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 Venerable Antonio Margil dc Jesus 
 
 Copied from a painting in the Secretariate of the City of Mexico
 
 ' Gather Up the Fragments that Remain 
 Lest They Be Lost." 
 
 —John VI. 12. 
 
 DIAMOND JUBILEE 
 1847 -- 1922 
 
 OF 
 
 THE DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 
 
 AND 
 
 ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL 
 
 COMPILED BY 
 THE PRIESTS OF THE SEMINARY
 
 NIHIL OBSTAT. 
 M. J. Crowe, 
 
 Censor Deputatus. 
 
 IMPRIMATUR 
 
 * CHRISTOPHERUS EDUARDUS, 
 
 Episcopus Galvestonensis.
 
 ^/. 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 We present only some of "the fragments that remain" of 
 the early history of the Diocese of Galveston. To compile them 
 was a labor of love. The reading- of them will make us realize 
 that "our lines are cast in pleasant places" and in prayer and 
 praise and contrast we shall "remember the days of old." 
 
 We are indebted to Rev. C. L. Souvay, C. M., D. D., of 
 Kenrick Seminary, Webster Grove, Mo., for the many letters 
 of Bishops Timon and Odin. With the care that bespeaks the 
 scholar, he copied them from scattered archives, and the imper- 
 fections of translation we assume to ourselves. 
 
 We owe much to Monsignor W. W. Hume, D. D., New 
 Orleans, whose monograph on \'en. Antonio de Margil and other 
 contributions lend particular interest. To the Rt. Rev. C. E. 
 Byrne, D. D., to Rev. J. A. Rapp, to Mr. James Kirwin Rey- 
 baud, who typed the, at times, illegible story, and to all others 
 who contributed to the making, we tender our gratitude. 
 
 We had hoped to present a real history of the Diocese and 
 we now have at hand — we regret the late arrival — in the separ- 
 ate narratives of parishes, missions, convents, hospitals and 
 schools, material from which the story may 1k" compiled. We 
 appreciate the time and interest given by the clergy and Sisters 
 to their task and assure them that the material will be carefully 
 guarfled until such time as leisure and inclination may put it into 
 permanent fr^rm. 
 
 J. M. KIKWIN. 
 
 LaPorte, 
 
 Feast of St. Thomas, Aquinas, 1922. 
 
 l.^orviai
 
 BRIEF OUTLINE OF GALVESTON DIOCESE 
 
 1840-1842 — The Ivepuhlic of Texas, a prefecture apostolic, with 
 the \'ery Rev. John Timon, C. M., prefect apostolic; the 
 Very Rev. John Mary Odin, vice-prefect. 
 
 1 842- 1 84 7 — The Republic of Texas raised from a prefecture 
 apostolic to a vicariate apostolic, with the Rt. Rev. J. M. 
 Odin, D. D.. Bishop of Claudiopolis, vicar apostolic. 
 
 1847 — Erection of the Diocese of Galveston, with the Rt. Rev. 
 J. M. Odin, D. D., its first bishop. 
 
 1861— The Rt. Rev. J. M. Odin, D. D., made Archbishop of 
 New Orleans. 
 
 1862 — Consecration of the Rt. Rev. C. M. Dubuis, D. D., as 
 Bishop of Galveston. 
 
 1874 — First division of the Diocese of Galveston. Up to Sept. 
 3, 1874, the Diocese of Galveston comprised the entire 
 State of Texas. In the division the Diocese of Galveston 
 retained the portion of the State lying east of the Colorado 
 River; while the Diocese of San Antonio was created out 
 of the territory ly'm^ between the Colorado and Nueces 
 rivers, and the vicariate apostolic of Brownsville out of 
 the territory lying between the Nueces and the Rio 
 Grande. 
 
 1878— The Rt. Rev. P. Dufal, D. D., Bishop of Delcon and Vicar- 
 Apostolic of Eastern Bengal, transferred to Galveston as 
 coadjutor of the Rt. Rev. C. M. Dubuis, cum jure suc- 
 cessionis ; resigned, 1880. 
 
