From the Archives

The relationship between the Cardinal Archbishop of Chicago, George Mundelein, and the head of the Catholic Church Extension Society, Monsignor Francis Clement Kelley, later the second bishop of Oklahoma, was mercurial. It was said that Cardinal Mundelein thought that Monsignor Kelley was cutting into local fund raising, as the society was based in Chicago.

When Kelley was named bishop of Oklahoma, Mundelein stated that, “you can now test out your theories on rural ministry.” However, Cardinal Mundelein, in the early days of his episcopate, thought enough of Kelley to ask that he preach the funeral homily for Mother Frances Cabrini, who was to become the first American, naturalized, citizen to be canonized a saint. 

Long before tensions arose between the two, Monsignor Kelley was charged with organizing a dinner at the University Club that would include 250 guests from all walks of life, such as government officials, financial tycoons and other religious leaders, to welcome the newly installed Archbishop of Chicago. Feb. 10, 1916, was the date of the gathering, one day after the installation. It would prove to be a night to remember, but not for the reasons for which Kelley had hoped.

As the crowd gathered and the first course was served, it became evident something was gravely amiss. The chef, Jean Crones, was an anarchist, and Kelley had given him the opportunity to eliminate leaders of everything that he despised in one fell swoop. To achieve his goal, he concocted a lethal mixture of arsenic and mercury and inserted it into the soup. Soon several people became violently ill. Luckily, an observant steward by the name of Al Brissette noticed that the pots of soup had a distinct odor and ordered them to be thrown out. Crones was never apprehended.

The plan was thwarted, and many returned to the banquet as a sign of respect for the new archbishop. Fortunately, no one died, but Monsignor Kelley was quite ill and retired to his room. Cardinal Mundelein was left unscathed as he made a practice of never eating in public.

Monsignor Kelley was concerned that Rome would want a full accounting of the event. Monsignor Gaffey, who wrote the definitive biography of Kelley, observed in a document to Cardinal Merry de Val: “Kelley suggested in a clever twist of logic, the experience served the church by teaching non-Catholics in America a great lesson regarding radical subversion. Anarchism could be seen as a respecter of no creed, Protestant or Catholic, and victims of the banquet could attest no one was safe from its deadliness.”

This horrible incident revealed Monsignor Kelley’s talent to adapt and find the best in every situation, which would become critical gift as the bishop of Oklahoma.