The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1900-05-26
THE OLD CATHEDRAL BELL.

Correspondence Intermountain Catholic
Denver, May 22-An object Of the
most tender affection to all the Catho-
lies Of Denver, but particularly to those
of the Cathedral parish, is the old Ca
thedraI bell.
For thirty-five long years has it wit
messed our joys and our sorrows; when
pealing it told the glad tidings of the
nuptial ceremony, or when we
Sank in sorrow with the tolling bell, .
as it marked the last sad rites over our
loved ones.
Yes the old bell which for so long
has sounded the hours of worship for
the Catholic parishioners has pealed
it's last note from that sacred edifice.
Last Thursday the metallic mass,
weighing over 5000 pounds was low
cred from the tower of the old st.
Mary's and removed to Logan avenue
school. There it is the object of the
greatest veneration by the children.
They feel themselves unworthy to ap-
proach anything so holy as this bell,
for which such a feeling of reverence
has existed for so many years.
A visit Of inspection to the old bell
would prove very interesting. 1t is
about three and one-half feet in diam-
eter. On one side is a figure of the
Crucifixion and above it the names of
the sponsors, Mr.. John Felter and Mrs.
Amelia Guirand. On the other side,
cast in the bell, is this inscription:
"Sancta Maria, sine labe originali con-
cepta, ora pro nobis," which, translated
literally. means: Holy Mary con-
ceived without original sin; pray for
us"
Beneath these words is a figure of
the Immaculate Mother.
The only other inscription is this:
cast by J. G. Stuckstede and Bro, |
St Louis Mo, 1866"
Doubtless few of our readers are IA |
miliar with the history of this beloved |
bell, so let us take retrospective view: |
on Christmas day, 1864, Mrs. NJ. A.
Perry gave large dinner to her
friends. Those present were Rt. Rev.
Bishop Machebeul, Rev. Father Ra-
serdy, Judge Perkins, Judge Hallett
and many others.
OF all these people, the only ones
who have not yet gone to their reward
are Mrs M. A. Perry and Chief JUS
tice Hallett.
While the dinner was in progress a
most terrific tornado blew up, the like
IF which Denver has never since wit
messed. 1t was during this storm that
he belfry was blown from the Ca
.hedral and the bell smashed to pieces.
When the news reached the good
bishops ears he was deeply affected. 1t
lad been such an effort to procure it,
or the parish was very poor
Immediately Mrs. Perry spoke up and
aid that within twenty-four hours the
,ell would be replaced. All of the gen.
lemen present promised to subscribe
Mrs. Perry would call at their Of
ices the following day. This she did
ma within two days had collected a
andsOme sum, amply sufficient for the
purchase of the new bell. {
am sure that now that the old bell l
as become so dear to our hearts we I
II feel deeply grateful TO Mrs Perry
or her instrumentality in procuring it. a
AT the baptism of the bell there was i
OF standing room in St Mary'S ca
hedral AT this time Mrs. Amelia |
iuirand, who was great singer. had s
harge Of the choir and it was in graft q
lde for her services that the priests 5
hose her as sponsor for the bell :
on completion Of the magnificent new $
athedral the little bell viii not be for b
has been too true a friend to
s-but viii be raised to the beIfry, Il
acre TO continue its usefulness until L
me sends it into exile. U
ELIZABETH A. KELLY. {