The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-26
A PRIEST WHO LOVES FUN.
Sketch OfFather 0'Donaghue-Ho He Caused
Confusion by Scientific Experimenting.

Rev Denis ODonaghue, priest OF St. Patrckia
arish, is an Indanian by birth, having been
born on a farm near Washington, Davess coun.
ty Nov 80, 1S4S. his parents, natives of the
south of Ireland being among the early settlers
of that part of the State. His studies were pur-
sued at St Meinrad's, this State; st. Joseph'a
College, Kentucky, and the Suptian Seminary.
at Montreal. Canada Bishop De ST. Paais orr
dained him priest at Indianapolis. on Sept. 6.
1874, and until March, 1885, when he assumed
the pastorship Of ST. Patricks, he was assistants
priest at st. Johns, never having had any other
pastoral charge Bishop Chatard, appreciate
ing his abilities, made him chancellor Of the
diocese.
His long connection with St. Johns Church.
and the great work of that large parish, gave
him a wide acquaintance, and it is safe to say
that few, even among professional politicians.
know as many of the people OF this city as thiS
quiet priest
Father ODonaghue is q man of great infor-
nation, and there is little going in the world,
foreign or domestic, that gets into the news
papers more permanent literature that he
does not know about He is thorough bust
ness man, and has had the financial manage
ment of the affairs of st. Johns Church when
the outlook was very blue, and it is conceded
that it was largely to his sklllful financial pilot
ing that st. Johns weathered the storm and
now sees the way clear to relief from the debt
that has so long distressed her.
Father O'Donaghue has an eye for machinery
of all kinds, besides which he is practical sell
enlist. He is we'll up IN electricity, magnetism,
the science of sound, and kindred subjects
When the telephone was first placed in his
working room at St Johns he began at once to
look into it and to experiment In q little while
he connected wires with other rooms in fhs
Bishops house, and was in a fair way to have q
telephone exchange of his own, but for the fact
that the Fathers attachments appeared to dis
arrange matters at the uptown exchange. and
brought numerous inquiries over the wires az
to what in the world is the matter" from
every body, from the shrillest soprano to the
heaviest bass. He took at once to the type
writer, and there is not finer performer on that
instrument in the city, his copy being perfect
down to the ultimate semicolon. He does noe
now go hunting and has not for years, but is still
a fine shot with the rife and can make an aston
ishing number Of bulfseyes. There is quiet
vein of humor about the father and keens
practical wit that sometimes approaches sarcasm.
He has the faculty of looking into person and
discerning the sham from the true. Woe to the
unlucky impostor VINO comes under those search.
ing eyes and that sharp tongue. He is most
original in his expressions at such time, and
the amusement to by ISLANDERS, if there chance to
be any, is greater than to the victim undergoing
inquisition. But, as the people of his parish aud
of St Johns parish can testify. no one can be
kinder or gentler in a matter of genuine suffer
He is a thorough French scholar, reading, writ
ing and speaking it with the facility of English.
He also reads and understands German and has
the odfashioned habit of snuff taking. He was
long in i'll health. and was not expected to live,
but brief visit to the south of Europe about
three years ago has to great extent restored his
health. though he, as his tall slight figure would
indicate. is by no means robust He has an easy
and becoming dignity and quiet cordiality of
manner to friends and acquaintance The spirit
of fun, however, is stronger in him than his
placid exterior would indicate. On rare occa-
sions it is irrepressible Some time ago he was
visited by two priests who were his especial
cronies. A music teacher lived adjoining the
bishops house. and his pecdliarites were dis
cussed. Among other things comment was made
on his utter horror of cat concerts; that these
backyard entertainments had recently been
of frequent occurrence, and greatly exasperated
the sensitive tympanum of the musical profess
sor Father O'Donaghue siezed with an
idea, Immediately dispatched messenger to buy
three instruments known as 'catterwauls," and
that evening. from behind protecting lattice,
the three priests gave him a concert that dis
counted all previous feline efforts. The music
teacher, arising from his couch. hurled a wheel
barrow load of missiles in the direction of the
serenade but with instructed energy. as not
one of the serenaders was touched. The poor
man next day detailed his awful experience, but
it was long time before he discovered that the
concert was not genuine feline entertainment