Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-10
FATHER RIEGEL'S MURDER
MAN IN WHOSE PLACE IT OCCURRED
CONFEsSES.
Priest Was Given a Deadly Drug for
the Purpose OF Rob-
bling Him.

Robert BRYAN, alias Sailor Bob alias
Jack Harris" wanted in Philadelphia for
completely in the murder there, on Friday
night last, Of the Rev. Father Riegel, a
prominent priest of the Roman Catholic
Church. was arrested in New York last
night.
Bryan made confession, in which he told
the story of the murder of the priest. Capt.
Titus refused to give any names repeated
to him by Bryan, stating that the others
implicated would doubtless be arrested in
Philadelphia.
The confession made by Bryan is to the
effect that on Friday night last there went
to Bryan's saloon in Philadelphia a man,
whose name Bryan gives, but which is
withheld by Capt. Titus. This man was ac-
companed by three companions and a
priest, the Rev Fla Their Riegvl. The latter
was very much intoxicated. A woman
named Anna Miller was present at the time
the men entered. it is said, but sent
from the room. The men gave frequent Of
ders for beer, for which the priest always
insisted on paying. Each time he paid he
displayed a large roll of bills. He was so
intoxicated that he dropped bills on the
floor. The men struck his hands and made
him drop more.
Bryan admits getting $40 in that manner,
and asserts that others got more. This
continued for some time, when one of the
men excused himself and left the room
Presently he returned. He carried small
vial, which Bryan says was filled with a
dark liquid. Bryan declares this liquid was
20 cents worth Of laudanum and choral,
which had been purchased on a prescription
at nearby drug store. Two glasses of
beer were poured out, one of which was
dragged.
Bryan says that after the priest had
taken the beer the man who drugged it ad-
mitted he was going - rob the priest
Bryan then said that he told third party
that he would not allow that In his place
hn TO- th, g
the room. Bryan says that after they had
gone he found a silver snuff box on the
floor, and this he threw into the street He
says ne knew nothing further about the
aHalr until Saturday morning when he
awoke. Then the Miller woman told him
the body OF priest had been found in the
hallway OF house next door. Bryan said
that he looked for the man who drugsed
the beer, and when he came into his loon
that night he accused him of killing the
priest The man denied it, Another party
tolo MIN ms name was on the prescription
at the drug store. The man then LETT
Bryans place and has not been seen since
bryan said that he became frightened and
left lowe.
A -.spatch from Philadelphia last night
says The body of the Rev Charles Riegal
OF the Church of the Presentation of Chel-
tenham, near this city was found in the
hallway of lodging house at AGO North
etn street last Saturday morning He was
not identified until Sunday night and great
NY stery surrounded the case. The police
were, and, in fact, still are. extremely reti-
cent. and never admitted the man was muir
dered. ~ 's
The inquest on the body, held last Mon
oay, was abruptly adjourned and it was
announced by the coroner that the clergy
man had died of natural causes This an
houhcenent. however, was not generally
peIeVed, as 1t was known that the man had
been robbed, and that the police had sent
Woro TO many cities to look out for certain
persons, whose description they refused to
give to the public "
rather R1egel was buried yesterday. Over
ny, ny priests attended the funeral, the ser
We, ,re9 LING held at the church of which he
was the pastor Solemn requiem mass vas
nee nee; the Right Rev. Bishop Prendergast