Kentucky Irish American., 1913-10-18
In Tuesdays Procession CathO-
lie Population Did Itself
Proud.
Edward Fitzpatrick Writes His
tory For the Souvenir
Booklet.
VISITORS TO UNITY COUNCIL

without distinction as to creed o
politics, united this week in cele
brating the one hundredth ami
versary of the town and city.
was a very creditable affair through
out, and it may be said withou
boasting that the Catholic and Irisl
part of the population did them
selves credit. The town wa'
founded October 8, 1913, by. Joel
Abner and Nathaniel Scribner, who
came from Albany, N. Y, but whose
ancestors were Puritans from Con.
necticut, Nathaniel Scribner, the
progenitor of the family, having
been a Revolutionary soldier. The
Scribners were Presbyterians and
men of fine moral character. They
set aside lands for churches
schools and public purposes, such as
market houses, court house, jail
and parks. Their descendants still
live in this city and in New Albany
in large numbers.
But before the Scribners men Of
| irish blood and people of the Cath
olic faith had taken up lands in
the vicinity of New Albany. 1t is a
matter of record that the sanity
| missionary priest, Benedict Joseph
Flaget, afterward Bishop of the
diocese of Bardstown and Louisville,
ministered to the few Catholic
families who lived on the Knobs,
now called Silver Hills, before the
Scribners came; therefore the Cath
olic people of the city have a right
n al inn nrin ~ in -
pioneer citizenship, but they did not
set up any such claim during the
celebration which begun last Sun
day and ended on Thursday. They
conceded to the Methodists the
honor of having established the
first church, in 1917, and they
Joined with their Presbyterian,
Baptist and other sects in making
the anniversary a great event. The
principal streets of the city were
Illuminated every night, and beauti-
full weather during the day time
made the affair very enjoyable for
the "home-comers" as well as for
the many thousands of citizens Of
Louisville who crossed the river to
witness the ceremonies. The Gov
ernor of the State, Hon. Samuel NJ.
Ralston; former Vice President
Charles w. Fairbanks, and other
distinguished men of Indiana; for
mer Gov. Augustus e. Wilson, of
Kentucky, who lived in New Albany
in his early manhood and studied
law under Michael c.. Kerr, graced
the occasion with their presence.
The crowning event of the cen
tennial was the parade on Tuesday.
It was the grandest pageant ever
witnessed in the city, the procession
requiring one hour and a quarter
to pass given point. In the pro-
cession the Catholic population did
itself proud. Men, women and chill
dren from Holy Trinity and st.
Mary's were much in evidence in |
the parade, and the Catholic section |
was conceded to be the finest of all. |
The floats depicted the early his
tory of the church and schools as |
we'll as their advancement. The |
floats were beautifully constructed |
and were the admiration of everyone |
who witnessed the parade.
An interesting event connected |
will not be forgotten when the fire
works and other displays shall have |
passed from the memory of the |
was the publication of |
4 Souvenir History of New Albany,
neatly printed and beau
.ifully illustrated matter in book |
'orm. 1t was written by Edward |
who is probably the |
pest posted citizen of that city in
he matter of its history, although
ne does not claim to be a pioneer. |
He acquired this knowledge through |
ong years of study and investiga-
lion. The souvenir book was so |
good and so fair to all of the de-
and to all of the |
diversified interests which have
developed during the past 100 years
hat the Centennial Committee was
able to sell the 1000 copies issued |
within a few days, and calls were
made for more, but of course but
one addition was printed. The
souvenir book contains an epitome |
,f the history of the city; tells Of |
Is churches, schools, business in
.erests before the civil war and
after the war; tells of the distin-
suished men who have lived and
lied In the city.
Holy Trinity parish. the history
'ays, was organized seventy-seven
Years ago, and st. Mary's sixty-three
years ago. The Rev. Edward M.
Faller built ST. Mary's church as
we'll as ST. Edwards Hospital, and
very nice tribute is paid to Father
Faller, who gave his large patrl-
nony OF $4,000 to the foundation |
n the hospital, which is a great
blessing TO the city. The Rev
'souis Neyron built Holy Trinity
md a brief sketch OF this distin.
suished priest, who had been
older under Napoleon and who |
Tied at the age of ninety-six, is gIyer |
p the book. The various Catholic |
ohieties. including the Hibernlans \