Consists of photocopies of chiefly correspondence, 1908-1950, of Franciscan missionary and historian Father Bonaventure Oblasser, O.F.M. during his appointments, mainly to the Papago Indians (now known as Tohono O'odham), in Arizona. Included also are photographs that consist of images created by various Franciscan friars of the Saint Barbara Providence of the Order of Franciscan Friars depicting scenes from various Indian reservations in Arizona and Southern California. This collection also includes papers of Franciscan missionary, Nicholas Perschl (1887-1969), relating to his missionary work to the Papago Indians.
Collection Number:
MS 543
Language:
Materials are in English, with some materials in Latin, Spanish, and German.
Repository:
University of Arizona Libraries, Special Collections
University of Arizona
PO Box 210055
Tucson, AZ 85721-0055
Phone: 520-621-6423
Fax: 520-621-9733
URL: http://speccoll.library.arizona.edu/
Biographical Note
Born in Portland, Oregon, on 7 March 1885, Emil Oblasser studied for the Franciscan priesthood (taking the name of Bonaventure) at Mission Santa Barbara from 1901 until 1908. After his ordination on 28 June 1908, his main assignments were:
1908-1910 St. Elizabeth Parish, Oakland
1910-1913 St. John's Mission, Komatke, Arizona
1913-1916 Mission San Xavier del Bac, Tucson
1916-1922 Old San Solano, Cababi, Arizona
1922-1939 New San Solano, Topawa, Arizona
1939-1941 Mission San Luis Rey, California
1941-1948 Santa Isabel Indian Mission, California.
His missionary work in Arizona resulted in the construction of over a dozen schools and churches on what would become known as the Papago Indian Reservation in southern Arizona. He was a member of the Committee that contributed to the formation of the reservation (1915), and he was a key advisor in both the legal battle against the Hunter Heirs in their claim to Papago Lands (1926) and in the formation of the tribal constitution (1936).
During his tenure, he gathered unique information on the Franciscan influence in Pimeria Alta, and collected censuses and other ethnological data on Indian populations. In the course of his research, he built a collection of books on the region which are now housed in the Oblasser Library at Mission San Xavier.
Father Oblasser celebrated the jubilee of his priesthood in 1958. He died in 1967 and was buried at the Topawa cemetery.
Nicholas Perschl (1887-1969) was ordained a Franciscan in 1913. He spent many years at Mission San Xavier del Bac, and he worked amongst the Papago, Pima, and Apache people in Arizona.
Scope and Content Note
These papers best document the activities of Father Bonaventure Oblasser, O.F.M. in his daily struggles to secure the spiritual and financial needs of his missionary work to native peoples in California, and especially, Arizona. The bulk of the correspondence from 1908 to 1940 details his efforts to fund schools with supplies, furniture, and teachers, and to assist the Tohono O'odham in shaping their geographical and political future. The correspondence covers the spectrum of his work, including topics such as: administering to the vast expanse of the reservation; financing and constructing the buildings for religious and educational purposes; communicating with governmental officials and agencies on behalf of the Tohono O'odham on issues relating to the formation of the reservation, water, land and mineral rights; and assisting in the compilation of the tribal constitution.
There is also present some materials relating to censuses of various villages; Oblasser's annual reports to the Office of the Provincial on his accomplishments in the field; drafts of the Papago Constitution; his contributions to the erection of the Fray Marcos de Niza Monument near the Arizona-Mexico border; and many unpublished reports and articles that he wrote about Franciscan and Arizona history.
Correspondents in the collection include politicians Carl T. Hayden, George W.P. Hunt, Henry Ashhurst; government officials of the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs such as Charles Burke and John Collier; leaders of the Franciscan order and fellow missionaries in the field; support agencies for the missions such as the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions, the Marquette League for Indian Welfare, and other private donors; scholars Herbert Bolton, Frank Lockwood, and others; and former students and friends.
The Subject Files contain correspondence, interviews, writings, and other records relating to various topics. Of interest are his missionary activities; a copy of Statuta Pro Missionibus: Ordinis Fratrum Minorum (1950); an interview (1959) of Oblasser by Bernard Fontana; censuses for the Saint John's Mission; and background information on San Jose Mission/Saint Nicholas Indian Center, and the San Xavier residence in Tucson. The largest folder of correspondence in these files relates to his work from 1956 to 1960 for the United States Department of Justice regarding the Papago Case Number 345 before the Indian Claims Commission for which he prepared an in-depth report on land tenure among the Papago Indians (however the report itself is lacking).
The photographic materials held within this collection are comprised of prints, negatives, contact sheets, and glass negatives. These materials are images created by various Franciscan friars of the Saint Barbara Providence of the Order of Franciscan Friars. These materials date probably from circa 1902-1958, with the bulk of the materials believed to date from circa 1920-1939. These materials were collected by Bonaventure Oblasser and held at the Oblasser Library at the Mission San Xavier del Bac.
