Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-06-07
RETJ RNED TO THE CLAY.
Funeral of States Attorney Patrick
O'Mara.
The Funeral ceremonies at 1T. so
sephr Church---sermon by Rev.
Father Thomas Mackin.


The funeral ceremonies of the late
States Attorney Patrick O'Mara were
held at st. Joseph's Catholic church at 8
o'clock his morning and the large edifice
was filed. Judge Glenn. of the circuit
court. Judge Adams. of the county court,
and the majority of the members Of the
bar of Rock Island county, were present.
as were all the county officials. Buford
post. 243, g. A. r., Mayor McConochie
and number of councilmen and Magis-
trste Wivill, Marshal Miller and the po-
lice in a body. Sheriff Silvis acted as
funeral director.
The ceremonies, which were conducted
by Rev. Father Thomas Msckin, were in
accordance with the solemn ritual of the
Roman Catholic church, and the sermon
by Father Mackin was one of that rever,
end gen tleman's best efforts-an eloquent
tribute 20 the dead attorney.
1t seemed but as yesterday. the preacher
said, that the voice of Hon. Patrick
O'Msrs, now hushed in silence forever,
was eloquently lifted up on behalf of the
dignity. peace and justice of Illinois.
Then he stood before the earthly tribunal
pleading his cause that the sacred trust
reposed in him to guard the rights of the
people might not be imposed upon. Now
he has gone before a higher court-the
tribunal of Jesus Christ. Then was
given short sketch of the life of the
deceased, during which reference was
made to the fact of his parents fleeing
from Ireland, his father dying on ship
board and the widow coming to America,
the asylum of the oppressed, the land of
charity, generosity and love, with her
children. The speaker alluded to the
troubles and disadvantages that beset
the young man, Patrick O'Mara, on every
side in his early years. there being no
schools and his mother was in almost
destitute circumstances. He managed to
keep himself clothed until the war broke
out, when, being seized with tina; spirit of
patriotism that is born of love of home,
he went to the battlefield and contribu-
ted as far as he could individually for the
putting down of the rebellion and the
establishment of the rights and liberties
of all people for all time to come. But
coming out of the war this patriot and
youthful hero found there were still things
to overcome before he could be full
man among his fellow men. He must
overcome ignorance, and with other
weapons of warfare he must fight an
other Fl yht equally as hard for him as the
other. but of different kind. So he
left home again. and when he again re-
turned ne had conquered as we'll as on
the frs.
Still he had one difficulty to overcome
vet-poverty. But with the same un-
failing, unflinchiAg will power that
always carried him through, he set
about to advance himself in his chosen
profess on to the best of his ability.
While he had neither the attainments of
Gladstone the dash of Logan or the gifts
of Webster, he was able to show him.
self soldier, a statesman and lawyer.
He overcame as far as his own strength
would go. the rebellion; he overcame
ignorance and he overcame poverty.
The speaker dwell. upon the great will
power which had been characteristic of
his ear y life. shown also by Mr.. O'Mara
in his final illness-hOw he persistently
stuck to the duties of his office when too
feeble 20 do so and when he should have
been in bed. He spoke of the generosity
of his disposition; his gentle sympathetic
nature and his desire at all times to do
right, though he may have failed;
and all such times he deeply re
GREETED his mistake. He was pos
sessed of the qualities of a gentleman,
and his face though emaciated and
with the ashen hue of death upon it,
was perfect picture of tenderness and
sweetness. But the soul of Patrick
O'Mars was free from earthly care and
struggle, freer than he could make it,
while be sits in communion with others
who had gone before, and with Jesus
Christ As the great tribunal.
At the close of the ceremony opportu-
nifty was given to view the remains, and
a great many did SO. The body rested
in magnificent casket of red cedar and
broad cloth covering, heavily draped and
with solid silver mountings. Though the
face was greatly emaciated, as would be
expected from long illness, yet the ex-
preston was natural and composed.
The aoral tributes were very profuse
and handsome, an open book with the
words Final Decree" in blue immortelles,
from the county bar association. beau>
tiful star from Maj. Besrdsley and cross
from the family being the most noticea-
BILE.
Mr.. J. V. Mahoney was summoned to
his home at Sioux City last night, and
change in the list of pail bearers became
necessary, VIM. Corcoran being substi-
tuted, the others being as originally
planned, James Byrnes. ]. M. Beardsley,
P. T. McElherne, r. A. Donaldson, Geo.
w. Gamble, Thos. Campbell and ]. Fl.
Cleland.