Chapter XLIX — Events of 1883 which, together, form a significant transition for the Southern Kansas Catholic Church, and for the people at Osage Mission. During this time, many of the mission stations and new churches, started by the Jesuits, are turned over to the Bishop of Leavenworth. Two of the closer churches, St. Patrick's of Parsons and Immaculate Conception at Ladore, remain under the Jesuits. At Osage Mission, It is a very sad time. This is a rather long chapter that touches on several topics. We have added a few bold headers to help navigate. Also, the photos are ours.
Chapter XLIX
Transfer of Missionary Stations and Churches to Rt. Rev. Bishop of Leavenworth — A residence is made in Parsons — Golden Jubilee of Father Schoenmakers Faith Mass — His Death — A memorial bell in honor of the Father.
Transitions from Hunting Grounds to Missions to Churches.
As stated in the beginning of this memoir, during the great hunting season, when the Osages, all in a body would go wandering over the plains after Buffalo, we taking the advantage given us by their absence, would go around visiting the small nations of Indians, who being no longer in a sufficient force to join with the other Indians on the plains, are bound to remain on their reservations, depending on their small farming, such as the Miami’s, Peoria’s, Wea’s, Kansa’s, Sac and Foxes located north of our mission; or we would go down south to the Cherokees, Creeks, Quapaw’s, Shawnee’s and Wyandotte’s, and others living on Spring River south of us. At other times we would call on the Catholic families implored here and there at different trading posts, either on the Neosho or Verdigris, finally once in a while we would also visit the garrisons stations at different points in the Indian Territory, but especially at Fort Scott as well as Fort Gibson.
Since the partial opening of Kansas Territory for settlement and particularly since the late war was over, our services have been frequently requested by the Catholics coming in every day to take claims. On this account our missionary field having been considerably enlarged, we were allowed an additional Father to help with this very extensive work, that without interfering in any way with our duties at home, one of us might always be ready to answer the calls coming up from abroad.
To provide for the need of all, we formed here and there different missionary stations in private houses, and at regular times would visit them. And oh! with what joy would they not welcome us, and how eagerly would they try to profit of the opportunity, we were offering them, of approaching to the holy sacrament.
The missionary stations, in few years, became the nucleus of very interesting congregations, for which chapels and schools gradually were put up, as the increase of the Catholic populations and their means would allow. Of these missionary stations, from 1847 to this year, we did establish 133, and in progress of time 20 of them we also erected small churches, each being also used as a school, or having special rooms attached to them for it. This was entirely a supererogatory work, which we did willingly assume, to supply the want of secular priests, who in those days, were very few, and stationed far apart in Kansas. As soon, however, as the Rt. Rev. Bishop of Leavenworth did have any clergyman to spare, we began to transfer to him, some of these stations and churches, till by the beginning of this year, our transfer was completed, with the exception of two churches, that of St. Patrick of Parsons in La-Bette County, and that of the Immaculate Conception at Ladore in Neosho County, both of which, for the time being, were left in our charge.
These two churches are but a 7 miles distance from one another, and were erected by Father Philip Colleton in1872. After his death they were attended by Father John Driessen S.J. who, noticing that St. Patrick’s Church was becoming too small for its daily increasing congregation, made to it an addition of 75 x 20 feet. In the fall of this year Father Driessen having been called to Cincinnati, Ohio, the care of the 2 churches was given to Father Phillip Roos S.J. Fathers Colleton and Driessen were used to administer to these two churches from Osage Mission, but the number of Catholic settlers around them, being on a constant increase, to better provide for their convenience, Father Roos was bound to establish his residence in Parsons. To this effect he purchased a nice spot of land in a more central part of the city, moved on it the old church, opened a building for the use of a parochial school, which he entrusted to the care of few sisters of Loretto, whom he provided with a comfortable house. Parson’s people were very much pleased with the Father, on account of his enterprising spirit, they helped him, and patronized the Sister’s school.
To what concerns the missionary stations we had established in the Indian Territory, these also by degrees we did transfer to the Notary Apostolic, at that time in charge of that Territory, residing at the Sacred Heart Mission among the Pottawattamie Indians.
Father Schoenmakers' Jubilee.
If ever there has been a day, which was expected with, the greatest anxiety by the inmates of St. Francis Institution, as well as by the all people of Osage Mission it was most certainly the 16th of June of this year, the (day) on which Father Schoenmakers was to celebrate the golden jubilee of his priesthood. That day came at last.
