USA > Texas > Galveston County > Galveston > Diamond jubilee, 1847-1922, of the diocese of Galveston and St. Mary's Cathedral > Part 6
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BISHOP J. M. ODIN, C. M. First Bishop of Galveston
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DIOCESE OF GALVESTON
13th. We celebrated mass and afterward went about to visit the town.
14th. We celebrated mass. Steamship "Neptune" arrived from New Orleans and brought a nun of the "Visitation," by the name of Cournace, with a novice. She said she was coming from Wisconsin. Miss Mathews was the name of the novice. They had no money to pay for passage. We advised them to return to New Orleans. Father Timon paid for them in the tavern while at Galveston.
18th. We became security to Mr. N. D. Labadie, for the congregation of Galveston to pay up to him the sum of $400 or the portion of that sum which may be wanting after he will have done all in his power to collect the subscriptions towards the building of the church. He and P. J. Menard will become securities to the carpenter. Very cold.
2Ist. We celebrated mass early in the morning. Started on a skiff for Harrisburg, but the current being too strong, we took up a pack horse and arrived at Houston late in the night, after walking 9 miles, knee deep in water and mud.
22nd. We celebrated mass and paid some few visits. Dried our clothes.
23rd. We celebrated mass at Houston and at II a. m. started for Nacogdoches. We arrived late in the evening at Burnett's on Big Cypress.
30th. We arrived late in the evening at Nacogdoches.
3Ist. We celebrated mass and Father Timon preached in the morning and evening.
February Ist, 1841. We celebrated mass and performed different duties at Nacogdoches.
March 6th. I celebrated mass and preached at Mr. Fagan's and went to Refugio. Visited the church and got it cleaned. I said mass at Refugio. Preached and came back to Don Carlos.
public and private virtues he rests in the country whose infancy he adopted and in the city which he founded. His deeds are recorded in the history of his state. His memory is embalmed in the hearts of his family and friends. Requiescat in Pace."
The grave was for nearly half a century shaded by a giant oak tree, one of the three in that vicinity, which were known as landmarks all over the island. The tree was blown down in the 1900 storm and shortly afterward the wreck was removed, the stump burned out and the present monument erected.
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HISTORY OF THE
"NOTES ON THE MISSION OF REFUGIO."
The mission Del Refugio was founded for the Indians, Raran-Rawses. It was first located on a spot on the other side of the Rio Guadalupe, about four and half miles above the junction of that river, with the San Antonio river, about the year 1700. It was kept there for about 3 or 4 years, but as the other Indians of the same tribe who were not yet brought to the Mis- sion, did a great deal of damage to the Mission, it was removed to a point called Musquito's, small creek 3 miles from the San Antonio river 10 miles from Mr. Fagan. They remained there but one year and finding the point of Refugio better, they then moved to Refugio, where they built houses of wood, and a stone church. That Mission was under the care of the Religous of Guadalupe of Zacatecas, where all the Archives are to be found. The first Father who founded it was Father Garza. At Musquito, Father J. M. Ruez. At Refugio, Padre F. Emanuel Selva. There were at least from four to five hundred Indians; they had a great deal of stock, vast fields. The last Father was Padre Muro. In the year 1814 it was destroyed but still continued until the year 1825 when it was impossible to keep it together on account of the Comanches.
April 16th, 1841. We arrived at New Orleans at 10 o'clock a. m. I went to the Bishop's house, heard of Father Jeanjean's death ; he departed this life on the 11th, Easter Sunday. During High Mass the Bishop handed me bulls appointing me Bishop of Claudiopolis and coadjutor of Detroit. So much frightened that I could not read them. Heard also of Mr. Broyderick's death.
27th. I said mass and preached at the Asylum at II o'clock a. m. Started for Galveston on board S. Packet Savannah.
29th. We arrived at 3 p. m. at Galveston.
July 4th, 1841. I preached at Galveston.
5th. I wrote to Father Etienne, Father Timon, my Mother, Mr. Paquin and Bishop Blanc. I gave a draft for the church of Galveston for $100.
Dec. 28th. I started from San Antonio after having spent October, November and December in repairing the old church. On the 5th of December we said High Mass with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in thanksgiving for the repairs the church had undergone. A great multitude attended. On the 12th of December, feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, great con- course. On the 25th I celebrated mass at San Jose. We went to
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DIOCESE OF GALVESTON
stay all night at the rancho of Arrochia. On that day 14 Indians killed a Mexican at the Sizlitas.
