USA > Texas > Galveston County > Galveston > Diamond jubilee, 1847-1922, of the diocese of Galveston and St. Mary's Cathedral > Part 5
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In the county of Nacogdoches there are about six hundred Catholics, half of whom are Mexicans. There is no priest, an old beadle recites the prayers on Sunday, not in a church but in the house of a Catholic Mexican. To the southeast of the town there are still a few Catholics but scattered over a great extent of territory. Colonel Sublett, a very rich and influential man, lives near San Augustine. He came to Houston to visit me. He showed his zeal for religion and asked me to come and visit that section and lodge with him. M. Robert, who was a member of the convention which proclaimed the independence of Texas, who exercises great influence in that section, came to visit me and expressed the same sentiments. These two responsible gentle- men have joined General Houston and have commenced near the mouth of the Sabine River a new town, which will soon be of considerable size and flourishing. They have asked me to send a priest who may visit that town from time to time, and they have promised to give the land for the building of a church, which they will construct at their own expense. To the east of the Sabine
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and in the State of Louisiana there are found some Catholic fami- lies, whose total will amount to a hundred souls.
So you see, my dear Superior, that the needs are extreme. The priests who come to Texas ought to be closely observed and carefully selected. Their conduct ought to be edifying, in order to repair scandals and to gain public confidence. Moreover, one finds here a great number of strong men. The Protestant minis- ters are more capable than those of the United States. The need then will be for learned priests, capable of doing honor to religion and endowed with a particular tact to defend the Catholic faith without wounding the susceptibilities of their adversaries.
After taking counsel with our friends, we are returning as soon as possible to New Orleans, in order to withdraw the faculties of the unfortunate priest of San Antonio. It will be necessary to send missionaries fortified with very regular and very authentic powers in order to avoid a schism. At once we shall send evan- gelical workers to Matagorda, to Victoria and to Refugio. In two or three months the churches at Houston and Galveston will be built. It will be necessary to put priests there, who cannot fail to accomplish much good. I await for your instructions and orders, but I await them impatiently.
In two or three years the Church in Texas can pay its own way, but at this moment it is important to organize, and we can- not do so without great expense. Everything is very dear. Im- migration is so heavy that all the necessities are high priced, production not being in proportion to consumption. It will not be so in two years. But now is the time to act or otherwise the Protestants will precede us.
P. S .- New Orleans, Jan. 14 .- We arrived today at New Orleans. I awaited my return to mail this letter. I am sending back at once to Donaldsonville Father Lleberia, who accompanied me to Texas, and who was very useful on the trip. I will stay here to give a retreat at the Hospital.
With the homage of my respect, I have the honor to be, etc.
TIMON, Priest of the Mission.
The letter which precedes is not a complete copy. The original contains much matter which the Editor of The Annals of the Propagation of the Faith saw fit to suppress. Nothing of import- ance was omitted, but those anxious to read the entire letter can find it in "The Annals of the Congregation of the Mission," Vol. V, pp. 89-108.
The letter of his traveling companion, Father Lleberia, supplies the voids which the humility of Father Timon caused him to pass over in silence.
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New Orleans, July 15, 1839.
To Father Etienne, Procur. Genl. C. M. Paris.
My dear Confrere :
It is some time since I have taken up with you our dear mission of America. I have a beautiful occasion to do so today. I have just returned from a very interesting trip to Texas with Father Timon. He will give the particulars of the journey no doubt, but he will omit the details concerning himself of which his modesty will not permit him to speak. That is the reason that I take it up with you, at the risk of repeating what you already know.
