The Indianapolis journal., 1893-12-13
PROMINENT MEN ILL
Venerable Mgr. BessOnies's COndi-
tiOn Is Still Very Critical.
President Gallup. of Meridian National
Bank, Is Also Lying at the
Point of Death.


was somewhat improved yesterday MORN
ing, but in the evening it became worse.
His physicians do not believe that he will
live beyond a few days, although his strong
ccr stitution may bring about a sufficient
rally. Callers are rot admitted to the sick
room. a great many friends of the beloved
priest call during the day. At this time
bits of Father Bessonies's history are
brought out. and number of pretty little
anecdotes told of him. Three years ago
he celebrated his fiftieth anniversary of adj
mission to the priesthood, and a large purse
was raised for him. Throughout his life
he has been accustomed TO give almost ev-
erythng he possessed to charity, and al
though this purse was given him in order
that he might rest little in his declining
years, he promptly began to give ii away
to various charities and to people who were
in distress In short time all the money
would have been gone had not Bishop Cha
tard borrowed the remainder in order to
save it for the kind-hearted priest. OF
Father Bessonies it could be truly said
that his smile Was a benediction. He was
frequently seen in different parts of The
city on errands of mercy and charity, and
he could hardly proceed a block without
stopping TO shake hands with some one who
wanted to tell him their troubles or ask ad-
vice of him. In North-side family a
servant girl who frequently suffered from
the 'blues." When she felt herself getting
into such a mood she would set out
straightway to the aged priest, whose
few words of comfort would Danish the
mood.
Reporters have had numerous occasions
to call on him, and there has been man
so greatly admired and respected by them
this reverend man. One entered his
room one Sunday afternoon to obtain a
few facts about church celebration.
There was Father Bessonies the floor
in the middle of the room, with pile of
silver and greenbacks about him. Several
young priests were helping him to count
the money. The aged mans face was COW
cred with smiles, and so happy he at
the amount raised at collection that
morning for a college in which he was in
terested that he almost danced with joy,
despite his dignity. He took great interest
in young men and colleges for young men.
Father BesSonieS came from a very aris-
tocratic family in France. In 1886, at the
age Of twenty-one, he was studying philos-
ophy at Lissy. About that time Bishop
Brute, who was then almost considered
saint. returned to France from America,
where he had been engaged In missionary
work. Young Bessonies had decided to be-
come a Lazarist or mission priest, and had
been promised the aid of Superior-general
Father Nozot, of that order but when the
young Bishop Brute he was
strongly affected. He Immediately wanted
to go to America. One day, as the Bishop
coming out of a chapel, the young
man threw himself in his way and begged
to be allowed to go to America with him;
Il may not suit as a missionary. said the
Jealous youth, but | would do as your
coachman.'
My SON.. replied the good bishop. 'I am
happy to feel that there is a prospect for
a new altar TO be raised In my dear Indi-
ana" Then he told him of the hardships
spent In the wild forest without shelter.
THAT Is what i like" said Bessonies.
The youth was informed that there was
no seminary at Vincennes, in Indiana, and
that he would have to study theology at
St Sulpice for three years, at the expira-
ton of which time the bishop would send
Bishop of Cahors. and in 1885 young Besso-
MES was ordained a deacon by the Arch
bishop of Paris in the Carmelite's Chapel.
where many priests suffered martyrdom
in 1893, and where their blood can yet be
seen. In the spring he was ready to leave
for America, but he too young to go
as a priest. The Vicar General of Vincennes
wrote to Rome for an age dispensation for
the young man. but it was refused.
his mother in southern France to bid her
goodbye. He almost broke down at the
separation and to escape further tears he
attempted to slip away at night, but one
of his relatives heard him and made him
come back to his mother who was in bed.
There she bid him God speed and gave him
her benediction. On the eve of sailing the
party heard of the death of Bishop Brute
i'm America. After forty-four days Journey
New York was reached and from there the
party went directly to the wilderness about
Vincennes. On Feb. %, 1912. Deacon Bes-
sones was ordained a priest.
The hardships which the young priest en-
dured in the woods have been described
heretofore.
He wanted to work among the Indians
near LogansDort. but other duties were
found for him. He founded the village of
Leopold and was appointed the first post
master of it by President Polk, upon the
recommendation of Congressman Robert
Dale. When Bazin chosen bishop of
Vincennes in 1917. Father Bessonies was
asked to become the superior of the semi
nary at Nincennes. but he declined. He
made a visit to France in 1852 and then
after coming back to this country he was
stationed at Fort Wayne as the pastor of
ST Augustne's, where he remained for a
year He was at JefferSOnville from 1854
to 1851 Then he came to st. Johns of this
city retaining his position it's pastor
until after his recent jubilee.
He asks that only these words be placed
sonies, pastor of st. Johns from 1857 to -