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

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1854

pg 192       fear at the difficulties that arose before his mind, and after 
             some days he disappeared, without informing any one of his 
             intention or of his place of retreat.  This unexpected and 
             mysterious flight, it is said, was a great sensation and even 
             caused alarm at the Asylum.
                  Two weeks afterwards the dear Father wrote from Rochester in 
Gastineau    the State of New York to F. Sorin, informing him of his 
             whereabouts and of his intention to return at once to N.D. du Lac.  
             Without wishing to constitute himself judge in a matter that he 
             could not help looking upon as a rather ridiculous escapade, F. 
             Sorin advised him rather to go to the Provincial of Canada, which 
             he did at once.
                  This circumstance had to mentioned here as an explanation of 
             what is to follow.  It greatly embarrassed the administration of 
             the Very Reverend Father [Moreau].  There were not yet any 
             supernumeraries in the society of the Salvatorists.  After having 
             looked around for some one to send to the Asylum, His Reverence 
             was obliged to fall back on F. Cointet, who had already passed 
             about eighteen months there, and who had been compelled to return 
             to the Lake on account of his health, almost totally ruined.