Jesuits Among the Indians

In the spring of 1841, six black-robed Jesuits left Westport, Missouri, with a westbound fur caravan.  The leader was a burly Belgian-born, Pierre de Smet.  He had spent a year in the Rockies and was returning by invitation from the Flathead Indians to establish a mission.  The first mission in Bitterroot Valley was a success from the start.  The Indians were eager students.

When they set off on their late fall buffalo hunt, the Flathead wanted a "Black Robe" to accompany them to continue religious instruction.  Father Nicholas Point was chosen and for five months he stayed with them on the trail in winter camp, living their life and sharing their hardship.  Point, an artist of sorts, kept a pictorial record of his experiences.  In all, he spent six years with the Flathead, making numerous converts.  Point regarded them as "modest, frank, courageous, good and generous."

Jovial De Smet had equal success, and by 1847 there were three Jesuit missions in Oregon Country.  The Jesuit success, contrasted sharply with that of the Protestants.  It might have been the colorful Catholic symbolism that appealed to the Indians, or it may have been that the Jesuits were better trained.  They were not there to colonize, so were more sympathetic to the people.  Whatever the reason De Smet and his Jesuit priests were a welcome addition to the Oregon Flathead for a time.

Next time...America's First Mobile Home
____________________________________
Today in Pioneer History:  "On January 30, 1835, Andrew Jackson becomes the first American president to experience an assassination attempt. Richard Lawrence, an unemployed house painter, approached Jackson as he left a congressional funeral held in the House chamber of the Capitol building and shot at him, but his gun misfired. A furious 67-year-old Jackson confronted his attacker, clubbing Lawrence several times with his walking cane.