Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-03-29
Farewell Reception to Rev. Father
Ward Last Evening.
FATHER KELLY'S ENCOURAGING TALK
j. Large Number Of Parishioners and
Friends Assembled at Fry,s opera
House to Say Farewell
The Addresses.
From Wednesdays Daily.

Rev Father FIJI. Ward, who, for the
PAST twenty years, has presided over
The parish of st. Patrick's Catholic
church., South Ottumwa, and who, by
e recent order from Bishop Cosgrove.
hat been transferred to Iowa City, was
tendered public farewell reception
last evening, and at the close, was
made the recipient of check for $500.
The gift was presented by Rev.. Faith
& ers Al u. Nolan, of Centerville, who
p1ke in behalf of the members Of the.
parish. The check was given by them
"a mark of their love and esteem
Tor the reverend father who is soon to
leave them, but its mission, in this di-'
reGtion, paled into insignificance as
FGoInpared with, the individual and uni
ge1sal regret depicted on every coun-
Romance and expressed in every word
that was spoken. Father Ward rose
70 thank those who SO generously con-
aributed towards the donation, but a
q HeIere cold with which he is suffering
I prevented his speaking word that
WAS audible even to those seated on
the stage with him. Turning to At
t0rney j. w. Lewis, who was sitting at
& ibis side, Father Ward requested him
AoSsxpress his thanks and appreciation.
Mr.. Lewis kindly responded, saying
that it was evident ito all what Father
Ward felt in his heart, and on behalf
ct the recipient of the gift, thanked
those who were responsible for the
mark Of esteem. I,
The order by which Father Ward
and Rev. Father j. Z. O'Farrell, of
iowa City, will exchange parishes; the
sussequent petitions from Hundreds
4Of Ottumwa citizens, irrespective of
creed, asking that the order be revok-
ed. and the final termination of the
same, have been published in detail
during the past few days. Father
Ward will leave Ottumwa, perhaps to-
morrow, or at least within the next
few days, and in view of this fact was
the reception held last evening. The
meeting which was held at Fry's, ope-
IA house was largely attended by both
Gafholics and Protestants. Some of
Il the addresses We're made by mont Cath
0llcs and every person present shared
q In the sorrow felt by the members of
Rey. Father II. B. Kelly, of st. Mary,s
parish, presented a bright CLEAN Of
hope when he said: II don't believe
Father Ward will leave us permanent
He also spoke the sentiment of
every one present when the latter
made the statement: IF he can't stay
we will all wish him God speed
The meeting last evening was call
ed to order by G. FL. Hartman. No
formal program was observed, and af-
ter a number of short addresses, the
ladies of the st. Rose of Lima society
served refreshments, and the remain
der of the evening was spent informal
ly az an opportunity for the friends OF
I Father Ward to bid him farewell.
Seated on the stage with Father
Ward were: Rev. Father Nolan, Gem
terville, and Rev. Father B. Flood,
Rev. Father H. B. Kelly. f. G. Grier,
=. Gibbons, G. II. Hartman, John
Graham, j: W.. Lewis and P. j. Hess,
Ottumwa.
Mr. Hess, as chairman of the meet
B ing, first presented Rev. Father Kellys,
who, in a few words, stated the object
OF the coming together of the friends
ct Father Ward, as being an oppor-
tunity to give manifestation of their
love and friendship towards the one
B who has labored for so many years in
their midst. He viewed Father Wards
removal as promotion, saying that
hewas going to one of the best par
ishes in the diocese, and after express
ing the belief that there was yet a
possibility that the wishes of the mem
\ beers of st. Patrick's parish might be
fulfilled and Father Ward returned,
closed by humbly bowling to the or
ders from one superior, and in behalf
OF Father Wards friends, wished him
God speed
Attorney John w. Lewis.
Mr.. Lewis. who was the next per-
son to speak, said he was greatly len
couraged by the remarks of Father
y Kelly, and was sincerely in hopes that
the efforts. of the people TO retain