New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-19
IS PRIEST H0RSEMAN?
REPORT OF DOUBLE LIFE
Father Sander LcaUes His BrOOIIyR
Home after Story appears.


George D. Sander. Of St Leonard's Church. at
Hamburg-ave. and JefIerson-st-. Brooklyn. had
been living under an assumed name on a stock
farm at Far Hills y J.. where the houzexeeper
was supposed TO be a former parishioner of
his Father Sander left his rectory. after saying
-he O'Clock mass. Late last night he had
returned His brother. William Sander. sextoS
4 the church. became alarmed about this pro
I0nged absence. and last night started out 70
make inquiries among his friends to see if any
one knew Of the priests whereabouts. or had
heard from him in any way There was also
report yesterday that the woman who had been
housekeePer at the farm mad left the farm
early in the morning.
Father Sander has been a lover Of fast horses
lie owns two. one a colt the other the mare
Ethel Burns with a track record. All his
0arishione-s knew this. He used to keep his
so-ses in the stable Of his brother. who is an
Undertaken Some two years ago. however, the
mare became i'll. and Father Sander took her
and the colt 10 a farm in New-Jersey- There he
frequently visited them
The report as published yesterday was that
Al the stock farm at Far Hills Father Sander
roeed as George West part owner with Joseph
g Peek He was supposed 70 be 4 traveller.
The Mrs West" was reported 10 be Mrs. Jo-
seph Kip. a former pa-ishioner Of Father
sanders. but Peck was quoted declaring
that there were no improper relations between
The two.
Mrs Mamie Kipp and her husband sep
aratea two years agr She had 2 thirteen
years old. Since then nothing has been known
Of her movements Her mother. Mrs. Ober-
never. aas been seeking information about her.
None Of her. people could be found yesterday in
anv II the places where they had lived. Peter
Kipp. Joseph's brother, declared that none Of
the family knew anything about the story or
the wcman's whereabouts.
Father Bettinzer. Father Sanders assistant.
admitted that Father Sander had kept the racer
Ethel Burns. but said he thought the story
about Mrs West" was entirely false. He had
made a census Of the parish and remembered no
such woman as Mrs. Kip. Father Sander, he
added. was big, tender hearted innocent, and
might have been put into a false position out
there OF the stock farm, but he was certain
that there had been no evil
Bishop Mcdonnell and his secretary, Father
Barrett were out Of town last evening Chan
ceIor George AIundelein, Of the diocese Of Brook
lyn at the chancellery. in Greene-ave-, said TO
Tribune reporter;
I have talked with many Of the friends Of
Father Sander. and none Of them credit the
story. I should not investigate the man on the
strength OF q yellow journal story. don't know
what the Bishop would do, but that is my own
personal view II were q young lawyer think
the publication of that story would give me good
ground for libel suit. Father Sanders as
sistart says no such woman was a member OF
St Leonard's parish
Father Sanders father before him and his
dead brothers were lovers Of good horses
Father Sanders father had livery establish
rrent in Manhattan. I believe the priest has
horse OF two in New-Jersey. but as for the rest
n the story I don't credit il. Unless there were
conoor1itant facts I would not investigate il
Far F5fus. y J. Nov. 1S-Concerning the pub
l.shed story that Father George D. Sander. Of
:, Leonard's Church. Brooklyn. was interested
in 2 stock farm here, and that he had been IN
the habit Of visiting the property under the
name OF George West all that can be learned
here to-day is that a man known as West has
for some time been a visitor at the farm re-
ferred 70 which is known here as the property
OF Joseph c Peck a raiser OF trotting horses
Mr.. Peck declined 70 talk about the story to-
/ cay. saving that TOO much had already been
said Liveryrnen. cab drivers and Others whose
business brings them frequently to the railroad
station said they knew about Vests" visits
here but had never suspected he was a priest
BY some he was supposed TO have an interest
/ II the farm while most thought he was only
I the owner Of some Of the horses on the place.
No one can be found who viii admit knowing
anything about the woman who is called Mrs
West and who acts as hOusekeeper at the farm
. The woman herself could not be seen to-day
NJ Peck refused to talk on the subject and the
employees Of the farm are mute when asked II
they know anything 10 the housekeeper
identity.