USA > Texas > Galveston County > Galveston > Diamond jubilee, 1847-1922, of the diocese of Galveston and St. Mary's Cathedral > Part 9
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. Do me the favor to send me to Houston forty pounds of block tin by the return of the Neptune. Pay the freight on it as far as Galveston and consign it to Dr. Labadie, requesting him
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to pay the duties on it and to forward it to Mr. Dechene at Houston. We need it for two bells, that some Germans are casting, one for Houston and the other for Galveston. It is so disagreeable on Sundays not to have some means of calling the people in, that I concluded to have them made. They will weigh 200 pounds each.
The prospect in a spiritual point of view begins to look a little more consoling in Galveston and even here. I trust in God that gradually the change will become more satisfactory. On Christ- mas Day there were sixteen communions at the first mass and several others during the week.
You cannot imagine how grieved I felt not to hear from you. I would have written often, but did not know where to direct the letters.
Would you advise me to go to Baltimore for the next Coun- cil? Send your answer to Galveston and give me long details. Where will I find you next spring ?
Give my best regards to the Rt. Rev. Bishop of New Orleans and to all the other gentlemen.
One hundred and seventeen emigrants arrived a few days ago from France and most all are gone to San Antonio. Eight hundred more are expected between now and spring. They have been sent by Mr. Castro, who is authorized to settle two thousand families on the Rio Frio. General Houston has given them the use of the vacant houses and fields of San Antonio, until they all arrive, and then they will go to take possession of their lands.
My health is not very good. I feel very often severe pains of stomach. Pray for me and write before you leave New Orleans. I will remain only a week in San Antonio.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient and humble servant and brother, JOHN MARY, Bishop of Claudiopolis and Vicar-Apostolic of Texas.
Very Rev. J. Timon,
St. Louis Seminary, Mo.
(Original in Catholic Archives of America, Notre Dame. Ind. Case Lazarists, L. 17.)
Galveston, December 31st, 1843.
Very Rev. and Dear Sir :
I would have written to you before now, but the many occu- pations that have taken up all my moments since I returned to Galveston have not left me any leisure.
On the very day on which we reached home, we went to
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house-keeping, and you may be assured, it was a great comfort to me, to be dispensed from the necessity of begging hospitality. A little at home is much more agreeable, than ever so much among strangers. Brother Vicari would suit exactly were it not for his unhappy disposition.
I found here the two German priests who arrived during my absence, and both will remain in the country. I have prom- ised to give them each $ .... a year for their clothing. Mr. Schneider is about forty years old, speaks the German beauti- fully and appears to be zealous; he preaches with facility and unction. He knows the French well enough and commences to be understood in English. Mr. Oge is about thirty-six years old and speaks German and French well enough; he sings well and understands music perfectly. So far, however, they seem to be well pleased, especially since my return. I try to make them live as in a community ; we have regular hours fof everything.
My long absence, which I thought would have ruined this infant mission, has perhaps been of service to them. They have been extremely glad to see me back, and most all hastened to comply with their duties. Many, who had never been to con- fession, have presented themselves. On Sundays, we sing high Mass and Vespers ; in the morning I preach in English and after Vespers one of the gentlemen preaches in German. The church is always crowded, and is even too small, though many come to low Mass. Every morning I catechise the children, twenty and twenty-four in number, when all will come I will have about forty. The number of Catholics has increased during my ab- sence; there must be about seven hundred at present. This morning I rented the pews, eighteen were taken, and if all paid, will give $200.00; I hope some few more will be disposed of. I am anxiously looking for Mr. Collins; you must feel yourself, that I stand in need of help; would that Mr. M'Giniss came with him, it would still be better; I would station him at Hous- ton and I have no doubt a great deal of good would be done. Mr. Oge I will send to Mills Creek, Bastrop, etc., and Mr. Schneider will divide his time between Galveston, Houston and the Trinity, visiting the Germans until they speak English more fluently. If you send me the two gentlemen above mentioned, we will try to visit a good part of the country when the weather will permit. Emigration from Europe seems to pour in more rapidly than it ever did since I came to Texas. We have had several arrivals from Bremen and among them many German Catholics. Last week there came a vessel from Antwerp with one hundred and twenty-nine passengers, all of them Catholics except four or five. They came from the vicinity of Strasbourg and seem to be very much attached to their religion, most of them having been to their duties since they landed. They will
THE GALLAGHER MEMORIAL St. Mary's Seminary, La Porte, Texas
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start in a few days to go to San Antonio. As soon as Mr. Col- lins arrives I will try to go there myself with Mr. Oge to give them an opportunity of complying with their duties and to try to see if we could not make them settle together on some good spot of land. Great many more families are going to come from the same department, in fact there is a vessel expected every day.
