Chronicles of Notre Dame du Lac
Edward Sorin, CSC -- Translated by John M. Toohey, CSC, 1895

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1851

pg 157                             4.  Return of F. Baroux

                  Finally, about May 24th F. Baroux returned with one Brother 
             and two Sisters for his mission among the savages at Pokagan.  His 
             arrival caused great joy, especially amongst his dear flock, left 
             for nearly eighteen months without a resident pastor.  Everybody 
             knows that the Indians remain all their lives like children who 
             must always be led by the hand or they will fall.
                  During this time they did what they would never venture to do 
             if he had been present, namely: they separated into two villages 
             eighteen miles apart.  This separation cannot have favorable 
             results unless in case it should become the cause of the reunion 
             of all the savages of the country in the same neighborhood.  As 
             long as they are thus scattered in little bands, it is impossible 
             to make them draw any fruit from the habitual residence of a 
             Father nor from a school amongst them.
                  Poor Indians!  They are fast disappearing from the land which 
             not long ago was covered by numbers of their warriors.  Before two 
             centuries [have passed away] they will be spoken of in history as 
             of a nation completely destroyed.  The Catholic Church alone is 
             able to preserve them from inevitable ruin, and most frequently