Gutton, Father Philibert, Fausse Rivière, Louisiana, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1865 May 31

The trustees have just met so Gutton will inform Odin of their decisions. Since the flood in one part of his parish, burials had to be made at the homes. The trustees decided to acquire land for a cemetery. At first they decided on the property of the police department adjoining the court house. Gutton opposed this as causing difficulties in the future. Then they decided on land on the highway. If it was not all used for the cemetery it would provide a garden and wood for the pastor of Fausse Rivière. But there is nothing in the treasury. The trustees must have received $1030 since Gutton came; they have paid 60 in gold and 190 in currency. As Odin said, if Gutton had continued on the basis of Father Francis Mittelbronn, the church would have a roof and he would not be in debt. He followed Odin's wish of reinstating the trustees. The land was given by a pious family and the church was built by subscription. Bishop Anthony Blanc, then the pastor, not having enough to pay for it, appealed to the trustees of Pointe Coupée who offered to furnish the sum on condition that this new church would be, like that of Pointe Coupée, for them. The people at the crevasse near the church at Pointe Coupée say they could not support a priest. Auguste? Provosty, the most comfortable before the war, is now the most troubled. His house was torn down to make a camp. If Odin can buy the land for the cemetery it would be a resource for the priest and an advantage for the diocese. Gutton is setting the time of the Jubilee for September and October. A dike has given way under pressure of the flood and stopped all communication with Waterloo. :: VI-2-i A.L.S. French 5pp. 4to.