We do not know what will be the result of the negotiations that are going on between our commissioners and those of Mex- ico, but everybody anticipates that we shall have peace. Mr. de Saligny will arrive here in a few weeks. Messrs. Calvo and Estany are well; I just heard from them.
If you have an opportunity from New Orleans, send me to the care of Mr. Rousselon one or two small missals, some few boxes of holy oils and pixes for the Holy Viaticum.
Give my best respect to your Rt. Rev. Bishop and to all our Brethren and pray for
Your obedient and humble servant,
JOHN MARY, Bishop of Claudiopolis and Vicar-Apostolic of Texas.
To Father Timon.
(Original in Catholic Archives of America, Notre Dame, Ind. Case Lazarists, L. 8.)
Galveston, April 16th, 1844. Very Rev. and Dear Sir :
Many letters have I written to you since my return to Gal- veston, and have looked in vain for an answer from you. I must, no doubt, have given you some displeasure or otherwise I can- not imagine why you have forgotten me entirely. Do, for God's sake, send me a few lines as soon as you get this letter.
Brother Vicari is no longer with me; I hope you received the letter I sent you, when he left this place.
A great change has taken place in Galveston. Since last spring the population has increased rapidly considering the dif- ficulties of the times, and most of the new settlers belong to our Church. Our chapel is by far too small for our population ; every Sunday it is crowded and many who would like to assist at the divine service are obliged to go away for want of room. The interests of religion require that I should soon make prepara- tions for a more spacious edifice. A convent likewise becomes of absolute necessity. The Protestants will make every effort to start up schools and I could soon commence an establishment with the good feeling which is entertained towards the Catholics ; there is no doubt, we would have the best chance of success. The more I reflect on the different measures which would con-
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tribute to promote the glory of God, the more I feel the indis -- pensable necessity of going to Europe.
Every day, almost, I receive letters inviting me to visit places where Catholics are becoming more numerous and have children growing up unbaptized and destitute of religious instructions ; but alone as I am, what can I do? If I leave this place even to go to Houston, on my return I find people less attentive to their spiritual duties. During my absence from Houston the Catholic children frequent the Sunday Schools and the Protestant meet- ings and imbibe ideas quite prejudicial to their faith. Seldom can I go as far as the Brazos River. It is impossible for me to visit the Trinity, or various other situations where some good might be done. What are our priests doing in the West, I can- not, tell, it has not been in my power to see them for better than two years. The uneasiness of mind, the daily instructions for children, the preparation for every Sunday sermons and the other duties of the ministry are gradually undermining my health. At times I feel very unwell, and pure necessity compels me to go. Oh! were you to send me Mr. Collins and another priest, how thankful would I feel! We have here in Galveston, I am sure, more than twice the number of Catholics of the Cape, fully as fervent if not more so than those of Cape Girardeau. It is not rare, since the Easter time began, to see fifteen and twenty penitents presenting themselves for confession on a Saturday evening. Already a good many, who had not been to confession for fourteen and twenty years, have complied with their Easter duties, and had I been able to spend the whole time of Lent as I calculated, relying on Mr. Collins' coming, I have no doubt the greatest part of our Catholic population would have fulfilled the Easter precept. The dispositions of the people are good, they only need instruction. I would like very much, that you would come, at least as far as Galveston, the next time you will come down to New Orleans. Our principal house in Texas ought to be situated at this place and I would wish to have your opinion about the situation which we should select for the pur- pose. Lots can be had on fair terms, but by delaying much longer, it will require large sums. Property begins to become much more valuable on account of the great many buildings which have been put up since last year.
A treaty of peace and friendship has been concluded last year with many of our Indian tribes, and General Houston started last week to conclude one with the Comanches, who. it is said, are anxious for it. Perhaps we might soon commence missions among them? But still where are the priests you would have to send? Reflect on this, if you please. It is use- less to speak and promise anything unless we have a reasonable prospect of being able to undertake something in earnest.
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One of my German priests is going away this week. Here at Galveston we have very near eighty or ninety Germans, who hardly speak anything else but their own language. Upwards of two hundred are now settling along the San Antonio River. Providence, I hope, will send me some good zealous priests to take charge of them.
The Ursulines seem disposed to establish a branch at this place. It will be a kind providence for me and the country, as they have means to go to the expense to take charge of the undertaking.
