Evening star., 1923-06-27


the feecing was carried on were
briefly described by Mr. Donohoe to.
day. 1t seems that Cancelled checks
have been found in Mgr. O'Brien's
effects, showing that sometimes dur
ing one month $4,000 or $4,000 had
passed away into the hands of the
spectators.
After ready cash was used up the
swindlers started taking notes signed
by the priest. One of these notes
in lieu of cash for a board bill at
one time when the swindlers ran
short.
Stock in a salve to cure rupture, in
fictitious railroads, and in similar de-
vices was found to be without value.
In one batch of stock certificates
found by the trustees, the upper two
certificates were legitimate, as well
as the lowermost two. but sandwicned
between was a stack of untitled GER
tifcateS calling for no amount of
shares in the stock. The paper was
as worthless as blank sheet.
Official Statement.
The official statement of the trustees
follows:
We found upon investigation that
Mgr. O'Brien signed notes in the sum
Of $4,000 or more to buy fake stocks,
under agreement that some Of the
notes were not to be used until GER
tain transactions occurred in connec-
tion with the sale of stock. Notwith-
standing this written agreement,
these schemers turned over those
notes at enormous discounts to money
lenders and now these holders of the
notices are seeking to recover the full
amount of the notes from Mgr.
1ITnon <,,r+bar ;,-o..,u,.;o
found that these notes were put in
the hands of third parties at a tre-
mendous discount and in justice to
the parish and Mgr. O'Brien and all
them enter suit and let the courts
settle what they were entitled to, IL
anything. The position of the trus-
tees is that the holders of these notes
in the courts before they would be
recognized.
Publicity Threatened.
Some Of the holders Of these notes
have threatened Mgr. O'Brien with
pitiless publicity unless his parish
toner's come forward and make good
the amount Of these notes and the
trustees do not intend to be held up
in this manner. although we hereby
state the parish is anxious and will
ing to settle any honest claim any
one may have against Mgr. O'Brien.
noubtful validity"
Some Claims Settled.
-. The trustees already have settled
41b,O0O OF legitimate claims, 1t was
learned today. 1t Is felt that the In
Seritancs Of Mgr oBrien, the farm in
care Of all claims against the estate
as we'll as to refund to the parish
funds Of approximately $4,000, be-
1ieved to have been taken from 1t.
This farm comprises 275 acres, of
which twenty-five are now beins
worked for dolomite ore, used in the
manufacture Of steel. On the farm al
present two nephews OF Mgr. OBrien
are now living. Valuation Of the farm
1s set at a figure which would more
than cover the estimated losses.
Mgr. O'Brien had brilliant career
as pastor Of st. Peters Church. La
boring there thirty years, he built a
large white stone church and parish
house, as well as a school. Every
cent Of Indebtedness on these i'm
provements has been paid of. and the
church has been consecrated-which
is only done when q property Is free
from debt.
Shortly after his retirement, after
Christmas. as pastor OF the church
Mgr O'Brisn suffered q nervous
breakdown. He was taken to st
Agnes Hospital, Baltimore. where he
ia located at the present time, recup-
Grating from his shattered condition