 1882 — April 30, Consecration of tlie Rt. Rev. Nicholas Aloysius 
 Gallagher, D. D., as Titular Bishop of Canopus and Bis- 
 hop Administrator of the Diocese of Galveston. 
 
 1890 — Second division of the Diocese of Galveston. At the re- 
 quest of Bishop Gallagher, the Diocese of Dallas was, in 
 1890, created out of the northern and northwestern por- 
 tion of Galveston Diocese ; the counties of Lampasas, Cor- 
 yell, McLennan, Limestone, Freestone, Anderson, Chero- 
 kee, Nacogdoches, and Shelby, now forming the northern 
 boundary of the Diocese of Galveston. 
 
 1892 — The Rt. Rev. N. A. Gallagher, D. D., succeeded to the 
 title of Bishop of Galveston ; the titular bishop, the Rt. 
 Rev. C. M. Dubuis, being promoted to an archbishopric 
 in partibus infidelium. 
 
 1907 — April 30, Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Consecration 
 of the Rt. Rev. N. A. Gallagher, Bishop of Galveston. 
 
 1918 — Jan. 21. Death of Bishop N. A. Gallagher, D. D. 
 
 1918 — Nov. 10. Consecration of Rt. Rev. Christopher Edward 
 Byrne, D. D., fourth Bishop of Galveston. 
 
 1922 — March 14. Solemn celebration of the Diamond Jubilee 
 of the Diocese and Cathedral.
 
 INDEX 
 
 PAGE 
 
 I. The Dawn 1-6 
 
 II. Texas in the Eighteenth Century. 
 
 The Missions Suppressed 7-15 
 
 III. The Venerable Antonio Margil de Jesus 16-22 
 
 IV. San Jacinto's Glorious Field 23-32 
 
 V. The Awakening by the Lazarists 33-42 
 
 VI. Bishop Odin's Diary 43-52 
 
 VII. Bishop Odin Comes 53-85 
 
 VIII. Early Pioneers and Yellow Fever Priests 86-89 
 
 IX. Early Cathedral Records 90-100 
 
 X. 'ihe Diocese of Galveston 101-105 
 
 XT. Bishop John Timon lor.-io; 
 
 XII. Bisiu;p Claude Marie Dubuis 108-111 
 
 XIII. I'.i.shop Nicholas Aloysius Gallagher 112-1 IS 
 
 Xl\'. f'.ishop Christopher Edward I'-yrn.- 110-121 
 
 XV. Historical laldcanx iiicbcnlcd during 
 
 Diamond Jubilee 122-130
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE DAWN. 
 
 The diocese of Galveston when established embraced the whole 
 State of Texas, and the rule of Bishop Odin, as Vicar-Apostolic 
 and Bishop of Claudiopolis, covered the Republic of Texas. 
 
 There is no portion of American history of more vital inter- 
 est, more filled with tales of discovery and romance, more replete 
 with heroic sacrifice of priest and soldier. The flags of Spain, 
 France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Star-Spangled Ban- 
 ner and the Stars and Bars have been saluted at retreat as the 
 flag- to which Texas gave allegiance. It was the seat of more 
 communistic and Utopian experiments, which have been the de- 
 light of the visionary in every age of the world's progress, than 
 all the other states of the union combined. This brochure can 
 but indicate the sources that "the fragments may not be lost'' 
 and here and there give a flash of the extraordinary incidents 
 in the march of the cowl and the carbine along the ways of 
 colonization and civilization in Texas. 
 
