St. Labre Mission (Ashland, Mont.)

Although the Jesuits can take credit for establishing St. Joseph Labre Mission, their tenure there was relatively short and unsuccessful. In 1882 the Northern Cheyennes were placed on the Tongue River Agency, Montana, after having endured six years of exile in Oklahoma Territory for their role in the battle of Little Bighorn. Their new setting was no less bleak, however, and they arrived in a desperate condition. Their plight caught the attention of Bp. James O'Connor, Nebraska Diocese, who persuaded the Jesuits in 1883 to send Fr. Peter Barcelo to assess the situation. Bp. Brondel, Helena Diocese, took up the cause along with his new jurisdiction the following year, naming the mission for the inspiring "French beggar saint" whose canonization he had just witnessed. Actual establishment of the mission, however, proved more difficult.

From the description of St. Joseph Labre Mission records, 1883-2006. (Graham Public Library). WorldCat record id: 535937714