Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-01-16
down INTO T'nB GRAVE
The Mortal Remains Of West Virgin
las Beloved Senator
CONSIGNED TO MOTHER EARTH.

No services were held in the Senate
Chamber, where the body had been lying
in state. but the remains were removed 10
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church,
the modest building which the late Senator
designed some twenty years ago, and which
was approved by Bishop Il. V. Wnelan, Oh
Wheeling.
The modest frame structure has seat
inc, capacity OF ESQ. When the distin-
o,nished members of the different commit
tees were assigned TO their seats according
10 the diagram which had been prepared,
the building was crowded, and many were
compelled To stand outside the doors on the
sidewalk. The solemn high mass OF the
Catholic Church was celebrated by tue
nastor Rev. Father Stenger. assisted by
Father Marlborough, OF this diocese.
Father Stenger preached an eloquent
funeral Grafton. He said;
INV dear friends: ! regret exceedingly
that the small dimensions OF the chapel
make Il impossible for al the surrounding
friends OF MIR. Kenns 10 gather around TINS
bier and fully satisfy their hearts Win 90
ING him honor during these last moments
of mis- presence amongst US. When, twen-
tv-hve years ago, Mr.. Kenna with MS own
hand, now so cold and motionless, sketched
the plan Of this small building for the con-
veuience Of the handful Of Catholics who
then resided here, neither he nor
dreamed that he would De
struck down in the prime OF his
manhood: that his mortal remains would
be brought before this altar from the capt.
tai OF the nation, escorted by cortege OF
honor from the Congress OIL tho United
States, and met by hundreds OF representa-
tive citizens from all parts OF the State;
and that on me would deYolve the melan-
choly duty of performing the last SAD rltes
OF the church over him.
BEFORE THE ALTAR OF GOD,
in the presence Of the dead, while we are
pleading in the prayers OF the liturgy Tor
mercy and rest for MS SOUL 1t is hardly the
time and place to sound the praise OF
mortal man. however distinguished may
have oeen his achievements, yet. my dear
friends. YOU have loved John b. henna
and so have |, and we feel that the recital
Of some OF his good Qualities would not be
qravely ont OF harmony with the
solemn spirit of this occasion to our
hearts. He was a favOrite perhaps
as no other man has been with the people
of the Kanawha Valley in particular, and
with the citizens OF the entire State OF
West Virginia. There are many here who
can recall with mo that scene Wnlcn oc-
Cured in the Hall Of the Delegates at the
Capitol three years ago, when the dead
lock was finally broken and John y. Ken
ma was again chosen 10 represent his state
in the United States Senate; they remem-
ber how strong men fell on each
others necks and wept for sheer
ioy that the man who held
their affections had again come victorious
out of the proracted contest: A few
weeks ago, when the news OF his serious
illness was sent over the land, all spoke
words of pity and regrets; and the columns
OF the press of the State irrespective OF
political difference were hlled with touch
ing tributes TO his worth. To-Day you are
yourselves witnesses Of the universal grlel
over his untimely end. West Virginia is
mourning her gifted Kenna as Georgia
mourred her eloquent Grady.
These. my dear frieds, are the evidence
Of popularity which must be traced to
deeper cause than mere success. They tell
us that by some magic peculiar TO him, Mr..
Kenna insinuRted himself deep into the az
fections OF the people Of this State. what
was this magicl | have had good oppor-
tunity Of studying him.
WHEN BE ENTERED THE COLLEGE
at Wheeling in 1867 was teacher IN the
institution and saw him daily. When he
came back from college to begin
the study OF the law, he found me here be-
fore aim engaged in laying the foundation
OF the Catholic mission OF the KanGwhG
valley. For year or perhaps longer, we
LODGED in the same House and gave him
the benefit Of my knowledge OF the Latin
language bv rendering into English Tor
MIN, the foot notes OF Blackstone's com
mentaries on English law. We were COM
pauioRs and friends in higher than the
ordinary sense; for | was mis- pastor and in
some degree his mentor. We never be-
came seriously estranged, though our judy
ments did not coincide regarding the career
which already at that time he was map
ping out for himself. Being OF more
phegmatic temperament than his, addicted
10 the slow, Flooding method snd knowing
little OF the stimulus OF ambition, was
most likely incapable Of suspecting its
force in youth IS strong IN health, as ar
dent in temperament and as keen
in intellect as no was / was not
in favor OF his entering into politics. |
could not know what transcendant
faculty for leading and swayinR men was
struggling within him for development
during our interviews. l could never fail
to see in him, even in recent years, when
gray hairs had begun 10 show on his tenn
pies, and lines or care in his face, the same
familiar boy. His gaiety was infectious,
and il was no doubt strong clement Of the
charm that won for MIN the hearts of men.
1t continued with HIM amid the cares Of
public life. II was with him in the domes-
tic circle. | fear almost TO speak OF it IN
the hearing of his fearful children, Tor to
them ne was no less the jolly playfellow
than the
RULER OF TIE HOUSEHOLD.
"But behind this unQuenchabe gaiety
there was manhood of the strongest type.
Il L -, ~ lava taat
challenges the courage and energy OF msn.
The sports which be preferred were Of this
nature, so also were the serious tasks Of
his life. To vault from the ofllce OF Prose
cutting Attorney OF G West Virginia county
into the place OF United States Congress
man vas feat that tempted his courage.
He accomplished il. He maintained him
self there for three terms, then won his
wSy still higher And when he found him.
self in the eminence, he was not content to
be sn incompetent hgurehead, but soon
mastered measures and methods and
made himself eminently useful to
the people whose commission he
bore He vas also manly under re-
verses and sorrows. 1t was during his
first effort to get TO Congress that the sick
ness and death OF his frat wife called him
to her bedside and then to her grave. He
bore UP under the blow with uncomplain-
ing fortitude that won the sympathy and
admiration of oil the people OF this city.
snail say nothing further about him rs
public man II would be cruel to detaln
YOU longer in this cold church, still as his
pastor during more than twenty-six years,
I an entitled to the privilege OF saving only
few words abou. his religious faith.
"He. himself, would protest against my
exhibiting him as s. Christian OF tender
piety, but truthfuliy and heartily bear
testimony that ne had sincere and strong
Catholic faith. When ne was ready TO en-
ter public life he never felt the temptation
10 ding aside his faith, that might hsndi-
cap him 10 the race for position. He never
felt called upon 10 apologize Tor his creed
that laavas avarv nan