The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1921-03-17
Sauk Centre---Its Traditions
and Its Life
By GEORGE D. WING

loudly proclaimed his innocence un-
til Dennis made personal search
and pulled the borrowed" scarf from
the victims pocket. On consideration
of the mans liberality to those in the
bar and as many more as Dennis
could find within call, the ease
against him was dropped. =.
1t was the Rev. Father Francis
Pierz who away back in 1845, pion-
eered the Catholic faith in the wilds
of Minnesota and brought the first
teachings of that church into Sank
Centre.
Father Piertz for time worked
as wandering missionary through
this section of the state but later es-
tablished a parish at Belle Prairie,
near Little Falls.
From this parish he continued his
work, travelling over the country with
horse and buggy and holding SER
vices wherever he could get gather
ing of people Of his faith.
While making a journey from
Crow Wing to Sank Centre several
years later, Father Pierz met with
the accident which later caused his
death. The vehicle in which he was
driving was turned over in the woods
near here and the clergyman, suffered
internal injuries and fracturing OF
both legs. He managed to make his
way into Sank Centre where he was
given medical attention, but later
died when complications set in.
Father Pierz was instrumental IN
bringing a large number of German
families into Stearns county and Sank
Centre. He visited Germany and his
old home in Austria in 1854 and
preached to- his countrymen of the
land of plenty in Minnesota. 1t was
the labors of Father Pierz which
eventually brought Bishop Trobec to
this locality.
The first regular Cathoic parish es-
tablished in Sank Centre was founded
by Father Mathews in the early part
of 1862. This was the st. Pauls
church which still exists here.
In reviewing the story of early life
in Sank Centre the "Sons of Malta"
hold an important place in the pio-
neer social world.
A renegade organization, the Sons
of Malta, for many months formed
the basis for much of the hllarity OF
the community. Every known male
resident of the village belonged to the
Sons of Malta. Their initiation into
the order. was compulsory whether
they desired it or not-they all were
taken into camp for the good of the
order.
High up in the judiciary of the
order was Judge" Walker-lawyer,
and the source of all LEGALITY" in the
immediate territory. The Judge
was a responsive character, sedate
and primed with vocabulary which
answered all purposes Of the institu-
ton. There was no special ritual for
the Sons of Malta. Like the "Sons
and Daughters of the l Will Arise,
they just existed. The best and the
least of the commonwealth held men,
berships and the order functioned
best during it's initiations-in fact its
only meetings were held for the pur-
pose of introducing some wayward
candidate into the mysteries of the
order.
The Sons of Malta had no regular
meeting place ANY vacant room or
building answered their purpose and
their candidate victims sometimes
stayed to enjoy the fun and some
times they looked up the nearest
sheriff or constable. At any rate, the
memory of the Sons of Malta will al
ways bring a ready smile from the
surviving members of the Sank Cen
tire order.
Pioneer residents following this
narrative have asked for information
regarding "Old Franklin" the Chip
pewa half-breed referred to in late
chapter, and who for time, occupied
a cabin on Sank Lake.
Franklin after leaving Sank Cen
tire went to Rice Lake in Akin county.
He was killed there by the explosion
of his gun while on a. hunting trip.
He was nephew of Clay John Frank
lin, the British explorer.
ITO Be Continuedl