The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-05-05
WARM GREETING |ALMOSTLYNCHED
While Visiting Another Priest He is
Alleged to Have Murdered His Sis
ter-BlOOd Hounds Took Up the
Trail and Went to the Accused
Mans RoOm-The Dogs Also Fol-
lowed the Trail to Another Place,
Where the Priest Slept.

Lorain, O., May 2.-The Rev. Ferdi-
nand Walser, a Toledo priest, was ar
rested shortly before noon today charg-
ed with the murder of Miss Agatha
Reichlin. Father Walser was a guest
at the Reichlin home on Thursday
He has been taken to the county jail
at Elyria. The city is in a turmoil of
excitement The entire police force was
ordered on duty today to prevent pos
sible violence to the priest.
Rev. Ferdinanl Walser celebrated his
silver jubilee at ST. Josephs college,
Rensselaer,, Ind, March 18th. He is 81
years old. On Sunday following, he was
rendered a great reception at Sacred
Heart church. Father Walser has been
assistant pastor Of Sacred Heart church
IN Toledo for about six months.
He came to Lorain on Wednesday last
as a guest at the home of Rev. Charles
Reichlin, pastor of st. Joseph's Catholic
church in this city. The latter was call
ed to kelleys island to officiate at a
funeral late Wednesday. At his home
he left his sister and housekeeper,
Agatha, and a younger brother Cast
mer, to entertain the visiting priest
During the night, according to the
story of Rev. Walser, he heard screams
from the room occupied by the girl, and
declared that he gained the hallway
inst in time n 1iS3nnp9 rim o.
through an open window.
When Casimer Reichlin reached his
sisters room she was dead, her head
having been nearly pounded to pulp
with some blunt instrument.
Bloodhounds were brought here from
Fort Wayne, Ind, early today and
given the scent of the murderer. The
dogs circled around the house several
times and finally went to the room oc-
cupi4d by Rev. Walser on the night Of
the murder.
They again took the trail and led the
officers directly to st. Joseph's hospital
where Rev. Walser slept last night.
He was found at the hospital and plac-
ed under arrest, the officers claiming
there were many suspicious circum-
stances against him in addition to the
bloodhounds' following his train. Faith
er Walser showed no excitement when
placed under arrest and declared he
was innocent.
Elyria, O., May Rev. Ferdinand
Walser has been locked up in the coun-
ty Jail here. He offered bail in any
sum that might be desired but this the
officers refused to consider.
He declared that he was very tired
and was calmly sleeping within half an
hour after being placed in a CELL Be-
fore being locked up the accused priest
repeatedly declared his innocence.
''Oh, my Cod he cried,' what a po-
sition to be in. 1 came to Lorain to
have a quiet visit and this had to hap
pen. 1 am as innocent as a baby. I
have nothing to offer in defense. They
will have to prove me guilty.
AS yet the priest has not secured le-
gal advice.
Father Walser when seen by re-
porter in his cell tonight and asked
for a statement said:
"All 1 have to say is that l am not
guilty of any crime. I am innocent
and say that with clear conscience.
4 am entirely blameleSS of any
crime This is an outrageous proceed
the city and to the country. 1 am as
innocent Of this crime as a babe in it's
cradle. First they hear me tell my
story and l told it over and over again
to them. Why did they not arrest
Casimer Reichlin, who was also in the
house If l had been guilty of such a
crime | would have flown from this
place and gone to some place Of hid
ing. IF man is guilty of such crime
it can be seen in the eye and on the
face. \ conscience tells it's story on
the face. My conscience is perfectly
clear and the end of this will show
that I am entirely innocent. All will
come out right in the end. There is a
feeling against me, I believe, because
I am a priest There always is such
| a feeling. This is awful to be placed
in a place of this kind and he look
ed about his little cell with an eye
glistened with moisture.
The G. 2. P. s. with headquarters
at Carthegena of which I am a mem
ber,'' continued the priest, will go my
| bond for $50, 900 if necessary. Yes, 1
have been arrested before. 1t was in
! Clinton. Mo-, during the A. P. a. war.
| Another priest and I had adopted a
! boy and the A. P. AS had us arrested
on the charge of cruelty and kidnap-
| ping the boy. We were discharged and
1 the plaintiffs were severely lectured
! and had to pay the costs. This case
! will turn out the same way
':It is stated that on the night of the