Rock.
land. Tho mode Of procedure was for Roach
to introduce himself as "Rev. Edward
Roach and that he was to be assistant to
Rv. William J. Birmingham pastor Of
st. Jos,ph's Church on the Brandy wine.
Browman accompanied Roach on his trip
and from their wagon would carry into
the house Catholic pictures. These b,
sold to the people be visited for % each
In several instances Roach Is reportodjas
having blessed pictures, beads aud other
articea Of devotion. He even went 30 far
as to invoke blessing on tho people who
bought the pictures. He told his dupe
that the profits from the sale Of the pic
lures would be for ths benefit OF st.
Joseph's church.
Rev. W. j. Bermingham returned home
on Saturday from Baltimore where he at
tended the retreat of the Catholic priests
Of the Diocese OF Wilmington. Ga Sun
day morning he was surprised when a
number Of his parishoners inquired for
Father Roach. They wanted to know how
1t was that Father Birmingham sent his
as sistant stran ger through the parish to
sell pictures Father Birmingham was
astounded by the revelations To adj to
the cass word come from Hooksssin that.
the men had been in St. Johns parish and
worked tho same game. There the ,o-
pie were led to believe that "Father"
Roach was to become assistant to Father
Connolly.
The Two men, called upon Mrs. Sarah
Simon at Rose Hill on yesterday and SOLE
her two pictures at % each. Mrs. Simon
gave Roach her check for the amo unit
Browman informed Mrs. Simon that his
name was William Leonard and that his
home was at Fifth and French streets in
this city. After The man had gone Mrs.
Simon became suspicious and sent her
daughter on trolley car to this city to.
stop payment Of the check. When Miss
Simon reached South Wilmington she
alightod from the car and used tho tele-
phone.
Then sho boarded another car and rode
ia Rising Sun. FROM there the young
woman walked to the residence Of Father
Birmingham. When informed Of the fact
that the Sharpes were selling pictures for .
the benefit Of his church Father Berming.
ham Immediately telephonsd to Chief Do.
Ian. The two men were arrested in tho
post.offloe this morning by Detective Wit
sill and Sergeant Black and Officer Rice.
They were taken to the city hail aud
searched. Roach who has cleric al ap-
pearance and wore the regulation tie ,u,h
as is worn by Catholic priest. He had o
largo sum OF money in his possession and
memorandum book showing where sales
had been made The sales included ones
made In Now Castle County and in
Delaware County, Pa.
To Chief Dolan Roach stated that in or
der to successfully sell religious pictures
one had TO look somewhat sanctiinonious
and that that vas the reason no wore the
prlestly garb.
Browman stated that be told Mrs. Sim.
on that his name was William Leonard,
Of this city, because 1t Is necessary to do so
OF times under certain circumstances
About half an hour after the men had
secured the check from Mrs. Simon thoy
returned with it as Roach asked that Rev.
be omitted. Mrs. Sim,n ratus ed to give
new check to Roach.
Rev. William>J. Bormln CHAM is deeply
inconsed over the action OF Roach and
Browman. They succeeded In selling $3.50
worth Of pictures to members Of his church.
Chief Dolan and Detective Witsll will
make a thorough Investigation Of the case.
Chief Dolan Is of the opinion that with
what evidence has already been procured
their Is suffient to make q case for court
Tho pictures wore bought on the assertion
that they were for the benefit OF St. Joseph
church.
Rov. w. J. Birmingham confronted
Roach at the city hall this afternoon.
Roach begged hard but I've was told the
case was in the authorities hands. The
pictures he had boon selling at 50 are now
OH the market at 81. The authoritie, in-
tend to push the case.