Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-10-26

signor William J. 6locum was called to his eternal reward. The news of his death was sent from street to street, and house to house, just as the sun was rising in the eastern horizon. and on every hand could be heard the expressions of sorrow and the kind words for the good, kind, generous, dignified and gentlemanly, at all times. Monsignor Slocum. He was beloved by all who knew him, not only for his kindness of heart. but for his broadness of mind in all matters. He was willing work CT in the vineyard. as the monuments he has builded attest Always working for the interests of his people, he had endeared himself to them as. perhaps, no other pastor ever had, thus his death comes as 8 shock, for although sick and unable to attend to his duties for a long time. his people hoped and prayed that he would regain his health and live to see the work he had begun completed. Since coming to this city he has been power in the communi- ty, being looked up to by all classes and creeds as man of sterling char acter and ability. A man whose ad- vice was sought often, and whose services were in demand at all func- tions, religious and civic. It was trying to do what he considered his duty in this respect that he over taxed his strength and thus i'm paired his health. No complaint was coming from Monsignor Slocum, how ever. He worked while he had strength and energy, and one of the saddest things in connection with his death Is that he could not have lived to see completed the greatest work of his life, the building of the new hospital. the Slocum hospital. 1t might be called, for he gave all the thought, time and strength of his la1t days to it. Monsignor Slocum has gone to his rest, but his good work, his kindness of heart and his broad charity will live in the hearts of his people forever.-The Water bury Democrat.
 Few men so visibly embodied in look and bearing the inward quail tiles as did Monsignor Slocum. Any one passing him on the street, not knowing who he was, would have looked at him twice as representa- tive of the priesthood at It's best, as the man of commanding presence, gifted oratorically, who did the things himself he might eloquently preach to others. It was this unusual combination in Monsignar Slocum, the harmony of appearance with per- sonality, that gave him unique place as a priest and citizen. What he said carried conviction not only because of the way in which he said 1t but of the man and of the charac- ter behind what was said. It Is diff f1cult, even impossible to estimate. immediately after such a loss, the place man, on whom was laid so great responsibility, has filled in a growing progressive community like Waterbury with whose spirit he was in full accord. We recall with tender sorrow now that he has passed from us, his gracious bearing, hls kindly greeting, his words of guid- anee spoken at the critical moment, his pastoral ministrations, his fervid patriotism. But we cannot tell for how much all these things have counted during the years that his life in Waterbury has promoted every good word and work. When leaders are taken from us, the loss always brings back the familiar phase of the greatest of human books, the book whose leaves have recorded the experience of our human life as 1t is lived over and over. from age to age. So turning back to the Old Testament, we resay the words Know ye not that there is prince and great man fallen this day in Israel?"-Waterbury American.
 Few will dispute that the priest and citizen whose death We record and mourn to-day was the best loved man in Waterbury. By reason ol the opportunities given him by his sacred office and the personal mag. netism and broad humanity he pu, Ahko SA6 PCAAoA haAO6 ol HIS uuttGs Monsignor Slocum-or Father Sl0. cum. as those who have known him long still liked to call him-endear' ed himself probably to a larger number of people than any other man of his generation in this city His mourners to-day cannot be counted, and no creed. color or age bounds them.
 And this sense of bereavement i. not confined to his home city. Ir the diocese and beyond, the name ol Father Slocum was known if thousands of homes and his person ality esteemed with a love tha, amounted to reverence. His abili ties as speaker, his sound practi cal wisdom, his breadth of spirit combined with a gentle bonhomit which was bespoken by counten ance of uncommon benignity, made him remembered wherever once seer or heard. He irresistibly drew al hearts to him with smile that wal a benediction.
 To see such a life go out wher new honors had recently come upoi him which it must have been de light to wear; when his own crown ing work, the new hospital to whicf he gave his earthly all. stands al most finished, to lose man witf such endowments and promise whei his powers were at their ripest ant his prospects the most brilliant, il cause for no common sorrow to oui city and state. It is certain that irrespective of his exalted position which gave distinction to this com