Beacon on the plains

Excellent account of the settlement of eastern Kansas and northern Oklahoma during the period of 1847 through the late 1800's. The book describes the efforts of a group of Jesuit Missionary priests and Loretto sisters in establishing the Osage Mission (now St. Paul, Kansas) and the struggles of the Osage people during the years prior to their eventual exodus into norther Oklahoma. The Jesuits established more than 100 missions in Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri. One notable priest, Father Ponziglione, later started more missions in central Wyoming. The book provides a structured historical account of the history of the mission, and interesting profiles of some of the key missionaries. The book can be purchased from the Osage Mission, Neosho County Museum in St. Paul. (www.osagemission.org).