For it came, and the elements themselves seemed to take part in our common joy, for the sky was clear as if made of the purest crystal, not a cloud did arise this whole day though, to tarnish its brightness, the air was calm, fresh and balmy, resounding with the melodious warbling’s of numbers of mocking birds, singing on the hedges of our garden. Father Schoenmakers, who during the last days of May and been suffering considerably from the palpitation of the heart, had sensibly improved and was looking wonderfully well.
Since early in the morning he was the recipient of telegrams and letters from his many friends abroad. Next behold numerous deputations of school children, and town people all coming to offer him their congratulations and presents. The whole day was passed in exchanging greetings, but the largest and most enthusiastic part of the festival took place toward sun-down, when a long procession of men, women and children, preceded by a brass band, coming down from town, halted on the piazza, in front of the Institution, and began to fill the air with repeated hurrahs for the good Father, calling him out to give them his blessing. And as the Father did show himself on the balcony of the house, he was cheered up with a general waving of hats and handkerchiefs, accompanied with most hearth “long life, long life to Father Schoenmakers.” There was no end to the popular excitement till Mr. C.F. Hutchings, a most able lawyer, and an eloquent speaker of Kansas, stepping forward on the balcony bade them to be still for a while and having shaken hands with the Father, addressed him with a most sympathetic speech in behalf to the people standing by.
As long as Mr. Hutchings was speaking, Father Schoenmakers kept standing erect before him, listening attentively to all he was saying, and when the speaker was over, he thanked him for the many kind words, and good wishes he had offered him, in the name of the people. Next, turning himself to the crowd, which was pressing on the premises of our house, he spoke with a clear and very intelligible voice! He acknowledged himself unworthy of all the high marks of esteem and affection they were giving him, and encouraged by such unexpected demonstration, he addressed them with words full of love, insisting on the importance encumbering upon them all of the preferring among themselves a spirit of union and mutual forbearance, avoiding strife’s and selfishness, discharging faithfully the duties they had, one towards the other, not only as Christians, but also as citizens, and with their industry work all together to promote the prosperity of their town. But above all, he added with great emphasis, that they should at all times, be very careful in giving a sound moral education to their children, that they might one day become the honor of our great commonwealth. Those words, which he addressed to them with the liberty and confidence of a father of family being his last farewell to his children were, I might say, his last will.
The hour being now getting late, and the darkness of night fast approaching, he advised them to retire, and having imparted to them his last blessing, he passed to the next room for over on hour, the people forced their way in to have he pleasure of shaking hands with the one they looked upon as their dear Father.
The effect produced by such and exhibition of popular gratitude, and filial affection on the shattered constitution of the good old Father, was most wonderful! It infused in him, as it were a new life! And in fact he looks as healthy as any of us. He attends to all of the community duties with a firm step, without the need for assistance; his familiar smile is on his libs. We feel happy, at what we consider a real improvement which has taken place in him, and entertain the hope, that his life will yet be prolonged for a good while, and that we will have the pleasure of seeing him, celebrating the first Mass in the great building of the new church, which he himself began few years ago, and now at last is ready to be roofed. But alas! We were doomed to be disappointed!
Father Schoenmakers' Death and his Journal Obituary.
The first part of June had been very mild and agreeable, but its last days turned out to be exceedingly hot. July was no better, on the contrary the heat became every day more and more oppressive. Summer had always been a critical season for the Father, even in the palmy days of his youth, this year it proved to be fatal.
During the first two weeks of July he try’s to drag himself about with our community, and though everyone can see that he is moving under difficulty, his cheerful countenance betrays no signs despondency, and giving us confidence. This however is only a momentary flush, a transitory illusion! About the 15 of the month his strength leaves him almost at once, his physical prostration renders him totally helpless, and it becomes evident that his days are coming to an end, and his dissolution is fast approaching.
Aware of his dangerous condition, he requests the favor of receiving the last sacraments of our holy church, and I myself had the painful duty to administer them to him! The calmness of his spirit, the piety and devotion with which he answers to the prayers of those solemn rites, are edifying, and show plainly how great must his trust in God’s mercy! At last the time of his stewardship is over, having finished his course, and kept his faith, his soul, as we have all reason to hope, took its fly heavenworth, to rest for over in the fruition of the beatific vision of him for the propagation of whose greater glory, he had consecrated all the labors of his life.
