ARCHBISHOP KEANE IS DEFEATED - 1903

KEANE, HENNESSY, DYER, SHERMAN, HANFELDT

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 2/16/2017 at 20:26:41

Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, Jan. 2, 1903

KEANE IS DEFEATED
~
DECISION IS RENDERED IN THE
FAMOUS CATHOLIC CHURCH
CASE AT WILLIAMS
~
Judge Dyer Hold That Archbishop
Should Have Complied With the
Term of the Contract
~
Webster City, Jan. 2 – Judge George W. Dyer has just rendered his decision in the famous case of C. J. Sherman and John Hanfeldt, et. at., vs. Archbishop John J. Keane, of Dubuque. By the terms of the decision the plaintiffs are entitled to recover from the Catholic Church in Williams the sum of $2430.10 with interest at the rate of 6 percent.

The case arose over a church row several years ago. In 1895, the church was destroyed by a cyclone, and the latter subscription were started for the erection of a new church. The plaintiffs in the case subscribed liberally – giving $2430.10. Their subscription, however, was made conditional upon a dual language speaking priest being sent – one capable of speaking both the German and English languages. This was under the regime of Archbishop Hennessy, now deceased. The church was built, but no dual language priest appeared. Archbishop Hennessy died, and was subscriptions, because of a breach of contract.

Judge Dyer, in his decision, holds that the contract was legal, and by the death of Archbishop Hennessy it passed to his successor, and that through it he is holden. The decision further states that Archbishop Hennessy failed and Archbishop Keane still refuses to carry out the contract, and that therefore the plaintiffs are entitled to recover their contributions. The costs in the case are taxed to Archbishop Keane, and the judgement is made a lien on the property: and the same, or so much of it as may be necessary, is ordered to be sold to satisfy the judgement. The case will probably be appealed.