I have bought the two lots adjoining my little cottage and contracted for a new addition to the house. It would afford me room for a good garden and for the accommodation of the priests when they come to see me.
Give my best compliments to all our brethren and pray for Very respectfully,
JOHN MARY, Bishop of Claudiopolis and Vicar-Apostolic of Texas.
To Father Rousselon.
(Original in Catholic Archives of America, Notre Dame, Ind. Case Lazarists, L. 23. )
San Antonio, September 22, 1844.
Since my departure from Galveston I have not found occasion to write you as I have been almost outside the civilized world. Today there is a person going to Galveston, and I ask you to mail the bundle of letters I am sending in your care. You will no doubt have heard already of the death of poor Mr. Paquin. I know neither the details nor the date. I was indeed sorry to receive the terrible news ten days ago. The good God puts me to a supreme test. He was so useful, I was so happy to have him with me, and scarcely had he arrived when he is taken away. I recommend him to your prayers. I shall leave here in eight days and I hope to arrive in Galveston about the first of No- vember. I shall write you then and also to Monsignor.
Your devoted and humble servant,
JOHN MARY, Bishop of Claudiopolis and Vicar-Apostolic of Texas.
Very Rev. John Timon, New Orleans, La.
(Original in Catholic Archives of America, Notre Dame, Ind. Case Lazarists, L. 15.)
Galveston, December 11, 1844. Very Rev. and Dear Sir :
I returned last Wednesday from the west after an absence of more than five months. When I started for Galveston all
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enjoyed a good health and little did they expect the awful visitation which has proved so fatal, especially among the new settlers. I felt, however, some uneasiness for poor Mr. Paquin and Mr. Brands; I offered them to remain alone at Galveston, but they would not; they thought they would be safer here than riding in the burning sun. It was only at the end of August that I heard that the epidemic had broken out and on the 15th of August the sad intelligence of poor Mr. Paquin's death came to me. You may judge of my distress and affliction! I would have returned immediately to this place, had I not been told that Mr. Brands was restored to health and that the fever had entirely disappeared. I continued then my journey, visited al- most the entire portion of western Texas and had truly reason to be thankful to God for the good which it seemed to produce. Many, great many attended the spiritual exercises, not only Catholics but even Protestants, and seemed to listen with great anxiety. We had many confessions and communions. I baptized several children of Protestant parents, and some adults. Sixty persons received the sacrament of confirmation. The total number of confessions heard during the year amounts to 2774 and that of communions to 2507, twice as many as with- in the year 1843. Providence, as you see, has been pleased to bless our little efforts; but still how much remains undone, for want of clergymen. Mr. Calvo continues to labor with a great zeal and does a great deal of good at San Antonio. Mr. Estany cannot be too much praised for his indefatigable zeal and his constant exertions ; he has been truly a missionary, bear- ing patiently with all kinds of privations and bringing back to the practice of their duties many cold and indifferent Catholics. He is very much respected and loved by all in the vast portion of country which he visits.
On my arrival at Galveston I have found Mr. Brands in good health and fine spirits. The severe attack of the yellow fever seems to have removed all his former indispositions.
On the 12th of September I laid the cornerstone of a new church for the Germans at Castroville, on the banks of the Medina, twenty-four miles from San Antonio. A new colony is forming there under the guidance of Mr. Castro; already the place contains sixty-six families assembled in a village and they expect two hundred and fifty families more in the course of this winter. The spot is healthy and beautiful. There is an association of German princes sending emigrants to Texas: one vessel has already arrived with 150 passengers and three or four more are daily expected. The Prince of Solms has arrived here last summer to make necessary arrangements; he told me that they intended settling here in Texas about ten thousand families
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within three or four years. What shall I do to procure clergy- men for the Catholic portion of these people ?
I would like to have your opinion about my going to Europe. Mr. Etienne advises me to undertake the journey, and the im- possibility of procuring clergymen here, means to build the churches we need, etc., etc., makes me feel desirous to go. If I determine on the journey I will go to see you before I leave the U. S.
I often wished to write you during my travels, but the dif- ficulty of procuring paper or conveyance for letters prevented me from doing so.
Farewell, my dear Sir, and pray for
Your old friend and brother, JOHN MARY, Bishop of Claudiopolis and Vicar-Apostolic of Texas.
CHAPTER VIII.
EARLY PIONEERS.
We append a short sketch of some of the pioneer co-laborers of Bishop Odin.
THE MOST REV. JOHN JOSEPH LYNCH, C. M., D. D.
