USA > Indiana > Jefferson County > Madison > History of St. Marys Parish, Madison, Indiana > Part 3
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The journey to Europe and Asia had strengthened Father Seepe to such an extent, that he could soon dispease with the services of his substitute and assistant. Thus the latter was de- prived of the pleasure of the surroundings. But time heals all wounds, they say, especially if not deep.
The church entered the year 1891 and the fifth decade, with a debt of $3,005.65, divided between six creditors. The hill of indebtedness was brought down from $6,000.00 to its half, and the valley, i. e. the pocket books filled up within ten years. The "movies" and automobiles were not in vogue yet. The pastor's pen rested from making historical dates in the diary until August 1, 1892. That day tells us: To pay the debts of the church by the St. Joseph's Society is a slow affair. The trustees therefore have decided to raise funds by subscription. A committee was appointed.
January 2, 1893. The subscription of last year amounts to
25
St. Mary's Parish
$1,234.00. The St. Joseph's society disbanded after having con- tributed $477.50. The debts are now reduced to $825.00.
July 30, 1894. I have today loaned to St. Mary's church $500 00. With this sum, I have paid the last outstanding debts. My intention is not to demand the payment of the principal, but only the interest yearly at 5%, as long as I live.
December 1, 1894. When coming to Madison. I saw the cemetery for the first time. I despaired of making anything presentable of it. The place was full of holes and ruts, caused by the lot holders digging earth to fill their lots. Some lot hold- ers had raised their lots two feet or more higher than the sur- rounding lots and had placed curbing stones around them The frost pressed every winter the curbing outward on neighboring lots which were not raised. Said lot holders then complained. I immediately made a rule, that no more ground be dug on the cemetery for raising lots and no more curbing be placed around lots. The creek, overflowing the cemetery every year, left holes and ruts in consequence. The work of improving will oc- cupy my attention for years to come. Up to now I have made roads and placed cornerstones for a considerable number of lots. I have also built a new cottage for the sexton. Two extra books were kept for cemetery accounts. Everything was carefully and minutely recorded by ¡Fathers Brandt and Seepe according to German style and method, not half way. They took time for it. This praise cannot be given to the majority of the younger gen- eration.
On the site of the old frame dwelling of the sexton, a chap- el and vault underneath were built, for which he had received permission, October 24, 1894. The letter is here yet. For the superlative care of St. Joseph's cemetery, St. Mary's parish is indebted to Father Seepe, and it is a satisfaction, that his labors are still and will ever be appreciated. One of the three biog- raphers says:
"It was not an usual sight, when visiting the cemetery to see him walking about his office and praying for the deceased. He worked with shovel and pick, as other laboring men would do, making the trips twice a day morning and afternoon Being prompt and orderly in his own (spiritual and temporal work he exacted the same of others." One instance of many is men- tioned in an essay. If I would go into details, this narrative would find a place here, but there are so many other more im- portant facts to be recited yet. September 21, 1899. (This is the day of founding the congregation of Dubois, Dubois, Co., by the author. )
26
History of
In the spring of 1898 a Jewish cattle buyer rented the premises immediately north of the Sisters dwelling. He gener- ally had from four to six dozen chickens and geese cooped up in the yard. These created such a stench in the hot season, that it became almost unbearable. Repeated complaints brought only temporary and unsatisfactory relief. When therefore the own- er of said premises died and his property sold, I bought it and caused the Hebrew to move away. The cost of said property, Walnut street, together with the necessary repairs are as follows:
Sale price by the court
$910.00
Taxes
24.90
Proof of the title
5 00
Record of the deed
1.10
Repairs
98 00
Viz, lumber
5.75
Locks and nails
1.50
Carpenter work
15.80
Painting and glazing
24.75
Stone and mason work
22.05
Cellar grate
9.10
Tinners work
8.05
Grading yard and making fence
11.00
Total cost
1,039.00
I deeded the property to the church by deed made March 22, 1898. I received from the church the proceeds of two shares in the German Building and Aid Association amounting to $473.04; also $27.00 from church treasury; also $104.00 from Incidental Expense account. Rent up to now $29.00. The church therefore owes me $395.96. See new account book, page 2. This handy book had been commenced on January 2, 1896. The financial account of 1895 finished a book, started by the Rev. Brandt in 1867 and kept up conscientiously.