 Indirectly Spain began to accumulate information con- 
 cerning Texas in 1519, when Alvarez de Pineda sailed the 
 Gulf itroni IHorida to Tampico. Ten years later. 1528. sev- 
 eral survivors of the Xarvacz Exjicdition were cast on the 
 shore of Texas, and after six years of wandering along the 
 coast from Galveston to Corpus Christi. Cabcza de \'aca and 
 four others escaped from the Indians who had enslaved them and 
 made their way to Mexico. De Vaca wrote an account of their 
 experiences, which gives us our earliest sources for con(liti(ins 
 of the Texas interior. (Espejo in "Spanish Exploration in the 
 Southwest," 1542-1706). "They told us and gave us to under- 
 stand through interpreters that three Christians and a negro had 
 passed through there and by the indications they gave they ai)i)cnr 
 to have been Alonso Xunez, Cabeza de Vaca, Dorantes Castillo 
 Maldonado and a negro, who had all escaped from the fleet 
 with which Panfilo Narvaez entered Florida." (Page 173.) 
 
 In 1541. onlv forty-nine years after Columbus discovered 
 America! members of the DeSoto Expedition, after the death of 
 their leader, passed through East Texas on their way to Mexico, 
 and the same year Coronado's Expedition, with which were the 
 I'ranciscan Padre Juan de Padilla. proto-martyr of the United 
 States, and Padre "luan de la Cruz, searching for Quivira, tra-
 
 2 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 versed a considerable portion of West Texas. The interior of 
 Texas continued to be penetrated by occasional parties of Spanish 
 explorers for the next one hundred and fifty years. The record 
 of the first travel into Texas toward the East was made about 
 1629 by Father Salas, a Franciscan. And later, in 1650, an 
 expedition led by Captain Hernando Martin entered Texas from 
 New Mexico and went as far as the Nueces River, probably in 
 Uvalde County. Coronado and Anate in their journeys, which 
 led up as high as Kansas, had previously passed through portions 
 of north-west Texas. We know for certain that in 1675 Fernando 
 del Bosque, accompanied by Father Lanos, a Franciscan, and a 
 company of soldiers, crossed the Rio Grande somewhere west of 
 the Pecos River, and made their way over as far as the neighbor- 
 hood of the present site of Eagle Pass. Holy Mass was said in 
 several places and a few Indians were baptized. Many large 
 crosses were erected to mark the places passed, but nothing like 
 permanent foundations, or permanent settlements were attempted. 
 Missionaries were constantly urging the occupation of the Tejas 
 country in vain,, and then news reached the government that a 
 French expedition was headed for the southwest country. In 1673 
 Louis Joliet and Father Marquette explored the Mississippi from 
 Wisconsin to Arkansas. Ten years later LaSalle followed the 
 Mississippi to its mouth and returned to France to beg permission 
 from Louis XIV to settle a colony there. The king approved and 
 LaSalle was generously fitted out with colonists and supplies. 
 In the West Indies one small vessel was captured by Spaniards. 
 The remainder of the little fleet lost its bearings and on February 
 20th, 1685, entered Matagorda Bay and made a landing. A fort 
 was built some miles inland on the Lavaca River and a search for 
 the Mississippi begun. The Indians, malaria and their own ex- 
 cesses soon brought the party to a desperate state. Joutel's Jour- 
 nal tells the story of life at old Fort St. Louis, and also of the 
 murder of LaSalle near the present site of Navasota, as it was 
 told to him by Father Anastasius soon afterwards. 
 
 Father Lopez, with Captain Mendoza and party, in 1684 
 crossed the Rip Grande at or near El Paso and went northeast to 
 the Pecos River and then east to where the Concho enters the 
 Colorado south of Ballingcr. On this trip mass was very frequently 
 said, in fact the "Chronicles" in one place tell us, "Mass has been 
 celebrated every day, and twice on holidays." The present San 
 Angelo was one of the places hallowed on that expedition by the 
 celebration of the Holy Sacrifice. From the T6th of March to the 
 1st of May, 1684, the members of this expedition rested near the 
 banks of the Colorado, Runnels County. There, perhaps near 
 Ballinger, the Holy Mass w-as celebrated every day, and the entire 
 services of Holy Week were carried out in a temporary chapel 
 erected there. No settlement was left in the place. Before the
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 3 
 
