The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-17
ARCHBISHOP PURCELL.
A Visit to the Venerable Prelate in His Re-
treat in Brown County, Ohio.

the few remaining weeks, months or years OF
his life. more beautiful spot does not
exist; and now, when spring has begun to
appear, nature puts on her loveliest garb
in this veritable Eden which is "far from
the madding crowd" and apart from the
turmoil and strife of the secular world. The
Ursuline Convent is one of the best-known
Catholic retreats in the United States. Its
fame is as wide spread as the evergreens
which furnish perpetual shade and the
luxurant verdure which draws to the
enchanted place many tourists and
parents from every part of the country. 1t
is the home of sixty-ive clustered nuns,
who must, from the very charm of their sur
roundings, forget the world and be content to
dwell in this little universe, where all is pure
and noble and beautiful Here they can most
devoutly and truthfully say: 1.-The heavens
declare the glory of God, and the armament
showeth His handiwork." Circumscribed by
the bounds of the 300 acres of land included
in the convent property. they can worship in
the temple not made by hands, which has
for its dome the great blue canopy illumin-
ated by the sun and moon and stars, and for
its foundation the grass and flowers moist
ened by lie refreshing dew of heaven.
Here it is that the beloved and distinguish
ed prelate Archbishop Purcell has lived since
the lamentable financial crash happened,
four years ago. In this place he has learned,
through the devoted attention of his loving
followers, to forget the miseries of the past
and long only for the joys which he believes
await him in the future.
The priests house stands apart from the
convent, and is handsome two-story brick
editice, furnished with reference to the re-
fined tastes of its occupants. There is an air
OF comfort about it, an immaculate cleanli
ness which attracts the attention of every
visitor. The arc hbishop's room is on the
third floor fronting the east. and the bright
sun streams into his apartment III the morn
ing arousing him from his nights sleep.
the aged father of the church has everything
for his comfort that the kind hands of the
sisters or his faithful attendant and friend,
Father j. b. Callahan can provide. HIS
every wish is promptly gratified and no
pains are spared to make the Archbishop
feel that his life and health are dear to those
around him.
Father Callahan, who answered the bell
at the residence of the clergy, greeted me
cordially, and showed me to very pleasant
room on the second floor, which was form
erly occupied by Father Edward Purcell 1t
was furnished in good style, elegantly pa
pered, and against the wall stood a library
of choice books, principally of a religious
character. The conversation at once drifted
to the archbishop. HE is as well as could
be expected, " said Father Callahan. "The
archbishop is now eighty-three years old,
and paralyzed, but is in much better health
than he was when his brother died. We
watch over him very tenderly, and either
myself or one of the sisters is with him all
the time. He may live several years, or he
may drop off at any minute. l believe he
will die OF apoplexy, superinduced by paraly-
sis. will take you down to his room, and
you can see him."
We went and found the venerable prelate
wit
feet resting in another chair. He had just
awakened from his morning nap, and re-
ceived us with hearty grasp of the hand
His tongue is paralyzed, and he could not
articulate above a whisper. Those who
knew the powerful orator and vigorous man
of ten years ago would hardly recognize him
now. Age has crept on apace, and his sad
wan face speaks in melting tones of the sor-
row and suffering he has undergone. Yet
he appears cheerful and happy, for he would
laugh heartily at the witty sallies of Father
Callahan, and seemed TO be glad to have a
visitor. In his old age and trouble the Arch
bishops friends have deserted him. and
only few of those whom he befriended
when he was at the zenith of his ability
and influence visit him now. Some of
his former parishoners come to see him,
but strange and pitiful as it may be,
only now and then some kindly hearts,
touched by the poor mans condition, make
a pilgrimage to St. Martins and pay their
respectful homage to their old friend and
counselor The world, it appears, has for
gotten him, and so far as it is concerned he
might as well be lying beneath the sod The
Archbishop's mind is weak, but he feels
keenly his desertion. Occasionally, when he
is taken in his little hand-carriage into the
fresh air, he remarks to Father Callahan:
My old friends never come to see me any
more. | have nothing to give them now"
Sometimes the unhappy memories of the
o1afa 90
and dispel the cheerfulness of his surround
ings Then he asks to be carried to Father
Edwards grave, to which he followed
HIM one dreary day in January, 1881,
and by that mound where his misguided, I'M
fortunate brother sleeps he prays, OH so
earnestly to the God whom he has so faith
fully served No one can understand his
words, and those around him know not the
nature of his supplications, but when he re-
turns the poor old man is happy again in
that peace which passeth understanding
Great care is taken not to refer to the Arch
bishops financial troubles in his presence
About year since man more Jealous than
discreet called at the convent with a paper for
the aged minister to sign. The venerable pre-
late was almost killed by the reference to his
troubles, and for two days was in comatose
condition. Another venture of that kind
would cost the Archbishop his life
During the half hour l spent in his retreat
the Archbishop said but little. He was
dressed in long blue cassock, and valuable
gold cross hung upon his breast beretta
of the same material as the cassock was lying
upon the window-sill Evidently the aged
mans mind wandered into space, perhaps
into that undiscovered country where he SO
devoutly longs to go. Every pleasant day
father Callahan takes his charge a ride
through the village of st. Martins and over
the surrounding country. A new and hand
some half landau, drawn by fine team of
erays is always at the service of the Arch
bishop. He enjoys the recreation exceeding
ly, and sometimes rides ten miles without
becoming fatigued. But for his paralysis
and feeble mental condition one would
think the good man destined for several
years of life. He eats heartily three times a
day, and questions Father Callahan as to