Anton Docher
Encyclopedia
Anton Docher was a French Roman Catholic priest, missionary
and defender of the Indians. He was born in 1852 in Le Crest
, a small wine growing village of Puy de Dôme in Auvergne
. He lived in the pueblo of Isleta in the state of New Mexico for 34 years. His French first name was Antonin Jean Baptiste (he was sometimes called Antonio , Antoine, Antonine or Antonino) .
, he was conscripted for military service and was sent to Cochinchina
then to Africa
where he fought for five years in the colonial army, achieving the rank of sergeant. Docher was wounded and decorated for bravery, but his experiences led him to recognise the immorality of colonialism, which he later compared to the fate suffered by Native Americans. Having contracted lung disease whilst in Africa he returned to the "Petit" Seminary as a Prefect.
On October 21,1887, he went to New Mexico
where, after two years of additional studies, he was ordained as a priest in the Cathedral of Santa Fe
by J.B.Salpointe. He then served two more years in Bernalillo and in Taos
, before arriving in Isleta on December 28, 1891. The Indian village of Isleta is situated on the left bank of the Rio Grande River, south of Albuquerque, being populated by Tiwa Indians of the Pueblo people. During his period in Isleta he also served as a priest in Laguna
, Acoma
, Los Lunas, and Peralta
.
In Los Lentes, in 1893, he acquired a massive ancient bell for the chapel which he put in a prominent central belfry.
"The Padre of Isleta" spent 34 years with the Indians. He was a very close friend of Adolph Bandelier, Charles Fletcher Lummis
and Pablo Abeita
. Like his friend Bandelier he collected Indian objects during this period (kachinas, pottery, basketry and weapons), some of which have been preserved by the Docher and Morvan families. Respected by the Natives Americans for his open-minded attitude to their customs and ancestral faiths (quite normal with friends such as Lummis and Bandelier),he was called "Tashide" which means "little helper" in Tewa language
. He was also well known to have owned a parrot named Tina which used very foul langage, and a beautiful and luxuriant garden.
Father Docher raised an Isletan orphan boy named Tomas Chavez and when as a man Tomas took a wife, named Lolita Delores, Father Docher gave the couple five acres and a house in Los Lunas as a wedding gift. Tomas developed a vineyard on this land and supplied wine to the Isleta and local churches. Tomas died in 1925, three years before the Father himself. Lolita Delores was left with nine children, and Father Docher paid for two girls, Stella and Margaret, to attend the Sisters of Loretto
orphanage.
Very proud to have been granted American citizenship, Docher described himself as an "Indian" in the letters which he sent to his family.
In September, 1912, he presided over the funeral mass of Solomon Luna, powerful businessman and politician of New Mexico, found mysteriously dead in his ranch on August 30th,1912. The mass took place at the Immaculate Conception church of Albuquerque because the parish church Los Lunas
was far too small to accommodate the large crowd in attendance.
On October 26, 1919, he was decorated with the Belgium Order of Leopold by King Albert I
, who visited the village of Isleta with his Queen Elisabeth and Prince Leopold
. In return Father Docher presented the King with a beautiful turquoise cross mounted in silver, and a silver sword made by the Indians. 10 000 persons journeyed to Isleta for the occasion.
In 1923, Father Anton Docher undertook a major remodeling of the San Agustín de la Isleta Mission
(previously named San Antonio de Isleta), constructing prominent spires on the adobe walls. He also constructed a sloping roof in order to avoid the water leaks which destroyed the altar constantly. The mission has now been restored to a more "traditional" frame.
Father Docher spent the last three years of his life as a patient at the St Joseph Hospital (Albuquerque) and died at the age of 76 on December 18, 1928. Albert Daeger
, archbishop of Santa Fe, presided the mass of funeral in the church of Isleta(see photo below). Father Docher is now buried by the side of Father Juan de Padilla
in Isleta.
