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The Bishop sends a list of seven names of laymen of the Diocese, who are qualified to prepare papers to be read at the Columbian Congress of 1893.

Scope and Contents He asks permission to adminster Confirmation and bless the chapel at Pleasant Valley. He will avail himself of Purcell's invitation to collect in the Cathedral for the Arkansas missions. Father M.J.D. Ryan offers his services to Purcell; he was a member of a diocese of the West Indies but left on account of his health. He served in the missions of New York without being formally accepted. He was on his way to Bishop Duggan when Fitzgerald suggested that Bishop Sylvester H. Rosecrans would...

Scope and Contents As requested he sends an abstract of the laws of Arkansas concerning marriage. The only hope for Arkansas is in immigration from the older states or from Europe. The short cotton crops and low prices are having a depressing effect on the people. Every one is speaking of leaving. There is apprehension for a negro rising and massacre. The negroes are drilling by night under the lead of bad white men. They will starve themselves to buy a pistol or rifle. The South generally does not offer much...

Scope and Contents He asks if he may hope to obtain a loan of a priest or two for a few years. They have six priest enough for the 1,500 Catholics, but they are so scattered and they have numerous requests for priests from non-Catholics. He can accept only priests who have means to support themselves. Half the money they receive from the Propagation of the Faith must be paid in taxes on the property belonging to the diocese. One of their convent schools was forced to suspend. The other two can scareely...

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Bishop Fitzgerald invited D. W. Carroll of Little Rock to attend the Catholic Congress as a Vice-President, however, he is not yet certain whether Carroll's duties will permit him to attend. Judge Carroll is of the old Maryland Carrolls and of the same family as Charles and Bishop Carroll. The judge has lived in Arkansas for 40 years, during which time he has held several important offices, in spite of politicians efforts to get him out. :: IX-1-a A.L.S. 2pp. 12mo.

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List of delegates to the Columbian Catholic Congress for Dioceses of Little Rock. Arkansas, and Dallas, Texas. (Written by Father P. F. Callaghan.)

Scope and Contents A priest named Father John M. Ryan whom Purcell met at Fitzgerald's consecration in Columbus has been with Fitzgerald for 4 or 5 weeks. He is the one who filed the $25,000 suit against Bishop Thomas Foley in Chicago. He has lately at Fitzgerald's suggestion withdrawn the suit and is willing to make reparations for the scandal. Ryan offered his life as a physician freely during the fever epidemics at Memphis Tennessee . At the end of the epidemic he came to Fitzgerald, who knew him since...

Scope and Contents He wrote to Purcell yesterday on behalf of another, and now he writes on his own behalf. He is most unhappy, as there is nothing for him to do and no prospects for the future. He has tried writing and travel to divert his mind, but to no avail. He is never free from fretting and fears at times his mind will give way. He is useless to others and to himself and as a result of not having anything to do he finds in himself a growing dislike to making exertions of any kind. Before, he has been...

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Fitzgerald would like to know what edition of Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma Brownson used in The Religion of Ancient Craft Masonry, some copies of which he received some time ago, and whether it would be possible to obtain a copy of the former. There is a work called Maconnerie Pratique, printed in Paris and sold by Cadrieux Derouie in Montreal, which he would like Brownson to examine, with a view to publishing an English translation of it. :: III-3-d A.L.S. 1p. 8vo.

Scope and Contents Fitzgerald asks for authority to build an addition to the school house. He estimates the cost, as Father John Murray will more fully explain, to be about $4,000 and he has contracted the bricks, nails and lumber which, if Purcell does not approve of the addition, could be sold at a profit. He does not feel that they are able to build a new church, nor that they need one because by saying three masses there is sufficient room for the whole congregation. His estimated cost of a new church in...

