Births and Deaths at the Parish of ST. LEON, MANITOBA 1878-1880

Births and Deaths at the Parish of ST. LEON, MANITOBA 1878-1880

B-1	POIRIER, Edouard, son of Fabien Poirier and Elise Dumontier, remain at T.4 R.8; born on July 7, 1878 and baptized August 23, 1878. Godfather and godmother: Edouard Pinet and Caroline Boutin.                                              A. Gladu, o.m.i.
B-2	CHARBONNEAU, Joseph Leon Olivier, son of Joseph Charbonneau and Henriette Cote, remain at T.4 R.9; born on November 28, 1877 and baptized August 25, 1878. Godfather and godmother: Olivier Lafreniere* and spouse Olive Maurice.                                                                                                         A. Gladu, o.m.i. (*Deb’s note: Olivier Lafreniere was born on Mar. 31, 1827 and wed Olive Maurice on Nov. 26, 1866. Olivier's parents were Antoine and Magdeleine Lafreniere.)
B-3	LANGLOIS, Marie Helene, daughter of Francois Langlois and Aurelie Sanderson, was born on 5 July 1878 and baptized 26 August 1878. Godfather and godmother: James Sanderson and Delimia Fondrouge.                                   A. Gladu, o.m.i.
B-4	HELIE, Marie Alma, daughter of Francois Helie and Amanda Quessy; born on November 9, 1878 and baptized February 2, 1879. Godfather and godmother: Louis Desforges and Lucie.                                                                A. Gladu, o.m.i.
B-5	LABOSSIERE, Joseph Edouard, son of Edouard Labossiere and Marie Gendron, born on January 30, 1879 and baptized on February 3, 1879, Godfather and godmother: Edouard Labossiere and Edmire Gendron, his spouse. A. Gladu, o.m.i.
B-6	MARTIN, Michel Leon, son of Jean-Baptiste Martin and Marie-Anna Pelletier; born on December 28, 1878 and christened On February 3, 1879, Godfather and Godmother: Bruno Charbonneau and Celina Martin.                     A. Gladu, o.m.i.
B-7	RONDEAU, Joseph Napoleon Avilla (Ovila), son of Jeremie Rondeau and Melina Tessier; born on January 16, 1879 and baptized February 3, 1879. Godfather and godmother: Samuel Tessier and Josephte Lafreniere*.              A. Gladu, o.m.i. (*Deb’s note: Josephte Lafreniere is a sister to Olivier, Antoine and Ovide-Benjamin Lafreniere. She was born in 1830.)
B-8	BESSETTE, Eugene Joseph Hermenegilde, son of Hermenegilde Bessette and Florence Weller; born on August 21, 1879 and baptized September 28, 1879. Godfather and godmother: Eugene Guertin and Virginie Lizotte Lizotte.                                                                                                                A. Gladu, o.m.i.
B-9	MASSONIE, Marie, daughter of Martin Massoni and Elisabeth Allarie, living in Rock Lake; December 17, 1878 and baptizes October 24, 1879, Godfather and Godmother: Antoine Desjarleis and Olive Lafreniere*.            Theobald Bitsche (*Deb’s notes: Olive Lafreniere is the daughter of  Ovide-Benjamin Lafreniere as Marie Olive born on Oct. 27, 1868.)
S-1	MARTIN, Mathilde, spouse of Joseph Martin; daughter of ??? Delamontagne; age 21. Deceased on November 24, 1879 and buried on November 26, 1879, Witnesses: John Toutant, Frederic Lafreniere*.           Theobald Bitsche (*Deb’s notes: Frederic Lafreniere is the son of Olivier Lafreniere)
B-10	BEAUCHAMP, Leon Cleophas, son of Louis Beauchamp and Henriette Rondeau, living at T.5 R.9; baptized December 13, 1879, Godfather and Godmother: Cleophas Major and Julie Rondeau.                                      Theobald Bitsche
B-11	LAFRENIERE, Leon Antoine, son of Olivier Lafreniere and Olive Maurice, living at T.4 R.9; 13 born on December 1879 and baptized 14 December 1879, Godfather and Godmother; Ovide Maurice and Marie Lafreniere*.                                                                                                                Theobald Bitsche (*Deb's notes: Marie Lafreniere is
B-12	MONGEON, Louis Joseph, son of Louis Mongeon and Catherine Lemoine, remained at T.4 R.9: born on January 6, 1880 and baptized January 9, 1880. Godfather and godmother: Joseph Charbonneau and Henriette Cote, his wife.                                                                                      Theobald Bitsche
B-13	LAFRENEIRE, Marie Victoire, daughter of Frederic Lafreniere and Marie Marchildon, remained at T.5 R.9: born on January 11, 1880 and baptized January 11, 1880. Godfather and godmother: I. Desrochers and Victoire Lafreniere.                                                                                         Theobald Bitsche (*Deb's note: Victoire Lafreniere, born about 1847, is the sister of Antoine, Olivier and Ovide-Benjamin Lafreniere. Frederic Lafreniere is the son of Olivier.)

