Death and Funeral of Dr. Wm. Rutherford, Ballinasloe

East Galway Democrat, Saturday, July 29, 1911.

Death and Funeral of Dr. Wm. Rutherford, Ballinasloe

Not within the present generation has there passed away from our midst in Ballinasloe one whose death has been more universally and deeply deplored that that of Dr. Wm. Rutherford which occurred at his residence Dunlo St., after only one day's illness, on last Saturday morning. When the news spread that Dr. Rutherford lay seriously ill and unconscious on Friday evening, the deepest anxiety was shown in the town, and up till late at night numerous were the inquiries as to his condition. When the sad tidings of his death became known on Saturday morning men found it difficult to realize that he who had been apparently in the vigor of health and stringent during the week, ministering to those who required his professional assistance, lay still and cold in death. It was while actually in attendance on a caste that the fatal illness seized him, and in a short time he lapsed into unconsciousness from which he never recovered until he passed away early on Saturday morning.

Of Dr. Rutherford's life in Ballinasloe, the town of his adoption, where he lived for over 40 years, whether as a professional man or a citizen, it is difficult to speak adequately. Naturally of a happy and cheery disposition, charitable in the extreme, of high mental culture and brilliant attainments, his whole life was a record of success, nobly won. His skill and ability were everywhere recognized and brought him into the first rank of the profession in which he enjoyed so large and extensive a practice. His services were as readily given to the very poor, whose only fee was gratitude, as to his large and influential clientele most favored with the world's possessions. In the void created by his death, which will be difficult to fill, by none will he be more missed than by the poor.

He was visiting Physician to the Ballinasloe District Asylum and Medical Officer to the R.I.C. and Military.

Notwithstanding his busy professional life, he made time to interest himself in local matters, to such an extent that in every movement for the good of the town he was found taking a prominent part. From no committee formed for the advancement of any project for the welfare of the town, or the benefit or amusement of the people was he missed, generally being chosen as chairman or vice—chairman.

Wherever a compliment was to be paid to a popular resident on his departure he was always to be found taking a leading part. As he was foremost in every practical work,, so was his purse ever the first open on all such occasions. For a number of years he was a member and vice—chairman of the Ballinasloe Urban Council until an ever increasing press of professional work forced him to retire from the position.

In private life those who enjoyed the pleasure of his acquaintance found in him a man of rare kindliness and winning disposition, endearing himself to them in no ordinary manner. He was truly one of nature's gentlemen.

The welfare and education of his family was to him as sacred duty, and two of his sons, one of whom, Dr. James Rutherford, is, as we understand, to take up the practice here, have already given proof that they inherit their father's talents.

Today, whether as a professional man, a good citizen, or a private friend, his loss is looked on in Ballinasloe as a public and irreparable one. Amidst every manifestation of regret and sympathy the remains were interred in Creagh Cemetery on Monday. All the business houses in the town were shuttered, and everywhere were the blinds drawn, as the immense cortege, following the remains to their last resting place, passed on.

The prayers in the house and at the graveside, were read by the Rev. Wm. Elliot, Ballinasloe, the other clergymen officiating being the Most Rev. Dr. Clarge, Galway; the Most Rev. Dr. Osborne, Dublin, and the Rev. Mr. Watson, Athlone.

Address at the Graveside

In his address at the graveside;

"With affectionate remembrances from Mrs. Armstrong."

"With kindest remembrances of a true and much valued friend, from Lord and Lady Ashtown and family."

"From Dr. Kinkead, Galway."

"With deepest sympathy from Mrs. Seymour, Miss Seymour, Mr. W. Seymour."

"With the sincere sympathy of the Working Classes of Ballinasloe who always had a true friend in the Dr. Signed — John Donovan, Michael Boland, Thomas Kilkenny, John Brutin, Patrick Bannerton, Committee."

The Chief Mourners

The Chief Mourners were: —

James, Harry, Gascoyne, Cecil, Cyril, and Gordon, (Sons).

Catholic Clergy Present

Catholic Clergy present —

Rev. J. A. Pelly, Adm.; Rev. D. Coghlan P.P., (Aughrim); Rev. Fr. Fallon, P.P., (Clontuskert); Rev. J.F. Pelly, P.P., (Taughmacconnell); Rev. P. Heenan, (Loughrea); Rev. Thomas O'Connor, (Leitrim); Rev. Father Gibbons (Clonfad); Very Rev. T. Porter, President, St. Joseph's College; Rev. T. Madden; Rev. T. Dunne; Rev. M.'O'Connor; and Rev. D. McHugh.

