Part 83 (2/2)

In order to understand how difficult it is to obtain correct information about the early days in a new country it is both educational and interesting to engage in such research. One would not imagine that information concerning things and conditions of less than fifty years ago would be so difficult to obtain. Yet the fact remains, and this fact is in itself a strong argument in favor of works like the present.

It is hardly credible that the early settlers could accomplish what they did under circ.u.mstances as they were in those days. What strength of character and determination of purpose these early settlers showed in the face of difficulty and danger is truly admirable. What n.o.ble ideals they had, and how earnestly and well they strove for their attainment. The present prosperity is due in no small degree to their untiring efforts in laying the foundation of present advantages.

Posterity may well hold their names in benediction, and the heart may with pride and reverence swell with admiration for the hardy pioneer whose heritage is now enjoyed. The present moral standards of the people, the numerous schools and churches and the general intelligence have been builded on the foundations laid by our ancestors and are monuments and tributes to their character, influence and enthusiasm.

When Linn county was but a mission district from Iowa City, meetings were held whenever and wherever the priest found it convenient for the best results or for the convenience of the greatest number of souls.

Sometimes service was held in a log cabin, sometimes in a district school house. When the missionary contemplated a visit his intention was announced through the district; the date and place of meeting were made known and thither the scattered settlers gathered on foot or on horseback or in wagons. They were happy in their inconvenience at being allowed even in such circ.u.mstances to make their peace with G.o.d and receive the consolations of religion.

Such were the conditions in Linn county half a century since. How little we realize the advantages we enjoy in this day.

Few and far between, however, were the visits of the shepherd to the scattered hamlets of the early settlers. Missionary men went about, preaching and teaching and their lives were an example to all with whom they came in contact. Of such men and their life work, we have now to treat.

The first record we have of the interests of Linn county in things Catholic was in 1853, when Father Emmons of Iowa City with apostolic spirit and Christlike zeal journeyed through the trackless wastes to cater to the needs of the children of the faith.

In those days, fifty-seven years ago, it is needless to say Cedar Rapids was not known as the Parlor City. Its pretensions were very modest. It consisted of only a few small residences with a few stores to supply the needs of the people.

THE CHURCH IN CEDAR RAPIDS

The chief business industries in those days were the lumber mills of Mr. J. J. Snouffer, Sr. The wild and trackless wastes were being gradually cleared, and the logs were being fitted for the formation of rough log cabins to shelter man and beast. Rough fords or bridges were thrown across the irregular and meandering streams which flowed in undisturbed tranquillity on their way towards the Father of Waters. It was nothing unusual frequently to find that the temporary bridges were carried away over night and the log dweller found himself in the morning isolated and compelled patiently to wait the subsiding of the waters to furnish himself with the necessaries of life.

In these days the missionary priest pa.s.sed along giving his blessing to the work as he went, and in log cabins or improvised chapels fed the bread of life to the hungering sheep of the fold.

The first record there is, and that in the memory of those who were present, of ma.s.s being offered in Cedar Rapids was in 1853, when Father Emmons of Iowa City, celebrated the holy sacrifice for the first time in the old Dubuque House in B avenue between Fourth and Fifth streets.

It is a regrettable fact that the location has since been turned to uses less holy. During his visits afterwards from his home town to Cedar Rapids he always stayed, and officiated at the Snouffer home on Second street, which in those days occupied the site on which now stands the Denecke store.

In those days the Catholic settlers came for miles around to Cedar Rapids, and a.s.sisted at divine service whenever the goodly priest found it possible to come among them. In wagons drawn by oxen they wended their way from the western part of the county, from Fairfax, and along to the Benton county border line, and even beyond. Often their journey meant days of delay owing to impa.s.sable ways and washed out bridges.

All honor to those pioneer Catholics who so prized their religion and their faith. No wonder that seed sown under such trying circ.u.mstances brought forth fruit which abides. Among the early settlers who gave such proof of their worth and dared difficulties for their religious opinions we find the names of Murray, Keenan, Cook, Hayden, Lilly, Kehoe, Meehan, Flaherty, Cahill, Langan, Christopher, Villeen, Harrington, Hager, and others.

Another pioneer of those days was Father Smith who occasionally visited the itinerary of Father Emmons when the latter was unable to do so. Fr.

Harmon, also of Iowa City, came a few times into this territory and a.s.sisted in sowing the seed and nurturing it in its tender years.

After Fr. Harmon's departure the duty again rested upon the shoulders of Father Emmons until Father Gillespie was sent by Bishop Smith to form a new parish in Cedar Rapids, along in the early sixties.

The first effort that was made to establish a church in Cedar Rapids was when a piece of property was secured on Sixth avenue and Sixth street, near the present residence of Dr. Skinner. Those who were leaders in this laudable undertaking were J. J. Snouffer, Sr., Alexander Hager, and Francis Lilly. Objection was made to the selection of the site on Sixth avenue and Sixth street from more sources than one and attention was next directed towards the present site on Third avenue and Seventh street. Through the efforts of the above mentioned men three lots were secured, and operations were begun and a little church constructed large enough for the needs of the time. The lumber was obtained at Snouffer's mill, the workmans.h.i.+p was contracted for by Alex. Hager, who was a carpenter, and the means were supplied by Mr.

Lilly, Mr. Thos. Murray, Andrew Stark, John Meehan, Flaherty, and others. After Father Gillespie came Father Enlinbrook, who retained the charge only a short time. After his departure Fr. s.h.i.+elds came occasionally in missionary work.

In 1865 Fr. Cannon a.s.sumed charge and remained about two years.

In the fall of 1867 Father P. V. McLoughlin came and remained about six months.

One would naturally expect that by this time the congregation should have grown considerably, but the fact is that on the first Sunday of October, 1866, rosary Sunday, the congregation consisted of between 20 and 30 souls and they were from the surrounding country as much as from Cedar Rapids.

In 1870 Fr. Lowry (who was a convert to Catholicity) took charge of Cedar Rapids and from that date we have a continued resident priest and a regular history. Soon after his arrival he set to work to build a church more in keeping with the needs of the place, since at this time many settlers had come from Illinois and things began to look more encouraging for our religion.

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