The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-17
HOW THE OLD MISSION Of
ST. MARY'S WAS FOUNDED
Responsive to the Earnest Appeals Of the Indian Ennis
saries-The Jesuit Fathers Penetrated the
S Wilderness of the Rocky Mountains
Sixty Years Ago.

Jesuits big Ignace" was an enthusi-
astic convert and his glowing descrip-
ton of the religion of the Black Robes
aroused a lasting interest among MS
hearers. At this council, held in 1851,
the subject was thoroughly discussed
and it was decided to send for priests
who would teach the new religion. lg-
mace and his men had intermarried with
the Flatheads and had become members
Of the tribe, the Iroquois leader retain
ing during his life a strong influence
over the members of his adopted tribe.
1t is said that he frequently, at the
councils of the Indians, addressed them
upon the subject of this religion and
urged them to send for missionaries.
His words made the desired impression.
The council called for volunteers to go
toward the east and bring back the
Black Robes. There were four volun-
teers who offered willingly to brave the
dangers of the long journey through the
country of their enemies, country to
them practically unknown for the
greater part of the journey. Unfortu-
nately for the success of this first ex
petition, none of the emissaries could
speak French or any of the Indian
tongues that were familiar to the whites
of the Mississippi valley. These four
Indians made safely the trip TO St
Louis, but were unable to make their
desires known. Two of them died in
the Missouri city and were buried ac-
cording to the rites of the church. to
learn whose teachings they had endured
| exposures and hardships that resulted
| in their deaths The survivors of this
| expedition returned to their people, dis
| couraged over the lack of result OF their
| journey.
| Seeking the Light
Four years later, in 1885, old Ignace
II al LAT 10 GI
Jesuits the message of his adopted coun-
| try. Two sons had been born to him
| by his F'lathead wife and these lads he
| took with him that they might receive
the rites of Christian baptism. Ignace
succeeded in reaching ST Louis without
accident or serious delay. 1t had been,
| it is said. his original purpose to go to
his old home in Canada, but, learning
that there were priests at St Louis, he
! turned his steps in that direction. His
children were baptized in the faith and
| were instructed in religious teachings
by the priests of the Catholic college at
| st. Louis. 1gnace presented to the
| bishop the urgent request of the Flat
| heads that missionaries be sent to them
to teach them the gospel of Christ. His
| simple eloquence made a deep impress
J sion upon the bishop and the promise
was given that, as soon as possible
priests would be sent to the Bitter Root
country. lgnaCe ana mis- sons returned
to their home in the mountains with
this encouraging message. But agar
the Indians were disappointed. They
waited patiently for the fulfillment Of
the promise made to Ignace and Whel
the l0oked-for missionaries did not coms
a third expedition was dispatched t.
renew the request that had already
been twice preferred.
This expedition was made up of tire.
Flatheads, one NeZ Perez and Ignace
who once more volunteered to go. Thi: