New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-23
ASPHYXIA7,ED AT A HOTEL.
GAS ESCAPING FROM HEATER CAUSES
DEATH OF GERMANTOWN PRIEST

A report was circulated yesterday that the
Rev. Father b. j. Duffy. rector of the Roman
Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart, of Ger
mantown, n. Y, and formerly pastor of ST. Ce
elias Church. at Lexngton-ave. and One-hun-
dred- and-sxth-st. In this city, had committed
suicide in room 92 of the Ashland House.
in Fourth-ave. but so exceedingly unusual is
the suicide of a Roman Catholic priest that the
report was believed by hardly any one and
little careful investigation showed that death
the result of an accident, and caused
by Illuminating gas which had escaped from
small cylindrical heater in the room.
The police of the East Twenty DIST. sta
ton at first reported the clergymans death
suicidal and. failing correctly to decipher the
entry made in the book of the hotel, also
ported that he had registered as "P. J. Doty,"
hut DR.. Albert T. Weston Coroner's Physician.
after a careful and thorough investigation OF the
mysterious case last evening, decided that
Father Duffy's death accidental and gave
a certificate that II due to accidental
phyXiation by gas.
Father Duffy came to this city from German
town Wednesday for the purpose of making
the final arrangements for the dedication of the
church and to invite many OF the clergymen in
this city to take part in the celebration. He
was to have had an interview with Bishop Far
ley yesterday forenoon, which had been ar
his success at raising the Slo,OO necessary for
the completion of the church, and expected to
make the dedication services notable by large
attendance of the clergymen from this diocese.
on coming to the city Father Duffy called on
Father James T. Mcintyre, pastor Of St Te-
resa's Church, at the rectory, No. 141 Henry-s
and remained there until after I O'Clock in the
evening. when he started uptown. He reached
the Ashland House at just $40 p. m. and after
registering went directly to his room. That was
the last seen of him alive.
Two chambermads, while attending to their
duties early yesterday morning. smeed gas,
which they traced to the rented by
Father Duffy. Then they raised an alarm and
the door forced
The dead priests sister, Mrs John Furlong,
OF No. Is East One-hundred- and twenty sixth
st, sent undertaken to take charge of the
body and prepare it for burial.
Father Bernard j. Duffy was born In this
city thirty-eight years ago He was the son of
Bernard Duffy livery stable proprietor, on
the East Side. He educated at ST. Gabriel's
Parochal School, in East Thirty sixth-st., and
on being graduated sent to St Mary's Col
lege, Emmettsburg Md. where he studied for the
priesthood He ordained at Rome in 1856,
and returning to the United States for the first
eight months he served a curate ct st.
Theresa's Church. at Henry and Rutgers SITS.
For six years afterward he was attached to the
Church of the Sacred Heart. in West Sixty
frst-st. and for five years more he
nected with ST. Cecilia's Church, at Lexington
ave. and One hundred and sixth-st. Last June
he was given charge of the new parish at Ger
mantown, n. Y, and in less than a year he
built the new church now awaiting dedication.
Father Duffy's funeral will take place at st.
CeciliaS Church tomorrow morning.