B14	CADORETH, Joseph Arthur, son of Eugene Cadoreth and Hermine Sasseville, living at T.4, R.9; born on February 5, 1880 and baptized on February 8, 1880; Godfather and godmother: Joseph Raynault and Albina Lussier.                                                                                                              Theobald Bitsche
B15	RONDEAU, Marie Helene, daughter  of Eugene Rondeau and Adelaide Moreau, living at T.4, R.9; living at T,4  R.9; born and baptized on February 23, 1880. Godfather and godmother Olivier Lafreniere and Olive Maurice.                                                                                                                Theobald Bitsche
B16	LABOSSIERE, Isidore Gabriel. Daughter of Edouard Labossiere and Marie Gendron, living at T.5 R. 9; born March 15, 1880 and baptized on March 18, 1880. Godfather and godmother:  Victor Labossiere and Delima Lamoureux, his spouse.                                                                                           Theobald Bitsche
B17	LEVREAULT, Joseph Olivier. Son of Alfred Levreault and Henriette Lafreniere, living at 17-5-9;  born and baptized on April 9, 1880. Godfather and godmother:  Olivier Lafreniere and Olive Maurice.                 Theobald Bitsche
S-2	CHARBONNEAU, Marie. Spouse of  Bruno Charbonneau, and daughter of Louis Hebert and Amable Lachambre; deceased on April 15, 1880 at 4-5-9 and buried on April 17, 1880. Witness:  Fortunat Lachance and Frederic Lafreniere.                                                                                                                 Theobald Bitsche
B-18	LAFRENIERE, Olea Marie (Lea). Daughter of Ovide-Benjamin Lafreniere and Marie Maurice, living at 32-4-8; born on April 29, 1880 and baptized on May 2, 1880. Godfather and godmother:  Ismael Desroches and Victoire Lafreniere.                                                                                Theobald Bitsche
B-19	LABOSSIERE, Theobald Leon. Son of Edouard Labossiere and Edmire Gendron, living at 4-5-9;  born and baptized on May 28, 1880. Godfather and godmother: Azarie Labossiere and Marie  Labossiere.                Theobald Bitsche (SPECIAL NOTE: First child to be baptized at the new church of St. Leon).
B-20	MASSONI, Joseph. Son of Martin Massoni and Elisabeth Allarie, living at Pelican Luke; born on May 4, 1880 and baptized on May 30, 1880. Godfather and godmother:  Norbert Allarie and Marie-Anne Martin.                  Theobald Bitsche
B-21	ALLARIE, Emilie. Daughter of Francois Allarie and Charlotte Malaterre, living at Pelican Lake; born on June 10, 1879 and baptized on June 17, 1880. Godfather and godmother: Francois Massonie and Elisabeth Allarie.                                                                                                                         Theobald Bitsche
B-22	DESJARLAIS, Josephine. Daughter of Andre Desjarlais and Adelaide Moussette, living at Pelican Lake; born on February 10, 1879 and baptized July 4, 1880. Godfather and godmother: Antoine Kury and Marie Falcon.                                                                                                                             Theobald Bitsche
B-23	BRADLEY, Josephine. Daughter of James Bradley and Angelique Parisien, living at 16-4-8; born on June 10, 1880 and baptized on July 14, 1880. Godfather and godmother:  Onesime Racine and Adelaide Parisien.                   Theobald Bitsche
B-24	CHARBONNEAU, Rose Anna. Daughter of Joseph Charbonneau and Henriette Cate, living at 35-4-9;  born and baptized August 8, 1880. Godfather and godmother: Francois  Langlois and Aurelie Sanderson.                                                                                                                                         Theobald Bitsche
B-25	RONDEAU, Joseph Telesphore, son of Jeremie Rondeau et de Melina Tessier, living at 31-4-8; born on August 11, 1880 and baptized on August 12, 1880. Godfather and godmother: Eugene Rondeau and Adelaide  Moreau, his wife.                                                                                            Theobald Bitsche

Please note:  bold used to delineate the direct link to the Livingston family.

