New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-10
THIEF FIGHT In CHURCH
PRIESTS FIRE ON THUGS.
Bronr Clergymen Drire Burglars
from Gold 1ltnr Fittings.

In the dim sanctuary Of the Roman Catholic
Church Of the Immaculate Conception. at Mel
rose and Courtandt avenues. The Bronx. there
occurred early yesterday morning hot fight
between the rector and his assistants and two
burglars. The thieves were intent on gather
ing together their pIunder when discovered by
the rector and his assistants.
The Church OF the Immaculate Conception is
not only the largest but also one of the oldest.
in the borough. II is under the Redemptorist
Fathers Besides the church building proper,
there are a priory. school and a rectory. In
the rectory lives the rector OF the church, the
Rev Henry T Otterbein; his assistant Father
Burger and one OF the lay brothers in the ser
vice Of the church.
In common with nearly all Roman Catholic
churches. the church a costly altar SER
vice Everything is fashioned from heavy gold.
and in some cases Jewels are set in vessels
and statues a figure Of the Virgin, standing
al one side Of the altar, is ornamented with
huge golden crown. the surface of which is
studded with large precious stones
shortly after 30 O'Clock Yesterday morning
Father Otterbein was aroused by the jingle OF
burglar alarm at the head Of his bed The
alarm was connected with the outer door Of the
church, and had been installed recently.
Getting up and dressing quickly. Father otter
helm seized a loaded revolver, and, moving
silently through the hall, knocked softly at the
doors of Father Burger and Brother Bernard,
cautioning them 20 keep silent arm themselves
and follow him.
At side door entrance 20 ths church the
three separated. Father Burger running to. the
street where he Justify blew upon a police
whistle. Father Otterbein and Brother Bernard
crept stealthily into the church, where they
made their way down the main aisle toward the
altar They made out the forms OF the inter
lopers In the dim light
These intruders became active when the whts-
tie sounded. Stopping their attempt TO force
open the second door of the tabernacle. which
is guarded hv a combination lock, they reached
for their reVolvers and sent a rain OF bullets at
the priest and Brother Bernard. The two
churchmen. however. continued their advance
returning the are of the burglars. The sharp
reports OF the firearms echoed and re-echoed
hundredfold within the lofty walls of the church.
and the cloud OF smoke shut off even the dim
view the opposing parties had of each other
They fred az random and wherever they saw
the flash from shot
Father Otterbein was wondering why the po-
lice did not appear in answer to the repeated
calls for assistance from his assistant, when the
great main door of the church flew open. and
with Father Burger at their head. Patrolmen
Waterman. Mlchaes and Jansen rushed in
Then the lighting began with renewed vigor.
Realizing that they We're overpOwered by num-
bers the burglars sought safety i'm flight. Under
cover Of the dense smoke they made a hasty
exit from a window back of the altar. leaving
behind the many gold vessels which they had
heaped on the altar table. They also left coat
and a kit of burglars tools.
When the smoke lifted Father Otterbein
turned on the electric lights and a careful
search failed 10 disclose any trace of the thieves
beyOnd the kit Of tools and the ragged coat. The
intervention OF the cergymen prevented the
plunderers carrying away anything but the or
namented facades and altar fixtures were rid
died with bullets. and the stained glass windows
admitted the rays of the moon through several
holes.
Had the burglars been content with the booty
they had collected from the altar and gone away
without attacking the door of the tabernacle,
they would probably have been successful
The police of the MOrrisania station and de-
tectives from The Bronx detective bureau have
been detailed on the case, but yet no tangible
clew has been found