The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1905-01-13
EARNED FORTUNE TO
BLOT OUT DISGRACE
Sack of Wonderful Success Of
Father Kroeger of Epiphany
is Tragedy.
LEFT DEBTS AT ELKHART
Fleeing Indiana Town at Night. Priest
Healer Built Up Business at
Epiphany to Repay Last
Dollar Of Obligations.
LEFT DEBTS AT ELKHART
Isinnx city Trihnne.l


December s. lies II story OF disgrace
bravely borne and conscientious resti-
tuition to the last iota.
Just thirteen years before his death
Father Kroeger disappeared from Elk
hart. Ind. where he made a most re-
marl6able record as priest of one parish
there. To carry out his plans for the
material enrichment of the parish. he
had engaged in numerous %nanc!a in
NeStmentS. He became involved and
lett one night. Next morning Elkhar
was amazed to find they had been de
cetved in the man they had loved and
i trusted.
Blu Father Kroeger did not forget.
Sin wears later they first heard of him
and that WAS Through checks sent back
to Elllhart in payment of debts he had
left there. While lie built the towns
of Epiphany and kToeger. s. D.. estao-
lished n medical practice that extended
almost from ocean to ocean and died
possessed OF a quarter of Il million dol
lars worth of property. this WAS but
incidental. He embarked IN these en-
terprises because he was an honorable
man and determined to live up to his
agreement to pay the debts left at Elk
hart and estimated %variously at from
$4,000 to S100.0 600.
Case Taken to Rome.
1t was because he felt it incumbent
Upon him to do thus that he later be-
came involved in trouble With his own
church. The bishop had become dis
pIsasea because ne thouShl fathsf
hroeger WAS no attending strictly
enough to his parish duties at Eplp-
hlny. Father Eroeger' was holding
services in his hospital. and politely
but firmly declared that he must on
tihue 10 40 SO; re asheu iof an as
sistahe priest out lhe plsloP thousht
n,,a 4 cttn1,ll ln ,1al. -, -r1- w FDr
so small n parish and refused. The
case eventually was carried to Rome
and Fathe, kroegar made a trim To the
,atin,n ana II Ia s,,n,,nsaa f,on, tha
- nv : ~ .upeSSl' itoi' .te
elsuius sileiee' ti@t NE i't'ue d sa'is-
factory
The following account of Father
Kroeger'S disappearance from Elkhart
was written bv a CORRESPONDENT of that
town;
tslkh.r+ IND Doc 90 Tho. do,+b Of po,
t9atbrr SIiiiia,n a Srone,r nt his homo
in Eniphan% & IL ON TSursiav par1nI.
Der 5. has brought vtv:dIy TO mind me
sensation and distress winch was caused
among his parishioners and friends when.
covered that the trusted preiate had dc
ealnped, saving creditors Whose claims
pain their surprise as best ,theE could.
Tlese creditors Included business men.
professional 1aoney lenders. members II
his parish. including widows whose scant
savings We're implicitly ana ulireserNedly
intrusted to the holy father, and even
bIothsr el'.fsNlaen VINO weie at inc head
OF parishes III nei2hbo!ing towns. Rev. Mr;
hroegers most intimate friends and chief
business SPONSORS We're dumoiounded and
thelr ehagnin and d.sapnoint atm we're In
ms friends WIN a magnetism OF unusual
power. and their belief in him was pho
nomenal; The mans ability to favorabiy
impress his tnttmates was augt = 'nted BY
his general reputation for exec atlvt ca
paci,y and adininistrativ ability. After
the only Catholle church here. that of ST.
Vincent de Paul. a struggling. parish, he
had set about to erect a suitable and at
t%ractire editice. so much more p~retentioLs
than any other church building in Elk.
hart up to that time. and for several
Years alter. that 1t was, dlsniiied with the
descriptive term cathedral. Through In
defatisible energy and the application OF
exceptional zeal and resourcefulness tho
head OF me parish was abe 70 see ms am.
was concerned. though the denonment in
his financial affairs came before he had
built the rectory That he had Planned.
Crisis Was Unexpected
Eikhart can,e oouite unexpectedI~ I TO- al
save himself and even vet the inpuls4
that caused him 70 dron priestiv aiinitv
and obligatiun 10 seek escnpe from en-
harrass1nent in ienominjous high, is s,h-
iect of conjecture. This stress Of tina,,-
cial difficulty came as the result of too
much speculation in matters secular, an
= - - -
mess affairs OF the community as well as
the head OF a prosperous and constantly
growlng parish IN a llttle city that was
last lorglns 10 ,ne front as one OF nc
most important towns OF TINS section. ZIG
was chiet promoter OF tlie Or. kroeeer
Cough Cure %, Whlch spent large
mounts IN aoNertsihs a remedy OF KEY,
MT. Nroeser oinpounalns ne became
owner OF q dray line OF considerable pro
pur.iohs, he etanarhea IN ane grocery pua-
, upesI WI aiu II iaa :. Mas "r.ul.s.ed ei.her a.
lie hsau OF aS d slich' partner IN q mum
per OF other business en.erprlses. When
lnes !alea 70 pI9se ploh.aoie OF even sell,
sustainihs ne leil paek upon lhe loans Oh
irienas' OF inc luhus INA. haa Deen m
trusleu 10 nun o1 coIl.uihs parishloners
some OF mnorh' a. apoNe lhulcated, Were
hn M enousn ,hlii.s.
Ire iac. MAJ. ,hu ,nVestnlehIs were oad
was iiot enanieu IN aitsi ms I-snt, lot
hono VINO ~ena aMafe Oh y a.her hroeser $
appareii p nfanr ,eu,i1 ana uhim,
peacldpie ii.sSii.s Win naNe doupled
nm TOT ai ilsean.. Many narsh things
WEI" and sal va, a', hn,i ms =, unerno,aonro n h ~
ana ne was atla ~ ineiHoiN more plttef
tNal sweet, lof SOME Oh lHe NlCtl1nS, as