The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-09-06
DOCTOR POTTER.
The Choice of the People OF this Diocese for
Bishop Visits the City.

Lincoln Journsl.
Rev. DIR. Potter, president of Hobert
college, New York, accompanied by
DR.. Robert Doherty, president of Brow
nell hall at Omaha, made brief visit
to this city yesterday, coming down in
the morning and returning to Omaha
on the afternoon train. In response to
a telegram announcing that the doc
tor would arrive on the noon train, j.
L. Osborne, E. L. Roberts and General
M. Montgomery, as committee from
the vestry, met him and DR.. Doherty
at the train, and after dinner took
them about the city.
DR.. Potter, it will be remembered.
was elected at the last diocesan coun-
Gil of this diocese, successor to the late
Bishop Clarkson. He declined the po-
sition on account of Il years contract
made with Hobert college. 1t was
hoped, however; that he could be in
duced to reconsider, and the officers of
the diocese wrote to him offering to let
him fulfill his contract with Hobert,
and asking him to come out and look
over the ground.
A Journal reporter had the pleasure
of meeting DR.. Potter at the depot yes
terday and found him large, fine
looking man over six feet tall, and
very genial and pleasant in his man.
nerS.
''Have you come to any decision us
to reconsidering your declinction of
the bishopric of this diocese, Doctor?"
asked the reporter.
''Oh, that is matter upon which
this visit has no bearing" replied Dr.
Potter. II had decided on Il visit to
the west before I received the letter
asking me to reconsider the question of
accepting the bishopric and inviting
me to cone west. | am merely visit
ing the west as a citizen who feels it
his duty to become better acquainted
with his country"
''The members of your church in
this diocese are much interested in this
matter and would be glad to know
what your feelings are upon ii"
81 would be glad if | had anything
to say, but am not here on that bust
ness and have not given it any thor
ough consideration.
"Is this your first trip to the westP"
81 went around Cape Horn in the
early days, and was in California when
the vigilance government hung its last
lot of men. l went around the world
at that time, and was made major be-
fore my return. l then went into the
ministry and have never been west this
far since. 1 am astounded at the de-
velopment of the country and the indi-
cations which it shows of the wonder
full future before it. l had no concep-
ton of it. Your cities are admirably |
laid out and wonderful foresight has |
been used in the provisions made for the |
fostering of educational and religious
institutions. In this city learn, for
instance, that lots have been given to |
fourteen different church institutions. |
l am astonished at this depot building |
here. In the town where / lived in |
New York many years, and where
there have been large railroad inter-
ests for half century almost, they re-
ceive their passengers in mere sheds to
this day"
81 think the people of Nebraska have
the best of grounds for their sanguine
in regard to the future of
the state. The basis of your wealth
is different from that of mining COM
munities. Your gold is in your corn,
and there is no danger of its exhaus-
ton.
''The prairies are very much more
beautif IL than l had imagined. The
idea of prairie entertained by those
who have not seen them is of a monot-
onous, almost level tableland. / was
not at all prepared to see the beautiful
hills and vallies with which the face of
5he country is diversified"
"Have you visited Omaha?'
81 am staying in Omaha with Chan
,ellor Woolworth and came down from
here this morning. / will make quite
| thorough tour of the state before [
cave it. find the affairs of the church
n remarkably good condition in the
vest, and the members are doing ex-
,ellent work. Still feel that while
here is great field and much work
o do here. there is less to do with and
hat part of the burden of this work
hould be borne by us in the east. 1t
vas for the purpose of gaining a more
adequate knowledge of the country by
PERSONAL inspection that have under
AIKEN this trip. l feel that l can make
of use in the work we have to do"
"Will you visit any other parts of the
tate?"
''Mr. Woolworth and myself will 90
o Ogalalla next week, and then take !
wagons and visit some of the great cat
lie ranches in the western part of the
tate. shall then go to Denver"
Although DR.. Potter was very cordial
nd talked readily it will be seen that 8
e was prudently non-committal as to t
is course in the matter of the bishopric. Y
'octor Doherty feels confident that DR..
otter will ultimately accept the posi- t
on 1t is evident that he has genu- S
lie and enthusiastic admiration for the f
ate and a thorough appreciation of t
er great future. A strong, vigorous =
ian, evidently of great energy and t
ltellectual power, it is not difficult to 4
elieve that he would much prefer the o
reat field for labor and usefulness a
aiting him here, to the somewhat linn a
ed one of the presidency of a college n
hich does not rank among the highest s.
the land. The people of the diocese b
e anxious that DR.. Potter decide to V
me to Nebraska and we trust that n
ey will not be disappointed. o