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 Patriots 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 a family reunion in honor of his father.
Two weeks later Robert Emmett Dillon
came to his home at 2234 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 and he was taken to the
Hahnemann Hospital.
After the operation Dillon failed to
rally and this morning he died. His
body was taken to the home of his white
haired father. at 14l2 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. a sister, the mother,
wife and two children survive, besides
the father. The mother is now 90 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-
sor that prompted him when he gave
fictitious name at the time of his arrest
fourteen years ago-to shield his family
from publicity. He made arrangements
by telegram TO meet his wife and chill
dren at hotel he remembered having
visited When he got to Atlantic City he
found the hotel was no longer there. 1t
had been removed TO make way for i'm
pruYements.
The wife and children for hours
searched the city for the husband and
father They met by accident. Robert
Emmett Dillon then started out To do
everything in his power to make his
father forget his long years I'm jail He
L. Htt1t
walked with him for hours about the
city, and listened to the old man tell
again and again of his attempted exploit
for Ireland.
SON WEAKENED BY DEVOTION.
The result was that young Dillon weak
ened himself beyong hope of recovery.
After Luke Dillon was arrested, in 1900
the family knew nothing of his where
abouts for years. He wrote to his wifi.
from the penitentiary. told her of his
life sentence. and suggested that aa s5.
would never see him again It worId ha
as we'll to mourn him as dead The chm
dren never knew their father was air..
until they had grown up.
In his early manhood II was the ar,h;
tIon of the young man who died tod, -
search Tor his father. He of all the cbiI
dren and friends of the family never 81
lieved the patriot was dead. 'e
The funeral will be held next Monde,
morning with service in the AnnuDci.ttass
Catholic Church. and nterment vii, ha
at Holy Cross Cemetery Definite plans
have not yet been made but n he -
able that a delegation of the Clsn-5a - CO.,
will attend the services ana folIoT, re-
body to the grave. This organiza,tls
has much to do with obtaining tba oil rn
lease of Luke Dillon from the Canadia0
| prison.
Robert Emmet Dillon was S5 years old