NEGenWeb Project
Church/Catholic
Franciscans
Chapter XI
St. Francis', Butler County; St. Joseph's, Butler County;
Shelby, Polk County and St. Andrew's, Polk County
ST. FRANCIS' CHURCH,
CENTER,
FORMERLY HOLLANDER SETTLEMENT AND ALVERNO
Several miles south of David City was a settlement of Hollanders and low Germans, who were favored early with Holy Mass. According to Rev. Michael Shine, the first Mass in Butler County was said in the sod house home of Mr. Dowling by Rev. Wm. Kelly in June, 1871. The first Mass at the Bohemian settlement near Abie or Linwood was in September of the same year. Center is also mentioned among the places visited at an early day in the seventies from Lincoln, etc. When the Franciscans took charge in spring or summer, 1877, they said Mass at first in the district school house, half a mile or more from the present church, or in private homes. The first permanent pastor of David City and Center was Father John Gafron, O. F. M., fall, 1877-September, 1878, when he left for the Indian missions in Wisconsin.
In February, 1879, steps were taken to erect the first church. The following is taken from the minutes of the meeting held February 11 of that year:
(HOLLANDER SETTLEMENT
OR ALVERNO),
BUTLER COUNTY, NEBRASKA
The same Franciscan Fathers that attended the Presentation Church at Luxemburg Valley, and the Immaculate Conception Church at David City, also had charge of St. Francis Church in "Hollander Settlement". But Holy Mass had been celebrated in this vicinity in the house of Thomas Dowling as early as 1871, according to others also in the house of Mr. Saunders. Later on Mass was celebrated by the Fathers in the district school about one mile from the present church. (See Reminiscences of Father Anselm). Finally the people resolved to build a church, as the following record found in an old church book proves.
"PUBLIEKE MEETING, CHAIRMAN W. VAN DEN BERG"
"A meeting was held at the house of Andrew van Lom for the purpose of selecting a place to build a church. It has been decided by the majority of voters to build on the old ground, on the graveyard, on the S. E. corner of the N. E. 1/4 on the N. E. 1/4 in section 16, Township 14, Range 3, the ground containing five acres.
"Meeting was held on the 11th of February, 1879.
"Wm. Vandenberg Chairman.
"Motion made and carried that B. Eiting is elected treasurer of the church, named St. Francis. Moved and carried that W. Van den Berg is appointed for secretary of same church. Moved and seconded that B. Eiting is chosen as one of the building Committee. Moved and carried that Thomas Fox is chosen for Trustee, also A. Van Lom--Signed this 11th day of February, 1879.
"William Vandenberg, Chairman."
SUMMARY OF A COLLECTION TAKEN UP IN 1877:
Paid one dollar each: Wm. Fox, John Danaher, James Kerby, Frank Bouga (rds). Paid fifty cents each: Frank Bougenermot, Theodore Aerts, Joseph Verin, L. Van der Heyden, Theo. Theewen, Gilbert Zeyhen, Joseph Brochtrop, H. Daniels, Wm. Bateson, John Jacobs, Albert Schaaf, James Kearney, Thomas Flynn. Paid 25 cents each: Barney Eiting, Albert Bougards, Wm. Boweres, A. Hermann, Jno. Bos, C. Bos, H. Vaneert, A. Van den Berg, C. D. Clark, Wm. Becker, M. Coughlin, Wm. Cornell, Frank Eiting, Henry Eiting, Wm. Quade, Thos. Jones, Pat Cornell.
ERECTION OF ST. FRANCIS CHURCH
The church seems to have been built in fall, to judge from the account books which shows payments from September 17, 1879, to January, 1880. Thomas Donohue laid the brick, H. A. Wakefield built the church, Richard Hibbert furnished the brick, Hunter Bros. were paid $325 and W. A. Wells furnished lumber, lime, etc. The total expenditure during 1879 was $629.87 and again $224. Peter Adrians and George Von Lom were trustees.
