The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-03-17
THE SONS OF ERIN
WILL OBSERVE
HOLIDAY
ST. PATRiCK'S DAY WILL BE GEL
EBRATED BY THE WEAR
ING OF THE GREEN.

''St Patrick's day in the marnin "
is here again, and the Irish residents
of. Missoula, though few and rather
far between, will have a small cele-
bratien. The members of the Harp
and Shamrock club of the city had
planned to celebrate the birthday of
manner, but owing to the illness of
some of the prominent members the
plans fell through. However, the day
will be celebrated in fitting manner
in the Catholic church. A high mass
at o'clock this morning will be fol-
lowed by an address on the life and
deeds of the beloved saint, and it is
expected that many of the city's resi-
dents will attend the services. In
other cities, where the sons Of Old
Erin are more numerous, the day will
be remembered in the usual hearty
manner and it is very probable that
when Pat meets Mike this morning
he will greet him with, Sure, an
have yez had your marnin's
marnin % and they will have another
memoration of the day.
ST. Patrick, the half real, half
legendary patron Of the Irish race,
was born, not in Ireland as might be
supposed, but, according to historians
of both countries, in either France or
Scotland, and bore as child the ple-
bian name of Succatti. The name of
Patrick, which was to became so dear
to the Irish ear, and which has been
carried into history as the char
acteristic mark of an Irishman,
was given to him by the pope after
he had attained prominence in the
world. The exact date of his birth is
not known, but is generally conceded
by all historians to have been either
in 372 or 1913 A. D.
When but a boy of 16 Patrick was
kidnapped by robbers and taken cap
tive to Ireland. He made his escape.
however and successfully reached
Scotland, only to be captured again.
This time he made up his mind to
become missionary to the Irish, and
after long preparation was conse-
Grated bishop and started on his work
of conversion. His success from the
start was remarkable, and within
few years practically the whole of the
country had been converted to Chris
tianity. The saint was also instru-
mental in the spread of general
knowledge and his good deeds toward
the Irish have endeared him to that
people forever. He ended his event.
full life in peace and quiet, dying on
the 18th day of March in either 493
or 495, historians differing as to the
real date.
This is the gist of his real life, but
the Irish people have surrounded the
name of their saint with innumera-
BILE legends, chief among which is the
one relating to the ridding the coun-
try Of its snakes. Ireland, it is sup
posed. was at one time infested with
venomous reptiles. st. Patrick, how
ever. came to the rescue, and after a
long struggle succeeded in Kidding the
island of all of the snakes but one.
This one. the story goes, begged for
mercy, but the saint paid no heed to
him. and threw him into the sea. 1t
is the lashing of his tail, according
to the story, that causes the rolling
of the waves. This is but one OF the
many stories with which the life of
the saint is surrounded, but it shows
the undying reverence with which the
Irish race regards st. Patrick, and it
shows how much the old patriarch,
through his kind and helpful deeds.
has influenced the history of the race
which claims him as it's own.