Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap., referring to his poor health and his imminent departure for Santa Inés, ‘one of the old Franciscan missions in Los Angeles – somewhere about 40 miles from Santa Barbara'. Bibby adds 'The Bishop, Dr. [John Joseph] Cantwell, is giving it to our people, and I’m to run it …’. He also refers to prominent members of the Irish American community and to his meeting with Seán T. O’Kelly, Sinn Féin envoy to the United States. Bibby writes ‘He [O'Kelly] has a tough job before him, as hard as ever a man faced. Even had our people played the game – it would be difficult owing to [the] sinister influence of [Daniel Florence] Cohalan and [John] Devoy’.
Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap., confirming that a letter has arrived from the Provincial Minister stating that he has arranged for his travelling to Abbottstown in Pennsylvania. Fr. Albert writes ‘I simply dread the saying good-bye here. But I see I must face it and rely on God’s help to bring me through this as he has brought me through other unpleasant experiences in the past’.
Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby, St. Benedict’s Rectory, 320 West End Street, New York, to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap., re his arrival in New York and to his meeting with Fr. Solanus Casey OFM Cap. He describes Casey as ‘a New Yorker, a great worker in the cause and a grand Friar of genial but somewhat ascetic type. He speaks at meetings, writes in [the] Press, and is the friend and trusted confidant of the right people’. Fr. Albert also refers to divisions in the Irish community in New York and notes that ‘our friends are split up into pieces – too bad. I’m speaking with a grand type of man who with tears in his eyes spoke of Liam M[ellows] … English gold and English diplomacy is at work in sowing the seeds of discord here’. He concludes that ‘the more I see here the greater my appreciation of Ireland’.
A note from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap. referring to his preparations for his departure for the Santa Inés mission in California. Bibby remarks that he arrived in New York City 'almost a wreck' but leaves it in 'pretty good form'.
Telegram from Fr. Dominic O'Connor OFM Cap. to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap. regarding the death of Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. in St. Francis Hospital in Santa Barbara, California. The text reads 'Albert with martyrs of the Gael / peaceful happy death / Dominic'.
Letter from James Long, Secretary, Cork Harbour Commissioners, to Fr. Martin Hyland OFM Cap., Guardian, Capuchin Friary, Rochestown, conveying the condolences of the commissioners on the death of Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., 'a distinguished Churchman and Irishman'. Copies of the letter were sent to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap. and Fr. Pius Duggan OFM Cap.
Letter from Br. Colmcille Cregan OFM Cap. to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap. referring to Fr. Albert Bibby's worsening condition in Santa Barbara Hospital. He writes that Father Albert ‘has no desire to die, as he had [a] big wish to do something for Saint Agnes [Mission Santa Inés], but God has ordained otherwise. Anyway, he set the Mission going and had got many interested in the restoration work’. He also refers to Fr. Dominic O'Connor's presence which has delighted Albert and that the latter expresses no bitterness towards his brethren at home. He also affirms that it is Bibby's wish to be buried in Ireland and to make representations to the Provincial Minister and the relevant authorities in Ireland to ensure that this happens.
A letter from Dorothy Godfrey (1893-1975) to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap. on her anger on hearing of the death of Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. She writes ‘I want to tell you and your good friends, that Fr. Albert did die broken-hearted over the treatment he received from F. P[eter Bowe] and the two who went over to England to have his faculties taken from him. What he suffered for God and Ireland he did not mind, but to think of his own in religion doing such mean things almost broke his heart'.
Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., St. Francis Hospital, Santa Barbara, California, to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap. referring to his declining health. He writes 'Tis a desperate fight I'm making for life. ... I was more a corpse than alive when brought in here [hospital]. I have anaemia & ulceration of stomach. Though [the] former more serious, the latter would almost kills a bull'. Bibby adds 'When I think of Fr. Peter and his 4 Def[initors] I find it hard not to be bitter, but I try as best to have patience and offer up this suffering in expatiation of my sins’. He also refers to on-going work at the mission in Santa Inés.
Letter from Margaret 'Aggie' Bibby to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap. She writes that she has met ‘friends of poor Tomás [Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap.] who had just come from America. Immediately after his death the leaders of A.A.R.I.R. made a request on superior Fr. Joseph [Fenlon] to be allowed ship his body to Ireland as Tomás wished. He cabled to Fr. Peter [Bowe]. Reply came two days later: "Bury Fr. Albert in Santa Inez in the usual way". She later notes that care was taken to ensure that Fr. Albert's body was buried in a ‘metal casket hermetically sealed’. She concludes by expressing the hope that her brother's ‘bones will rest in the land he loved so well. Never shall we forget the Franciscan tyrants’.
