"This year also I had a little diversion from my ordinary routine in a trip toward the east. An old Kentucky school mate of mine, the Rev. Ruan, was to be consecrated Bishop of Alton, on May 1. I gave Sterling the mass kit and told him to meet me at the train that evening. Then I pursued my journey and was at the connection on Tuesday. There I met a number of my clerical friends from Kentucky and had a pleasant day with them and their bishop renewing old memories and associations. In passing, I may say also that I met there Father Augustine Tolton, the first colored priest ordained for the American missions. He was ordained at Rome for the Diocese of Alton, but went to Chicago later and organized a congregation of colored Catholics there. He died there a holy death brought on by his devotion to duty."

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