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SOUVENIR TABLOID EDITION
C3l) jplattsmoutl) Journal
VOLUME I
PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1939
NUMBER I
CELEBRATING 80 YEARS OF CATHOLICITY IN PLATTSMOUTH
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Most Rev. L. B. Kucera, D. D.
Bishop of Lincoln
HISTORY OF ST. JOHN'S
PARISH, PLATTSMOUTH
By Right Rev. George Agius,
D. D., J. C. D., Pastor
The first mention of missionaries
ever being in the Plattsmouth vicin
ity is that of Fathers John Minguez
and John de Dios as early as in
the year 1720.
When war broke out between
Fiance and Spain in 1719, the con
flirt spread to the colonies in North
America. During the following year
the Spaniards decided to strengthen
and extend their dominions, and as
part of thi3 plan, an expeditionary
party was sent from Santa Fe, New
jMexico, with the ultimate purpose
of establishing a presidio on the
Platte, known to the Spaniards as
Rio de Jesus-Maria. Padres Juan
Minguez and Juan de Dios to call
them more correctly crossed the
Platte river and entered the Pawnee
county. After an advance of several
days it was decided to retreat on Aug
ust 11th. The men marched back some 29 miles
and pitched camp for the night. Early the next
morning the Indians attacked, opening fire with
guns and bows. Only two of the soldiers escaped
alive with Father Juan de Dios, who was cap
tured by another band of Indians and was finally
ransomed. Father Juan Minguez lay dead when
a
Right Rev. Monsignor George Agins, D. D.
Pastor of St. John's Church
the carnage was over. (See "Heroes of the Cross,"
a book written by Rev. M. A. Habig and published
by Fortuny's, New York).
Bandalier, the historian, places the occurrence
at the junction of the Platte and Missouri rivers.
It seems, therefore, fairly established that the first
blood for the Faith of Christ in the Middle West
was shed right here in the very spot
from which our little city of Platts
mouth derives its name.
The Missouri river in that time
was known to the white people as
St. Philip river. In 1804 Lewis and
Clark on their westward voyage pass
ed the present site of Plattsmouth,
and about the middle of the eigh
teenth century, Father De Smet, S. J.,
passed these regions, because in one
of his letters he speaks of the mouth
of the Platte river.
In 1854, a treaty was made with
the Otoe Indians near the mouth of
the Platte river (Nebraska Historical
Society. Vol. I). Beyond this, all one
knows of Plattsmouth and vicinity is
very little and doubtful. Indians and
buffaloes inhabted the region.
First Inhabitant a Catholic
The first white inhabitant of
Plattsmouth was Samuel Martin, a
Catholic, who moved in 1854 from
Iowa and built a trading post
and organized the "PLATTSMOUTH
(Continued on Page 2)
' J)
Rev. Joseph R. Sinkula, A.B., M. A.
Pastor Holy Rosary Church
