Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 35.djvu/193

Rh marble altars. The main altar cost $20,000, and is made of the finest Italian marble. The church is of the Gothic style of architecture, and is located on a beautiful slope over 600 feet above the level of the sea and overlooking the beautiful Dulaneys Valley and the surrounding country, and can be seen for many miles. In this beautiful church, the second of the kind which he erected, will be the tomb of the venerable priest.

Father O'Keefe lived a most austere life, and spent his large private fortune for religious and charitable purposes. For some time at Townson he lived in a building which had been formerly used as a shop.

The furniture in his room was of the most simple kind. Most of his meals consisted of bread and water or milk. After the new church was built Father O'Keefe occupied a room over the sanctuary. He gave up the parochial residence to the Sisters of the Notre Dame, who teach the parochial school, founded and endowed by him, so as to be forever free. He frequently taught classes in school, and was regarded as having a natural talent for teaching.

In appearance Father O'Keefe was handsome and of robust build. He had deep blue eyes and an abundance of gray hair. Despite his austerity, he was fond of company and an entertaining host.

Father O'Keefe was proud of his connections with the Confederate Army, and bore an intense love for the Southern people and the leaders of the Confederacy, with whom he had been so closely associated, both as a friend and as an adviser.

When Jefferson Davis was a prisoner at Fortress Monroe, he was visited daily by Father O'Keefe, who consoled the leader of the Lost Cause during the bitter hours that he was imprisoned. He was invited by the widow of Mr. Davis to accompany the body of the latter to Richmond to be entombed.

It is stated that it was the desire of Father O'Keefe that he should be buried with all the simplicity possible, but with the regulations in accord with his position in the Confederate Army,