The Washington herald., 1908-01-04

spiritual comfort and consolation, which +
the Mother Church SO lovingly offers her .
faithful children at alI>tfmes, and par
ticularIy in their last momsnts On earth, +
DR.. Stafford passed away yesterday aft
| ernoon at 1:35 o'clock in the Providence
Hospital, where the eminent divine only
few days before had been taken To
undergo an operation, which was TO have
brought him relief from his suffering.
The end Of the beloved pastor did noe
come Unexpectedly, since the crisis which
followed the operation left him in an ex-
tremely weak condition. Although strong
Of frame and constitution. the esteemed
clergyman, who had been a patient for a
number Of months. did not rally sufficient
strength 10 overcome the shock.
Watched at the Bedside.
DR.. Stafford died surrounded by his
| three devoted assistants at ST. Patricks.
Rev. Thomas E. McGuigan. Rev. James
S. smyth, and Rev. William A. Carroll;
Mr.. and Mrs. Alfred c. Whitton, ana
Miss Margaret Stafford, his sisters and
| hF0ther-in-laW
DR.. Rozier Bayly, who, with Dr.. J. B.
! Briscoe, had kept faithful watch by the
bedside of the distinguished churchman
ever since he was placed in the hospital.
were also present when death occurred,
as were two sisters each from ST. Pat
rick's Academy. st. Joseph's Male Orphan
Asylum, and st. Vincents Asylum. which
| institutions are in charge Of St Pat
rick's, and In whose welfare Dr. Stafford,
being a great friend Of the little ones,
always took the deepest interest.
! There were also number Of Sisters OF
| Charity from the hospital present. who,
with the other religieuses, knelt in silent
prayer by the bedside Of the dying pastor.
! Mss TEainsr the nurse who ATTENDED
him, also Witnessed the sorrowfuI scene.
All during the morning hours telephone
messages were received It the hospital
inQuiring after the condition Of DR.. stat
ford. who was extremely popular with the
! people Irrespective Of their religious per-
suasion. Standing in particular high es-
teen with Cardinal Gibbons. his eminenea.
kept himself posted By making use oe
the long distance telephone
Message 10 the Cardinal.
a message yesterday morning informed
/ the Cardinal that prospects were most
unfsvorable, and that little hopes were
/ entertained Of DR.. Stafford surviving the
crisis
! The cardinal gave instructions 70 ADVISE
/ him Immediately if any change for ths
! worse should occur. lie was at once noti-
fed Of the death Of St Patriek's rector,
whose remains We're taken to the rectory
yesterday evening. Funeral arrange
| ments viii be completed to-day.
| Realizing that his condition was gr9w-
/ ing worse and that death might ensue az
/ any time, Rev Father McGuigan Of ST.
| Patrick's Church, administered extreme
JUNCTION 20 the patient Thursday night
! and prayers for the dying were reeited
/ by the priests present.
The health of the popular clergyman
had been failing for number Of years,
and, fearing a complete breakdown from
overwork directly following the erection
Of the new rectory and school buildings.
Or. StaffOrds congregation insisted he
take long vacation and rest
Father Stafford was deeply touched by
/ the solicitude and love shown by his
Iparishioners and. following their advice.
/ he went to Europe, where he spent q
number Of months recuperating.
His return 10 Washington was signal
lied by a series OF receptions given in his
honor by the various societies connected
with the church. a monster reception. at
(which prominent citizens, irrespective of
religious belief. made addresses Of well
come, was rendered to the rector at the
new Carroll Hail
Receives Many Gifts. 9
/ The celebrant was the recipient on this
/ occasion of a large number OF valuable
presents Being of an active mind. Dr.
Stafford could not reconcile himself 10
/ life of quiet and rest, which his ply
sicians advised him TO pursue He be-
came interested in the completion
schemes of St Patrick's Church build
/ ing which had always been the aim Of
| his life. It was his hearts wish 10 see
'qlis church" the most beautiful house
Of worship in the city Of Washington.
and he consulted with prominent archi-
tects here and in other cities in the mat
| ter with the result that plans and
| specifications were completed which show
/ his church completed with two spires
and an unusually artistic exterior and
environments.
In connection with the other extensive
work of the church. its various organiza-
tlons. the schools, the asylums, and .he
poor. DR. stafford before long found
| himself again the busiest man 10 his
parish. His health again began to fail,
and early last June he became serious
ly i'll.
/ Dr. W. Sinclair Bowen was summoned
I TO attend him. The reetor's sister, Mrs.
Whitton. who was always looked upon as
| tie pastors favorite. attended her brother
/ faithfully from the first day Of his iil-
! ness until the last moment. After treat
ment Of a short duration at Providence
| Hospital, his physicians ordered him 10
Atlantic City. where it was thought she
/ bracing salt air would bring back 70 MS
shattered system much needed strength.
stay "a the seaside.
The stay at the seaside proved bene-
fetal to DR.. stafford. but his health was
| gone too Far to bring about completely
Continued on Pnge 1, COIEmn ..