Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1916-10-21
DR.. O'BRIEN dies
after BUSY LIFE
FOR METHODISM
lcontinued from FIrst ragel

found. the elder 0Brien was not at
home. They then attempted 70 compel
Young Theodore. lad Of about 10
wears, to tell where his father was hid
den but he refused Placing a rope
around the lads neck they told him
they would hang him to tree in the
ward il he did not tell The lad still
refused. As they started to drag him
to the tree to carry out their purpose
his mother said: Theodore, don't tell
on your father
L viii not, mother" replied the
boy
well see about that, -- you,"
said the leader of the band
up with him, boys" and they pull
ed the lad of the ground by the rope
around his neck Keeping him
suspended for just moment they
dropped him to the ground, and with
al oath the leader demanded, Now
tell us where your father is. and be
quick about IT, or we will hang you
for keeps.
Theodore weakly replied Il can't
tell you A second time they swung
him up let him remain a longer time.
and a second time demanded that he
reveal his fathers hiding place.
Scarcely able TO reply the boy re-
piled Il will not tell you" The
third time they swung him up, and this
time when they let him down the lad
was unable 10 stand and fell uncon-
scious, Finding their victim was now
past being able to give them the de-
sired Information. they went away
cursing. leaving the well-nigh dead
body OF the boy unconscious on the
ground
This incident OF his boyhood gives
the key TO his whole life. lie had
courage. and fidelity to friends and
10 a cause he espoused, worthy OF all
praise.
Dr. O'Brlen worked his way
through college graduating from one /
of the schools now composing part /
of the Chattanooga University, and /
on the recommendation OF the Bishop /
came to the Wilmington Conference, /
in session i'm Union Church, 1876. as /
one Of q class OF fifteen that applied for I
admission. Bishop Levi Scott presid-
ing In that class were the Revs. W.
r. Corkran. l.. r. Barrett, Thomas p.
Terry, +. l.. Hofecker. G.. W, Town
send. G. l.. Hardesty and j. W. Col
Inns still surviving.
He served appointments as follows;
1876. Snow Hill; 1877, Fruitland; 1878,
Princess Anne. 1S79-S0, Chincoteague,
1SS1-S3 Madeley. lSS4-S6 Chesapeake
City, lSS7-S9. Cherry Hill; lS90-92, |
Cecilton, 1S93-95. Fairmont; 1S96-9S, /
Fredcrica: 1S99-1900, Hillsboro; 1901 |
03 Mt. salem; 19O4-06. Lewes; 1907 I
III, Asbury (Crisheld: 1924, Port /
Deposit. In 1915. at the session OF the
conference held IN Centenary Church,
Laurel. Bishop Cooke appointed him
SUPERINTENDENT of Salisbury DISTRICT
which position he held until his death.
4 As a preacher he was forcetui,
thoughtful and scholarly. AS a church
administrator he was just, impartial
and COURAGEOUS. As a worker he was
energetic and tireless. Because OF
his level-headed common sense his
services were always in demand upon
important committees, and he was
ever ready 10 do his share OF work
His services on the board OF trustees
of the Wilmington Conference Aead-
envy and as a member of the board OF
managers Of the Wilmington Confer
ence Education Society were valuable,
indeed.
AT the recent session OF the VIII /
mington Conference, held in Union
Church. he was elected one OF the four
delegates to represent the conference
in the highest legislative body OF the
church. the General Conference I
which met at Saratoga. There he
served with his usual ability ana n
deity.
On last Monday he was present at
the meeting OF the Methodist Episco-
pal Preachers Association here. and
said that Salisbury District is stu
busy doing the work OF the Lord and
OF the church. We are stili building
churches. building parsonages, paying
old debts. and best OF all, we are WIN
ming souls for God and His Kingdom
DIR. O'Brien's wife was Miss Cor
nelia smith. a daughter OF Captain
Charles H. Smith. prominent VIII
mingtonian They we're married about
thirty-two years ago. The widow and
TWO children survive The latter are
DR.. Theodore w. O'Brien a physician.
who is practicing in Seattle, Wash.
and Miss Annie r. O'Brien, who is a
member Of the faculty Of the Whining
ton Conference Academy at Dover.
The funeral arrangements have no
been announced
In politics Or. OBrien was staunch
Prohibitionist.