On March 7, 1880, a public meeting was held at St. Francis church for the purpose of electing a committee that should decide the amount to be paid by each member for the support of the pastor.
H. A. Wakefield was paid a total of $853.87 in December it seems. By January 28, 1880, the services seem to have been held there or soon after. Peter Adrians and George Van Lom are mentioned as trustees about this time.
A festival was held about October 8, 1880, Thomas Fox acting as treasurer. In spring, 1880, a collection was taken up for painting the church. Eighteen pews were installed by H. Axenmacher and A. Van Lom. In summer the
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church was whitewashed. Ticket for the priest was 35 cents each trip. On October 2, the church was insured ($10.13). December 19, 1881, the trustees agreed to pay Mr. Eiting $25 for boarding the priest a year. Signed: Father Seraphin, O. S. F., Joseph Brochtrup, Joseph Varin, John Jacobs. The receipts for 1881 amounted to $456.37 and the expenditures to $543.33.
CHARTER MEMBERS OF ST. FRANCIS PARISH 1878-1879
A list of subscriptions for the priest's support for this year has the following names: Mat. Theeuwen, Willem Van den Berg, Joseph Theuwen, Thomas Fox, Joseph Varon, Antoon von den Hawel, Jacob Voosbeek. The following paid their subscription for the priest's support from April, 1879, until January, 1880: Joseph Sanders, Lambert Van der Heyden, Wm. Van den Berg, Joseph Theuwen, Joseph Fox, Jacob Vosbeck, Gerard Bos, Wm. Litjens, Joseph Varon, John Jacobs, Antoon Van den Heuwel, Arnold Van den Heuwel, A. Van Lom, Theodore Arts, G. Litjens, Theodore Vanert, G. Van de Loop, John Van der Hei and Wm. Fox, a total of $60.40.
THE FIRST BAPTISM RECORDED AT CENTER
Hugh Albert, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Buhan, born May 31. Baptized January, 18--; Spos. Hugh Kelly and Bridget Kelly. Priest J. T. R(oche?).
In December a number of young men paid for a new Monstrance. In 1885 a collection was taken up to build the priest's house.
The first choir alluded to by Rev. Anselm Puetz consisted of: Joseph Sanders (father), George Sanders (son of Joseph), Mrs. Lambert Van der Heiden, Mrs. Theodore Theewen, a daughter of Joseph S., and Andrew Van Lom, Sr.
PRIESTS ATTENDING ST. FRANCIS' AT CENTER WERE:
Rev. Fathers: John Gafron, O. F. M.; Seraphin Lampe, O. F. M.; Boniface Depmann, O. F. M.; Rev. Rheindorff; John Mueller.
For many years the pastor of St. Mary's, David City, attended Alverno or Center. Later on St. Francis got a resident pastor. The present incumbent is Rev. Hardy. The first church burned down. So did the hall in recent times.
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH, AUSTRIAN SETTLEMENT
In a letter dated Columbus, December 20, 1883, Fa. Seraphine wrote to the Provincial:
"In regard to the Austrians (Schlesinger Settlement, now St. Joseph's, west of Bellwood), who live four to six miles from here, I like to ask you, whether we can give them service once a month on a Sunday. They cannot come to this place. There they would presumably attend Divine Service pretty well. A considerable number of children are to be found at that place, who otherwise would never be instructed in their religion and never be prepared for the Sacraments. If these children could be gained or respectively be preserved for our holy religion, it would be a great consolation; on the other hand, it does not speak well for us to let these people living so near us, decay, as it were. In the last few months several children from twelve to fourteen years of age died suddenly without having ever made their confession. I made use of this occasion of the funerals of these children to remind the parents of their duty regarding the education of their children. They seem now to feel the need of Divine Service. P. Boniface, who, a fortnight ago, buried a child, is of opinion that there is founded hope of organizing there a tolerable fair congregation. He is entirely willing to take care of it. There are twenty-seven families.
