Publisher's Synopsis
Stuffed Saddlebags: The Life of Martin Kundig, Priest 1805-1879 is a biography written by Peter Leo Johnson. The book chronicles the life of Martin Kundig, a Swiss-born Catholic priest who immigrated to the United States in the mid-19th century. The title of the book refers to the stuffed saddlebags that Kundig carried with him as he traveled throughout the American West, ministering to the Catholic communities in the region.The book begins with Kundig's early life in Switzerland and his decision to become a priest. It then follows his journey to the United States, where he served in various parishes in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. Kundig's experiences as a priest in the American West were often challenging and dangerous, as he faced hostility from non-Catholic settlers and had to travel long distances on horseback to reach his congregations.Despite these difficulties, Kundig was a beloved figure in the Catholic communities he served, and he played a key role in establishing and expanding Catholicism in the American West. The book also explores Kundig's personal life, including his relationships with other priests and his struggles with alcoholism.Overall, Stuffed Saddlebags offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of a pioneering Catholic priest in the American West. It is a well-researched and engaging biography that will appeal to anyone interested in the history of Catholicism in the United States, as well as those interested in the history of the American West more broadly.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.