 time of the Father Lopez-Mendoza trip, the king of Spain had 
 been contemplating a colony near the mouth of the Mississippi 
 River. This project was hastened by the news that LaSalle had 
 landed with a company of his French countrymen, and intended 
 to colonize the lower Mississippi and what was called the shores 
 of the Espiritu Santo Bay, in the name of France. Father Massa- 
 net and Captain DeLeon, with a goodly company of soldiers, were 
 sent out to thwart the plan of LaSalle, who had missed the mouth 
 of the Mississippi and landed somewhere in the Matagorda Bay, 
 west of the Colorado River. Somewhere between Victoria and 
 Edna he made a temporary camp, but trouble with the Indians 
 made him move on, and he set out northeast, looking perhaps for 
 the Mississippi River, which he knew and had traversed. Captain 
 Alonso de Leon and Father Damian Alassanet, in their northwest 
 journey in 1689, crossed the Rio Grande, and following the Gulf 
 Coast discovered the wrecks of LaSalle's ships in the Matagorda 
 Bay and his abandoned camp near Victoria. Before returning, 
 they met a chief of the Tejas Indians near the Guadalupe River, 
 and from him learned the direction taken by LaSalle, and from 
 the chief they also received an invitation to come and Chris- 
 tianize the people of his tribe. Father Massanet and De Leon 
 returned to ^Mexico and made a report of their journey, and in 
 the following year, 1690, they returned with a larger company of 
 men. and a more complete outfit, to follow in the footsteps of 
 LaSalle, and to grant the request of the Tejas chief. With this 
 expedition there went four other Franciscan priests besides Father 
 ^L^ssanet. They made their way back to the neighborhood of 
 Victoria, destroyed the remains of LaSalle's camp, proceeded up 
 the valley of the Guadalupe River and crossed the Colorado some- 
 where between LaGrangc and Bastrop. From there, led and 
 directed by friendly Indians, they pushed on at easy stages to the 
 villages of the Tejas. Mass was celebratcil at wlial is now Crock- 
 ett, and the following day brought them in sight of the Tejas 
 settlement near where the San Pedro Creek enters the Neches 
 in Houston County. On Monday. May 22, 1690. they entered 
 the Indian village, bearing before them a banner of the Blessed 
 Mother, the whole company the while singing tlic Litany of the 
 B.lesscd \'irgin. They were received with grcnt reverence and 
 gladness, and invited to the house of the cbii'f. 'I he following 
 day the erection of a home for the priests, and a chapel, was 
 bcgmi. Dji the feast of Corpus Christi this chapel was dedicated. 
 .'\ Mass was sung, and the first procession of the Most iUessed 
 Sacrament was held within the present borders of Texas. After 
 the procession the standard of Spain, bearing on one side the 
 picture of the Crucified Christ and on the other that of the Virgiii 
 of Guadalupe was raised, a royal salute was fired and the Te 
 Dciun was sung. The notes of the great hymn of St. Ambrose
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 rang- tliron^li the tall pines of the Neches woods and proclaimed 
 theestahlishnient hi the Chnrch of St. Francis on the Neches of 
 the same faith of St. Peter's on the Tiller. Father Massanet's 
 four companion priests with three soldiers were put in charge of 
 Texas's first interior settlement, and five days later Father Massa- 
 net and his companions began their return journey to Mexico. 
 
 The history of San Francisco de los Tejas, which De Leon 
 and Massanet left in charge of four padres and three soldiers, is 
 shorter in time but hardly less abundant in misfortune than that 
 of Fort St. Louis. The padres founded another small establish- 
 ment nearby and worked zealously, but their experiences included 
 drought and overflow, ruining the harvests, and was followed by 
 famine and pestilence. The Indians refused to live in communities 
 and the soldiers became unmanageable and outrageous in their 
 conduct. Finally the viceroy oft^ered the abandonment of the 
 Mission and in October, 1693, the padres and soldiers buried what- 
 ever property they could not carry away with them and departed. 
 Only one Spaniard had died there, but they had little more real 
 success than the French at Fort St. Louis. 
 
