Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-02-10
THE LATE BISHOP Whitaker.


Whitaker, head Of the Protestant
Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania,
which occurred in Philadelphia yes
terday, was announced in the Gazette.
Death was caused by a general break.
down, due to his advanced age (nearly
81 years., augmented by severe cold
that threatened pneumonia.
Bishop Whitaker's health began to
fail nearly two years ago, when an
operation was performed upon his
eyes for the removal OF cataEacts. His
vision failed to return completely; but,
in spite OF this, he continued to attend
to bis duties rs head Of the Protes.
tant Episcopal Church in Pennsyl-
ypnia.
Lust iall his health became so seri-
ou5iy impaired ;l,st ne decided TO give
up his active duties in tlIr church.
Late in November he resigned his
authority, although he Continued titu.
lar hoad of the church ,c Bishop Coad-
juior Alexander Mackay Smith.
Tie diocese Of Pennsylvania has had
marvellous development during the
% years OF his cpiscopate. From the
Jay Of his arrival in Pennsylvania
bishop Whitaker exhorted his clergy
men to develop The Sunday school,
! Largely IS the ;esuit Of lis energy.
Pennsylvania hacame the leaders Of
every other diocese in Sunday school
| work.
Before coming TO the Diocese of
Pennsylvania he was 4 mlssionary bish-
+! op ni Nevada for IS %cats.
1'l..' bishop was ,orn in New Salem,
Mass. on May 10, 1880.
An a.ternpt was made to assassinatc
Bishop Whitaker on the evening of
January % :. 1890 while he va; hold
T ing confirmation service in St. Johns
Church. Philadelphia. The bishops
lifs was saved by tho bad aim of the
would-he assassin. Tho latter'S name
was David Alexander. He was young
man who had become luonomnnic on
the subject Of prohibition. It was his
intention, after he had removed Bishop
Whitaker, to kill also Rev DR.. S. D.
McCunuell. at that time rector OF St.
Stephens Church, Philadelphia.
The attempteh assassination created
great sensation. St. Johns Church
was crowded when, at tho conclusion
CT the psa!ter, and while the congrega-
ton was standing, the report OF a pistol
shot rang through the cdifce. Women
and children screamed
The would-bc assassin was seated in
the third pew from the front, near the
side wall OF the church. David Nc
Creight and two other members OF tho
church made 4 rush for the pew and
seized the young man just as he was
putting the pistol in his pocket. He
was hustled to the church vestibule and
turned over to the police. When
searched there was found among other
things in his pockets silver watch
bearing the inscription, Church OF
the Mediator, boy choir, first prize
awarded to David Alexander, Easter
1882"
The youth said he bad sought the
lie OF the bishop because the latter had
not advocated prohibition. He had
heard Bishop Whitaker preach in the
Church OF the Holy Apostles, Philadel-
phla. while the prohibition campaign
was on. In his sermon the bishop said
that the question OF voting for or
against the prohibition amendment was
matter that every man must settle
with his own conscience, andswas not a
question OF right or wrong, which the
church could decide for its members.
Upon hearing this the youth began
thinking of removing the bishop. He
appeared rational on all subjects except
religion and prohibition.
By right OF succession Right Rev.
Alexander Mackay-Smith, the coad-
jutor bishop, became bishop upon the
death OF the venerable prelate.