The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-04-07
A PIONEER PRIEST
PASSES AWAY
REV. FATHER LEOPOLD olElMAN,
DEAN OF THE OREGON cArAo.
Lie PRIESTHOOD BREArAEs
HIS LAsr-sroRY OF HIS LIFE.


nifty has been expecting the sorruwn
n news that was heraljed In these col
{ umns this morning: Father I.copol,
I ptelman is dead. He was dean of tn
: Catholic priesthood in Oregon.
The venerable priest breathed hi
last at st, Mary's hospital shortly afte
/ midnight finding surcease from In,
: weaknesses and maladies OF old az,
9 that have beset him for year or more
That his death was not unexpected
mitigated In no sense the degree o.
: sincere sorrow felt In this community
| for he was OF the men 20 whom al
looked for guidance, advice and those
elements Of intercourse that bring
peace and safety and the sense OF COM
fort at all times,
! He was in his 18th year, and was q
native OF the quaint old city OF Ghen,.
In Flanders. Belgium. where his boy
mood and youth were given over to the
studies that fitted him for the splendid
career of the Church. though his In
clinations AT first tended TO the army,
his father being an officer on the stan
OF the great Napoleon. He was one OF
twelve children. and OF that group all
are dead. save one sister now dwelling
in the sanctIhed peace of convent
house in Holland
His earlier education was obtained
at the college OF Roulers, and ne mat
ricnaited al the University OF Louvain,
al which latter place he was a class
mate of Arch Bishop Rordan. OF San
Francisco, and Bishop Spalding. OF
Peoria. He came TO this coast and
state in the fall OF 1862. ani served In
various and widely separated posts
and parishes in California, Nevada.
Oregon and Idaho, and did the hard
tasks OF the missionary's life over the
remote and barren Businesses OF the
Pacific slope, with a hardinood and de-
votion that can be found only with
such inspiration as his great calling
supplies.
General Crook. one Of the early COM
manders Of the Pacific forces was
warm personal friend of Father Diei-
mans and often urged upon the ap-
pointment Of regimental chaplain To
the government forces out here, only to
have the honor declined as often as II |
was rendered. In all manner OF camps |
civil. military and Indian, he wrought |
for the good Of man mere and here-af-
ter, and did his quiet, indefatigable
work without let or hindrance from
any man and for the glory OF his
church and its divine head
Father Dielman made hasty trip
to Europe in 1870 to be at the death
bed Of his father. and then returned to
take up his interrupted work. He
served in the parishes OF Baker City. |
PendIeton. Salem and Astoria, and at
Baker City he built the first church In
that section, and duplicated It at Canon
City later. He was in charge Of this
parish for over thirty years and where
so-ever he was engaged he left the
same commendable record for genuine
Christian helpfulness and devotion that
marked his long career in this city.
In the year 1867 Governor Woods, OF
this state, was the guest Of Astoria.
and he was about to open an address
to the populace here In a large ami
crowded hall, he saw Father Dielman
enter the door Of the nall, and bade the
crowd make way for the father that he
might come to the platform, where ne
received him with marked honor and
proceeded to tell the people a little
story Of the good priests ardent love
Of the Union. He said that not long
before, up in Walla Walla a number Of (
refugee Southerners, from the old COM
mand Of General Price, had made an I
nouncement there that they intended ,
10 send aloft the confederate flag from
most conspicuous building In the city
Father Dielman went to the men max 4
ng the threat and mildly expostulat-
ID with them, averring that the Incl
lent would lead to bloodshed and wild
disorder in the town, but they would
lot listen to him and held to their
hreat. At last he went out Of the
louse. but returned shortly afterward
With a rife, and taking his stand by
ne bed upon which the emblem OF dis
oyalty was spread, told the principals
n the matter that they would take the
lag and fly 1t over his dead body If
hey did 1t at ALL" and the incident
vas closed on the spot. This was the
ind OF man he was and the example
erves to prove his exalted sense Of y
uty under all circumstances.
1t is needless to tell OF the veneration
\ which he was held by all classes in
his city AMI section, tnat is proverb
ere, that will bear repetition abroad
nd will get 1t, for he was widely known
II over the Northwest, and many
riendly and tneder memory will be
b the news of his demise.
A requiem mass will be sung for the
epose Of his soul at St. Mary's church
n tomorrow Monday, morning, Arch
ishop Christy officiating, assisted by
ev John Waters, rector. The sepul-