The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-29
Rev. Jean Berger Car
ries Authority to
Extremes.
A NOTABLE COINCIDENCE.
Some Believe Divine Power
Is Evident in the
Present Case.

North Brookfeld, Sept. 2S.-Rev. Jean
Berger has administered the last rites
OF the Roman Catholic church. He ad-
ministered them to Mrs. Nelson Ledoux,
at whose house he has boarded during
most cf his stay here, until his resi-
dence on Grant street was fitted up for
him.
Since. he took up his position here,
speculation has been rife as to whether
he would go so far as to administer to
any person believed to be in danger of
DEATH and now he has proven that he
is ready to do anything that comes
within Guty of regular priest of the
churcn or Rome. AS stated in The SOY
this morning, Mrs. Ledoux was the
victim of a paralytic shock, and Rev.
Jean Berger, whom she recognizes as
her pastor, was sent for. He prepared
'ner fol death, as her recovery then was
unexpected, although it is hoped for
now.
Evidently he had no scruples, for as
he has put it before, he is willing if
the people are. Mrs. Ledoux's hus-
band, Nelson Ledoux, is one of the
most enthusiastic supporters of Rev:
Jean Berger in his position here, and il
Is remarked as very peculiar Coin
cldence that Mrs. Ledoux should be the
hrst of the dissenters who was necee-
STATED to have the attendance of the
usurping priest at what was supposed
to be hel death bed
10 many fervent Roman Catholics it
is more than coincidence for to them
II is the working of divine providence
showing its displeasure for harboring
the cefief of episcopal authority 1t is
stated that the womans confession was
heard by the French priest, and that
ne gave her communion and extreme
JUNCTION, two of the most sacred cere
monies of the Catholic church.
Tho matter of the position of Rev
Jean Berger here is by no means done
WITH for the church authorities have,
not Issued their final document vet. H.,
the meantime the strange acting priest
holds forth at his residence on Grant
street, mlngling freely with the French
people, out with none others. Much of
MS time is spent in his study, which
is also furnished for him as a bed
champer. A couch has been placed in
the study for him, so that he can get
his repose, the only other bed chamber
IN the apartments being occupied by his
nousckeeper, who has made a very ia
Voraole impression upon the French
people who have met her.
After an illness of a year Mrs. George
X, Hamant died at $50 O'Clock tbis
morning, having for several days made
SaHahI struggle fer life against fear
Lul odds. She had been under the in
huence of drugs to alleviate her snffer-
lngs for several hours, and all dav YES
leroay death was momentarily expect
ca. her death is a particularly sad one
10 her husband, George R. Hamant who
mas just finished a successful camnaien
for the Office of representative to The
general court, and in this his great he
reavement he has the sympathy of his
LelloW-cltizens, democrats and repub-
licans alike. ep0'
Mr.. Hamant and wife were naver
blessed with children, and because If
TINS fact they were greatly devoted to
eaen other. Consequently he has ex-
clted the admiration OF all North Brook
held citizens for the manly. clean wav
IN which he carried on his Campaign
under a strain that had well-nigh dis
tFacted MIN. Mrs. Hamant was one of
the most amiable of women, and held
1he respect and admiration of all of her
large circle of acquaintance. She was
% years or age and had been married
ABOUT 80 years, her maiden name being
Julla e. sFiske. She is survived by her
nother, Mrs. Ruth Fiske of Worcester.
-FOUR sisters, Mrs. Mary Hobbs of this
town, Mrs. Charles Hawkins of Fisk
vile, K. l., Misses Cecilia Fiske of Wor-
cester and Susie Fiske, also of Worces-
ter Two brothers also remain. Stephen
rlske OF Upton and Charles Fiske of
worcester. The death, although ex-
pected, was great shock to the com
munity at large and particularly TO
those who have known and esteemed
thls couple, who have played a promin-
ent part in North Brookfield life. The
death was caused by blood poison. The
funeral will take place Monday after
noon at o'clock
Bernard Murphy of Bell street has so
Lar recovered from the Illness which
Or. Thomas j. Garrigan, the attending
physician, pronounced diphtheria. thai
he is able to take his food with ordin
airy relish, and it is thought that he will
be allowed to come from seclusion with
out mucn delay The physicians are
watchful of every case that shows anv-
tning like the symptoms Of diphtherfa.
and Will order patients to be secluded
until the cultures are reported negative
by the state board Sore threats are
reported about town in abundance and
in these cases all possible precautions
are being taken to keep diphtheria
down. -
The state board of cattle commission
ers nave notified Cattle Inspector DIR
A. Q. Boyd to begin an investigation on
The neat cattle in this district and to
report cases of tuberculosis. The cat
tie are not to be quarantined, however.
in order to get them in readiness for The
tunerculin test. DR. Boyds orders are
% nave the inspection completed by
Nov. Is. ~
Speculation is rife as to what kind of
a scheme certain people in Washington.
d: G., have in preparation for people of
Worcester county. Many men in town
nave received letters purporting to give
each notice that he has been selected
by the committee on distribution of the
messages and papers of the presidents
as one to whom these documents should
be forwarded. 1t is particularly mem
TONED that there is but limited num-
per or these documents, so that North
Brooki1eld people seem to be especial
~ Favored 1t Is noticeable that the
letters bear no official stamp of any
government office in Washington ex-
eepting the regular postmark If some
one reported North Brookfield people
easy, r. f. Hyde, who is scheduled ac-
cording to the letters to call on the va
rious recipients Of the favor win GER
tainly find out that some one was pre-
varicating.
Arson i. Poland proudly exhibited
fine chestnut horse today which he has
just received from Putnam, VT. The
animal has a mark Of 2I9, and Mr.
Poland expects him to be king of the