Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1896-04-09

count Of his journey down the Mis-
sissippi, he set out with two white
men and . nj, 1ber Of sayages for
the village Of Kaskaskia. On Dec.
IA he was stopped at the portage on
the Chicago by infirmities and Sc
we're cold, and dismissing the In
dams resolved to winter there with
his two companions. Resuming his
journey, March 80, 1875, he reached
Kaskaskia April 8, and at once be-
gan a mission by erecting an altar
and celebrating the festival OF Eas-
ter; but, conscious that his end was
approaching, he soon attempted to
return to Mackinaw. He reached
no further than small river whose
mouth is on the E. shore Of Lake
Michigan, and which still bears his
name, and there he died in the pres
ence of the two Frenchmen who had
attended him from Green bay. He
was buried on the spot. but in 1877
his remains we're carried to Macki-
nav. The narrative Of his voyage
on the Mississippi was not publish.
ed until 1881, when it appeared at
Paris in Thevenot's Reeue7 de
royages accompanied by q map.
This narrative, as well a. journal
OF the missionary's last expedition.
and his autograph map, may be
found in Shea's Discovery and Ex-
ploration of the Mississippi Valley"
New York, 1882. His narrative,
for some years after its first publ,
cation, was regarded as fable; but
his claim is now established as the
first explorer Of the great river Of
the West, and the first European
who saw it after De Soto.-New
american Cyclopedia. Edited By
George Ripley and Charles A. Dana.
|
From page 152 to 1872, Vol. Ill,
Of the History of the United States,
BANCROFT gives in glowing words
the account of Pere Marquette's
explorations. There is bis "memo-
rial more durable than brass" and
Americas greatest historian there
foretells that "the people of the
West will build his monument.
Thus the historian writes
"Joliet returned to Quebec to an
nounce the discovery. of which the
fame, through Talon, quickened
the ambition of Colbert the IN.
aspiring Marquette remained to
preach the gospel to the Miamis.
who dwelt in the north of Illinois.
round Chicago. Two years after
wards sailing from Chicago to Mac
kinaw, he entered little river in
Michigan. Erecting an altar, he
SAID Mass after the rites of the
Catholic church then begging the
men who conducted his canoe to
leave him alone for half an hour.
| .in the darkIing wood,
Amidst the cool and silence. he knelt down.
And offered 70 the aightiest solemn thanks
At the end of the half hour, they
went to seek him, and he was no
more. The good missionary, dis
coverer of q world, had fallen asleep
on the margin Of the stream that
bears his name. Near its mouth,
the canoemen dug his grave in tie
sand. Ever after, the forest rang
ers. il in danger on Lake Michigan,
would invoke his name. The peo-
pie of the west will build his mon
ument. "-Bancrof, Vol. III. page
162. XIV Edition. Little, Browm
Dc Co., Boston.
"When Marquette was setting
out for the source of the Mississip.
pi, and the friendly Indians who
had known him, wished to turn
him from his purpose by declaring,
"those distant nations never spare
the stranger, the calm reply of the
missionary was. II shall gladly lay
down my life for the salvation Of
souls" And then the red sons of
the wilderness bowed with him in
prayer, and before the sim pie cross
of cedar, and among the stately
groves of elm and maple which line
the st. Lawrence, there rose that
old chant which the aged man had
been accustomed to hear i'm the dis
tsnt Cathedrals of his own land
"Terilla Regis prOdeunt
Fulget CrWciS mysterium.
But how little is known of all
these men The history of their
bravery and suffrrings, touching as
it is, has been comparatively neg
lected Rev WY INGRAHAM KIP.
p. E. Bishop of California, Autsoy
Jesuit Missions in North Amer.
ica." de-, dc.
Bancroft.
Bancroft writes of Father Mar.