He died on the 28th of July at 4:30 p.m. being 76 years of age, of these he had passed 49 in the Society of Jesus.
To show how high he stood in the public opinion, I shall report the account of his death as published by our town paper, “The Neosho County Journal” on the first day of August, just 4 days after his burial. The editor of this paper being a Protestant, the account he gives is much more to be appreciated.
“Gone before" Death of the beloved Father Rev. John Schoenmakers” Although for some months our community had known that the venerable and beloved man, Father Schoenmakers, was in poor health, and lately had been perceptibly failing, no one seemed to realized that the end was soon near. But on Saturday last (28 July) he grew much more feeble, and seemed so weak and wan, that his attendants knew that his scenes of his life were drawing to a close, and during the long and then agonizing day, they watched and ministered to him as best they could, while the Angel of Death came down with noiseless wing, and stood by their side to receive the parting spirit, as it should leave its poor mortality.
In the afternoon he seemed to suffer much, but later became easier, and his loving and ever faithful Coadjutor, Father Ponziglione, seeing his lips move, bent over his almost inanimate form and caught the whispered invocation of the dying man “I thee oh Lord, I hoped and I will not be confounded for ever.” And at 4:30 o’clock p.m. the soul of the good Father passed for ever away from its earthly tenement to eternal reward.
The remains were placed in a casket and removed to the church Saturday evening, where they were viewed by great numbers of people. On Sunday at 4 o’clock p.m. the funeral services were held at the church, at which an immense assemblage of congregated, variously estimated from 2,500 to 3,000 people, a large portion of whom could not get admittance to the building.
After the rendition of the most excellent music by the choir, Father Ponziglione delivered the Funeral discourse, which was a most eloquent and feeling tribute to the intellectual, moral and social excellences of the dead Father, with whom he had been so closely associated for 32 years. Father Ponziglione earnestness of manner, and great emotion, gave evidence of the depth of his feelings, and carried the hearts of his audience with him as he rapidly sketched the unselfish nature of the lamented dead before them. At the conclusion of his discourse, the remains under the direction of H.F. Hentzen; were taken in charge of the pallbearers T.C. Long, F.T. Winsatt, B. Benemann, Jacob Koenig, D.S. Dougal, Louis Gittings, and John Duling, and escorted to the Catholic Cemetery followed by a procession a half mile in length. Here at the grave, the casket was lowered, and the earth was placed over all that was mortal of the venerable and venerated Priest, known and beloved all. A solemn dirge was played by the Osage Mission cornet band, assisted by the Coeur de Leon band from Parsons, during the last sad ceremony, and the close, the grave was nearly covered with beautiful floral tributes, placed by the hands of women and children and others, who thus testified love for the departed counsellor and friend.
This has left us in the hope and assurance of a blessed immortality, a man singularly free from selfish feeling, whose life has been spent in seeking to do good to others, at the expense of his own great labor and discomfort, who knew not enemy, as he was everybody’ friend, and spiritual as well as temporal counsellor, and who lived and passed to his grave at the age of three score and sixteen years, loved, respected and every where honored by all classes and condition of society, the rich, the poor, the humble and the exalted, by Catholics and Protestants alike, each and all uniting to render full tribute to the worth and memory of the kind friend, zealous priest, wise counsellor, and untiring worker for the good of others.
John Schoenmakers, one of the most illustrious pioneers of southern Kansas was born on the 20th of November 1807 in the town of Waspick, Long Stat province of North Brabant in Holland. His Father’s name was Henry Schoenmakers, and his mother’s Petronilla Kamp. Both natives of Waspick.
He was ordained priest in 1833, and celebrated his first Mass on the 16 of April of that year. Anxious to assist the missions of North America, he left Holland, and landed in New York on the 25th of December of that same year, and without much delay, having gone to Georgetown, Maryland, he enrolled himself as a novice in the Society of Jesus, on the 15th of January of 1834. In July of that year together with other Missionaries, he left for St. Louis, Missouri, and remained in that city till the spring of 1847, when he started for southern Kansas in company with Father John Bax S.J. and three Coadjutor Brothers. They formed a real caravan, and the way they traveled was first up the Missouri River as far as to Kansas City, and from there they continued their course with an oxen wagon, and a south westerly direction through the country of Kansas where one could not find a house where in to pass the night. After one full week of peregrination through lonesome prairies, at last the 28th of April, 1847, the caravan pitched their tents on a very beautiful spot of high land, some two miles north of the confluence of the Flat Rock and Neosho River where the Osages had a small Indian town of perhaps 25 wigwams. Here, Father Schoenmakers stayed, and started what is known through the whole west as Osage Mission.