I was sent to Assumption, LaFourche, soon after my arrival in America. I was occupied there in the work of the ministry when I was informed that I had been designated to ac- company Father Timon in his visitation of Texas. I ar- rived at New Orleans Christmas Eve and went to the Cathedral. After Mass, I went to the Bishop's House, where I met Father Timon, who told me that it was necessary to leave for Texas at once. It was painful to pass Christmas Day at sea, but it was impossible to do otherwise; the steamboat sailed that day. We went aboard at ten in the morning and arrived in Galveston the 26th at nine in the evening. We waited until morning to go ashore and we could find no lodging except at a pretty poor hotel. Hap. pily we remained there only a few hours. Providence reserved for us better hospitality in the home of one of the citizens, where we erected an altar to celebrate the sacred mysteries. Father Timon went from door to door to see if he could find any Cath- olics in the city. He met some, but they were such only in name. However, they yielded to the impress of his zeal and he had soon gained the hearts of a number of the faithful and heretics. The following Sunday he gave Holy Communion to those who had been to confession. I was appointed to say the ten o'clock Mass. Many people were present and Protestants were not lacking. Father Timon told me to sit down after the gospel, as he wished to say a few words to the people. Those few lasted for three- quarters of an hour, during which the attendants listened with attention and extraordinary recollection. After the Mass he said prayers and invited those present to return in the afternoon for an instruction upon the truths of religion. They came back at the hour indicated but in a much larger number than in the morning. He commenced his discourse at two o'clock and did not finish until five, and the people were so touched that some ex- pressed regret that he had finished too soon. Many Protestants were moved, among others the American consul, whom I observed during the sermon, and who wished immediately afterward to meet Father Timon and confer with him. He avowed to me
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that he understood now the truth of the Catholic religion. "I can not any longer resist the force of the truth and I am ready to embrace it, when I shall be sufficiently instructed." He offered us his services and even lodging in his house. His wife shares his sentiments and many others are well disposed so that the day a church is built in Galveston, the city will be Catholic. Father Timon thinks as I do, and put himself in touch with prominent men of the city, to seek the means of building a church. He inspired such confidence in them that they adopted the plan pro- posed and have started out to accomplish it. In a few months the church will be finished. It will be one hundred and fifty feet long and one hundred and twenty in width. Father Timon has decided nothing yet regarding divine services. I must avow that when I saw the happy dispositions of all hearts that I cried out interiorily, "O! Lord; what a beautiful and vast field there is here presented for the zeal of the Children of St. Vincent !"
Only a few days before the Protestant ministers asked permis- sion to build in the city a temple which would serve for the exercise of all religions. They did not obtain it, and here we are asking that a church be built and consecrated to the Catholic re- ligion alone to the exclusion of all other beliefs, and we have been able to obtain our desires.
We remained at Galveston only five days, during which we had the happiness to gain some souls to Christ. We went at once to Houston. That city, which is in existence only twenty months, is the first city of the Republic, because it is the seat of govern- ment and of the two houses, the Senate and the House of Repre- sentatives. We arrived there at second of January at six o'clock in the morning. Father Timon had the pleasure of meeting there a Representative whom he knew, and soon he was put in touch with many other distinguished men. They asked him to preach the following Sunday at the Capitol, which was filled with a crowd eager to hear him. He began at half-past three and spoke until five, and they listened with great attention. He was sur- rounded, after his sermon, by a great number of the Senators and Deputies, who expressed their satisfaction and asked him to preach again, if his stay in Houston could be prolonged. His sermon was transcribed by many for insertion in the public prints. From that moment, his friend, the Representative, stayed with us and tried to do everything possible for his entertainment. There was no longer question of human respect. The Catholics made open confession of their faith and were respected. Many Protest- ants indicated their respect for our faith. One of them said to me, "I am a Protestant, but nevertheless I wish to see a Catholic church here. I have no hesitancy in saying that I admire your Church and many others would be disposed to embrace the Cath- .
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olic faith, if we had here a man like your Father Superior. Ask him to stay with us."
As at Galveston, Father at once opened a subscription to build a church, which was covered with numerous signatures. The work has commenced and in a few months it will be finished.
The best people in the city have asked us to visit them. We have been compelled to offer excuses because of our work in visiting the sick and hearing confessions.
I do not know whether I shall be of the number of those who are destined to work in Texas, but I am at the disposition of Di- vine Providence.
In the love of our Savior, LLEBERIA, Priest of the Mission.
From a letter of Bishop Blanc to Fr. Jeanjean, May 27, 1839, we learn that two other Lazarists had visited Texas :
"M. Paquin et M. Chandy viennent d'arriver d'une visite au Texas. Ils l'ont parcouru a entier, presque, et sont enchantes de la perspective pour l'avenir de la religion dans ce pays, mais il ne faute perdre de temps".
"Mr. Paquin and Mr. Chandy have just arrived from a visit to Texas. They have gone through the whole state and are en- chanted with the prospects for the future of religion in that country, but no time is to be lost."
CHAPTER VI.
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BISHOP ODIN'S DIARY.
We present only the high lights. We regret that space for- bids the printing of Bishop Odin's diary in its entirety. We are indebted to Monsignor W. W. Hume of New Orleans for our copy. It tells a story of wonderful travel, intense zeal and self- sacrifice "wrought with labor and travail night and day" (II Thess. III 8), so that like Timothy of Paul, we know his "doc- trine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, pa- tience." (II Tim. III io).