The second series of papers relate to the personal life and career of Nicholas Perschl. Included are excerpts from his diary and autobiographical writings for his early years as a missionary; general correspondence from 1901 to 1969, chiefly with other Franciscans, former students, and friends; and letters (in German) from members of his extended family in Austria
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish
from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record,
the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The
user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Arizona Board of Regents for the
University of Arizona, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all
claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of
copyright.
Originals are located at the Santa Barbara Mission Library Archives, California. Duplicates are also held at San Xavier Mission Oblasser Library, Tucson, AZ 85745.
Researchers interested in materials related to Father Bonaventure Oblasser O.F.M. should consult the following collections held in the University of Arizona Special Collections Library:
AZ 397 - Oral history interview, Mission San Xavier del Bac, with Bernard Fontana, 1959 Jul. 20.
AZ 553 - Affidavit : the route followed by Fray Marcos de Niza which led to the discovery of Arizona, 1939.
AZ 554 - Diary and scrapbook of Mission San Xavier del Bac, 1861-1948
Researchers interested in materials related to Nicholas Perschl should consult the following collection:
AZ 396 - Oral history interview, Mission San Xavier del Bac, with Bernard Fontana, 1959 Jan. 26.
Access Terms
Personal Name(s)
Bonaventure, Father, O.F.M., 1885-1967.
Hayden, Carl Trumbell, 1877-1972
Perschl, Nicholas, 1887-.
Geographic Name(s)
Gila River Indian Reservation (Arizona) - History
San Xavier Indian Reservation (Arizona) - History
Subject(s)
Catholic Church - Arizona - Missions
Franciscans - Arizona - Missions
Indians of North America—Pictorial works
Mission San Xavier del Bac (Tucson, Arizona) - History
Missions - Arizona
Tohono O'Odham Indian Reservation (Arizona) - History
These papers best document the activities of Father Bonaventure Oblasser, O.F.M. in his daily struggles to secure the spiritual and financial needs of his missionary work to native peoples in California, and especially, Arizona. The series has two subseries. The first subseries contains correspondence that detail Father Bonaventure Oblasser's efforts to assist the Tohono O'odham in shaping their geographical and political future. The second subseries consists of subject files that contain correspondence, interviews, writings, and other records relating to various topics.
This subseries contains correspondence. The bulks of these materials date from 1908 to 1940 and detail his efforts to fund schools with supplies, furniture, and teachers, and to assist the Tohono O'odham in shaping their geographical and political future. The correspondence covers the spectrum of his work, including topics such as: administering to the vast expanse of the reservation; financing and constructing the buildings for religious and educational purposes; communicating with governmental officials and agencies on behalf of the Tohono O'odham on issues relating to the formation of the reservation, water, land and mineral rights; and assisting in the compilation of the tribal constitution.
This subseries contains correspondence, interviews, writings, and other records relating to various topics. Of interest are his missionary activities; a copy of Statuta Pro Missionibus: Ordinis Fratrum Minorum (1950); an interview (1959) of Oblasser by Bernard Fontana; censuses for the Saint John's Mission; and background information on San Jose Mission/Saint Nicholas Indian Center, and the San Xavier residence in Tucson. The largest folder of correspondence in these files relates to his work from 1956 to 1960 for the United States Department of Justice regarding the Papago Case Number 345 before the Indian Claims Commission for which he prepared an in-depth report on land tenure among the Papago Indians (however the report itself is lacking).
box
folder
8
4
Catholic Indian Outing Service, 1932-1933
8
5
Cross Over the Desert, 1937
8
6
Education: Pimeria Alta, 1956
8
7
Franciscans Take Charge of Yuma, Arizona, circa 1926
8
8
Founding of Tucson, undated
8
9
Interview by Bernard Fontana, undated
8
10
Library of Piman Research, 1959-1962
8
11
Miscellaneous, circa 1942
8
12
Missions/missionary activities, 1908-1952
8
13
Mission Board, 1957-1961
8
14
Prayers in Papago, 1957-1961
8
15
Saint John's Mission Census, 1910-1912
8
16
San Jose Mission/Saint Nicholas Center (Tucson), 1977
8
17
San Xavier Historical Data, 1922
8
18
U. S. Department of Justice: Papago Tribe vs. U. S., Docket 345 Land Tenure Among the Papago, 1956-1960
This series consists of scenes from various Indian reservations where friars of the Saint Barbara Providence of the Order of Franciscan Friars served, including Papago, Gila River, Salt River, Ak Chin, Gila Bend, San Carlos, Ft. Apache, Mescalero, Ft. Yuma (Quechan), Colorado River, and various Native Communities in Southern California. Also included in this series are photographs of various locales and people taken on trips, including China, Sonoran Missions in Mexico, New Mexico, and California.