Jan. 28th, 1842. I said mass at Mr. Haber Mahon's and arrived in the evening at Houston.
30th. I said mass and preached in Houston; assisted a person for death.
3Ist. I made a burial, heard some few confessions-8 con - fessions and 6 Communions.
Feb. Ist. Bargained for planks, for the church at Houston.
3rd. Started for Galveston.
6th. I said mass for the first time in the new church of St. Mary's at Galveston. It cost $900 and I have already paid towards it $400. I spent $20 to fix the altar.
7th. I heard 10 confessions and gave 7 communions. I made a burial.
9th. On this day there arrived from Havre, the French ship Atalante with many French emigrants. Mr. DePhilbeaucourt and lady, Mr. DeBaron de Monsabert, Mr. Delatre, Mr. Helle- beaut, Goinin and lady ; footman, etc.
17th. I left Galveston on board the steamship Neptune for New Orleans at 12 o'clock.
19th. In the evening we arrived at New Orleans, where I found Mr. Boullier.
24th. I began my retreat at the Ursuline Convent previous to my consecration.
26th. Father Timon arrived at New Orleans with Mr. Rolando.
March 6th. On this day I was consecrated Bishop of Claudi- opolis and Vicar Apostolic of Texas by the Rt. Rev. Dr. A. Blanc assisted by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Portier and.
The ceremony took place in the Cathedral.
May IIth. I left New Orleans for Galveston at II o'clock a. m. on board New York.
13th. Arrived at Galveston.
15th.' I preached at Galveston.
17th. I bought Mr. Burger's house and moved into it.
June 12th, 1842. I preached twice. The sacristy was com- pleted yesterday. _
July 4th. I received letters from Rome relative to the Jubi- lee. Dr. De Saligny gave $100 for alms and bench in church.
17th. I opened and celebrated for the first time the holy mysteries in the Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Houston. Several members of Congress present. I preached twice.
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HISTORY OF THE
Sept. 19. Early this morning between midnight and I o'clock a. m. a strong north wind, accompanied by a very heavy rain ; high tide coming above the Tremont. Several houses blown down and among them our church and that of the Episcopalians. Mr. Savage and Mr. Hall were great sufferers, and many other people.
2Ist. Mr. Barton reported to have died of yellow fever and two others very sick. Today the positive news arrived that the Mexicans had taken San Antonio on the IIth of this month; 1,300 strong under command of Gen. Woll, fifty-three Ameri- cans were taken.
Dec. 10th. I heard three confessions and gave two Coni- munions. On this day Mr. Cassiano arrived from San Antonio on his way to New Orleans. On this day I bought a 10-acre lot of Dr. Levi Jones for the sum of $500, for which I gave him a draft on Bishop Blanc payable on the 15th April.
Feb. 5th, 1843. I preached, heard one confession, and gave one Communion. The Houston bell was cast on this day.
6th. I heard one confession and gave one Communion. An election was held for sheriff and Magnus S. Rodgers was elected. The bell was carried all over town by the Germans.
7th. We heard that the Brazos and Colorado were overflow- ing. Great many fences, cattle and houses carried off and also cotton bales floating in every direction.
IIth. We concluded the work of the steeple at Houston and suspended the bell. The inscription on the bell, D. O. M. (cross) St. Vincenti, ora pro nobis, Houston, Texas, 1843.
March 22nd, 1843. For the first time I rang the bell for mass. I heard two confessions. Mr. Edward Dwyer came to pay me a visit on his way to San Antonio. The inscription on the bell at Galveston: D. O. M. (cross) Sta. Maria, ora pro nobis, A. M. P .- Epco Illmo. ac. Revmo. J. M. Odin, cast by Schemiox & J. Wilson, Houston, Texas, 1843.
May IIth, 1844. Messrs. Paquin and Brands arrived at Galveston.
Sept. 12th. I laid the corner stone of the church which is to be built at Castroville on the Medina, 34 miles west of San Antonio; we placed it under the invocation of St. Louis.
Feb. 26th, 1846. I left Galveston on board the J. McKune. My debts at the end of the year 1849 were $9.555.
April 7th, 1850. Sunday in Albus, Rev. Father Jacobs died at Indianola.
IIth. Fathers Domeneck and Dubuis arrived at Galveston.
19th. Father Domeneck left for France.
June 21st, 1851. I bought an organ, which cost $800.
1
CHAPTER VII.
BISHOP ODIN COMES.
