USA > New York > Jefferson County > Clayton > Historical sketch of the village of Clayton, N.Y. : and a complete history of St.Mary's parish > Part 6
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Hayes, Mary Cetta
3
" 19
20 Stay, Joseph and Mary
Mch 29
Emond, Joseph Dec 16
Ponquet, Marie " 13
13
Feb 29 Laughlin, Andrew E. and Eliz.
Mch 15 M. Delaney Feb 1
Leroux, Dominique Dec 27 Dec 30 Barney, W'm. and Alice Mc-
Langlois, Evangelique 23
27 Cormick Nov 15
..
..
14 Lanthier, Milford
9 Dec 5
Hamel, Fred D. NOV 30 NOV 30
Laughlin, Loretta Ann
11 Dec 5
By Fr. J. Hogan of Watertown.
Lepage, Nap. Johnson, Joseph Lalonde, Clara
Oct 2
12
Feb 15
27
Nov 1
May 1 Thibault, Rachel Jos.
27
7
Cholette, Clarence Nap Sept 29
10
". 25
17 Thibault, James Thos Belanger, Win.
24 Aug 22
Sept 4 Oct 10
Nov I Lalonde, Alfred
July 5 11
Barchard, Atthanase
2I June 27
Aug 24 Benoit, Joseph
29 July 9
Delaney, Thos. Casimir Mch 30
Bazinet, Fk. Isidore " 31
Mch 31 Shollete
Dec 21 Brabant, Joseph and Josephine .. Charron Apr 11
Hayes, Mary Ettella Feb 3
Lepage, Lucey Josephine Mch 13
Mercier, Geo. Wilfred Apr 21
Belanger, Hellen Melinda
July 2
Emond, Mary Celina 10
28
IIO
Lalonde, Malvina Apr S.
11 Quesnel, Amelie " 16 Mch
Sept 3 Ducas, Benj. 21 Mallette, Jos. Ed. Apr 22 May 12
ISSI
BAPTISMS.
Delaney, Bertha Helen Jan I
Jan
2 Purcell, Thomas and Eliza
Collin 4 4
1
Charpentier, Cath. Dec 31 '80 9
Stay, Arthur Louis
Ja11 30 31
Mercier. Hellen Mary
Feb 3
Mch 6
BAPTISMS.
Bissonnette, Augustin Theodore
Jan 21
Corpents, Hellen
Mch 10
Mch 25
1883
Thompson, Jeremiah
Jan 8
Mch 13
Thibault, Geo. Oscar
June 27 July 1
Quesnel, Cecile
Dec 30 '80
13 Marshal, Chas. June 27 '46 Mch 25
Brabant, Amos
May 10
May 15 Riley. Aletha Menuette Apr 8
May 28
Johnson, Alice Mary
Ang 7
Aug 22
Bonami, Fk. X.
Sept 6
Dec 25 By Rev. B. Grom, M.S.H. of Watertown.
Quesnel, Anna
Aug I
25 Purcell, Thomas
Dec 8 '82 Jan 7
Emond, Jos. Ang.
19
25 Brabant, Hellen
Feb 7 Feb 18
Pilon, Ray. Henry
25 Oct 16
By Rev. Jn. Talbot Smith of Water-
By Fr. J. Glenn of Watertown1.
town.
Pilon, Claud Eugene
Apr 12 June 12
Belanger, Aldin Wmn. Feb 24 '82 Mch 4
MARRIAGES.
Longtin, Joseph and Emma Emond
Jau 1
Fitzgerald, Sarah Eliz. Dec 31 '80
21
1882
Gauthier, Amelie
22
Feb 27 Barrett, Cornin P. July 28 Aug 29
Langevin, Joseph Milot Sept 20
Sept 21
27 Foley, Marg. Anna Feb 7
Ja11 10 Hamel, Charles Wm. Mch 6 Mch 14
Leroux, Mary Sophia
Feb 25
Father Thomas Plunket, curate for one year under Father Sherry, was of ordinary size, had a dark com- plexion, was pleasant, talkative, a constant adviser, a ready worker, but somewhat irascible. He was not en- dowed with the gift of eloquence, but was a fair singer. Vet, he was well liked by the people as he did consider- able work to ameliorate the condition of things in his time. He is now chaplain of the city hospital, Ogdens- burg, N. Y.