Presbyterian Clergy Present

Presbyterian Clergy — Rev. Mr. Elliott, (Ballinasloe); The Most Rev. Dr. Osborne, (Dublin); and the Rev. Mr. Watson, (Athlone).

Protestant: Clergy Present

Protestant: Clergy — The Very rev. Dean Aldridge (Eyrecourt); Rev. Mr. Mitchell, (Ballinasloe); Rev. Mr. Oliver, (Clontuskert); Rev. Mr. Shannon, (Aughrim); and Rev. Mr. Dollar, (Ballinasloe).

Others Who Attended

Methodist — Rev. Mr. Dickson.

Drs. — Rossiter, Collins, Kirwan, Mills O'Callaghan, Egan, Gavin, Ryan, Horne.

Amongst the general public who attended were — Lord Clonbrock, (Rep); Lord Ashtown, (Rep); Messrs P. Sarsfield Brady, R. M.; A. Morse, Bank of Ireland; J. P. Leamy, National Bank; Colonel O'Hara Trench, Colonel Thornhill, Colonel Comyn, J. H. Lambert, G. Mahon, M. A. Hayden, H. Davidson; P. S. Golding, J. Martin, Senr; W. Seymour; J. Elder, J. J. O'Shaughnessy, J. P., Lancaster; E. G. Armstrong, J. P. — Kelly Johnstown; J. P. Marin; Jun; E. Rothwell, A. D. Comyn, J. Holmes C. I.; J. Annesley, D. I.; P. J. Davy, J. P.: T. Craig, James Johnson, J. P.; R. R. Wade, J. P.; B. Persse, J. P.; L. Conroy J. P.; E. W. Lynan, J. P.; R. J. Gill, James Young, T. Byrne—Paton, W. Armstrong, W. Kempster; Miss Johnstone (Rep);— Ellis J. McCullagh, J. Finegan, N. O'Carroll, P. J. Bracken, J. Colihan, T. J. Gill, P. Larkin, J. P.; P. J. Duane, R. Ronaldson, T. Hibbet, W. Aird, W. Haye, T. Robertson, J. Colihan, J. J. Moffett, J. Staunton, The Grove; H. M'Cauley—Hughes; D. Downey, P. Dooley, R. Barrett, J. Elliott, Ahascragh; A. D. Cahill, M. M. Whyms, E. J. Kelly, P. Bannerton, T. A. Nevin, J. McCann Bourke, M. Flanagan, U. C.; P. Connolly, F. Clarke, J. Egan, J. Burke, W. Donal, R. Raftery, A. Dodd, W. Burke, D. Hogan, W. Finerty, J. Hardiman, J. Beckett, J. Wood, P. Egan, P. Brennan, G. Dowd, M. Monaghan Fitzpatrick, J. McEvoy, J. Moore, N. E. O'Carroll, East Galway Democrat, M. Ward, J. L. Beegan, C. Hall, J. Fogarty, M. Ryan, Mrs. Concannon, (Rep) M. Browne; J. Ward, Clonfad, T. Dowd, D. J. Delehunt, T. J. Manning, J. Treanor, T. Keane, J. Burke, W. Hastings, A. Mitchell, A. Mathers, R. O'Beirne, M. Nevin, J. Beirne, J. Nicholson, W. Harney, J. Hegarty, M. Connolly Joe, P. Dillon, J. Coghlan, J. Hunt, T. Foy, M. Brutin, W. Rourke, J. Anderson, J. Kirwan—Jones, W. Phelan, L. B. Ward Staunton, J O'Connor, C. Keirnan, P. Claffey, V. C. P. L. G; P. Nevin, D.V.C.. P.L.C.

A large body of the R.I.C, marched after the friends in the funeral procession. The massive panelled oak coffin was supplied by the firm of Messrs. F. A. Haronr and Son, and the Hearse and Mourning Carriages by Miss Hayden.

To Mrs. Rutherford and her family we offer our truest and most sincere sympathy in the irreparable loss they have sustained, and trust that He who is the comforter of the mourner and the afflicted may enable them to bear with fortitude their great and heavy burden of grief.