As a result of the report made by Bishop Blanc, the Cardinal Prefect determined, October 29, 1839, to commit religious con- ditions in Texas to the zealous ministrations of the Children of Vincent de Paul, and permitted the Superior General of the Con- gregation of the Mission to nominate a Prefect-Apostolic.
ILLME. ET REV. ME DNE.
Litteras Amplitudinis Tuae perlegi quas decimoseptimo Kalen- das Septembris conscripsisti .... Ad Texas vero quod attinet R. D. Cong. Missionis Superiori Generali Sacra haec Congregatio commisit, ut Provinciae Praefectum nominaret
Amplitudinis, etc.
Romae ex aed. Sac. Cong. de Prop. Fide Die 29 Octobris, 1839. Uti frater, etc. J. Ph. Card. Fransonius Praef.
R. P. D. Antonio Blanc Epo. Novae Aureliae.
The Superior General of the Lazarists evidently acted at once, as on April 12th, 1840, Father John Timon was appointed Pre- fect-Apostolic of Texas, with the power to administer confirma- tion and on May 2nd, 1840, Father Jean Marie Odin, C. M., left St. Mary's Seminary, Perry County, Missouri, for Texas, with the title of Vice-Prefect-Apostolic. On June 8th, 1840, he wrote
"We are still at New Orleans, but we shall leave tomorrow morning on board the schooner Henry, commandel by Captain Auld." On July 14th, 1840, he wrote from Lynnville to Father Timon.
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HISTORY OF THE
(Original in Catholic Archives of America, Notre Dame, Ind. Case : Lazarists, L. 9.)
Lynnville, July the 14th, 1840.
J. M. J.
Very Revd. and Dr. Sir :
We arrived at this place early yesterday. Our voyage from New Orleans here was prosperous enough. We had some few days of calm weather and suffered some from excessive heat, but we had always a very pleasant breeze at night. Our little schooner carried ninety-three passengers to Texas. We had on board Mr. O'Reilly, a young Cath. merchant of Victoria, and Mr. Cohen, a French merch. of the same place, who resided formerly at Chicago. Messrs. Twohig & Galahan, both Cath. merchts. of San Antonio. They were very kind to us. The other cabin passengers were Protestants, but very liberal in their views. Two-thirds of the deck passengers were Irish, French, American and Dutch Catholic passengers. There is a great emigration to- wards Texas. What was my surprise on my arrival at Lynn- ville to meet with Mr. Fulkerson and Mr. Renfroe of Cape Girar- deau! They have put up a store at this place, and fully satisfied with their situation; they purpose sending for their families to- wards the fall of the year. I found here also Judge Hays, who told me that he had seen you in Houston.
From what I have heard on the way to this country, the con- duct of the two Mexican priests of S. Antonio is shameful. People have no confidence in them, still the poor Mexicans like them, though I hope there will be no great difficulty in removing them. There are three or four churches in the vicinity of San Antonio, which with very little expense can be made neat and clean. The Church of Victoria could also be repaired, but there will be some difficulty with the corporation of the city. They have turned it into a court house, and admit all sorts of preachers to preach in it. I will speak to Mr. Lynn and see what can be done to take possession of it. There are many sick persons at this time at Victoria, so I have thought it necessary to leave Mr. Estany for some time at that place, to take care of them. I see also that he forgets his English as well as Mr. Calvo; by being separated for a while they will improve more rapidly. There are also some few Mexicans at Victoria, and several families within 18 miles from that place; he will take care of them. I will soon proceed on to S. Antonio with Mr. Calvo and Br. Sala. We shall go in con- pany with the merchants who came with us from New Orleans
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DIOCESE OF GALVESTON
and thirty Mexicans who are hauling their goods. The Indians are so troublesome in that part of the country that there would be no safety in going by ourselves. Thirty Germans will be also in our company, so no danger can be apprehended. Messrs. Clark and Hayden have been traveling through a great part of Texas, by what I can hear people seem to be satisfied with them. When I shall obtain more correct information I will let you know the particulars.
Give my best respects to all at the Barrens. I feel very anxious to hear from you.
Very respectfully,
Your obt. and hum. servt. J. M. ODIN, I. S. C. M.
Address ) Very Revd. J. Timon,
St. Mary's College,
Perry Co., Mo.
We know from his diary some of the men and things that he encountered, and on April 11th, 1841, he summarized them for the information of the Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission in the following letter :
Galveston, Texas, April 11th, 1841.
(Father J. B. Etienne, Supr. Genl. C. M. Annales de la Congre- gation de la Mission, Tome VIII, pp. 181-211.)
