The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1884-03-22
Dcath-Bcd EcccntricIties Of Editor
KiHsella.

hlnSclias
Thomas KInsella, who edited
the Brooklyn Eagle, and who last
week died and was buried, lived
a singular life, some of the stran-
gest eccentricities Of which have
not como to light in the papers
hero away. His plucky fight for
recognition; bis climb from q com
mon cease" Of the type-setter in
the Office through all the interme-
diate positions to that of editor in.
chief and managerial this has
been dwelt on--but his matrimo-
nial and theological versatility the
local papers have dropped q veil
over. Kinsella was an Irishman
and a Catholic, as was his first
wife, who bore him five daughters.
All went well until he fell in love
with the wife of politician and
oflice-holder Of local celebrity,
known as Tom Fields. OF her he
became deeply enamored, and af-
ter short courtship, as it were,
divorces were obtained at his in
stigation, all around, and Mr.. Kin.
sella and Mrs. Fields were duly
married by Henry Ward Beccher.
Fields brought suit against Kin
sella for alternating the affections
of his wife, and won the suit, the
jury awarding him $4,000. He
declared that he didn't want the
money for himself, but wanted to
deposit 1t In the name of his err.
ing spouse, for her to use whenev-
er her new admirer deserted her.
This ho did, and the $4,000 has
been on interest ever since-till
last week.
Mr.. Kinsella's daughters aban-
doned him and followed the mis-
fortunes of their cast-oif mother;
while he and "Mrs. Fields-Kinsel.
la,r as she has already been call
ed in BROOKLYN, took high priced
pew in Beecher's church, of which
| they became members. This all
happened some years ago, and Mr..
| Kinsella was an ardent supporter
of the great Plymouth pastor in
| his trials.
When Mr.. Kinsella was brought
| face to face with death in bis last
| illness he sent for Mr.. Beecher'
who came and prayed with him
and talked with him, but 1t did not
secm to "go to the spot" he said
| The old menaees of the life to
come which had been instillcd in
| to him by the Catholic church
when a child rose imperatively be-
fore him. He was afraid to die
and admitted it.
His latest wife guarded his
haunted bedside, but he induced
some friend to carry a note to Q
Catholic priest with whom he was
acquainted. The priest came but
could not get In. Mrs. 3Fields
Kinsellan assured him that If she
wanted him she would send fol
him, but that at present his ser
vices were superfuous. lie re
treated reluctantly, but was agalf
summoned, and boldly made hi
way to the sick mans bedside
KinselIa wanted confession, com
munion, baptism and the rites o
the Catholic church. The callel
told him he could not be buried al
catholic except BY speedy re
neutance Of his, especially the sil
Of putting away his wife and mar
rying another. In mortal agon'
and mortal fear, he said he woul'
do As told. Under the urgency 0
his spiritual advieer he calle'
aMrs. Fields Kinsellar into tn
room and formerly discarded heI
and ordered her to pack up am
leave. and then his former wifi
was called to his bedside. Tn
win was changed. This is tn
strange story told and general
believed. / suppose II is correc'
And now the first wife, who shal
al with him the hardships Of h
early struggles. and her daughter
will inherit his great wealth, On
aMrs. Fields Kinsella' hasalread
Il 4 eaid. drawn from the bank tl
650000 obtained from kinsella
! IN II he had lived I wonder VII