From the book we learn yet an event which happened in 1894. What the Jews had to do in olden times before Christ, may be said of the elect after Christ and especially of their lead- ers. With one hand they built up the walls of Jerusalem, with the other they kept off their enemies. Church debts are, it is true, no living, physical enemies, but they are no friends either, and they make it hot or warm to those, who must bear the main burden, the pastors. Foes come from within and from without. To struggle against them, the shepherds of flocks employ from time to time extra help, either for Forty Hours
27
St. Mary's Parish
or Missions or Retreats. Missions are held in country parishes about every ten years, in cities every five or six according to size and circumstances.
In May 1894 it was five years since the last Mission at St. Mary's. Another was deemed advisable. Application was made to Jesuits that time, and the Superior, who makes the "slate" sent the Fathers Buchholz and Boehler, also in May. The first was a representative of Wuertemberg, the second of Baden in Germany. The Germans of St. Mary's parish are nearly all "Hochdeutsch" that is from Southern Germany. The writer knows a difference between the two kinds. But he is prudent enough to follow the advice written on a wall somewhere: "Sag nicht alles, was du weisst", "Do not tell everything you know." I must return again to the old account book for important news. The balance cash in treasury for 1895 was seventy-nine cents. The receipts and expenditures of the year 1895 were $3,503.38, almost $10.00 a day. Then Father Seepe subjoins these words: "The income of the church having decreased con- siderably, the Rt. Rev. Bishop has fixed the salary of the pastor at $600.00 per annum. Indeed a sad farewell to a time honor- ed book, and the first page of the new book, referred to before begins thus:
Debts of the St. Mary's Church, Madison, Ind., 1896.
Founded Masses. Two of them; one five dollars per annum for fifty years unless persolved sooner, which seemed to be the case later. The other, two dollars a year, terms not specified.
2, Seventy-five dollars to Father Seepe per annum during his life for the teachers dwelling valued at $1,250.00 donated by him.
3. Twenty-five dollars per annum to Father Seepe for $500.00 paid by him on the old school house property.
4. By having our church property insured in the Diocesan Church Insurance Co., we have saved since 1884 several hun- dred dollars premium and have thus been enabled to pay the debt sooner than it would have been possible otherwise. But as it may happen that on account of extraordinary fire losses the St. Mary's church may be called upon for the payment of a large prorata of such fire losses, it has been advisable to create an insurance fund for said purpose. Therefore two shares each of $3,500.00 in the German Dividend Bldg. Association, have been taken in 1895 for which the church pays $105.00 per an- num until paid. In case no extraordinary payment should be required, then said $1,000.00 may be invested in a safe way and the interest received therefrom may be used to pay the annual
28
llistory of
insurance premium.
In the yearly expenses of that period it is especially notice- able that gas did not cost much. For the whole bill of 1896 was only $15.20. Water rent amounted to $22.50. On July 3, 1899, the statue of the Sacred Heart was procured for $72.50.
In 1900 there was another Mission after the last 1894; this time by the Franciscan Fathers, Chrysostom and Aloysius from May 13 to 20. If it could have been arranged for late fall, it would have been a fitting celebration of the golden jubilee of the parish.
Many another rector might have made of the occasion a great display. But the plain tendency of the humble pious pastor was averse to a big "doing." Such celebrations often leave a bitter after taste.
Pew rent brought $1,250.00 in 1900; a falling off of $500.00 since 1890.
The temporary Assistant, Rev. E. Zirkelbach was soon dis- pensed with. With the year 1901, history entered into the twentieth century not already with 1900 as had been decreed in Europe by a mighty potenate and the sixth decade began. It commenced honorably through the circumstance that the first son of the parish, Rev. George Smith, was elevated to the priesthood on June 1, 1901.
There is no description whatsoever on hand about the fes- tivity of the First Mass, Primiz, being the first in this church. Certainly no efforts were spared to make it as impressive and memorable as possible, adequate to the popularity of the family.
One of the most unwelcome expenses of repairs is that of the organ. This item appears after several others in former years again in October 1901, to the amount of $35.00. Repairs on church property were in fact high and numerous in that year, so that they made a sum of $575.47 in the report for 1901. Tenants and other people do not often consider themselves in the place of those, to whom bills are sent for payment and where the money comes from to meet them,
And yet the economical Father Seepe found it necessary to make the note, that the church will need a great deal of repairs in a few years and it may be well to prepare for it. After my death, he seemed to have a presentiment, the houses 408 E. Sec- ond and 912 Walnut Sts., can be sold and the proceeds thereof used !for the needed repairs and improvements of dear St. Mary's church.
