Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-08-08
The City in Mourning.
HeartrendIng Particulars of the
Accident.
-om the Louisville Courier OF the 5th

From the Louisville Courier OF the 5th
We sre deeply panied 20 announce the
death of Father B. J. Spalding OF our
city, from accidental blrning. The par
ticulars of the terrible affair are ss fol-
lows:
It has been the custom of Father
SpaIding TO keep a gas light, with q
sliding tube, burning in his bedroom
over night. It seems that at about one
O'Clock yesterday morning the tube
slipped down and came in contact with
the mosquito bar, In 8 few moments
the bed clothing caught, and when
I Esther Spalding swoke his night clothes
were in flames. He managed to eXtin-
1 guish the fire on his person, but not
until the flesh was shOckingiy burned
/ In his terrible agony, he rushed into his
! bath room adjoining, and bathed in cold
| water, which had the effect OF intensity
/ ing his sufferings. Father BOnchet, hear
! ing his gFoans, hastened to the room, and
1 found the bed clothing burning rapidly.
I He at once threw them cut Of the win
dow, and checked the fire. Father
| SpahingIs night clothes were burnt
nearly OFF him, and he was writhing in
agony. He was wrapped in q sheet and
medical aid promptly summoned, but
before the arrival OF the doctors he be-
came frantic with pain, and a second
lime immersed himself in the bath-tub.
On the arrival Of the physicians, the
proper remedies were applied for his re-
lief, but to no purpose. He fingered in
great agony until six o'clock last even
ing, when death relieved him Of his SUI
fering. His resort to water, no doubt,
caused the fatal result.
The announcement OF his death last
evening, and the terrible manner in
which it happened, cast gloom over the
whole city, and there was mourning on
every hand. The church bells sOlemnly
tolled, and hundreds of our citizens,
bowed in deep grief, repaired TO the resi-
dence Of Father Spalding, adjoining the
Cathedral, to mingle their sOrr0 Ws with
the bereaved relatives of the great and
good man. The Cathedral was lit up
and the thrOng united in prayer for the
peaceful FepOse Of the soul of their be-
loved priest.
The Very Rev. B. J. SpaldiDg was born
in Marion county, KY, in the year 1911.
When guile yOung, he, with his brother,
the present Archbishop of Baltimore,
was sent to St. Mary's College, then re-
Gently established under the presidency
of the late Rev. VIM. ByFne. lie after
wards entered the Diocesan Seminary,
then established at Bardstown, where ne
remained for several years. In 1892 he
was scat to Rome, where be finished his
ecclesiastical studies in the college OF the
Propaganda. II returned TO BardstOwn
in 1895 or 1887, where he filed the office
Of Pastor Of the Cathedral congregation
for several years, and was afterwards
Vice President Of st. JOseph's College
Shortly after the removal of the Do
cessn See to Louisville, he was appointed
under has brother, the present Arch
bishop of BaitiRCTe-whO was then
Bishop of this See-Vicar General of the
Diocese. This Office he has tllled with
marked ability to the present time.
Esther Spslding was noted for bis
goodness OF heart and his wise counsels
to his people ocdsared him to them with
that tender love which exists between
parents and children. The whole aim of
his life was to do good to all, and he has
fulfilled his mission on earth in man
ner that will ever keep his memory
green in the hearts OF his people. The
loss Of such a man Is 8 public calamity.
He was beloved by all denominations,
rich and poor.
& High Mass Of Requiem will be Gel
ebrsted IN the Cathedral at o'clock on
to day and tomorrow, and on Friday, at
9 o'clock, will take place the eOiern fu-
neral services. We are requested to say
that the members of the various sodall-
ties OF The city are requested to meet at
the Cathedral each evening until the
funeral, for the puEPoss Of recitiDg the
offices Of the dead.