The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-01-23
Palmer rDuerink.

In our issue of three weeks ago, We
copied an article from the ST. Louis DEM
ocrat, in regard to the calamity which be-
| fell a party in a skih, making its way
down the Missouri. We suggested that
| it was probably Father DUERISK, Of the
st. Mary's Catholic Mission, who was
drowned. We regret to learn that our
conjectdres were true; that he has indeed
ceased to be among US.
Rev. JoHN BAPTIST DUERINK was Su-
perior of the Jesuits' Mission among the
Potawotamies, and was q man of very
exemplary habits. He was native of
ST. Giles lez-Termonde, a town in Bel
gium, and was born on the 9th of May,
1909. His application and success in his
literary studies were such as to win for
him distinguished collegiate honors, and
the esteem and love of all his professors.
He finished his philosophical studies at
Ghent, and in 1888 emigrated to Ameri-
ca, with the view of deyoting himself to
the conversion of the Aborgines to the
Catholic faith. For several years he had
the management of the several colleges
of his denomination in the West; was
treasurer of st. Xayer's College, Cinein-
natl, the st. Louis Univ ersity, and st
Joseph's College, Bardstown, which posts
he filled with satisfaction to all concerned.
A sketch of his life, which some friend
has sent us, clipped from st. Louis pa
pei, says: erirt
Called at length to preside over the
infant mission of the Society among the
PotowatOmie Indians, he brought with
him to the work, mind thoroughly
versed in the affairs. with which he was
entrusted, and heart warmly alive to
the interests of those over whose temporal
and spiritual welfare he was chosen to
preside. By his tact and zeal he placed
that mission on most solid footing, and
the heurishing condition in which he
leaves it, at his death, is the best and
highest eulogy of the skill and success
which accompanied his labor. Kind and
affable in his manners, conscientious to a
scruple in his dealings with all, he gained
all hearts to himself. Protestant as well
as Catholic neighbors joined in bearing
testimony to the uprightness and skill
with which he managed the troublesome
affairs of his charge. Government and
government. officers and agents have more
than once expressed the high opinion
they entertained of him as an accom-
lplished gentleman, and blameless min-
lister. By instinct an admirer of, and de-
yotee to the beauties of Creation, he spent
his leisure hours in studying Natures
hidden secrets, and the wonderful wisdom
of that Power which presides over theil
production. Flowers were his specia
delight. He was thorough botanist, a:
proof of which, we need merely mentor
the fact, that the Botanical Society o
| Cincinnati honored him, not only will
perpetual membership, but offered hin
the.chair of Physiology on that subject
| a distinction which he declined, though
|, he retained the title. This same Low,
induced him to spend considerable par
of the summer vacation in search of rar,
plants and flowers and for this purpos
he travelled over an extensive portion o
Ohio and Illinois. The large and yalu
able collection of these rarities of natur,
which adorn the St. Xavier library, a
Cincinnati, attests the success of his scien
tlfc excursion.
| He is no more; but his memory SUI
wives the watery grave, which till nov
has refused to give up its usurped spoils
Requiescat in pace.