Comments on: Father Edward Kelly: Irish Priest in Brigham’s Zion

By: Researcher

Researcher — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:24:45 +0000

My knowledge of Catholics in 19th century Utah comes from two sources.

First, the Great Brain books by John D Fitzgerald, and in particular, The Great Brain at the Academy. It’s one of the best books in the series and narrates his brother Tom D Fitzgerald’s chaotic education at the Catholic boy’s school in Salt Lake City.

The other source is non-fiction: Ralph Richard’s fascinating book Of Medicine, Hospitals, and Doctors. It has a couple of chapters on Holy Cross hospital. Bishop Lawrence Scanlan is one of the major figures in this information.

And that’s it! So thanks for this little article on Father Kelly. I’ll tuck that away in my mind.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:01:45 +0000

BruceC — I don’t have a real life, that’s how! Really, I do research for a living — I read old newspapers and diaries and letters and minute books all day long, and come across the ideas for posts in the regular course of business. Some of the posts are recycled from earlier writings; and for the rest I take an afternoon every now and then and write up half a dozen posts to hold in reserve for days that are too busy to write.

Thanks for commenting, even to say you read from time to time. I want Keepapitchinin to be a friendly place where nobody has to compete to say the most brilliant thing, and a place where people who do want to draw connections to their own reading can feel free to offer them.

By: BruceC

BruceC — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:45:14 +0000

I’m sure you know that many people read these posts and say nothing. Mostly because (in my case)being new to Mormon history, I feel unequal to the task of adding anything.

What I can’t figure out is where you find the time to research and post daily.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:23:47 +0000

Thanks, Edje and BHodges and Stephen M — do you know how reassuring it is to know that someone is reading these posts, even with a simple acknowledgement like yours? I really appreciate it.

Mark IV, I’ve got some letters between Brigham Young and various Jewish individuals or the Hebrew Benevolent Society arranging for the use of church buildings for Jewish observances. That would make a great post — thanks for the idea, as well as this Jewish/BY parallel to the Catholic/BY story.

By: Stephen M (Ethesis)

Stephen M (Ethesis) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:43:35 +0000

That was nice. Interesting that Brigham Young donated $500.00.

By: BHodges

BHodges — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:25:28 +0000

Nice little vignette; thanks, Ardis. I finally got around to reading the BYU Studies article by Walker. Excellent!

By: Mark IV

Mark IV — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:42:29 +0000

Brigham Young was a friend to the Jewish community as well. Louis B. Zucker gave an address entitled A Jew In Zion (published in Sunstone, October 1981) and says the following:

The Church has done the Jews deeds of kindness: in the early days, the gift of the Jews’ original cemetery, incorporated now in the larger B’nai Israel cemetery, and the loan of Church buildings in Temple Square for High Holyday worship before there was a synagogue-- Brigham Young, the benefactor in both ways;

By: Edje

Edje — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:39:19 +0000

Thanks for another great post!

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:24:34 +0000

Glad you both enjoy this. I like the spirit of cooperation, as far as it can go — both Father Kelly and Pres. Young had their limits with how far either would endorse the other’ beliefs or goals, but neither one would willingly be played by some malicious troublemaker.

Jeff, the source for the note under the door is my buddy TBHStenhouse, in his newspaper Semi-Weekly Telegraph of 14 March 1867, reporting an interview with Kelly himself. He writes: “Father Kelly procured the deeds to a very fine piece of property, city lot, for a moderate price, on which to construct a Church and School. He had been regularly holding divine service and preaching for several months, when one morning he discovered a note, slipped under his door. It was written badly, misspelt and unpunctuated.” So there! /g/

By: Ray

Ray — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:59:33 +0000

What a nice story. It’s interesting what happens when mutual respect and cordiality are present.