Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-02-18

McGovern lived his boyhood years. having for play
mates, besides his own brothers. Frank and James
Kennedy Phil Mcmillan Bert Murphy. John ana
Pete Toner and the Winship boys.
OF his education when he entered Creighton
in 1881. the bshop-elect says: 1T consisted OF
some instruction received in a very primitive school
which stood on the southeast corner of Thirteenth
and Jackson. and a little more of the three RS
got at the old convent on st. Mary's avenue, about
where the Kmball residence now is | never had
the chance to attend a paroehial school"
He intmates quietly that he was hungry to
learn as a boy; and that he has deeply appreciated
his duties and responsibilities as a man and
pastor is conceded by everybody who knows him
He has been growing in priesty grace and useful
citizenship ever since. never sparing himself in any
work where duty called him. He has been active
in social welfare work for many years. in addition
to carrying the burdens Of large parish. Withal
he is very modest man. innately genteel and OF
deep refinement.
Father McGovern is not today eloquent man,
in the ordinary meaning Of that term, but he is
scholarly In thought and utterance and has the
ready command OF an extensive vocabulary. His
talks betoken mastery of good, strong English.
He possesses the gift OF humor and repartee pecd-
friend OF many years standing says OF him:
mo opportunity came to him in his youth to
visit the Blarney stone. 1t was 1900 miles and
more away. and when he did go to ireland six
years ago the trip was superfluous. far as kiss
ing the famed rock was concerned. The quality
attributed to the Blarney stone was born with him.
only more refined, gentle and insinuatng. and
minus the sometimes questionable palaver. His
keen and happy wit has bloomed on many notable
occasions to the great delight or discontinue OF
his hearers but there is no sting in II. He IS too
considerate Of the amenities to hurt anyone"
Il have never had any trouble with church
finances" said the pastor OF St Peters in recent
conversation; and those who knew him of old see
nothing in this to wonder at. II Is related that,
as one of the carrier boys for The Bee in the sos
route II fell to his lot. This route had particu-
larIy large delinquent list, in spite of the rule
quiring payment monthly. delinquent owing 81
supposed TO be summarily cut off the list, and
1t was up to Patsy" to make good. collect the
overdue and increase the list If possible, for
the carriers pay was based on the number Of sub
scbers. chum of those days who also carried
a Bee route says that within a month McGovern
had all the old subscribers in good standing and
had materially increased the list.
Bright and early every Saturday morning."
says the chum, "he was out on his collecting and
drumming tours. with a winning smile in his eyes
and CHEEKY salvation lure for the coin"
He was never in the jug while at Creighton
in the old days, and that means he was a con-
scientious student said James c. Kinsler talking
of his old sehoomate. But he was as mischievous
as a box of monkeys, though always in a good
na.ured, fun-making way. He and Phil Mcmillan
the two cut-ups of the school. and yet don't
recall that Patsy MoGovern ever got into the
jug That a room where students who didn't
have their lessons well were sent to write a tire