The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-11-25
PRIEST RETURNS.
Says a Band Kidnapped Elm and
Re t Him Prisoner
IN a DEEP, DARK DUNGEON.
Graphic Statement Of bis Cap
tivity, Says One Bandit Urs-
ed the Others to Murder
Him


ed the Others to Murder
Him.
The Rev. Joseph Ci1ringione, miss
ing pastor of the Church Of the
Immaculate Conception, Williams
bridge, New York, was found at First
avenue and East Fifty-frst street at
3:45 o'clock "Wednesday morning by
Fatrolran Joseph Cooke, Of the East
Fifty-f.St street station. The priest
told story of having been kidnapped
by strange men, chioroformed. bound
and robbed and kept in cellar for
two days, and finally liberated from a
wagon at the foot Of East Flfty-hrst
street. His narrative was heard by
priests from the Cathedral, a physician
from the Flower Hospital and Civil
Justice George T. Roesch in success
sion and they were convinced Of its
truth. Even the police, who have
laughed at the kidnapping idea in
stead OF seriously Investigating it,
admitted after hearing the priests
story from his own lips that be had
made a strong impression on them,
and declared they would follow up the
meager clewS he was able to give.
TIE PRIESTS STATEMENT.
This business began on the 22d Of
October. Two days before, at the
laying of the cornerstone Of my new
church, I told the people we were 60
ing to get loan Of $4,000 so we
could build the new church. Two days
later I received the first letter de-
manding $4,000 and threatening me
with death if I failed to pay it.
I took the letter as joke, but |
made up my mind then that l would
go where the letter said on Wednes-
day night. I had revolver, and l
got it out and loaded it.
On Wednesday I was i'll, at my
fathers house, 50 could not 60. On
the 3lst Of October I got another let
ter.
began to think that it was no
joke. I told the other priests and l
notified the police at Wakefield. Last
wednesday I got the third letter by
special delivery. I told the police
about this letter. I slept at my
fathers house on Wednesday night
and Thursday night, as I was afraid
to sleep in Williamsbridge.
On Thursday I went to my lawyer
and signed the mortgages on which
we were to borrow $4,000 for the
church. believe now that the men
who took me away knew that I had
signed these paper and thought l had
got the money.
On Friday went back to Williams
bridge to keep an appointment with
Captain Foody. Captain Fcody aud
the detective left the house about
6:15 o'clock. I gave them the let
tiers.
When the captain left the other
priests were playing cards. played
three hands and then got up and
walked up and down the hall. Sud-
denly I heard a knock on the outer
door. opened the door and there
was a man with beard. He said in
a low tone:
Father Joe, ycu ought to be glad.
We have the one who sent the letters.
The captain sent NE to tell you to
come with me-"
WORE a FALSE BEARD.
noticed that the mans beard was
false, and said something about it.
He said he wore it 20 prevent people
from recongnizing him as detective.
IT will tell the other priests" 1
said.
Don't do that" said the man, 1T
will spoil it ALL" So | got my hat and
overcoat and stick and went out with
him.
Near First street ard Fourth
avenue we met hoT, who said Good
evening, Father Joe." There was
another man on the corner. l asked:
How do I know you are a detec-
tive?"
He threw back his coat and showed
me a badge Of some kind, and that
satisfied me. Just around the corner
there was covered wagon, with two
horses. The men I was with told me
the man was in there. l looked IN
and there were two men. One OF
them had his hands across each other,
as if be were bound. l got in and the
wagon started off with the five Of US.
Then the man with the false beard
said:
Ibid you bring your new revolver
along?" I said, Yes and took 1T
out of NY pocket and handed it to
him. He said to one Of the other
men: 1T is a nice new one." The
other man took it. and put it in his
pocket, and then one of them put a
handkerchief over my face. 1t smel!ed
very badly, and I knew they were 60
ing to 90 something to me, so l struck
out as hard as I could. My fist landed
on one of the men. think must have
hurt him. n a minute I was uncon-
SciOuS.
PRISONER IN CELLAR.
The next thing I knew I was in a
cellar. My eyes felt bad and my head
ached. I was on bed but my clothes
had been taken off. The only light
in the cellar was a red lantern. There
was a man standing there with a
beard. He had a gun IN his hands
and a cartridge belt around his waist.
I begged the nan to give me my
money.