Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-17
LUKE DILLON'S SON
PAYS WITH LIFE FOR
DEVOTIONTO FATHER
Succumbs to Illness Aggra-
vated by His Labor Fol-
lowing Irish Patriot's Re-
lease From Canadian Jail.

Robert Emmett Dillon gave up his life
today at the Hahnemann Hospital, a sac
riice to the love and admiration he bore
for his father Robert Emmett Dillon
was a son of Luke Dillon, the Irish
patriot, who left his home and friends
in this city more than fourteen years
ago and went to Canada with two other
men, where he dynamited the Welland
Canal locks to prevent the Dominion from
sending troops to fight against the Beers.
Last July the elder Dillon was released
as the result of years of effort by his
friends, His son had been bedridden for
weeks with an intestinal complication.
Against the advice of his physician and
the pleadings of his family he got up
and went to Atlantic City to take part
in q family reunion in honor of his father.
Two weeks later Robert Emmett Dillon
came to his home at 1894 South Hem
berger street and was put back to bed.
Excitement had kept him on his feet at
the shore, but when he returned he col
lapsed. Since that time he had been
growing steadily weaker. About two
weeks ago it was decided that to save his
life it would be necessary to perform an
operation ana he was taken 10 the
Hahncmann Hospital,
After the operation Dillon failed to
rally and this morning he Gied His
body was taken to the home of his white
haired father, at 1872 South Thirteenth
street.
FATHER BOWED BY GRIEF.
Fourteen years in prison had failed to
break the spirit of Luke Dillon, but when
the body of his son was brought home
today he bowed his head. The shock was
more terrible TO him than the sentence Of
life imprisonment passed on him fourteen
years ago,
Four brothers, sister the mother, a
wife and two children survive. besides
the father. The mother is now 50 years
old, She also is white haired. She has
recovered her husband and lost her son.
Luke Dillon went to Atlantic City last
July following his release from the
Kingston Pententiary for the same rea-
sou that prompted him when he gave a
fictitious name at the time of his arrest
fourteen years agO-to shield his family
from publicity. He made ARRANGEMENTS
bv telegram Ia meet his wife ana chill
Il
visited When he got to Atlantic City he
found the hotel was no longer there. Ii
had been removed to make way for i'm
prOvements.
The wife and children for hours
searched the city for the husband ana
father. They met by accident. Robert
Emmett Dillon then started out 10 do
everything in his power To make his
father forget his long years in jail. lie
took him on his first automobile ride,
walked with him for hours about the
city, and listened tu the old man ten
again and again Of his attempted exploit
for Ireland.
SON WEAKENED BY DEVOTION.
The result was that young Dillon weak
cmed himself beyons hope Of recovery,
After Luke Dillon was arrested, in 1909,
the family knew nothing of his where
aDuuts for years. lie wrote to his wife
from the penitentiary told her of his
life sentence, and suggested that as sin,
would never see him again it would lac
as well L. mourn him as dead. The rbiI-
dren never knew their father was aIi,,,
Until they had grown Up,
In his early manhood it was tho an,bf
tiun Of the young man who died today H.,
search FOR his father, jie OF AN f4, ,bH
Grrn and friends of the family uevs,, I,
lieVtd the patriot was dead
The funeral will be held next Monde,
morning with service i'm The Anuuuriatii,',g
Catholic Church. and interment viii La |
al HOLY Cross Cemetery. Deunfta - "S
have not yet been made, but II h n' t[i,' /
bic that a delegation OF the Clan-na .G,.,3I
will attend the services and foIIoV, H.
body to the grave. This orpanfl,,i'',s t'e
has much to do with obtaining tbe ',,l ,1
lease of Luke Dillon from the Canadian .
prison
Robert Emmet Dillon was "a vsa,.. o1l