The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1916-05-19

familiar with the great and good worl
he has accomplished In disseminating
the Christian religion among the In.
Idians of the COlville reservation, will
read with feelings of sincere regret ol
the death of that pioneer missionary
Father de Rouge, who passed away
suddenly Tuesday evening of last
week in his office at st. Mary's Mis-.
sion, a few miles east of Omak. Father
de Rouge had been in failing health
for months before his death. He went
to Seattle some time ago and submit
ted to an operation in hopes of obtain
ing relief, and returned to the Mission
Saturday, April 20. We noticed the
reverend gentleman on the train the
evening of his return from Seattle, and
he was but shadow of his former
self. TO the observer it seemed as
| though the stamp of death was already
upon the unfortunate man. He was
very weak. shockingly emaciated, and
mis- cOuntenance of a deathly palor. II
was all too evident that he was return
ing to his labors before he was in a
physical condition to resume work.
Those who have read Francis Park
mans inimitable history Of the self
sacrifices of the Jesuits in carrying
the cross among the Indians of North
America, Immediately after the dis
cOvery of this continent can appreciate
the hardships faced and the trials
|overcome by this sturdy member of
that Catholic society so active in every
missionary field. Father de Rouge did
not have to face the personal dangers
that confronted his earlier predeces-
sOrs among the Indians. Yet he had to
put behind him every attraction and
convenience of civilization, make the
best OF the crudities common to savage
life. voluntarily deny himself of every
comfort easily within his reach. This
meant great self-abnegation, and was
evidence that he possessed the same
unyielding, self-effacing, valorous spir-
1t that animated those earlier members
|of the priesthood who took their lives
in their hands for the glory of the
church and salvation of souls, and
who sowed seeds of christianity among
the most vicious tribes of America that
grew, ~blossomed and bore fruitage.
Father de Rouge came to the Col
vile reservation 80 years ago, and
started upon his labor OF love among
his red wards. He first located near the
present town Of Tonasket, but subse-
quently founded St. Mary's Mission,
and there he builded up by his own
exertiOns one of the most successful
missions in point of accomplishment
and beautiful in the way Of surround
ings in the west. The government
granted him tract of land upon which
substantial buildings have been erect
ed under the direction of this master
hand, among them church and thor
|oughly equipped school. Father de
Rouge gained the love, respect and de-
votion of the Indians by his uniform
kindness and austere prObity, and
through his instrumentality many of
the members of the tribe have secured
an education, while among the older
ones many have been led into a better
life. This obscure and almost unknown
priest accomplished a great and noble
work in a comparatively short life, as
he was only 56 years of age, and the
influence of that work will be felt
among those he SO closely associated
with for years to come. No stored urn
will mark his last resting place but
his example and good works will en-
|dure for generations.