Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1886-09-10
Gen. Sherman's Son Tom.

society OF Jesus, who has just been
appointed professor Of rhetoric in the
Jesuit college at Detroit, is spending
August at Georgetown university, in
Vest Washington, writes CORE
;pondent OF the New York World. His
lie reads like romance. A few years
ago he was one of the most dashing
Ind popular young men in Washing
ION society. His father was general OF
The armies OF the United States and
almost dotted on the promising young
nan. a bright worldly future was be-
ore him. His uncle, the senator, was
20 initiate him into politics, and soon,
t was expected by his fond father, the
BOY would be adding luster to the
Sherman name. He had graduated
rom the classical department OF the
Georgetown college with highest hon
ors. He was handsome, manly, full
81 animal life, and apparently devot-
I'd to social pleasures. There was
even some talk OF his intended mar
;iage to a young lady OF Cincinnati.
At this iuncture, however, when his
parents and friends expected him to
settle down and come out brilliant
;uture, all the Washington world was
shocked by the announcement that
young Thomas had made up his mind
to forsake the world, don the Jesuit
,assock and take thevows ofpoverty,
chastity and obedience. At first the
report was ridiculed, as young Sher-
man had never shown any marked re-
ligious tendencies, but on the contrary,
had exhibited that spirit of religious
indifference which characterizes the
young man OF to-day. Still thereport
proved true. All at once Sherman
disappeared from the drawing
rooms OF the elite, and inquiries
Tor him elected the fact that he
had gone to the Jesuit novitiate
to make preparations for enter
ing the priesthood. It is said that a
religious retreat at Georgetown had
much to do with his change OF life.
The college is under the charge OF the
Jesuits, and Sherman, who had been
educated there, naturally had an al
lection for his teachers, though while
under them there had been no mention
of his entering the ministry. This re-
treat, which he took part in with zeal,
was followed by the announcement
that he was about to join the Jesuit
order. 1t may be imagined that the
announcement was shock to his
fond father. How great the shock
was only the Sherman family circle
know, but certain it it that the old
general was never quite the same az
terward. He tried to dissuade his son
from the step contemplated by every
means he knew OF, but it was all in
vain. Whether the father and son part
ed III anger or not is not known. Any
now, they have had no oommunica-
ton with each other since, and Gen.
Sherman, it is said, will have no one
mention his sons name in his presence
Mrs. Sherman visits Thomas quite
often, however. She WAS, of cou~se,
bitterly disappointed that her con
should give up his brilliant future, but
she is devout Catholic, and, like al
Catholic mothers, is fond of her SON.
ecclesiastical character. While Thorn
as WAS at the Frederick novitiate she
went up there weekly. Afterw ards he
was transferred to Woodstock, Md,
which is also within easy reach 0!
Washington. When, however, his
superiors told him he must 60 to Eng
land to complete his studies, and this
arrangement was evidently made for
the purpose OF getting the young man
as lar as possible from his parents,
Mrs. Sherman appealed to her son
to come home and carry out his
fathers wishes The general joined
in this entreaty, but Thomas had
made up his mind to become p
priest, and nothing could shake Lis
determination It is said that the
parents then proposed O. compromise,
They PROPOSED that he should give up
the cassock ard study for the secular
priesthood, since secular priests have
; the opportunity to display their abili-
ties and to be advanced 70 the prela-
cy, while Jesuits and other members
Of orders must pass their lives in Oh.
security, teaching in colleges and giving
missions. Young Sherman would list.
I'm to no compromise, ana even ap.
pea]ed to his superiors to send him
to England at once, SO thu. he might
, not be tempted by the en5reaties OF
his parents, whom he loved dearly
So to England he went, and fo1
four years studied hard in the college
at Stonyhurst, graduating in phil.
osophy, Then he returned tt
the United States to pursue
his theological studies at the
! Jesuit seminary at Woodstock, Md
Now, in accordance with the Jesuit
rule, he must teach n certain time tc
prepare himself for the life that is be
tore him. AS he distinguished himself
Tor lit erary talent while in college he
;; is given the professorship in rhe1orj"
Alter two years in Detroit he will
probably come to the Jesuit college
mere to finish his studies and be or
dained. His temperance On the
6:ld where he was known as dashlna
society man will cause much interest
especially if he appears in the pulpit
before those With whom he formerly
associated. He is living very quietly
now at Georgcto wn college, not having
been seen in social circles since he
came to the capital.