Mahé, Father Charles, Monroe, Louisiana, to Bishop Francis Xavier Leray, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1882 December 28

Mahé is spending a few days of vacation here; he came to hear the confessions of the Sisters. Mahé arrived in Lake Providence on April 22. The church property was in a dilapidated condition. Everything was going well when his housekeeper left to better her situation; Mahé had recourse to boarding with Jews opposite the church. His suppost was to be $20 a month but times have been so hard that he has not collected more than half. Mahé had a little money of his own and as the church had not been painted for 12 years, he decided to have it done. A fresco painter decorated the sanctuary and altar. All was done at Mahé's expense. The little house on the church property has been rented only in the last two months; Mahé has collected one month's rent, $15. Three weeks ago the sheriff called for back taxes since 1875. Father Joseph Gentille to whom the property belonged, turned it over to the diocese in November, 18.73. Gentille left at the end of November for Shreveport where he was appointed pastor. The sheriff never called on Father Quelard or Gentille for taxes. By an act of the Constitution of 1880 all back taxes had to be paid with interest up to the day of payment. Mahé had to pay $72.50 to redeem a property that has brought him $15. About 2 months ago, on his monthly visit to Milliken's Bend Mahé found the stakes of the new levee behind the church so that the church remained outside the levee, subject to overflow. Mahé went in the woods and chose the timbers to move the church. With the help of someone who understood house moving, the moving cost only $83 instead of $150. Leray had given Mahé $200 to build a much needed room at Milliken's Bend. For $350 two rooms 16 by 16 and a gallery were finished yesterday. The same carpenter is to build a portico in front of the church, also a Gothic altar that will cost $55. The carpenter is a very good one and worked for Bishop Gilmour of Cleveland. The congregation is unable to pay to do it. Mahé receives $10 at his monthly visit; besides this he has received only $5 and a horse. The fresco painter proposes to paint the church of Milliken's Bend for $200. The church is far from town and the painter would board himself in one of Mahé's rooms. The Church was primed outside 3 years ago. The little house just built also ought to be painted. Mahé still has $100 in Mass intentions; he is willing to sacrifice this is Leray will give him another $100 out of the Propagation of the Faith funds. If the time of contributions being made on the levees for churches was yet extant, Mahé would not ask for $100. But negroes are now working the levees. A.L.S. Enclosure: