The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1911-02-17
GOD BLESS YOU
HIS LAST WORDS
Archbishop Ryan Dies at His
Home In Philadelphia
A CALM AND PEACEFUL END

Rallied Sufficiently to Comprehend
Significance of Scene Few Mo-
ments Before Death-OIdest Arch :
bishop In United States and Noted
as Orator, Wit and Peacemaker In
Matters Pertaining to Labor
Philadelphia, Feb. 13.-Serene and
prepared to meet his God, whom he
had served so well, Most Rev. Pat
rick J.. Ryan, D. D., LII. D., arch
bishop OF Philadelphia and metropoli-
tan OF Pennsylvania, and one of the
great archbishops on the American
continent, passed peacefully into
eternity at the archepiscopa residence
adjoining the cathedral.
For weeks the prelete, who would
have been 80 years old had he lived
until the goth of this month, fought
off death, but weak heart, enfeebled
by the arduous duties OF his Office,
could not stand the strain.
At dawn Saturday 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 again lapse into a sinking spell.
The four attending physicians, who
had been resorting to artificial means
to keep their patient alive, whispered
that the end was not far off About
this time the archbishop reused him
self and murmured the dying words of
st. Paul: Il wish to be dissolved and
be with Christ"
An hour later messengers hurried
out to summon priests who were hear
ing confessions in the cathedral. Fr.
Kavanaugh, the archbishop's secre-
tary, began the prayers for the dying,
and the priests, kneeling about the
deathbed, intoned the responses.
The archbishop's mind for moment
cleared sufficiently at about o'clock
to comprehend the significance of the
scene, and with the words God bless
you" on his lips he sank back. His
breathing became fainter, and DR..
Devereaux OF Washington, one OF his
nephews, who had been in constant
attendance, leaned over the prelate
and then held up his hand. 1T is all
over" was all he said.
Archbishop Ryan was born in 1881,
in Tipperary county, Ireland, and re-
ceived his early education at his home
village near Thurles and at Dublin un-
til he was 16 years old, when he en-
tered Carlow college.
In 1852 he came to this country and
became connected with the archdio-
cese of st. Louis. When he reached
the age OF 21 he was appointed pro-
fessor of English literature at the
Carondolet seminary, Missouri, and
was ordained deacon with the privilege
of speaking in the st. Louis cathedral.
In September, 1853. he was or
dained priest and made assistant pas
tor of the cathedral, which position he
filled until 1856, when he was chosen
rector. In 1860 he was transferred to
the Annunciation church, where he
remained for twelve years. During
the Civil war he acted as chaplain OF
hospital and prison of the
forces.
He was consecrated coadjutor bish-
op OF st. Louis in 1872 and while Wis
iting Rome in 1884 was given the hon.
orary title OF Archbishop OF Sala-
nina" by Pope Leo XIII.
On June 8, 1884. Archbishop Ryan
was removed from st. Louis to Phila-
delphia to fill the position made vacant
by the death OF Archbishop Wood.
The prelate was known throughout
the country and at the time of his
death was the Oldest archbishop in this
country. He was well known as an
orator, wit, a lover of children and a
man much sought for in matters of
trouble between labor unions and or
During the Philadelphia car strikes
and the strike OF the Pennsylvania
Archbishop Ryan took an &C
tive part. He was prominently men
toned as the man TO be appointed |
cardinal in 1905 by Pope Plus X, but
another was nnally chosen