The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1916-04-06
FALSE FRIEND
R0bS LOCAL BOY !
OF Dying WISH
JOSEPH HEGER CHEATED OF
CHANCE TO COME HOME TO
BREATH HIS LAST.
COMPANION STEALS Money
BROTHER BUSHES TO BEDSIDE
IN CALIFORNIA BUT AR
RIVES TOO LATE.

Victim of misplaced confidence,
double crossed by his closest and most
trusted friend, cheated of his dearest
wish, young Joseph Heger came home
from California last Tuesday in a
sombre gray coffin. 1t was not the
home coming he had planned; he was
robbed of that.
Weeks ago, in far-off sunny CATH
olicon Los Angeles, young Heger was
told that he could not live. A rapid,
deadly ailment had seized him. At
tending doctors measured his lease on
life by days. Young Heger smiled an
acquiescent smile and asked only that
he might be returned to his home i'm
Sank Centre that he might die here if
soon death was inevitable.
His purse contained $50. He could
not travel alone. His fund was too
small to engage a travelling compan-
ion. John Gallagher, nurse, about
"a years old, had been as brother
to young Heger during his stay at the
Los Angeles county hospital. Gala
gher's home is in New England and
he offered to accompany young Heger
to Sank Centre if his fare was paid.
Young Heger had won the admira-
ton of every doctor, inferno and nurse
in the big institution. by his fortitude
and cheerfulness in the face of death.
His wish that he might die at home
and be laid to rest in Sank Centre
struck deep in the hearts of these
new-found friends. Among themselves
they raised purse sufficient, added
to young Heger''s $50, to pay the ex-
penses of both young men to this city.
1t was arranged that the start
should be made on March 20. Gala
CHER was entrusted with the joint
fund to purchase the tickets. Young
Heger gave him the keys to his trunk
that he might pack it for travel. CAL
lagher departed on his mission of
trust. He never returned While
young Heger waited feverishly at the
hospital, police were looking for GAL
lagher on the charge of embezzlement.
Hospital friends of young Heger
tried to keep his spirits buoyed up
but the cheerful patient seemed as if
he felt doomed not again to see his
home and loved ones. When no trace
of Gallagher could be found a tele-
gram was flashed to Frank Heger, a
brother, at St. Paul, advising him of
the circumstances. That was March
26th.
Frank left Immediately for Los An
geles, arriving in that city on March
20 late in the afternoon. He went to
the hospital from the depot. His bro
Their rallied wonderfully following the
meeting with his kin, forgave the man
who had wronged him, who had denied
him his great wish to again see his
parents and brothers and sister, and
three hours later was dead.
That same afternoon Gallagher was
returned to Los Angeles from Arr
IONA where he had been arrested.
When faced by Frank Heger he con-
fessed to the embezzlement of the
money and even to taking personal
|
which he had shipped east. When
Frank left Los Angeles on March 81
with his brothers remains, Gallagher.
was in jail awaiting trial, remorseful,
but unable ever to atone for the sin
which was exemplifed by the still
form in gray casket being rushed
across the continent to his loved ones
at home instead of in life as might
have been.
Though denied his dearest wish
young Heger at least found his last
resting place where desired. This;
Thursday morning his remains were
given burial in st. Paul's Catholic.
cemetery. Escorted by the members.
of the Catholic Order of Foresters i'm
a deceased being a member of
that order-the remains were borne
from the family home to st. Paul's
church, the casket being fairly hidden
by floral pieces and sprays. A throng
attended the services. Rev. FIR. ART
sang requiem high mass and preached
a beautiful and powerful sermon. A
large cortege followed the remains
to the grave where short service was
held. The Foresters on foot escorted
the remains as far as the bridge
where carriages were taken. The pail
bearers were Ben Dicks cross bearer,
Albert Bromenschenkel, Alex Brom-