The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-10-04
HARDING LETTER /,
Is MADE PUBLIC
Letter of Late President to
Father Joseph is of
Great Interest.
TRIBUTE TO SERVICE

GAINESVILLE, Wis.-Copy of a letter
from President Harding to Brother
Joseph, who succeeded Father Damien
as the head of the leper colony, Molo-
kai Island, Hawaii, has been, sent by
him to F. F. Lewis, manpfacturer of
this city. Mr.. Lewis spends his win
ed with Brother Joseph.
The head of the leper colony, now
more than 80 years of age, was B SOL
der in the Civil War and at the time
of his enlistment was a resident of
GAINESVILLE. He was then Ira M. Dutten
and as a member of the 18th Wiscon-
sin Volunteer Infantry recruited at
GAINESVILLE served during the three
years of the CIVIL War; At its close
he was converted and renouncing the
world entered upon missionary work in
Hawaii, becoming assistant to Father
Damien and later succeeded to the re-
ligious as we'll as the civil direction
of the leper colony.
The letter from the late president
follows: M
Harding Letter to Brother Joseph. ;
The White House, 4NA@ e -
Washington.
My dear Brother Joseph:
At various times, over many years,
my attention has been called to the
splendid Christian service you have
been rendering to the unfortunate
m embers of the leper colony at Molo-
kai. Only quite recently my attention
was drawn to the fact that now, at the
age Of 80, you are still carrying out
this wonderful service and are still
enjoying good health. 1t is difficult to
feel that this is less than one of those
miraculous compensations which comes
at times to men and women who make
the supreme sacrifices. / think it cam
not fail to be lesson, great inspirA-
ton, to all who feel the urge to great
human service.
The other day friend of mine spoke
of the work of Father Damien and
yourself. 1 had known, through the
writings of Robert Louis Stevenson,
something about his story of Father
Damien, and more recently of how you
had carried that work forward after
Father Damien's death. / do not know
why 1 have been moved to write "A
letter TO you. l know very well that
those who do the great self-sacriicing
tasks of the world have to find their
reward in the work which comes to
their hand. l am very sure that moth
ing l can say can add to the satisfac-
ton which you must feel in having
thus carried on a service to the bodies
and minds and souls of men and wom-
en-, for which we will find few paral-
lels. But it, has seemed not improper
1 hope not an intrusion, for me to say
to you that your work is not unknown
is not unappreciated;> that all over the
world there are people who regard you
and Father Damien as men whose lives
have been we'll nigh perfect examples
of self-abnegation, sacrifice and serv-
ice, You have set for US model
which l wish might be raised up for
the view and emulation of many 9TH
ers, for it is the selfless service of all
our brothers that all of US must at
last find the great satisfaction and
consultations of this life.
So / shall end, as began, by saying
that l have realized how impossible IL
is for me to say anything which will
add to the satisfaetions which you
must deserve from the consciousness
of a noble and chivalrous work, thus
splendidly performed. / hope you may
be spared many, many more years to
carry it forward; and it would be one
of the pleasures of my own official
service if / might be able at any time,
or in any way, extend helping hand
Of influence in behalf of yourself and
of those to whom You have given your
life. Most sincerely yours,
(Signed) Warren G. Harding.F