The establishment of what is now St. Joseph's congregation as an independent mission is spoken of in the following letter of P. Boniface Depmann, O. F. M., dated Columbus, February 25. 1884, and addressed to Right Rev. Bishop James O'Connor:
"Yesterday I had service at the old schoolhouse on the other side of the Platte river in Butler county for the Austrians. (now St. Joseph's). I am happy to say that I was well received and I have the best hopes for the success of the new mission. They will have regular services from now on the fourth Sunday of the month.
"Yours truly, "Fr. Boniface Depmann, O. F. M."
ST. PETER'S CHURCH,
BELLWOOD, BUTLER COUNTY, NEBRASKA--
1889-1931
The village of Bellwood is located on sixty acres of section 19, township 16, range 2 east. The townsite was surveyed January 5, 1880, by E. L. Dickinson. It was named Bellwood at the suggestion of Mrs. Mary B. Finch, partly in honor of the proprietor and patron, Mr. Jesse D. Bell, who, with his family, located here in 1880 and is the real founder of Bellwood, and partly from its location on the Bell section and because of the many fine trees planted by the proprietor. The "s" was afterwards omitted for euphony's sake. The railroad had clamored for the name "Platte"; friends for that of "Patron" and "Pepperville'. The Burlington erect-
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ed a station here. The population in 1930 is about 391 inhabitants.
The first district school (No. 4) erected in the precinct was in 1871. The first school in town was put up in 1880 in charge of Mr. Allen Jillson with probably 30 pupils in attendance. Henry Pinskney was an early teacher; another old teacher was Molly Terry.
The present two-story brick school and high school was erected in 1890. In February, 1880, Messrs. Hutchinson and Taylor opened the first general merchandise store. In 1930 Bellwood had 20 stores, a hotel (Bellwood Hotel), Mr. James M. Finch, proprietor; a newspaper, The Bellwood Gazette; a depot with J. H. Rector, agent; a post office with Mrs. Minnie C. Burch in charge and two rural routes. There are three churches, viz., the Baptist, the Methodist Episcopal, and the Catholic, St. Peter's church. The latter is built on property (125x 260 feet), donated by Mrs. Hattie D. Bell. The church was erected in 1889 by Rev. J. H. Hansen and was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Thomas Bonacum, Bishop of Lincoln, in July, 1889.
At first St. Peter's church was attended as a mission from Luxemburg. (See sketch of St. Mary's church). Rev. J. J. Hoffman, now at Falls City, Nebraska, built an addition (sanctuary).
The present pastor, since 1919, the Rev. John Reddy, is a native of Ireland, where he was born on March 22, 1886. He made his classical studies at Waterpark College and All Hallows College in Dublin, Ireland. He was raised to the dignity of the priesthood by the Rt. Rev. Gilmartin, D. D., of Tuam, Ireland, on June 24, 1910. His first appointment was at the Lincoln cathedral. After serving as pastor of Palmyra, Nebraska, he was in 1919 assigned to Bellwood.
ST. MARY'S AND ST. PETER'S CEMETERY
"All temporal matters shall be transacted by a committee of the Cemetery Association. This committe (sic) will consist of four members. Two from St. Mary's parish and two from St. Peter's parish. The members of this committee will be elected by the respective parishes every five years on or about the first of November. The pastor of St. Mary's parish will, ex officio, always be chairman of this committee."
John Morbach and now Mr. Schmidt have been in charge of the cemetery and deserve credit for keeping it in excellent condition. On All Saints or All Souls day the members of both parishes go out to the cemetery and recite the rosary, while the pastor sprinkles each rave individually. All credit to the Luxemburgers for their filial piety towards their departed relatives and friends.
LIST OF PASTORS
Rev. J. H. Hansen, February 1889-Fall, 1892, built St. Peter's at Bellwood; dedication in July, 1889.
Rev. Ladislaus Bobkiewitz, fall, 1892-(4 months).