 In 1691 Father Massanet had returned with Captain Domingo 
 Teran. The expedition was organized into divisions, one going by 
 land and the other by sea. The first division consisted of fifty 
 soldiers, nine priests and a number of attendants ; the second was 
 made up of forty seamen. The purpose of this cntrada was to 
 strengthen the Mission of San Francisco de los Tejas and establish 
 others. Teran accompanied the division that went by land, as 
 did Padre Massanet. The junction of the land and sea forces did 
 not take place until late in the summer, and the whole force did 
 not start from Mission San F'rancisco de los Tejas until near the 
 opening of winter. The expedition penetrated apparently to the 
 Red River, but mischievous discussions, great suffering from cold 
 and hunger followed, and they were fortunate to get back to 
 Espiritu Santo and the Gulf and home to Mexico by sea rather 
 than overland. After these expeditions, there was but one people 
 in the country they penetrated, of whom the Spanish in Mexico 
 thought seriously and that was the Tejas Indians. 
 
 Tejas was the name not of a single tribe, but a confederacy 
 of nearly thirtv, including nine tribes of the Asenais or Cenis. 
 It is but natural that the name of Tejas or Texas should be ex- 
 tended to the whole region. Xuevas Filipinas, which was for 
 some time the official designation, was not upon the popular 
 tongue, and was soon displaced entirely by Texas. 
 
 In 1713 Governor Cadillac of Louisiana ordered Louis Saint- 
 Denis to organize an expedition to the old Spanish missions in 
 Texas, ostensibly for the purpose of buying horses and cattlfe. but 
 reallv for exploring the territory and establishing trade with the
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 5 
 
 natives. Cadillac had received from Fray Francisco Hidalgo a 
 letter asking his co-operation for the establishment of a mission 
 among the Asenais. Padre Hidalgo had been at San Francisco 
 de los Tejas, and when that Mission was abandoned he went to 
 San Juan Batista on the Rio Grande. He later returned to the 
 scene of his earlier labors in Texas and had remained for several 
 years as a missionary among the Asenais. Appeal after appeal 
 had been made by the Franciscans to re-occupy the country of the 
 Tejas, but in vain. Early in 171 1 Padre Hidalgo, finding it im- 
 possible to inspire the authorities in Mexico with the enthusiasm 
 of the Franciscans, wrote to the governor of Louisiana. Cadillac 
 responded promptly, in sharp contrast' to the Spanish neglect and 
 Louis Jucherau de Saint-Denis was chosen as leader of the ex- 
 pedition. He had previously led parties into Texas and was ex- 
 perienced in dealing with the Indians. His expedition started 
 from Mobile in the fall of 1713, but was delayed some time 
 at Biloxi, and did not enter Texas until 1714. When he reached 
 the Asenais they readily lent themselves to Saint-Denis's policy. 
 They were anxious to have Padre Hidalgo return and they gave 
 him the necessary guides to conduct him to San Juan Batista, 
 two leagues on the Mexican side from the river and about thirty- 
 five miles from the present site of Eagle Pass. 
 
 Captain Diego Ramon, the commander of the presidio, treated 
 Saint-Denis and his companions well but detained them until he 
 could get instructions from the Viceroy. Saint-Denis kept Cadillac 
 informed of the state of affairs and found relief for the suspense 
 anfl tedium of awaiting the \'iceroy's instruction by engaging 
 himself to the granddaughter of Captain Ramon, whom he married 
 before returning to Louisiana. Eventually he was called to the 
 City of Mexico, and when Espinosa and his council saw that they 
 were threatened with French encroachment, the loss of northern 
 trade and the discovery of their valuablr niincs, they readily 
 yielded to Saint-Denis's suggestion that the governors of the ex- 
 posed provinces be directed to keep out the I'reiich and that the 
 Missions in that f|uarter be re-established. The council planned 
 an expedition to establish four missions among the Tejas Indians. 
 The expedition was organized under the leadership of Captain 
 Domingo Ramon, son of the governor of the presidio of San 
 Juan Batista. Besides Ramon, his son Diego and Saint-Denis, 
 there were only twenty-two soldiers, but twelve friars, three lay 
 brothers and many civilians accomjianied the party, and there were 
 a few families and several married men, accompanied by their 
 wives. Saint-Denis was chief convoy and (|uartermastcr of the 
 outfit and had notified Cadillac of the entrada, and had even pro- 
 posed a counter-expedition to Espiritu Santo Bay. The expedition 
 led bv Ramon made its final start from the Rio rirnnde April 27,
 