The Osage were very happy when they saw Father Schoenmakers coming to locate among them, and from that day to the present, their love and esteem for his has never abated. He soon went to work and fitted up tow log-houses as comfortable as his limited circumstances could allow, and early in May he was ready to open a boarding school for Osage boys. It was a manual labor school, and by the beginning of October having procured some Sisters of Loretto from Kentucky, he also opened a boarding school for girls. Both schools have ben always well patronized by the Osages, and for some time, boys and girls together reached the number of 230. Almost everything needed for the support of such a large family was raised and made at home. Father Schoenmakers provided for all in such a way, that every one was comfortable. The children felt themselves at home under the care of such good Father, and the poor Indians, no matter to what nation they might have belonged, always found food and shelter at the Osage Mission.
Not only did the Father feed and take care of the poor Indians, but he encouraged them to work helping them with teams and wagons, and some twenty families induced by his advice, had opened good farms, and were self-supporting, when the late civil war began. This stopped all kind of improvements. In September, 1869, the Osages having ceded to the U.S. by treaty, all the lands they had in the state of Kansas, nine millions of acres, they gradually began to migrate to their new reservation in the Indian Territory, and so by degrees also the Indian children were taken from Father Schoenmakers care, and brought to their new homes.
No sooner did the Indian children leave, that Father Schoenmakers turned the school for the benefit of the white people, who began to fill up the new country, now open for settlement. So what was an Osage manual labor school became St. Francis Institution for boys and what was an Osage girls school, became St. Ann Academy for young ladies. If both institutions are now flourishing, we owe it to the pains and paternal solicitude with which Father Schoenmakers provided for them.”
The account of the death of the good Father, as given by the Neosho County Journal [2], was more or less verbatim reproduced by several of our western newspapers and the press, without any exception, in chronicling his death, was prodigal in eulogizing his name, declaring that the Father had been one of the few who in our days go down to the grave with a clean record, because without ever looking after his own personal interest, sacrificed himself for over 35 years for the good of his fellow creatures. And they unanimously agree in saying, that the accommodative spirit, which had characterized his life, had written his name in the heart of the people so deep, that for many years to come it would become a household name in southern Kansas.
As stated in the beginning of this memoir, during the great hunting season, when the Osages, all in a body would go wandering over the plains after Buffalo, we taking the advantage given us by their absence, would go around visiting the small nations of Indians, who being no longer in a sufficient force to join with the other Indians on the plains, are bound to remain on their reservations, depending on their small farming, such as the Miami’s, Peoria’s, Wea’s, Kansa’s, Sac and Foxes located north of our mission; or we would go down south to the Cherokees, Creeks, Quapaw’s, Shawnee’s and Wyandotte’s, and others living on Spring River south of us. At other times we would call on the Catholic families implored here and there at different trading posts, either on the Neosho or Verdigris, finally once in a while we would also visit the garrisons stations at different points in the Indian Territory, but especially at Fort Scott as well as Fort Gibson.
Since the partial opening of Kansas Territory for settlement and particularly since the late war was over, our services have been frequently requested by the Catholics coming in every day to take claims. On this account our missionary field having been considerably enlarged, we were allowed an additional Father to help with this very extensive work, that without interfering in any way with our duties at home, one of us might always be ready to answer the calls coming up from abroad.
To provide for the need of all, we formed here and there different missionary stations in private houses, and at regular times would visit them. And oh! with what joy would they not welcome us, and how eagerly would they try to profit of the opportunity, we were offering them, of approaching to the holy sacrament.
The missionary stations, in few years, became the nucleus of very interesting congregations, for which chapels and schools gradually were put up, as the increase of the Catholic populations and their means would allow. Of these missionary stations, from 1847 to this year, we did establish 133, and in progress of time 20 of them we also erected small churches, each being also used as a school, or having special rooms attached to them for it. This was entirely a supererogatory work, which we did willingly assume, to supply the want of secular priests, who in those days, were very few, and stationed far apart in Kansas. As soon, however, as the Rt. Rev. Bishop of Leavenworth did have any clergyman to spare, we began to transfer to him, some of these stations and churches, till by the beginning of this year, our transfer was completed, with the exception of two churches, that of St. Patrick of Parsons in La-Bette County, and that of the Immaculate Conception at Ladore in Neosho County, both of which, for the time being, were left in our charge.