My dear Confrere :
Last year the Holy See deigned to confide to our Congrega- tion the spiritual direction of the Catholics of the young Republic of Texas, and with the title of Vice-Prefect-Apostolic I was charged with the New Mission. May 2nd, 1840, accompanied by Me'ssrs. Estany and Calvo (priests) and a lay brother, I left the Seminary at the Barrens to go and explore this new country. It was not without regret that I left Missouri. It was expatriation a second time for me, and separated me from a people who had become very dear to me and from a flourishing institution that I had seen born. .
As no means of transportation was on our arrival at New Orleans we had to remain there six weeks. On the first of July we embarked on the schooner Henry and on the 13th we arrived at Lynnville. Our trip though short was sufficiently trying be- cause of the calms we encountered in the Gulf of Mexico and the insupportable heat of the burning sun, and the crowded quarters, as we were one hundred and thirty on board.
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HISTORY OF THE
Texas is situated between the 25th and 35th degree of latitude, and 93 degrees 30 minutes and 102 degrees longitude. The land in general is of excellent quality, and no part of America possesses prairies so vast and extensive, and pasturage so rich and abun- dant. Woods are rare especially in the west. Many rivers water the country, some sufficiently large for navigation. The exact number of the population is not known, but generally it is agreed that it does not exceed three hundred thousand. Up to 1820 there were only three places in Texas of any importance, San Antonio de Bejar, La Bahia or Goliad and Nacogdoches. At that time the Mexican government to attract inhabitants offered a league of land to all Catholic colonists who were willing to locate there. There came in consequence a large number of people from the United States, for the greater part Protestants. In 1832 the new colonists had difficulties with the Metropolis. They took arms but peace was soon concluded. In 1835 they arose a second time. Santa Anna, President of the Republic, marched against them at the head of a powerful army, but in 1836 the Mexican General was taken prisoner and the colonists declared their independence. The United States, France and finally England recognized the independence of the young Republic. Mexico was unwilling to cede its rights and obstinately rejected all propositions that were presented.
When the first Spaniards located in Texas, a century and a half ago, Franciscan religious from Zacatecas came to found many missions for the conversion and civilization of the numerous tribes of savages scattered through this vast country. The most cele- brated were those of the Alamo at San Antonio, La Concepcion, San Jose, L'Espada, El Rosario, Espiritu Santo, San Sabas, Re- fugio and Nacogdoches. These missions became very flourishing and counted a great number of fervent Christians. Every year the good Padres went deeper into the woods, penetrated among the different tribes, gaining by their presence and demeanor, full of affability, the confidence of the savages, and conducting them to the missions, where they were trained in piety and labor. They were suppressed in 1812 (?) by the avidity, so it is said, of the government leaders, who desired to appropriate to themselves the lands of which they had been put in possession. Today they present a pile of ruins ; the churches especially since the late war are almost entirely destroyed. The poor savages are scattered, some of them have returned to Mexico. Many succumbed under the attacks of the non-civilized tribes, and others, it is said, have returned to their primitive habits. The fervor which I have found in the small number of those who still dwell in Texas is con- vincing proof that they were trained religiously by skillful men. Two of the churches have withstood the assaults of time and
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the attacks of war, and are of such beauty that they do honor to the taste and zeal of the Missionaries.
Religion on our arrival in Texas was in a sad state of abandon- ment and suffering. For many years the entire country, with the exception of San Antonio, was deprived of pastors, and if from time to time priests had visited it, far from reanimating the fervor and encouraging Catholics, they had oftentimes contributed to their affliction by scandals, the opprobrium of which reflected upon the faith, which they professed, and covered it with ridicule in the eyes of Protestants and infidels. Many times I have blushed at the recital of incidents.
From Lynnville, the small port where we disembarked, we went to Victoria. That city, founded in 1825, was soon inhabited by three hundred Mexican families, but in 1835 war desolated the country and the citizens were dispersed. It has commenced anew to grow; aside from the six or seven Mexican families who have returned, there are nearly four hundred inhabitants, of whom half profess the Catholic faith. Victoria has a little frame church, but abandoned for five years. We found it in a state of indecency and neglect that was certainly unbecoming the celebration of the sacred mysteries: An inhabitant of the city offered his house, and we readily accepted. Everyone seemed anxious to assist at the Divine office and the instructions. I left with them Mr. Estany, charging him to visit the Catholics of Colito, La Bahia, Lama, Live Oak, Ranchio de Don Carlos, and those who dwell along the Lavaca River, to the number of eight or nine hundred. The great distance between our separated locations will give him enough to do and will render his work somewhat difficult.