Rev. Felix Bronnekant, 1893-August, 1895.
Rev. Reinhart, August, 1895-November, 1895.
Rev. Carl Stapf, fall, 1895-December, 1899; opened school at St. Mary's. Interregnum of eight months (December, 1899-August, 1900).
Rev. J. J. Hoffman, August 15, 1900-May, 1910. Built an addition to the Bellwood church, May, 1910.
Rev. Anthony Lutz, a zealous pastor, May, 1910-about January, 1912.
Rev. R. L. Bickert, about January, 1912-about December, 1912.
Rev. Dominic Dorval, about December, 1912-February, 1913.
Rev. Fleckinger, February, 1913-April, 1913.
St. Peter's, Bellwood, became an independent parish with St. Joseph's as a mission.
RESIDENT PASTORS AT BELLWOOD
Rev. John V. Hoffman.
John Reddy, 1919-present day.
ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH,
POLK
COUNTY, NEBRASKA
St. Andrew's Church stands about nine miles northwest of Shelby, and about four and one-half miles southwest of Pilzno.
The first Catholic settler in this vicinity was Mr. Franz Seberger, who came with his family from near Treves (Trier), Rheinland, Germany, and in 1870 homesteaded 160 acres. Mr. Hubert Jaax, a native of the Eifel (in Rhenish Prussia) district, immigrated in 1868 to Iowa and in fall, 1872, the family, with four children, John, Peter, Margaret (Mrs. Jacob Ripp in Cedar Rapids), and Anna (Mrs. Frank Janicek), came to Polk county, Nebraska. Gordis Huhl and Dave Redpath were non-Catholic pioneers and both bachelors. They lived in one house which stood on the line. Others were Soren Wendelboe, a Dane, and Mr. Rasmus. Other Catholic settlers were the John Krebsbach family, the Aloys Nebosis family (the latter came directly from Moravia, Austria, first to Butler, then to Polk county); Fridolin Stracke, along Clear Creek, south of the River; Mr. John Kropatch, a Moravian; John Bernt, Sr., and wife Anna; Joseph Kubick, John Kosch (now in Shelby), Anton Zack, Andrew Hinkelman, John Scholz (1879), Mathis Trapp (1872), Charles Gans (1878), Joseph Koenig (1876), Hans Johansen (non-Catholic), Emil Schott (Shelby), Franz Schall, John Nitch (killed by a bull), Franz Ghan, Franz Weinlich.
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THE FRANCISCAN FATHERS ATTEND
These Catholics had been living here for a number of years without any pastor speaking their own language. One Saturday afternoon, probably 1877, two men from this settlement called at St. Bonaventure's monastery and inquired whether this was the place where the German priests lived. When told this was the place, they requested that one of the Fathers come out and bury the wife of one of the two men. It was Mrs. Barbara Seberger, who had expired. Luckily one of the Fathers happened to be free that Sunday. It was Fr. Anselm Puetz, O. F. M. He accompanied the men and the next day said Mass in the district school, arranging his altar on the teacher's desk. The corpse had to be kept outside of the school, because decay had already set in. Fr. Anselm also preached and after Mass, when a quick survey showed that there were some 30 Catholic families of Germans and Austrians, he offered to preach once more in the afternoon, if they would come back. Finding that a number of children had been baptized by Protestant ministers, others up to 5 and 7 years old had not yet been baptized, he explained to them that there is only one true church and that all their children must be baptized in the Catholic religion and requested them to bring those children the next time he would come, to have them re-baptized or baptized. To guard against selfish motives which might keep them from bringing the children for baptism, he assured them that it would not cost them anything.
When some of the Catholics objected that the ministers also spoke of Christ, he replied "Bread is bread, but poisoned bread brings death."
Franciscans continued to say Mass either at the Hubert Jaax home or at the public school for some years. Fathers Ambrose Janssen, Anselm Puetz, Sebastian Cebulla, and John Gafron seemed to have been the Fathers that came out to St. Andrew's.