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Fitzgerald desires to send two orphans to the orphanage if Purcell will permit. He tells Purcell about a young boy of 17 from Ireland who wishes to study for the Church but his Father can give only $200 towards the expenses. Father Thomas J. Coppinger is in Columbus and Fitzgerald hopes he will regain his health. Father B. Hemsteger is improving steadily in regards to his health. :: II-5-b A.L.S. 2pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents Fitzgerald would have liked to see Purcell in Cincinnati, but he is unable to leave Columbus because of the stroke of partial paralysis suffered by Father Thomas J. Coppinger. He is quite certain the false charges written against him were written by one of the school brothers. Fitzgerald's contracts to fence the property of Mr. Phelan were broken by the man engaged to do the work. The only relatives living with him are his sister who does the housework and his Father who acts as sexton....

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Fitzgerald is just on his way to Bellefontaine and Marion Ohio when he receives Purcell's letter. Father Thomas J.J. Coppinger is feeling better and will preach tomorrow but; because of his hand, he cannot say Mass. Father Bernard Seling will take Coppinger's place tomorrow at St. Patrick's, but Fitzgerald believes Coppinger will soon be in perfect health because now, with the exception of his arm, his health is better than it has been for years. :: II-5-b A.L.S. 2pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents Fitzgerald just returned from the Bellefontiane Missions and complies with Purcell's requests through Father Thomas J.J. Coppinger. He announced the places he attended that a pastor had been appointed and would take over before Sunday. Fitzgerald knows of no preparations having been made for the new pastor. The necessities for saying Mass, with the exception of a Chalice and Wine can be found at the principal stations. While on the mission he heard the confessions of some of the Germans...

Scope and Contents Fitzgerald found a place for the orphans about whom he previously wrote Purcell. In 1857 he received a written statement from Father James Meagher which was to be a full account of the church debts. Since then a claim for $65 was made. Meagher says the claim is valid but shows the account of where it was spent. Fitzgerald ignored the claim and is now faced with a lawsuit. He desires to know if he should stand the suit or pay the claim for which there is no account or note. :: II-5-b A.L.S....

Scope and Contents Mr. Leonard says the Dominican Sisters of Somerset Ohio whose Academy was lately destroyed by fire contemplate settling in Columbus where railroad facilities are better. Fitzgerald believes the citizens will help them in erecting a building because twenty-three girls from Columbus have attended the school at Sommerset the past session. They have their own chaplain and will not add labor to the priests. Fitzgerald favors their coming. He says Mr. Leonard will explain the matter more and they...

Scope and Contents Fitzgerald visited the camp but in order to do so he had to obtain permission from General Tod. The rules regarding visitors are strict and many of the men do not get to make use of the services offered. He did however hear the confessions of the Catholic soldiers on Sunday and is going to attempt to say a Mass for the soldiers at the camp. Fitzgerald asks Purcell's permission to send two orphan children to the orphanage. He asks Purcell if he may admit two members of the Odd Fellows Society...

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Fitzgerald says he sent Purcell a letter soliciting his influence for Captain Riches, recommending him to Mr. Chase. Riches is worthy of the aid. Fitzgerald understands that Purcell will visit Columbus on the third Sunday in September. Fitzgerald told Father Thomas Coppinger of Purcell's charge and now is keeping everything locked up. :: II-5-b A.S.L. 2pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents He sends $462.00, $212.00 of which is the Pentecost collection for the Seminary. The Asylum for Idiots is two mile from St. Pat's and one mile from Holy Cross Church. A wing and water tower were erected by the State and he imagines Mrs. Neville has no right to dispose of them. It is worth the $10,000 asked but, because of its distance the Sisters would find that people would not walk that far to have work done, however, a street car line is being proposed, and if built, will remedy this...

Scope and Contents A preliminary meeting concerning the building of a new church was held on Tuesday, and a committee was appointed for the procurement of a lot. Without the use of a general subscription, $8,200 has already been raised, and Fitzgerald hopes in a few days to be able to pay for the stonework and make a deposit on the lot which the committee approve of. The lot is about two blocks from the Capital and is on Broad Street. He asks for Purcell's approval before they contract to buy, and that he...