When Father Odin came to Galveston, May 29, 1841, he was accompanied by a small number of priests, among whom were the Rev. Fathers John Joseph Lynch and John Brands, both of the Congregation of the Mission.
John Joseph Lynch was born in Ireland, 1816, and after com- pleting his education in Dublin and Paris, came to the United States. His first appointments were in Galveston and Houston. In 1848, he became president of St. Mary's College, Barrens, Mo. In 1856, he founded Niagara University ("Our Lady of Angels") at Niagara Falls, N. Y. In 1859, he was consecrated Bishop of Aechinas and coadjutor of Toronto. He succeeded to the see of Toronto, April 26, 1860; became the first arch- bishop of Toronto and metropolitan of Ontario, March 18, 1870; died May 12, 1888. In 1869, he was a member of the Vatican Council.
THE VERY REV. J. M. PAQUIN, C. M.
The Catholic Directory of 1845 contains the following obit- uary notice :
"Died, at Galveston, in the Republic of Texas, August 13, 1844, the Very Rev. J. M. Paquin, vicar general of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Odin, vicar apostolic of Texas.
Mr. Paquin was born at Florissant, in Missouri, in 1799. He entered the seminary of the Barrens in 1820, and soon attached himself to the Congregation of the Mission. Tender piety, en- tire obedience, profound humility, a spirit of sacrifice and self- abnegation, marked his conduct uniformly during his clerical career. After having successively been superior of the mission at Cape Girardeau, and presided over the seminary and college of St. Mary's, he was transferred to St. Louis in 1842. Two years after, he repaired to Texas, to share the labors of that difficult mission, and soon fell a victim to the yellow fever which was raging in that country."
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Father Paquin lies buried in St. Mary's Cathedral, according to the following entry in the Liber Mortuorum :
"On the 15th day of November, 1847, were removed to the new church the mortal remains of the Rev. Joseph Paquin, who departed this life on the 11th of August, 1844, a victim of yellow fever. JOHN BRANDS, C. M."
The name of Father Paquin appears in the Cathedral records but four times-under the baptisms of Adeline Michel and Pierre Joseph Kappes, and under the funeral notices of Joseph M. I. Menard and Gabriel Dolques.
THE REV. N. STEHLE, C. M.
Father Stehle came to Galveston in 1840 with the Prefect Apostolic, the Very Rev. John Timon, and remained here until shortly after the arrival of Father Odin in 1841. He then re- turned to the mother-house of the Congregation of the Mission in the Barrens, Mo. The Catholic Directories of 1843 and 1844 place him at the Church of the Holy Cross at La Salle, La Salle County, Illinois.
During his stay in Galveston he married Edmond Quirk and Elisa Kelly, and baptized Marie Adele Bremond, Johanna McKally, Margaret Bergstrom, Marie Ounnen, Daniel Cochin, Mary Ann Fortney, Stephen Campien, Louise Il1, John Kreiner, Henry Reed, Mary Morrison, James Kehoe, Peter Wm. Dinke- laker, and James H. Klahn.
THE VERY REV. JOHN BRANDS, C. M., V. G.
Father Brands came to Galveston for the first time in 1841, in the company of Father Odin and Father Lynch. The Catho. lic Directories of 1843 and 1844 station him at St. Genevieve, St. Genevieve Co., Missouri. When he left Galveston is not known.
He returned, however, in 1844-perhaps in company with Father Paquin; for his first entries in the Cathedral registers are side by side with those of his confrere in religion.
For three years he shared the labors of the Cathedral parish with Father Rollando; and, shortly before the latter's death, he was appointed vicar general by Bishop Odin. He took a promi- nent part in the ceremonies of the corner-stone laying and the consecration of the Cathedral.
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THE REV. BARTHOLOMEW ROLLANDO, C. M.
In 1842 and 1843, Father Rollando was pastor of the church of St. John the Baptist at Springfield, Ill. When the diocese of Chicago was established toward the end of 1843, and the churches of the religious transferred to the diocesan clergy, Father Rollando came to Galveston as assistant pastor of St. Mary's Church. He labored here till 1847, when he was called to his reward.
On the south wall of the Cathedral, at the altar of the Sacred Heart, there is a marble slab with the following inscription :
Charitate vestra orate pro anima Bartholomaei Rollando S. Romanae Ecclesiae Presbyteri et Congregationis Missionum Sodalis. Bordigheri in Italia natus A. D. 1812. Obiit die Octobris II, A. D. 1847. Aetatis anno xxxv. R. I. P.