For some years the Seberger settlement seems to have belonged to St. Mary's parish, Luxemburg. Fr. F. X. Schraffel and Rev. J. H. Hanssen are mentioned as their pastors. For a time they were also attended from Pilzno and later on from Shelby.
ERECTION OF ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH
Mr. Andrew Hinkelman donated five acres of land for a new church, some money for the erection of the building, and some money for a bell. He died at Columbus in 1888. At the time of the Battle of Wounded Knee, Mr. Macken and Mr. ---- went to Lincoln, to ask the Rt. Rev. Bishop Bonacum for permission to erect a church of their own. The dimensions probably were 34x36 (three windows on each side). The cost was about $1,800. Jackson Bros. of Osceola furnished the lumber and everything. The foundation was of rock. This was in the A. D. 189--.
When Rev. Monetta built a parsonage at Pilzno in 1893, St. Andrew's helped to defray the expenses (probably $1,500). When Fr. Monetta was sent to Smartville, near Lincoln, he continued to attend St. Andrews until about 1898. Rev. Joseph Kuehn attended St. Andrew's from Shelby. He later on returned to Tyrol, Austria. Fr. Engelbert Boll and Fr. Joseph Ress (now at Hebron) also came from Shelby. During the rectorate of Fr. Ress the church burned down and with it the church books were destroyed (1900). Rev. Anthony Lutz rebuilt St. Andrew's church, but a storm destroyed the steeple which was still unfinished and threw it into the church.
Other pastors of St. Andrew's were Rev. R. L. Bickert--during his incumbency a Redemptorist preached a mission in December, 1910--Rev. M. A. O'Boyle, Rev. Joseph Blacha (now Plasi, Nebraska), Rev. Neunhaus (six months, during Fr. Blacha's trip to Europe), Rev. A. Wagner, Rev. Alexander (now near St. Paul, Nebraska), Rev. Michael, from Pilzno.
ST. ANDREW'S GETS A RESIDENT PASTOR
About October, 1919, St. Andrew's received its first resident pastor in the Rev. Aloys M. Faessler (now at Minden). In the beginning he took up his residence at the home of Peter Seberger until a parsonage could be erected in 1920. Mr. Lohman of Silver Creek erected the same at a cost of about $7,000.
The present pastor is the Rev. Justin A. Welk, who came to St. Andrew's about November, 1925.
The present church is about 46x64 feet in dimensions with a steeple 80 feet high. Trustees are: John Gabriel, George Korger, John Carney, and Hubert Jaax. The number of families is 35.
Frank Messing (John Messing), John Jaax and John Kosch formed the committee when the church was being built.
SACRED HEART CHURCH,
SHELBY,
POLK COUNTY, NEBRASKA
Shelby was at first known as Cyclone Postoffice. When the branch line of the U. P. was built the name was changed to Arcade but their being already an Arcadia the name was soon changed to Shelby, about 1882.
Franciscan Fathers said Mass at the home of Mr. Thelen. Shelby did not build a church of its own until 1893 when Rev. Joseph Kuehn
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erected the Sacred Heart Church (---x---- ft.), at a cost of $------, which since December, 1930, serves as a parish hall. The steeple has since been lowered.
The following served as pastors of Sacred Heart Church:
Rev. Joseph Kuehn.
Rev. Engelbert Boll.
Ladislaus Bobkiewicz, February 17, 1892-1195.
Rev. Joseph Ress, March, 1901-August 21, 1914.
He also had charge of St. Andrew's Church.
Rev. Engelbert Boll, May 20, 1899-June 10, 1900.
Rev. Anthony Lutz.
Rev. Joseph Cwiklinski, Frank J. Nugent, Joseph Ress.
Rev. R. L. Bickert, May 22, 1910-January 12, 1912.
Rev. M. A. O'Boyle, February 19, 1912-April 12, 1914. (To Rome with Rt. Rev. Bishop).
