Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-09-17
SCHM|DT'S CAREER.
IN ASCHAFFENBURG
New York Slayer Was Under
Serious Charges When He
Left Home Town.

ASCHAFFENBURG G. amy,
Sept. H.-This little medieval Ro-
man Catholic city of 10000 souls is
plunged into a state of wholly un-
wonted excitement through the IN
welcome fame suddenly brought upon
1t by the arrest in New York of
chaplain Johann Schmidt" as he is
known here, on the charge of brutal
murder in his adopted country. The
murderer's parents, three brothers
and one sister are Highly respected
middle-class people living in neigh
boring towns and villages.
When Schmidt was born in 1881 his
father was a conductor on the Hes
sian State railways. Between the
years 1SS9-91 young Schmidt attended
public schools in the suburb of
Damn, outside Aschaffenburg. His
teacher yesterday said Schmidt was
an intelligent and ambitious lad
Both his application and conduct
were faultless. Asked If he thought
that Schmidt was mentally RESPONSE
BILE the teacher answered emphati-
oally, Yes"
After four years in the public
schools Schmidt's father sent him to
the Aschaffenburg Gymnasium, where
he applied himself with conspicuous
ardor. A few years alter the father
was transferred to Mayence, where
the lad resumed his gymnasium
studies.
Strayed From Narrow Path.
Shortly before graduating Schmidt
| for the first time strayed from the
straight and narrow path he had
hitherto trod, though nothing espe-
cially grave came to light. He him.
self wished to adopt a worldly occu-
patton, but his parents, especially his
mother, who is accustomed even now
to visit church for prayer several
times daily and goes to confession
and communion every Sunday with
unfailing regularity, influenced the
son to enter the priesthood.
Schmidt's moral conduct as he
grew older deteriorated perceptibly.
He nevertheless matriculated at the
Mayence seminary for priests. where
he studied several years. 1t is COM
mon talk among his old friends in
Aschaffenburg that he led a noto-
riously dissolute life while at the
seminary.
About the time Schmidt was ready
to be ordained to the priesthood he
hankered for the coveted title of
doctor" and to this end he forged
the required credentials. In 1905, at
the age Of "a, he was formally or
dained and shortly afterward was
made doctor" The priests father,
in the meantime having been pen
stoned, bought a little home in
Schweinheim, near Aschaffenburg.
No Permanent Parish.
Young Schmidt never occupied
permanent parish position but acted
as substitute chaplain at various
places. For a while he was connected
with the English girls seminary at
Mayence, where he was instructor in
Christian doctrine. He would have
remained permanently in the service
of this school had not reports of his
forgeries become notorious. He was
now accustomed to assist other cor
rupt young priests to acquire the title
of doctor" receiving for his services
cash rewards which he is believed to
have squandered in riotous living. His
trafficking in forged documents was
known to only a few persons, but
Schmidt failed to obtain the much de-
sired good salaried and permanent po-
sition in the English seminary.
In 1907 he was confined several
months at the home of his parents at
Schweinheim, with a serious illness.
His friends wondered that he wore a
full beard in those days, but he said
that illness permitted him to grow
beard which could not be worn as
priest. When he had recovered
Schmidt frequently celebrated mass
at Schweinheim and performed other
priestly offices. Shortly afterward his
superiors deprived him of his rights
as priest and he disappeared. Later
he attempted to celebrate mass at
Aschaffenburg but the authorities of
the diocese disavowed him.
! In 1909, the prosecuting authorities
having learned of Schmidt's forgeries
as well as certain moral midemeanors,
he decided on the advice of his father
to emigrate to the United States. The
al ro,,.,a 81 .,oos .1ndar. xrhich their. snr,