What about house 912 Walnut street? The readers know already of 408 E. Second, which Father Seepe had bought for
+
·
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St. Mary's Parish
the teacher's residence and donated it to the parish, claiming only interest. The house 912 Walnut street, Father Seepe had bought from the estate of the deceased Mrs. Barbara Heck valued at $1,000.00. Up to my death I receive one hundred and fifty dollars rent for same, both houses.
The report for 1901 in spiritual and temporal matters was as follows:
Number of souls
700
Number of school children
117
Baptisms, Infants
14
Adults 3
Number of marriages
7
Number of deaths, Infants
2
Adults
16
A pamphlet with numerous advertisements was printed in 1902, giving a short, condensed history of St. Mary's Catholic Church It contains a list of the pew holders for 1882 if not misprinted, and the annual amount they paid. Then is said: The financial condition is good. The Altar Society and the Young Ladies Sodality, of which both the names are given con- tribute a considerable sum yearly. Other societies are omitted, the pamphlet says, such as the St. Peter's Aid Society, the C. K. of A. and Y. M. I.
Pew rent 1901 $1,247.45
Rector's salary $600.00
Sunday collection
625.81 Expenses & repairs 545.47
Cathedraticum 45 00
School 750.84
Cemetery 67.00
Insurance 25.00
Bal. on hand 2.42
$2,065.73.
$2,065.73
The male teacher for the boys was replaced since Septem- ber 1900, by an additional Ursuline Sister, not through choice, but through pecuniary necessity. The services as organist were taken up by Miss Anna Horuff, a graduate of the Academy of Oldenburg. There was no regular sexton. The ringing of bells, shoveling of coal, cleaning of premises, etc., was paid sep- arately. The coal bill for Rectory, Church, School and Sisters was only $77.00, a cool and economical management. But no- body seems to have frozen to death.
The report of 1902 shows a decrease again in receipts by $44.81. In words, put down by Father Seepe on January 2,
School
181.50
Donation
10.00
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History of
1902, on good paper in a large book, used by his successor Father Boersig, for cemetery accounts, all his successors are in- formed: "I have donated to St. Mary's church the conditional loan of July 30, 1894, so that the interest of said loan ceases. I have also donated my claim on house 308 Walnut street, also what I have loaned to cemetery $420.00.
The church is now free of all debts. The houses No. 301 and 308 Walnut street must never be sold, because I have for that purpose contributed up till now so much, to make ends meet and to clear the church from debts. The amount, which I have expended for the benefit of St. Mary's is $4,049.52, in sums ranging from $500.00 to $3.47. Father Seepe does not mention the endowment at St Meinrad, made for the education of boys of the parish. Several made use of it.
All lives and things of this world come to an end, some- times quickly, sometimes slowly. The time was coming closer and nearer, when the reward for faithful stewardship over less receipts every year was to be given to the pastor of St. Mary's, Madison, Ind. He felt that his days were numbered. Hence the news he wrote on April 6, 1903: (It was on Easter Monday.) As my health is precarious and therefore may compel me to re- sign from my office, I have thought it useful to my successors to copy from my diary some facts concerning St. Mary's con- gregation. I, the author, appreciate this thoughtfulness in the highest degree These pages are devoted to his memory The gospel of Easter Monday says of the two disciples going to Em- maus, that they requested our Lord to remain with them be- cause it is toward evening and the day is now far spent. These words every old mortal may apply to himself, and Father Seepe had them probably in view on his last Easter Monday. On the third Sunday after Easter he might have said from the pulpit to the congregrtion, "Only a little while and you shall see me no more."
From one of the three essays, I learn that he had been af- flicted for several years with stomach trouble, which later de- veloped into cancer. Six weeks before his death he retired to St. Edward's Hospital, New Albany, in which he was close to another old disinterested church worker, Father Faller.
