Lüers, John H, Bishop of For Wayne, Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1863 July 1

Lüers feels that he did right by asking Purcell for permission to build a church on the Indiana side at Union City, Indiana and does not consider his asking as being superfluous since Father J.N. Thisse is already complaining because it will require the united efforts of all the Catholics around Union. It is possible to erect two churches there and the people themselves do not desire two and Lüers would not permit such an action. Lüers hopes that Purcell will come to Union and judge for himself the impracticability of Thisse's suggestions. Lüers hopes that soon the dioceses will not be bound by strict geographical boundaries but rather by convenience of the congregation. Union was tended once a month for four years from the Indiana side and although Lüers' diocese is small and poor he would resign Union to Purcell if it weren't for the 8 or 9 places in the surrounding country which he must take care of and about which Father Thisse knows nothing. He is glad that the beards are to be cut off and remembers telling Father F.O. Vandergreen that one would never be found on a well balanced clerical head. It is very hot in Fort Wayne, and there is a scarcity of rain. Should Purcell need any mosquitoes and copperheads Lüers can procure a supply. :: II-5-b A.L.S. 4pp. 12mo.