WAUPACA RECORD

July 7, 1898

 

WHERE JESUITS REST

Loyola Villa, the Summer Retreat of Professors of the Missouri Province.

 

            Upon a wooded point which juts out into the largest of the beautiful bodies of water composing the Chain o’ Lakes in Waupaca county, stands Loyola, the Jesuit “retreat”, which is a retreat in every sense of the word.  Hid in a forest of majestic trees and almost surrounded by water it is as quiet as a mountain fastness on a midsummer day.  No sound of the busy world reaches it, no tourist intrudes upon its sanctity, no gaiety disturbs it restfulness; it is an ideal spot for the tired brain-worker to find rest in the enjoyment of absolute peace and quiet.  There come the Jesuit theologians to recuperate after the year’s hard work, and there they stay through the hot summer months until the fall days recall them to their duties and compel them to take a reluctant leave.

As yet no electric railroad heads from the city of Waupaca to the lakes, though one is projected, and the clergyman bound for Loyola must drive four or five miles.  He comes suddenly upon a road which a big sign says is private, and turning upon it enters a noble forest, whose cool shade is refreshing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOYOLA VILLA, WITHOUT THE CHAPEL

 

 

after the hot, dusty ride from the city.  The private driveway runs up hill and down dale, around great rocks, along the edge of picturesque ravines and finally lands the traveler in the rear of the main building of the retreat.  He alights at a carriage porch, goes through a short hall and finds himself upon a veranda which commands a beautiful view of the lake.

            In front of him the land slopes gently to the lake and through the branches of the trees he can see the pretty sheet of water surrounded by high wooded banks and dotted with little islands.  If the day is not windy, the clouds and trees are mirrored in the lake, and the stillness is broken only by the sounds of the birds.  Scarcely a stone’s throw from the beach is the first of the islands, covered with dense foliage through which the roofs of two or three little clubhouses can be seen.  Beyond it are more islands and in the distance is the opposite shore, studded with the cottages of the Waupaca people who spend their summers on the lake.  On another point, across a wide bay, stands the Grand View, a summer resort which is fast growing in popularity.  Nothing could prove the charm of the place better than the development of that resort.  From a single little building, designed for a restaurant, it has grown to two great hotels and a number of cottages, and with all its facilities it is taxed to accommodate its guests.  Last summer 2000 people were entertained there.

            The people who visit Grand View go there for quiet and they do not intrude upon Loyola, which is a long way off the main road and can be reached only by boat without a very long walk.  The retreat consists of a large number of smaller buildings and outhouses.  It is a long rambling structure, facing the lake and having a big veranda running along its entire front, a distance of about 150 feet.  The building consists of three parts, connected, but each in sense distinct from the others.  The central portion is 32x85 feet and the main entrance is in the middle of it.  There are two parlors next to the entrance hall and the balance of the first floor is given up to bedrooms.  One wing is 26x63 feet and the second floor is occupied by a handsome and commodious chapel.  Beneath the chapel of the first floor, are the dining room, kitchen and pantry.  On the other end is a similar wing 26.51 feet, the ground floor of which is divided into a recreation room and library.  The second floor is used for bedrooms.

            The building contains about forty bedrooms, each large enough for two beds.  Wide halls run through the building on each floor and in addition to the big verandas there are several balconies opening from the second floor.  The structure was commenced in April of last year and finished in July.  The buildings so far constructed have cost about $8000, and a number of other improvements are contemplated.

            Loyola was built and is supported by the Missouri province of the Jesuit order, which includes the cities of St. Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Cincinnati, Omaha and St. Mary, Kan.  The order owns a similar resort on Lake Beulah, which is now given over to students.  The professors formerly went there, but Loyola was built for them especially and they no longer go to Lake Beulah.

                                                                        * * *

            The above from the Evening Wisconsin is in regard to one of the most beautiful spots on the lake.  Sicne the erection of the Villa, many beautifying improvements have been made and each season, something is added to the number.  Waupaca would miss the gentlemen from her lakes as they have made many lasting and pleasant friends among our citizens with whom they have had business of special intercourse.

            The following gentlemen are at Loyola Villa this season:

            Rev. Thos. C. McKeogh, Vice Pres. St. Mary’s College, St. Mary’s, Kan., Superior.

                        Rev. Thos. O’Neil, St. Xavier College, Cincinnati, O., Chaplain.

                        Rev. J. Eugene Conahan, St. Mary’s, Kan.

                        Rev. Jas. J. Cornway, Prof. of Philosophy, St. Louis university, St. Louis, Mo.

            Staff of professors from the various Jesuit colleges:

                        St. Louis University, St. Louis, Mo. – Professors R.D. Slevin, Jas. A. McCarthy, Francis

J. O’Boyle, Aloysius F. Frumveller, John B. Furay, Matthew Germing, John A.

Wieiland, Wm. J. Eline, Jos. C. Husslein.

                        Creighton University, Omaha, Nebr. – Professors Wm. P. Whelan, Joseph P. Lynam,

                                    Edward S. Bergin, Louis Newell.

                        Marquette College, Milwaukee, Wis. – Professors Thos. F. Wallace, Albert F.X.

                                    Esterman, Edmun J. Cooney, Gregory J. O’Kelly, Francis X. Reilly, Vincent A.

                                    Siefke.

                        St. Ignatius College, Chicago, Ill. – Professors John J. Riley, Wm. P. Quimlan, Robert S.

                                    Johnston.

                        St. Mary’s College, St. Mary’s, Kan. – Professors Bernard J.Goesse, John M.

                                    Cunningham, Patrick Burke, Simon J. Nicolas, Louis Fusz, Wm. Bennett,

Aloysius A. Breen, Clement F. Martin, James J. Daly, Albert R. Wise, George J.

Leahy.

                        St. Xavier College, Cincinnati, O. – Professors Wm. F. Feld, James P. Monaghan, Joseph

                                    C. Reno, Gilbert J. Garraghan, Joseph B. Kammerer, Joseph L. Davis.

            The following reverend gentlemen are at present the guests of the professors:

                        Rev. George A. Hoeffer, St. Xavier, Cincinnati, O.

                        Rev. Joseph Hill, St. Mary’s, Kan.

                        Francis Morfeld, Marquette College, Milwaukee, Wis.