Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-10-26
BISHOP BEAvEN
 CELEBRATED MASS
Rey Buoh Treaaor Spete ihs Eulssy - Solemn Nlslc and ChsniIns ei the Prlesls Was . Scene Never 10 Be Forgot. ien - Affecting Farewell et Fsihsr Crowley 10 Ills Deaj Friend.


 The funeral of Right Rev Mon- signor William J. Slocum was held . this morning at 10 o'clock at the Immaculate Conception church. and was the most impressive ceremony ever witnessed in Waterbury, and probably never was equalled in any town of this size in the United States in point of numbers and general re- gret on the part of all classes of people, Denominational ties were cast aside and judging by the people who elbowed each other in an sffort to get next the door, to say nothing of the vast assemblage on tho side- walks who watched the proceedings from every possible vantage point, it would be out of the question to tell what denomination the edifice to which they sought an entrance be- longed. All creeds, colors >and na- tionalities were represented as well as men in every walk of life, the manufacturer, the merchant, the lawyer, the preacher, banker, last but by no means least, the ordinary every day laborer, all vied with each other in an effort to be among the few who could be accommodated in the church.
 The doors were not opened until 9 o'clock, but long before that time more were standing in files extend ing clear out to the street close up to the trolley tracks were packed from Exchange place to the junction of Cole and East Main streets.
 The weather prophet got things right for the rain came, first in a drfzzle and then in a veritable down pour, but everybody wanted to set a seat in the church and notwith- standing the severity of the storm all held the positions they had taken up earlierin the morning in the hope of being able to crowd in. The lie, doors were thrown open first and It took but very short time Tor iht side aisles and the galleries to be packed, men and women who on other. occasions would not think. of standing for any great length of time considering themselves lucky 10 get a place in the aisles. Then the main entrance was opened and the stalwart form of Sergeant Jbhh T. ! Pagan appeared before the swaying throng. Admission through thls door was by ticket only. When the rush was at it's height the measured step of the militia was heard coming down East Main street, and soon Company G., Captain D. E. Fitzpatrick; Company A, Lieuten- ant Levi. Wilcox in command; Con- pany E, Hibernian Rifles, Captain John Griffin appeared on the scene and opened ranks at the door, the files extending out to the street aLd up and down the sidewalks for a considerable distance, where they remained during the service, render ing valuable service to the police in handling the swaying throng, every one of whom, though all acting in good natdred way, pleading earnestly to be permitted to pass the guards. but all were met with the same an- swer, Middle aisle. reserved; admis- lon is by ticket,
 Meanwhile the crowd kept grow ing larger. Handsome equipages thundered through the different thoroughfares, all en route for the church of the Immaculate Concep- contained relatives and friends of the dead prelate from out of town. Win sted, New Haven, Norwalk, Manga tuck and other places sending large delegations. While these and others, were being cared for and automobiles were twisting this way and that, and carriages propelled by horses were forcing their way through the great mass of humanity, a big touring car came along from towards Wes. Main street and stopped opposite the church rectory. The crowd inlmedi- ately divined that 1t contained some very important churchmen from out of town and everybody wanted to know who they were. It was w. F. O'Neill's automobile from Hartford, driven by the owner. and containing Right Rev Bishop Beaven of Spring field, Rev John G. Murray of Hart ford, chancellor of the diocese. and Rev Thomas S. Duggan of Hartford. The automobile of Attorney Holden, also of Hartford, followed Mir O'Neilrs car and would have taken care of the bishop had any accident happened to the first car, but the trip was devoid of incident.
 Although the weather conditions were disappointing and certainly kept many away, still 1t was not s, bad, for 1t cleared up at intervals, and people who did not care to run chances of getting wet and then sit In the church for couple of hours, took advantage of the short interrup- tions to reach the church without being caught in the storm. A number of prominent members of the church were the first to arrive, and these were followed closely by State Comp troller Thomas D. Bradstreet of Thomaston; Congressman D. J. Hill, Bridgeport; Mayor Cavanaugh, South Norwalk; Judge James ]. Walsh, South Norvalk; John H. Whlftemore and son Harris, Middle bury: County Health o1icer Carleton D. Hoadley. New Haven; Charles ?. Mitchell. vfce-preoident MannfactuF- eErf HnflnnA AEcAie q. 4ee1