Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-12

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. February H.
Most Rev. Patrick John Ryan. D. D., LII
d.. Archbishop of Philadelphia and Met
ropolitan of Pennsylvania and one OF the
great archbishops on the American con-
tinent. passed peacefully into eternity at
4'OS o'clock this afternoon at the archi-
episcopal residence. adjoining the caths-
dral in Logan square.
For weeks the distinguished prelate,
who would have been eighty years old
had he lived until February 90, fought
off death. ut q weak heart could not
stand the strain and he passed away
breathing the benediction. God bless
you upon those who stood about the
bedside
The archbishop had been suffering since
last fall, but his condition did not be-
como alarming until t,,o weeks ago,
when his physicians staled that he was
slowly dying from q weak heart Oc-
casionally he showed signs OF improve
ment, and this week his condition was
such as to rehindle hope that he might
rally.
Fatal Change Comes.
At dawn today. however, the fatal
change came and he slowly lost ground.
At noon it was thought he was about
to breathe his last. but he rallied, only
to lapse again into a sinking spell. The
four attending physicians. who had been
resorting to artificial means to keep their
aged patient alive. shook their heads al
) clock and whispered. that the end
was not far off. About this time the
stricken metropolitan reused himself and
murmured the dying words of ST. Paul:
Il wish to ne dissolved and be with
Christ
An nour later the final struggle came.
and it was quickly noticed by the physi-
clans. All present were warned anu mes
sengers hurried out to suInmon priests,
who were hearing confession In tne cathe-
dral. AS tney en,ered the sickroon
Father Charles F. Kavanaugn, me arch
bishops secretary, began the prayers Tor
the dying and the priests kneelng about
the deatnbed, intoned the respons-s.
The archbishops mind for = moment
cleared sufficiently &c comprehend the
significance of the scene ana WITH the
words .'Cod bless you on his lips ne
sank back His breathing became "a nter
and DIR. ]. Ryan Devereadx OF Wa hing
ten, ID. c., one of his n.phews, wh3 mad
been in constant attendance, leaned over
the prelate and then held up his hand.
1T is over was all he sad
Relatives at Bedside.
Those about the bedside when the end
came, besides the priests and DR.. Deve-
reaux. were his slster-in-law, Mrs. Gleason
of ST. Louis: Ashton Devereaux of this
city, a nephew, and the la.ter's wife.
Mrs Edward Bowen, one of his sisters.
and several intimate friends.
few minutes after the prelate had
passed away the deep toned bell Of the
cathedral began toIling off seventy-nine
strokes. one for each year of tie arch
l-l-x~ ov1 IL
borhood quickly understood what had
occurred The news of the archDtshop's
death was flashed to all parts OIL the city
and in every parish the bells or the homan
catholic churches were tolled. His death
C. eated genuine sorrow among all classes
OF people, without regard TO creed or
nationality. For years he mad been a
prominent figure in this city ana MS
death although not unexpected, came as
shock.
The funeral will be held Thursday. and
1t is likely to be attended by practically
all the prominent clergy in the American
hierarchy who can reach Philadelphia IN
time. The body will lie In state at the
cathedral. and will be entombed back OF
the altar of the great church. beside those
OF Bishop Egan, Bishop Conwell and
Archbishop Wood. who were Archpisnop
Ryan's predecessors in the diocese. This
was his wish. The diocesan consulters
met tonight and began arranging the de-
tails of the funeral
Telegram to the Pope.
Following the archbishop's death ON
cial kilograms were sent to the Pope.
Cardinal Gibbons. Mgr Falconio, the pa
pal delegate at Washington. and all the
archbishops and bishops in the United
States.
Until a successor to Archbishop Ryan
Is appointed which will not be for some
time, the Rt. Rev. Edmond +. Prender-
CAST, D. D.. v. c., titular Bisnop of
Scillio and auxiliary Bishop OF Philadel-
phia, becomes administrator of the arch
diocese. He was SO designated eleven
years ago by Archbishop Ryan. AS ad-
Bishop Prendergast is tenn
porarily invested with practically all the
authority which belong to an archbishop.
Bishop Prendergast is sixty-eight years
old.