These two churches are but a 7 miles distance from one another, and were erected by Father Philip Colleton in1872. After his death they were attended by Father John Driessen S.J. who, noticing that St. Patrick’s Church was becoming too small for its daily increasing congregation, made to it an addition of 75 x 20 feet. In the fall of this year Father Driessen having been called to Cincinnati, Ohio, the care of the 2 churches was given to Father Phillip Roos S.J. Fathers Colleton and Driessen were used to administer to these two churches from Osage Mission, but the number of Catholic settlers around them, being on a constant increase, to better provide for their convenience, Father Roos was bound to establish his residence in Parsons. To this effect he purchased a nice spot of land in a more central part of the city, moved on it the old church, opened a building for the use of a parochial school, which he entrusted to the care of few sisters of Loretto, whom he provided with a comfortable house. Parson’s people were very much pleased with the Father, on account of his enterprising spirit, they helped him, and patronized the Sister’s school.
To what concerns the missionary stations we had established in the Indian Territory, these also by degrees we did transfer to the Notary Apostolic, at that time in charge of that Territory, residing at the Sacred Heart Mission among the Pottawattamie Indians.
Father Schoenmakers' Jubilee.
If ever there has been a day, which was expected with, the greatest anxiety by the inmates of St. Francis Institution, as well as by the all people of Osage Mission it was most certainly the 16th of June of this year, the (day) on which Father Schoenmakers was to celebrate the golden jubilee of his priesthood. That day came at last.
For it came, and the elements themselves seemed to take part in our common joy, for the sky was clear as if made of the purest crystal, not a cloud did arise this whole day though, to tarnish its brightness, the air was calm, fresh and balmy, resounding with the melodious warbling’s of numbers of mocking birds, singing on the hedges of our garden. Father Schoenmakers, who during the last days of May and been suffering considerably from the palpitation of the heart, had sensibly improved and was looking wonderfully well.
Since early in the morning he was the recipient of telegrams and letters from his many friends abroad. Next behold numerous deputations of school children, and town people all coming to offer him their congratulations and presents. The whole day was passed in exchanging greetings, but the largest and most enthusiastic part of the festival took place toward sun-down, when a long procession of men, women and children, preceded by a brass band, coming down from town, halted on the piazza, in front of the Institution, and began to fill the air with repeated hurrahs for the good Father, calling him out to give them his blessing. And as the Father did show himself on the balcony of the house, he was cheered up with a general waving of hats and handkerchiefs, accompanied with most hearth “long life, long life to Father Schoenmakers.” There was no end to the popular excitement till Mr. C.F. Hutchings, a most able lawyer, and an eloquent speaker of Kansas, stepping forward on the balcony bade them to be still for a while and having shaken hands with the Father, addressed him with a most sympathetic speech in behalf to the people standing by.
As long as Mr. Hutchings was speaking, Father Schoenmakers kept standing erect before him, listening attentively to all he was saying, and when the speaker was over, he thanked him for the many kind words, and good wishes he had offered him, in the name of the people. Next, turning himself to the crowd, which was pressing on the premises of our house, he spoke with a clear and very intelligible voice! He acknowledged himself unworthy of all the high marks of esteem and affection they were giving him, and encouraged by such unexpected demonstration, he addressed them with words full of love, insisting on the importance encumbering upon them all of the preferring among themselves a spirit of union and mutual forbearance, avoiding strife’s and selfishness, discharging faithfully the duties they had, one towards the other, not only as Christians, but also as citizens, and with their industry work all together to promote the prosperity of their town. But above all, he added with great emphasis, that they should at all times, be very careful in giving a sound moral education to their children, that they might one day become the honor of our great commonwealth. Those words, which he addressed to them with the liberty and confidence of a father of family being his last farewell to his children were, I might say, his last will.
The hour being now getting late, and the darkness of night fast approaching, he advised them to retire, and having imparted to them his last blessing, he passed to the next room for over on hour, the people forced their way in to have he pleasure of shaking hands with the one they looked upon as their dear Father.
