Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1889-04-25


pOrtant Doings of Our NeighbOrs-Wed-
dings and Deaths = Crimes, Casualties,
and General News Notes.
TMIRTY-FIvE YEARS WITH INDIANS.
Rev. Father John E. Wiekamp died
recently at the Franciscan Monastery, at
Cross Village. For thirty-fve years
Father Wiekamp had been missionary
among the Indians in that part of the
State. The best years of his life had
been devo,ed to their guidance and in
struction. He had been their spiritual
friend and their adviser in business af-
fairs, and he possessed their love, esteem,
and confidence. All the Indians for
miles around who could reach Cross viii
lage were in attendance at his funeral,
and by their actions demonstrated the
deep grief they felt. Father Wiekamp
was born in Westphalia, Germany, in
1918, and was ordained priest in ls49.
He chose the missionary field for his
life's labor, came to America, aud in 1854
arrived in Chicago. The following
spring he went TO Harbor Springs, and en-
tered upon his labors among the Indians,
who had tefore received religious in
structions from Bishop Daraga and other
Catholic pioneers. The Indians at Cross
Village, a small settlement on the lake
shore dozen miles north of the springs,
seemed to be more in need of spiritual
advice, and in 1856 he located there. At
that time there were not a dozen white
men in that part of the country. The
North was wilderness, and the only
means of communication were the Indian
trails to Muskegon and Grand Rapids,
and by water with Chicago and around
the lakes to Detroit. The Indians,
though partially civilized, lived in the
crudest manner possible-on the fish
and game they caught and on the small
crops of corn the squaws managed to
raise. To support himself and not to be
a burden on the Indians, Father VIE
kamp, by his own labor, cleared a small
farm. Lacking the necessary imple-
ments, the first crop of wheat he raised
was cut with knives He toiled early and
late, and sought by precept and example
to inculcate principles of morality
and industry among the Indians.
Finding his work too arduous
he founded monastery of the
Franciscan order, and for Thirty years
was at the head of the institution. Under
his direction m gnifcent farm was cut
out o. the virgin forest. He built saw
mill and grist-mill most the first of
the kind in that part of the State. The
monastery building il two stories in
height, constructed of logs, cased with
boards on the outside, and painted white.
Simple homes were erected as tho T need
was felt, and all the structures are of logs
and all are painted white The farm is
situated on rolling piece of ground,
sloDing toward Lake Michigan, which
spreads out before it. The monastery,
mills, barns and outhouses can be seen
from long distance, and present pic
turesque view from the passing steamers.
Tho property is valued at $40. .O3O, and is
all the result of the work Of Father Vie
kemp and tho Franciscan Brothers. Near
the monastery that he erected Father
Wiskamp built small ch pei, in
which he spent IT least an hour
every day in meditation and devotion.
In the floor of the chapel was deep
open grave, which he dug himself and
for years his hour of prayer was passed
beside the grave, aud in this grave his
body reposes. The funeral services were
conducted by the Franciscans of the mon
asiery and those who are located at Har-
Dor Springs, tssisted by all the Catholic
clergy in that part of the State. There
arc nearly one hundred Indian families at
Cross Village, with but few exceptions
Catholics, and they we're oil in attend
anc,, from the aged brave 10 the smallest
paroose. Nearly oil the Indians of Har-
hor Springs and in that vicinity went 10
pay their respects to the memory Of the
dead, going on foot and in wagons over
the rough road. They all loved the de-
parted Father, who for thilty-fve years
had officiated at all their ceremonies,
whether of Joy or sorrow, and while the
mourning was not demonstrative it was
none the less sincere.
Burglars worked a series OF aristo-
cratic homes on Jefferson avenue, one Of
the leading residence streets of Detroit.