His last baptism is dated June 7. The last bill, he paid personally also on June 7, was the one for gas for May, $4.50. Even from the hospital he showed his solicitude yet for the temporal welfare of his dearly beloved parish, in which he spent twenty-two years and one month. Proof is this, that the sec- ond day after his arrival in New Albany he sent the treasurer
31
St. Mary's Parish
of the congregation a check, still here, for $100.00. to cover the expenses of the funeral, which he felt, or the doctor said would soon occur Some way or other the check was not soon enough cashed. In the meanwhile Father Seepe asked from the treas- urer of the First National Bank, a member of the parish, and an intimate friend, a statement of his credit account. It was given and Father Seepe sent on the strength of it sums to other channels. When the check for $100.00 was finally presented for payment there was "nihil, nichts," "nothing any more." "Nemo dat, quod hat,"' "Nobody can give, what he has not got."
He gave himself the order for preparing his grave and just as calmly directed the form of burial as if he was discharging an ordinary duty. It should be plain and the congregation under no expense whatever. Father Seepe paid bills incidental to Father Brandt's sickness and death $479.15, including the $228.00 for monument.
For him laws and rules were not only existing on paper, but he carried them out, whether others did the same or not. In conformity with a decree of the fourth diocesan synod held No- vember 30, 1886, Father Seepe made out an inventory of prop- erty belonging to the church and to himself, in which he enum- erated precisely, leaving no doubt what was his and what was the church's on June 30, 1890, already.
For a school library he spent $325.00 of his own money, and adds a remark on January 1, 1883: N. B. There are now over 600 yol. in the library and said library is in the future to be in- creased at the expense of the Sodalities or church treasury. It may be taken for granted that a man with such punctuality and order would not die without a last will and testament. He made it July 13, 1903, and here is the copy:
I, John B. H Seepe, formerly pastor of St. Mary's Church, Madison, Ind., now an inmate of St Edward's City Hospital, New Albany, being of sound mind, memory and understanding, do make, publish and declare this to be my last will and testa- ment, hereby revoking and making null and void all former last wills and testaments by me made heretofore. I have no debts. I have given all my money to Sister Hermana, Superior of this hospital, and she will therefore pay all dues, including doctor's bill and funeral expenses. These latter will be for cof- fin, shroud and conveyance of my remains to Madison, Ind. There the people will take care of my remains.
1. I give and bequeath to Sister Hermana, all personal property, which is now in New Albany, at the Hospital.
2. I give and bequeath to the Pontifical College Joseph-
:
32
History of
inum at Columbus, Ohio, all that part of my library, that still remains at St. Mary's Church, Madison, Ind.
3. I give and bequeath to the Right Reverend Francis Silas Chatard D. D., all the rest and residue of my estate, real and personal in trust for the benefit of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Madison, Ind.
In witness whereof, I, John B. H Seepe, have hereunto sent my hand and seal this thirteenth day of July, one thousand nine hundred and three.
The signature is done in his old, usual, good, readable hand, or penmanship. The witnesses were (Rev ) F. X. Underreit- meyer, Mathias Merl.
Three days afterwards, on a Thursday, the Scapular Feast of Mt. Carmel, the hand that did so much for the St. Mary's church became stiff and still, nearly 73 years old.
His remains were of course brought here at once and the obsequies held on Tuesday following. The Right Rev Auxil- iary, Bishop A. O'Donaghue celebrated Pontifical Requiem,
The Very Rev. A. Scheideler, V, G., was Presbyter Assist- ant, Father Thie and Wade, deacon and sub-deacon of Mass. Fathers Doyle and Rowan, deacons of honor to the Bishop; Father Boersig, Master of Ceremonies; Father George Smith, Second Master of Ceremonies; Alphonse Smith, brother of Rev. George, Book Bearer; Alois Kasper and Frank Hillen, students of the parish, acolytes of Mass. There were about forty priests present.
Father Francis H. Gavisk, Chancellor of the Diocese, preached the sermon. He chose for his text the words of St. Paul, "I have fought a good fight; I have run the course; I have kept the faith; for the rest there is laid up for me a crown of justice " A very proper subject, indeed, for such a career. The eulogy must have been touching, After the absolution the corpse was laid to rest in St Joseph's Cemetery, alongside of his predecessor, there to await a glorious resurrection. It is said in a proverb: "A man must die in order to be praised." If this be true of persons with ordinary qualities, how much more with regard to extraordinary. During life they are often ig- nored, overlooked, turned down, the best, the most. Father Seepe's principal character was described in this book, at the time of his arrival, when misinformed, judged too rashly, not knowing him as yet. First of all he was humble, like his pa- tron saint, John, and he could often say with him: "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness"; when some deserted him or his voice in church and which they regretted then later on,
REV. J. B. H. SEEPE
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St. Mary's Parish
seeing their error and fearing the consequence of insulting priests, God's apple of the eye. If he was at times too austere or stern to suit the taste of some, it must be considered that he possessed perhaps a melancholic, not choleric, temper. This class of people is not disposed to being affable, particu- larly not in a manner of affectation. A lady requested him to write a verse in her autograph album. He did it thus: "I wish I had often been silent instead of in com- pany." And silent he was at home and still more on the street, where he would not speak to anyone, if informations are cor- rect. Silence furnished him gold for time and reward for eter- nity. He did not have to suffer for too much talk. One inti- mate friend called him "A Gothic Saint.
