The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-06-01
TIE late cathol;c Priest Who Had
! Great Many Friends ID keo-
XIX Where He Was
Eeioved.
WAS ONCE AN ACTOR
He Was Ordained 4 Priest Twcls
Years Ago and Died At the
Age OF Forty-Five
Years.

huQue. whose death was noted IN
these columns several days ago was
weIl known in Keokuk where be had
great many friends who viii be in
terested in the following notice of his
death. taken from a recent issue of
the Catholic Messenger:
Rev. Laurence j. Vaughan. pastor
Of Cuba City. died at Mercy Hospital.
Dubuque. Iowa, at an early hour ON
Monday morning, the result OF an
operation about TWO weeks ago. He
was born in Fon da Lac. Wis. forty
! Ave years ago and early In his youth.
being drawn By the force OF his own
peculiar gifts into the dramatic field.
entered upon career of the stage.
| His success was meteoric and he
essayed the heavier roles. taking up
1 the Shakespearian plays during the
course Of his brief but brilliant career,
behind the footlights, distinguishing
himself with temperament, that had
he chosen to remain in the dramatic
/ field, would have distinguished him
as man of the highest 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
1 listening to the call. he needed.
Twelve years ago. after pursuing 8
course in st. Johns University. be
was ordained TO the priesthood. re-
turning to his native state shortly
afterwards and becoming an assist
i ant pastor at Eau Claire. afterwards
| having charge Of 3 parish at Etrick,
4 Wis, and later AZ Altoona. Wis.,
where he founded q school for hoys
ard which he conducted for number
of years.
Interested IN Youth.
q His efforts in behalf OF the educa,
ton of the youth and especially Of
| dependent boys was far-reaching
But 1t was necessary to support this
! worthy institution and Father
Vaughan accepted numerous calls to
appear on the lecture platform, do
mating the proceeds of his work to the
support of his great and worthy In
| stitution. The work grew and the
number of boys increased. The heart
4 Of the priest could not but heed the
cry Of distress, and he found 1t I'M
possible to turn deaf ear when the
4 plaintiff cry OF some homeless wait
came to him. And so his work grew
to mammoth proportions and his lee
ture work increased. Few OF the
thousands who have been thrilled by
the wonder of his eloauence, who
have been charmed by the show OF
temperament of the man knew that
back Of his powe- and magnetism lay
the great cause. his passion for hu
mainly. in rescuing boys from the
streets. the power that made his
words burn in the hearts Of those
listened and sent them away better
men and women.
In the passing of Father Vaughan
not only his parish at Cuba City, but
the entire west suffers great loss
{ His life had been lived so largely. 81
( broadly. and his death had found hin
at the zenith Of his splendid career
: For Father Vaughan had been a prizes
t indeed. without thought of self, hs
? had gone forth in his mission work
suffering oftentimes privations tina
| he might be of the greater service 4
I man gifted with temperament arts
I tic in the extreme, and given also thu
D great passion for souls it was bu
e natural that his life should BE one diff
!. ferent from that OF others that hi
!. years, brief as they were, for dealt
/, claimed him early. should be fraugh
with blessings which viii long leaV'
6 their impress upon the world.
b Father Vaughan is survived b.
= three sisters and one brother, on
q sister. Mrs. Trew, being a residen
= Of GAINESVILLE, where the body Of tn
d beloved priest viii be taken 70
: burial.
The entire countryside about Cub
city is in grief over the passing o
q the brilliant young priest whose fatf
erly care during his time In the CON
i munity had meant SO much to tn
J, people. In large delegations they Wis