The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-07
Ills Sudden sickness Coming to Tragic Ter
mination Yesterday Morning.
INCIDENTS OF HIS ILLNESS.
Narrative of His Long Life and
Many Good Works.
The Body Lying in State Until It's
Burial on Monday.

peacefully and TRANQUILITY, at eight O'Clock A. M,
yesterday The history OF his life is all that can be
told Of good and charitable man and most faith
full minister Of the Gospel He was born In Drom-
quin, county Tyrone Ireland, In 1905. During his
boYhood and early manhood he applied himself to
general course 0fstudes with unremitting diligence
and perseverance. He received his classical educa
ton In the College OF Maynooth, where he distin-
gushed himself In the annual examinations, and
made q host OF steadfast friends among
his classmates. After completing his classical
and philosophical studies in Maynooth, he started
for this country with the sole intention OF prose-
cutting his studies for the priesthood the office Of
which he afterwards SO successfully attained and
filed with that modest and becoming dignity for
which he has been so much esteemed The story
OF his career both as student and priest in the
Archdiocese Of New York, may he told as fol-
lows
On his arrival IN this country in 1881, he brought
with him the highest testimonials as to reputation
and ability, and was received cordially and kindly
by the pastor of st. Mary's Roman Catholic church
in this city, and Immediately recommended a.
trustworthy subject to Bishop Dubois, then
Bishop Of New York. BY Bishop Dubois he
was sent to st. Mary's Ecclesiastical Col
lege, Baltimore, where he read his course
OF divinity with close application during
the ensuing three years. In the month Of Septem-
Der, 1884 he was ordained priest by Bishop Du-
bos In st. Patrick's Cathedral, New York, and the
Bishop admiring his amisble and kind disposition
almost Immediately appointed him his assistant in
the Cathedral parish, and both afterwards became
most intimate and confidential friends. lie re-
manned assistant pastor OF the Cathedral during
the ensuing ten years, until the Rev. Father Quar-
tiers, Of ST. Mary's church, was consecrated Bishop
OF Chicago. This change rendering the altar OF st.
Mary 80 To Ctopro
the Cathedral and appointed to the rector
ship Of that parish, where he endeared him.
self to his congregation by many faithful
and memorable acts Of kindness and benevolence.
During this time the present Bishop Of Brooklyn,
then Father OLughlin, was pastor of the Cathedral
and faithful associate priest Of the deceased. In
1858 Father L0ughlin was consecrated Bishop OF
Brooklyn by Bishop Bedini and the Rev.
DR.. STAIRS was taken from st. Mary's,
and again transferred to the Cathedral as
PASTOR and Vicar General Of the Archdiocese
OF New York. This change was made by the Most
Rev. Archbishop Hughes, who succeeded to the See
of New York on the demise of Bishop Dubois, since
which time the very reverend deceased has re-
tanned his place in ST. Patricks and fulfilled all his
dutieswith the calmest patience and a goodness OF
character which his Most Rev. Superior estiaes to
as being exceedingly mertOriOus.
In the absence OF the Most Rev. Archbishop 1t
has always been the privilege OF the Very Rev. DR..
STAIRS to act as his administrator But this was
not the only ministerial dignity to which he was
appointed as an efficient minister of his religion.
For the past TWENTY-FIVE years he has been eccle-
OF the Sisters OF Charity, the Sisters of Mercy and
OF the Ursuline Convent in this city, and was prin-
cipally instrumental in having them established in
the midst Of this community He may also be said
to- TO- have 9.. been the grand originator and spr:
ana III The of ohs s st. Nasa' soos
throughout the archdiocese towards which
he has always extended his prompt and
ful supervision that the Founding Asylum pro-
crossed and became the praseworthy institution
O. an
and institutions Of profitable instruction. His name
has been sent six successive times to Rome as
Natchez and Of Portland respectively, and each
declined either In spirit OF humility fear OF re-
sponslbilities which he thought he could not dis
Rome in 1867 partly to witness the canonization Of
SAINT, but particularly to see the Holy
Father Father, by whom he was most warmly received.
Rev Archbishop McClosKey rendered him the let.
ter which conferred on him the degere Of Doctor OF
Propaganda, Rome, ia appreciation Of his merits.
During the early and vigorous years OF his lie as
scrupulous and extremely aborious energy, as the
books ana records Of the Cathedral prove At the
III s o MS ina Ct there ne New only four Gts
Peters, st. Patricks St Mary's, In Sherir street,
and Christ church, In Ann street; and the Catholic
fuy-if not by his sole labors, at least under his
patronage and influence. He was the Oldest priest
OF New York city after the Archbishop.
The Most Rev. Archbishop McCloskey speaks of
MS disposition, ability ana worth. Father STAIRS
was sIkn ing Kind and smabe priest He was
OF speaking Of Others. He was silent when he could
not fSI say good word and always spoke wen Of
in his speech, and, IN hact, seldom spoke except
when necessary. He was more OF practical
prudent, careful and most solicitous for the welfare
OF MS congregation. he possessed fine, peaceful
an
what seemed matters OF Importance to others, had
great powers OF discrimination. He was especially
gentle and mild that he has never been known to
give way to anger. He led always very tenn
perate and regular liie and in that respectwasa
omitted Offering up the holy sacrifice Of the mass
t during his time as priest and always as early in
last two years, however, it has been his custom to
say seven O'Clock mass, He has always preserved,
good feeling and tranquility OF mind for which |
I he has been best known and most universally es-
HIS ILLNESS AND DEATH.
The very reverend father was first taken Ill on |
Friday evening last, the Slst ult., with violent
usual to celebrate mass but soon became con- |
sclous OF an unaccountable feeling OF weakness, |
sumo his rest and confined him, in werd, to his
deathbed. On Friday evening last and night he |
was In semi-uncOnsci0us state. On saturday |
morning he became q little better, and during the |
remainder OF Saturday and Sunday ne was In o |
state OF consciousness and increased strength. |
On Tuesday evening change came on somewhat |
suddenly which seemed to throw him again into |
perfectly unconscious state, In which he remained |
up to Wednesday morning, when he again seemed |
to arouse himself for the reception OF the sacra-
ments, which were administered to him py the |
Rev. Father Kearney.
During the day previous the reverend Father |
spoke very little, even TO the Archbishop, who was
constantly present with him every day during his |
illness, and ON Wednesday morning, after the re-
ception OF the last sacraments, he sunk gradually |
again Into an apparently insensiblo condition. lie
spoke to no one, nor did he recognize the priests
around his bed, among whom were Bishop Lynch, |
OF Charleston, and the reverend priests OF the |
Cathedral, together with the Rev. Father QUINN OF
St. Peters, Barclay street. While In this condition
Archbishop McCl0skey entered the room and pro-