Scope and Contents He called the first general meeting of the congregation and the sum now subscribed for the new church is $12,000. He intends to have another meeting Sunday and feels that the people will contribute generously. The people approve of the lot on Broad Street and the terms for payment of the lot have become more favorable since the owner is donating $500, leaving the cost at $13,000. The prospects look good for securing enough subscriptions to warrant the beginning of the building in the coming...

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Purcell commissioned him to inquire if the deed for four lots donated to Purcell by the late William Phelan was in the Court House of this county. On inquiry Fitzgerald learned that the deed was delivered to Mr. Phelan, among whose papers it is still to be found. :: II-5-b A.L.S. 1p. 16to.

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Fitzgerald says that since he started building the school-house, many people are offering money without interest to help him. He asks Purcell to please authorize him to receive such money because he has to pay cash for labor and materials and payment of subscriptions is very slow. Purcell's note on back says he granted Fitzgerald permission according to his discretion and prudence. :: II-5-b A.L.S. 1p. 12mo.

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He encloses $50 in part payment for Francis Campbell whom Purcell directed Fitzgerald to send to St. Thomas.' He asks permission to send a young lad to the Orphan Asylum. :: II-5-b A.L.S. 1p. 16to.

Scope and Contents He asks permission to have a child sent to the Cumminsville Asylum. By Purcell's direction he supplied M. C. Pegues with tobacco and clothing. Several prisoners, Protestant and Catholic, have applied to him for help in the matter of clothing, but he cannot give to all. He is still not permitted to see the prisoners, although he may visit the sick when they request him for religious purposes. Samuel Medary, Jr., the son of Gov. Medary, was baptized yesterday. Dr. Drury and lady were also...

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When Father James Meagher last visited Columbus, he gave Fitzgerald an account of the total indebtedness of St. Patrick's Church. Now he is asked to pay a note for $219 in favor of Mary Mackey of which he has no account. He has refused to pay it. Father John B. Hemsteger's health continues to improve. P.S. He was told the note will go to protest if unpaid. It is drawn in the name of the church and signed by Meagher. :: II-5-a A.L.S. 1p. 8vo.

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When he was in Cincinnati he called on Purcell at the request of Father Michael Hallinan. He thought he owed that much to his old professor and superior. Hallinan states he can clear up the charges made against him. Hallinan can obtain favorable letters from Boston and Philadelphia. His conduct at Columbus was edifying. Father O'Donaghue of Milford says the same thing for him. :: II-5-b A.L.S. 2pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents Fitzgerald got Mr. T.J. Cahill paroled for Columbus about three weeks ago and has been unconditionally released and gone home. Fitzgerald just returned from a visit to Lieutenant Doyle. He is glad to learn that the Restrictions of the Paschal Communion time was by mistake. He would like to have some way of knowing what are the Archbishop's orders and what are not. He was called to Cincinnati last year in Holy Week by an official order and then on arriving in Cincinnati found that it was not...

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Fitzgerald encloses $5.00 for the returned bill, and $20.00 for the annual subscriptions to the seminary. He has two young boys being prepared for the seminary and if Purcell will take one, Fitzgerald will pay $50.00 a year and the other boys parents can do the same. Fitzgerald has been sick but is recovering now and would like to take a vacation now that an appointment has been made for Delaware. :: II-5-b A.L.S. 2pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents It would appear in Purcell's letters to Father John B. Hemsteger that Father Emmanuel Thienpont is not coming there. Fitzgerald heard Thienpont say that he will not stay in the hospital. He asks that an old man Father John Fitzmaurice be permitted to stay with him on trial for a time. Fitzmaurice came to him on Christmas Eve and his letters show him not to be under censure. He has committed errors twice since ordination, once in Philadelphia and again in Fort Wayne. But he has not touched a...