Evening journal., 1892-08-13
| WARM WELCOME HOME.
Rev. Father Birmingham Roy
ally Greeted by Friends.
PLENTY OF CHEERS AND FIREWORKS

ST. Paui's Popular Assistant Priest Re-
turns From Three Months Vacation
Abroad aud Is Given AN ovation Rarely
Accorded wilminstonian.
Catholics gathered in force last night
TO welcome home re William J. Ber-
mingham, assistant priest OF st. Pauls
r. G. church and such a royal ovation
as was accorded the popular Young
priest has rarely been equalled and
nevcr eycelled by any greeting rendered
private citizen in this city
Father Birmingham arrived In New
York ON August A. from Europe, where
lac had spent an enjoyable three months
vacation in touring, and since that time
had been visiting relations in the
metropolis
Tho societies of st. Pauls were busily
engaged yesterday preparing for the re-
ccption of their spiritual adviser
Brownson Hail. which Father Ber-
mingham was instrumental in
building, was decorated with flags,
and a big banner with the word "wel-
come was stretched above the door
At o'clock last evening the members Of
the Brownson Library association, st.
pauls Beneficial society, Wilmington
Council, c. B. L., and a number of the
members Of the Knights of ST. Lawrence
met at Brownson ball for the purpose of
taking part in the welcoming exercises.
With the First Regiment Band at its
head. the line moved 20 Fourth and Mad
ison streets. whore they awaited the ar
rival of Father Birmingham at that point.
Before the line moved, four cabs contain
/ q
ons societies had gone to the T.. w. &B
railroad station to meet the young priest
/ a large number of his friends were
also there 10 meet him. lie was accomp-
panied by Fergus Kelley, Harry Sweeny,
/ Thomas Il. ODonnell. Daniel w. Mullen
aud Dr. John G. Fahey, who had met
him In Philadelphia. The party were
then driven 20 Fourth and Madison
streets where the societies met them and
after short parade escorted them to
Brownson Hail.
All along the short route Father Ber-
mingham had an ovation. AS the line
passed the Weccacoo engine house at
Second and Jackson streets the bell ON tho
engine house was rung and the streets
were brilliantly lighted with red fire and
FIRE works. When the line reached the
Brownson Hall at Fourth and
jackson streets the intersection
of those streets and the streets
themselves for nearly half a square
either way were thrOnged with
enthusiastic friends .. 600 strong. Sky
rockets and roman candies abounded and
the Whole neighborhood was brilliantly
aight with red fire.
When Brownson Hall was reached
i Father Bcrmingham ahghted and was es.
D corted inside In FIVE minutes the hall was
crowded and it was impossible for the
big majority TO reach the door. much less
20 gain entrance The First Regiment
Band played Home Again, after which
, Father Birmingham was welcomed home
, by Charles Grant, who spoke of the joy
that it gave the parishioners TO have him
back again.
b Father Bermingham responded briefly
saving that he had travelled 49, 600 mile.
in foreign countries and had met many
/ people, but never once had he forgotten
the old faces In Wilmington, and nothing
D could give him more pleasure than to bl
] among them once more He thanked
s them for showing their affection and re
E spoct for him by such a demonstration
, He was glad Go be once more in his ole
home
When the reception was over Father
D Birmingham was escorted TO his home al
p sc. p0uls parochial residence, where h'
was greeted by more of his friends, an,
I until late hour was kept busy shaking
S hands Hundreds Of people called during
] the evening.
b Tho father has enjoyed good health dur
] inghis absence and has been greatly pleas
4 ed with the trip. lie was at Mt. Vesuviu
d two days before the recent eruption. Hl
was also In ireland during the elections
The stories OF IN feeling and fights be
r tween the Pmnellites aud the opposite
s party, De says, are greatly exaggerated
D as he was there when the election WA
S held and saw no such outbreaks as werl
b reported.