Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1890-07-23
Ia Men0riam.

Died. July Sth, 1890 at Harper Ferry, West
Virginia. Mr.. PATRICK O'FARRELL aged seven
ty-eight years.
We need not Say-for it is well-known and
fully cknowledged-that, in Mr.. O'Farrells
death this community has suffered an irrep-
cradle loss. He was among the very best and
most high-spirited citizens of Jefferson county
and noted for all the virtues that go to make a
perfect man-scrupulous integrity, hospitality,
patriotism, loyalty in friendship and the most
tender devotion to his family of whom he was
justly proud.
Mr. O'Farrell was a nativeof Kings County,
Ireland, from which country he came to the
United States as far back as 1886. In 1S42 he
settled at this place and ever since, he has been
prominent and most highly respected citizen
of our town.. Four noble boys-the pride OF
his heart-whom God loved too well to allow
of their long stay in a world of sin and sorrow
have proceeded him to the shadowy land and
the Home of the Blessed, and, ere this have
created the beloved parent whose virtues they
inherited and whose careful training still farth-
er prepared them for the company of saints
them in the bosom of the great parent OF all.
Another son, the Rev. James T. OFsrrell OF
Petersburg, Virgiria the Lord has spared Tor
the noble labor of the Christian Ministry and
the leading Of souls to salvation. He is idol
lied by his flock and eminently successful in
his glorious work and when, in the fullness of
time, his Master recalls him, it will be with the
greeting, well done thou good and faithful
servant"
Among the many virtues for which MI
0'Farrell was remarkable, hospitality was pre-
eminent, and it is noteworthy that in the Gel
tic language, the tongue of his foretathers,
"O'Farrell means descended from the gen.
erous man, from which We infer that this viz
tue was inherited by him from long line OF
ancestors who, in the golden age of Ireland,
dispensed princely hospitality on theromantic
shores of Tough Sheelin.
OF the many who will keep his memory
green none, perhaps-not even his own family
will miss the nobleman of Nature more than
the writer of this humble but heartfelt tribute.
Unconnected by any ties of relationship as they
were and differing in opinion on almost every
subject, there was. yet, some unseen, mysteri-
Gus sympathy or magnetism, which drew to-
gether thirty-five years ago, Mr.. o Farrell and
the writer, and, ever since, there has been an
unbrokcn friendship between Thorn which not
even death can interrupt, for il is to be beliey-
ed that the emancipated spirit will look back
across the narrow boundary between time and
eternity and still sympathizc with the love OF
the surviving friend who, in the course of Ma
ture. must, himself, soon embark on the mys-
terious voyage to the spirit-land.
But while every joy OF life has its alloy Of
pain, so has every grief some degree Of COM
pensation. and. while the tear-Nature's trib-
ute 10 love and friendship-will dim the eye
in spite of philosophy, it is great consolation
to know that our friends life was such as to
ensure his eternal happiness and that, at ripe
old age. he has sunk to an honored grave, res
pected and mourned by all who knew him,
while his generous spirit is-where 1t has long
yearned to be-with the loved ones who have
gone before him.
"A good name is better than precious ONT
ments and the day of death than the day OF
ones birth" said the wise man of old and GER
tainly, Mr.. O'Farrells good name secured him
more honor than could the wealth of Ophir,
while his release from the troubled dream OF
life, we are assured, was an awaking to the IN
efiable happiness prepared for such as he was
Weep not for death,
It's but fever stilled
A pain suppressed, q fear at rest
A solom hope fulfilled,
The moonbeam on the Slumbering deep
Is not as peaceful; wherefore weep!
Weep not for DEATH
The fount of tears is sealed
Who knows how bright the inward light
To those shut eyes revealed?
Who knows what peerless love may MI
The heart that seems so cold and stll
On the 10th of July a solemn Requiem Mass
was celebrated for him ct his old place of Wor-
ship, at Hsrpers Ferry, the ceremony being
performed by his son, the Rev. James I. OFar-
rell assisted by the Rev. Edward Tearney of
Richmond, Virginia, as deacon and the Rev.
Father Murray of Winchester as sub-deacon.
Father Fallon of Staunton was master of cere-
monies. In the sanctuary were the Rev. ta-
Their Wilson of Harper's Ferry and the Rev.
Fathers McKeefry, both of Martinsburg. The
Rev. Father Wilson delivered an eloquent and
impressive discourse on the life and virtues OF
the deceased and, at the conclusion, the funeral
"a very large on--proceeded to the Catholic
Cemetery in Bolivar where sleep so many OF
Mr.. O'Farrells family and friends,and mother
earth received to her kindly bosom one of the
noblest of her sons.
| RcqiieSc1t IN PACE.
AMERICAS.
HARpER's FERRY, w. Va, July 18th 1890.
Bryant, ten-year-old son of Capt. j. ii
OBannon-Supt. of Public Printing al
Richmond-called at our Office last week
ri i...1o f11o,,. .a,,,o 20 crafty a desire tC