The Irish standard., 1897-08-14
PRIESTS AND NUNS IN ALASKA.

| 1t is only since the recent discovery
OF the new Eldorado that 1t has become
| generally known that priests and nuns
| of the Catholic church have been Dio-
neers in the gold regions of Alaska. 1t
Is several years ago since they first pen
etrated into the Arctic wilderness to
civilize and Christianlze the aborignes
of that frigid cline: and that they
| have succeeded in their missionary la
bors is evidenced by the fact that
churches, schools and hospitals are
established by them in that hyperborean
land. So far back as 46 Catholic mis-
sions have been established in Alaska.
In 1888 Archbishop Seghers traversed
the country along the Yukon river on
an episcopal visitation. and was assassi-
mated by faithless guide. Six years
afterwards the territory was organized
MS a prefecture apostolic attached to the
metropolitan see of Oregon City, pre-
| sided over by Archbishop Gross; and
| now there are missions established all
along the west coast and on the borders
of the Yukon. The mining district Of
the klondyke, which lies east of the
Z 14lst parallel, has also missions con-
Quoted by the Oblate fathers. who are
| under the jurisdiction Of the archbishop
| of St. Boniface in the British possess
sions. In this territory there are two
bishops. 30 priests. lG churches, IA mis-
sion stations. several converts, orphan
asylums and hospitals.
DR.. Ernest @. Crewe has just returned
from Alaska, and in a letter to the
Chicago Tribune states that he spent
last winter travelling in the Arctic cir
Gle with Bishop Tosi. the present pre-
fect-apostolic of Alaska. and the ven-
cradle FIR. Barnum. who was doing mis-
sionary work among the natives. Among
other interesting things he says:
We were on the road in dog sledses
in all kinds of weather. frequently far
from any shelter except the under
ground snow huts of the "huskes|
and our meals We're irregular in hours
and scant in materials. but we had no
serious trouble. Neither of the priests
uttered a word of complaint AS COR
myself 1 must confess my longings for
the heshpots of civilization were at
times openly expressed, but it was en-
tircly from desire for better food
The FIR. Barnum mentioned by him
is a learned Jesuit who is native Of
Baltimore. He is convert to Ca
tholicity, and belonged to the Episco-
palian church before he went over to
Rome. Full Of zeal and forgetful of
bodily comforts. he went to Alaska
many years ago, and has brought a
large number of people to the light of
the gospel. He studied the Alaskan
language and issued a dictionary md
grammar, the first books ever prin red
in that strange tongue. The klondyke
gold fields are in the district where :l:S
Jesuit missions are established. and
some of the most valuable claims ;re
located on the site Of the Jesuit mis-
sions; burt the missionaries are not
after the wealth of earth. caring more
for the gloriess OF heaven.
Late dispatches from Washington
announce thai. Fr; Barnum is assigned
to duty in tina city. He has been APP
pointed librar ian Of Georgetown col
lege. He has lately inherited a for
tune Of s25.p0o. and his presence in
Washington is required for the settle
mcnt of the estate
FIR. Barnum is, considered to be The
best living authority on the natural
resources of Alaska. and he is undoubt-
edly the best Eskimo scholar, having
now in course OF preparation for the
press two books in that language. He
sailed from Stia on July %. and has
by this time reached the national CAPT
tai
The Sisters are no less intrepid than
the priests in encountering the rigorous
climate of Alaska. 1t is now nine years
since three Of the Sisters of St. Anne
left the mother house in San Francisco
for the land of snow and ice. On ar
irving there they first lived in tents
| and bore the severest hardships uncom.
plainlngly. Nine others soon followed
them, and the number is being gradu-
| ally augmented. They so Of their cwn