The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-12-22

Supposedly from Elmira, Arrested
on Suspicion by Constable Neary.
Was Seen in the Church Just Be
fore the Theft-Chalice Not Recov-
cred.
The chapel OF Trinity Episcopal
church was desecrated yesterday just
before the communion service in the
morning. The bold and sacrilegious
thief stole u silver chalice and paten,
to which there was n greater value at
tached. aside from its intrinsic worth
since it was the gift of a former be-
loved member Of the congregation, Mrs.
John Law. of New York city.
The theft and dissertation, which are
without parallel in this city, were dis
covered shortly after their preparation.
Within u few hours Constable Neary
arrested travelling salesman of trim
kets, quite hobo like in his dress and
his conduct. His name is Thomas Logan
and said he was from Einira, y. Y.
Later he gave his residence as Jersey
City. He was seen in the church by the
sexton, Frank Masters, 10 whom he
spoke. Just before s o'clock. After he
was gone, the chalice and paten were
missing. About l o'clock in the after
noon, Constable Neary arrested Logan
in the city station of the Delaware and
Hudson. He was almost stupidity i'll
toxicated and was too drOwsy and be-
fudded during the rest of the day and
evening to give an account of himself.
The unfortunate circumstance of the
despoiling of the sacred editice is the
Ip1 10, l,l.
A dilGent search vas made by Con-
stable Neary but it was fruitless. The
belief is that Logan, If he is guilty as
circumstances point. probably realizing
that he could not dispose of the stolen
sacred property threw the chalice and
the paten away or hid them during his
wanderings after leaving the church.
Perhaps today when his mind is clear.
something of value will be gotten from
him.
Shortly before s o'clock yesterday
morning While he was in the cellar at
tending to the furnace Sexton Frank
Masters heard some one walking over
the floor of the church. He supposed 1t
was the first of the communicates who
We're about to assemble for the com
munion service, but when he came up
stairs and observed the person who
had come in, he was somewhat sur
prised at seeing Il stranger. This caus-
ed Mr.. Masters to observe the man very
closely, and was thus able to positive
lS identify him later, after his arrest.
The stranger, who was not kneeling in
the chapel but close to it, in the church
proper, asked what time services would
begin. Mr.. Masters informed him and
then went out on an errand. When he
returned the visitor was gone. The
sexton went up to the altar as was his
custom, to see to it that everything WAS
in readiness, and for the first time miss
ed the chalice and paten, which We're
there a short time before. placed there
as customary, the preceding night by
the rector, Rev. r. a. Sawyer.
The sexton was disturbed and his
suspicion and fear We're confirmed on
his finding on the altar the linen that
covered the chalice, cast aside by the
one who desecrated the tabernacle.
Rev. Mr.. Sawyer Was Informed and
Constable Neary was sent for. The de-
scription given the officer by Sexton
Masters of the stranger whom he saw
in the church Tailed exactly with that
of q. man whom the constable observed
on the streets Saturday night and re-
galded as suspicious character. The
chap was about town trying to sell
needles. He was shabbily dressed and
conducted himself in way that arous-
ed the constabes suspicious. Late
Saturday night Constable Neary posted
Patroman McAndrew about the strang-
er. Logan was 4 lodger at the city
Jail and must have Went directly from
there to Trinity church yesterday morn
Ing.
Constable Neary, supposins Logan
Went north, took the 9.l0 Ontario and
Western train to Forest City and spent
a couple of hours there but without amy
results He returned to Carbondale
about noon, making inquiries along the
way. He decided to go to Scranton on
the 1,16 Delaware and Hudson train to
notify the police there, who would send
out word of the theft. Before boarding
the train the constable searched the de-
pot as a precaution and was agreeably
surprised 10 find his man. He was so
intoxicated that he could give no bet
ter than maudlin replies to the officers
questions.
After Logan was arrested he was pos
itively identified by Sexton Masters as
the man whom he saw and eonversed
3. Will III tiS cHuicH. 1eOFSe DuNlS, IL
/, boarder at the Bevan boarding house
ION River street, opposite tha church,
7. likewise identified him as the man
whonp he observed going. along the
walk between tina Church and the rec
, tory shortly before S-o'clock. Davis, at
" the time, called the attention of Mrs.
q Bevan to the stranger, renlarking that
" he must be "a habo.. looking for u
handrout." They supposed he was going
{. to apply at the rectory for his break
fast. Mrs. Bevan's description also
fitted Logan.
Logan appears to he about 40 years
old. He has sandy hair, tinged with
gray and wears moustache. He is
somewhat bald, circumstance that
was particularly noticed by those who
Identified him.
The chalice was the gift of Mrs John