The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-05-28
LETTER FROM BILOXI.
BILOXI, MISS, May Gath, 1876.

BILOXI, MISS, May Gath, 1915
Editor Morning Star,
To most of your readers o description Of this
place is unnecessary, as they arc familiar with
it, but for the benefit of the few who have
never visited MS, will give some items Of
general nature. The resident population Of
Bolixi is about 1000, most Of whom, being OF
French and Spanish descent, are Catholics. In
summer, between those who visit the place for
o week or two for recreation, and those who re-
side here during the whole of the heated term,
it may be safely estimated that the population
Of the town is increased by 1000. The placeis
well supplied with hotels and private boarding
houses, and accommodations to suit all tastes
and purses are easily found. Biloxi and its
environs are remarkably healthy, oil fever and
other ailments Of that kind appearing here
only when imported from your city or Mobile.
In fact 30 healthy lie this part Of the world that
centenarians are not unusual, but few weeks
ago Mrs. st. Cyr having departed this life at the
age of 102 years.. Last week passed very
pleasant evening with Mrs. Manuel, who lives
on Back Bay, and who, though nearly 100 years
old, is still as lively as q cricket.
There are great many progressive people in
Biloxi, but none more so than the resident Ca
tholic pastor, Rev. P. Chevalier. He arrived
here in July, 1860. and found a poor brick
building, which was destroyed by the storm of
Nov. 10th, 1862 At once he set to work and
erected a substantial and very neat church,
measuring 36x75 feet.
He was unable, however, to put steeple on
it till this year, but recently had work cem-
menced on this important part of the edifice
The frame was raised last Monday, and blue
flag, the Church's oolors, and yellow flag, the
Pope's colors, were hoisted on the top, and the
bell was rupg merrily in joy at the event. The
steeple will be 100 hundred feet high when
completed, and will form prominent land
mark from Ship Island. I understand that
Father Chevalier intends soon to add fifteen
feet to the length of the church, and to have q
largo clock placed in the steeple for the public
good.
Among other good things which the energetic
pastor has done was to get the Sisters of Mercy,
from st. Alphonsus' Convent in your city, to
establish branch house here. They have
charge of the fine sohoolhouse which Father
Chevalier erected, and at which 100 children of
both sexes are in daily attendance. The Sisters
sometime ago purchased the Reynoir property
and, after good deal of expense, succeeded in
where those who teach here, as also those of
the New Orleaas convent, in delicate health
OF needing rest, find g delightful home. Father
Chevallier, with the effective assistance of the
Sisters, is preparing quite large number of
children for their First Communion. which will
take place at an early day.
Besides his great achievements in Biloxi,
Father Chevalier has built two handsome
churches, one at Handsboro and the other at
Ocean Springs, besides establishing several
stations at other points, where he says Mass
| occasionally.
How he finds time to attend to 30 many diff.
ferent duties, and whence he gets the money
for all his works, no one understands, or, as one
of his parishioners aptly expressed it, "the
Lord only knows"
More anon. Yours, CR1P.