Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-06-04

his parish covered the three u
les Of Jefferson, Berkeley and Morgara.
extending from Harper's Ferry to Paw
Paw, a distance of about 90 miles by the
road over a mountainous n sparseIy
settled country; but he never hesitated-
no matter how far the journey, or hove
late the hour, to respond to the call 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 i'm
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 a Catholic woman whose husband
was known as a dangerous man. and
who had declared he would kill the first
priest that visited his home. either 10 adj
minister the sacrament to his wife or to-
baptize his child. The man was away
from home at the time, but became
furious when he returned and learned
of the visit of Father John. He set Il
on horse back in pursuit, overlook Fa-
Their John on the road and declared his
intention OF killing him. Father Johra
sprang from his horse, disarmed the maro
and forced him TO promise 20 treat his
| family better in the iiture. This PROM
Use was kept.
Father John went frcm Martinsbure
TO Lowell, many years ago but the older
people of the parish in M%artinsburg
never forgot him and stih revere hiss
memory and hand down the fame Of
his many good deeds to their childfcxs
and grandchildren"
Mrs. Sehaarmann and Mrs. Moor
mack distinctly remembered tbs Incl
dents in the career of Father John re-
lated by Mr.. Schaarmann. and them
selves related other incidents OF the
famous priest during his residence i'm
! Martinsburg. Miss THESE Blondel, a.
member Of an old and prominent Catho-
lie family in Martinsburg, and who was
for years assistant organist and leading
soprano in St. Joscph's church choir.
Martinsburg, was told many incidents
OF Father Johns life and work IN thas
parish by her mother, who was a girl
when he was stationed there. Miss
Blondcl says:
Il often heard my mother speak OF
Father John O'Brien when / was a.
young girl, and he evidently made a deep
impression upon this parish. The people
here still referred to him as our Father
John. and often spoke OF his many great
qualities and good deeds. Once | saw n.
notice in a newspaper about Father
Johns Medicine, manufactured in Lows
ell, Mass, and knowing that Father
John had gone from this diocese to
O.rfI .r-ta AZ. Ee-~ ~.sl en~..~~A a.
bottle OF the remedy, asking whether
Father John was the same priest who
had been stationed in Martinsburg. I'm
a short time / received a courteous let
Ter, Stain. that il was the same Father
John O'Brien, and that the firm would
be pleased to live me any additional in
formation in their power. That, | be-
was some years after | had heard
10 I'M Father John must have hnen
q wonuefful iAan.and priest"
Father john was also we'll known,
personally and by reputation. In many
West Virginia towns and on occasions
celebrated mass in Winchester, Hac-
erstovn, Staunton, W~iliiamsport. Lees
burg and other ~ncighboring places
! here are yet residing in these towns
aud other places in Maryland, Virginia
and West Virginia people who reneri-
Der HIM and his work in the Martins
burg parish~ Ii was Father John who
laid The plans and started the movement.
20 erect the present handsome CathoIar
church in Martinsburg, which has cost'
more than $4,000, and although he did
not remain to see it completed, he had
the honor Of having a large share in the
undertaking.
Some years after Father John Ieft
Martinsburg and was in charge Of the
Lowell, Mass. parish, he became serious
" run down A cold and stubborn
cough and lung trouble threatened his
life. An eminent specialist gave Father
John . prescription to cure the cold and
remove the lung trouble, as well as to
build up and strengthen the body. The
clergyman began 10 improve at once, the
cough disappeared and his lungs healed.
II corrected his digestion, made new
~tissurc, and Father John was soon re-
stored 10 his former health and strength
Father John recommended the medi-
cine 10 his parishioners and friends, and
because OF its merits il became the family
remedy In thousands Of homes, and be-
came known as Father Johns Medf-
cine, having been so named by the
people. and was advertised, all with
approval of Father John
II viii cure throat and lung troubles
prevent Consumption. and make flesh
and strength II taken faithfully. 1t is
not a patent medicine, and does not con-
tain alcohol or poisonous drugs.
Father Johns Medicine is on sale IN
most OF the druf stores in this vicinity.