The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1896-04-25
the REV. FATHER BARAGA.
Some Interesting Facts Regarding the
Esteemed Priest and His
Noble Dees.
Letter Written by Him to Mr.. Peter
Crebassa, Of LAnse, Fifty
three Years Ago.

Editor L'ASsE SENTINEL
DEAR SIR-ln my last letter spoke ol
the silver cross found here, which was
from Rev. Father Mesnsrd, the first prizes,
who came here from the old country.
He, made the trip from Sault Ste. Marie
20 Pequaming in a bark canoe. where
at the latter named place he established
a mission called St. Therasay. man
from Washington came here and asked
ii knew If there was mound in this
country. 1 told him did not know of
any. excepting some old graves where
Indians were buried. We f0lnd GIN.
small kettle and tomahawk also a tObac-
co pouch, ilre-Steel and punk used to
kindle fire.
Father Mesnard passed a winter here.
and baptized an old woman and child.
In the spring he went 10 Michigamme.
accompanied by a Frenchman. where
they constructed a log canoe and started
down the river. In attempting TO fol-
10" trail Father Mesnard got lost,
and was never heard from again Some
time thereafter his cloak was found. and
IL was concluded that he either starved
70 death or was killed
will now give few facts regarding
lev. Father Baraga. the second priest
who came TO L'Anse.
came TO L'Anse in 1887. and was em-
ployed by the American Fur company
An old chief named Penanshi came to
see me every sunday. had an old
- be printed in the French language in
the year 1915. and the old chief used to
request me 10 read 10 him from the
book. and explain it. which did to the
best Of my ability. He desired 10 know
if could get priest To come here, aud
replied that | would write to Father
BaCaga. who was then at Lapoint. Wis. .,
aud was the only priest in this portion of
the country. Accordingly wrote to
Father Baraga. explaining matters, and
invited him to come. That was in 1910.
He replied that he could not leave
l.apoint. as he had church and large
congregation there. Each year wrote
to him, and at last in 1913 received the
following letter, written ia French.
which is correctly translated in English
MH. PIERRE CREBAssA.
My DEAR FRIEND-I received your
letter on the 9th Of toe month with great
pleasure, and think | am obliged TO
accept the invitation you make me.
There's now three years resistance on
the Invitation To go TO L'Anse. for
don't like to leave my children. and now
| cannot resist any more for | think it
is the will OF God that must 90. It's for
that reason promise you shall so to-
EAnse. If God will let me live. think
shall go in che schooner of Mr..
Mendenhall, this the Algoqulu, in the
beginning of May. and shall go TO the
500" (for the schooner will not go to
L'An.e). and from the 500" shall get
some opportunity to go to your place.
Dear sir, pray you tell your Indians
IL | see they will join the Catholic reli-
gion will stay with them the fore part
Of the summer, and will 90 back with
you in the month Of July to Lapoint; and
you can also tell your Indians If see they
convert to the Catholic religion in great
numbers / shall try to stay with them II
| can, and get another In my place ut
Lapoint, II our superior bishop accord
me that am, dear sir. your very
friend, FREDERICK BARaGA.} :
Priest Missionary.
LApOINT. March 18th. lS43.