May 2d, 1840. I left St. Mary's Seminary, Perry County, Mo., for Texas. Went with Mr. Dortrelmine to Cape Girar- deau. (Headache.)
7th. That day will never be forgotten by the inhabitants of Natchez. Between 2 and 3 p. m. a dreadful hurricane swept off almost all the houses; great many lives lost; sight frightful ; trees torn down; S. B. Prairie all torn into pieces; S. B. Hind sunk; great many flat boats destroyed; people drowned; young Emanuel Blanc, from St. Louis University, killed. Rainy day and hail storm. Our escape from the hurricane was certainly miraculous, as we were within a short distance from the region of it, and would have been in it had we not stopped for a few moments. The Mississippi overflowing from the mouth of the Ohio down to Pointe Coupee. I saw Mr. Brozier at Natchez.
July Ist, 1840. I embarked on schooner Henry, master, Ed- ward Auld, for Linnville, Texas.
2nd. At 9 o'clock we left the balize. Calm during the day.
8th. We saw land and entered the pass, Cavallo, anchored for a moment at the Custom House, where the brig Sam Hous- ton laid at anchor, and then continued as far as Indian, where we remained aground until the 11th.
12th. We arrived in the evening at the port of Linnville.
13th. Went ashore and met Messrs. James Fulkerson and Renfroe. Judge Hayes, a Catholic, Mr. Ewing and his sister who was raised at Nazareth, Ky. Put up at Mr. Lanes and went and saw Mr. Watts, who was to be married on the follow- ing Saturday, to Miss Ewing. There are at Linnville about 12 houses.
16th. I went to Victoria in company with Col. McDonald,
y
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a Catholic. Put up at Mr. Linn's. There are about 24 Catholic families at this place; 40 more reside at Don Carlo's ranch, 18 miles from Victoria; 5 on Coleto, 9 miles, and 7 Mexicans and 2 Irish families at Goliad, on the San Antonio, 30 miles from Victoria.
2Ist. We started for San Antonio, leaving Fr. Estany, Pas- tor of Victoria and of all the neighboring places. That evening we stopped on the Coleto, a small creek.
23rd. We visited in the morning La Abaia, or Goliad, a town built in the year or about 1715. There was at first a plain church with a common roof, La Abaia was very much injured in 1835 and it was almost completely destroyed in 1836, in the month of March. The population was then 1,500 souls. There was an old fortification around the church. The patron of the church is Our Lady of Loretto. There are only seven Mexican, two Irish and two American families living in Goliad. Goliad stands on a beautiful eminence on the banks of the San Antonio river. The prairies around are vast and fertile. From a dis- tance the traveler is struck by the view of the few buildings still standing, and imagines himself approaching one of the ancient cities of Italy. It was first called La Abaia, on account of its being near or dependent on the Abbey of St. Bernard, or Copano, about fifteen leagues distant from it. It has taken the name of Goliad on account of a request made by a man named Raphael Manchiola, a celebrated man who lived at the old place and was a representative for the place in the year 1829. Near Goliad, on the opposite side of the San Antonio river, stands an old ruined church, known by the name of the Mission of Espiritu Santo. It was erected by the King of Spain for the Indian mission and was under the care of the religious of Guadalupe. It was destroyed in the year 1814 by order of the King of Spain. Five miles west of Goliad there are likewise the ruins of a church and convent called Mission Rosario. The Mission Del Refugio is 8 leagues distant from Goliad.
30th. We arrived at San Antonio early in the morning and took our lodging in a house of Mr. Cassiano. Visited Fr. Valdez and later in the evening went to see Father Garza.
August 6th. I went to receive from Mr. De la Garza some silver vessels belonging to the church. The same day the old father was arrested and conducted under escort to Austin, on account of a letter he had written to General Aristo to inform him of movements of the Federals.
IIth. Mr. Calvo carried, publicly, the Blessed Sacrament to a sick man. The ceremony was attended by a large concourse of people. It had not been witnessed for fourteen years. The old people were shedding tears of joy.
T
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15th. High mass and Spanish instructions at 12 o'clock. Great confusion in town; it was rumored that the Indians had attacked San Bartolo ranchio; it was contradicted. On the same day there was a meeting of trustees for repairing the church to which I was invited. I asked of Mr. Smith if there was any order from the civil authority to ring the bells for Protestant burials, horse races, cock fights, etc., etc., and he told me not, and when informed that it was contrary to our rules he advised me to pursue from now on the course I would have to adopt afterwards. They gave me also permission of using the silver plate for repairs of the sanctuary.
