Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-04-09

street, and Mrs. Mary Mccormack, of
East Martin street, mother OF Dr.. M. A.
Mccormack, the w~ell-known physician
and surgeon, and all veneSable and re-
spected residents OF that city Al the
present time. Each has a distinct re-
memb7arce Of Father John when he was
rector OF St. Joseph's church in Martins
burg. and they relate many interesting
"reminiscences of his work and person
atty during the years he was stationed
there.
The records of St. Joseph's church,
Martinsburg, show that Father John
became the head OF the parish in 184I,
succeeding Bishop Richard Vincent
Whelan. when the latter was elevated to
the purple in the old cathedral in Balti-
more and sent to the Richmond see. 1t
is known, however, that Father John
had labored for several years previously
in that diocese as a missionary, travelling
ON horse back over 4 vast extent of
territory, suffering all the hardships of
those rude times and subjected to the
perils Of long and lonely journeys
through the mountains OF that state.
Father John remained in charge of
the Martinsburg parish Until 1913, when
he was again summoned By the bishop
OF Richmond 70 resl;ue the work OF a
missionary. his great zeal, eloduence and
courage especially fitting him for that
character OF work. H remained in that
diocese until 1888. when he went to
Lowell and became rector Of ST. Pat
rick's church, remaining there Until his
death, some years la-e-.
Ea.La- ~. @G--s--,t ~ So ~L-rc
tening OF Mrs. Schaa--c1-a when she
was a child OF s years and also prepared
Mrs. Mccormack for -~11Err7aeion when
rhtalatter was abotc 10 ears Oh. MIR.
Schaarmlnn became vel. acquainted
with him when Re vis.,el Iarpe-s Ferry,
one Of the charges il .he Martinsbutg
parish, whs-- NJ. $.hal-rcaur then re-
sided. 0: Father John l.r. Schaarmann
says:
'FatA.r JOHN 0'3c,eu was greatly be,
loved b. eye-ybody-5ota Catholics and
Protestan.s. He va; q. splendid pres
eace, six feet tai a. cc4ly proportion
ed, and possessed u: great personal
strength and co-r1-s. He had 4 fine
head. and his FACE was Both handsome
and strong, expressing kindness. dignity
and b~eney0lence n q marked degree
He was an iicai pas.1-. and exercised
an almost patriarc1,I, 375uerce over his
scattered flock. Wd..e Els most marked
characteristics we-e ctl-iy and zeal, he
could be austere an s-erl Upon occa-
si3ns, which ve-e rare He was very
greatly beloved because e his urbounded
charity. and no one IT. ased was ever
.urned empty-haaded rom his door,
Many times.>whi!e "a his way to say
early mass on coll inter mornings, h5
would take with his oH- hands a supply
# food and fIe, 70 ONE poor woman
Or orphan children, and often cut th<
wood and kindlei the fire to cook the
provisions his bouH,y had furnished
He lived a very simple and abstemioui
life, and used practically all the offering'
OF his parishioneTs IN deeds of charity
among the poor
CAS- a priest, he would go to th'
uttermost lengths OF his resources anC
strength to attend to the spiritual neec
OF his people, and many times he rod
from 20 to 30 miles through the forest
and over the mountains at night t.
carry the sacrament to some SICK o.
diving member OF his flock. In emer-
gencies, if his horse was sick or trave
worn, he would walk the entire distance
and so great was his strength and en-
durance that he never hesitated to MAKE
these lonely and dangerous journeys OF
foot