In the Willa Cather
's novel Death Comes for the Archbishop
, he served as a model for the character of Padre Jesus de Baca. Willa Cather met Father Anton Docher during a visit in Isleta while he was suffering from cataract and near the end of his life. She noted that he lived very poorly and was beloved and respected by "his" Indians, she noted that emanated from his person a great kindness and great humanity. In the novel, the Father de Baca is described "simple like a child and superstitious", while the Padre Docher was often described as droll, intelligent and cultivated.
Father Docher wrote an interesting ethnological article published in The Santa Fé Magazine on June,1913, in which he describes the early 20th century's life in the Pueblos, and notably the special Administration of the Pueblo, fully recognized by the United States Government, with a Cacique
appointed for life, a Governor
(judge in civil cases) elected yearly by the people with two assistants and a War Captain and other officials who have charge of the various celebrations and dances.
the body of which was considered for getting up of its grave and for roaming in the village some evenings. One day (April 25, 1895), Antonin Docher decided, to investigate this ghost's appearance in the presence of other witnesses and opened the grave of Padre Padilla. During this operation Anton Docher injured his arm and the gangrene settled down so much that the doctors recommended amputation. The natives inhabitants evoked the malediction of Padre Padilla. Antonin Docher made a prayer to Padre Padilla to cure him, and the wound disappeared.
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
and defender of the Indians. He was born in 1852 in Le Crest
Le Crest
Le Crest is a commune in the Puy-de-Dôme department in Auvergne in central France.Anton Docher, "The Padre of Isleta", was born in Le Crest in 1852.- In popular culture :...
, a small wine growing village of Puy de Dôme in Auvergne
Auvergne (région)
Auvergne is one of the 27 administrative regions of France. It comprises the 4 departments of Allier, Puy de Dome, Cantal and Haute Loire.The current administrative region of Auvergne is larger than the historical province of Auvergne, and includes provinces and areas that historically were not...
. He lived in the pueblo of Isleta in the state of New Mexico for 34 years. His French first name was Antonin Jean Baptiste (he was sometimes called Antonio , Antoine, Antonine or Antonino) .
Biography
During his youth,Father Docher worked in the vineyards with his three brothers and his widowed mother. At the age of 18, he became a student at the "Petit" Seminary of Saint Sauveur in Puy de Dôme, staying there for eight years. At the age of 27, during his first year studying Philosophy in the "Grand" Seminary of Clermont-FerrandClermont-Ferrand
Clermont-Ferrand is a city and commune of France, in the Auvergne region, with a population of 140,700 . Its metropolitan area had 409,558 inhabitants at the 1999 census. It is the prefecture of the Puy-de-Dôme department...
, he was conscripted for military service and was sent to Cochinchina
Cochinchina
Cochinchina is a region encompassing the southern third of Vietnam whose principal city is Saigon. It was a French colony from 1862 to 1954. The later state of South Vietnam was created in 1954 by combining Cochinchina with southern Annam. In Vietnamese, the region is called Nam Bộ...
then to Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
where he fought for five years in the colonial army, achieving the rank of sergeant. Docher was wounded and decorated for bravery, but his experiences led him to recognise the immorality of colonialism, which he later compared to the fate suffered by Native Americans. Having contracted lung disease whilst in Africa he returned to the "Petit" Seminary as a Prefect.
On October 21,1887, he went to New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
where, after two years of additional studies, he was ordained as a priest in the Cathedral of Santa Fe
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census...
by J.B.Salpointe. He then served two more years in Bernalillo and in Taos
Taos, New Mexico
Taos is a town in Taos County in the north-central region of New Mexico, incorporated in 1934. As of the 2000 census, its population was 4,700. Other nearby communities include Ranchos de Taos, Cañon, Taos Canyon, Ranchitos, and El Prado. The town is close to Taos Pueblo, the Native American...
