Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-26
HIS LAST MORNING ON EARTH.
Mass Celebrated in the County
Prison-IIidding Friends Farewell.

Mass Celebrated in the County
Prison-Bidding Friends Farewell.
The closing scenes Of this mans check
cred career were marked by an absolute
detachment from worldly affairs, and IL
Was apparently due 10 his hXed contem-
plation of things spiritual that h. met his
death with a fortitude and calm serenity
that were the marvel Of all who witnessed
the tragic climax.
Far two BRIEF intervals only. as far a.
can be ascertained, did Nlcholass mnd
revert TO temporal things, tn FIRST occa-
sion being when he made a last request
Of Father Wclhcrs, Who has mlnisteIed 10
him with unnagging zeal. that he would
use his influence. IL h had any, TO secure
the burial OF his remains I'm the country,
and later when he took his spectacles
from his eyes and handing them TO Dcpu-
~ russell. requested him to nd them 10
H. brother. who lives az 100 IL Shafer
street, and to deliver the books alluded TO
above.
Nicholas spent the interim between his
supper Wednesday night and 1880 y. NJ,
TIE hour al which ~ retired % bed, in
reading and meditation save for brief
interview with MIR. Lee Crutchneid, who
brought him two beautiful pink roses
nni on leaving caused to be sent 20 him
a glass Of c!artt punch. which he drank
Win apparent zest
TOOK PAINS IN DRESSING.
shortly before O'Clock yesterday morn
iur the condemned man arose, and spent
more than usual care on his toilet. Soon
after De- was dressed he was visited 10y
The two nuns of the Franciscan order
Whl have spent so much time with MIN
sine, De has been und 2 sentence Of death.
Thy directed his mcditations, and re-
manned !u prayer with him until o'clock,
~ which hour Father Welbers arrived
at the jail ard visited Nicholas while the
sisters were preparing an improvised al
Tar for the mass which was TO follow.
\ table was brought from the court
room. and placed IN the middle Corrido.
just opposite the condemned cell, No. :,
which was occupied by Nichc.as. Ire
table was covered with a white Clcih,
ana surmounied by a large cruc>. four
lighted candles and two vases Mica Win
roses Mass was celebrated by Father
Welbers at G:Go assisted by TWO acolytes.
There were present. IN addition t. the
regular authorities and two reporters, the
two nuns. Messrs. John r. Higgins VII
liam Alexander, ". Il. Ready. and John
blnncgan
ADDRESS BY THE BISHOP.
The scene was most awesJme and
solemn. The morning which CIlsiGe the
i,u was sombre and cherries, had
scarcely permitted its light 10 penetrate
Inc confines Of the inner corr dor. ana
the dim gllmmer afforded hy tho candles
ON the altar brought into strange CON
tra4t with the grucsome surroundings the
figure Of the priest In he vesImcurs Of
his office OF The acolytcs IN their white
.Yttas aud az the faithful few who
kneh around the primitive Altar 10 unite
tfclr uraycrs with those OF the Mother
Church FOR the sancthcati0n Of him who
WAS a, soon 10 lay down the burden Of
bis life.
Arer the collect for the day special
collects appropriate t. the occasion were
,G and during the mass Mr.. Higgins
rerited a number OF special prayers taken
f,Im the m,ssal. Mr. Reddy. az the "a
cred Heart church choir, and MI. finne-
ctp. Of the Cathedral, sang with deep
ceiling the hymns. Nearer. MY Goa. 70
Thee" Rock OF Ages" and Jesus Lover
a. My Soul" At the communion Nicholas
received the sacrament with great reVe-
renee. ~
40 the conclusion OF the mass, Blshop
Van De Vyver entered and adIninis'eIe"
Tho sacrament OF confirmation to the CON
ceuned. In A brief but beautifui azores
tte Bishop duelt on the goodness ana 'he
marcy Of God. Speaking directly 10 tne
olnuimant. he said that though ne vas
about 20 be forsaken by all; yet the iVtu
would stand BIZ him and would pear mn
ur ana for that very purpose haa 'esu'
come 20 him Ia the holy communion WIN"
% had just received.
~ the conclusion OF the ceremonies
nicholas retired 10 mis- cell ana pec"iA'