 6 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 1716, and followed the route previously traveled by Saint-Denis, 
 and in two months they came to the country of the Tejas, who 
 received them with great friendliness. 
 
 Mission San Francisco was re-established, but on a site four 
 leagues further inland. The original designation was changed 
 to San Francisco de los Neches. Five other Missions were 
 founded, whose names were Nuestra Senora de la Guadalupe, La 
 Purissima Concepcion, San Jose, San Miguel de Linares and 
 Nuestra Senora de los Dolores. They were to serve respectively 
 in the order in which they have been named, beginning with San 
 Francisco, the Neches or Nacogdoches, the Asinais, the Noaches. 
 the Adaes and the Aes. Guadalupe was near the present town of 
 Nacogdoches and the others were situated in an, irregular group 
 around it at distances ranging from twenty-five to fifty miles, 
 the last two being well towards the east and near the French 
 settlements already established on the Red River. 
 
 Saint-Denis went to Louisiana in 171 7 and reentered the 
 French service. In the course of time his wife rejoined him. 
 Spain owed him much, for he had unwittingly and unwillingly 
 strengthened its possession of a goodly land. 
 
 From 1716, when the Missions in East Texas were re-estab- 
 lished by Ramon, until 1762, when France surrendered Western 
 Louisiana to Spain, the Spanish and French stood facing each 
 other at the northeast corner of Texas in close proximity. From 
 the Mission of Adaes (which was truly the capital of Texas for 
 a brief period before the removal to San Antonio) to the French 
 fort built among the Nacogdoches Indians, was only seven leagues. 
 Whilst the civil history is full of storm and strife, the Church 
 struggle is covered by the monograph of the life of Blessed An- 
 tonio Margil and his Franciscan Companions, and the story of 
 Texas Missionary Enterprises in the eighteenth and early nine- 
 teenth century as compiled by Father Rapp.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 TEXAS IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 
 THE MISSIONS SUPPRESSED. 
 
 Geographically considered, Texas in the i8th century was a 
 somewhat indefinite and changing entity. The original Texas was 
 the territory of the Hasinai or Asinai (Texas) Indians between 
 the Trinity and Red Rivers. Early in the i8th century the bounda- 
 ries were extended westward to include the settlements on the 
 San Antonio River and Matagorda Bay. Later in the century the 
 Nueces River was considered its western boundary. Before the 
 middle of the i8th century the eastern boundary was fixed ten- 
 tatively a little west of the Red River. On the coast Spain forti- 
 fied and held the mouth of the Trinity as another point and pushed 
 it as far east as the Sabine River. West of the upper Nueces 
 and San Saba Rivers was considered as belonging to Coahuila 
 and New Mexico. Generally speaking then, Texas in the middle 
 1 8th century comprised the eastern half of the present State of 
 Texas and a part of Western Louisiana. 
 
 At the opening of the i8th century Texas was the home of 
 the Apache, Comanche, Lipon and many other Indian tribes. 
 These native tribes were of concern to Spain and mainly for two 
 reasons: all were objects of solicitude to the missionaries; they 
 were exposed to the influence of French explorations, which must 
 be counteracted. At the close of the first period of the i8th cen- 
 tury Texas was distinctively a buffer province. The two prin- 
 cipal factors which made it worth while to occu[)y were its French 
 neighbors and its native inhabitants. B.y 1731 Spanish claims to 
 most of the region had been vindicated and the outlines of the 
 province drawn. The points of occupation at that time fell into 
 two distinct groups, f)ne lying between the Ncchcs and the Red 
 Rivers — the original Texas; another on the San Antonio and 
 Guadalupe Rivers. On the Rio Grande at San Juan I'atista there 
 was a third grouj) which was inlinialely connected with the de- 
 velopment of the rcgif)n between the Rio Grande and San Antonio 
 Rivers. In civil an<l military affairs all this province was subject 
 directly to the Spanish viceroy at Mexico City and in ecclesiastical 
 matters to the Archbishop of ' Miadalajara. 
 
