From the Archives

Although now a part of the Tulsa Diocese, in 1911, the Catholic churches in the communities of McAlester, Krebs and Hartshorne were parishes in the Diocese of Oklahoma that covered the entire state. The compelling story of Father Dominic Tarizzo transcends current diocesan boundaries.
 
Father Dominic came from Italy in 1910 ostensibly to serve Italian immigrants (as well as the Polish, Irish and Mexican immigrants) who were working in the coal mines. His first stop was Little Rock, Ark., but moved to McAlester in February 1911. Life in the mines was drudgery and dangerous work. Frustration with their conditions led to anger and violence.
 
The Church was working diligently to provide stability in the lives of the people, and many were devout Catholics. However, a faction of anarchists from southern Italy who were notoriously hard drinkers and outspoken in their hatred of the Church, posed a spiritual challenge for Father Dominic. On a pastoral visit to Haileyville (a town between McAlester and Hartshorne and home of Mine No. 2) to make contacts with his countrymen, he was attacked by the miners and beaten severely.
 
He was carried to a nearby house and was cared for by parishioners as well as the Mercy Sisters. His tormentors continued to harass as they walked in front of the house dragging a dead dog proclaiming that when he came out of the house, he would suffer the same fate. He never came out as he succumbed to his injuries on October 20.
 
In a letter to Bishop Meerschaert, Father Vincent, the pastor of McAlester, wrote the following: “Now as to the funeral. Your heart would love the spontaneous outpouring of people from the McAlester, Krebs, and Hartshorne. The funeral was actually a triumph. We engaged a special, large interurban electric car to take the body to Hartshorne … The whole parish (almost) was there with the school children and the sisters. We formed a line and proceeded slowly to the church; an immense and orderly concourse of the faithful bowed in reverence and silent prayer. That was the best sermon ever preached to the non-Catholics of Hartshorne.”
 
In a newspaper article of the day, Father Vincent paid tribute to the young priest: “Rich in natural gifts and acquired knowledge, winning but unostentatious, he displayed qualities of a high order with the unconsciousness of child-like simplicity and the charming unconcern of Christian humility.”
 
Despite one of the most tragic and shameful incidents in the history of the Church in Oklahoma, service to the immigrants of the area continued to flourish undeterred. Father Tarizzo’s example of courage and Christian witness strengthened an already faithful community.