How Pheasants Came to South Dakota

The following is an excerpt from a letter written by Sister Eleanor Joyce after a family reunion.  She tells of her brother, Father Jim, who held Mass at the reunion, and how much it reminded her of the old days back in South Dakota and Mass being held by Father George MacConnachie.  Father MacConnachie was a Scottish immigrant who served St. Bernard's Church for his whole working life, as far as I know, and baptized, married and buried many generations of the Joyce family.  For more information on Father MacConnachie, click here.

Image courtesy of 24HourMoon, license

Sister Eleanor writes:

Fr. Jim celebrated Mass on the Saturday eve at which a large crowd was present on the lawn fronting the Viking Motel where everyone was staying.  Prior to the Mass, which could have reminded one of the parish at Burdette with all the relatives – Fallons, Joyces, Roaches – back in the 1920’s with Fr. MacConnachie, he told how the ring-neck pheasants came to be in South Dakota.  

Fr. Mac had brought pheasant eggs to these families who had them hatched via setting hens or incubators; appointed himself the chief game warden and the men of these families were deputy wardens.  Father had his own private hunting grounds and a parish unknown to Bp. O’Gorman!  Later railroad men scattered the pheasants over the country.  This year we have millions of them for excellent hunting in Hand, Spink, Brown counties and far beyond.