The effect produced by such and exhibition of popular gratitude, and filial affection on the shattered constitution of the good old Father, was most wonderful! It infused in him, as it were a new life! And in fact he looks as healthy as any of us. He attends to all of the community duties with a firm step, without the need for assistance; his familiar smile is on his libs. We feel happy, at what we consider a real improvement which has taken place in him, and entertain the hope, that his life will yet be prolonged for a good while, and that we will have the pleasure of seeing him, celebrating the first Mass in the great building of the new church, which he himself began few years ago, and now at last is ready to be roofed. But alas! We were doomed to be disappointed!
Father Schoenmakers' Death and his Journal Obituary.
The first part of June had been very mild and agreeable, but its last days turned out to be exceedingly hot. July was no better, on the contrary the heat became every day more and more oppressive. Summer had always been a critical season for the Father, even in the palmy days of his youth, this year it proved to be fatal.
During the first two weeks of July he try’s to drag himself about with our community, and though everyone can see that he is moving under difficulty, his cheerful countenance betrays no signs despondency, and giving us confidence. This however is only a momentary flush, a transitory illusion! About the 15 of the month his strength leaves him almost at once, his physical prostration renders him totally helpless, and it becomes evident that his days are coming to an end, and his dissolution is fast approaching.
Aware of his dangerous condition, he requests the favor of receiving the last sacraments of our holy church, and I myself had the painful duty to administer them to him! The calmness of his spirit, the piety and devotion with which he answers to the prayers of those solemn rites, are edifying, and show plainly how great must his trust in God’s mercy! At last the time of his stewardship is over, having finished his course, and kept his faith, his soul, as we have all reason to hope, took its fly heavenworth, to rest for over in the fruition of the beatific vision of him for the propagation of whose greater glory, he had consecrated all the labors of his life.
He died on the 28th of July at 4:30 p.m. being 76 years of age, of these he had passed 49 in the Society of Jesus.
To show how high he stood in the public opinion, I shall report the account of his death as published by our town paper, “The Neosho County Journal” on the first day of August, just 4 days after his burial. The editor of this paper being a Protestant, the account he gives is much more to be appreciated.
“Gone before" Death of the beloved Father Rev. John Schoenmakers” Although for some months our community had known that the venerable and beloved man, Father Schoenmakers, was in poor health, and lately had been perceptibly failing, no one seemed to realized that the end was soon near. But on Saturday last (28 July) he grew much more feeble, and seemed so weak and wan, that his attendants knew that his scenes of his life were drawing to a close, and during the long and then agonizing day, they watched and ministered to him as best they could, while the Angel of Death came down with noiseless wing, and stood by their side to receive the parting spirit, as it should leave its poor mortality.
In the afternoon he seemed to suffer much, but later became easier, and his loving and ever faithful Coadjutor, Father Ponziglione, seeing his lips move, bent over his almost inanimate form and caught the whispered invocation of the dying man “I thee oh Lord, I hoped and I will not be confounded for ever.” And at 4:30 o’clock p.m. the soul of the good Father passed for ever away from its earthly tenement to eternal reward.
The remains were placed in a casket and removed to the church Saturday evening, where they were viewed by great numbers of people. On Sunday at 4 o’clock p.m. the funeral services were held at the church, at which an immense assemblage of congregated, variously estimated from 2,500 to 3,000 people, a large portion of whom could not get admittance to the building.
After the rendition of the most excellent music by the choir, Father Ponziglione delivered the Funeral discourse, which was a most eloquent and feeling tribute to the intellectual, moral and social excellences of the dead Father, with whom he had been so closely associated for 32 years. Father Ponziglione earnestness of manner, and great emotion, gave evidence of the depth of his feelings, and carried the hearts of his audience with him as he rapidly sketched the unselfish nature of the lamented dead before them. At the conclusion of his discourse, the remains under the direction of H.F. Hentzen; were taken in charge of the pallbearers T.C. Long, F.T. Winsatt, B. Benemann, Jacob Koenig, D.S. Dougal, Louis Gittings, and John Duling, and escorted to the Catholic Cemetery followed by a procession a half mile in length. Here at the grave, the casket was lowered, and the earth was placed over all that was mortal of the venerable and venerated Priest, known and beloved all. A solemn dirge was played by the Osage Mission cornet band, assisted by the Coeur de Leon band from Parsons, during the last sad ceremony, and the close, the grave was nearly covered with beautiful floral tributes, placed by the hands of women and children and others, who thus testified love for the departed counsellor and friend.