Following are those lie baptized, married and buried :
II1
1878
Kepler, Geo. Benj.
May 23
June 8
BAPTISMS.
Quesnel, Hellen Nov 29
Larpentigny, Matilda
4
.4
4 Letarte, Fred Perrault, Georgianna ١١
16
IS
MARRIAGES.
Sales, Esra and Mary Bailey
Nov 28
Cosselman, Gertrude Eliz. July 22 15
Sholette, Jn. Edwin
Aug 8
31
1879
BAPTISMS.
Langlois, Louis Dec 4 '78
Charpentier, Fk. Aug.
Feb 5
Feb 9 Aubertin, Julie Isabel
June 13
١١
28
Cinslow, Eliz. 22
.. 9 Bretchan, FrancisW'm.
29
5
Thibault, Loretta Mch 4
Mch 9'Lyonts, Raymond Clar-
Stumps, Eliz. Mary Dec 28 '78
25 ence
Aug 24
12
Valley, Peter Edward Mch 9'78
5 Langlois, Louis
Nov 3 Nov 9
Carpentier, John Wm. Mch 9
Apr 6 By Father J. Hogan.
Gagnon, Emilie Feb 26 '78
7 Denis, George Amo. NOV 10 NOV 10
Picard, Cath. Louise Oct 3, '78
15 Daoust, Charles Rueben
Belanger, Mary Apr 9 11
27
Archibal
Sept 23 Oct 5
McCormick. Mary Alice 10
May S
Foley, Geo. Henry Feb 3
II
MARRIAGES.
Gauthier, Mary Eliz. May I£
13
Turgeon, W'm. 18
،،
18 Riley, Thos. E. and Mary A1111
Mckinley, John Henry 5
June I
Lefebvre Feb 24
Johnson, Joseph Alex. Oct 4 '74
١١ 4 Dubois, Henry and Marg.
Marshal, David Lorenzo Feb 26
6 Louise Thibault
Feb 24
44
6
Duford. Anna Loretta
6
Dec 8 Lachance, Joseph
July 1 July 10
15 Pilon, Francis Celia June 12 '77
13
Arcnand, Mary Eliz. 21
Lepage, Henry
Sept 23
Sept 23
Bissonnette, Wm.
July 3
28
Jan 25 Doyle, Cath. Eliz.
Sept 16
28
Howarth. Milo Jan 27
9 Langlois, Mary Sophia
Sept 29 Oct 3
2 Aug 10
Barton, Emma Julia " 27
Rev. Father Michael O'Neill, curate for fiteen months under Fr. Sherry, was of medium size, had a very dark complexion, was plain featured, but he was kind, reserv- ed, well read and a thoroughly good priest in every par- ticular. Like Father Plunkett, he did all he could for the Clayton people, whilst he was here, and succeeded in bridging over a great many chasmns which would have been fatal to faith and morals. The Clayton peo-
112
REV. MICHAEL O'NEIL ASSISTANT AT CLAYTON FROM JUNE 1881 TO AUGUST 1882.
ple will always feel grateful to both Fathers Plunkett and O'Neill and they will for ever keep a hallowed memory of their apostolic work here. Father O'Neill died at Rossie, Dec. 3, 1899.
Following are the baptisms, marriages and funerals performed by Fr. M. O'Neill:
BAPTISMS.
Stumps, Margarite
Mch 3 Mch 3
Lachance. Lonise
June 19
July 22 Lepage, Edward
July 24 July 30
Myers, Edward
Oct 9 '75
..
9 Emond, Mary Josephine Aug 4
Aug 6
Lawson, Thomas
July 20
12 Fischer, Alphee
" 25 Sept
2
Desrosiers, Jos. Wm.
Apr 3
14 Marshal, Eva Mary
Sept 16 Oct 1
Parker, Leo
Sept 13
Sept 20 Delaney, Alice
Aug 7 I
Quesnel, John
= 22
By Rev Chappel, M.S.C. of Water-
Longtin, Nelson Nap. Nov 15
Nov 20
town
Thibault, Paul Bernard
6
20 Quesnel, Anna Lyda Oct 4 Dec 17
Denis, Matilda Theresa " 20
25
MARRIAGES.