The subject of our sketch was a gifted, prompt, punctual man; a musician, having been teacher of a parochial school be- fore taking up studies for the priesthood; knew also a thing or two about house remedies in emergencies. One instance is re- corded of a young man, who stepped on a nail, when many thought he would die of lock-jaw, Father Seepe told him to take turpentine and sugar. The boy always thought afterwards, that this advice saved him. If he had one conspicuous fault it was this, that he did not wish himself enough, thinking always to help others, especially the church treasury; a policy which does not appeal to all of the same household. I recall or quote Ecclesiastics, Chapter XIV, V15.
Like most priests from Europe, he was a poor beggar. He would rather bring personal sacrifices, being fond of paying current and urgent dues. Parishoners with an abundance of means certainly saw opportunity of helping the priests in need, but they missed them. They would much sooner give cheap advice
Oh, that many would imitate Father Seepe in avoiding debts and paying dues. "Boogen nacht sorgen." Among the clergy of the diocese he was distinguished for his offices as member of the school board, appointed in the Synod of 1886, where the writer remembers him voicing his sentiments em- phatically about a certain collection; procorator fiscalis for cer- tain trials; secretary of the Diocesan Insurance Company, and finally Dean of the Madison District and Director of the Clergy Relief Union. Thus he had at least some recognition for his blissful activity, and talent, if he cared abut it. He kept up the German language in church services, but foresaw the time, when English would be predominant. In the fifth Synod held April 29, 1891, the question arose among others about the prac-
34
History of'
ticability of funeral sermons. The majority with good reason were not in favor of them. Father Seepe belonged, of course, to the majority. He did not accompany the corpse to the cemetery after January 1890, on account of bronchial danger, I am informed.
.
35
St. Mary's Parish
---
FROM 1903 TO 1910
June 20, 1903 to December 31, 1910
Owing to the close connection of events in 1900 and 1901; etc., the wanted division according to separate decades was not kept up. Suffice it to know that we are now with above head- line deep with heart and soul in the sixth decade. It is doubt- ful, if the deceased rector took the liberty of recommending a certain priest as his successor. One of the writers of the three essays writes naively: "Father Seepe named Father Boersig for his successor." He may have been his personal secret prefer- ence, being aware of his qualifications for the place. Then the wish was at least realized. Rev. H. J. Boersig was appointed . He expected it.
The author of this chronology congratulated him, in petto, with the usual Latin phrase: "Vivat floreat crescat!" "May he live, flourish, and increase for many years." He was my neigh- bor at least one year in Dubois County, and assisted, besides oth- er acts of benevolence, at the funeral of my father on January 30, 1892. The new rector was reared in a parish which had the Blessed Virgin as patron - Annunciation at New Albany, and here he was to promote the devotion and honor to her under the title: Immaculate Conception.
The reception of Father Brandt in February 1856, was as readers remember a pardonable, harmless and even humorous misfit; that of Father Seepe in 1881, a frosty, hurtful mishap, and the one of Father Boersig neither of the other, but a plain, initiation; according to his own satisfaction, considering the dy- ing condition of his predecessor, the great benefactor of his parish. Add to this, that the new pastor was no stranger, as he had assisted Father Seepe for awhile in his sickness in 1888 right after his ordination Entries in book accounts for receipts and expenditures were just continued as if no change had taken place at all. First the bills for Father Seepe's grave, vault and tombstome were paid in full gratitude. Then the house was
36
History of
refurnished which was probably a postponed necessity and also as a preparation for a coming solemnity that of the First Mass of Mathias Kasper, a son of the family of J. J. Kasper, in the middle of October 1903.
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