The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-04-24

and General News Notes.
THIRrY-FIvE YEARS WITH INDIANS.
Rev. Father John f. wiekamp died
recently at the Franciscan Monastery, Mt
Cross Village. For thirty-fiye years
Father Wiekamp had been a missionary
among the Indians in that part of the
State. The best years of his life had
been devoted 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 Mt his funeral,
and by their actions demonstrated the
deep grief they felt. Father Wiekamp
was born in Westphalia, Germany, in
1918, and was ordained a priest in 1919.
He chose the missionary field for his
life's labor, came to America, and in 1884
arrived in Chicago. The following
spring he went to Harbor Springs, and en-
tered upon his labors among the Indians,
who had hefore received religious in
'structions from Bishop Baraga 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 dozen white
men in that part of the country The
North was a 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
burden on the Indians, Father Vie
kamp, by his own labor cleared small
farm Lacking the necessary nipple
ments, the first crop of wheat he raised
was cut with knives. He toiled early end
late, and sought by precept and example
to incuicate principles of morality
and industry among the Indians.
Finding his work too arduous
he founded a monastery of the
Franciscan order, and for Thirty years
was at the head of the institution. Under
his direction magnificent farm was cut
out o the virgin forest. He built saw
mill and grist- ll-a'most the first of
the kind in that part of the State. The
monastery building Is two stories in
height, constructed of logs, cased with
boards Oh the outside, and painted white.
Simple homes were erected as thor need
was felt, ond all the structures are of logs
and all are painted white The farm is
situated on a rolling piece of ground,
slipping toward Lake Michigan, which
spreads ont before it. The monastery,
mills barns and outhouses can be seen
from long distance, and present pie
turesque view from the passing steamers.
The property is valued at $50, 900, and is
all the result of the work of Father Vie
kamp and the Franciscan Brothers. Near
the monastery that he erected Father
Wiekamp built a small chlpel, in
which he spent 1T 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, and in this grave his
body reposes. The funeral services were
conducted by the Franciscans of the mon
astery and those who are located at Har-
Dor Springs, assisted by all the Catholic
clergy in that part of the State. There
are nearly one hundred Indian families at
Cross Village, with but few exceptions
Catholics, and they were all in attend
ance, from the aged brave 10 the smallest
papoose. Nearly all the Indians OF Hnr-
Dor Springs and in that vicinity went TO
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 thiIty-fve years
had offciated 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
At the house of Treasurer w. X. Ander-
son, of the Michigan Car Company, they
took bath and then proceeded to enter
tain themselves in the larder with wines.
They then went through the clothing in
the house, but got no money. The house
of President Charles b. Hull, of the
American Ergle Tobacco Company, was
next visited The burglars ransacked
boxes, bureaus, dressers, and the larder,
but got no money. w. X. Muir's house
was despoiled of edibles. At Mrs. ID. A.
Ducharmes' mansion they made too much
noise, and we're scared off after getting
some jewelry. During the week dozen
houses in the same neighborhood we're
robbed.
casper Alpern has rebuilt his fish
tug Wayne Isbell, at Alpena. Nearly the
entire hull is new. The part above water