In the book of interments Father Rollando's death is re- corded as follows :
"On the 12th of October, 1847, I, the undersigned, interred the body of the Rev. Bartholomew Rollando, C. M., who yester- day departed this life, aged 35 years.
J. BRANDS, C. M."
Father Rollando had apparently been ill only a short time, for, as late as September 10, 1847, he entered the following baptism :
"On the 10th day of September, 1847, in St. Mary's Church, I, the undersigned, baptized Ellen, born the 7th of August, 1847, daughter of Bernard McDonnell and Winfreda McGuinny. The sponsers were Francis McGuinny and Rosana Craycroft.
"B. ROLLANDO, C. M."
The years 1853 and 1854 were disastrous for Galveston. To quote from a recent article on "Early Churches in Galveston," by Ben C. Stuart : "Many who daily pass St. Mary's Cathedral, and who can not fail to note the modest marble monument which for fifty years has stood near the entrance of the structure, are unaware of the fact that it marks the graves of as great heroes as any ever falling upon the field of battle. In the summer of 1853, Galveston, then a town with a population of 6,000 persons, was visited by an epidemic of yellow fever, which resulted in 335 deaths. Among this number were six unacclimated Catholic
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priests, who went everywhere ministering to the sick and the dying, until, weakened by their exertions, they were stricken. by the disease and fell victims to it."
The inscriptions on the monument in question read as follows :
On the north side: "Hic jacent RR. DD. J. C. Melton, J. Baudran, J. P. Bajard, G. Metz. Obierunt A. D. 1853 1854. Seigneur, donnez lui le repos eternel. Que Votre Lumiere l'e- claire pendant l'eternite. Monumentum pietalis fidelium. R. I. P."
On the other side: "Hic jacent RR. DD. J. Dixon, D. O'- Driscoll. Obierunt A. D. 1853-1854. 'Out of dust thou wast taken, and unto dust thou shalt return.' Monumentum pietatis fidelium. R. I. P."
On the south side. "In memory of E. Hug. Born Nov. 29, 1809. Ordained June 1, 1833. Died Sept. 27, 1853."
On the east side: "Zum Andenken unser geliebten E. Hug. Grunder der Deutschen Congregation. Starb am 27 September, 1853."
As late as September 2, 1853, Father Hug made the following interesting entry, in which he describes yellow fever :
"Anno Domini 1853, die secunda Septembris, in Coemeterio Catholico sepulta est Maria Bieling, uxor Gulielmi Vonbein. Per dies octo febri atra bilosa laboravit, et antequam e vivis dis- cesserit, omnibus sacramentis quae Ecclesia moribundis adminis- trat, refecta fuit. Decem diebus ante ejus mortem, frater ejus, Fredericus Bieling, e vivis discessit.
"E. HUG."
Of the seven priests named on the marble shaft, six died of yellow fever; one, the Rev. Joshua Dixon, died of consumption. as the following record shows :
"On the 4th of September, 1853, I, the undersigned priest, performed the funeral of Reverend Joshua Dixon, native of Eng- land, who died the same day of consumption, aged 33 years.
"J. F. BAUDRAN."
CHAPTER IX.
EARLY CATHEDRAL RECORDS.
SOME PAGES FROM THE EARLY BAPTISMAL RECORDS.
The Cathedral records begin with the year 1840, when the Republic of Texas was created a prefecture apostolic. The earli- est records read as follows :
"The seventh of December, eighteen hundred and forty, I the undersigned priest of the Roman Catholic Church, and pre- fect apostolic of Texas, baptized Michael, born Dec. 13, 1839, of William Morris and Margaret McClain. The sponsors were John Bettely and Mathilda Bettely.
"JOHN TIMON, P. A. T.
"The seventh of December, eighteen hundred and forty, I, the undersigned, baptized Marie Felicite Augustine, born Sept. 17, 1839, of Medard Menard and Susan LeClere. The sponsors were Peter J. Menard and Rosine Menard.
"JOHN TIMON, P. A. T.
"The eighth of December, eighteen hundred and forty, I, the undersigned, baptized Marie Adele, born May 28, 1840, of Sylvester Camille Bremond and Elizabeth Montamat. The spon- sors were Marie Despinot Pelletier and Nicholas Labadie.
"N. STEHLE, Cong. Mis.
"The ninth of December, eighteen hundred and forty, I, the undersigned, baptized Joanna McKally, born Sept. 26, 1839, of James McKally and Margaret Reed. The sponsors were Chris- topher Fox, etc.
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