The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-15
HE FORBADE THE SOLO.
FArHER DOS0AUE sT0PPED CA1xs
CUNNINGHAM
After He Had Started 10 Sing ~ QaptasD
STATIONS Funcral--Tbs Frieoae
Of the Singer Indignant.

Church Hin. generally the most quiee
part OF this city, is now considerably
stirred up, and the friends OF the popu>
lar City Collector Captain Frank w,
Cunningham. are highly indignant over
the treatment that he Is alleged to have
received at the hands OF Re Fathsr
popohLe. pastor OF st. Patrick's Ca'hSsic
church.
ASKED TO SING.
Captain Cunningham was a great friend
OF the wel.-known conductor. Captain
Thomas f.. stratton. whose funeral took
place on Monday from St. Patrick's
church, and knowing OF this friendship
the chorister OF the church Is ss'l TO have
invited Captain Cunningham 70 sing
solo at the funeral Captain Cunningham
Is said TO have declined at first. but upon
being urged at last consented by re-
quest OF the chorister. who selected az
his solo Nearer My God, To Thee"
Ii is a well-known fact that the services
over ire dead In Catholic chur he's afc la
Latin. and no English is allowed 10 be
used during their progress. and II is
claimed that Captain Cunningham walt
ed until after these services were over
a. Father DO iohue had eft the rh1r n
te'"fe he began TO sing. Ths cioiister
commenced TO play an accompaniment
and Captain Cunningham had only sung
two lines OF the solo. when suddenly the
music ceased. and upon looking around
10 find out the cause the singer saw
Father Donohue with his hand upiifted
motioning for the chorister to cease
nlaNinc and hoard him AZ ~
The Father positively forbade the sing
ing 10 go on, and Captain Cunningham
left the church
EXPRESSED INDIGNATION.
Among the congregation were num-
ber or Protestants. Captain Stratton hav-
ing belonged to the Baptist church prior
to his marri ge with Miss Mahoney, his
first wife, and il Is said that much in
dignation was expressed by them because
OF the episode. II Is also stated that on
yesterday Captain Cunningham received
several letters from friends characterize
ing the affair an outrage"
Rev. Father Donohue, the pastor OF
s.. Patrick's, when seen last night az
MS home, 2lS south TwSty-fifth street,
was averse to discussing the matter.
saying that he did not wish TO go into
print, as he did not desire noforlety.
Upon being told. however. that the mat
ter was being generally discussed I'm tho
city. and particularly on Church Hill. he
consented TO make a brief statement
FATHER DONOHUE'S STATEMENT.
Father Donohue said that the matter
had been settled practically so far as he
was concerned as he had communicated
his action TO the Bishop and had been
sustained by him. The fact was, he con-
tlnued. that he had been considerably
worried In the past by this matter OF
solo singing. The friends OF many peo-
pie who had died had wanted Captain
Cunningham 10 sing at their funerals
and he had given instructions 10 the
chorister that II was not TO be allowed
Father Donohue went on to state that
Captain Cunningham was aware OF the
fact that IL was against his orders fcr,
solos TO be sung I'm his church. and III
timated that the Captain had been un-
duly anxious to exercise his vocal ahili-
ties. He had made this rule against
such singing, Father Donohue went on,
and whether II was right or wrong he
TO stand to II. and as pastor OF
the church TO enforce t. He did not
think IL proper when any one knew II was
expressly against his wishes for them to
insist on singing.
Father Donohue was not inclined to
discuss the matter at length. hut ex-
pressed himself with n great deal of
and seemed TO feel deeply
on the subject.
Captain Cunningham was asked by the
Times last night 20 make statement
the matter, but declined TO do
so