The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-31
DEATH OF FATHER dolls
st. AIMS Church Loses q Much
Beloved Pastor.
I'LL BUT A SHORT TIME
He Was Born in Belgium, and since
Coming to Great Falls Has
Proved One OF the Best
of Her Citizens.

Great Falls, May 3o.-At SIS his
morning Rev. Father John James Dolls
died at the Columbus hospital, and a
few minutes later the tolling Of the
bell on st. AIMS Catholic church gave
notice to the members of his congre-
CATION that they had lost a well-be-
loved pastor and the citizens of Great
Falls that they were deprived of one
Of their best feilowmen. The father
has been Ill since the last Of Easter
week. The trouble at first seemed trif-
ling, but soon developed into pleuro-
pneumonia with complications. 1t has
been known for the asst two weeks
that he was getting weaker each day
and the chances were decidedly against
his
Father Dolls was born at litter. Hol-
land, in 1S4S. and was engaged in mer-
camille business there before he pre-
pared for the priesthood. He studied
for the latter at the American college
at Louvain. Belgium, and was ordained
Ter the calling OF priest in 1875. Dur
ing that same year he was assigned to
the diocese OF Oregon, n vas pastor
OF the parishes of Gervais and McMinn-
Vile. In 1881 he vas sent to Butte by
Bishop Seghers and remained in that
city until 1885. He vas known to be
very successful in his work in Butte,
and 1t is largely to his efforts that the
st. James hospital was erected. In
addition he secured for his congrega-
ton a fine brick church structure in
the place of the unsightly building he
found on his arrival there. His next
pastorate was at Dillon. whittier he
went under orders from Bishop Bron-
del. who. it happens. was with him to-
day up to the last minute of life. AT
Dillon his executive ability was again
displayed, and he left the parish a
new church structure. and IL was dur
ing the same time that ne induced the
people of Virginia City to build a res
idence for their priest, costing IS. OO0.
Early in 1891 he was selected as the
first resident priest of Great Falls, and
has resided here since hat time.
Here his reputation as a worker did
not pale. He ound his parish SO, 900
in debt on account of a church and
priests house Just built. and he did not
rest until his people were entirely free
from debt. He was instrumental in
having the Columbus hospital built
here and has assisted in the manag
ment of that charity since He was
also a prime mover in the building of
churches at Belt and other points in
the surrounding country.
The deceased will not soon be for
gotten by the people among whom he
has labored for the past seven years.
While perhaps energy was his most
characteristic trait there was some
thing about his personality that made
a friend of everyone brought into con
tao with him, whether of the same or
a different creed. Perhaps as many
outside of his church our his death
as there are within IL. In all things
he was broad-minded and did not hes
itate to show his caliber. More than
THAT, he had that charity which goes
outside of a mans small circle and ac-
cepted the stranger as a %neighbor. 1t
is related of Father Dolls hat at the
time of the terrible explosion at Mel
hart, when several were killed and
others mangled. he chartered an en-
CINE at his own expense and went
there as quickly as possible to render
all the aid in his power He did not
know who had been k~illed-that was
immaterial-he felt there was need of
religious consolation on that spot, and
that 1t was his duty to get there as
soon as possible. The fact that the
superintendent OF the mine reimbursed
him later does not detract from the
broad charity Of his act. IL the cir
cumstances show he had no thought
of the matter In his mind. Other Incl
dents, perhaps lesser in degree. could
be quoted by the score to further IL
lustrate the mans innate goodness.
However, they are unnecessary in this
city. A good man a died n the
loss ie not so much one Of the church
as one in which the city of Great Falls
and the people of Cascade county are
involved.
The funeral will take place from
st. AIMS Catholic church "Wednesday
morning at 10 o'clock. Inc the services
will be conducted by Bishop Brondel.