The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-10-17

.u-anca Mt Fort Augustus in 1nFerness-4
- Scotland. from the London Register, to
,vb;ch II was communicated by n gentleman
living in tho neighborhood of that place, and
uger whose word Che utmost reliance IS placed
A sensational version of the affair was pub
1ished in an the Protestant papers, with the
intention of casting odium on our religion,
& This hitherto quiet village was thrown intoaI
:, stnta of exc1tement on the evening OF Monday
Last in consequence OF our respected priest
having been sent for by an old military gentiei5
mana Captain Ross--who has been confined
10 bed for some time past. The captain mas,
on every opportunity that he could get, in the
absence of his lady (who is his junior by up
wards of thirty years sent urgent requests
for the priests to visit him. When she became
aware that the dying veteran OF Waterloo had
resolved to seek admission into the Catholc
Church, she refused to allow the priest to enter
&he house The captain sent several messages
TO Father sNpDonald to force his way should
his wife refuse him admittance only on one
occasion did Mrs. Ross admit the priest ana
that in the presence of several ministers. stu
the diving captain decided for the old faith,
but would not be allowed private interview
Eaths shs having been sent for by the
captain, repaired to attend on the dying man,
but was met at the door by Mrs. Ross, who not
only refused him admittance, but attacked
him in a disgraceful manner, using her hands,
feet, and even mouth to prevent him from
entering. Father M'Donald, fearing violence
would be offered(him, brought two persons
with him. who relieved him from Mrs. Ross
before any serious damage was done him. he
then entered the captains room, by this time
nearly filled with people, the poor man still
wishing to become a Catholic, but this Icing
impossible, the priest retired, followed by Mrs.
Ross, who, IN a very treacherous manner,
aimed blow at Father mDonaid witha heavy
iron poker, which struck him on the back.
Mrs. Ross has given in charge against Rather
ApDonald for forcing his way into her house,
he having, of course, lodged charge against
Mrs Ross for assault on him while IN the DIS
charge of his duty as clergyman. The whole
affair is in the hands of the authorities, The
Protestant press will, no Doubt nan THIS rs
another Romish scandal.
Tire Daily Biographies Protestant paper
comments on this affairin the paragraph given
below Of course honest journals, like the
Southeastern Presbyterian of this city, will
ignore the candid Protestant account, and
spread the sensational one, with all the usual
Cracow adjuncts:
"Fort Augustus was thrown into state of
excitement on Tuesday morning last" There
is good local authority for the statement; but,
of all other places under the sun-eXcept,
perhaps, Sandwich, one of the old Cinque
ports-it is harder to imagine Fort Augustus
in wild and excited condition than any other.
The traveller by the Caledorian Canal Who ls
obligedto stop there is usually told that it
nsed to be regarded as the key " to strong
military position. There are no longer any
Wild reasons for maintaining it as n key but
hecanal has placed it in immediate connection
with q, lock. Delayed by this necessary
of time to walk up and survey the queer old
blockhouse of the Georgian style OF arehitec-
ture and, whatever ideas 1t may Suggest, thft
of excitement is not among then. Years age
the unfortunate Gordon CumIning-gave Il
Fictitious gaiety to the forlorn outpost b3
establishing his museum there but the sfgn
of stuffed animals, if presumably instructive
is not usually considered exciting. A qmete
place than the old fort itself in which to doz'
away the evening of soldiers life coult
hardly DE imagined. What, then, has throw
the poor old place into spasm Naturally
dispute about religion. Captain Ross,
Waterloo veteran, was dangerously Ill, whe
he asked to see an old friend of Isis, the Rev
John M'Donald. Both were Lochabre mel
and had many other feelings and sympathle
in common j; but the ReV.eASs-m'Donald was
Roman Catholic priest. Thereupon the Pro
testantism of Fort Augustus arose in its wratl
and there waged forthwith an enerSetl
battle around the brave old gentleman's sic
bed. "The priest, IL beiieUed, endeavore
to pervert the captain, and make capital on
Of his friendly visit" We are not precisel
of "making capital" explained to a seculi
public. The priest was told not to Tepei
his visitf--though here again we are not i
formed who told him, by whose authority
was told, or whether MS OH cOlrIo5 har I'm
thing to. do with the prohibitions The stor
- loosely related throaghont,- will sort
f1ippant4Lnd careless bigotry that Is intense
amusing, goes on to say that the priest, WI
a couple OF other -Highlanters==an old soldi
md n INDEPENDENTLY effected an e
trance to the captains house, late at nlgh
that the gamekeepcr held Mrs. Ross han'
behind her back, whilst the pensioner dispose
of a male attendant; and the priest mac
readx 10 finisl, the hnrrihle work Visions
the dagger and the poisoned bowl may be he
coniured mp for moment, but for the nome
only. z44t - The priest prepared to administ
Extreme UnctFon, something Of the sort,
the dying caPtaiss:1 Exactly never mil
what Extreme Bacton may happen to meal
never mind whether it is "Popish" for stryc
nine or prussic acid it is g something of &
sort;v and the grand religious fervor of q
local reporter bols over at the thought:
that noble historian conclude the chronicle
his own chaste words: 1.-THE screams of Nj
Ross brought assistance, and the priest ~
have not much esteem for death-bed CO
: versions in general; decidedly object
any attempt at securing them by means
hoasebreaking in particular; but we think til
s. subject for legitimate inquiry is afforded
the peculiar Professionalism of the far Nor
or something of the sort."&
DOYLE g. RAUM-A short while ago we