The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-10-13
a TOUCHING LETTER FROM MEMPHIS

victims TO the Memphis plague Thre
other pries:s are reported down with tn
IeveT.
The following are the priests dead:
Father Martin Walsh, pastor of ST
3radget's Church, born near Roscrea
County Tipperary, Ireland, aged 90.
Father Michael Meagher, cousin of th
former, late pastor of Edgefeld, Tenn.
aged so.
Father BoeGel, Dominican, born of Ger
Aau parents, aged 32.
Father Raymond McGarrey, Dominican
of Irish parents, born in America, aged 30
Fsth er Scanlan, Dominican, aged 30.
Rather z. Mcnamara, curate at st. Pat,
Slck'e, born in Kerry, Ireland, aged.2S, and
rths oldest of twelve children living in Ire
9srd.
Father Van Troostenberg, volunteer
EroCn Louisville, aged So.
Father Materne, Franciscan, born in
Germany.
The Very Rev. Martin o'Riorden, born
near Mallow, County Cork, Ireland. aged
so. He was pastor of St. Patrick's Church
and Vicar General of the Diocese.
Fathers Rtordan and Walsh had been
%atrteen years in Memphis. At the conse-
N~sration of Bishop Feehan, they volunteered
% leave their parishes in st. Louis, and go
witt, him to Tennessee, then a poor mis-
sionary diocese.
Father Rordan was reputed very
kearned scholar. The Bishop, appreeiat-
lng h;s brilliant talents and Universal
knowledge, assigned him the first place in
his diocese. Since the war, Memphis has
oeeu crippled in her pecuniary resources.
notwithstanding, Father Rordan, buoyed
op with zeal aud energy, built a church,
pascoral residence and a school. He pur-
Gaased cemetery grounds costing $50, 900;
Ge invited the Sisters of ST. Joseph to his
parish, and they founded q magnificent
school. ST Pstrck's and ST. Bridget's
schools had each an average attendance of
$40 children. Mother immaculate, q re-
Hgioas heroine of 73, nursed him till he
hreathed his last. Three nurses from the
Howur6s offered their services. He de-
etned Shen; There are hundreds dying"
ne said, "Who need yon more than II
Father Martin Walsh, by his zeal and
energy, gained for the diocese, church
property valued at $4,000. l now roter
not so much to the priest and man Of
1nninching perseverance,, as to the noble
christian Soldier. Father Walsh had
todght during the plagued year of 73 when
DO ;oat 900 of his parishioners. Then fell
The flower and best Of his flock. 1t was
1Eoe considered extraordinary for one
PRIEST to give the last Sacramento to sixty
an one day. After this, terrible accident
"SsccUrTed to him. His horse took fright,
ard broke HE leg He WAS lame to the
hour Of his death. Father Walsh, being
usau of prepossess'ng appearance, and
aCEio stature, caused many to shed tears
when they saw his venerable reverence
timpipg, with his cane, from house tc
sioZse. He epent his youth and best days
with his people. Like a wounded soldier,
he woC!d go to the front of the battle.
%h.>s parents had fed from their children,
aud brethren from their kindred, he re-
IaGined with them to the last. His last
act gAs the baptism of a convert, Mr..
Breed, baggage master of Memphis.
Tuesday evening at 6 O'clock he went
homo, exhausted and weary. He threw
>nis nat on the table and lying in bed, he
said: "NO matter who calls, can go out
no more" They were prophetic words.
kle died the following Wednesday night,
Aug. 29sh, between eleven and twelve
o'clock. His manly, scnorous voice shall
never more be heard. His pleasant,
hearty smile will never again gladden. the
hearts of the people who loved him 80
we'll. HIS name was a byw0rd of hospi-
EAl5ty and charity. 1t may be said and
hauds gave the last Bread of Life to more
people than any priest now living.
Anyone who has not heard of Father
Walsh, knows little of the South; yet in
tieaLh he was almost alone. He became
tfeIirious in his last moments, and
strange, he knew he was so. "'Tis too
bad" said he, "thst man should be out
.! his mind" He WAS 30 poor before be
died that he had to beg from the Howards
- bottle of carbolic acid. The cold hearted
2nuertaker wanted MIN put In the conn
without cassock or vestments. His cousin,
Father Meagher, dying in the next room
had on only an alb and stole. Father
W0lsh's, the largest, had but one hack and
. buggy at his funeral. His housekeepeI
and sexton were the sole occupants.
Father Mcnamara, curate at St. Pat
Vici's, was the youngest of all the priests
GIaving finished his course too soon, be
Vxas cent to france, where he was ordain.
sd priest. He held the highest places o.
honor while in the seminary. His parents
are living in IRELAND, and he wac the old
est of twelve children.
Meeting Father Walsh's funeral on the
street, he stood aud gaEed, pale and mo
EjcRless. He took sick that evening, and
aeon followed the others. "Father Mack
Eas e special favorite with children. He
played with them, prepared them for the
Sacram ents, gave them the Bread of Life
md he ard their little tales of sin and i'm
ReE6ect ion. doubt if there is q child
QsUCely not good child), in the parish
~,