Leroux, Dominic Jos. 6
27
28 Charpentier, Charles and Jose- phine Thibault
Jan I
Fitzgerald, Fk. Daniel
20
Aug 22
Thibault, Geo. aed Philomine Duford
May 12
Blum, Julie Marie
Sept 6
Sept 16
Murphy, John and Bridget
Aubertin, Cornelia Eliz. Feb 6
Fel 20
Ann Maher
Nov 7
Toole, Mary Eliz. Dec 25 'SI Jan 8
Myers, Charles
July 16 '73
Aug 9 Charpentier, Peter Simon June 15
" 16
Bourcey, Leonard Lins Aug 10
Mason, Joseph Lawrence " 1882
10
28
Father B. Caraher was assistant under Father Sherry from April to July 1883. He was tall, thin, and had a stern expression. He was witty and very interesting in conversation. His stay here was so short that only a few people got acquainted with him, but these thought well of him. He died in Watertown, Nov. 23, 1893. Following are those he baptized:
II5
16
18:83
BAPTISMS.
Mckinley, Mary Rose Mch 14
Gausier, Clara 16 May 6 Derien, Jane
Rabholdz, Tumnum Nov 2 '82
6 Dunlap. Stella Mary
2
Desrosiers, Mary Cath. May 15 '82
II Ponte, Marg.
July 2 ..
McCormick, Fk. Leo Feb 9
13 Cole, Gertrude
Sept IS ٩١
Minor, Paul May 7 26 Leroy, James
Nov 6 ١١
9
Langevin, Addie Sophia Mch 3
26 Mentry, Marg.
June 13 '82
May 15
Duford, Stella Beatrix
May 12 June 7
Timman, Clydum Feb 28 24
Bloom, Anna Louise May 2 July I
Apr 29 Cummings, Joseph Loyd Dec 21 '82
I
Oct 25 '82 - I
116
1
REV. B. CARRAHER ASSISTANT AT CLAYTON FROM APRIL 1883 TO JULY 1883.
CHAPTER XIII.
Rev. Fathers James Smith and Charles L. McMorrow.
The nineteenth priest who was appointed pastor of Clay- ton was Rev. James Smith. He came here from Brash- er Falls in July 1883, and stayed in this place only five or six weeks. He lived alone in the rectory and boarded outside. Father Smith was of low size, thin and unim- pressive looking. He was fond of reading but was not a good speaker. His short pastorate here does not forin one of the bright pages in the history of St. Mary's parish. From here he went to Watertown, then to Col- orado, where he died in February 1891.
The only record of Fr. J. Smith, is a burial: Mrs. Capt. Halpin, Aug. 12, 1883.
Then came Rev. Charles L. McMorrow in Aug. 1883. As he was not sent here to stay, but to fill up an inter- regnum, he remained here only a few days, and during that time, he collected quite a few baptismal records that had been written merely on slips of paper and he care- fully entered all he found in the Register of Baptisms. Whilst here, Fr. McMarrow baptized the two following children:
Goulet, Eveline born Ang. 9, baptized Aug. 26, 1883.
Murphy, John Francis born Ang. 15, baptized Aug. 26, 1883.
119
CHAPTER XIV.
Rev. E. G. Brice .- The Rectory is Repaired .- A Kitch- e11, a Barn and New Horse Sheds Are Built .- St. Mary's New Church is Constructed Amidst Number- less Difficulties .- Ceremonies of the Laying of the Corner Stone, of the Dedication and of the Blessing of the New Bell.
The twentieth pastor of Clayton was the Rev. E. G. Brice. He came in September 1883 with all the vigor and buoyancy of youth and found an old house, a bare old church, a dilapidated church property and a down liearted and demoralized people. Though inexperien- ced, he was full of good will and ready for any under- taking that might benefit the Clayton people. He was pleasant, jovial, had a kind word for everybody, and, in a short time, endeared himself to the people. Upon his arrival, he caused the rectory to be painted and papered inside and bought new furniture for the whole house. Whilst the repairs were being made, he boarded at Mr. Joseph Thibault's, Sr. When the house was ready for occupancy Fr. Brice took up his abode in it, engaging as housekeeper, Honoral Delaney. This remarkable housekeeper deserves special mention in this history. She was housekeeper for the first pastor of St. Mary's
I 20
REV. CHARLES L. MCMARROW ATTENDED CLAYTON IN AUGUST 1883.
church in 1852 and served in some capacity or other almost every priest that attended Clayton with the ex- ception of the present pastor. A better proof of hier efficiency, honesty and fidelity cannot be given than these many years employed in the service of God's priests. At this writing, she is enfeebled by old age, being now 78 years old, but still enjoys fairly good health and bids fair to live several years longer.
