Abbot Martin Marty was a native of Switzerland who had come to America in 1862 to assist in the establishment of the monastic foundation undertaken by the Abbey of Maria Einsiedeln in southern Indiana. This abbey would become known as St. Meinrad Abbey. Martin Marty became its first Abbot. Eventually the burden of seeing the Arkansas foundation through devolved upon the famous Swiss Abbey.

Subiaco owes its existence to the Little Rock & Fort Smith Railroad Company’s interest in settling German immigrants in Logan County, Arkansas. They had approached Abbot Martin and inquired about establishing a presence in Arkansas. What we know today as Subiaco Abbey resulted directly from the contract made between the Abbey of St. Meinrad and the railroad company.

The man chosen to go to Arkansas and establish the Benedictines in Logan County was the Rev. Wolfgang Schlumpf. Born on a farm near the beautiful lake of Zug in Switzerland, Father Wolfgang made his monastic vows in the Abbey of Maria Einsiedeln in 1853. Ordained a priest in 1857, he taught in the college conducted by the Abbey until 1862 when he was sent to Indiana. He worked as a missionary among the Indians, served as a sub-prior of the monastery, and especially distinguished himself by introducing American agricultural methods on the Abbey’s farm.

It was another monk, Father Isidor Hobi, who made the first inspection tour with the railroad agent due to the illness of Father Wolfgang and chose the location for the Arkansas foundation. Father Wolfgang did not find the choice a happy one. In one letter he refers a bit ironically to Father Isidor’s description of the location as a “Paradise fallen from heaven.”

It was on March 6, 1878, that Father Wolfgang set out from St. Meinrad Abbey in Indiana for Logan County, Arkansas. He was accompanied by two religious brothers, Casper and Hilarin, who were to assist in the pioneering work. A description of the journey, the arrival at the chosen location, and of their reception by settlers, are to be found in the letter written by Father Wolfgang on March 17, 1878, only a short time after he has set foot in Logan County.

Provided below are some of our documents that many be of interest to those who enjoy history.