Abstract
To write the history of the Polish settlements of Nebraska with a view to showing how a group of Europeans with all their foreign characteristics, through honest effort moved by the spirit of heroic courage to brave the hardships of pioneer life, joined with mutual co-operation and charity, have transformed a wilderness, a sandy waste, into flourishing farms and a progressive community of happy homes; how they have contributed their mite to the welfare of their adopted country, the United States; finally, how they were supported and encouraged in their good work by a self-sacrificing priest, such is the dominant motive of this thesis. Usually political institutions are the most conscious expressions of the national will, but in the case of the Polish settlements, or for that matter, in many of our towns, religion was the powerful incentive that urged the people to progressive achievements. They wanted a suitable place for Divine worship and no sacrifice was deemed too great for the accomplishment of this desire. Religious motives also prompted them to be virtuous and law-abiding; high esteem for the priesthood made them willing to follow implicitly the guidance of their pastors.