Rev. Joseph Blacha (built the Pilzno church about 1914).
Rev. Cyril Mitera, O. F. M. (temporarily).
Rev. Neuenhaus.
Rev. Joseph Blacha, May 16, 1912-August, 1914.
Rev. Albert Wagner, October 12, 1915-August 15, 1928.
Rev. F. Mock, Administrator, November 22, 1928-June 9, 1928 (probably longer).
Rev. Eckler, July 14, 1929. These dates are from the Baptismal Records.
Rev. Oscar F. Schlachter (formerly of Colon), since August 27, 1929. He erected the beautiful new church at a cost of $75,000 or more. Lahr and Stangel, of Omaha, architects, designed the church. It was solemnly dedicated December 7, 1930, by the Rt. Rev. Louis B. Kucera, D. D., Bishop of Lincoln, Nebraska.
Reminiscences of Rev. P. Anselm Puetz, O.F.M., 1877-1878
FR. ANSELM ABOUT SEBERGER SETTLEMENT, A. D.
ST. ANDREWS, POLK CO., NEBR.
"On another occasion I was again to go to Battle Creek, but it so happened that the Rt. Rev. Bishop had ordered a secular priest, Fr. Smith, until recently assistant to Father Ryan, to proceed thither and organize a parish. Hence I was free to remain at Columbus. This turned out to be a beautiful direction of Divine Province, for Saturday afternoon a wagon drove up with two men. One of them entered our 'parlor, dining room and kitchen'. His question was: "Is this the residence of the German priests?" His request was that one of us come out to bury the deceased wife of the other man. She had been the mother of thirteen children. This was in Polk county, twelve miles south of the Platte River on the farm of Mr. F. Seberger, the husband of the deceased lady. Hence the place was named Seberger Settlement. I drove with the two men. There was a frame public school near the farm house. Sunday morning I arranged the altar on the teacher's desk. The corpse could not be taken into the school, because decomposition had already set in. I was astonished to see so many people in and about the school. I was told that most of them were Germans and Catholics. I invited the people to return in the afternoon, I would give them another sermon. After the sermon a superficial count assured me that within a radius of three miles there were living 30 Catholic families, absolutely forsaken, exposed to all proselytizing of the Methodist preachers, who were distributing among them sermons and tracts. They had allowed the Methodists to baptize their children and come to think that this was better than no religion. For the preachers were also talking about God and about Jesus. I told them, "Bread is bread, but poison bread brings death. Poisoned doctrine brings death." I told the, people to bring me at my next visit their children to be baptized. I would not charge anything for that. And thus, a large number of children were brought to me for baptism, among them such as were seven years of age, a sign that at least so long no priest had visited them. Henceforth Fr. Ambrose gave them Divine Service twice a month, until it developed finally into an organized parish. While Father Ambrose was with them, Father Sebastian, who besides German also spoke Polish, had service in Columbus, for the numerous Polish families in and near Columbus. Most of the people in Seberger Settlement were Austrians, a few were from the Rhine."