, before arriving in Isleta on December 28, 1891. The Indian village of Isleta is situated on the left bank of the Rio Grande River, south of Albuquerque, being populated by Tiwa Indians of the Pueblo people. During his period in Isleta he also served as a priest in Laguna
Laguna Pueblo
Laguna is a Native American tribe of the Pueblo people in west-central New Mexico, USA. The name, Laguna, is Spanish and derives from the lake located on their reservation. The real Keresan name of the tribe is Kawaik. The population of the tribe exceeds 7,000 , making it the largest Keresan...
, Acoma
Acoma Pueblo
Acoma Pueblo is a Native American pueblo approximately 60 miles west of Albuquerque, New Mexico in the United States. Three reservations make up Acoma Pueblo: Sky City , Acomita, and McCartys. The Acoma Pueblo tribe is a federally recognized tribal entity...
, Los Lunas, and Peralta
Peralta, New Mexico
Peralta is a town in Valencia County, New Mexico, United States. Prior to its incorporation on July 1, 2007, it was a census-designated place...
.
In Los Lentes, in 1893, he acquired a massive ancient bell for the chapel which he put in a prominent central belfry.
"The Padre of Isleta" spent 34 years with the Indians. He was a very close friend of Adolph Bandelier, Charles Fletcher Lummis
Charles Fletcher Lummis
Charles Fletcher Lummis was a United States journalist and Indian activist; he is also acclaimed as a historian, photographer, poet and librarian....
and Pablo Abeita
Pablo Abeita
Pablo Abeita was the governor of Isleta Pueblo, New Mexico, United States, during the long serving period of his long term friend, Anton Docher, "The Padre of Isleta"....
. Like his friend Bandelier he collected Indian objects during this period (kachinas, pottery, basketry and weapons), some of which have been preserved by the Docher and Morvan families. Respected by the Natives Americans for his open-minded attitude to their customs and ancestral faiths (quite normal with friends such as Lummis and Bandelier),he was called "Tashide" which means "little helper" in Tewa language
Tewa language
Tewa is a Kiowa–Tanoan language spoken by Pueblo people, mostly in the Rio Grande valley in New Mexico north of Santa Fe. The 1980 census counted 1,298 speakers, almost all of whom are bilingual in English...
. He was also well known to have owned a parrot named Tina which used very foul langage, and a beautiful and luxuriant garden.
Father Docher raised an Isletan orphan boy named Tomas Chavez and when as a man Tomas took a wife, named Lolita Delores, Father Docher gave the couple five acres and a house in Los Lunas as a wedding gift. Tomas developed a vineyard on this land and supplied wine to the Isleta and local churches. Tomas died in 1925, three years before the Father himself. Lolita Delores was left with nine children, and Father Docher paid for two girls, Stella and Margaret, to attend the Sisters of Loretto
Sisters of Loretto
Sisters of Loretto or the Loretto Community is a Catholic religious institution, which, according to their mission statement, "strive[s] to bring the healing Spirit of God into our world" and is committed "to improving the conditions of those who suffer from injustice, oppression, and deprivation...
orphanage.
Very proud to have been granted American citizenship, Docher described himself as an "Indian" in the letters which he sent to his family.
In September, 1912, he presided over the funeral mass of Solomon Luna, powerful businessman and politician of New Mexico, found mysteriously dead in his ranch on August 30th,1912. The mass took place at the Immaculate Conception church of Albuquerque because the parish church Los Lunas
Los Lunas, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*72.1% White*2.0% Black*2.5% Native American*0.8% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*4.2% Two or more races*18.3% Other races*57.9% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
was far too small to accommodate the large crowd in attendance.
On October 26, 1919, he was decorated with the Belgium Order of Leopold by King Albert I
Albert I of Belgium
Albert I reigned as King of the Belgians from 1909 until 1934.-Early life:Born Albert Léopold Clément Marie Meinrad in Brussels, he was the fifth child and second son of Prince Philippe, Count of Flanders, and his wife, Princess Marie of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen...
, who visited the village of Isleta with his Queen Elisabeth and Prince Leopold
Leopold III of Belgium
Leopold III reigned as King of the Belgians from 1934 until 1951, when he abdicated in favour of the Heir Apparent,...
