New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-16
SCHMIDT WAS PRIEST
|. HERE THROUGH FORGERY
Suspended by Bishop Of MaInz
for Crimes, He Came to
United States.
MESSAGE TO MGR. lAVEllE
Murderer of Girl Once Declared
Insane by Court, According
to Cablegram from
Germany.

Hans. OF John, Schmidt the slayer OF
Anna Aumuller is a regularly ordained
priest of the Roman Catholic Church, ac-
| cording to a statement made yesterday
by Monsiguor ". ]. Lavelle. rector of ST.
Patrick's Cathedral
Monsignor Lavelle asserted, however.
that there were incidents in Schmidt s
past which, IL they had been known "a
the head OF the Diocese of New York
when the recreant clergyman came to this
city from Trenton. y. j.. would have
barred him from all local churches.
In answer 20 a cable dispatch sent 20
Germany at the instance Of Monsisnor
Lavele the following message was re-
ceived at the 81. Patrick's Cathedral rec
tory yesterday afternoon:
Vicar General Mooney, Diocese Of New
York J. Schmidt was born at Aschaffen-
burg lie was a priest Of the Diocese Of
Mainz. ordained in 1907. He ran away
from Mainz because Of attempted frauds
and his arrest by the police lie was de-
clared insane by a court and discharged.
lie was suspended by the Bishop of Main
! for his acts and for presenting fals!iicd
documents regarding the studies he pre-
tended 10 have made. Then he left the
diocese. EENDTN.
Secretary 10 the Bishop OF Mainz.
II was believed in Germany. according
TO Church. officials here. that when
Schmidt was suspended By the Bishop of
Mainz. following his arrest for criminal
offences. that his career as "A priest WIS
AZ an end. Schmidt left the country az
ter his exposure. and the German Church
authorities didn't know that he came 10
tho United States
When Schmidt came 10 New York from
Trenton IN 1910 he presented hs forged
papers at the headquarters Of the Ne"
York diocese After their inspection he
WAS assigned 10 the position of assistant
priest at ST BonIface's Church. at Sec
ond avenue ana 9th e'rcot. where there
was a vacancy Tho congregation Of that
church Is composed Of Italians and Ger
mans az well as American-born Cath
oiics. and the rviccs OF two assistant
priests. al least. are required by Father
Braun. The rector
Schmidt presented 10 MousiGnor LaNelr
a document alleged To- have been given
him by the Bishop ~ Mainz. testifyin1
that his service with tho German Church
had terminated oredtably.
Father Mooney. vicar genera. Of tie
diocese. on receipt Of the message from
abroad ycstcrday. sent word 10 Main.
asking that all papers and information
in possession Of tho German Church re-
la,ius 70 Father Schmidt be forwarded q,
the earliest moment. The desired docu-
ments and facts. n is believed. will BE-
here not later than q week from to-day.
According TO dispatches los cable. the
Mainz journal Yesterday said that John
Schmidt served In the Aiainz diocese, but
was under suspension by the Bishop. H.
disappeared from Mainz. the German
newspaper said. and later was arrested
AZ Munich. whore he was held FOR com
m,ting number 81 frauds. lie Wa
acquitted by the Munich court on the
ground Of weak mndedness and then lef'
Germany.
The. Mainz episcopatc. the newspaper
said. vas not aaare that Schmidt was
exercising the functions Of priest of
the Catholic church IN New York.
Schmidt. IL was said. studied At the
Malnz classical high school and vas or
daincd priest in 1851 Later he served
a. q curste At Darmstadt. Seligenstadt,
Gonsenheim and Buergl. near Offenbach
II was from nc last named church tina,
he disappeared when il was found that
he obtained his place on forged tesu-
monials.