The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-05-18
ORGANIZE
new PARK NEAR
'R0LETTE TOWN.
Consider Purchase of Site
Near st. Johns as Memoir.
ial to Pioneer Priest

st. John. N. D., May l8.-P)-
Prospects that a state park will be
site of st. Claude chapel, the first
house Of worship in Rolette county,
are exceedingly bright, according to
Major Dana Wright, member of the
state historical society who is in
tercstcd in the project.
Trainmaster ], NJ. Cameron of
Minot recently has inspected the pro-
posed park site and indicated that
officials Of the Great Northern rail
road probably will be willing to aid
in the project, Major Wright said.
The railroad company owns the site
on which the st. Claude chapel, built
in 1882, was located.
In case the railroad donates suf-
ficient land to the movement it is
probable that the property will be
placed in the hands Of local board
of directors who will act under the
supervision of the state historical
society.
The history of the chapel and its
builder, Father J. NJ. Malo, is an epic
Of the pioneer days in the state, re-
searches by Major Wright show.
Priest Early Settler
Although white hunters, traders
and trappcrs had visited the Turtle
Mountain country for more than a
hundred years, it was not until
Father Malo arrived in May 1882
that there was q permanent settle
ment Of white persons in Rolctte
county. He built the chapel u mile
and a half north Of this place and a
colony grew up around it.
Born and reared in Montreal.
Cun Eoth nj ssr1.
Dor of Meline Charbonncau, carly
North Dakota pioneer, Wright said.
After assisting in organizing the
Catholic Indian Bureau in Washing
ton in the late '7O's. Father Malo
was transferred to Yankton. S. d.,
and remained there three years
Then he moved to the Turtle Noun
tain territory and spent the ten
years from 1882 to 1892 in mission
airy work in that region. He encOur-
aged settlement Of the country by
VIII ite persons from his home town
in Canada and lived to see his little
church the center of 4 strong settle
ment. Later he was transferred to
Elbowoods on the Missouri river and
died there. His body was taken to
Bclcourt and buried near the church
which he founded at that place.
! Stories Of Father Malo's work in
the Turtle Mountains have become
almost legendary, Major Wright.
researches show. There are tales Of
how he would return to Canada te
raise funds for the poor, to build
schools and chapels. OF how he gave
the East what probably was it's first
exhibit of North Dakota garden pro
duce as part Of his efforts to induce
them to come and settle here.
His little log building at St. Claude
was a shelter and stopping place fol
the first whites who cane in to take
land as well as for the trapper OF
the savage who was far from home
Organized School
He organized school and con
Quoted it himself. In addition to thi.
he conducted religious services, mar
ried young couples, baptized babies
buried the dead and generally mad,
himself the center Of activities in !;
frontier neighb0rhO0d.
The old cemetery Of St. Claude
which it is proposed to make par
of the contemplated state park, nov
is evergrown with brush and weed:
and trampled by stock. Only tn,
faint outlines of the place where tn,
walls Of the log chapel stood remain
But the people Of St. John hope
to make the spot into . park which
Twill be preserved and cared for il
Ip10pel manner, ID honor Of the first
white settlement in this county ane
the man who inspired it.