Still Very Ill, 15 June 1892
The Dead Priest, 16 June 1892
Lying in State, 17 June 1892
Laid in the Grave, 18 June 1892
From
The Pittsburg Press, 18
June 1892.
Impressive Services over the Remains of Father Mollinger.
Immense Crowds Present.
The Chapel Filled and Thousands Fail to Get In.
The Funeral Procession.
One of the Largest Ever Seen in This Vicinity.
No Will Has Yet Been Discovered.
Solemn and impressive were the services held this
morning at the Church of the Most Holy Name, on Mt. Troy. They were the
last rites over the remains of Father Mollinger, an earnest priest, an
esteemed citizen and a good man.
The funeral exercises of Father Mollinger were largely attended. Early
this morning people began to assemble on Troy hill, and long before the
hour appointed, 9 o'clock, the auditorium was filled with people. Those
outside formed in procession and were allowed to pass up the aisles and
view the remains before the exercises began.
People continued coming, and soon there was a vastly larger crowd outside
than inside the church. It is estimated that fully 6,000 people were in
and about the church during the services.
It was touching to see the reverence paid by this mass of people to the departed priest. They knelt on the ground, in the churchyard, on the sidewalk and on the streets. Not a word could they hear of what was said, but from long attendance upon church services knew well the services that were being conducted in commemoration of the departed. Little groups of persons stood about street corners with sober countenances, and in low tones praising the merits of Father Mollinger. There was no business done on the mount this morning save by the street car companies and a number of extra cars were put on to accommodate the increased traffic. Everything seemed unusually quiet on the hill. In spite of the big crowds the six policemen and two detectives of the Allegheny force who were on duty had little to do. The greatest difficulty the officers had to contend with was in keeping the people from thronging into the church, which was already crowded beyond the point of comfort.
Among the more noted priests who came to attend and take part in the services were: Father Carroll, a Capuchin priest, of Butler; Father Peter Kauffman, of St. Joseph's church, Manchester; Father Ward, of Mercy hospital; Father McCabe, of Bloomfield; Father J. Jordan, Rochester; Father F. A. Bush, Altoona; Father P. Clement, St. Mary's church, Allegheny; Father P. Benough, St. Mary's church, Allegheny; Father Laurence Werner, [...] Sr., St. Philomena; Father C. Rebham, St. Philomena; Father Dennis, C. P., St. Paul's monastery, South Side; Father [O'Conner], Mr. Washington; Father J. S. Schramm, St. George, South Side; Father John Bausch, Homestead; Father Krogmamm, Wexford; Father Julius Kuenzer, Perrysville; Father P. J. Quilter, Mansfield; Father Suhe, East Liberty; Father Duffner, South Side; besides Father Meyer, Father Wall, Father Wilhms, Father Danziger, Father Lengst and other priests who took part in the ceremonies.
When the hour of 9 arrived the chanting de officiis took place and
occupied the time until 10 o'clock, when requiem high mass was
celebrated, Father Wall celebrant. Father Kaufmann, of St. Peter's church
officiated as deacon, and Father Lengst as sub-deacon. Father Danziger
had charge of the chants. Father Schwab, of St. Mary's church,
Sharpsburg, a life-long friend of Father Mollinger, preached a short
funeral sermon in German, and he was followed by [Father Bush], of
Altoona, who spoke in English. Both addresses were impressive and
earnestly delivered. The [alsoute] was pronounced by Father Bush.
The services at the church were concluded at 11 o'clock. The solemn
concourse of people then formed in procession, and the march to the grave
was begun. Three young men bearing the American flag draped in mourning
headed the procession. They were followed by 300 school children, who
only went part of the distance to the cemetery and then turned back. Then
came the literary society of the Most Holy Name, the O.M.B.A., Knights of
St. George, and the St. Anthony Literary society. Another American flag
and the papal flag were borne in the procession, and then came the altar
boys. They were followed by carriages containing the priests, sisters of
mercy, and friends of the deceased.
The cemetery of the Most Holy Name where the interment took place is
three miles from the church of that name. Notwithstanding the distance a
large crowd followed the procession to the grave. At the cemetery Father
Wall conducted the ceremony of absolution. The miserere was sung by the
choir and after the benediction the sorrowing multitude returned to their
various homes.
The absence of Bishop Phelan caused considerable comment. He was
expected to be present and take part in the exercises. As the hour
approached for the funeral the other priests began to fear he would not
be present. A carriage was sent for him and under the circumstances it
was though he would certainly come. The carriage returned without him. He
sent word by the driver that he was out the day before and was tired and
could not.
Attorneys [Hartje] and Mueller, formerly counsel for Father Mollinger,
have searched diligently for the missing will, but no trace of the
document has yet been discovered. Every scrap of paper having any
indications of being the missing document is carefully examined, and if
there is a will it will shortly be found. It is thought there is surely
one in existence and the only question is where to locate it.
