Mrak, Ignatius Bishop of Marquette, Marquette, Michigan, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1869 March 9

He arrived at Marquette the third of this month and found very cold weather. At Detroit he found Bishop Peter P. Lefevere in bed ill. Last Sunday Mrak preached for the first time. There are a large number of Catholics, mostly French, with quite a few Irish and Germans. The people have such a veneration for Mrak's predecessor Bishop Frederick Baraga, that Mrak is ashamed to take his place. The cook was even obliged to cut up some of Baraga's garments and distribute them. There is no library, and things are in a great deal of confusion. Baraga made his testament at Saut St. Marie in 1866 and could not appoint any priest, so he chose his cook as executor of his estate. There is only about $1000 worth of debt on the Cathedral. Mrak's health is good in the cold Michigan region. :: II-5-d A.L.S. 3pp. 12mo.