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

west lowered the rugged point of St
Mary's peak and the rocky battlements
and buttresses of it's neighboring noun
tains, all tipped with the first snow Of
the autumn month. To the north the
valley stretched away with its rolling
surface broken by the beautiful groves
that gave it the appearance of a grand
park, and to the south it sloped toward
the mountains, whose broken outline
was clearly defined in the brilliant at
moSphere of a Montana fall. In both
directions could the course of the river
be traced for miles by its fringe of trees
and shrubbery. 1t was a scene to In
splre an artist and it must have af-
forded the brave missionaries much
pleasure and satisfaction to know that
their work was to fall in such pleasant
places. 1t is no wonder that they said
1T is good to be here"
And here, in the midst of these match
less surroundings, fit setting for it's holy
purpose, was reared a few days later
the cross that marked the real estab-
lishment of the mission of st. Mary's
"a mission that has played an import
ant part in the upbuflding OF the SPLEEN
did empire Of Western Montana and
that Is associated with some of the no.
bleSt names in the history of the North
west. AS long as history is written
these names should be preserved-De-
Smet and his devoted associates, Ra-
valli. d'Aste and the rest of the self
denying priests whose influence at all
times insured peace with the Indians
Of this part of the country and aided SO
materially in the development of the
region which they practically discov-
cred. This cross was not a magnificent
al air. 1t was not emblazoned with
sculpture or ornamented with inscrip-
tions. 1t was simple thing, built of
rough logs, crudely secured together, for
there were few implements for the
~ Nty1rr 1y-1,~
the missionaries. Two logs the longer
about IL feet in length, had been bound
together with thongs. That was all,
but this simple emblem was sufficient.
1t told of the conservation of the place
to the work Of the Master. Its silent
eloquence bespoke the sacredness of the
purpose with which the fathers had in
vaded the valley, hitherto almost I'M
known to white men. 1t was the en-
bem Of the new religion which was to
be taught to the faithful Indians whose
desire for more knowledge thereof had
led them to risk life itself in the en-
deavor to secure the presence among
them Of teachers who could lead them
to the narrow way. Rude it was in
workmanship and devoid of ornamental
tion but its simplicity told the whole
story more graphically and with more
force than could the most ornate en-
blem of the church that was ever reared
| toward heaven.
The Cross.
Father DeSmet, Father Mengarini
| and Father Point soon after their ar
rival in the valley proceeded to the cree
ton of this cross. They were assisted
by the three lay brothers who had ac-
companied them, Brothers Specht, Huet
and Claessens, while the Indians, gath
ering around, lent was aid they could.
1t was an impressive scene. No grander
cathedral ever echoed to a more signi-
ficant service than that which was per-
formed by these young missionaries
upon this occasion. With the infinite
dome of heaven for a roof, with the
rugged mountains for the walls, with
| aisle and choir and transept carpeted
with the rich grassy lawn that formed
| the valley, with the bright splendor Of
| the autumn sun streaming over all
there was nothing lacking in the rich
| provisions of the Creator for this inn
portant and deeply significant event.
Priests ana lay brothers all wore ths
F, simple black robes of their order. This
uniform insured immunity from attack
by the savage tribes through whose ter
ritory they had passed on their long
summer journey. AS the brothers
planted the cross the priests chanted
the "Vexilla Regis" The soft earth was
thrown around the base of the cross,
! prayer of thanksgiving was offered and
lished. The event was the consumma-
ton of the hopes Of the Indians and the
realization of the prayers of the priests.
1t was holy hour
The formal inauguration Of the mis-
sion took place week later, on the
first Sunday in October. This was the
Feast Of Our Lady Of the Rosary. Rude
cabins had been built for the shelter Of
the missionaries and a small log chapel
constructed for a house of worship. The
Indians expressed great delight at the
completion of this building. To have
in their midst a House Of the Great
Spirit" had been their desire for so long
that it seemed hardly possible that it
was now realized. A singular coinci-
dence which added much to the
strength of the impression made upon
the Flatheads by the erection of this
chapel, was an incident of which the
fathers were ignorant for some time.
This is told in an interesting manner
by Father Palladino in his history Of
the mission. Father Palladino says that
the priests knew nothing of this occur
renee until after the church had been
completed.
A Prophecy.
The church had just been finished.
when an old Indian exclaimed when
he saw, "Why, this is the very spot
upon which Little Mary said the house
|
that several years before several lodges
of Indians had been camped on the
place and one of the children, known
as Little Mary, girl about Is years
of age, became i'll and died. At her
own request she was baptized by one of
the Iroquois who was in the camp. She
was deeply grateful for the admins
tration of the rite and expreesed her
!. thanks. Before she died she said:
There is no happiness on earth. Hap
, piness is only to be found above. l see
} the heavens open and the Mother of
Christ invites me to her. Listen to the
Rack Robes when they come. Do all
| they tell you. They will come and on
this very spot where I die they will
build their house of prayer" When The
chapel was erected and the indians
5 found that the prophecy of the young
: girl had been true they were deeply
impressed. Naturally superstitious
E they regarded the fulfillment of the
, omen as verifying their faith in the mis-