The Irish standard., 1909-05-22
REV. L. j. VAUGHAN.
A Noted Priest and Lecturer Dies in
Dubuque, Iowa.

Dubuque, Iowa.
THE end has come l am ready"
With these words the great soul o.
Father L. ]. Vaughan. priest. author,
lecturer. scholar. was liberated from
its earthly bondage. loosed from tho
trappings Of the human, and caught
UP into the blessed reward IF a life
nobly lived. says the Dubuque Tele"
graph Herald OF May 10.
The passing took place at Mercy hos
pital at 6 o'clock on Monday morn
ing, after a long and valiant struggle,
when every relief of science was held
out to the sufferer and all that the
most skilled nursing could do to al
leviate the mortal distress was done.
But the case from the first was hope
less. and although every effort was
made to save the life of the distin-
Master had gone forth and quietly, as
n child tired of It's toys after n. day
of play and wearied of the long hours
of struggle. the beloved priest fell
aeleep and left to mourn his passing
the thousands whose lives he had
touched to heal and help. and whose
friendship and love he had won by
the edifying beauty and goodness of
his life.
Father Vaughan was born in Fond
du Lac. Wisconsin,. forty-f1ve years
ago and early in his youth, be-
ing drawn by the force Of his
own peculiar gifts into the tlra-
matte field. entered upon a career Of
the stage. His success was mete-
ORIG and he essayed tho heavier roles.
taking up the Shakcsperian plays dur
ing the course Of his brief but bril-
liant career. behind the footlights,
distinguishing himself as a man Of
superior ability and with tempera-
ment, that had he chosen to remnin
in the dramatic field. would have dis
tinguished him as a man of the high
est rank in the profession.
But the call to the higher life came
to the man who had stirred thousands
by the fire of his dramatic art and
listening to the call, he needed
Twelve years ago. after pursuing a
course in st. Johns University,
he was ordained into the min
istry of the church. returning to his
native state shortly afterwards and
becoming an assistant pastor at Eau
Claire. afterwards having charge Of
a parish at Etrick. Wis. and later at
Altoona. Wis. where he founded a
school for boys and which he con-
Quoted for number of years.
HIS efforts in behalf Of the educa-
ton of the youth and especially OF
dependent boys was far-reaching. But
It was necessary to support this
worthy institution and Father Vaughan
accepted numerous calls to appear on
the lecture platform, donating the pro-
ceeds of his work to the support Of his
school. The work grew and the num-
Der Of boys increased. The heart Of
the priest could not but heed the cry
of distress and he found it impossible
to turn deaf car when the rlaintive
cry Of some homeless Waif came to
him. And so his work grew to man.
moth proportions and his lecture work
Increased. Few of the thousands who
have been thrilled by the wonder of
his eloquence. who have been charm
ed by the show Of temperament Of the
man knew that back Of his power and
magnetism lay the great cause. his
passion for humanity, in rescuing boys
from the streets. the power that made
his words burn into the hearts OF those
who listened and sent them away bet
ter men and women.
Father Vaughan was great power.
And to him must have come the real
izaticn Of that power. He was one of
the most popular dramatic orators on
the platform. But his popularity had
no effect upon him. Humbly, with the
spirit Of the true priest, he pursued his
ways obedient to his superiors ever,
and seeking but in the exercise Of his
superior gifts the betterment Of hui.