Father Brice came here with the special command from his bishop, Rt. Rev. E. P. Wadhams, to build a new church. He made this desire of the prelate known to the Clayton people on the first Sunday he ministered here; and on the second Sunday, he called a meeting of the congregation in the old catholic schoolhouse, which stood on the north side of the present church, to decide what kind of church should be erected in this village. As is the case in all such important matters, there were differences of opinions. Some wanted merely to repair the old church, others to build another frame church, some favored a brick church, and others a stone one. As Fr. Brice was born in New York city he had lofty ideas about church buildings. Besides, he was partici- larly well impressed by this locality and its romantic surroundings. He soon learned that a nice class of peo- ple came here every summer, from all parts of America, and consequently, a grand church here would be the proper thing. So at that famous meeting, it was easily understood that Fr. Brice was heart and soul for a stone church. Nevertheless, the reasons, pro and con, were
123
given and a vote taken, and the great majority decided in favor of a stone church. Here Fr. Brice mnet with his first opposition which was only the first in a long series of others. Some rose and said: "If a stone church is built we will never give anything towards it." A few of thesc people kept their word, and let it be said to their shame, they never gave a cent nor even attended a "Bee."
When Father Brice took charge of this parish, he
found A Building fund of $190.20
A Bell fund of 301.18
A Window fund of 235.35
A Shed fund of 73.54
A Cemetery fund of 40.00
Total, $830.27
He at once set to work to organize a fair for Dec. 1883, which netted $1178.39 and this amount (less $1 35 .- 19 which was used to pay for repairs on the house and other expenses,) was added to the above funds.
During the winter of 1884, Father Brice commission- ed Ignatius D. Flynn of Cape Vincent, to draw plans for the contemplated church. These I. D. Flynn made and he exhibited them at the request of Fr. Brice before a meeting of the congregation. When asked how much such a church would cost, he answered, $20,000.00. This amount was considered by the majority to be be- yond the means of the congregation and they asked the architect to devise new plans which would not exceed
I24
REV. E. G. IRICE PASTOR AT CLAYTON FROM SEPTEMBER 1883 TO MARCH 1895.
$15,000.00, and to show them at a second meeting. This was agreed upon, and when the meeting took place, a few weeks later, the people present, accepted the new plans, after which our present new church was built.
In the spring of 1884, a kitchen costing $218.51 was added to the rectory and a barn which cost $306.81 was built. As the sheds built by Fr. Sherry in 1882 were blown down during the winter of 1884, Fr. Brice mnade an appeal to the farmers to rebuild them. Only a few responded and they built our present sheds at their own expense.
Although a great convenience, not to say a necessity, the building of the kitchen and the barn was an unfor- tunate occurrence for Fr. Brice. Many considered this an extravagance, others a proof of his inability to build a new church; a third class found fault because a part of the accumulated funds had been used for purposes different from those for which they had been intended. These funds had had their humble beginning as far back as Fr. De Saunhac's time, and people had been accustomed to look upon thein, as sacred, and not to be interfered with, except to add to them. This explains how, when part of these funds was used to build a kitch- chen and a barn there was a cry of indignation on the part of several parishoners. To pacify these malcon- tents, Fr. Brice took up a subscription to refund the money taken from the above mentioned funds, but only the following consented to sign this subscription: Geo.
I27
F. Thibault $10.00; Maurice Fitzgerald, $10.00; C. Downes, $5.00; Capt. O'Toole, $5.00; Jolin Foley, $5.00; H. Hamel, $2.00; Eli Charlebois, $2.00; James Delaney, $1.00; Fred Duford, $1.00. Total $41.00.
Notwithstanding this little reverse, Fr. Brice did not allow himself to be discouraged, and he took up a sub- scription for the new church in May 1884 which amount- ed to $4,375.00. This is the original subscription. It was drawn in the form of a note and subscribed by the following:
Duford, Joseplı Sr. $1,000.00
Halpin, Capt.
