Life and letters of Fathers Ponziglione, Schoenmakers, and other early Jesuits at Osage mission. Sketch of St. Francis' church. Life of Mother Bridget

Table Of Contents

A Royal Missionary, I

Bom a Real Count, ^

Deported by Revolutionists, 4

Introduction

"For min - own part, ■

I shall be glad Uo learn of noble men."

— Shakespmre^.

The pages of history teem with the achievements of military men and of statesmen, but it often happens that men who have done greater work for humanity are given only passing notice. The mission of the military man is to destroy. His work characterizes the animal nature of man. The statesman has to do with the political and business side of life which is more or less constructive and commendable. The humble missionary deals with the spiritual and more elevating features of life. He substitutes the Cross of Christ for the rifle and bayonet. He flies no flag. He sounds no bugle call save that of his own voice. His uniform is the plain black robe of his order. The battles he flghts are battles for peace, light and eternal happiness. He goes about his labars quietly, without the "blare of trumpets," roar of cannon, or the "pomp of state," seldom attracting attention outside of the limited field of his labors ; but who can say that his is not the noblest calling of all- and that in the final reckoning his will not be the greatest reward ? Who can say that mankind does not reap greater benefits from the services of the humble but sincere missionary than from those of either the soldier or the statesman ? These missionaries have blazed the way of civilization, raised men out of savagery, out of the "slough of despond," and "made straight the paths" mankind must tread. The effects of their labors reflect far into the future and generations after generations reap benefits therefrom, and many a man has thereby been enabled to pass the portals of the "pearly gates" who otherwise would have traveled the other way.

It is in. an effort to give one of these missionaries, Rev. Paul M. Ponziglione S. J., his true place in history, that I have compiled this book. He was truly a ''noble man," yet one of the humblest among men. He labored without pay or desire for or hope of earthly reward, yet no man did a greater service for Kansas in its pioneer days. The Osage Indians as well as thousands of white people today are enjoying blessings resulting from labors he so quietly performed that historical writers know not of them. No doubt many important events in his life are not recorded because only few knew of them, and in his humility he did not record them himself.

In compiling this book, I feel I cannot do him full justice, but as abler writers have not undertaken it, I have done my best during the few hours I could spare from my newspaper work. I have searched all records available and have written many letters of inquiry in an eft"ort to get accurate information, and I am thankful to all those who gave me assistance. I have added a number of articles written by others which have a bearing on the life of Father Ponziglione or give an insight into thei conditions of the country at the time he was doing his great missionary work in Kansas and what is now Oklahoma. I have also added extended references to some of his co-laborers here in Kansas and to St. Francis' Church. His labors were so closely associated with others and with this church that his biography cannot be fully told without telling something of them.

I knew Father Ponziglione personally, and remember him as a man below average height, but rather stoutly built. He was an old man when I knew him, his hair being almost snow-white, but he had an elastic step and a cheery smile that made one forget his age. He accosted the rich and the poor, the Christian and the sinner, the friend and the stranger alike with the same pleasant greeting that made for him a friend of everyone. Altho he wore "purple and fine linen'* in his boyhood days, his attire in after years was always plain and in keeping with his calling. He was always doing good to the needy and worthy, yet he did it quietly and sought to avoid publicity or praise. He was truly a true follower of the ''Lowly Nazarene," and is now reaping an eternal reward for his fidelity and for his great work for humanity and for God. The memory of his friendship will always be cherished by the writer.

Yours truly,

St. Paul, Kansas, 191 6.

W. W. Graves.

''Brave men are they zvho push and climb

Beyond all formulas, While the plodding ranks that serve old Time

Pull back for Time's old way; Strong men are they who Hold their own

On the outposts of the new, 'Till the world hath to their stature grown

And seen that false was true."

THE JESUIT MISSION.

Just as the sun went down, they heard a murmur of

voices, And in a meadow green and broad, by the bank of a

river,

Saw the tents of the Christians, the tents of the

Jesuit Mission.

Under a towering oak that stood in Uie midst of the

village, Knelt the Black Robe chief with his children. A

crucifix fastened High on the trunk of a tree, and overshadowed by

grapevines, booked with agonizing face on the multitude kneeling beneath it.

This was their rural chapel. Aloft thru Uie intricate arches Of its aerial roof, arose the chant of their vespers. Mingling its notes with the soft sur^urrus and sighs

of the branches.

Silent, vdth heads uncovered, the travelers nearer

approaching.

Knelt on the swarded floor, and joined in the evening devotions.

But when the service was done, and the benediction

had fallen Forth from the hands of the priest, like seed from

the hand of the sower, Slowly the reverend man advanced to the strangers

and bade them Welcome; and when they replied, he smiled with

benignant expression, Hearing th© homelike sounds of his mother-tongue

in the forest.

And, with words of kindness conducted them to his

wigwam.

There upon mats and skins they reposed, and on

cakes of the maize-ear Feasted^ and slaked their thirst from the watergourd of the teacher. —LONGFELLOW.

The Life and Letters

REV. FATHER PAUL M. PONZIGLIONE S. J.