16th. I preached in English to a small congregation. That same day, at 8 p. m, died Col. Henry W. Karnes, a man of great worth, regretted by all ; he fought in many battles.
17th. Received a letter from Father Estany informing me that the Indians had robbed him of everything. I wrote back to him. In the evening Mr. Iffiard came to ask permission to ring the bells for Mr. Karnes' burial; I told him it was impos- sible.
18th. Burial of Colonel Karnes. Mr. Dwyer came again to ask permission to ring bells; I told him it was impossible. Great displeasure among some Americans. A doctor and a lawyer went to the steeple to ring; I said nothing. They had in the evening a meeting, but could get only nine persons to attend.
19th. At the instigation of John W. Smith they tried to get up among the Mexicans a list in favor of Father Garza, to re- store him to his office, but they failed in the attempt.
20th. They brought me a copy of the resolutions drafted at the soi-distant public meeting, to which I replied on the spot. I wrote to Fr. Timon.
Oct. 13th. Mr. Flores, in the evening of yesterday, after his night's devotions, was reflecting on the number of people killed since the Ist of January, 1840, till the 12th of October of the same year. He recollected that thirty-five Mexican natives of San Antonio had been killed by the Comanches, three more were supposed to have perished likewise under their blows; fourteen Americans were also dispatched to their graves in that space of time by the same foe.
Nov. 10th, 1840. I visited Mr. Flores' ranchio, on the bank of the Guadalupe. Great many people living at the ranchio. We crossed the Guadalupe and visited Seguin, a small town laid out in the early part of 1838 and composed of about fifteen scattered houses. The location is handsome, but unimproved. We had a very heavy rain during the greater part of the dav. We encamped at night new M. King's house, about nine miles from Gonzales. Heavy rain during the night.
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IIth. We crossed the San Mark, a very rapid and beautiful stream that empties into the Guadalupe about half a mile from Gonzales. Passed through Gonzales at 12 o'clock. This town was laid out in the year 1826 by James Kerr, agent of Dewitt Colony, the 5th of January, 1826. The first inhabitant was Mr. James Kerr. On the 2nd day of July, 1826, it was destroyed by the Indians, containing then about 14 inhabitants. In the fall of 1827 it was re-peopled again. Mr Kerr gave it the name of Gonzales, from the Governor of the Province. It was alto- gether inhabited by Americans. In the year 1836 it contained about 30 houses and on hearing of the fall of the Alamo the Americans burnt it down. It is now a town of about 25 houses. Seems to be growing. We encamped on the bank of the Guada- lupe near Mrs. McCoy's house. Heavy white frost.
13th. 23 miles from Victoria I met Mr. Patrick Dullen, a Catholic from Missouri. Traversed very extensive prairies. Large pecans grow on the bank of the Guadalupe. Early in the morning we arrived at Victoria. I spent my time with Fr. Estany ; found him quite thin, he has been sick during all the fall. They are repairing the church. Victoria was first settled in the year 1824 by Martino DeLeon and contained about 113 families, all Mexicans except Mr. Linn's family. The place was under the jurisdiction of Father Valdez, Parish Priest of Laba- hia, but he sent down occasionally Padre Miguel Muro, a reli- gious of Guadalupe who resided at the Mission of Refugio with Padre Diaz; both excellent men. Padre Muro left in 1833 for Zacatecas. Fr. Diaz was sent to Nacogdoches at about the years 1829 or 30 and was killed in 1834 on the Trinity River. At Victoria we heard of the success obtained by Col. John H. Moore against the Comanches. Accompanied by 120 men and a good number of Lepans, he went up to the head waters of the Colo- rado about 300 miles above Austin, met a village, killed 48 in the battle ground and 88 more were killed in the water or drowned. They took 30 prisoners 6 of whom escaped from them. They took also 400 head of horses and mules. I heard also of the return of Major Howard at San Antonio on the evening of the day we left; he had no success.
Nov. 29th, 1840,. I arrived at Austin and put up at Mr. Thompson's.
Nov. 30th. I visited Mr. DeSaligny, who invited me to his house. I assisted at the discussions of Congress.
Ist of Dec., 1840. I received from Mr. DeSaligny two or three acres of land for a church and convent and put up with him. I sent my horse and mule to Mr. Smith's.
2nd. I visited some few Catholic families and Hon. Mr. Myrne.
1
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3rd. I assisted at the debate of Congress.
4th. I bought 2 lots for the sum of $280 Texas money.