1,000.00
Delaney, J. J. Sr. 900.00
Fitzgerald, Win. and Mich. E. L. R. 600.00
Thibault, Geo. E. V.
125.00
Fitzgerald, John F. 250.00
Foley, John
250.00
McKinley, Geo. H. I 50.00
Fitzgerald, Barrington 100.00
Farrel Charles 50.00
All this money was paid in Fr. Brice's time, except- ing $485.00. Since that time I have received from Dan, Barney, Will and Eugene Farrell, $35.00 in full payment of their fathers subscription, Charles Farrel, and $260.00 from John and Will Delaney from their fathers' estate in account of his subscription.
This subscription, although signed by only ten men, was very gratifying to Fr. Brice, and with a few hun-
I28
dred dollars more raised by means of an excursion, a few festivals, a fair and a donation of $50.00 from C. G. Em- ery, $25.00 from Mr. Seeber, and of $10.00 from A. F. Barker, he thought he had sufficient money to justify the starting of the new church. Therefore, early in the fall of 1884 ground was broken for the building and quarrying and drawing stones begun. This work was continued all through the winters of 1884 and 1885. Most of the stone was donated by Joseph Charlebois and was quarried and drawn by "Bees." The sand was do- nated by Marg. Johnson and likewise drawn by "Bees." By the spring of 1885, there were enough stones drawn on the premises to start the mason work. The contract for the stone work of the basement was given to John F. McDonald for $400.00 with an additional cost of 40 cents per foot for cutting the water tables. The work on the foundation walls progressed so rapidly that by Aug. 5th, it was possible to lay and bless the corner stone. This was made the occasion of a grand celebra- tion. Rt. Rev. Bishop E. P. Wadhams of Ogdensburg, N. Y., blessed the corner stone and Rey. Peter J. H. Ryan now pastor af Cadyville, N. Y., preached the ser- 111011. There were several priests present and a large concourse of people. $357.00 were contributed for the church on that day.
As winter was not far off, the work on the church was suspended, but the quarrying and drawing of stones were continued through the fall of 1885 and the winter of 1886. At the same time, Fr. Brice continued to
129
raise money for the church. He had several festivals, sold the old cemetery to Guilbert Parish for $400.00, and took up the following subscriptions:
()'Brien, Dan
$80.00
: Charpentier. Nelson .25
Pine, Mary
6.00
Charpentier, Zoe
.25
Flynn, Mrs. J. B.
1.25
Lepage, John 11.00
Halpin, Baby
1.00
Lepage, Mrs. John
.25
Foley, Fred
.25
Lalonde. Xavier .50
Vigneron, Louise
6.00
Daniel, James
5.25
Fitzgerald, Joseph
2.00
Leroux, Mrs.
.25
Kennally, Mary
2.00
Langevin, Mrs. Milo
.25
Thibault, Mrs. Ben
2,00
Lachance, Joseph
.25
Charpentier, Mrs. Ben
.25
Langlois, Caroline
.25
Charpentier, Mrs.Sam
1.00
Dal, Alex
.50
McDonell, Michael
.30
Belleville, Charles
5.00
Purcell, Catharine
1.00
Yotte, Alez
.50
Brabant, Mrs. Jos, H.
.50
Lachance, Oliver
2.00
Belanger, Mrs. Agatha
.25
Charlebois, Eli
1.00
Mercier, Fril
6.00
Greau, Mr.
5.00
Stapleton, Bridget
7.00
Grean, Mrs.
2.00
Laporte, Mrs. Mich.
.25
Greau, Miss
1.00
Denis, Sam Sr.
2.00
Sureau. Charles
5.00
Laguerre, Stephen
5.00
Pilon, Stephen
5.00
Lalonde, George Sr.
8.00
O'Toole, Capt.
10.00
Moineau, Edward
1.00
Dowdall, Mrs. T.
6.00
Goulet, Albert
9.00
Kearns, Mrs.
10.00
Moniean, John
1.00
McCarn, Anna
5.00
Monieau, Mrs. John
.25
Menard, Alex
5.00
Monieau, Virginia
.25
Fitzgerald, Bros.
