New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-19
SCHMIDT, IN DISGUISE,
ASKED FOR HIMSELF
Visited st. BonifaCe's ReCtory
Few Hours Before His
Arrest for Murder.
ASKED PRAYERS OF WOMAN
Priest Had Still Another Room
in Harlem, Where He Brought
Lad He Said Was
His Son.

Father Hans Schmidt. held as MUIR
derer. counterfeiter and manufacturer OF
illegal medicines paid visit to the
Church Of ST. Boniface. at Second avenue
and East 47th street, where he was for
merly engaged as a curate. few hours
prior 10 his arrest by Inspector Faurot
on the murder charge. Saturday night
The housekeeper at the rectory, sister
OF Father Braun, answered a ring Of the
door bell early in the evening. to be con-
fronted by man she is positive was
Schmidt He was dressed in dark gray
suit, without the clerical collar or vest.
He appeared to be under the influence OF
iiauor. although that might have been as
sumed, and inquired for Father Schmidt.
Father Braun's sister was convinced II
vas Schmidt inquiring for himself.
scant attention was paid to the incl
dent, however until yesterday. Then
Father Braun learned from one OF his
parishioners. a woman, that man whose
description tailed perfectly with that OF
Father Schmidt. spoke TO her on the side
walk beside the parish house Saturday
night.
The woman, who lives near the church.
was returning to her apartment with her
1,ttls daughter, when man descended
Che steps from the rectory door In East
eth street.
"Are YOU poor woman" she was
asked by the man she asserts was
Schmidt
Receiving an affirmative reply, the man
REACHED into a pocket and drew forth
coin, which he gave TO the child. Then
he leaned forward and peered into the
-woman's face.
DO you know me?" he asked.
The woman was startled. The man
seatures resembed those of Father
Schmidt, whom she had known well when
ne was at ST. Boniface's Church. but the
absence OF clerical attire led her TO be-
Hieve herself mistaken.
NO" she told him.
The man seemed vastly relieved, but re-
mated the question. Again the woman
repeated her denial.
"You 20 to this church here" Indicating
St. Boniface's) the man said. Pray LOT
re when YOU attend mass in the morn
ing"
Handing the child another coin and re-
marking that he had enough money TO
buy all New York" the man departed.
~ What Father Schmdts purpose for WIS.,
iting the rectory may have been is I'M
certain. II is held, however, that he may
have wanted TO learn If any alarm was
felt by Father Braun At the disappear
arce of the Aumuller girl. BY inquirins
as 10 the whereabouts OF "Fathei
Schmidt" he may have hoped to learn II
his name was associated with that Of
Anna Aumuller.
Whatever he came for" Father Braun
said yesterday, If indeed, IL was Schmidt
was for some carefully thought out rea-
SON. He was man OF great cunning and
would not have come here from 18th
street for no purpose"
Asked IL Father Schmidt had ever stolen
n funds Of the church while an assistant
el at ST. Boniface's. Father Braun said that
y 70 his knowledge he had not.
IL have a very thorough, careful sys-
tenn Of accounting for the money that IS
received and disbursed in my parish" he
said. II know about how much money
IS due every Sunday. and check up with
extreme care. The envelopes found in
Father Schmidts effects were given 10
MIN by me after the money, several hun
dred dollars in all, had been extracted, 10
be checked up. Father Schmidt made a
report TO me and do not know why he
did not dispose Of the envelopes.
Father Schmidt was generous man,
amounts 10 the poor Of the parish. lie