This has left us in the hope and assurance of a blessed immortality, a man singularly free from selfish feeling, whose life has been spent in seeking to do good to others, at the expense of his own great labor and discomfort, who knew not enemy, as he was everybody’ friend, and spiritual as well as temporal counsellor, and who lived and passed to his grave at the age of three score and sixteen years, loved, respected and every where honored by all classes and condition of society, the rich, the poor, the humble and the exalted, by Catholics and Protestants alike, each and all uniting to render full tribute to the worth and memory of the kind friend, zealous priest, wise counsellor, and untiring worker for the good of others.
John Schoenmakers, one of the most illustrious pioneers of southern Kansas was born on the 20th of November 1807 in the town of Waspick, Long Stat province of North Brabant in Holland. His Father’s name was Henry Schoenmakers, and his mother’s Petronilla Kamp. Both natives of Waspick.
He was ordained priest in 1833, and celebrated his first Mass on the 16 of April of that year. Anxious to assist the missions of North America, he left Holland, and landed in New York on the 25th of December of that same year, and without much delay, having gone to Georgetown, Maryland, he enrolled himself as a novice in the Society of Jesus, on the 15th of January of 1834. In July of that year together with other Missionaries, he left for St. Louis, Missouri, and remained in that city till the spring of 1847, when he started for southern Kansas in company with Father John Bax S.J. and three Coadjutor Brothers. They formed a real caravan, and the way they traveled was first up the Missouri River as far as to Kansas City, and from there they continued their course with an oxen wagon, and a south westerly direction through the country of Kansas where one could not find a house where in to pass the night. After one full week of peregrination through lonesome prairies, at last the 28th of April, 1847, the caravan pitched their tents on a very beautiful spot of high land, some two miles north of the confluence of the Flat Rock and Neosho River where the Osages had a small Indian town of perhaps 25 wigwams. Here, Father Schoenmakers stayed, and started what is known through the whole west as Osage Mission.
The Osage were very happy when they saw Father Schoenmakers coming to locate among them, and from that day to the present, their love and esteem for his has never abated. He soon went to work and fitted up tow log-houses as comfortable as his limited circumstances could allow, and early in May he was ready to open a boarding school for Osage boys. It was a manual labor school, and by the beginning of October having procured some Sisters of Loretto from Kentucky, he also opened a boarding school for girls. Both schools have ben always well patronized by the Osages, and for some time, boys and girls together reached the number of 230. Almost everything needed for the support of such a large family was raised and made at home. Father Schoenmakers provided for all in such a way, that every one was comfortable. The children felt themselves at home under the care of such good Father, and the poor Indians, no matter to what nation they might have belonged, always found food and shelter at the Osage Mission.
Not only did the Father feed and take care of the poor Indians, but he encouraged them to work helping them with teams and wagons, and some twenty families induced by his advice, had opened good farms, and were self-supporting, when the late civil war began. This stopped all kind of improvements. In September, 1869, the Osages having ceded to the U.S. by treaty, all the lands they had in the state of Kansas, nine millions of acres, they gradually began to migrate to their new reservation in the Indian Territory, and so by degrees also the Indian children were taken from Father Schoenmakers care, and brought to their new homes.
No sooner did the Indian children leave, that Father Schoenmakers turned the school for the benefit of the white people, who began to fill up the new country, now open for settlement. So what was an Osage manual labor school became St. Francis Institution for boys and what was an Osage girls school, became St. Ann Academy for young ladies. If both institutions are now flourishing, we owe it to the pains and paternal solicitude with which Father Schoenmakers provided for them.”
The account of the death of the good Father, as given by the Neosho County Journal [2], was more or less verbatim reproduced by several of our western newspapers and the press, without any exception, in chronicling his death, was prodigal in eulogizing his name, declaring that the Father had been one of the few who in our days go down to the grave with a clean record, because without ever looking after his own personal interest, sacrificed himself for over 35 years for the good of his fellow creatures. And they unanimously agree in saying, that the accommodative spirit, which had characterized his life, had written his name in the heart of the people so deep, that for many years to come it would become a household name in southern Kansas.
The Father Schoenmakers Bell. [1]
His Bell.