 The first missions, like the presidios or military garrisons, 
 were frontier institutions. They worked hand in hand however. 
 The central figure of every mission was the Indian pueblo or
 
 o HISTORY OF THE 
 
 villag-c. If the Indian was to be civilized or christianized he must 
 be kept in a tlefinite spot. To effect this and to afford the mis- 
 sionaries protection as well as to hold the frontier against in- 
 vaders, presidios or garrisons were established nearby, provided 
 with a guard. The missions of Texas were conducted originally 
 by two Franciscan missionary colleges of Queretaro and Zaca- 
 tecas. Mexico. The missions were grouped into presidencies. 
 The Zacatecan missions in eastern Texas and those on the San 
 Antonio River constituted separate presidencies. The Queretaran 
 missions were along the Rio Grande. 
 
 The first priests that set foot on Texas soil with actual coloni- 
 zation in view were Fathers Zenobius Neambre, Anastase Douay, 
 Maximus Le Clercq. Father John Cavclier, a brother of La 
 Salle, and Father Chefdeville, who accompanied the French ex- 
 plorer LaSalle on his expedition to colonize the lower part of the 
 Mississippi River. LaSalle and his troupe set out from Rochelle, 
 France, on the 24th of July, 1684. His dream was to colonize 
 the beautiful wilderness watered by the lower Mississippi, but his 
 dream was never realized. Having no exact chart to the pathless 
 and unknown waters of the Gulf of Mexico, he lost his way to 
 the mouth of the Mississippi, and sailing westward he came on 
 January ist, 1685, i" sight of the low-lying shores of Texas and 
 entered Espiritu Santo Bay, now Matagorda Bay. Attended by 
 soldiers and priests and over three hundred souls, he set foot on 
 the new land. He explored the country round about. At the 
 end of a short time he marked out the foundation for a fort be- 
 side a small stream which empties into the Bay. This stream 
 he called Les Vaches (La Vaca), Cow River, from the number of 
 buffaloes which he saw grazing on the banks. The fortress was 
 named St. Louis and a chapel was built nearby, later Bahia Mis- 
 sion. ^ For two years these five priests had offered the Floly 
 Sacrifice in a chapel constructed near the fort and administered 
 the sacraments. There were marriages and baptisms, the sick 
 to console with religious rites and the dead for whom to offer 
 the Mass of Requiem. Si)ain soon learned that France was laying 
 unlawful hands on her Spanish possessions in the new world and 
 consequently ordered her viceroy in Mexico to set out and expel 
 them, if found. 
 
 A military council was held at the new outpo.st of Mexico, 
 Monclova, and Captain Alonzo de Leon was dispatched in 1689 
 to find and destroy LaSalle and his colony. The pioneer Spanish 
 priest to accompany this expedition was the Franciscan Father 
 Damian Massanet. Captain De Leon found the fort erected by 
 La Salle but it was abandoned and nothing left of the French 
 colony save bleaching bones scattered about the blockhouse where 
 the little colony made its last desperate stand against the blood-
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 9 
 
 thirsty Indians. The broken walls of the fort were restored. 
 The first mission in Texas was begini and dedicated to San Fran- 
 cisco de los Tejas. This was in 1690, and at Crockett, some fifty 
 miles southwest of Nacogdoches. Now the Spanish flag fluttered 
 in the breeze and De Leon took possession of the country in the 
 name of the King of Spain. Soon thereafter there came mission- 
 ary bands out of Mexico and in various parts of Texas and the 
 foundations were laid for the so-called missions, some of which 
 are to this day the pride and joy of Texan Catholics. They were 
 scattered along the various shores of all the rivers and streams in 
 Texas from the Sabine and Neches to the Brazos de Dios and 
 San Antonio Rivers and down to the Rio Grande. 
 
