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THE PIONEER OF RELIGION IN OMAHA. I15
Phys, Cassidys, Hickeys, Tiernans, Toners, Conuollys,
Kennellys, Rileys, Kelleys, Begleys, Suttous, Ryans,
Hohneses, Gradys, Highes, McArdles, Hart, Farmer, Swift,
Burkley, McGovern, Carrigan, and the father of Mr. James
Creighton.
Having secured a cl1urcl1 building, the Catholics natur-
ally expected to enjoy the benefits of regular services;
but they were disappointed. Father Scanlan remained
only a few weeks, and was followed, early in the winter,
bl’ Father Kavanaugh, from Illinois. At the end of three
months the latter was removed by Bishop Miege, and the
church doors locked. Among the visiting priests of ’ 57-8,
whose names can be recalled, are Fathers Augustine and
Tracy from Kansas, and Powers from Missouri.
111 the fall of ’57, Rev. Father Cannon, of the Benedic-
tine Order, came up from Kansas, bearing letters from
Father Augustine, Superior of the Order, authorizing him
t0 take charge of the church. He was installed as the
flfst regular Pastor of St. Philo1nena’s, and immediately
began to minister to the spiritual needs of his flock and
the temporal wants of the parish. The first great need
“'85 a residence, but this was soon supplied by building
an addition to the rear of the church. During the winter
0f’58-9, the Vicariate of Kansas and Nebraska was divided,
and Rev. James O’Gorman, of the Trappist monastery of
Dubuque, was appointed Vicar Apostolic. He was conse-
crated at St. Louis, on the 10th of May, 1859, and reached
Omaha the latter part of the same month. This prelate
had the mournful satisfaction of finding only two clergy-
men in Nebraska, charged with the care of about three lum-
dred families spread along the river counties. He was un-
decided for a time where to locate, and inducements of the
most substantial kind were offered by the citizens foran im-
mediate decision in favor of Omaha. The offer amounted
to sixty-three full lots. The Bishop, however, was not favor-
ably impressed with the town at that time ; but had he been
Worldly wise and accepted the gift, their value to the
Church to-day would be incalculable. He finally con-