Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1910-03-29

"His parish covered the three count
les of Jefferson, Berkeley and Morgan,
extending from Harper's Ferry to Paw
Paw, a distance of about 20 miles by the
road over a mountainous and sparsely
settled country; but he never hesitated,
no matter how far the journey, or how
late the hour, to respond to the cali of
the sick or dying. He celebrated mass
regularly in Martinsburg, Harper's Ferry
and Berkeley Springs (the latter place
then called Bath, and also conducted
services in private houses in Shepherds
town, Paw-Paw, Cherry Run, Johnson
town and other remote settlements in
the three counties. He made irregular
trips through the more sparsely settled
sections conducting services, administer
ing the sacrament celebrating marriages
and baptizing children.
"Once, on one of these journeys, he
visited Catholic woman whose husband
was known as dangerous man, and
who had declared he would kill the first
priest that visited his home, either to adj
minister the sacrament to his wife or to
baptize his child. The man was away
from home at the time, but becam,
furious when he returned and learned
of the visit of Father John. He set GU,
on horse back in pursuit, overlook Fa
Their John on the road and declared his
intention of killing him. Father JOIN
sprang from his horse, disarmed the mar
and forced him to promise to treat his
| family better in the future This prom
Use was kept.
Father John went from :Martinsbure
to Lowell, many years ago, but the Older
people of the parish in Martinsburi
never forgot him and still revere hi
memory and hand down the fame o
his many good deeds to their childrei
and grandchildren"
| Mrs. Schaarmann and Mrs McCor
mack distinctly remembered the Incl
dents in the career of Father John re
lated by Mr.. Schaarmann. and them
selves related other incidents 81 tn
famous priest during his residence l.
Martinsburg. Miss THESE Blondel,
member of an old and prominent Catho
lie family in Martinsburg, and who wa
for years assistant organist and leading
soprano in St. Joseph's church choir
Martinsburg, was told many incidents
of Father Johns life and work in tina,
lparish by her mother, who was CIR
| WHICH, IC WdS SldllOliCu WIS
Blondel says:
Il often heard my mother speak
Father John O'Brien when | was :;
young girl and he evidently made a dee'
impression upon this parish. The peopl
here still referred to him as, our Fathe
John, and often spoke of his many gres
qualities and good deeds. Once | saw
notice in a newspaper about 'Fatho
Johns Medicine, manufactured III Low
ell, Mass, and knowing that Fathe
John had gone from this diocese t.
Lowell, | wrote the firm and secured
bottle of the remedy, asking whethe
Father John was the same priest VIII
had been stationed in Martinsburg. |.
a short time | received a courteous let
ter, stating that it was the same Fathe.
John O'Brien and that the firm woulo
be pleased to give me any additional in
formation in their power. That, be-
lieve, was some years after / had heard
about him. Father John must have beer
wonderful man and priest"
Father John was also well known
personally and by reputation, in man.
West Virginia towns and on occasion
celebrated mass in Winchester, Hag
erstown, Staunton, Williamsport, Lees
burg and other neighboring places
There are yet residing in these town
and other places in Maryland, Virgin
and West Virginia people who remem
. Der him and his work in the Martins
, burg parish. 1t was Father John whe
: laid the plans and started the movement
to erect the present handsome Catholic
church in Martinsburg, which has cos
J more than $4,000, and although he die
not remain to see it completed, he hat
, the horor of having large share in tn.
undertaking. =
Some years after Father JOIN lef
Martinsburg and was in charge Of tn.
, Lowell, Mass. parish, he became serious
ly run down A cold and stubborn
, cough and lung trouble threatened hi
, life An eminent specialist gave Fathe
: John prescription to cure the cold ar
remove the lung trouble, as well as t,
, build up and strengthen the body. TIL,
. clergyman began to improve at once, tn
cough disappeared and his lungs healed
; 1t corrected his digestion, made nev
; tissure, and Father John was soon re
: stored to his former health and strength
Father John recommended the medi
, cine to his parishioners and friends, ant
because of its merits it became the family
| remedy in thousands of homes, and be
. came known as Father Johns Medi
) cine" having been so named by tht
, people, and was advertised, all with
: approval of Father John.
1t will cure throat and lung troubles
| prevent Consumption, and make fesf
and strength if taken faithfully. 1t il
not patent medicine, and does not con
, tain alcohol or poisonous drugs.
/ Father Johns Medicine is on sale
most of the drug stores in this vicin