The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-11-20
RECALLS VISIT
 OF FIR. MATHEW
 TO BRIDGEPORT
Julian Stirling Tells of Impression Famous Abstainer Made Up on Him
Accounts His Boyish Effort to Initiate Great Orator, in Gar ret of His Home With Neigh bOrS as Audience
Especial to The Farmer1

| Especial to The Farmer1
 l. New Haven, Nov. 20-Under the headline the 'tOldest Living Yale Graduate, once a Bridgeporter'' which I appeared in The Farmer of Nov 9th, was read by me with 8 great deal of interest. The subject of the sketch is Dr. D. F. Atwater, now in his 95th year and a resident of Springfield During his years of residence in Bridgeport, became very well ac- i quainted with him and his family and that portion of the sketch which re- fers to Dr. Atwater's having met ory "scenes of my chiidhood'' which recounted at this late day may inter est some Of the old time readers Of The
 To begin with I do not wish to ridi- cule or make fun of Father Mathew or the Catholic faith and know that many of my good Catholic friends will join with me in a laugh over child ish incident in which I participated
 was between six and seven years old and like children of such tender yeans apt, to initiate my elders and fond of playing the part of grown-ups My parents had most estima6fe cook and a thoroughly good woman. Her name was Catherine TIrney and she later on married Simon Mooney, coachman for P.- c. Calhoun After @ corner of Mellon street and washing ton avenue, where now stands the res fdence Of the late Edwin Sanford
 The old red brick Catholic church Washington avenue and it was here that Catherine Turney attended church service. Often she took me to church with her. considered it a great deal p1easanter than sitting In the old North church under the som niative sermons of the Rev Mr Page. And I used to beg my parents to let me accompany Catherine upon her at tendance at the Catholic church.
 It was during this time that Father preached serits of temperance ser mons There was intense interest and the church was repeatedly pa ek- that this was most nornentouE occa- sion, and came home to my parents chock full of Father Mathew and what he said.
 So deep was the impression that Father Mathew made on my infantile brain that I determined to initiate his tsashings and n made plSns tg, to res nold I rigged up a pulpit and not then knowing how to read placed an old copy of G1liivers travel on the desk; started to give series of temperance sermons like Father Mathew. The congregation consisted of my two sis- ters, (younger), Alexander HawIey and William Hawley who lived next door. Oscar Chamberlain who lived opposite and. Walter Blank and Jimmie osborn both of whom lived Main street between High and Aarch streets. Cath crime loaned me one of Ter black skirts and I got hold of one of my fathers black vests and put flour on my hair to look grey. This imagined resembled Father Mathew.
 I fIatter myself that the burden of my words helped to keep every one of my congregation all through life from touching the wine cup when its red" All of us children went through or tried to initiate the church ser vtce-we had singing and passed q contribution box and as- near as I can remember they deposited lima beans taken from a barrel which was kept in the garret for home consump- play. but the memory of Father Mathew is that of a splendid priest, heart and soul devoted to his work.
 J. H. S.