The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1912-09-28
established himself there your pre-
sence in this edifice is the best proof

sence in this edi6ce is the best proof
today.
AS citizen, who was more public
spirited than Fred McGhee? He was
so wrapped up in the interests of the
community in which he lived that it
was impossible for him not to lead
the van for reform. Nor did he ever
forget that he was one of the race in
this country against whom the door
of opportunity is closed and barred
and who merely lives and breathes un-
der the domination of another. Mel
ther did he forget the rights that be-
long to him and his race and that those
rights should not be trampled upon or
set aside. There was not a time when
Fred McGhee ais a citizen allied him
self to any political party and es-
poused its principles that he allowed
himself to forget what he had most at
heart, the interests of his own people.
These he stood by with all the devo-
ton and grit of man of action and
man of power, and when party prin-
ciples and the interests of the race
clashed the race always claimed his
allegiance. Such is the public man
who will live long in the hearts of the
people he served. Like all public men
he had his enemies, that is unavoid-
able in public life; but what is that
compared to the friends, the host of
loyal friends he could always summon
to his aid. I have seen in my short
experience in St. Paul how Fred Nc
Chez. has stood almost alone for the
rights of his people. Many time he
fought and lost, but when he faced de-
feat he always died game
As a Catholic Mr.. McGhee is per-
haps better known to me and to this
congregation than to most others, but
even as Catholic his reputation was
in keeping with the universally of the
Church to which he gave his allegi-
ance, universal in the limited sense
that right here in these United States,
North or South, East or West, you
will find Fred McGhee was known as a
Catholic and loved by his fellow
churchmen. Right here in this parish
was the scene of his activity to which
his former pastor can attest. Night
or day, sunshine or rain, winter or
summer, he was always here at the
pastors beck and CALL He labored for
church, for society and for the indi-
viduals in this little church. His heart
was so wrapped up in the interests of
this little mission that at times his
name and the name of St. Peter Cla-
vers were, though enormously, inter-
changeable terms.
AS a professional man his practice
brought him in touch with all races
and all conditions of men, and who
could ever imagine how generous he
was, how devoted and loyal to client
and friend, so much so that he was
sometimes regarded as reckless and i'm
prudent in his efforts to throw up the
barriers of protection for the helpless
and forsaken. Who knows of his liberal
ity? I can assure that not even his
wife knew the extent of his liberality
until death called him. Then it was
that his relations and friends had an
opportunity to see how his purse
strings had been drawn wide open for
the relief of poverty and distress.
The time comes, however, when we
must give an account of our steward
ship. It is certain, yes, frightfully GER
tain, that We must account in the
strictest manner some day.
Not more than four weeks ago was
standing at the door of the Church
waiting for the worshippers as they
wendell their way to the parochial
Mass. knew, or thought I knew, that !
Fred McGhee was at his country |
place, for that was the only cause lex
cept when business called him from
town. which prevented him participant |
ing in the Sunday services. AS
nue. on crutches; little did think that |
was the commencement of the end. I
was unable to persuade myself, at
first, that it was he, for had never
known him to be ill enough to cause
alarm to his friends. He hobbled
along, and as he approached the church
recognized him. He came not to his !
post, but seated himself in the last
pew in that corner to participate, for
he last time, in the parochial services
If this church. After the services he
came into the sacistry to see me for
/ while. Did imagine that that was
lis last visit to memo. But there
vas something sad in the tone of his
voice as he asked me, Father, I wish
you to say mass for me-" That was
1is last request. Only those of us who
znow the import of mass understand
he meaning of that request. He babe
ne goodbye, and, lame as he was, he
passed through this sanctuary and
paid his respects to his Lord and Mas
;er in the tabernacle, and then he de-
parted, never more to return to the
church until he was brought a corpse.
Two days after, received telephone
call from his devoted wife-"Come,
Father" she said, and the Catholic
priest. is ever ready for such calls.
Come, Father, Mr.. McGhee is suf-
,ering, and he needs you" I hurried
off and found him in excruciating tor
ture, yet with the tenacity of purpose
which characterized him he refused
from the start to concede any prospec-
tive victory to Death. I saw him for
an hour. I knew his physical needs
had been attended to. I knew he !
wanted me there to take care of the
interests of his soul, and asked him,
DO you wish to receive the sacrament |
Of Pennance now?" NO." he said,
mot yet. l am suffering, but it will ;
pass away. Just pray for me-" The
next day I called and found him. to |
my mind, in a worse condition, but in |
to my inquiry as to how he |
was, he replied, ooh, fine! fine!" At
ter administering the sacrament it was
then that I felt that I had done my
duty as his pastor, and hoped that he1
would prove the victor. That night. 1 /,