The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-02-24
DENOUNCED over A BIER
A Preacher Condemns a Rich Jer
Sey City Club.
The Institution blamed for Young
Mans Death-Members Indignant
Hitter Funeral SermOn-Thcy Say
His Remarks Were Unwarranted.

NEW YORK, Feb. 24.-One OF the most
remarkable funeral addresses ever deliv-
cred was that made on Thursday night by
the Rev. Dr.. Charles Herr. of the First
Presbyterian Church. Of Jersey City, over
the body Of William j. McIlrOy. who had
died after a short illness Of pneumonia at
the home Of his father, John McIlroy, on
Bramhall Avenue. The big house was
filled 20 overlooking by relatives and
friends Of the deceased, and nearly 200
members Of the Jersey City Club, Of which
William McIlroy had for many years been
a prominent member, attended in a body.
DR.. Herr opened his remarks with a
eulogy upon the dead man. 10 which the
mourners listened with respectful inter
est But suddenly the minister changed
the tenor Of his discourse. and while his
hearers we're transhxed with astOnlsh-
ment and dismay, he continued:
This is a death that ought not to have
occurred. There was no hope. humanity
speaking for Mr.. McIlroy from the mo-
ment he was attacked. The disease found
him in such impaired physical condition
that a fatal issue was inevitable
There is one thing that was at least
contributory cause to this conclusiOn-the
cafe attachment TO the Jersey City Club.
l know that / am on the solid ground OF
fact in declaring that but for the cafe,
and the habits and associations il engen-
dered, this sad service would not be held
tonight. There is one sacrifice OF young
manhood at least in which the cafe has
had some share. How many more there
have been. how many are now in the proc
ess Of making, / do not venture 10 say.
But this / put to you men: Can you ar
ford. in duty 10 your community, in view
of the obligations Of brotherhood. in re-
gard for the happiness OF your homes. in
conscience toward God. 10 sustain an in
stitution which is even in a small measure
responsible for this2 Can you think Il
right and worthy Of you to assent TO the
continuance Of an agency In It's prime TO
blight fine powers. TO wreck promising ca
reers, TO agonize homes, 10 break hearts,
Here is a household darkened under
pail that Will never lift: the sword has
been driven up 10 the hilt in the hearts Of
these loved ones. Let the cafe bear its
share or responsibility anu be held by all
true men for what IL is-a lOathing and a
curse"
These remarks came like a thuuderbolt
upon the audience The mother and sister
of the dead mar. hearing him thus accused.
became hysterical The ellow-clubmen
standing in manner accused Of their
friends death. were dumfounded al the
charge They left the house in silence,
but since DR.. HGrr's sermon has been prac-
tlcally their only topic Of conversation.
and indignation IN Jersey City against the
minister Is not expressed in moderate
words.
Dr. Hers opposition to the club was
long known. In the old days the organiza-
tion was known as the Jersey City Ath-
letic Club. DR.. Herr and other ministers
were among the members. About five years
ago the club vas recognized. The word
athletic was dropped from the title. and
a cafe where liquor was sold was added
TO the features Of the handsome clubhouse
That aroused the bitter ire OF Or. Herr and
other advocates Of total abstinence. The
total abstainers left the club. while other
members joined it, The club has hand
some building at Crescent Avenue and
Clinton Street
McilrOy. who was fOrty-One years OF age
and who worked for a coal firm az No. l
Broadway. New York, spent much OF his
time there. That he was Incorporate is a
fact that his friends have 10 admit. but
that that misfortune should be attributed
TO the club fills the members -ith the
greatest indignation. The officers " the
club are. President. ". +. Scudiei. vice
president Frank Eveland: treasurer FL
mer y. Yale. secretary. William g. Glass.
Among the governors are Myron J. Furstt.
the well-known dry goods merchant OF Jer-
sey City; A. y. Spooner William V. Tof-
fey. and G. c. Arrowsmith. men all well
known in that city.
In the absence OF the president another
officer OF the club. who is a total abstainer.
said Il heard the sermon over McIlroy's
body last night and il was the greatest
outrage / ever knew. MCIlroy never became
intoxicated in this club. in fact he often
came here to recover from the effects OF
an evening spent elsewhere. We who knew
him and liked him did all we could to save
him That the club should be blamed FOR
his habits or his death is simply disgrace
ful. DR.. Herr only a few years ago drove
the fastest team OF horses on the Boule-
ward. and he was in the clubhouse on Lin
coins birthday 10 celebrate the day with
the Lincoln Club. which hired our hall for
the occasion"
DR. Herr said: Il said what did in or
der 10 preach warning to others"
The matter is not ended. DR.. Herr has
declared open war on the club and the
clu haya oren 40 min