The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-17

Missouri in canoes This was in the
summer of 1899, and ST. Louis was
reached in the autumn of that year.
Success at Last.
This time the efforts Of the Flat
head ambassadors were to be success
full. Peter and young Ignace made a
favorable impression upon the bishop
and the fathers of the college. Both of
these Indians could speak French and
they had no difficulty in making them
selves understood. The bishop had
been communicating with the higher
church authorities regarding the prev
ious visits that had been made by the
Fiathead emissaries and was able to
assure Peter and young Ignace that a
priest would be sent at once to their
people. 1t was arranged that Peter
should return to the Bitter Root valley
with the good news and that young
Ignace should spend the winter at the
mouth of the Bear river until the ar
rival there of the priest who should be
sent. and whom he should guide to the
far western valley, whose redskin in
habitantS so earnestly craVed his
presence. BY this time the year 1889
was well spent, and 1t was not till the
early spring of the following year that
Peter appeared in the village Of the
II
at last the hopes, of these rude people
were to be realized. This village was
near the mouth of Eight Mile creek,
opposite the present town of Florence.
There was great rejoicing among the
Indians and they at once prepared for
the proper reception of the messenger
OF peace who was to be sent to them.
The First Black Robe.
The church authorities had been
carefully considering the question OF
the Indian mission during the winter
that followed the visit of Peter and
young Ignace to st. Louis. The promise
of the bishop had been given to the
Indian messengers that priest would
be sent to their people, and this prom
Use must be carried out. 1t had been
hoped that two priests could be sent,
but a scarcity of funds prevented inns
and the final decision was that a single
father must make the journey. among
the priests of the Society of Jesus was
young man, comparatively unknown,
but destined to become famous as the
pioneer priest of the northwest. Brave,
loyal and devoted Father Peter j. De
| Srnet. IT was he who volunteered for
this perlous service and his prohered
| services were accepted. With scarcely
sufficient money for the absolute neces-
stiles of his long journey, he set forth
in the spring Of 1S4o, accompanied by
young lgnace, who had remained be-
| hind to guide him to the beautiful val
| lev in the heart of the mountains.
where his faithful, brave and trusting
| people waited for the message of Christ
! for which they had hoped so many
| years. There was no pomp or cere-
rnony about the departure from the
| college at St. Louis. No gay procession
| ACCOMPANIED the young priest upon the
| first stage of his journey. His depart
ure was not heralded abroad and ms
| purpose was not proclaimed from the
| rousetops. Simply, mcdestly and tul
| Of hope and confidence the young mis-
I eionary set forth, accompanied solely
| by his dusky guide. Receiving the bless.
| ing of his bishop, clad in the simple
| black robe Of his order, placing all trus
| forth. It was q modest beginning, bu
it was the first step in a march o,
! peaceful conquest. That journey begun
SO quietly and with so little ostentation
| was destined to become a triumDha
march before it was concluded. Thou
sands Of Indians were to bow to tina
high authority which Father DeSme
| represented and do honor to the earn
est teacher who brought to them tn
| gospel of peace for which they max
been waiting for SO many years.
Meeting the Indians.
1t was just about the time that Faith
| er DeSmet left ST. Louis that Pete
brought to the Indian village in tn
Bitter Root the good tidings that
| Black Robe was on TIE way to them
The happiness of the Flatheads wa