. In return Father Docher presented the King with a beautiful turquoise cross mounted in silver, and a silver sword made by the Indians. 10 000 persons journeyed to Isleta for the occasion.
In 1923, Father Anton Docher undertook a major remodeling of the San Agustín de la Isleta Mission
San Agustín de la Isleta Mission
San Agustín de la Isleta Mission, built in 1612, was a Spanish Mission in what is now Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States. It was a religious outpost established by Spanish Catholic Franciscans, to spread Christianity among the local Native Americans....
(previously named San Antonio de Isleta), constructing prominent spires on the adobe walls. He also constructed a sloping roof in order to avoid the water leaks which destroyed the altar constantly. The mission has now been restored to a more "traditional" frame.
Father Docher spent the last three years of his life as a patient at the St Joseph Hospital (Albuquerque) and died at the age of 76 on December 18, 1928. Albert Daeger
Albert Daeger
Albert Daeger was the sixth Roman Catholic archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico.Born in St. Anne, Indiana, Daeger was ordained a priest on July 25, 1896 for the Franciscan order...
, archbishop of Santa Fe, presided the mass of funeral in the church of Isleta(see photo below). Father Docher is now buried by the side of Father Juan de Padilla
Juan de Padilla
Father Juan de Padilla , born in Andalusia, was a Spanish Roman Catholic missionary who spent much of his life exploring North America with Francisco Vasquez de Coronado....
in Isleta.
Literature
A part of his adventurous life was the subject of a book, The Padre of Isleta by Julia Keleher and Elsie Ruth Chant, first published in 1940 and then in 2009 (Sunstone Press).In the Willa Cather
Willa Cather
Willa Seibert Cather was an American author who achieved recognition for her novels of frontier life on the Great Plains, in works such as O Pioneers!, My Ántonia, and The Song of the Lark. In 1923 she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for One of Ours , a novel set during World War I...
's novel Death Comes for the Archbishop
Death Comes for the Archbishop
Death Comes for the Archbishop is a 1927 novel by Willa Cather. It concerns the attempts of a Catholic bishop and a priest to establish a diocese in New Mexico Territory.The novel was included on Time's 100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005...
, he served as a model for the character of Padre Jesus de Baca. Willa Cather met Father Anton Docher during a visit in Isleta while he was suffering from cataract and near the end of his life. She noted that he lived very poorly and was beloved and respected by "his" Indians, she noted that emanated from his person a great kindness and great humanity. In the novel, the Father de Baca is described "simple like a child and superstitious", while the Padre Docher was often described as droll, intelligent and cultivated.
Father Docher wrote an interesting ethnological article published in The Santa Fé Magazine on June,1913, in which he describes the early 20th century's life in the Pueblos, and notably the special Administration of the Pueblo, fully recognized by the United States Government, with a Cacique
Cacique
Cacique is a title derived from the Taíno word for the pre-Columbian chiefs or leaders of tribes in the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and the northern Lesser Antilles...
appointed for life, a Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
(judge in civil cases) elected yearly by the people with two assistants and a War Captain and other officials who have charge of the various celebrations and dances.
History and legends
The life of Docher was also tightly bound to the legends of Isleta, in particular the legend of Padre Juan de PadillaJuan de Padilla
Father Juan de Padilla , born in Andalusia, was a Spanish Roman Catholic missionary who spent much of his life exploring North America with Francisco Vasquez de Coronado....
the body of which was considered for getting up of its grave and for roaming in the village some evenings. One day (April 25, 1895), Antonin Docher decided, to investigate this ghost's appearance in the presence of other witnesses and opened the grave of Padre Padilla. During this operation Anton Docher injured his arm and the gangrene settled down so much that the doctors recommended amputation. The natives inhabitants evoked the malediction of Padre Padilla. Antonin Docher made a prayer to Padre Padilla to cure him, and the wound disappeared.