ARTHUR F. DEMPSEY - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 09/11/1960 - HFSID 31881

ARTHUR F. DEMPSEY, MM
The Catholic priest signs this typed letter thanking columnist Louis Sobol for writing an article on him and his refugee aid work in Hong Kong
Typed Letter signed: "Arthur F. Dempsey M.M." in blue ink, 1p, 7½x9½ integral leaf unfolded. Maryknoll Refugee Center, Kuk-wa Village, Ngau Tau Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 1960 September 11. Addressed to "Mr. Louis Sobol/ % N.Y. Journal American./ New York City. U.S.A.". Written to "Dear Mr. Sobol". In full: "Our mutual friend, Irving Hoffman, sent me a clipping of that wonderful article you wrote about me. While I appreciate it in every way, I'm not yet convinced that I am a man of distinction nor that I deserve the title. I'm just one of many over here and each in his own way is trying to help these unfortunate refugees who have suffered and are suffering so much./ But thanks for your kindness just the same. The column will bring the attention of many Americans to the needs of these people who have made so many sacrifices for freedom./ Should you ever decide to come to Hong Kong, please let me know and I'll roll out the red carpet for you. I'll show you the town, especially the most interesting part of it, the people. And while you'll enjoy the beauties of the scenery too, yet I promise you you'll find the people a lot more enjoyable./ Yours gratefully". Father Arthur F. Dempsey, MM (1903-1974) was a Catholic priest known for his humanitarian work. Dempsey joined the Maryknoll Catholic Foreign Mission shortly after graduating high school. Ordained in 1929, Dempsey went on to serve at the Wuchow Mission in South China. In December 1945, he was awarded an Emblem for Meritorious Civilian Service by the U.S. Military Ordinariate after working as Superior at Chungking during the war years. Following the Chinese Communist takeover, Dempsey primarily worked with refugees in Hong Kong, continuing his humanitarian work until his death in 1974. New York journalist Louis Sobol (1896-1986) had his own column for 40 years, initially focused on the Broadway stage, but also covering film and TV stars as well as other interesting personalities for the New York Journal American. His books include The Longest Street (1968), a Broadway memoir and Along the Broadway Beat (1951). He retired in 1967. Rippling toward top edge. Top and left edges worn. Pencil note in an unknown hand toward top edge. One faint vertical crease and one hard horizontal fold. Lightly toned. Otherwise, fine condition.