Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-21
CREIGHTON COLLEGE STORY
President Bowling Publishes Book Of
University "reminiscences
BEGINNINGS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
How the College Was Founded, Eos
tered and Brought to Its Present
High stage Of University
Usefulness.

Twenty-Five years is not a great span in
the life Of an individual or Of an institu-
tion.' says Rev NJ. p. Dowling s. j., in
his preface to very interesting book he
has just published under the inclusive title
of Creighton University "reminiscences.
And then he goes on: In the older COM
munities silver iubilees are so common that
they attract little attention; but beyond
the Missouri they are disappearing
epochs. Nebraska has scarcely closed the
thirty-hfth year Of its history as state.
The settlement Of what now constitutes a
strong, progressive commonwealth, does not
touch half century, while the earliest
records Of Omaha's foundations do not ex-
ceed forty years. Yet that comparatively
brief period comprehends the transforma-
ton of the western wilderness Into states,
dotted with populous, energetic communi-
ties, and the development of natural re-
sources unsurpassed in variety and extent.
1t may be truly said that a quarter century
embraces the epoch-making periods of a
vast empire stretching from the Missouri
river TO the Sierra Nevadas." with this
expression, Father Bowling proceeds to put
together vast deal OF interesting infor-
nation, reminiscent and current, about the
great institution of which he is the ac-
knowledged head, and furnish 1t forth in
most attractive form.
Pioneers In the work.
Naturally, he begins at the beginning,
and takes one back to the first map which
shows the spot where Omaha now exists.
This is the Marquette map, and the au'
thor quotes from Savage's History of Ne
braska" the eloquent passage in which
Judge Savage refers to this quaint and
priceless record of the past. Following
this, some little space is given to recount
ing beginnings in Omaha, all of which
are of interest to the resident of the pres
ent day be he old-timer or tenderfoot. With
this historical sketch Father Dowlins
reaches the development of the church's
v,orl, in Nebraska to a point where IT is
necessary to have educational institutions
as well as places of worship. In doing SC
he pays fine tribute TO Father DeSmet
and TO Bishop O'Gorman, devoting an en-
tire chapter to THE Pioneers of Catholic
ity in Nebraska" Referring to Bishop
O'Connor. he writes: mo one who under
takes to write the early history of Creigh
ton college can do so without encounterinl
at every turn the personal influence aho
feeling the master-hand of Bishop O'Con'
nor; nor can he escape penning the eulogS
of that lofty character In his euloslsu'
reference the writer says:
His priests ana people VIII lOnB ISaiS
Der him gratefully on account of the light
ness of the yoke which ne Imposed upol
them in the government OF ms qlocesS1
His regulations were few, and only suci
as were necessary His was truly demo
cratic administration. II was emlnentl.
suited to this country and especially Z
the west. He never considered II essen
tial for the assertion and maintenance o
his authority TO harass and load down IN
clergy and the people with multipncit
of rules which were unnecessary, and eve
I'm direct opposition to the spirit and Gus
toms of the people. He recognized the rae
that we are living in land far dtneren
in genius and habits from the countrie
OF Europe. 1t was often his lament tina
reside in this country lifetime and in tn
end know no more about Its trend O
thought, its prejudices and customs tha
at the hour when they entered IL.
As consequence of his thoughtfulnes
and prudence, his life passed ayay I
trouble with the people or with his ciergy
Never at any time did they feel incline
to accuse him of arrogance, pride or ty
with matters that did not concern him
never to seek a conflict. As he dreade
which he had performed. All his under
effectively.
at his best. No one could hear hii
without being convinced that he was
sincere and holy, man-one who practice
tune IL was to meet him socially will Ion
remember his simplicity and courtesy. II
was austere, yet had kind and affection
ate heart He was as hard and inhexib
as adamant when a principle was at stalk
and his clergy will bear witness to th
minute care which he exercised and to tn
fidelity with which he observed the law
of the church, when IL became necessar
TO discipline those under him In sue
cases he did nothing hastily. inpatient
or unlawtully, or as a consequence of pei
sonal feeling. His courage was heroic: /
knew not what fear was His most edif,
ing characteristics were his modesty an
unselhshness He appeared 20 detest notl
ing so much as unnecessary pomp an
ceremony The clergy and people will Ion
remember his refined and ascetic face an
his modest demeanor as he sat in his epi
copal chair on the great festivals OF II
church. He always impressed the con
munity as man who was chaste
thought, word and deed. His modest al
pearance on the street attracted the a
tention even of non-Catholics A promineI
non-Catholic citizen said Of him: He hf
the face OF pure man" When he az,
the only wealth he possessed was a utt
money which had been forced upon nj
by his Philadelphia friends.
Founding of the College.
This was the man who really laid Il
foundation of Creighton college. Durir