The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-19
FATHER PRENDERGAST DEAD.
THE BELOVED PRIEST CALLED TO
HIS FINAL REWARD.

dis Death at Johnston Station After
a short mIness-HIs Body 10 Lie in
state at the Cathedral To-day and
VIII BE Buried Tomorrow by the
side of Father CaRerty-The Ca
reer of the Devoted Minister.
Rev. Charles Prendergast died yesterday
morning at 10 o'clock at the home Of Mr..
John Barrett, at Johnston station. Lib
erry county. The news of his death was
received i'm the city early in the afternoon
and was heard with genuine sorrow.
Father Prendergast was engaged in mis-
s0uary work throughout the southern and
southwestern section Of Georgia, and in
the neighborhood of Albany. where he
made his home with the family of Mr..
john Mock. About five years ago he
was thrown from a buggy into a creek
and contracted a severe cold. He never
fully recovered from the illness which
followed. For the last two months he
had been unable to say mass.
some weeks ago he wandered. while en-
gagged in his missionary work TO a ware
house near Johnston station, where he
was found lying on a bench in a half de-
4 lui0us condition. He was at once removed
20 lIr. Barrett's home and given every
attention. Father Schlencke Of the ca
thedral parish, received word Sunday Of
Father Prendergasts serious condition,
and went at once TO Johnston station, and
was with him when he died
The body will be brought TO the city
this morning and will lie in state this az
teruOou at the cathedral. The funeral viii
. take place tomorrow morning when sol
eMu high mass Will be celebrated by Bish-
" HU Becker
4 cathedral cemetery. Father PrendergasCs
plot with Vicar General Cafferty.
Father Prendergast was born in Savau-
4nah about 1893, and at the time of his
death was the Oldest priest in Georgia,
#ago. He received his elementary education
in the public schools of this city,
Sad y when about fora5am years SGi,eg %
N Y, from which he graduated with
donors. He studied theology in Paris at
Saint Sulpice, where he was ordained in
l@7 On his return to Sayannah he be
eame pastor of the old 81.
Patrck's church. Father Whalen was his
assistant He remained pastor Of St.
gatr!ck's until 1874 when he was sue
ceeded by Father Cafferty. He then went
b. Augusta as pastor of ST. Patrick's
thurch Of that city. In August, 1876, he
returned to savannah, on vacation just
Bt that time the yellow fever broke out
d e was urged to return to Augusta, but
fefused TO go, and all through that terri
balf of the sufferers.
on the death of his parents Father
Prendereast tell heir 10 large property,
winch consisted chiefly of real estate in
.TamacraW. The big fire in 1888 swept
nos, of his houses away, and unfortunate
fpecua tons, into which he was lea
thr0uen his desire 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 Preudergast was never known to
refuse a request made in the name OF
charity. He was the soul OF beneYoience,
Rnd Of almost chlldlsn simplicity ana
faith. AS a consequence ne was OFTEN
made the victim of unprincipled men. The
Is of his benehciaries extended all over
HE state and when it became necessary
Tor him to try and collect some OF the
4oans he had made, the borrowers turned
cver worthless farms and land to him. 1t
Vas his attempts to cultivate these
Farms that lost TO him the remnants
of his fortune.
Father Prendergast's work as a mis-
fonary was fun of hardship and toll.
Very often he was obliged to walk from
bne station to another, and for a whole
DAY would be without food. In spite OF
ID difficulties, he was always conLenteq
md happy. His good nature endeared
him to the people among whom ne Ia
bored as in former years it had won him
he love of his parishioners in Hama-
traW where the name OF Father Char-
~ is synonymous with all the virtues.
Ills courage and example at the time
"a me fever won for him the love, admi-
fation and respect OF all classes, ire
nee live of creed and MS subsequent mis-
fortunes only served to give added warmth
IL the affection in which his memory is
Held
hood he served under Bishops Nerot,
Gross and Becker, and leaves behind him
the proud record IN his priestly life of
duty well performed. His charity was
practically boundless, and many people
ri Savannah owe their education and pres
ent well being to Father Charley's" ever
open purse and earnest aid.
Owing to the recent death of Father
Rafferty,, many priests who attended his
fbneral will be unable to come again to
Savannah in so short time, but Father
Eharley's memory is too green in the
hearts and minds of the citizens for his
Mineral to lack mourners.
Father Prendergast is the fifth priest
Who has died in the diocese since Bishop
Becker's installation in 1886. In view of
HE fact that there are only fifteen or six
teen priests in the diocese, this is a very
heavy mortality.