The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-09-24

Father Denis o. Crowley, lying weak
from his injuries at st. Mary's hospital,
dropped into gentle and refreshing
sleep at 8 O'Clock last night, at almost
the moment that hundreds of citizens,
gathered in Lyric hall in Larkin street,
opened a mass meeting that resulted in
the immediate collection of $4,000 and
promises to end only in the gathering
of much more than the $4,000 now
needed to free from debt the Youths
Directory, the institution to which the
priest has devoted his life The gentle
spirit of the humanitarian seemed to be
present at the meeting, for every speak
er there referred touchingly TO the
character of Father Crowley, and there
were few nthe audience that did not
come forward to offer money to aid the
institution that has been father and
mother to many a homeless, unhappy
lad.
RECOVERY SEEMS ASSURED
The latest word from St. Mary's after
midnight was that the patient still was
sleeping quietly. His recovery seems
assured. :
Attended by some of the best known
men in San Francisco, the gathering
last night seemed more an informal
meeting of the priests friends than a
public meeting of strangers Mutual
L.
and the speeches made were not
speeches, but earnest conversations
among friends bound in bonds of SYM
pathy.
At the conclusion of the speaking
Father M. B. Connolly suggested talk
ing down the names of subscribers TO
a fund to be presented to Father Crow
ley when he arises from his sick he'd,
and the response showed plainly that
he hoH for mo off,
pose.
In quick succession men, and women
crowded to the platform and presented
or pledged themselves to give sums
ranging from small offerings to $3.50.
Notes were sent up from the audience,
money was in every ones HANDS and
the spirit of giving was dominant.
RESOLUTION OF SYMPATHY
James H. Barry presented the fol-
lowing resolution, which was adopted
unanimously:
whereas, Rev. Father ID. o. Crow
ley has met with a painful acct
dent which for some time TO come
will prevent him from performing
for tho homeless boys of our city
and state. regardless of the dis
finctions of race or religion, the
labor of love 10 which during the
last quarter of century he has
arduousIy devoted his life; and
Whereas. the greatest anxiety
resting upon tho mind Of this true
friend of humanity as he lies ON
his bed of pain is for the welfare
Of his Juvenile wards and the
means of providing for them, and
Whereas. the greater part OF the
debt of $4,000 incurred by Father
Crowley In erecting the new home
for his boys mt Church md Nine
fccnfh streets, n substitute for
the splendid home destroyed by the
earthquake and fire, IL stu unpaid.
and n burden he should not he
permitted to bear; and
whereas. the best way for his
many friends to hasten his recovery
is TO cancel that debt; be 1t, there
fore
Resolved. that this nsscmblage of
the citizens Of San Franc1sc0,
speaking for their fellow citizens of
the state of California;. and with
hearts filed with sympathy are
good will for Father Crowley In HIS
trying misfortune. do hereby pledge
lie subscription fund sunhcient to
wipe out In it's entirety the balance
of tho dept incurred by him in
erecting the new Youths Directoryg
Resolved, that all the daily news
papers of San Francisco and other
cities of our state be and arc here
by. respectfully requested to give
full publicity to these. RESOLUTIONS,
and to receive subscriptions for this
most worthy cause.
PLEDGE TO RAISE FUND
The purpose of the meeting was exz
planned by James r. Kelly, chairman
Of the meeting, who said:
Reverend Fathers, Ladies ana Cen
tlemen: We have assembled here this
evening to publicly express our reeraf
at the recent misfortune OF our friend.
Father Crowley, and 1 assure him on
bis couch of pain that the members Of
the committee who volunteered to as
sist him to liquidate the debt on the
new building. now going up as shelter
for the homeless boys Of San Franciscu.