box
folder
9
1
Ajo Deer Dancers, undated
9
2
Akin or Pisinere Church, undated
9
3
Anegam, 1953
9
4
Buildings, 1916, undated
9
5
Bylar, 1953
9
6
Cababi, St. Maria, 1953
9
7
California Missions, Various, undated
9
8
Casa Blanca, undated
9
9
China, undated
9
10
Comobabi, undated
9
11
Covered Wells, 1912, 1935
9
12
Cowlic, 1922, 1935, 1939
box
folder
10
1
Kaka, Gila Bend, 1919, undated
10
2
Komalik, Awegan, 1912
10
3
Kwahatk, 1911-1912
10
4
La Jolla, California, 1940, undated
10
5
Little Tucson, 1953
10
6
Lourdes School, Fresnal, Arizona, 1911-1913, 1948
10
7
McNary, Arizona, 1934 April
10
8
Mission San Antonio de Pala, 1940, undated
10
9
Navajo, undated
10
11
Padres, 1920-1939
10
12
Papgueria Baboquivari, undated
10
13
Pascua Yaqui, undated
10
14
People, undated
10
15
Pima, circa 1939
10
16
Pueblo Grande, circa 1940-1950
10
17
Sacaton, circa 1932
10
18
San Carlos, Arizona, 1954 February, June
10
19
San Ignacio, 1915, undated
box
folder
11
1
San Jose Pisinemo, 1915, undated
11
2
San Luis Big Fields, 1912, 1935
11
3
San Miguel, 1911-1912, 1930-1953
11
4
San Pablo Chapel, undated
11
5
San Pedro Coyote, undated
11
6
San Solano, 1912
11
7
San Xavier del Bac, 1910, 1932, undated
11
8
Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1953
11
9
Santa Rosa, 1912, 1913, undated
11
10
Santa Rosa, 1953
11
11
Santan, 1937, undated
11
12
Sells, Arizona, undated
11
13
Sil Nakya, undated
11
14
San Luis Rey Mission, California, undated
11
16
Scenery, undated
11
17
Sisters, 1936-1937
11
18
St. Boniface, Banning, California, 1936, 1938, undated
11
19
St. Clares Place, Portland, Oregon, 1946
11
20
St. John's, Kowatke Village, 1918-1958, undated
box
folder
12
1
St. John's Indian School, Kowatke Village, 1922, undated
12
2
St. John's Indian School, Kowatke Village, 1932, undated
12
3
St. John's Indian School, Kowatke Village, 8x10s (1 of 2) undated
12
4
St. John's Indian School, Kowatke Village, 8x10s (2 of 2) undated
This series contains copy negatives from negative albums compiled by Father Bonaventure Oblasser, O.F.M. These contact sheets were created using a 35mm camera with a close-up lens, and were created as access copies for the negatives series. The photograph albums have identifying numbers written on the verso with corresponding image identification within the photograph album index. Those contact sheets labeled SX and SXB correspond to materials held in the negatives series. These contact sheets do not act as a complete access tool for the negatives series, as all of the negatives have not been photocopied. The miscellaneous materials held within this series do not have any identifying information.
This series contains four subseries. The first subseries contains negatives that have corresponding access contact sheets from the contact sheet series. Materials in this subseries were numbered by Father Bonaventure Oblasser, O.F.M. and have no particular order. The second subseries contains negatives that were originally held in negative albums compiled and numbered by Bonaventure Oblasser. The first identifying number is sequential and corresponds to total number of negatives in the subseries. The second identifying number corresponds to the number taken from Bonaventure Oblasser's original negative albums. The numbering system contains many numerical gaps. It is believed that these negatives were originally compiled chronologically by Father Bonaventure Oblasser, O.F.M. The majority of materials in this subseries have corresponding access contact sheets contained in the Contact Sheet series. The third subseries contains negatives arranged alphabetically by subject. The majority of materials in this subseries are unidentified. The fourth subseries contains unidentified glass negatives.
This subseries contains negatives that have corresponding access contact sheets from the contact sheet series. Materials in this subseries were numbered by Father Bonaventure Oblasser, O.F.M. and have no particular order.
This subseries contains negatives that were originally held in negative albums compiled and numbered by Bonaventure Oblasser. The first identifying number is sequential and corresponds to total number of negatives in the subseries. The second identifying number corresponds to the number taken from Bonaventure Oblasser's original negative albums. The numbering system contains many numerical gaps. It is believed that these negatives were originally compiled chronologically by Father Bonaventure Oblasser, O.F.M. The majority of materials in this subseries have corresponding access contact sheets contained in the Contact Sheet series.
This series contains papers that relate to the personal life and career of Nicholas Perschl. Included are excerpts from his diary and autobiographical writings for his early years as a missionary; general correspondence from 1901 to 1969, chiefly with other Franciscans, former students, and friends; and letters (in German) from members of his extended family in Austria.
box
folder
27
1
Biographical materials, circa 1923-1930
27
2
General correspondence, 1901-1969
27
3
Correspondence with family in Vienna, circa 1905-1948
