The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-02-14
Dcoth Of Very Rec. W3s. storrs.
INCIDENTS OF HIS LAST ILLNESS, ETC. e.

INCIDENTS OF HIS LAST ILLNESS, ETC. =
The Very Reverend William STAIRS, D. /
D., Vicar General of the Roman Catholic /
Archdiocese of New York, died at the
rectory of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Null
berry street, on Thursday morning at eight
O'Clock. Apparently his last illness was of
brief duration, but it appears from the
statement of his physicians that disease be
gan its ravages some months ago. During
the forty years of his priesthood, the Faith
er, while performing the heaviest mental
labor, has been in the habit of taking little
or no physical exercise. Some two years
ago he began to show unmistakable symp-
tons of exhaustion, and during the intense
heat of last summer, after 4 fatiguing round
I of attendance upon school and other ami
Versaries, he was so worn and weak that
total rest and 4 trip to some watering place
were ordered by his physician. Accompa-
MED by Father Drumgoole, he visited Long
Bragch. On the night after their arrival
his companion, waking, found Father
STAIRS lying in Il hafstupor, which finally
passed away with copious and cold per-
spiTation. Stmulants were at once ad-
/ ministeTed, and the attack did not recur.
AT the end of two weeks Father STAIRS was
apparently much better in health, and Ie
turned to the duties of his diocese. Two
. weeks ago alarming symptoms Of eXhauS
ton reappeared, aud for one day he was
unable to attend to his duties. Still no
great danger was apprehended, and no
physician called in. On Friday week the
trouble came again, and Father STAIRS was
compelled to keep his bed. DR.. RoIl1e
was summoned, and ordered total rest
Bishop Lynch visited him Saturday
night and asked what word be should take
to the Archbishop. The sufferer replied {:
y on need saynOthing | am betternOw."
Indeed there was not much pain only a
restless uneasinesS as the worn system gave
way Between Saturday night and Tues
dayafternOOn the Father was rational, spoke
freely with visitors. and made his final
business arrangements in anticipation of
the end. Archbishop McCloskey visited
him Tuesday evening and during their con-
versatiOn the first symptoms of delliuIn
were manifested. The sufferer spoke in
coherently, and such of his words as seem
! ed connected were too plainly indicative
Of n wandering mind. He seemed to think
himself in attendance at some meeting and
asked DR.. ROrke if it were not time to 90
home, and whether they should take a
stage or hack. At last he fell into an un-
easy slumber, and from that time until his
death on Thursday remained half-uncon-
sclous, responding III monosyllableS to re-
peated questions, but in a dreamy. indif.
fcrent way. Still it was not unbroken stu
por, for he recognized the Archbishop
Wednesday morning by pressure of the
hand, though he was unable to converse
otherwise than by mouOsyllables. From
this condition he passed into death with no
word and only restless half turning to one
side.
His fame as a theologian had spread be-
yond the limits of his diocese. He was
. recognized as one of the leading men III
the Church in America, and the bishOpric
of Savannah, Ga, well as those of sew
eral other places, was offered to him. This
promotion he steadfastly declined from a
sense of his duty towards his parishioners
in New York, and to the sisteThood over
which he presided. His splendid eNecu-
tive qualities, however, were made availa-
ble in the Workmanship of the rich di-
ocese of New YORK, an office second in au-
thority only to that of the Archbishop
When Archbishop Hughes died, Father
STAIRS acted as administrator Of the affairs
of the archdiocese, and continued in charge
until the appointment of Archbishop Nc
Closkey. He was also, during his lifetime,
theologian in the general councils of the
Church, first in 1858 and again III 1866
During his long career in the ministry,
: Father STAIRS won, not only the high ap-
probation of his superors and the admira-
ton of his other co workers in the Church
but also the confidence and appreciation
! of the humblest of his people. When ht
, was pastor of St. Mary's Church he wa,
oftenest to be found laboring among the
poor and relieving their material as wei
! as their spiritual wants. How greatly ht
was beloved was shown in the numbers O
this class of the people who were crOwdine
: his door-steps Thursday afternoon anc
, evening. His loss viii be mourned by
; Catholics throughout the country.