The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1923-03-29

home in ST. LOUIS ne Is or years
of age and until recently was hale
and hearty. He was the first min
lister of the protestant Episcopal
church to come to Montana terri
tory. That was So years ago, when
Montana was a wilderness, with
settlements along the gold bear
ing creeks. The young minister
was a man of education and Gull
ture but he quickly adapted him.
self to the rough ways OF the west,
and by his good works, his courage
and ability, won for himself a high
place in the esteem of the pioneers.
Some years ago he was asked by
the Montana historical society to
write the story Of his church in
Montana and his reply, an historic
cal document, was in part as fol-
lows:
"I am glad to comply with the re-
quest; and am really grateful for the
invitation. Montana is craven on my
heart, and not until the hearts earth
ly beating is stilled shall the loved
names be obliterated."
The bishop landed in Virginia City
On July IS, 1867, more than three
years following the hanging of Plum
mer and his gang by the Vigilantes.
Writing of his arrival at the famous
camp, the bishop said in the article
furnished for the historical society:
Graves of Road Agents
"This celebrated placer camp of AL
der gulch was in the fourth year of
its life. On the top of the hill over
looking it were the graves of several
road agents who had been executed
by the Vigilantes. There were al
most no other graves. The busy Wig
orous population of the camp put
down at less than 1000. l was a
tenderfoot, but from the very first
the old-timers. made no scorn of me,
and in all the after years Loyalty
stood by me. 1t was arranged to hold
the first service by a clergyman of
our church in Montana on Sunday
morning, July FL, in the council
chamber, an upper roo on Jackson
and I think over John Rookie
fellows store, used for the sessions
of the legislative council since Vir-
ginia City had become the capitol of
the territory. There were several in
the congregation accustomed to the
prayer book and they readily took
their part in the responses. Among
them were Judge Hosmer, Judge w.
l.. Lowell and wife, Col. F. G. Diem
ing and wife, Mrs. N. J. Davis, Mrs.
Gilbert, Mr.. Calhoun and T. G. Everts.
A church was organized and of the
nine vestrymen selected, only five
Episcopalians, though the others SYM
pathized with the movement, and
willing to cast in their lot with
it. This is typical of all the work
done by me, and for me, and under
me, in Montana"
The bishop then went to Helena
and held a few services and then
went back to Virginia City, where he
remained until early September and
then made a short visit to Idaho. He
went back to Virginia City and set
led down as steady pastor until the
following spring.
Shared His Cabin
Hotel expenses were frightfully
he wrote. Cd. w. Tilton, out
If the goodness of his heart, invited {
dr. Goddard and myself to share with
lin his cabin on the hillside above
cover street. We went for food to
he restaurant on Main street, kept
W Mrs. Link. After I came back
10, Tilton's cabin was my home. In
t I wrote my first three Montana
ermons the first three 1 had ever
as bishop.
II kept up public service in the
ouncil chambers. In it on August
!, I baptized Alyaretta Link, four
ears old, and Fannie Louise Davis, a
ably; my first baptisms as bishop. |
1y first marriage solemnized in
Iontana was that of John H. Ming
0 Catherine L. Cole at Nevada City, 1
'eb. 20, 1863. My first burial was
hat of Thomas Eastland, a miner
his cabin in Virginia City, Aug.
2, 1867. 1t may not be amiss to
ecord that in my 13 years of service
Montana 1 baptized 268 children,
nd SO adults; / married 81 couples;
23 persons, and confirmed
40"
Few Praying Men
The bishop was made chaplain of
ne legislative council. Of this ex-
he writes: "I do not want
, Judge, but 1 fear very few praying
were among the members,
lough all were respectful, and even
weren't. Nearly all the members of
9th houses came to church on
thanksgiving day. And, wonderful
!, relate, during the services that
very saloon in town save one was
osed up"
The first Episcopal church in Mon-
was originally meant for al
.ethodist. In fact, the building was
early completed by a young minister
7 the name of King from Colorado.
hen the minister couldn't meet the
ems on the edifice he became dis-
,uraged and left in the night for
lit Lake. Bishop Tuttle was ap-
coached on the subject and with the
d of business men secured the
and property and on May
(, 1868, held first services in st.
aul's church. The building and |.
'ounds cost the churchmen sail
1908. Every cent was paid before
q first service. At the first cele-