To perpetuate his remembrance, the citizens of Osage Mission conceived the idea of having a memorial bell cast in his honor. To this affect voluntary collections were taken up, the Osage Indians themselves liberally contributing to make up the needed funds. The bell was cast in St. Louis, Missouri, at the cost of $560. It was made of the purest bell-metal, was tuned D-Sharp, and weighs some 2,000 pounds. The inscriptions it bares give the names of St. Francis de Hieronymo, the titular of the Church, and that of Father Schoenmakers. Besides to date of the foundation of Osage Mission and of the death of the Father. On the 8th of December the Vespers of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception being over, the bell was solemnly consecrated by Father John T. Kuhlmann, Superior of St. Francis Institution. Over 2,000 people from all the country around witnessed the ceremony, which was through just at sun down.
Without losing any time the bell was at once raised up to the top of the tower of the new church, and the first peals that came of it, were an invitation to all the faithful to recite the sweet evening prayer, the … Angelus Domini
To perpetuate his remembrance, the citizens of Osage Mission conceived the idea of having a memorial bell cast in his honor. To this affect voluntary collections were taken up, the Osage Indians themselves liberally contributing to make up the needed funds. The bell was cast in St. Louis, Missouri, at the cost of $560. It was made of the purest bell-metal, was tuned D-Sharp, and weighs some 2,000 pounds. The inscriptions it bares give the names of St. Francis de Hieronymo, the titular of the Church, and that of Father Schoenmakers. Besides to date of the foundation of Osage Mission and of the death of the Father. On the 8th of December the Vespers of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception being over, the bell was solemnly consecrated by Father John T. Kuhlmann, Superior of St. Francis Institution. Over 2,000 people from all the country around witnessed the ceremony, which was through just at sun down.
Without losing any time the bell was at once raised up to the top of the tower of the new church, and the first peals that came of it, were an invitation to all the faithful to recite the sweet evening prayer, the … Angelus Domini
Click to enlarge
Some Reference Information.
1. A closer Look at the Bell. After I finished transcribing this chapter, I climbed up to the bell-level of the steeple to take a few photos. The bell level is just above the peak of the church roof — about 60' above the ground. This is at the top of the stone portion of the tower structure where the exterior transitions from stone to the simulated stone. This is also the point were the steeple broke and separated from the church during the June 30, 2005 windstorm.
I had been up there several times taking photos or guiding tours for students, guests and family. I have noticed in recent years that those bells seem to get higher with each trip. The bell was dirty and appeared to have some writing on the lower part of the inscription side. But at that point, I wasn't making a round-trip for cleaning supplies. Besides, it was very windy outside and the steeple was roaring and whistling.
You can click this photo to enlarge it; and that will work best on a monitor. The photo has been heavily edited to enhance contrast and sharpness of the image. It is really quite a bit darker than shown. But you should be able to read the inscription that Father Paul describes in the second-to-last paragraph above.
2. As you navigate our acatholicmission.org website, you will see references to "The Journal." The Osage Mission Journal, the Neosho County Journal and the St. Paul Journal are, essentially, the same newspaper. During its 93 year lifespan, the Journal had three names (one twice) and several editors but carried on as a single business entity. It was one of the long-living frontier newspapers.
3. Both of the photos shown in this chapter were added by A Catholic Mission.org.
1. A closer Look at the Bell. After I finished transcribing this chapter, I climbed up to the bell-level of the steeple to take a few photos. The bell level is just above the peak of the church roof — about 60' above the ground. This is at the top of the stone portion of the tower structure where the exterior transitions from stone to the simulated stone. This is also the point were the steeple broke and separated from the church during the June 30, 2005 windstorm.
I had been up there several times taking photos or guiding tours for students, guests and family. I have noticed in recent years that those bells seem to get higher with each trip. The bell was dirty and appeared to have some writing on the lower part of the inscription side. But at that point, I wasn't making a round-trip for cleaning supplies. Besides, it was very windy outside and the steeple was roaring and whistling.
You can click this photo to enlarge it; and that will work best on a monitor. The photo has been heavily edited to enhance contrast and sharpness of the image. It is really quite a bit darker than shown. But you should be able to read the inscription that Father Paul describes in the second-to-last paragraph above.
2. As you navigate our acatholicmission.org website, you will see references to "The Journal." The Osage Mission Journal, the Neosho County Journal and the St. Paul Journal are, essentially, the same newspaper. During its 93 year lifespan, the Journal had three names (one twice) and several editors but carried on as a single business entity. It was one of the long-living frontier newspapers.
3. Both of the photos shown in this chapter were added by A Catholic Mission.org.