Ovide Benjamin Lafreniere and his wife Marie Maurice with some of their children (they had 11): Joseph Magloire, Louis Napolean, Marie Clara in the middle, Virginia Marie and Jeanne Marie.

According to Odile Marten's book Pionniers de la Montagne Pembina: Saint-léon  Manitoba 1877-2000, Ovide and his wife had a homestead of 180 acres (pg. H-117). 

Saint Leon Le Montagnard, Dec. 23, 1879 cont'd.

Saint Leon Le Montagnard

St. Leon

December 23, 1879

To His Greatness Mgr. Alexander Tache

Archeveque of St. Boniface

Monsignor!

Your Greatness will find an exact map of the current state of the Mission of St. Leon. She will see that the choice we made of the point a between the two lakes for the placement of the church is not only the most beautiful and pleasant for the resident priest, but also the most advantageous for the faithful. Point B, southeast of the small lake; for which one petitions, is quite unsuitable, because from the coast is there is a marsh and flows of almost a mile or one only wants to make a path to the sacrifice of great works that are at the moment above our strength, in a way that must pass , to get there to point F which is equal distance from A and B.

This place of real advantages for Joseph Charbonneau, Joseph Landreville, and especially Olivier Lafreniere. The priest will be the completely at the mercy of the latter. In all this history, Mr. Olivier Lafreniere's conduct does not make me warlike. Mr. Messner and I had begged him to cede 10 acres south of Point F, along the main road, which would not have been for him a sacrifice more than the 10 acres he is worth giving in to point B, and would have satisfied everyone, but he didn't want to. He has the advantage of the store, the mill, and he wants to stuff the church to B again in order to be able to sell on half a mile of the land that belongs to him the two sides of the way.

Your Greatness can end this whole story by writing me these words:

 "My Father, I order you to rise up to your means, in the place I told you to buy between the two lakes, a small building made of tree trunks that can be used provisionally as a chapel and a priestly memorial." 

I'll read this little letter, and everything will be said. In the spring I would have a small house, and you could look at every corner of St. Leon's territory at leisure, to see if there is no more favourable point for raising the final buildings, when the means will be able to do that. We will still be able to sell the place between the two lakes much more expensively than we bought. I have other terrain between the two lakes.

In the hope that Your Greatness will be willing to render me this service so dreary His prudence. She thinks it is appropriate, I beg her to agree the feelings of the deepest respect of His very humble and very devout Servant on J. Ch.

Rev. Theobald Bitsche

Precious Song missionary

We have  this morning 48 degrees below zero (Fahrenheit). For several days the thermometer (Fahrenheit) is continuously around 20 degrees below zero. The wolves are so starving that they come to the front of houses in broad daylight, and so weakened that medium-sized dogs can strangle them sounds great effort. A large number of families are still expected to come this winter and settle in the north of the township 5 R. 9.

Saint Léon's first priest, Father Theobald Bitsche

Saint Leon

First parish priest of St. Leon, MB  Theobald Bitsche from 1879 -1892

From Odile Martel's book Pionniers de la Montagne Pembina - a rough translation

p. H-30

Father Theobald's observation of the area as recorded in Le Manitoba, August 10, 1882:

Of the twelve miles between Archibald and Calf Mountain, in 1879 there was only one tent; Archibald itself was then only a hut built of peat. From Archibald to Saint-Leon, eight miles ago; already 1879 there were numerous farms scattered between the two places.

Saint-Léon is on the second low line, where the corners of sections two and three of canton five, rank nine, and sections thirty-four and thirty-five, of canton four, rank nine, touch each other. A small, almost round lake, about 120 acres shaped the center. On three sides the ground slowly lowers towards the lakes, and on the fourth, the ground is high enough and firm enough to allow the largest buildings to be raised. Everyone who visits Saint-Leon is struck by the really charming site of this square. Saint-Leon is distinguished above all by the goodness of its waters, which are the best in the province.

When I arrived in Saint-Léon on September 11, 1879, I met only one cottage, lost so to speak in the middle of the forests. Now, after three years, everything is changed. Emerson has become a pretty big city. West-Lynne has hundreds of buildings and is incorporated as a city. From West-Lynne to the Mennonite colony, the entire land is covered with farms. The Mennonites themselves have raised many new villages and tripled their culture. Mountain City has become a pretty village with a beautiful courthouse: the whole Pembina Mountain is covered with farms, some of which have truly large and elegant buildings; Calf Mountain looks proudly at the pretty village of Darlingford, which rises to its feet and happily contemplates the farmhouses that rise even in squares that seem unsuitable for culture. In a nutshell from the Red River to Saint-Léon everything changed in the short space of three years. What will happen when the railway crisscrosses this beautiful and rich land?

