Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-26
GUILTY ON ALL CHARGES
JOHN E DOYLE ADMITS he
PRACTICED FRAUD.
Plan Was 10 Procure Money of Catho
lie Divines on Hard
Luck Story.

With a hard luck story of lost pocket
book and a lost railroad ticket. combined
with the dress of priest of the Jesuit or
der, John Z. Doyle is alleged TO have vic
timized several Catholic priests of this city
during the past few days. Notice was sent
out for his apprehension ana he was
rested yesterday afternoon by officer Lau-
ten of the third precinct station and taken
to police headquarters. He was arraigned
In the Police Court this morning on five
charges of larceny, and to an of them he
pleaded guilty. After a plea for mercy,
Judge O'Neal imposed penalty of six
months in the District Jail to which he was
committed this aftern Don.
Doyle is regarded as one of the cleverest
operators that have lately fallen into the
hands of the local police. Ry his methods
he succeeded in getting about so from local
Catholic divines. He dressed in the street
garments of the Jesuit and had cards to
indicate that he was Brother Stanlslaus OF
that order. When he appeared at the house
of one of the local priests ne would grasp
his hand in brotherly greeting. and in open
Ing the conversation would ask II the priest
knew certain high dignitaries of the church
in other cities.
Tells His Story.
The friendship established would soon de-
velop hard luck story His statement
would be that he had just reached Wash
ington on his way to New York from Nor
folk, Va. While walking near the station
waiting for his train he had lost his pocket
book, in which We're his money and railroad
ticket. He was dismayed at the loss ana
had asked the way to the nearest priest
and had been directed to the particular one
with whom he was then Conversing All
ne wanted was the price of ticket back
to Norfolk, where his finances would be
Strengthened out and he could make a fresh
start In almost every case the story made
the proper impression on the victim and
the money, sometimes more than was asked
for, was given cheerfully. The applicant
would express his thanks and leave, appar-
emily to seek the next train for New York
FOR several days the plan worked sue
cessfully. But while telling his story at St
Joseph's Church Monday the tale was first
suspected. and after the man had gone the
acting pastor, went to police headquarters
10 discuss the matter with Capt Board
man As result of the report, Detectives
Harugan and Baur Were assigned to the
case Ihey soon found that the man had
vlctlmized other priests and close lockout
for him was ordered Circulars were sent
out TO all the precinct stations here TO the
Catholic churches in the city and to sur
rounding towns.
Catholic Divines Cooperate.
The Catholic priests of the city cooper
ated with the police department in the mat
ter and Were instructed to inform the de-
partment If the man made another call.
Yesterday afternoon the pastor of St. Au-
CUISINES Church. at 18th and NJ streets
northwest telephoned to the third precinct
station that the man wanted was there ana
asked that an officer be sent up. officer
I.auten responded.
Discretion is the better part of yalor"
was the principle on which the officer work
ed. and he entered the rear of TIE house
and sought the parlor door. Without being
seen he could hear the conversation. II
was the story told above When officer
Lauten entered Doyle looked al him and
passively leaned back in his chair.
How long have you been in this bust
ness?" asked the officer.
What business? Every word which |
have said is true" was the response
He continued to deny any criminaIity but
was arrested and taken to police headquar-
tiers. On HIS way there he admitted to the
officer that he crooked.
Many interesting things were learned
from Doyle when he was interviewed al
police headquarters. He was closely con-
nected with the Jesuit order in
structor in one of it's colleges at one
time, and therefore knew the customs or
the order and was thus enabled to convince
his victims that he was what he represent
ed. In little book which he carried with
him he had the names of many priests OF
the Catholic Church in this and other cities.
While he denies it strenuOusly. the police
think he has worked in other cities
Ascribes Downfall tn Liquor.
Liquor is stated by him to be the cause
of his downfall He told the police that
he has spent all the money that he OBJ
tanned here in strong drink He said his
cravings for liquor caused his adoption
of this method to get money. He also
said that whenever he applied for a po-
sition and could give no recommended
lions he was turned away, and therefore
could not get honest work
Five cases of larceny were filed against
Doyle in the Police Court this morning.
Upon these he was arraigned and his
plea in each case was guilty. In detail.
the charges We're as follows: Obtaining
81 from Father Curley, So from Father
McGunea, 81 from Father Fink. 81 from
Father Fealey and s. from Father Han
non. The story of his operations was
told to Judge O'Neal by Detective Harti-
fed by the priests in question the man
wanted. None of the Catholic priests was
in court this. morning.
Judge, | was a member of the Jesuit
order, but / left them. For that reason
there is a good deal of persecution in
this" said Doyle on the stand in court.
Then you became a hypocrite and turn
ed around and stole from them COM
mented Judge ONeal.
Yes sir; but 1 am sorry for it,
The penalty was $50 fine or six months
in Jail in default.