The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-10-17

The Right Rev. Augustine Van do
Vyver. sixth bishop of Richmond and
head of the Catholic diocese Of Viz
ginia, died shortly after o'clock yes
terday morning at his residence. 500
Cathedral Place II.
The beloved and gentle soul Of the
head OF the Catholic Church in Vir-
ginia, passed away peacefully. For
several days the bishop has been In
critical condition. Though attended
by several OF the best physicians In
Richmond. 1t was seen Sunday thas
there was no hope for the well known
prelate. and a message was sent to
Cardinal Gibbons to this effect.
Realizing that advancing age ana
feeble health were fast breaking down
his physical body the bishop travelled
abroad during the past summer In the
hope that change of climate or the
medicinal properties of mineral wat
ers would help to restore him. 1t was.
a useless effort. and knowing full well
that his end was near at hand tho
man who had heen at the death bed
side of many another, slept away his
life, surrounded by gathering of the
Richmond priesthood. all of whom
knew and loved him. with tenderest
affection.
His Last Request.
bcIuES HIS utdtti IIlc uiSuoQ CdilGu w
his bedside those who were closest to-
him and his work. and requested thau
he be buried In Calvary Cemetery. re-
linquishing his right as a bishop to be
placed in the crypt under the big ca
thedral which he was instrumental in
erecting.
Il wish to be buried among my be-
loved people, he is quoted as saying.
The request, 1t IS needless to say. VIII
be carried eout by those who have
charge of the final rites.
The life OF Bishop Van de vyver 40
citizen of Richmond, as we'll rs :nnV
OF a dignitary IN the church OF his
+ faith has been closely linked with the
success OF the people of Virginia ana
tt~ South. Standing high in the
Catholic Church. his disposition was a.
gentle az that OF a ciild. All men were
dear to him. He was known among
ell denominations with reverb lc~ and
love. Behind the dignity. which char
acterixed his nature. Bihop Van do
Vyver kept a big and noble heart In
tho possession @! iis secretary. Father
jos. kagri. a priest of the Virginia
dt'c~Se. are mary tributes of love and
iett- - OF appreciation for Bssnor Van
de Vyyer. These come from profess
tants as well as Catholics.
Bishop Van de Nyver was born De.
cember !. 1s4S, which would make
him IS years Of age this coming De-
cember. He was born in the town
OF Haesdonck. East Flanders, Bcl-
gium. He receive dhis early educa.
ton in the city of st. Nicholas, Bel
GUM. He received his early educa.
the young man. then preparing for
the Priesthood. demonstrated his ma
tural ability for languages. He took
up the study Of English. while there.
and on his arrival In America some
years later spoke the language all
most without An accent. His abiIy
to graSp languages was evident In hin
wtrk In the church, and in the CONE
munity. for few could come to him
without receiving . hearing.
Chose Richmond First.
Winning high honors In his school
lifey II was not long before hel@waa
raised 20 the priesthood. He 1t once
decided to como to America. and -.
lectod Richmond. Bishop Van %
Vyvsr n the only ono Of the nix bish-
ops Of Richmond who have spent
church In this diocese. He practical.
~ spant hts life here. and though -
foreigner by birth. loved thu lAn0 tn
which he spent the better part ~
his lifo with = strong devotion.
It was perhaps his appearances ~
young priest that brought the pgoA
lAto into close relatlonahlp with ~
people Of Riohmond and Virgins.
On his arrlval hers hs waa ART ~
now known - the old oakha1CAA HI
lived & this plAcs - -
d GsAcs and nigAtA - y &tlil1y q
isos. wAsa ~ -
49, ~ - Isll u Al