Restricted: fragile maps of Texas and Mexico.
Edmond J Schmitt Papers (SCT), University of Notre Dame Archives (UNDA), Notre Dame, IN 46556
Correspondence; historical and religious writings; and research and reference files on Bishop Simon Bruté, Father Stephen T. Badin, Girolamo Savonarola, early missions in Mexican America, Indiana Catholic history, and the Benedictine order in the United States. Also Schmitt's collection of autograph letters, calling cards, and signatures of authors, British and American legislators, presidents of the United States, archbishops, and cardinals (1777-1893).
The papers of Father Edmond J. P. Schmitt have been arranged in three categories which reflect various aspects and activities of Schmitt's life. These are: Correspondence, Historical and Religious Writings, and Research and Reference. Conspicuously missing from this collection are Schmitt's parochial records; other than miscellaneous correspondence and news clippings in Schmitt's scrapbooks (see especially Indiana History Scrapbook, biographical clippings, pp. 203- 23, Box 12 Folder 6), no detailed record of Schmitt's activities as pastor of St. John's Church exist here.
Original order has been retained where files have been defined. Father Schmitt had developed a personal filing system for his correspondence, placing letters in individual folders by correspondent. This system has been retained in the present arrangement; however, items within these folders have been arranged chronologically, and the folders have been arranged alphabetically according to surname of each correspondent. Schmitt's Research and Reference files were organized in a similar manner and have been arranged alphabetically by subject.
Although family correspondence as early as 1857 exists in this collection, Schmitt's own correspondence does not begin until 1873, the bulk being written between 1890 and 1901. Schmitt's notes are mainly undated but also fall roughly into this period. Records in this collection are mainly in English or German, with some notes in Spanish or French.
Although the Schmitt collection does not provide much insight into the parochial activities of a 19th century priest, this collection nevertheless supplies information on early Catholic history, especially as it relates to Indiana and Mexican-America. Of particular interest are the first hand accounts and photographs of the fire of St. Meinrad's College [see: Correspondence--Martin Mueller, 6 September 1887 (2 pages), 6 September 1887 (7 pages); Andrew Schaaf, 7 September 1887 (4 pages); and Charles Wagner, 2 September 1887 (2 pages). See also, "Edmond Faber's" description from the New Albany Ledger, 5 September 1887, Volume I. Essays, pp. 21-23, and the letter from Father Isidore, 17 September 1887, the description and photographs located in Volume IX. The Very Rev. P. Isidore Hobi and Volume I. Essays].
James Edwards had negotiated with Schmitt in 1896-1899 to purchase his collection of books, manuscripts, stamps, and relics but could not raise the funds to meet Schmitt's price (which varied from $600 to $900). Father Schmitt would have liked to have sold his collection to Notre Dame, but he was anxious to have its sale resolved and his debts paid before his death. He presented most of his papers to Bishop Camillus Maes of Convington, Kentucky. Bishop Maes in turn passed them over to Bishop Chatard of Vincennes, who subsequently donated the collection to Notre Dame.
Schmitt's folders, which were highly acidic and damaging to the correspondence and notes contained within them, have been photocopied and the originals discarded. Loose newspaper clippings have also been photocopied. Several empty book bindings, used by Schmitt to keep his folders together, have been recommended for disposal.
RESTRICTION: Box 17 contains many oversized maps which are extremely brittle due to mold (now apparently dormant) and high acidity. These should be examined only with archivist's approval. Many of Schmitt's notes on Mexican-America are also brittle from the same causes; careful use of these documents without restrictions is permitted.