The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1896-05-27
FATHER PRENDERGAST DEAD.
vFTFRANCATHOLIC PRIEST WELL
KNOWN IN DAWSON
Passes Away at johnson Station. Found
in Warehouse Unconscious. Career
of the Devoted Minister.

of the Devoted Minister.
Father Pendergrast is dead.
This will be sad news to the Catholics
Of Dawson, and many others who knew
this good man. He made frequen
ministerial visits here, and owned prop
erty in and near the city.
The Savannah News makes the follow
ing announcement of his death:
Rev. Charles Clement 'Pendergrast
died yesterday morning at 10 o'clock at
the home of Mr. John Barrett, at John
sou station, Liberty county. The news
of his death was heard with genuine
sorrow.
Father Pendergrast was engaged in
missionary work throughout the south
ern and southwestern section of Geor-
gia. About five years ago he was thrown
from buggy into creek and contract
ed a severe cold. He never fully recov-
ed from the illness which followed.
Some weeks ago he wandered, while
engaged in his missionary work, to a
warehOus near johnson station, where
be was found lying ON bench in half
delirious condition. He was at once re-
moved to Mr.. Barretts home and given
every attention.
The body will be brought to the city
this morning and will lie in state this af-
ternOon at the cathedral. The funeral
will take place tomorrow morning, when
hinh mo mil ho hry
Bishop Becker. The interment will be
in the Cathedral cemetery. Father Pen
d9rgrast'S remains will be laid to rest in
the same plot with Vicar General CAT
ferty.
Father Pendergrast was born in Savan-
nah about 1888, and at the time of his
death was the oldest priest in Georgia,
having been ordained thirty-nine years
ago. He received his elementary educa-
ton in the public schools of this city,
and when about II years of age went to
Fordham College, N. T., from which he
graduated with honOrs. He studied
theology in Paris at Saint Sulpice, where
he was ordained in 1857. On his return
to Savannah he became pastor of st.
Patrick's church. He remained pastor
of st. Patrick's until 1874, when he was
succ eded by Father Cafferty. He then
went to Augusta as pastor of st. Pat
Ticks church of that city. In August,
1876, he returned to Savannah on a va
cation. Just at that time the yellow fe-
yer broke out He was urged to return
TO Augusta, but refused to go. and all
through that epidemic he labored ear
nestly in behalf OF the sufferers.
On the death of his parents Father
Prendergrast fel heir to large proper
ty, which consisted chiefly OF real estate.
The big fire in 1888 swept most of his
accuses away, and unfortunate specula-
QonS, into which ae was led through his
oesre to be able to meet the demands on
his charity, swept away the remainder
and left him in condition of poverty.
which lasted until his death.
Father Prendergrast was never known
to;retuse request made in the name of
charity. He was the soul of benevo-
lence, and of almost childish simplicity
and faith. Asa consequence be was
often made the victim of unprincipled
N n. The list Of his benefciaries OK.
Tended all over the state, and when it
became necessary for him to try to col.
iecV some of the loans he had made the
borrowers turned over worthless farms
and land to him. 1t was his attempts to
cultivate these farms that lost to him the
remnants of his fortune.
Father Prendergrast's work as a mis-
SS!!onary was full of hardships and toll.
very often ne was obliged to walk from
one station to another, and for whole
QaY would be without food. In spite Of
all ANTIQUITIES he was always contented
ana happy. His good nature endeared
MN to the people among whom he la
oored, as in FOL mer years it had won him
The love of his parishioners, and the
name of Father Charley" is synony.
nous with all the virtues.
During his thirty nine years of priest
iaood he served under Bishops Verot,
GToSs and Becker, and leaves behind him
Sne proud record in his priestly life of
o0'y well performed. HIS charity was
pTactiCa ly bouudless, and many people
owe their education and present well
oelng to Father Charley's" ever open