New Britain herald., 1929-11-14
Boy Who Thought He Was We'll Returns to Crutches Cancer Victims Face Is AnOinted With Water By Nun at Cemetery.

Maiden, Mass, Nov 1T CP}-The grave of Rev. Patrick J, Power in Holy Cross cemetery continued to- day to be magnet for the afflicted
 Several hundred cure e-scekers were at the grave, which has virtn- ally become a shrine at dawn, after another night during which the cemetery never was deserted.
 More Cures Reported
 Reports of a dozen more supposed - ly miraculous cures within the past q hours kept interest at high pitch, and disclosures that some pilgrims reported to have been cured proved 10 have received only temporary relief failed to dim the hopes of new arrivals.
 Taking advantage Of the steady flow of pilgrims in and out or the cemetery. several vendors have set up ''hot dog stands near the grave yard entrance. The pilgrimage was further commerciaIized by men "ho passed among the visitors scIllng souvenir pictures of Father Power, who died. almost unknown, some GO years ago.
 Following the example set by Will liam Cardinal OConnell, dean Of the American Catholic hierarchy, when he visited the grave Tuesday, scores of priests and nuns appeared at the cemetery yesterday and last night.
 Cancer Victim Present
 One Of yesterdays pilgrims was Ira T. Rover. 35, of Manchester, N. IT., believed by doctors 10 be dy- ing from cancer. He llnelt at the grave and prayed while nun anointed his face and hands with holy water. He smiled as he was taken away. There was no report that he had found relief at the shrine, how ever.
 Miss Madeline McFarlane, 19, of Chelsea, who had claimed to have been cured of a crippled right leg. brought to the cemetery an affidavit from Dr. John McPhail of Arling- ton, stating that an examination had shown that she had been completely cured.
 Cornell Landry. s, Of Woonsockct, R. l., was helped to the grave by a uniformed chauffeur. 4 few min utes later the boy removed brace from his leg and walked back to the automobile.
 Leonard Cobral 4, of Fall River, had his vision improved by a visit to the grave. according to relatives.
 Harold Sheehan, 7, was reported to have been completely cured of paralysis as result of pilgrimage to the shrine. but a reporter who visited his Dorchester home last night found the boy hobbling around on crutches with his right leg still in brace. His parents. MT. and Mrs. Harry Sheehan, voiced displeasure over "eXaggerated accounts of the cure"
 Priests Uphold Possibilities
 While not discussing the genuine ness of the asserted cures, two cath olic priests have upheld the possi- bility Of such happenings.
 Defense of the catholic doctinc of miracles was made by Monsgnor NJ. J. Splaine Of the Boston arch diocese and Rev. Michael J. Ahcrn. s. J., of Holy Cross college, in ad- dresses before the Calvert round table seminar at Harvard university.
 Monsignor Splanc said scientists and doctors had acknowledged the genuineness Of miracles at the 'great shrine Of the world.'
 Father Ahearn said that God, who instituted the natural law, could also make exceptions 10 it.
 A staff physician at Boston City hos hospital has declared there was no possibility Of a miraculous cure when person was suffering from an organic defect.