The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-11-01
FATHER SORIN DEAD
The Founder Of NOtre Dame Uni-
yerSity Passes to His Reward.
Long and Useful Life NObly Spent in
Building Up the Greatest Catholic
College In the Country.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.


SOUTH BEND, Ind, Oct. 31.-The Very
Rev. Edward Sorin, founder of the Uni
versity of Notre Dame, and superior gen.
eral of the congregation of the Holy Cross
of the world died this forenoon, at 9:45
o'clock, at his residence. the presbytery, on
the banks of ST. Mary's lake, Notre Dame.
The end was peaceful, and the venerable
man was conscious almost to the last
President Morrissey, Fathers Corby and
Hudson, and nearly all the priests of the
community were present. The scene was
one of sadness. For several years Father
Sorin has been in poor health. In the sum-
mer of 1892 II was thought he could not
possibly live long but he regained strength
and last summer took almost daily drives
frequently visiting the city. Some weeks
ago he became worse and then gradually
failed. Brights disease, old age and minor
difficulties caused death. He has no rel
atives in this country, but leaves several
nephews and nieces in France The funeral
exercises will be held Friday forenoon in
the Church of Sacred Heart, Notre Dame
At o'clock the office of the dead will be
said. At 10 o'clock a solemn requiem mass
will be sung, probably by Bishop Rade-
macher, followed by sermon, which Arch
bishop Elder, of Cincinnati. has been asked
to deliver. The remains will be inferred be-
tween those of President Walsh and Father
Granger, in the community cemetery. on
the banks of st. Mary's lake. Notre Dame.
Edward Sorin was born near Paris,
France, on Feb. g. 1914. He graduated
at the University of Paris, afterwards
studied for the priesthood, and was or
dained June g. 1888 At the end of a year
ne felt a desire to become a missionary
among the Indians of America and, with
the view of preparing himself for this
work, he entered the newly-founded Order
ward appointed Bishop of Bengal, but de-
clined. He sailed from Havre Aug. 5, 1871,
reaching New York on Sept. IA, and at
once set out for Indiana, where he began
his labors among the Indians: He was
forced to abandon this scheme by the SUI
perior of his order who directed him to
establish schools wherever opportunity
offered. He arrived at the present site of
Notre Dame on Nov. "a, 1872 with only s.,
to begin the work of erecting a school. The
waste was covered with snow, and the only
building for miles around was dilapidated
log hut. He began with energy, and spent
five days in repairing the log. cabin and in
fitting it up that one-half served
chapel and the other q dwelling for him
self and six brothers. He then began to
build q college, which was chartered as
university in 1914 by the Legislature of In
diana From that day the University of
Notre Dame progressed under his guidance
until IL Is to-day the IdTSSSt anu IlOSl llll-
portant Roman Catholic educational estab-
lishment in the United States. In 1857 he
was appointed provincial superior of the
houses of the Order of the Holy Cross in
the United States. and in 1868 he elect
ed superior-general for life. He crossed the
Atlantic forty-three times, and ii has been
computed that his journeys and voyages
together would more than equal eight times
the circumference of the earth. Besides the
University of Notre Dame, he established
nourishing colleges and schools in every
part of the United States and Canada. He
is likewise the founder and superior-gen-
eral of the Sisters of the Holy Cross in the
United States of whom there more
than eight hundred, chiefly engaged in con-
Quoting academies and schools.