New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-17
SAYS HE WAS KIDNAPPED
FATHER JOSEPH FOUND.
Tells Three Different Stories Of
Robbery and Imprisonment.

Though Father Joseph CirTtngione. pastor or
the Roman Catholic Church OF the Immaculate
Conception. OF Williamsbridge. is found, the
manner Of his disappearance is not yet clear. lie
has told. according to the police. Civil Justice
Roesch and Father d. }. McMackn, one Of the
Cathedral priests. three different stories Of how
he was kidnapped and robbed on Friday night
The police place no credence in any Of the Kid
mapping stories. and Captain Foody maintains
that the priests stories show that he became
mentally unbalanced over financial troubles and
wandered away. The priests friends, on the
other hand. declare that they believe be was
kidnapped and robbed Father Cirringione is
now in ST Vincents Hospital, and only priests
allowed TO see him.
a J. Gulotta, OF the law firm Of Kene &
Culotta. No. 200 Broadway. counsel for Father
Cirringione, received letter yesterday threaten
ing death unless he stopped trying to find the
priest the letter having been mailed before the
latter was found. The lawyer attaches no sig
nihoance to the missive-
Carnine Cipolla. a wilamsbridge contractor.
yesterday filed a mechanics lien for $500
against Father Cirrfngione as rector, ETC. on the
property on the north side Of First-st-. opposite
Maple-ave. Milliamsbridge. for building ma
terial and mason work.
About $50 a. m yesterday Policeman Joseph
Cooke Of the East Fifty -rst-st. station, saw the
priest staggering around a fire alarm box at
First-ave. and Fifty first-st When he accosted
the priest the latter fell into his arms crying:
They have robbed me, and they will kill me-
Protect me-"
Placing his arm about him, the policeman led
the priest to the East Fffty-irst-st. station.
Sergeant Mulcahey. who was at the desk, has
served at the Wakefield station. and the priest
said: I've seen you before, and I know you
Help-protect me"
The sergeant sent a hurry call 10 the Flower
Hospital for an ambulance. and DR.. LoiZeauX
responded. Father Cirringione was placed on
stretcher His strength seemed to be falling and
he became more hysterical and less coherent in
his sayings.
lie continually kept calling out that he had
been robbed and was in dreadful fear of his
life. He would lie quiet for a few minutes and
suddenly start up, raving and wringing his
hands and beating his head. Dr. Loizeaux
found his wrists two marks that might have
been made by rope. These were first red and
deep. but 10y o'clock had almost disappeared.
BOUND IN STREET. FIRST STORY.
Under the influence Of soothing drugs the
priest became calmer about o'clock. He said
that he had been robbed by two men, who had
gone TO his home on Friday night, and whom he
had accompanied, believing them detectives.
They took me TO the ocean," he said. When
a few steps from the door of his home he contin-
ued, one of them seized his arms and pinioned
them behind him. while the other thrust over his
nostrils a cloth saturated with pungent liquid.
lie lost consciousness. and when he came to his
senses was in a dark and dismal cellar" with
his wrists bound.
As the priest reached this point in his nara
tive he again became hys+erical
Il cid not know them" he cried, but 1 would
know them now. I can never forget their awful
faces and that terrible place they took me to.
They have robbed ne. and I fear they will kill
me"
Becoming quiet again the priest said that he
had been freed a few minutes before he had
been found by Policeman Cooke. He thought he
had been in the street about fifteen minutes
then. He said ne had been led blindfolded into
the street. the bandage was removed and he
was pushed ahead He was near a ferry then.
A short distance east OF First-ave.. crossing
Fifty-frst-st.. is Beekman Place; Just east OF
that again is Beel1man Terrace. and then there
IS q slope down to the East River bank where
IS the landing for the Blackwelrs Island boats
II is dreary spot.
Father Cirringione asked that priests of the
Cathedral be sert 10 him, and Fathers Hughes
and Ferranti went TO the station at Archbishop
Fsrley's request. As they entered the back
room, Father Cirringione started UP from the
stretcher and held out his arms toward them.
Pray for me. for ! fear for my life" he
cried.
To Father Ferranti the priest said that he
had had nothing TO since Friday evening,
and that something TO drink given him had
caused him the most excruciating pains. Father
Cirringione. when he left his home on Friday
evening, had ebony cain. gold mounted a
gold watch and chain and money. These he
said. had been taken from him by the two men
The priest did not appear TO have been out
doors long. There was a three days growth OF
beard on his face, his shoes were clean and dry,
his clothing not dirty and his linen was
fairly clean.
priest be taken to the hospital at once. Fathers
Hughes and Ferranti did not think it right that
ne should be taken TO a Protestant institution
and he was removed 10 ST. Vincent's Hospital.
KIDNAPPED IN CARRIAGE. SECOND.
Justice Roesch had a talk with Father Cir
ringione at the hospital The story which the
Justice says he believes 10 be true as told him
by the priest, differing from the one he first
told the police. relates the priests adventure
after one man had knocked at his door, as fol-
lows:
When he and the man got out Of the house they
walked eastward and then turned north There was
walked about block Father joseph ssiS 70 iba
m 14l' Why what's the natter The man replied.
another man. Father Joseph then asked him How
" hiioN II IS al right and the med ais
eoat ano showed badge. Then the priest got in
sloe the coach. The man inside was appsrenflv
bound Finally he asked them where they were
gong and the supposed detective replied ..You
Dc bound fell upon him and put a handkeTcbief
which he said sfnelled horribly. over his mouth
lie saws b. struck one OF the men. he thinks tbe
blow on the forehead and then b So1 ine terrible
H.