The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-01-31
NAMED AS RECTOR
Father Russell TO Succeed
the Late DR.. Stafford.
CARDINAL TO INTRODUCE HIM
Youngest Priest at Head OF Any of
Five IFremovabIe Charges in DiO-
eese of BaitimOre-SIgnaI HonOrs
Accorded Him-Author and scholar.
Announcement Made Last Night.

Rev William 7 Russell, who for four
teen years has been secretary to Cardinal
Gibbons, viii succeed the late Rev. DR..
D. j. Stafford as pastor Of st. Patrick's
Church. Washington.
The Official announcement was made at
the residence of Cardinal Gibbons. in Bal
timore. last night, at o'clock. about an
hour after the return of the prelate from
Boston.
In the pastorate of St. Paricky, Father
Russell obtains one of the five irremova-
BILE charges IN the Diocese Of Baltimore
the others being st. Pauick's. St. Vim
cents. and ST. Peters in Baltimore City
and ST. Matthews. in Washington.
He is also the youngest priest at the
head Of any Of these parishes.
Cardinal VIII Introduce Him.
Cardinal Gibbons Will pay his secretary
a signal honor by coming over TO Wash
ingJOn the last Sunday in February and
formally introducing him 10 the parish
toner's. Father Russell viii preach his
first sermon at ST. Patricks the first
Sunday in March.
The new appointment also gives him
another signal honor. the right TO vote
for the successor to the cardinal should
The occasion arise Father Russell will
probably assume his charge within the
next two weeks
Father Russell is the author Of "The
Land of liberation, history Of Mary
land The first edition has been ex-
hausted and the second viii soon he on
the market. He also write the history
Of the diocese of Baltimore for the Cath
ole encyclopedia.
Experience with Coxey's Army.
Father Russell was at HyattsvilIe. Md.
IN 1884, when a part of Coxey's army of
wage earners was encamped near his
church. Several men came to him and
asked him 10 give a retreat He said if
eighty men could be obtained he would.
About Is came TO church in the even
ing That ended that branch of the
marchers They returned % their homes.
Several years later Father Russell re-
ceived q letter from a Carl Brown. The
writer said he was a member Of Coxey's
army. and he wanted to be married to
Gen. Coxey's daughter on the steps Of the
Capitol at Washington
Father Russell united the couple The
wedding did not take place in Washing
ton. but al the cathedral in Baltimore
Il is part Of Father Russelrs future
plans 10 carry out, with the consent Of
the cardinal. the establishment OF mis-
siOnS for nOu-CathOIics making ST. Pat
rick's the central point for the movement
The object OF the missions Is TO explain
10 non-Cstholics the doctrine Of the
church, dispel prejudices, and answer any
objections which are brought against
Catholic doctrine or practices.
His appointment FOretOId in Herald.
That Father. Russell was likely to be
appointed to this important pastorate was
stated in The Washington Herald last
Saturday. His superior qualifications and
eminent fitness for the post. together with
the fact that Cardinal Gibbons is known
to cherish for him a high regard. were
conditions favOring the selection. This.
with the appreciation Of his scholarly at
tainments. so we'll understood by clergy
and laity alike left little doubt regarding
the result Of the examination on Monday.
Father William T. Russell was born in
baltimore, Md, in 1853 Re spent five
years at St Charles College. ElIicott
City. and one year at Loyola College, Bal
timOre
After devoting two years to study in
Rome ID health necessitated his return
10 America
lie finished his theology in 81. Mary's
Seminary Baltimore. and was ordained
priest June q, 1889
BY singular coincidence Father Rus
sells appointment 10 St Patricks brings
him to the scene of his first home i'm
Washington. whore. as Father Walters
guest. he spent some time at 81. Patrick's
rectory. While performing his pastoral
duties az Hyattsyille Father Russell at
tended the Catholic University of Amer
lea and there received the degree OF s.
n. l.
Appointed to the Cathedral in 1894
Father Russell was made secretary to his
emience Cardinal Gibbons the following
year
By his Instructions and sermons he has
drawn large crowds TO the Cathedral
where within one year after assuming
charge of the Sodality of the Blessed Vir.
gin Mary he increased the membership
from 900 10 1900 Father Russell is
man of pleasing address, and courts
among bis friends the most cultured peo-
pie OF the Monumental City He cherished
warm regard for the late Father stat
ford. in whose work ne was deeply inter
csted