But after Emerson and West-Lynne, the place that has made the most progress is undoubtedly Saint-Léon. This village now has a Catholic church with a resident priest, a flour mill with large sizes, a sawmill, a shingle mill, two general stores, three hotels, two blacksmiths' workshops, and two carts, 15 carpenters, several masons, shoemakers, etc., and more than twenty residential houses, and a population of 150 souls. Construction work continues in the summer and winter with a truly surprising activity. But it is not only the village of Saint-Léon that is making rapid progress, the surrounding countryside does not stay behind. Suffice it to say that 14 miles around Saint-Leon all the land is taken and that on almost every section there are buildings and resident inhabitants, to know the rapid development that this colony has taken. To secure the future of Saint-Léon, all that is missing is a railway to be able to export the products of the land.

A 50-Mile Radius

In the religious field, it was Father Theobald Bitsche, the first parish priest of Saint-Léon, who rightly became the colonizer of the Pembina Mountain. He could persevere despite many setbacks and conflicts.

He also became a settler, for upon his arrival in Saint-Léon on 11 September 1879, he had acquired a concession, the N.E. quarter. 36-4-9 with the intention of providing for its needs. And this "homestead" he was working on it himself. But soon after his arrival, a certain parishioner stole "all k wood that was on this concession" and on that of Monsignor, on 14-5-9. (Letter from Bitsche to Bishop Taché, September 30, 1879).

The "land of the archdiocese," as it was called, had been purchased by Bishop Taché for the mission of Saint-Leon, SO 14-5-9 in 1878. It had been sold for the first time by the Rev. Mr. Perquis, parish priest, with the approval of the archdiocese to help establish the convent.

 

Saint Leon Le Montagnard - Dec.23, 1879

St. Leon, Le Montagnard  December 23, 1879

In His Greatness Bishop Tache

Archdiocese of St. Boniface

Monsignor!

After my return to St. Leon, I immediately announced to the population the choice that Your Greatness has done for the locations of the mission buildings.

Everyone seemed satisfied to me when after a fortnight Joseph Charbonneau showed up at my house with a deputation to tell me that he does not want the chosen location, that one must build on his pre-emption, etc. I replied that I did not have the power to make the decisions of Your Greatness, and that if they have any claims, they must address with her.  I was told that since that time a certain Lady; who has only been here for four months, and that I have only seen the office written a long letter to Your Greatness, sign for her in the name of the husband and for other ladies and some men.

I do not know what this lady wrote, but I know that Mr. Joseph Charbonneau is the instigator of the whole thing and that the people who wrote did so only to have a pretext for not giving anything. On the other hand, Monsignor, the good families who support and assist me are very happy with the choice and want to help me with all their power to lift a small building. I have to build, because Mr. Messner is about to arrive, and then or go? Or do the Board? Or to keep the Holy Sacrament?

That's why without listening to the critics of Mr. Charbonneau et al. I made a call to the men of heart, and they will assist me, and came from Mr. Messner I will have a small and poor house, but it is better than the forest. If I don't act like that, we'll still be arguing in ten???, and the lender will not have a home yet. If Your Grandeur ever found If she has to make a change, I ask her to remember that she has the entire Section 12-5-9. This land has advantages that I did not know; but harrassed as I am I have a better look at it and I find:

1. A complex of 960 acres of forest and homestead included;

2. The square is one mile closer to both northwest and south is within the Mission, and only six miles from the Canadian reserve of T.5 R.7; and

3. Lots of unoccupied land all around, where you can place Catholic families. The only inconvenient is that there are no neighbors now, and that the place is two miles from the site where you want to found the village.

That is why I am the advice only in such circumstances as was given to me by my superior general in Rome 22 years ago: He said three words to me: Pray, confide, and face. I did, I survived, and I hope to succeed again.

I suffer a lot from the cold. Since Mr. Messner's house was built late, it became a glacier, which I cannot heat; and since I have to do my own managing, I suffer from deprivation. So I feel that courage is not enough, and that my health is declining and I am sure that if I continue to quarrel she will not be able to resist.

