The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-07-20
Arch bishop of the Diocese of Cincinnati

Illustrated Correspondence ea0 North West.
ST. MARTINS Convent, Ohio, July o.
Arch bishop Purcell died ut 12:4j p. m.
About four years ago intense excitement
prevailed in Cincinnati, and in fact through
out the country, concerning the failure of
Archbishop Purcell anu his brother in the
sum of nearly 81 000, 900.
The Archbishop had been the receiver of
deposits from the poorer and IN ddle classes,
who considered his position and his reputed
| wealth a sufficient guaranty for the safety of
heir moneys. Father Edward was the
tinancer, and to him was entrusted the loan
ing and investing of The deposits. His abil-
ity as financer was so well known that
turing the war he was consulted by Secre-
airy Chase, in regard TO the financial policy
" the Government; nevertheless, the crash
anne, and the entire affair is still clothed in
| mystery. Crushed by the ruin and disaster,
which he had helped to create, Father Ed
| ward retired to st. Martins Convent and
lied little more than year after. Arch
oishop Purcell also retired to the Ursuline
Convent at st. Martiu's, and has been a
hopeless paralytic for several years. He was
onrn In Mallon, unity Cork, ireland, Feb
'uary 20, 1900. H. was the sou of Edmund
aud Johanna Purcell, respectable and devout
,eople, who intended him from his early age
for the priesthood. From the time of his
ordination in 1926 until 1888 he was profes
L nd ~ NJ - In A
ma Mater of many distinguished American
Catholic clergyneu.
In 1893 he was made Bishop Of the Diocese
| # Cincinnati.
A curious story is told of his appointment mt
| Bishop. At the time that the See of Gin
'innati became vacant through the death of
Bishop. enwich, Bishop England, of Charles
ton, S. g., was in Rome. Bishop England
vas busy, bustling little man, much es-
eemed at Rome, where he was called epts
copus uaporeus-the steam Bishop. About
he same tim a coadutor was wanted by the
Bishop of New York.
Bishop England thought to recommend
NO young Irish priests having an especial
fitness for the vacancies, namely, the rough
nd ready John Hughes for the new Western
1 iiocese Of Cincinnati, and the elegant scholar
.nd gentleman, John Baptist Purcell, for the
metropolis of New York. In few days the
Propaganda notified Bishop England that,
according TO his recommendation, Father
Purcell had been named Bishop Of Cincin-
natl, but that the appointment of Father
Hughes would be deferred. Bishop England
u first thought to rectify the error, but con
,Iuded that perhaps Providence had wrought
wise confusion. Father Purcell was con
,scrated, and five years later Father Hughes
vas made Assistant Bishop of New York
But for the mistake of the Propaganda.
Archbishop Purcell would have been the
American Cardinal.
At the Council of the Vatican in 1860, il
is ssid that Archbishop Purcell was opposed
the dogma of iRfallibility. In 1879 b,
Wished to resign, but before the reques.
cached Rome the financial troubles came or
which made so sad an ending to so noble q
life.
From the time when he became Bishop OF
he entire State Of Ohio, comprising at that
line but twenty churches, until overtaker
y the misfortunes of 1879. his life was Oh.
f zeal, honor, and integrity. He is held IN
ender regard BY his associates as one more
'inned against than SHINING, and Will.
LIQUIDS may hang about his name for those
Who do not look at his life fairly and honest
y, among the thinking minds who hav.
'tudied his character there is naught but
,ympathy for him in his misfortune and kind
words over his grave.