5th. A great dinner at Mr. DeSaligny, at which assisted General Sam Houston and many members of Congress.
9th. I bought six lots, 7, 8, 9, 10, II and 12 in block 28 facing Cedar, Labacia and Colorado Streets for the sum of $366. I visited Mr. Bonnell, editor of "The Texas Sentinel."
Ioth. Yesterday in the evening there arrived an express from San Antonio. That Col. Seguin had joined the Centralists and that many of the people of San Antonio were leaving the country. Great excitement at Austin. This day I bought again lot No. 4 in block 28 for the sum of $40.
IIth. Opened a subscription for building a church at Austin and received my patent for 2 lots Nos. 3 and 4 in block 62. The church at Austin is to be under the invocation of St. Louis. I became acquainted with Mr. Hill, a particular friend of Mr. DeSaligny, who lives on the road to LaGrange, 50 miles below Austin.
14th. I saw in a Galveston paper the arrival there of Revs. Timon and Stehle. I began to write to Cardinal Fransoni.
16th. I wrote to Cardinal Fransoni. We had dinner with General Sam Houston and General Harrison.
2Ist. I gave my petition to Col. Porter to be presented to the house. In the morning it was read in the house and referred to a select committee. At 12 o'clock Mr. Byrne and Dr. Miller were appointed to come and communicate to me that I had been designated to act as chaplain for the Senate. I accepted. [ wrote to Mr. DeSaligny. We prepared an altar. In the eve- ning, Frs. Timon and Stehle arrived in Austin.
25th. I celebrated 3 masses. Rev. Timon preached twice, 57 assisted in the morning and some few in the evening.
28th. We celebrated mass. My petition that had been re- ferred to a select committee was brought before the house and referred to the committee of the State of the Republic. In the evening a great dinner given to the Vice-President.
29th. We celebrated mass and took away our chapel. The committee of the State of the Republic reported favorably on my bill.
30th. Very cold weather. Rain and sleet,. My bill came before the house at the request of Col. Mayfield. Messrs. Van- Zandt, Mayfield, Porter and Houston spoke in favor.
At the request of Mr. VanNess the church of the "Alamo" was struck out of the bill. Mr. Blow wanted to reserve also the church of the "Conception," but was not supported. The bill passed by 30 yeas and 4 nays.
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3Ist. My bill was carried to the Senate. General Houston wanted to put a substitute to reclaim the church of the "Alamo." We started from Austin and rode down to Mr. Alex Van- hamin's.
Jan. Ist, 1841. We celebrated mass at Mr. Vanhamin's. Father Timon made a short instruction. We started for Bastrop and arrived early in the evening ; put up at Mr. Doyle's.
2nd. Father Timon preached in evening in the Court House in Bastrop. In the morning we celebrated mass in Mr. O'Con- nell's house.
3rd. We celebrated mass. Father Timon preached in the morning on the "Real Presence," and in the evening on the various points of our doctrine : "Existence on the Trinity, Pur- gatory, and Confession." Great concourse.
4th. We celebrated mass and started for Houston. We put up at night at Mr. Miller's, a Presbyterian preacher. Long dis- cussion on religion.
6th. We arrived at San Felipe-de-Austin on the Brazos River and put up at Mr. Bollinger's. It was formerly a place of some size, but was burnt down by order of General Sam Houston, at the time of the war.
8th. We arrived at Houston and put up at Mr. DeChene.
9th. Very rainy weather, we went about through the mud. In the evening we fixed an altar.
Ioth. We celebrated mass in Mr. Bernard Careher's store. Father Timon preached on the Eucharist and in the evening preached in the old Senate room. Large audience. We opened subscription list.
IIth. After having appointed Messrs. Donnellan, DeChene and Careher a building committee, we started for Galveston on board S. B. "Dayton." We sent our horses to Mr. Earl's near Lynchburg.
12th. We arrived at Galveston at about II a. m. Very rainy weather. We put up at Mr. Peter J. Menard and fixed an altar at Menard & Co.'s warehouse.
Founder of Galveston.
The grave of a man who belonged in a peculiar sense to Galveston may be found in the old Catholic Cemetery on Avenue K. The grave is that of Michel B. Menard, founder of Galveston. It was Colonel Menard who in 1836, organized the Galveston City Company, laid off the town and obtained the first charter. His grave, in a far corner of the cemetery, is marked by a simple but impressive monument which bears this inscription: "Michel B. Menard, born in Canada Dec. 5, 1805, died in Galveston September 2, 1856. After a life illustrated by
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