100.00
Lalonde, Jolin
50
Mckinley, Arthur
100.00
tetarte, Michael
16.co
Hamel, Hugh
40.00
Letarte, Catherine
.25
Williams, John
5.CO
Brabant, Leander
3.00
Bertrand, Oliver
5.00
Larpentigny, Frank
7.00
Thibault, Ben
20.00
Lanthier, Ozee
15.00
Ilellen.
2.23
Denis, Edward
11.00
Paul
1.00
Bertrand, Napoleon
10.00
Loretta
1.00
Collin, Mrs.
1.00
Philomena
1,00
Laughlin, Wm.
10,00
Sophia
1.90
Foley, Win. Sr.
1,00
Langevin, Mrs. M.
.50
Fitzgerald, Maurice
125.00
Pilon, Edward
5.00
Purcell, Mrs. Thos.
.25
Lepage, Joseph
.15
Roussel, Joseph
1.00
Kensella, A.
2.00
Churco, Joseph
21.00
Fitzgerald, Peter
10.00
Laguerre, Joseph
1.00
Emond, Leander
5.00
1 30
Emond, Mrs. Leander
5.00
Laguerre, Nellie 57.00
lowdall, Thomas
100.00
Kaneally, John 20.00
Thibault, Joseph Sr.
300.00
Jegoux, Frank 5.00
Delaney, Patrick (Duferno)
20.00
Denis, Leander Sr. 50.00
Charlebois, Joseph
75.00
IIyde, Wm. 10.00
Laughlin, James Jr.
10.00
Boyle, Terence
5.00
Wheelock, Mrs. Mary
9.00
McGoban, Mrs.
5.00
Feney. Joseph
5.00
Vincent, Mrs. Mary
2.00
Dailey, Mrs. E.
5.00
Mckinley, Maurice 5.00
Laughlin, Andrew
30.00
Bazinett, Minnie
2.00
Laughlin, James (Cow)
78.00
Fitzpatrick, Joseph
5.00
Charpentier, Ben
2.00
Barker, Frank
10.00
Bazinet, John
7.00
Sharron, Joseph
5.00
Kelley, Ambrose
5.00
Doe, Alex.
10.00
Flynn, Mrs. J. D.
1.25
Lepage, Edward
5.00
Lepage, David
.50
Sawyers, Benj.
5.00
Denis, Sam Jr.
.25
Charpentier, Zeg.
13.06
Denis, Mrs. Sam Sr.
1.00
Shoughnessy, James
5.00
Denis, Lilie
.25
Brennan, Patrick
5.00
Potter, Mr.
10.00
Rindsall, P.
5.00
Konnolly, Kate
1,00
Gillette Mrs. Sarah
5.00
Kelley, Mrs.
.50
Delaney Eugene
10.00
Turgeon, Mrs. Mary
.50
Hubbard, J. T.
50.00
Longtin, Joseph
5.00
Emond, Napoleon
5.00
Belanger, Mrs. Sarah
.40
Kelsey, George
15.00
Lefebvre, Fred
5.00
Maher, Edward
25.00
Lalonde, Geo. Jr.
1.00
Morrison, J.
10.00
Brabant, Addie
.25
Lefebvre, Moses
· 1.75
Laguerre, Georgiana
1.00
Cantwell, P. B.
50.00
Farrel, Eugene
1.00
Thibault, Anthony
50.00
Fitzgerald, Maurice Jr.
70.00
Charlebois, Tennie
2:00
Delaney, James
50.00
Bertrand, John
5.00
Dwyer, James
40.00
Thibault, Bruno
5.00
Delaney, Mrs. Wm.
20.00
Brice, Rev. E. G.
100.00
Charlebois, Eli Sr.
25.00
Bazinet, Mrs. John
2.00
Delaney, M.
5.00
Fitzgerald, Patrick
5.00
Collins, Bessie
3.00
Mills, Kittie
5.00
C. G. Emery's hired girls
20,00
Potter, Augustus
5.00
Brabant, Joseph
5.00
Hayes, John
100.00
Lalonde, Amos
4.50
Lanthier, Mrs.
5.00
Desrosiers, Alex.
5.00
Lawler, Mrs.
30.00
Madigan, Thomas
5.00
Barker, Frank
25.00
Denis, Leander Jr.
10.00
Angell, W.
10.00
Gauthier, Moses
5.00
Langhlin, James Sr.