LUXEMBERG, DAVID CITY--HOLLANDER SETTLEMENT--IRISH SETTLEMENT
"During Easter time we Fathers used to exchange stations. One year Fr. John Gafron and I (P. Anselm) exchanged places. He went to St. Mary's and I took his place in Butler county, (N. B. This must have been in 1878), to the Luxemburgers, to David City, to the Dutch and then to an Irish settlement (probably near Linwood, Butler county), amid a Bohemian popu-
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Old St. Andrew's Church, Folk County (Seberger Settlement) |
Ven. Sr. M. Marcelline Lassek, O. S. F. |
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St. Andrew's Church, 1930 |
St. Rose of Lima Church, Genoa, Nance Co. |
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lation. The priest, Rev. Jos. Havorka, had only recently arrived from Bohemia with Fr. O. Groenebaum and did not understand English. On Saturday evening, the vigil of Pentecost, I arrived at the Luxemburgers, and heard a number of confessions; on Pentecost Sunday at 7 o'clock I sang the High Mass. Immediately after I left for David City (frame church, unplastered), I heard a considerable number of confessions and said a low Mass at 11 o'clock and delivered a sermon. After dinner we betook ourselves to the Hollanders. There lived among them a Mr. N. N. who had, however, taken to drinking and, therefore, had fallen into disrepute to the grief of his excellent wife and of all good Catholics. It was agreed upon, that this man should take me to the Hollanders. My host, a blacksmith, and a school teacher,
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Rev. Bishop had granted us permission in emergencies to hear confession without a grate, and waited for the penitents. The door without hinges was removed, the first penitent entered and again leaned the door against the opening. "Father bless me, for I am a sinner" and he made his confession. And this continued until eleven o'clock. Then I looked at the altar in the other room. The mistress of the house had moved a small locker of the size of a wash stand into the corner beside the foot end of the bed in which her sick husband lay, and covered it with white linen and had put a small soap box on top. The rear formed by the wall she had covered with newspapers nailed to the wall. She felt offended by my remark that this would not do. I now helped her to shove the soap box and some other objects below the small table and to put the linen cloths over it. I attached the crucifix to the wall, laid on the altar stone, placed the candle-sticks on the altar, also the missal. After vesting for Holy Mass I commenced the Holy Sacrifice. At the Gospel I preached, and on this occasion I noticed that the majority of the people stood outside and endeavored to look in through the windows and the open door. The house wife, with folded hands, knelt beside the hearth. From time to time she opened the door of the stove and with a spoon stirred the chicken, which she was roasting for dinner. Then she again folded her hands and listened most devoutly to the sermon. All communicated, my lad included.
AN EPILEPTIC BOY--THE "MIRACLE"
Before the meal, he was still fasting, he came to me and said: "Father, it is coming, and he showed me his fingers which were in wild commotion. I took him to the other room, made him lie down on the bed and bade him keep quiet. Then I went to his mother and asked her to give me a cup of coffee and a piece of bread. He partook of it and I exhorted him to lie down quietly and to attempt to sleep. Not long after, after our meal, he came to me in great joy and said: "Father, I thank you ever so much; you cured me." It did not come. I had, therefore, worked a miracle in the eyes of these simple folk. But when one considers the circumstances it was quite natural. One must remember how the excitement and the expectation of the young man worked very much on his nerves, that he besides had been obliged to be fasting in the great heat of summer. I told him to do exactly the same what I had done with him, if ever the attack should be repeated, viz., to lie quietly and to eat and drink something--Thus far Fr. Anselm about his trip to Butler county, in 1878.
IRISH SETTLEMENT BETWEEN LINWOOD AND BRAINARD
The Irish settlement between Linwood and Brainard contained the following families: The Keefes, Mahonys, Kaveney, Delaneys, Caseys, Riordans, Morris family, the Flynns.
REMINISCENCES OF REV. ANSELM PUETZ, O. F. M.,
ABOUT SCHLESINGER SETTLEMENT
"I was appointed to take up the collection among the farmers in Schlesinger settlement. One of the farmers offered to take me around, for he was too poor to give anything. All received me with joy and respect, but gave me nothing until, at last, in some house I was given fifteen onions. At dusk, instead of returning with a wagon load of wheat, ham and eggs, I brought home fifteen onions." (N. B. This incident is also mentioned in a contemporary letter of Fr. Ambrose, the superior, to the Commissary, only he blamed the Father for being too considerate of the people). "This occurrence, however, caused some comment among them and the question was asked what we Franciscans lived on anyway? Later on they gave voluntarily and generously."
Note: Fr. Anselm explains why this could happen. In Austria, Bohemia, etc., the government, which had confiscated much church property, in return it paid the salary of the clergy from the regular taxes levied by the state. The people were, therefore, not trained to give voluntarily as is necessary in this country, where state and church are independent of each other.
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