Evening journal., 1907-12-16
GREAT THRONG AT
PRIESTS FUNERAL
tcontInuaa From rIrat paeel

HAiaA LdkCI
gathered when the procession arrived
thore. II was the largest crowd that
ever congregateo at the new station.
and the streets were blocked. About
sixty persons including clergymen and
delegations from several societies act
ing as a guard Of honor accompanied
the remains to Dover, N. j.. whore in
terment will be made tomorrN. Father
Birmingham was born at Dover and a
mass of requiem will be said in St
Mary's Church there tomorrow morn
ing, after which intement will be made
IN the family burial plot.
During the services the boil
in the tower of the Phoenix Fire Engine
house was tJll~d
Thousands View the Body
Between 5000 and 10000 persons, Of
all denominations, viewed the remains
Of Father Birmingham, as they lay in
state in the church and before they
were removed from the parochial resi-
dence into the church. When the doors
of the edihce We're thrown open at
o'clock there was a crowd of more than
3 900 persons gathered awaiting to take
a last look upon one who had been their
spiritual adviser and friend in hours
Of need.
The gathering was not made up Of
those OF the Catholic faith solely, for
Father Bermingham's friendship ex
tended beyond the bounds of his relig-
ious belief, nor was it confined to those
of the white race, as there We're many
colored people present. A noticeable
feature was the number of children.
Father Birmingham being noted for
his love for the little ones, who had
I igathered 10 say a farewell to their de-
parted friend.
The body of the priest clad In the
lpurpel robes Of his calling, reposed in
an oaken casket, which stood upon
loatafalaue, six feet in height and
which was erected in the center aisle
of the church directly in front of the
sanctuary. In Father Bermingham's
hand was clasped a chalice.
AS the people passed in through the
main door of the edihce they pro-
ceeded down The center aisle, mounted
the steps of the catafalque, and separ-
ated. some going to the right and
others to the left Of the body. No one
was permitted to linger for a moment
and the throng, descending the steps
in the rear and 70 the right and left
Of the platform, passed out through lhe
side aisles.
Despite the throng. there was no
crowding. no confusion, but OCCASION
ally from here and there could be heard
a low sob and the whispered word,
"Father." coming from the lips OF
mourners. About the cafiSet stood uni
formed members Of the Hibernian
Knights. and others Of the guards OF
lhonor. who stood Throughout the night
I'm silent vigil while members OF the
/ Holy Name Society Of 81. Patrlcks
Church acted as ushers. The BODY OF
the church throughout the early even
ling hours was filled with worshlpers,
who upon their bended knees offered
pravers for and showered blessings
upon the dead man. At $50 o'clock a
/ delegation of about S5 members OF the
Phoenix Fire Company marched to the
Church and fled past the body.
The guard OF police, who stood az
the entrance of the church, estimated
that nearly 10000 people viewed the
corpse.
The guards Of honor included the fol-
! lowing members of the hibernian
KNIGHTS. James r. Looney, Jerome
/ Heriey, oseph Callahan, James Farmer
/ James II. Hawkins. Dennis Lannan'
John Long. Edward Mcfarland John
Daley Dennis O'Connell John #. Muliin
and Patrick Burke.
The Knights Of ST. Lawrence We're
repf esent by Charles O'Ccnnor, .. NJ.
SEWER. Hugh Boettger, F. r. Mcguire
] Iofn ID. Kelly. James r. Ryan. John
Fitzgerald, John Goblin. George Sch
] eack. John T. Gerry. M. r. McCaneriN.
I Thomas r. Martin, John 3. Meaney ana
r. J. smith; and the Reilly l4yoeum
Association represented by Tnomas
\ Connelly. William Kerns, Edward Kane
Joseph Dugan. James Horny, Harry
Tollis Hleh C'Hara and James Kane.
"Voioes Of Nature" Dec. II and 49,