R. P. Theobald Bitsche.

In Precious Blood

Saint Leon Le Montagnard, Dec. 15, 1879

Saint Leon Le Montagnard

December 15, 1879

Monsignor,

Today we do not agree with our cure, in the regard of our church that we want it to be built in the center. Mr. Cure does not want it with some of the citizens, but the majority absolutely wants it to be in the heart. This is the most suitable place, since the cemetery is there and then there are some bodies that are buried there and at the same time will be more consoling for the parents to see out of the cemetery. Monsignor also when The Cure has arrived in the midst of us he has seen the place himself and then to tell us that you even The Monsignor you told him, and at the same time predicted that she would fight in the place that we would like today but everything is change.

The majority Monsignor, wanted to speak to her so that she could get along; he told us that he was at home, that he was not coming to trouble us. We want to make a parish assembly, he doesn't want it. He also said Monsignor that he will fight the church where he loses it today. It also said to the majority when they will help not to beat the church today or he wants it, that when it comes to paying they will pay well. This is not what we want, it is only that the justice Monsignor and the agreement with our cure.

Learn also that if she fights the lord or the cure wants it to move away from the world of the church and even more from religion. Believe it, Sir, we are the majority of people who are six and a half miles away and the other half who have six miles; it would be nice if she were fighting in the center and yet another thing is seeing that we had given 20 acres of land and what it needs today. And then pay four piastras per acre, see my Monsignor that he does not work for our interest, which is why today we are addressing you Lord so that justice knows we are lost.

All the majority join together, Lord, asking You for your Holy Benediction so that you can have calm in our parish enterprises as soon as possible.

We are, Jos. Charbonneau and Ovide Lafreniere, Louis Moreau of St-Leon, Manitoba, Canada.

Excuse us Monsinor, we forgot to tell you that Mr. Cure thinks we're not being generous enough to him. But you're told that there's a part of the world that it's right for their lives.

Saint Leon Le Montagnard, Oct. 2, 1879

Saint Leon Le Montagnard

October 2, 1879

Two new post offices just prepared on the west coast of the Red River, one at Pointe Coupee, Mr. Louis Lacerte, master of the post office; and the other at St-Pie, Mr. F. Gentes, postmaster. Mr. Dewe, a post inspector, also established several of them at the Pembina Mountain, one of which was in St-Leon; the post manager is Mr. (Olivier) Lafreniere. He has also set up one on the Riviere-aux-Rats, currently entrusts Mr. Martin Jerome,

(THE MÉTIS)

Saint-Leon, 9 October 1879 -

St Leon of Township 4 row 9 west  has become an important place. The post office is established there, and a missionary zeal, Rev. M. Bitsche is currently organizing his parish and building his presbyterian church, etc..  M. Lafreniere, is an energetic man, intelligent and active postmaster.

St-Leon is the nucleus of one of the most successful French-Canadian establishments. We already see a shop, a blacksmith's shop, etc., and before long the construction of a mill will make the place really advantageous.

Saint Leon, 28 October 1879

Monsignor!

Since I had the honor of writing to Your Greatness, I have sought to know more about the number of families I have been aware of so far:

1. St. Leon - about 50 families. We expect more.

2. Boyne settlement 30 miles northeast of St Leon, 10 Canadian families and more Métis in the area, there are several children who are not baptized. I told them that they were coming for me, but no one came here.

3. French Settlement, 5-7-, has 16 miles from St-Leon and halfway to Boyne Settlement, 4 families, but we expect a dozen more. I can go to these two places at any time.

4. In the shores of Rock Lake, 50 miles southwest of St- Leon, there are 11 families of Métis. I baptized a child, but there are several others to baptize. I promised to go and see them if they would come and get me. In addition to these four nuclei, there are families everywhere, so that the total number of Catholic families can be estimated more than one hundred and twenty.

There are mainly Irish families, who, for fear of persecution, do not dare to show themselves before knowing other Catholics. If I had a horse, I would go looking for these poor people, but I can't do it on foot.

Mr. Messner's construction is almost complete, and I expect to be able to enter in a fortnight. I now have a bed good enough for a poor missionary; I have so far made two chairs; I'll make myself another table and an altar this week. All I need now is a pan to make the chapel; I don't know where I can remit the necessary money.

It's a little hard at first, but you have to suffer something to get to heaven. My health is good. So far the weather is beautiful, The fire has wreaked havoc in the vicinity, but our people have not yet suffered.

It is believed that Mr. Messner cannot come this winter because of indisposition, but he hopes to be able to come with several families around the spring.

                                                                J. Theobald Bitsche

Deborah's note:  Olivier Lafreniere is the son of ANTOINE LAFRENIERE - see blog post July 13, 2012 for background.

