Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-08
STRANGELY INFATUATED.

STRANGELY INFATUATED.
OH Father Mona!,an Who Bct;eres Tia
he Is .srchJishOp of This DiOcese--Ihe
Poor Sim pie Minded Old Man Tells Hts
Story to a Rcporter--One Of the Oldest
Priests ~. the Cisy--His Present Pitia6Ie
Condition.
milwaukee Wisconsin.
At boarding house, corner of Second
and Sycamore streets, there is one of the
early pioneer Catholic priests of the state,
tbs Rev. Father Michael Monahan. He
came to Milwaukee about the same time
as did the late Archbishop Henni, thirty
eight or thirty nine years ago. At that
time there were only three priests in this
diocese Of late years the old gentleman,
who is il his seventythird year, has be-
come weak-minded, and is possessed
Of an idea that he and not
Archbishop Heiss, is the rightful head
of the church in Wisconsin, he having been
appointed bishop some three years ago. A
Wisconsin reporter called upon Father
Monahan at his room to-day, and was
warmly greeted by the venerable old man.
He is jovial, good-natured and well-pre-
served man, and more childish than in
sane In answer to the reporters ques-
ton if he had retired from the ministry, he
said: ''Oh, no, my son, not retired. have
Jurisdiction over this diocese, but am de-
prived OF my rights through the influence
of my enemies. was recognized as bish-
op OF this diocese by the Holy See three
years ago. l never received the letters
sent from Rome, but was told by
faithful friends that they had been sent.
[ have not heard from Rome since
that time, my letters all being kept
from me- On being asked if he would
give as.short sketch eff his life, the old gen.
tieman, with merry twinkle of his eyes,
replied: ''Why shouldI? You're not my
confessor." But in the course Of the inter-
view, many interesting facts in regard to
the life and services OF the eccentric priest
were cleaned.
His narrative, although disconnected and
rambling, was quite entertaining, He was
born in Ireland in 1S09,and came to Amer
lea in his twenty-ffth year. He attended
theological colleges in Pennsylvania and
Canada, finishing his education for the
priesthood in Baltimore in 1888, where he
was ordained. A year Or two later he drift
ed back to Ireland, spending several years
III tlS ministry III VARIOUS
parts Of his native country. 1t was
it the year 1871 that the great re-
peal question agitated all Ireland, and
Father Mcmahon says he was present at
the great meeting held in an open field
near Belfast, on the 29th of June, 1871,
when Daniel O'ConneN addressed 100000
TO the great Irish statesman, a warm
frTCI och hot fbny,
He describes Daniel O'Connel as man of
magnificent physique, possessing re-
markable, powerful and magnetic voice,
yet sweet as woman's. In 1914 Father
Monahan returned to this country, COM
ing to Milwaukee. He was an intimate
friead of Archbishop Henri, being, as he
says, like brothers." Afterwards he re
turned to the state of New York, finally
returning for a second time to Europe.
Feeling more at home and better con-
tented in America, he again came to
Milwaukee in 1882. He was re-
ceived by the archbishop and Vicar Gener-
81 Kundig with the greatest consideration,
the latter he alleges, relinquishing the
vicar generals schair" in his favor. There
upon Archbishop Henri stationed him at
Montello,with jurisdiction over the counties
of Adams. Green, Lake, Marquette, Colum-
bus, part of Waushara, and one other coun-
ty. Father Monahan says during the
seven years he labored in that field he held
services throughout the jurisdiction, trav-
cling every Sunday from twelve to forty
miles, in all kinds of weather.
His health was greatly impaired, and he
returned to Milwaukee and ofiiciated at the
cathedral for many years. It was prob
ably owing to the hardships to which he
was exposed that the mind of the unfortu-
nate priest became in meas
IRE unbalanced. For the past three
years he has been forbidden to say mass at
the cathedral, but until recently has been
considerably permitted to officiate at st.
Calls church. But now that privilege has
been taken from him by the pastors IN
charge. He says he has threatened to sUs-
pend Fathers Lalumiere and Van der Err
den, Or even excommunicate them for their
disobedience to the lawful head of. the
church in this diocese, as recognized by
this Holy See, and claims the suspension
will take place in few days. When he
was driven from the cathedral he applied
for board at some thirty boarding houses,
but was refused by all. At last Mr..
Welcher Indy took him in and cared for
him. The old gentleman says he is keep
ing quiet, while his enemies are war
ring against him. Of this latter fact
he says he is glad, as it will tend to more
quickly restore him his rights. He claims
to be happy and contented, feeling as
sured that in a very short time everything
will turn out well. He alleges as the main
reason why he is deprived of his Office,
that the people are divided into factions,
controlled by schemers; that the people
want to rule themselves, each one for him
self, and refuse obedience to their superior.
When he takes his right position, the old
gentleman asserts, he will impress the peo
pie with the necessity of obedience. He will
harnonize all differences, and mete
out equal justice to all, and see
that eli just laws of man and mandates
of God are fulfilled. He is of the
idea that he is held responsible for the well
fare of the people of the diocese by the
holy See. Father Monohan is well edu-
Gated and possesses fund of valuable in
formation on all subjects. He has keen
sense of humor and relates many anec-
dotes and amusing "reminiscences of his
early college days. He was classmate of
several Of the leading Catholic divines of
the country. On parting with the reporter,
the poor old man requested him to call
again, promising to be a good father to
him.