Evening journal., 1908-07-09
BISHOP CURTIS
IS NOW VERY LOW
His Death Expected Almost
Any Time at Hospital
in Baltimore
HAD BEEN HEAD OF
WILMINGTON DIOCESE

That the condition Of Bishop Alfred 4.
Curtis. formerly head of the Roman Cath
ouc diocese Of Wilmington and now
Bishop Of Echinus. is very grave and that
his death is expected within a short time
was the sad news brought from Baltimo.e 9
last night by John S. Rossen, after q
visit to the afflicted and venerable pre-
late in st. Agnes Hospital. Baltimore
There was always a close bond Of friend
shin between Mr.. Rossen and Bishop Cur
tis and this regard Of one for the othel
has not diminished the least since b's''Vp
Curtis removed from Wilmington. Ar'
Rossell found the bishop very low ana
the last rites of the church had teen ad-
ministered. Entirely conscious, the mshup
was extremely weak but received MI
Rossen yraciously. When the bishop vas
told of the great interest of Wilmmston-
ians in his conditions he spoke IA afec-
tionate terms Of the residents o. VII
mington among whom he had labored
many years.
Vicar General John A. Lyons returued
to Baltimore this morning TO remain a;
the bedside Of the prelate under whom
he served in this city. Bishop Curtis has
innumerable friends among all denomna-
tions in Wilmington who are sorry 10
hear Of his afhiction. His kindly manner
and his observation-disclosures had sudcared
him to Wilmingtonlans generally durine
his episcopacy here.
Prior to becoming Bishop Of Whining
ton to succeed Bishop Becker Who had
been transferred to Savannah, ga
Bishop Curtis had been for twelve years
secretary to Archbishop Bayley and Car
dinal Gibbons He was consecrated bishor
on November IA, 1856. in the Cathedral at
Baltimore and was installed in ST. Peter 5
Pro-cathedral on the Sunday following
by Cardinal Gibbons assisted by Arch
bishop Ryan, Bishop Moore. of florida,
and by Bishop Becker Cardinal ribhors
preached the sermon, at the conclusloa
of which he delivered a glowing eulogiwn
on the great learning, piety and zeal
combined with extraordinary humility
and meexness OF his former secretary,
whom none knew but to love and 10 love
all the more the better he was known
Bishop Curtis was born in Somerset
county, Md, on July T. 1891 He began
his studies for the ministry OF the Pro-
testant Episcopal Church in 1854 sup
porting himself during his course by
teaching. He was ordained in 1863 by
Bishop Whittngham. After doing duty
in the various stations OF the Eastern
Shore of Maryland. he was placai IN
charge OF Mt. Calvary Church ralti-
more, where he remained as rector until
the end Of 1870. when he resigned lie
went to England in 1871 and was received
into the Roman Catholic Church ov Car.
dinal Newman. He returned to Paltmore
and entered the seminary of St. Su ~, Z
in September. 1871. and there remained
until ordained by Bishop Bayley in 1S7-
and by him taken to the Cathedral rs
his assistant and secretary. which posi-
ton he held. as stated, up to thu time
of his election to the episcopal iignitv
Bishop Curtis was always very popular
as an Episcopalian minister and Cath.
ole priest. and all his. people parted from
him with the deepest regret. Cardinal
Gihbon declared that he himself and hit
Cathedral congregation could only be-
come reconoilsd to HIS loss by the knowl.
Continued on Eighth age