From Victoria I took up the journey to San Antonio with Mr. Calvo and the lay brother. The distance is only one hundred and fifty miles, but the numerous bands of Comanche and Tona- kanie savages, who scour the country without ceasing, render the route extremely dangerous; one does not undertake the journey without incurring evident dangers of death. We joined a convoy of twenty-two wagons which were transporting merchandise. All our companions on the trip were well armed, but if on the one hand the number assured us against the attacks of the savages, on the other, what misery, what slowness of march we were forced to endure. The heat was excessive, and in the immense prairies that we were compelled to cross there was scarcely a bush in the shade of which we could secure a moment's repose. In the even- ing about sunset we would take up our march, but often we had scarcely started when one of our wagons would break down. That meant a halt for everybody and we passed a great part of the night in repairing. This occurred often far from water and we would have to cross the prairie, and we were happy if we found
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HISTORY OF THE
a little hole where we disputed with the frog for a few drops of dirty and disgusting water. Our provisions were not over-abun- dant and we had to share them with our companions on the trip still worse off, and soon hunger made itself felt and we had re- course to the hunt at the risk of attracting the savages by the noise of our guns. Fever attacked our ranks and I had a touch myself, but the medicine, which I brought along for the purpose, soon restored me to health. The little help I was able to give to our poor sick people, acquired for me a very embarrassing repu- tation afterwards, for some of the good cart drivers did not know my name but christened me "The Father who knows how to cure the sick" and in a short time I was consulted by everybody who was unwell. Many times along the route the cry "The Indians" spread terror in our ranks, but it was only a mistake of the ad- vance guard and we arrived at San Antonio on July 30th without firing a shot.
This post, founded in 1678 by Spaniards who came from the Canary Islands, has a population of about ten thousand souls. The town possesses a few stone houses and a great number of cabins covered with sod and brush. It is watered by the San Antonio River and to the west by a small creek and in the center by a canal, dug by the Indians under the direction of the Missionaries, whose abundant water irrigates all the gardens. There is nothing more beautiful than the valley of San Antonio; an agreeable cli- mate, pure and healthy air; rich and fertile soil; everything con- tributes to make our stay pleasant in the midst of hostile savages who up to now have prevented the exploration of the country, whose resources are immense. Since its foundation it has always been the point of attack of the Comanches and Tonakanies, strong tribes, cruel and even cannibals. It has also been the theatre of frequent and disastrous wars, and that of the Independence was particularly destructive. Many years will pass before this un- fortunate country will be able to repair the ruin; there is not a family that has not lost a father, a son, a brother or a husband, scalped without pity by the Comanches. Not a month passes that these savages do not come to cause fear and trouble, and by their fierce ravages slaying the men in their path, and the animals in the fields. Also poverty is extreme, and if I ever have the con- solation of having any resources it will be without doubt very sweet to be able to relieve the distress. What shall I say of the sad state of religion in this unfortunate country. There are still some traces of real Catholicity.
For many years but a small number frequented the holy places. the Word of God was never preached, the sick died without the last rites of the Church, and the young grew up in profound ignor-
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DIOCESE OF GALVESTON
ance of the duties of a Christian. For fourteen years no one has presented himself at the tribunal of penance. All the functions of the ministry consisted in baptizing children, burying the dead and celebrating marriages and the fees were extremely high. Their morals unfortunately correspond to the lamentable state of ignorance in which the precious souls, bought by the blood of Jesus Christ, were permitted to sink. The church, whose roof was burned in 1828, had become the roosting place of swallows and bats, and gave forth an odor infectious and unbearable. The sacristies contained only vestment cases, dirty and disgusting.
What was very embarrassing in such a critical position ! A stranger, unknown, the first step, the first act of my mission was to interdict two men, born and raised in the country, and related to many families of the place. I left myself in the hands of Provi- dence and determined at the risk of my life, to restore things to a better state if possible. Heaven assisted me in a wonderful way. The Sunday after my arrival I preached, with the consent of the Mexican pastor, in Spanish and in English, to a large crowd, whose curiosity to see the new priests had brought them to church, up to that time deserted on feasts and Sundays. On the next day I went to the pastor's house and showed my letters from the Holy See and asked him to hand over the keys and the church registers. He submitted with some repugnance, and a few days afterwards he was arrested and taken under escort to Austin to render an account of secret correspondence which he had carried on with the chiefs of the Mexican government.
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