The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1874-05-08

SAINT MEINIsAD.
Most OF our readers have probably
heard OF -. Meinrad, and are acquaiIi-
ted with IL locality. but few, however,
Iarc informed OF its origin aud early his
tory, lis present condition. aud future
prospects. TO enable Us 10 lay before
the public n reliable account OF an In-
Isliluiion destined 10 exerf an important
influence upon this section OF country.
We took occasion last week TO pay il a
personal visit. aud were most agreeably
entertained bv the Rev. Abhott Martin.
from whom We ELECTED many interest
ling facts. which We doubt noi will prove
as entertaining TO our readers ~ they
were To Us.
81. Meinrad is Benedictinc House.
Tor Monastery, situated in the extreme
north eastern part OF Spencer County,
close 10 the boundary line OF Perry.
and about twelve miles In direct line
from the Ohio river. north from Troy.
1t was established in lsa4, by Fathers
rich aud Bede O'ConnOr. and by them
named in honor OF the mother House al
Eiusiedlcn ia Switzerland, TO which In
siiiution they belonged. These two
learned and pious priests came 10 this
country AT the time with the intention
OF establishing such House at some
snitahic point. They visited Bishop 81.
PslaiS al Nncennes, ANA We're by him
directed TO this part OF the State il con-
thinning large German Roman Gail
lie population. aud therefore favor
able field ior their enterprise. They cx-
amined several localities before deter
mining upon a site. but finally fixed up
on the nlr now occupied. AMI among
nthcr reasons were prrhaps iDllncei ~
10 so from the iaci that the bishop Of
irrcd 10 donate eighty arrfs nf land
wli,m ne owned at !hi- place. This WAS
the hr2inhimg %, our 1T. 1rimiTid twcn-
fy years ago. la an almost unseuled and
Wild por;irn OF spencer couniy.
The Faihcrs Immediately pnrciIased
about 3Ouo acres oi adjoining land. ercc-
TED chapel. aud other buildings suit-
able for educational purposes and COM
menccd their work. For some years the
two Father, who originated the lnsii-
tulion remained in charge OF H. Father
jlrich finally returned to the old conn
try where he died in 1868. Father o.
Conuor. %cil-known aud remembered
with affection and res pect in this low
resides now ~ Nincrnncs. and is Chan-
cclor aud Nicar-GencFal of this Do
rese position Tor which he j. eminent
ly fitted by his great learning aud rare
abilities.
In lsr0 Father Martin first came 10
St Mrinrad he also being q member Of
The Moher House OF Einsiedlen. Ia
1861 the Institution was raised by the
Pope To the rank of an Abbey, and on
the Both Of September of the same year
Father Martin was appointed Abbot. -
This was Just ten days after Rome was
taken by Victor Emanuel. and shows
that Notwithstanding the clash of arms
about the Vatican. the interests of tho
Church. in remote and obscure parts Of
the world were neither forgotten, nor
neglected.
The policy pursued by the founders
OF this Monastery. and so faithfully adj
Ihered 10 by the Abbot has gained for IT,
the friendship aud confidence OF the
community for many miles surround
ing ii. The land purchased has been dis
posed OF, excepting $40 acres. TO actual
Catholic settlers, and there has grown
up about tie Institution flourishing
little village Of some 200 inhabitants. =
A town was laid out in 1sG1. aud now
contains u saw-mll. -four mill. planning
mill. organ mandatory, hotel, three
stores. blacksmith shop, timers shop.
ltailor's shop. post-oilice etc. and is the
centre OF considerable business.
The improvements first erected were
necessarily OF temporary. although
a.. A.. n. 4 A.
added 10 from time to time as the exi-
gencies of the case required H. seclu-
sion. an1 remoteness from other towns
as well as its healthy locality and beauti-
ful natural scenery render it an admir-
able point for the education OF boys and
young mon, aud the last few years has
justly added TO its celebrity in this re-
spect. The temptations which usually
surround our High schools and colleges