Saint Leon Le Montagnard - Sept. 30, 1879

Saint Leon Le Montagnard - 3rd posting 

September 30, 1879

Monseigneur!

As the post arrives today for the first time in Saint Leon I take advantage of it to give my news to your greatness.

I arrived in Saint Leon on September 11th and asked for hospitality of Olivier Lafreneire. There are now about 50 families reunited in Saint Leon; others arrive every week so that by a year ago there will be at least a hundred families. In addition, there are many Catholic families scattered the westernmost are 12, 20, 30 and more miles from here.

Given the distance and difficulty of the roads, it is impossible for me to serve this mission without at least one horse. But how do I get it? I have no money and neither do my people. So it will be a service to this poor nascent mission if someone did me, I say not the altar of an old horse, but gave at least one a credit until I find a way to pay it.

I can't build anything this autumn and that's because for now it's going to be difficult to design the most favorable point, and then because the people can't do anything yet, despite their goodwill. Since all new arrivals are still having difficulty with many even close to misery. So I would be forced for this year to use the charity of Your Greatness to be able to pay the pension to Mr. Lafreniere. There can be no question of this year; I must live as a poor missionary. With God's help everything will be better and I hope that before two years the mission will be able to maintain me.

To help me a little, and to ensure some propriety to the mission I took to the central point of the four townships 4 and 5 R.8 and 4 and 5 R.9, the N.E. quarter of section 36-4-9, as homestead, with the intention of building a small house there until a more suitable house can be raised. But I was doing my job without the thieves, because a French-Canadian Catholic, relying on my timid weakness, has taken away all the wood he has been wearing these days. But I was doing my job without the thieves, because a French-Canadian Catholic, relying on my timid weakness, these days took away all the wood on my homestead, and not only did he absolutely refuse to return the wood to me and claim that he had the right to take it off before I arrived — and yet he took it but he added with insolence that he has no name and that if he had found more wood he would have removed more.

MM. Olivier Lafreniere and Joseph Charbonneau, who had accompanied me, recognized as I did that wood has been raised since I took my homestead. Suffering such an indignity would be shameful, and it would be better for me to leave now, because I would lose all consideration and everyone would think they were. Allow me to leave me behind. I wrote this. M. Royal exposes it from everything the case for his advice and support, with prayer to speak Your Greatness because I would not want to do anything against Your will. But I repeat it; if a severe reading is not possible for any peaceful man, especially has a precondition to live here without being robbed at every moment because this is not the only case. The strength of Your Grandeur on 14-5-9 has also been great, but we no longer know who. The severite is absolutely necessary in these areas to protect the honor of people.

P.R. J. Theobald Bitsche C.P.P.S.

Saint Leon Le Montagnard - Jan. 17, 1878

Saint Leon  Le Montagnard  - 2nd posting (please thank my son Thom for this interpretation made in 2014). 

SPECIAL NOTE: Please note that Olivier Lafreniere, who wrote many letters, is the brother of Ovide Benjamin Lafreniere. 
 

Pembina Mountain (Montagne de Pembina)

January 17, 1878

To His Grace Monsignor Taché, St. Boniface.

Monsignor

  

I have promised to find you a lot (place) of wood for the church, but these last few days I have not had the time to search for it.  It's been 2 days since we started looking, M. Lapierre and I, and it is difficult to finder a section all in wood, but in section 14 township 5 place (rang) 9 we found the SW quarter well-wooded.

We have talked among ourselves, and all the inhabitants here would like me to ask of you permission to commence to build a small chapel.  We will give, M. Charbonneau and myself, 1.5 acres each in section 35 township 4 place (rang) 9.  This would then find itself in the present centre of the parish and in a beautiful place.

I am your very humble and very devoted servant.

                Olivier Lafrenière

St- Leon, April 20, 1879

To His Grace Monsignor Taché

Monsignor

Allow me to address myself to you again to talk to you about the church.  I have received a letter from Rev. Father Gladu who told me that the lot owned by the Hudson’s Bay Co. is not for sale and that you desire that we work well together to find another suitable location for building the church and that we should write to you on this subject; but I believe it is difficult to get along well now because the group of the parish who is found in the northwest of section 3 insist that the church must be made within section 3 and that the ground is suitable, but in this we ask ourselves if this would be working together for choosing the suitable location.  The group of inhabitants who are in the southeast of the parish say that as we are not going to have the church on the lot of the Co. that it is at least at my house, and it is the place that is the most central and I will confirm that it’s here that will make the least disputes and if we would take the voices that would have it here because we are more numbrous and with a large difference, at least a mile and a half of marsh south of the small lake of section 3 and nobody of this side can avoid it without travelling 3 miles in passing north of the lake, and while on the other side there is not more than 2 or 3 who would have to travel around this marsh and they are closer; all the others are to the north and have well-built paths.