110.00
Farrell, Dan
10.00
Fitzgerald, Patrick
10,00
Charlebois, Mrs. A
.50
Foley, Mrs. John
100.00
Flynn, J. B.
30.00
Myers, Mrs. E.
1.00
Marshal, Charles
50.00
Lalond, Z.
5.00
Emond, Louis
5.00
Roy, Robert
2.00
131
The work on the church was resumed in may, 1886, under the supervision of I. D. Flynn, but no contract was given out, and all the men including I. D. Flynn worked by the day. There seemed to be then but one desire of priest and of the majority of the people, to . push the work ahead and have the church enclosed be- fore another winter would set in. As this necessitated more money than was on hand, a loan became urgent. Therefore, Father Brice borrowed $2,100 from the First National Bank of Clayton, and $1,500 from William Whaley of Lafargeville. The church was enclosed late in the fall and a fair was held in it March 6, 1887, the largest Father Brice ever had, and it netted $1,315.98. After paying out this money, the debt remaining on the church March 20, 1887, was $2,700. As the people were unwilling, at that particular time, to incur a greater indebtedness, Father Brice decided to suspend the work on the church until more money could be raised. He therefore set to work again, had several picnics, excur- sions, suppers, a fair, and sold for $25 one hundred chairs which he had received from C. G. Emery. But on ac- count of insurance, interest and other current expenses, the debt was reduced but very little, and so Father Brice thought that the wisest course to follow was to borrow more money and to mortgage the church. Here, Father Brice inet with great opposition. Although, many agreed with him, that it was best to borrow money in order to finish the church, yet the mojority of the people was opposed to placing a mortgage on the property.
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Thus they did all in their power to put obstacles in the way of the project. Notwithstanding this opposition, $5,000 was borrowed March 18, 1889, and as this amount did not suffice, later on, another loan of $7,000 were placed on the church. Father Brice had great difficulty in finding the requisit number of bondsmen, but after much hard work and much solicitation he succeeded in getting the following: John E. Fitzgerald, Leander Denis Sr., Jerome B. Flynn, Charles Farrell, John W. Hayes, George H. Mckinley, Pat B. Cantwell, John Foley, N. B. Bertrand, Jos. H. Brabant, Oliver La- chance, Edward Denis Sr., Michael Fitzgerald, Win1. Fitzgerald, Edward Maher. These inen deserve much credit and praise and they should forever be considered as benefactors of the church, for they made it possible for Father Brice to finish the church, which has proven to be the wisest course he could have followed. In con- nection with this mortgage, I must state that St. Mary's congregation owes a debt of gratitude to A. F. Barker, president of the First National bank of Clayton, who succeeded in getting the state legislature to authorize the corporation of St. Mary's church to mortgage their church to the amount of $12,000. Without Mr. Barker or some one else to do this the trustees could never have mortgaged the church, and it would probably still be in an incomplete state.
The work on the church was resumed in earnest in the spring of 1889 ; but at that time, neither pastor nor people contemplated finishing the building. The tower
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was to be left unfinished; there was no question of frescoeing the church at the time ; there was no mention of marble altars. Yet, as the work progressed, one thing suggested another. Pat B. Cantwell donated all the long sticks of timber required for scaffolding. W111. and Michael Fitzgerald, E. L. R., donated all the fine sand needed for plastering and pointing the church. Leander Denis Sr., suggested that, if the tower were completed, he would sign a contract to furnish and cut all the stones necessary for completion, for $400. This was considered very cheap and a great bargain and was accordingly accepted. William Grant agreed, by con- tract, to finish the mason work on the tower, to build all the church steps, to point, pencil and paint the out- side walls of the church, to lath and plaster the inside for $1,650. The contract for all the wood work and the pews was given to the Clayton Furniture M'fg. Co. for $1,474.27, the contract for crosses and cresting was taken by J. C. Wilson for $330. Whilst the scaffolding was 11p, Moses Lefebvre and others suggested that the fres- coeing could never again be done as cheaply as at that time, and so it was dicided then and there to have the church frescoed at once, and the contract was let to A. Ertle of New York city for $2.600.
Then the pastor made his own suggestion, which was, to get Marble altars at once. This proposition met with favor. Mr. Joseph Thibault and his family George, John, Anthony, Joseph Jr. and Henry Dubois donated the Blessed Virgins' altar, which cost $250. The con-
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