The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-08-01
QLeGttteLLiqeattrel:1:
nc .La,e RI,hop Whelnn.
(Vron The San Erancilco Catholic aundlAn)

tUOk pihcb ~ 6t. hBued nObplLAlt DAHL
more, on the 9TH inst, will be received
with sorrow by not only those amongst
whom he labored for 30 many years, but
every Catholic heart Throughout the land.
To Us, his children in California, who
left him in health but q few years ago, the
sad news has come like the shock OF . sud.
den death, and we can scarcely realize It.
The Right Reverend Richard Vincent
Whelan, descendant Of one Of the old
Catholic families Of Maryland, was born In
Baltimore In January, 1909, and, received
his education at Mt. St. Mary's College
near EmmeltsbuTg; his theological course
was pursued at St. Sulpice, In France.
Directly after his ordination he was ap.
pointed 10 the mission at MAfiiusbure,
Berkeley county, Va, and being the only
priest IN that portion oil the State, his
dulles as pastor included all the neigh
boring counties. Although unused to
any kind OF physical labor, he worked
as bricklAyer upon the little church at
Berkely Springs, which was destroyed
during the late war. At that time, there
being no public conveyance, and the
priest having none OF his own, he ire
quently arose In tho small hours Of the
night and walked 10 Berkeley Springs, .
distance Of twenty one miles, wading
three streams OF water, TO say Mass on
that same morning. Gf @rIlI I
When the Episcopal See Of Richmond
was created, young Father Whelan re-
Ceived the mefited appointment 10 that
important and difficult post, and at The
late general council Of Baltimore he was
the eldest Bishop in the United States.
Some years after his conservation, on
making tour through the western pOr-
ton Of his diocese, he found that bis
children there were deprived Of tho as
sstance Of the priesthood; with Bishop
Wheelan 10 see need was 10 do his Ut
most TO remedy 1t; and from that time he
took up his residence In Wheeling.
In 1850, the diocese OF Va. being di.
vided, and the Bishop having his choice
between Richmond and Wheeling, he pre-.
ferred the latter, where he was most
needed. Atthat time there were but two
Catholic churches in Western Va.-one ID
Wheeling and anotherin Weston; and the
Bishop applied all his energies 10 the
work before him. To realize It's msgni-
tude We should compare the diocese, as Il
then was, with what he has left It Ex-
cept few families, all the Catholics were
poor; and yet, with such limited resources,
within twenty five years he had erected q
handsome cathedral, oil which he was
both architect and builder, beside numer-
Gus churches throughout the diocese, and
many schools. He established the Wheel.
ing Convent Of the Visitation INT. dc
Chantal) which Is one oil the most flour.
ishing In the United States 10 day; and has
branch in Parkersburg and another In
Abingdon; he also established the Con-
vent OF the Sisters Of st. Joseph, with
their hospital and orphan asylum, and
branches In other parts Of the State; and,
indeed, nowhere 10 the soRth Is CatholI
lefty more tlourishing than in West Va.
To nsrrate all Of his good works
would fill q volume, and even then we
could not, Tor they are known to his God
alone. 1t seems as II, from the time be
received Holy Order, 1t was no longer the
creature who lived, but the Oyedt0r who
llVedhnd ruled In him. Nature and edu-
cation combined tot Blshop Whelan for
the vocation so carly chosen, and he of
ieredto God the flowers oil his SPRING
time as well as the fruits of later yeafp.
With the wisdom Of the Bishop, the sim
plicity Of the Christian, and the polish oil
the gen tlemsn, he united that rare bust
ness capacity which rendered his holy
zeal 90 fruitful Of good .works. --r
He was an excellent architect, and not
content with planning, frequently worked
harder than any mechanic in building his
churches. Whatever was too difficult or
dangerous Tor another, the Bishop never
hesitated to do himself in the composi.
ton Of his character fear and selnshness
were excluded. We will mention one or
two oil the many instances Of his heroism :
In building the Cathedral no offered Q
reward to whoever would place the cross
upon the ball on the summit, about two
hundred feet from the ground; and no
one daring 10 attempt Il, the Bishop did
Il himself And again: tI9
When the bell was being hung in the
tower, the hosting apparatus broke as
the bell was near the place, and It's sud-
den descent carried the man Who held the
rope one hundred feet In The air. The
Bishop, who was Ia the tower, leaned out
at the Imminent riskof his own life and
saved that Of hisfellow creature. y ~
His. sermons had the simple eloquence
Of truth, which he placed IN such light
as 10 carry conviction to every honeat
mind: Even when falling health foretold
that his useful lie was closing, he ceased
not from his lAbors, but seemed rather to
review the past, and try, by redoubled el.
forts, 10 fulfill any omissiSn that there
might have been In the discharge OF his
sacred office. A-.El'V = gllslz
Bishop Whelan was the best friend 81
his people, and his sympAthizing car and
counsel were open alike TO poor aud rich
His penetration never failed 10 detect
wrong, and he promptly reproved II; We,
with such charity that he won the sinner
even while condemning the sin, Through
out the diocese his influence was felt and
acknowledged to an, unusual extent; ant
he possessed tho affection and esteem o
Prolestants as well as Catholics. In los,
Ing him II 10 as II every family incurred
the best and most beloved offalhers.
AS q true shepherd, by example ant
preceptE he ever led his flock towar(
their eternal home, whittier he has beer
at length called 10 receive the reward n
his labors and hear tho MAster's blessed
wofdsi swell donel thou good anf
taithinl servant, enter into the oy Of I'M
Lord 'aJ 'cftHii'5 zill5T - -
The good seed planted and cultivated