Dwenger, C.PP. S., Father Joseph, New Richmond, Ohio, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, of Cincinnati, Ohio, 1871 January 1

He wishes Purcell a Happy New Year. He has started the mission here, but does not yet know what the state of the congregation is. The election of officers of the St. Peter's Society passed off quietly. The offices of the society heretofore had acted not only in affairs concerning the society, but also these of the church and congregation. Now, however, they represent only about two-thirds of the congregation, some of whom are not practical Catholics. It is a mistake that Father H Riekens had no committee at all and kept the books himself. Dwenger published the laws of the diocese with regard to a church committee and told them that the priest would no longer have the books of the church and that a regular committee would be appointed according to Purcell's instructions. He will wait until he has heard from Purcell before determining whether the officers of the St. Peter's society should act as councilmen or whether they should be elected according to the rules of the diocese. The latter is the best, he thinks. He will be in Cincinnati next week to report in person. :: II-5-e A.L.S. 3pp. 12mo.