I am going to try to inform you of the sections the furthest away; it’s the section 4-5-9 of the west, and to the north it’s the section 20-5-9, and to the south section 6-4-8, and to the east it is section 28-4-8.  I hope that you will forgive me if I am a little long on this letter, but I was begged by all of this side to give you all these explanations because were it only myself I would not make a large difference; only that I would like there to be as few disputes as possible, because for making something we need that everyone put in a hand.  We ask again for a delay of a few weeks for deciding the thing so that all the arrivals are well-placed and we ask you as well your advice on how that we must next act; if we must decide by elections or otherwise.

Our school goes very well and we hope that that will make a large goodness in our young colony and from this we must give much recognition to Reverend Father Gladu for having us obtain something so grand.

Accept, sir, the feelings of respect and loyalty of your very humble and very obedient servant.

                        Olivier Lafrenière

Saint-Leon, February 13, 1879 – the parish of St-Leon, Pembina Mountain,  has voted for the first time 3 commissioners for the school district.  Those elected are E. Lafreniere (sic), Ovide Lafontaine (sic) and Ismael Desroches.

                        (LE METIS)  

Did you know that.... Saint-Leon was erected a mission and a parish the same day?  In fact Mons. Tache, through two secretaries, signed two decrees on April 22, 1879, the first designating Saint-Leon as a mission and the second as a parish.  Here is the text of the two decrees.

DECREE OF THE CANONIC ERECTION OF THE MISSION OF ST-LEON.

Alexandre Antonin Tache, by the mercy of God and the Grace of the Holy See, Archbishop of St. Boniface.

To all those who present themselves will be made to know that We recognize this land as a Mission under the name of Saint-Leon I and so the day of celebration will be the eleventh of April.  This is applying to the territory known as the fourth and fifth Townships of (rangs) VIII and IX to the west of the principal meridian of the Province of Manitoba.

The said Mission of St-Leon is entirely under our jurisdiction to the charging of the missionaries that We or our Successors will judge to be sent to conform in entirety to the ecclesiastic rules established in this Archdiocese; especially administered are the Sacraments, the word of God and the other particulars of religion to the loyal of said mission; in addition to these here the said missionaries must bear respect and obedience, to assist in the exercise of worship and to the well-being of said missionaries following our ordinances.

And by the power of present Decree the said Mission of St-Leon becomes a civil corporation by virtue of Chapter XXIII of statutes of Manitoba 37 and 38 Vic.  (July 22 1874).

The present Decree will be read and published after the first mass that will take place in the said Mission after the reception of said Decree.

Given to St. Boniface under Our Signature and Seal and the Counter Signature of Our secretary the twenty-second day of April of the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.

        Alex. Arch. Of St. Boniface

G. Dugast, ptre., sec. Adhoc.

August 14, 1890

This decree is modified with replacement of the word Mission by that of Parish.

                        Alex. Arch.  

DECREE OF THE CANONIC ERECTION OF THE PARISH OF ST-LEON.

Alexandre Antonin Tache, by the mercy of God and the Grace of the Holy See, Archbishop of St. Boniface.

To all those who present themselves will be made to know that We recognize this land as a Parish under the name of Saint-Leon I and so the day of celebration will be the eleventh of April.  This is applying to the territory known as the fourth and fifth Townships of (rangs) VIII and IX to the west of the principal meridian of the Province of Manitoba.

The said Parish of St-Leon is entirely under our jurisdiction to the charging of the priests or pastors that We or our Successors will judge to be sent to conform in entirety to the ecclesiastic rules established in this Archdiocese; especially administered are the Sacraments, the word of God and the other particulars of religion to the loyal of said Parish; in addition to these here the said priests or pastors must bear respect and obedience, to assist in the exercise of worship and to the well-being of said priests or pastors following our ordinances.

And by the power of present Decree the said Parish of St-Leon becomes a civil corporation by virtue of Chapter XXIII of statutes of Manitoba 37 and 38 Vic.  (July 22 1874).

The present Decree will be read and published after the first parochial mass of St-Leon the first Sunday after its reception.

