The sun., 1897-09-11
FATHER CUNNIoN INJURED.
ue Loses His Left Eye while a Visit TO the
Lodge Rnoms or the syracuse EIks.

The trieunial convention q: the Grand Council
OF tho Catholic Mutual Benefit Association.
which was held in S-rr cuse Tor four days. pe-
ginning Aug. 81. was largely attended by mem
hers OF the priesthood as honorary delegates.
Among those who were present in this capacity
was the Rev Daniel Cunnion. assistant priest
at ST. RAphsers Roman Catholic Church OF this
city.
Father Cunn,on is a tall handsome. athletic
young Uries- Of imposing bearing in his canoni-
cal robes, and most agreeable and popular
yOunE man as an individual. He is exem-
plary priest OF high character and but for the
atmosphere OF his holy Office would be consid-
cred as hail fellow well met in any company of
gentlemen. lie enjoys the society of his fellows,
and while in Syracuse quickly formed many
agreeable aCquaintances.
One evening dur ng the convocation. after the
c.ose OF q long business session, party Of dele
gates were In vited TO visit the lodge room Of the
the Syracuse Elks many OF whom. including
James X. McGuire. Mayor OF that city. are
pronliEent Catholics. The Eiks are the oliy
secret organization not connected " III the
Church, that does not fall under the eccle-
s!astical ban. The syracuse lodge wit in
the IA t yc r has rttcd up a handsome
assembly hall and lodge rooms in Salina street.
':u!.!ng a.: the ,..cElhc:e ,GE" . rrca. p.!3c i.
showing them TO visi lors. Father Cunnion
aud party OF about dozen delegates, includ-
i-s James Dev!ne. n young Syracuse attorney
who a number OF years ago gained brilliant
reputat ion a baseball! pitcher in the lnterna-
social hour.
While the visiting delegates were being shown
about ,1e rooms Mr.. Devine. who is a member
OF the iodZe. cked up an implement used in the
initiation and showed II to Father Cunnion
This implement IS similar to the familiar
"sptnker OF the vaudeville stage. and its use
consists in vigorous application TO the novitate
a., olindfol led. ne makes a low obeisance to the
chief iignitary OF the lodge.
The part that comes in contact with the candi-
dates anatomy is generously padded. but tho
opposite side contains receptacle for q blank
, CaE ridge. Nhic the impact CNpodcS The
turning OF a t'.unbscrew holds me cartridge in
place.
Attorney Devine explained It's workings to
Father Cunnion. took ont the cartridge and
replaced 1t, turnuf: bach the thuIuhsCr"w.
Evidently 1t was -Ct sc'urey fastened, for u
simultaneously there vas cry from Father
Cnnnion. who pressed his hand to his forehead
blown out and found, lodsment in the young
Physi:ians who were hastily summoned pro,
I nouncei the injury very serious one: A car
riagc was called and tho injured priest con.
/ yeyed to 81. .oseph's Hospital. Catholic in
s'itntion. Rel ,tives OF the priest and eminent
oculisrs from New York art Boston were tele.
graphct for. Consult atons verified the dta no
sis Of the physicians first called, that the eye
ball had been destroyed and must be remove T.
( Th operation was pc formed few days later
/ hy Or. Ulysses H. Brown OF Syracuse. Father
/ Cunn,On IS said TO have sustained the operation
/ well. and his fine physique and perfect he ,4tt
! resulted in rr rally from the shock and
! RAPID progress toward recovery.
! l. The Young priest in juries are OF such char
! actcr that had they occurred prior TO his ordina
/ tion he could not have been admitted to the
! The eye removed is known In ecc.esiastic
y language as the canouicll eye" and is the on,
used in conjunction with the right hand in tn,
injury received after ordination does not dis
/ qualify priest from occupying holy offices.