Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-01-07
HERMIT OF HOLY HILL.
A Mountain Near Milwaukee Which Is
Visited by Thousands of PeOple-Pu-
grims Tried by PRAYER.
Nttt0aukes Sentinel.

"A mountain Near milwaukee, w men Is
Visited by Thousands of PeOple-Pn-
grims Tried by Prayer.
Milwaukee Sentinel.
In a chain of hills a few miles west of
Milwaukee Is rugged eminence that on
the map is called Lapham's Peak. 1t is
the highest point in the State. The coun-
try for miles around is fertile and inhab-
tied by thrifty farmers. They are nearly
all oreigners-Germans and BOhemians.
They are all Catholics and devoted to
their religion. Though the town OF Law
renee, which is the centre OF the little
community, comprises but lew stores
and a score Of houses, there is
church there that cost over $4,000.
Around Lawrence Lapham's Peak is
known as Holy Hill. 1t is regarded there
as cOnsecrated ground. On the top
pretty little church has been erected, and
near it is a cottage occupied by priest
who Officiates at the church. Traditions
about Holy Hill have been handed down
from generation to generation, and 1t is
firmly believed in Lawrence that visit
by the faithful to the wonderful place is
all that is necessary for the sick to be
healed. There is from one end of the year
to the other a constant stream of pill
grims. who pray on the hill to be restored
to health. During the past year thou
sands have visited the place.
CURED ON HOLY HILL.
Many stories Of miraculous cures are
told. The most recent one occurred a few
weeks ago. Thomas Welch, of OcOntO,
Wis, had been an invalid for years from
paralysis, and required the constant servi-
ces of an attendant. He had tried all the
usual remedies, without avail. He was
deyOut Catholic, and, hearing of Holy
Hill, determined to try the efficacy OF
prayer. He stayed at the Hill week.
Each day be was wheeled to the summit
in an inYalid's chair and spent several
hours in devotional exercises. On the
fifth day, which was Sunday, he became
conscious of a strange sensation, prick
ly, sharp feeling, through his lower limbs,
seeming to pass through the soles of his
feet to the ground. He at once found
himself able TO walk about. Then he fell
upon his knees, and, with hands clasped
and face, upturned. thanked Heaven for
his restoration to health.
The road leading to the summit of Holy
Hill is circuitous and rugged. At in
tervais along the way IA large crosses are
set. They are adorned with pictures
representing scenes in the life of the
Saviour. Pilgrims stop and pray at each
cross. Midway up the hill is small
chapel. On the walls are suspended a
number of crutches, canes and straps. 1t
is said they were left there by cTipples
who were obliged to claim their aid when
they came. but were able to leave the hill
without them. Women are said to pre-
dominate among those who visit the hill.
Oftentimes they go to pray for a relative
or friend who is unable to go himself.
At times they climb to the summit wear
ing shOtted shoes, which render lOcOmO-
tiOn almost impossible, and battle their
feet in blood.
THE HOME OF A HERMIT.
Holy Hill was for many years the home
OF hermit. Years ago he made his APP
pearance upon the scene suddenly. No
one knew where he came from. He made
himself a ''dug-Out" in a ravine and
passed his time chiefly on the top of the
eminence praying. For many years the
hill had been regarded as a holy place
and was said to possess strange, sacred
and miraculous properties. At the time
the hermit went to the hill he was
cripple. He soon began to improve, and
eventually was restored to perfect health
More than two centuries ago, it is said.
Father Marquette and the bold Joliet had
planted a cross upon the summit of the
hill, and in later years it was purchased
by the Catholic Church. COnsecrated
first by Marquette and again by
the priesthood of later day, it was holy
ground indeed, and there were none with
a disposition to modest the hermit in his
rude habitation. He called himself Fran
co.'s, was very retired and secluded and
had little to do with the people of the vi
cinlty. Claiming to be a franciscan
monk, he soon won the confidence and
esteem of the people, who sent to his hut
all the food necessary to supply his wants.
These contributions were left at the cot
tage of Roman GOetz, who lived but a
short distance from the Tecluse. GOetZ
alone was intimate with Francois, and at
a later day, it is said, he told GoetZ his
story.
THE HERNIIT'S STORY.
He said he was the scion of noble
German family. Educated for a priest,
he forgot his sacred calling in his love for
the pretty daughter of an inn-keeper, To
test his love he absented himself for pc
Rod of two years. On his return he found
her faithless. In his desperation he
killed her and fed. Conscience smote
him continually, and wherever he went
the image of the dead girl was before his
eyes. He wandered from place to place.
After years of wandering, worn out IN
body and soul, he laid his burden at the
foot of the cross and sought forgiveness.
1t was many years before he found per-
feet rest and relief from sin. Health fail
ing, he in some way heard of Holy Hill,
and wendell his way to it, reaching the
spot in an exhausted condition. He be-
came a daily visitor to the summit of the
hill, where be spent his time in devotion.
Often he could be seen upon the bare sum-
nit, kneeling for hours in the brOiling
suns of summer or the chilly blasts Of
winter. The early part of the day was
usually spent in this way, and in the af-
ternOOn he rested in his hut or wandered
about in the woods. The people of the
vicinity soon banded together and built
him hut to take the place of his dug
out" but they could not prevail on him to
accept any of the cOnveniences of life. He
wanted only enough to sustain life and
protect him in a measure from the violence
of the weather. He was both feared and
revered by the populace, and, avoiding his
presence, they regarded him with wonder
and awe. At last he disappeared as mys-
teriOusly as he came. No one knew where
he went. Francois cOntended that his
physical cure was the direct work of God
as a reward for prayer. He insisted that
God had forgiven his sins and showed for
giveness by removing his infirmIties
From the chapel midway up the hill can
be seen the place where the hut of the
hermit is said to have stood. Several
years ago it was burned, and the cottage
occupied by the priest officiating at the
church on the summit was built IN its
place. 1t is wild and romantic spot,
but has been much changed since Fran
co.'s went there, which was over a quar-
ter of century ago.