Given to St. Boniface under Our Signature and Seal and the Counter Signature of Our secretary the twenty-second day of April of the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.

        Alex. Arch. Of St. Boniface

Joseph McCarthy, ptre. Omi

Secretary

Received on February 14, 1887 and published the 20^th of the same month at the parochial mass.

                                J. Theobald Bitsche, priest

  

To His Greatness Mons. Archbishop of St. Boniface, Manitoba.

Monsignor:

Like the last times we have spoken so much of Manitoba, there are many German Catholic families of Ontario who would wish to settle there.  But before making the decisive step they desire to better know the place where they would be able to choose as their new home.  It’s why one M. Anthony Messner wants to do an exploratory voyage.  Since there are moments I find myself in Ontario while preaching missions, and that starting the month of July I find myself free, this M. Messner has invited me to accompany him in offering to pay the cost of my travels.  I would readily accept this offer in having the hope to provide some usefulness in your diocese. 

I am, Monsignor, a member of the congregation of the Precious Blood of Rome, and at the moment free of all engagements.  My superiors in Rome have desired for a long time to found some missions in the new world.  I am ready to make the first step and if it goes well I will inform my superiors.  As for me, I can speak French, German, Italian and English.

In the hope that Your Greatness would well accept my offers, I beg him to be in agreement with my respecting feelings towards him.

Rev. Theobald Bitsche C.P.P.S.

Formosa, Bruce Co. Ontario

May 26, 1879

To His Greatness Mons. Alex. Tache

Arch. Of St. Boniface

Monsignor:

According to the counsel of Your Greatness wanted to give me, I have accompanied M. Ant. Messner de Formosa Ontario on his excursion to Manitoba.  We arrived at St. Boniface on July 13. (1879)

We had hoped to find one or two entire townships for our colony but this, to us, was impossible.

After two excursions we decided to establish ourselves in the Pembina Mountains, by St-Leon.  The earth appeared to be excellent and the climate very healthy.  The Catholic inhabitants received us with much kindness, and they were very happy to hear of other Catholics going to settle beside them, and as well they hoped to have just as soon a priest amongst them.

M. Messner assured a large area of land that he bought.  He returned to Formosa.  He is counting on returning here around September with more families.  His intention is to establish a general store and to build a mill and a sawmill near the area that Your Greatness designated for the future church.

I hope that soon we will have at St-Leon a colony of Catholics both pious and hard working.  The families that will come from Ontario are the children of Alsaciens and German Lorains who were established 30 to 50 years ago in the vicinity of Guelph.  Many between them speak English well, and several have not forgotten their French.

M. Messner left his two sons, ages 16 and 17 years in the college of St. Boniface.  The two were students of the college of La Salle in Toronto.

For not making useless costs, and at the same time to render service to new colonists, I am, in following the counsel of R.P. Tissot and of M. the priest Cherrier, staying at St. Boniface where I await the orders of Your Greatness, ready to work as much as I possibly can, for the glory of God, and for the salvation of the soul.

I ask of you, Monsignor, to bless our enterprise and to accept my feelings of the utmost respect and of perfect dedication in having the honor to be, of Your Greatness, the very humble servant of Jesus Christ.

R.P. Theobald Bitsche C.P.P.S., Saint-Boniface  August 4, 1879

English translation of the Saint Leon Le Montagnard newsletter collection begins

This is an English translation of the Saint Leon Le Montagnard newsletter collection. This describes how our ancestors, especially Olivier and Ovide Benjamin Lafreniere, were founders of the Manitoba community of St. Leon.

Saint Leon Le Montagnard                      JANUARY 1979

After a good rest during the holidays we return to the publication of La Montagnard. With this release, we begin publishing new topics that we hope will be of interest to our readers.

The history of Saint Leon through the documents. During their research, the team of historians discovered a lot of correspondence, newspaper articles, and other interesting documents of great importance to the history of our parish and village. This documentation has been cataloged annually and we begin this month with the year 1879.

The history of the families of Saint-Leon. The history of Saint Leon is largely reconfirmed by the history of the families who settled in our parish. Many of these families have no descendants here or are forgotten. We will try to trace them and, if possible, give a filiation of a first Canadian ancestor and at the same time a short biographer of the first to come to settle here in Saint Leon.

Baptisms and burials in Saint Leon. Since many have shown a keen interest in the baptisms and burials that have taken place here, we begin publication with the year 1878.

These three new stories, together with our regular articles from Estelle and Lorraine, give us a newspaper that improves from month to month.

Good reading!