Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-08-22

DO~1
school was burned in 1898, and was
rebuilt in 1855, ana the building stili
stands. In 1905 Father Jerome built
another church at Grow Hill, thus Civ
ing him three places of work.
Father Jerome, however, did not
devote all his time to the Indians dur
Ing the early days, but also found
time to administer TO need Of white
people living in the Lake Region. He
tells many tales Of horseback rides 40
and 50 miles long, during the winter,
to the homes Of dying men and wom-
en-, yet despite the hardship that pre-
saged these journeys, the priest was
always wtllint to make the trip. He
had ridden al far as Cando., st. Johr
and other points in this section OF the
state, because there were times when
no other priests in this locality.
During n Of these wintry>, trips.
Father Jerome's horse broke through
the Ice Of Devils Lake and the priest
had q miraculous escape from drown
Ing. II
Printed Indian Paper.
One OF Father Jerome's hobbies at
the Indian mission Is the printing Of
nee where Is printed every non an
Indian newspaper. telling the Indians
or the reservation Of the doings Of
other Sioux IN North and South Da-
kota. This paper was f1rst. printed in
ing 1ghatius Court, one Of his Indian
boys, to the of1ce Of the Devils Lake
News to learn the trade. When young
Court became proficient, a printing
office was established in the priests
house at the Indian mission, where
the paper has since been printed.
Brother Giles and 1gnatius Court be-
ing the printers. writer's. translaters
and editors. with the able assistance
of Father Jerome. The paper is a
four page affair, and Is printed on an
other power than that furnished by
the legs Of Court and Brother Giles,
Review Priests Work.
Mary "A. Brennan, for the North
Dakota Historical Society, reviewing
the results Of Father Jerome's work
among tho Indians. says:
In closing We make few statements
q regard to the present (1910) con-
dition Of the Sioux an the Devils Lake
reservation. It has been said that the
Sioux r instinctively religious7
This may or be taken to mean they
take readily to Christianity. They
are, on h authority of the mission
aries who have worked with many
tribes, among the hardest to convert.
"At present many Of the old Sioux
are still pasans Some. Of the younger
generations cling to pagan customs.
Only laet year q family destroyed the
house in which one Of the children
died. Among some 1t is noticed
though. that when they believe
member is about to die they move
him into an old lodge. or tent and
thus.the, destruction Of his last dwell
ing does not entail SO much material
loss. This is encouraging. -
"One Of the most degrading and
persistent relics Of their paganism ts
polygamy. Considerable success was
had in doing away with this by the
missionaries until. the Indians were
given citizens privileges. That meant,
Of course the introduction Of divorce.
The obstacle this license is t the In
vious n the federation Of it by the
government is ~disgraceful. The sun
dance. formerly practiced, and poly
gamy were abolished from the Devils
Lake agency many years ago; there IL
no case now existing on the r~eserya-
ton.
School text books say much Of the
Indians power Of self-control. They
give us an idea. The III
dams great draw back is his lack Of
s~elf-contrcl. Under the excitement Of
the. mad s%un-dance he can grow
fanatically reckless and torture him
yet the Sioux Indian is truly con-
verted and brought to a salutary I'M
Outstanding Of the wisdom Of the
white mans roiio}on o~a ~.-
economy by the patient. consistent
and loving efforts Of teachers who
through absolute unselfishnese have
lived with the tribe and practiced
what they preached. There have
been many such teachers at Fort Tot
ten one may know from the practical
christianity evident among the ma
1ortt Of the Sioux tribe. = =
This is n Of the results of Father
Jerome's lab.rs."
Today's Jubilee.
The jubilee celebrating Father
Jerome,s fifty years in the priesthood,
being held today, al the Indian
church, is one of the most elab-
orate religious festivals to be held
In this vicinity in years. Among the
notable divines to attend the celebra-
ton will be Bishop O'Reilly Of Fargo,
and Bishop Worlie of Bismarck. Rev.
John Baker. vicar general of the Far
go diocese, will deliver the sermon,
Mass will be celebrated In a large
tent near. the old St. Michael's church
on the reservation. and at the banquet
which will follow, the Very Rev.
Thomas Egan will act as toastmaster.
Father Jerome's Modesty.
Father Jerome himself apparently
10 not over enthusiastt0 about the
jubilee. II do not like this sort OF
thing for myself" he said yesterday
while discussing it. and I wish It was
over" Those things are all right for
people who deserve them, but I can
not see why such d fuss should be