The history of St. Mary's Academy may be briefly stated.

As early as 1890, Very Rev. M.F. Cassidy, aided by his zealous and generous parishioners, had completed the erection of a handsome edifice costing 20-thousand-dollars. Just one week previous to the arrival of the Sisters, who were to take charge of it, fire broke out in the building, and, in a few hours, the first St. Mary's Academy was a mass of crumbling ruins.

Whether the fire was of incendiary origin will probably never be known; however, the shock to priest and people was so great that, for several years, no attempt was made to rebuild the academy. Doubtless, too, it was the thought that the heavy, financial loss would render the erection of another building quite impossible for years to come; but "Special needs develop special resources." This is a maxim of the material world and it is true also in the domain of the Church-hence it was, that Father Cassidy had recourse to the Sisters of St. Francis, whose Provincial Motherhouse was than in Buffalo, N.Y., and he induced them to erect a new St. Mary's Academy.

It was one of the loveliest days of early spring. The sun brightened the lonely read that leads from Holy Rosary Mission, S.D., to Rushville when 3 Sisters of St. Francis bade an affectionate farewell to the scene of former labors to begin anew in other fields.

Those good religious were the foundresses of St. Mary's Academy. Arriving at O'Neill, they were formally received and heartily welcomed by the pastor of St. Patrick's Church, Father Cassidy and a delegation, representing the people of the parish and the citizens of O'Neill. This memorable day was April 18, 1900. The work of beginning the erection of the academy was not delayed a single day; and the bravely surmounted difficulties which less courageous souls would have deemed insurmountable.

Through the succeeding spring and summer the work of construction went steadily on; and yet it was late October before any part was habitable. However, in the meantime the 7 Sisters had arrive from Buffalo and the school opened the first Monday in September, 1900. The enrollment of that day was 106. In June, 1900, the number of boarding students had increased to 20 and at the present writing (1912) 102 student boarders are registered at the academy.

The large main building was designed by J.E. Dietrick, an able architect of Omaha. It is a beautiful structure of pressed brick and contains the convent and chapel, the studio, reception rooms, music rooms, dining rooms and dormitories. In 10 years this building proved entirely inadequate to accommodate the number of pupils in attendance, and accordingly, in May, 1910, ground was broken for a new building, which was ready for occupancy September 6, 1911. This 75-thousand-dollar addition to St. Mary's was planned by J. M. Nachtigall, of Omaha, a specialist in Catholic churches and schools. The building was erected by B. J. Jobst, of Omaha. The heating and plumbing, modern and satisfactory in every respect, were done by the J. J. Hannighan company, also of Omaha...

The above is, in brief, the history and description of the present St. Mary's academy, which has risen from the ashes of old. Its rise, its growth has been a steady, healthful one. Solitary have been its bequests, but it has spread its confines through enthusiasm and sterling worth. There has been no faltering on the way, and it may be said that "St. Mary's has but fairly begun as the great educational institution for which Almighty God has designed it."