Morning journal and courier., 1881-06-13
rhe Catholic Reformatorx.


fee on East Haven Hei9hts-Btshop.
HTcMahOn Present-Interestfng E1er-
ctses-ThousandsO of People i'm Attend
ance.
Yesterday was one long to be remembered
by the Catholics of this city. it being the oc-
casion of laying the corner stone of the Re-
formatory for boys to be erected on East
Haven Heights, the land for which was pur-
chased by Rev. Father Harding several
years since for this purpose. The protector
of this scheme, who is approaching sew
enty years, resolved some time since to carry
out plan that would result in the reform of
wild and unruly boys, and to this end he is
now devoting his remaining energies, and
the funds that he has accumulated from a
ministry of years in the profession of his
choice. That the object is a laudable one
there can be no question, and it must have
eheered the heart of the venerable patriarch
yesterday when he saw the hundreds and
thousands of friends climbing the Heights
to witness the ceremony of laying. the corner
stone to the GROWING effort of his life
work. The building now in process of con-
struction is on one of the highest points of
land in the vicinity, surrounded by a beaut1-
full grove of trees, the grounds in front slop-
ing gradually down to the plateau, many rods
distant. One side and one end of the walls
have SO far progressed that the visitor can
form general idea of the structure or what
it will be on its completion. At present it
presents quaint and interesting appearance,
reminding one of an old deserted castle, al
though in this instance it is the progressive
3D. I,,sI5 - o
entirely of brown stone quarried on the
premises, and so far as the work has pro-
crossed it is evident that the protector evil
IDENTIFY intends that it shall stand the storms
of ages. The walls are exceedingly thick
and laid in cement. On the southeast cor
ner, which will be 80 feet high when COM
pleted, there are being laid circular stone
steps reaching to the top and from which
will be one of the most delightful views in
this section of the State. There are many
features in architecture that are new and
novel and designed especially by the venera-
BILE Father Harding, who superintends the
work, and he is ably assisted by Mr.. Richard
Powers, master. builder. The work is not
being done by contract, but entirely by days
work, and consequently the building is being
erected in the most substantial manner
The Fair Haven horse railroad furnished a
large number of cars yesterday to take those
who wished to go to Fair Haven to witness
the ceremonies, andflarge numbers availed
themselves of the opportunity afforded, while
many others went on foot and in private
teams On reaching the terminus of the road,
the deep, solemn tones of bell were heard on
the hill, which directed the multitude, to the
site of the proposed institution where the ex-
ercises were to take place. This bell, which
is owned by Father Harding and weighs g.
900 pounds, has recently been received, hav-
ing been temporarily loaned by him to
other institution. The men, women and chill
dren followed the sound thereof, and on
reaching the Reformatory they seemed de-
lighted with the surroundings and the land
scape view that was spread out before them.
Soon after o'clock Bishop McMahon ar
rived on the ground accompanied by the fol-
lowing clergymen of this city: Fathers
Mulholland, Slocum, Mckinney, Lalor,
Harding; Larkin, Colony, Gragan and
their priestly robes, the clergy, preceded by
Bishop Mcmahon, passed to the rear of the
building, accompanied by Father Harding, to
point where rustic cross had been erected.
Brief services were here held, and then the
procession of bishop and priests and acolytes
passed around the walls chanting the blessing
upon the work. This accomplished they as
cended to the temporary platform on a lie vel
with the corner stone, and the ceremony of
placing it in position was commenced,
Father Mckinney acting as master of cere-
monies.
The usual services were proceeded with
and hundreds of upturned faces on every side
of the foundation walls showed the interest
the people felt in the affair. When the SER
vices had concluded the bishop and priests
again passed around the building sprinkling
holy water upon the building and those in its
vicinity Again they returned to the plat
form, where Bishop McMahon delivered
brief address. He spoke in substance as fol-
lows:
My friends, have just learned that the
orator of the day has not arrived, and it falls
to me to make a few remarks to you.
think we may all rejoice at the work of this
day. We meet to-day to lay the corner stone
of an institution for the education and refor-
nation of wild and hayward boys. I do not
understand that wild boy is always wick |
ed boy, but he may need that care and at |
tention that shall place him on the right road |
to virtue and usefulness. This is what the OBJ |
ject of this institution is intended to be,
and such feel that it should receive the |
encouragement of the entire community.
Here we shall try to reform way
ward boys and make them good citizens of
society. Why then should we not be encour-
aged and supported in our endeavors Boun- |
tiful munifcence has established an honored |
university OF learning IN New Haven, where |
the wealth of many is expended for the edu- |
cation of the youth of our country. Let US |
then make this institution, in a sense, a |
counterpart of that, and press forward in the L
grand work SO auspiciously inaugurated. |
should also say that for the inception
of this grand work we are indebted to our
brother, Father Harding, who is perhaps ap-
preaching the end of his ife's work But
one man cannot do it all, and hope others
will initiate his noble example and aid him
by their means to carry on this grand work
In closing the bishop urged those present to
contribute according to their ability. The
collectors then passed among the crowd and
it was evident that the collection was a gen
erous one.
The benediction was pronounced at the |
close of the bishops remarks and the large
crowd wendell their way toward the city
A "Reminiscences.