Time Line and Other Interesting References

Time Line:

Springfield Daily Republican, May 28 and May 29, 1875 – quotes separating the chapters came directly from paper’s account of the fire the two days following the disaster.

Republican, October 24, 1878 – announces the case between Dufrense and livery service owner Parker has come to trial, two years after the filing in 1876. Parker sues for $10,000, his business dropping from $6,000 per year to just $1,000. Attorney Ely of Westfield is engaged.

Republican, February 12, 1879 – Peter Monat is brought to trial for defacing Dufrense’s building on the corner of Cabot and Main. The paper expects Monat to win his case as a verbal agreement to share the exterior wall was in place.

Republican, February 19, 1879 – Monat was found innocent of the charges by Dufrense, as an agreement was in place.

Republican, October 17, 1879 – mention made of talk to split the parish as parishioners do not like Dufrense and Catholic approval of the trial in favor of Parker because he is so disliked.

Republican, November, 26, 1879 – Daniel Prue heads the first petition to Bishop O’Reilly to divide the parish. Approxmately 2/3rds of the parish had signed the petition. The article notes that Father Dufrense refused to baptize Prue’s new born the Wednesday prior. He told Prue to “shut up” when he asked why he was denied. Prue was forced to travel to Bishop O’Reilly for the baptism. Prue bore witness against Dufrense in the case against Parker. The article indicates that Dufrense threatened in church that he might excommunicate all who bore witness against him and other business owners believed he was working against them as well

Republican, March 16, 1880 – Father Dufrense leaves for Canada after being caught selling liquor from the basement of the church. Many witnesses come forward willing to testify that he has been selling from barrels in the same room where the children are being taught lessons. The Bishop promises to come to the church to speak with the parishioners about Father Dufrense. Local law enforcement threaten upon his return to take him to Boston to be tried. It is noted that Father Dufrense owns extensive real estate in the city but all is held in another man’s name.

Republican, March 17, 1880 – the paper reports that children were found drunk near the church some time ago and no one was able to ascertain where the liquor came from. They have now linked the drunkenness to Dufrense’ casks.

Republican, April 6, 1880 – Bishop O’Reilly meets with nearly 1,000 men in the basement of the church to discuss Dufrense. The majority express their dislike of the priest. The Bishop gives no decision but said that he “would see that they had justice at any rate.” The parishioners had $35,000 promised toward the construction of a new building if he would grant them the division.

Republican, July 16, 1880 – case between Parker and Dufrense settled at $1,600, of which Parker receives only $900. Dufrense has appealed until this point and settles now. Parker takes the settlement as Dufrense is rumored to have financial difficulties. Parker is now fully blind, out of work, with a large, young family.

Republican, July 26, 1880 – Dufrense denounced St. Jean de Baptiste Society and installed Damien Charron as president of his new St. Joseph Society.

Republican, October 21, 1880 – three rain masses are performed during the great drought, in which the canals dried and mills shut down. The article reports that the priest would not perform the services unless the funds were raised for them.

Other:

Hampden County Probate Court Vault – case 15335, Estate of A. B. Dufrense, including petition to have the will overturned by Dufrense’ relatives.

www.holyokemass.com/historic - maps of mills and canals, “The City of Holyoke, Its Water-Power and Its Industries”

www.leveillee.net – article by Father Owen Taggart, #30/31
Republican, September 14 and 28, 1989, announcement of the demolition of Precious Blood Cathedral.

Complete Program of Holyoke’s Seventy Fifth Anniversary and Home Coming Days
Diamond Jubilee: St. Jerome Parish, P.J. Lucey

Massachusetts Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1875; public doc. #341879 – worse large tenement houses seen – people living in basements and attics, no provisions for sanitation, yards covered with filth and green slim

Holyoke, Mass: A Case History in the Industrial Revolution in America, C.M. Green, 1939, New Haven: Yale University Press – page 121 water pumped out of river, into central reservoir, sewage emptied into power canal between tenements and factories, back into river

The Delusson Family

Holyoke Poor Farm

Overseers of the Poor

Mayor’s Address, Municipal Register of City of Holyoke, 1876

French Canadians in Massachusetts Politics 1885-1915, Ronald Petrin

Working People of Holyoke: Class & Ethnicity in Massachusetts 1850-1960, Wiliam Hartford, 1949

Habitants in Holyoke: The Development of Franco American Community in a Massachusetts City, Peter Haebler, thesis, University of New Hampshire

History of the Catholic Church in the Springfield Diocese

A Century of Catholicism in Western Mass

www.etext.lib.virginia.edu – description of Father Chiniquy

www.jesus-is-savoir.com – description of Father Chiniquy