Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-04
A CLERICAL OUTCAST.
An Ordained Priests Thirst for
Liquor Leads to His Death.
TRIED TO REFORM MANY TIMES
But His Old Failing Got the Better of
Him Every Time.
4 HYPODERMIC INJECTION GIVEN.
The Man Refuses to Divulge the Name Of the Ply
sician Who Administered II.

The death of Rev. Herbert Ferou, il
Philadelphia, is now being investigated
When but Is years of age he desired to ente
the priesthood. and was ultimately ordained
He was eloquent, well educated, earnest ant
sincere. But strong drink mastered him 81
much that be was unable to keep his en-
gagements. While dying he refused t.
divulge the physicians name who admins
tered hypodermic injection.
PHILADELPHIA, March 3.-The Coroner
is to-day engaged in the investigation of the
case of Rev. Peter Herbert Feron, the priest
who died at the Pennsylvania Hospital yes.
terday. 1t has been learned that Mr..
Feron was born in England and was
brought to this country in childhood by his
parents. He expressed desire to enter the
priesthood when about 10 years of age, and
after the usual preliminaries was &C.
cepted as a student at the Institute of St.
Joseph, at Baltimore. He was ultimately
ordained, and became quite favorite as a
preacher. He was eloquent, well educated,
earnest and sincere. Soon after he began
work in the ministry he became addicted to
the use of ardent spirits, and every means
was adopted to prevent the growth
of the desire for into1icants,
but in vain. He lost all his
regular appointments and still his friends
pleaded with the authorities of the church
in his behalf. He was again and again per-
mitted to preach, but so often failed to meet
his engagements that finally he became
clerical outcast-in a word, a priestIy tramp.
He went to Cincinnati, Chicago, St. Louis,
st. Paul and other cities, and preached as
occasion offered, but his old failing got the
better OF him everywhere.
At last he returned to Baltimore, the city
he called his home, and after season of re-
cuperation, he started out anew, this time as
an unauthorized missionary. the church
having refused its sanction. He went to a
number of cities and sought engagements in
vain. He wrote TO many Wears in all parts
Of the country, but got no commissions.
HIS WEAKNESS FOR DRINK.
About ten days ago, according to informa-
ton lodged with the Coroner to-day, Father
Feron came 10 this city. Be did not seek
the priests of his order or the prominent
officials Of the Catholic Church, but in cir
cumlocutory way got acquainted with a
Catholic lady. and after number of visits
and lengthy explanation, informed her of
his position. He told her how he had
sought service in behalf of the church in
vain, and finally intimated his weakness for
drink. She sympathized with him, and
sent him to her own physician. He told the
doctor his condition, and asked for
morphine prescription. This was refused
He then pleaded for an injection of
morphine, as he said he was suffering the
torments of the damned DIR, Burns de-
clined to administer the sedative, and Feron
left his Office.
The unfortunate fellow then visited a
dozen physicians, but failed to obtain relief
every one advising him TO go to a hospital
for treatment Finally he called on a
doctor. who declined to give him a prescrip-
tion, but in order to quiet his pain and |
horrors administered a hypodermic iniec- |
tion of morphind.
SUFFERING GREAT PAIN.
This relieved Feron, and he went to a |
saloon and took more liquor, which was sold |
TO him as he appeared perfectly sober and |
said he was in great pain. Subsequently he /
was seen to fail in the street and was taken /
into a drugstore. Here il was found that
his injuries were not serious, but
his condition was such that medical |
treatment was necessary. The police
patrol wagon was summoned with the idea
that he would receive medical attention at
the station house. Thither he was taken
and committed as drunk" His serious
illness was discovered later, and he was
taken to the ST. Charles Hotel, where he
had registered on Friday as p Herbert.
AT the hotel be was put in his room and
but his condition was such that
the proprietors concluded to send him to the
Pennsylvania Hospital. Here last evening
he died. He told the hospital physician that
he had been given hypodermic injection,
but refused to divulge the name of the sur.
Eeon who had performed the operation, and
soon after died. An inquest will be held
tomorrow