Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/504

 430 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY difficult. Soon the work had entirely ceased. Strife amongst the rival claimants to the new world engaged the minds and energies of men. The struggle for existence in the colonies developed strength of character, and the increasing number of inhabitants fostered the natural desire for independent nationhood, just as the passing from childhood and adolescence begets a desire for the rearing of new families. Thus came about the birth of the new republic and the severing of political tics with all outside powers, that brought out in youthful vigor and aspirations the United States of America. The extensive territory of the then Northwest offered golden opportunities to those seeking temporal gain, and an abundant spiritual harvesl for those whose lifc*s work was to bring the Gospel of Peace and the saving means of Grace in roving inhabi- tants of tli is v;isi section. The opening of the nineteenth century turned the eyes of the nation to the upper Mississippi valley. President Jefferson, in 1805, sen! Lieutenant Pike with a few sol- diers, who prepared the way for founding Fort Snelling, in 1819. This gave greater security to the adventurous, who felt a strong attraction for the g 1 things offered. Canadians, OAving to droughl ami grasshoppers, drifted south from the Selkirk colony in Manitoba. Thus a twofold tide of immigration set in towards Minnesota, centering around Fort Snelling and St. Paul. In July. 1839, Bishop Loras, of Dubuque, accompanied by Father Pelamorgues, came up Lake Pepin and the Mississippi river, and found a large number of Catholics in St. Paul and the surrounding country. The bishop was enthusiastically received, and arrangements were at once made for building a church. The need of a priest who could speak the French, English and Sioux languages was imperative, and in the -following year Father Galtier arrived to take charge Rev. A. Ravoux, a young French priest, was commissioned by Bishop Loras, of Dubuque, in 1841. to visit the Sioux in Minne- sota. Accordingly, Father Ravoux entered upon his heroic mis- sion of converting the Sioux of Lac cpii Parle and Chaska. He returned to the vicinity of Mendota and St. Paul to relieve Father Galtier. while the latter was making a missionary tour among the scattered Catholics along Lake Pepin and the Chippewa river. Father Ravoux called at Red AYing on the fifth of April, 1843, when traveling afoot to Dubuque. The great influx of Europeans, dissatisfied with conditions in their native land, made necessary the formation of the diocese of Milwaukee in 1843. and of St. Paul in 1850. The Rt. Rev. Joseph Cretin, D. D., was the first bishop of St. Paul, the erection of which diocese was proposed to the Apostolic See by the Fathers of the Seventh Provincial Council of Baltimore, in 1849. Several