 In 1699 Fathers Hidalgo. San Buenaventura and Ysidro de 
 Espinosa crossed over the Rio Grande River, where steps were 
 taken to establish the missions along this river. They were San 
 Juan Batista, San Bernardo, San Cristobal and San Francisco. 
 These were maintained until 1718, when they were transferred 
 to San Antonio, where before that time no missions were as yet 
 founded. 
 
 From 1690 to 1714 neither France nor Spain seemed inclined 
 to trouble themselves about taking formal possession of this vast 
 country, now Texas, by establishing missions and colonies in it. 
 An incident however occurred in 1714 which gave the first impetus 
 to real activity along these lines. It was the incident of the Bold 
 Rider, Juchercau St. Denis, a shrewd French explorer and trader, 
 who was sent in 1714 l)y the Governor of Louisiana. Cadillac, 
 on an expedition to open trade across Texas with the Spanish in 
 Mexico. St. Denis set out from Mobile in that year and arrived 
 in Mexico anrl made known his plans to the Mexican Government 
 officials. An expedition was organized, with Domingo Ramon 
 as commander and St. Denis as guide. In all there were twelve 
 Franciscan Friars, among whom was our \'cii. Antonio de Margil, 
 founrler of the missions around Nacogdoches, and some sixty 
 civilians, who set out in April, 17 16. and came into the land of the 
 Tejas. They jf)urneycd on initil they reached the place where the 
 first mission was opencl by De Leon's missionary band in 1690. 
 'J'his they now re-established under the new name of San Fran- 
 cisco de los Neches, and besides this, five other missions were 
 founded, all within twenty-five to fifty miles of our present 
 Nacogdoches. They bore the names of ( i ) Nuestra Senora de la 
 Guadalupe. (2) La Purissima Concepcion. (3) San Jose, (4) 
 San Miguel de Linares, and (5) Nuestra Senora de los Dolores. 
 The first mentioned was where now Nacogdoches is located, and 
 was founded by Yen. Antonio Margil July 20. 1716. Here a 
 wretcbed hut was the convent of the missionary fathers, but they 
 were as happy as in a palace. They recited the office in common, 
 had their hours of meditation, hours for the study of the Indian
 
 lO HISTORY OF THE 
 
 language, and time for cultivating the ground for their own sup- 
 port, and time for working on their Church and convent. To this 
 day the people of Nacogdoches of Spanish origin point to a spring 
 of' pure water which their ancestors named the "Fountain of 
 Father Margil," asserting that it was due to the prayers of that 
 holy man in a season when all springs had failed. In January, 
 17 1/, Father Margil, suffering from cold and hardships, joined 
 the Mission of Nuestra Senora de los Dolores, west of the Sabine. 
 In March he established, near the sheet of water in western 
 Louisiana called to this day the Spanish Lake, the Mission of 
 San Miguel de Linares. All these missions w^ere completed by 
 1717. After the establishment of these eastern groups of mis- 
 sions, another expedition set out under Martin de Alarcon, Gov- 
 ernor of Coahuila and later of Texas, to look after colonization 
 of Texas lands. He set out in 1718 and founded the presidio of 
 San Antonio de Bejar on the San Antonio River and the Mission 
 San Antonio de Valero. This foundation is not a new one, but 
 a transfer of the one named San Francisco Solano on the Rio 
 Grande founded in 1699. 
 
 The Alission of San Antonio de Valero was soon re-enforced 
 by several others. In 1720 the Mission of San Jose de Ogury 
 was founded, and in 1722 that of San Francisco de Naxera. In 
 1 73 1 the eastern missions around Nacogdoches were moved to 
 San Antonio and their names changed to San Francisco de la 
 Espada, La Purissima Concepcion de Acuna and San Juan Capis- 
 trano. The missions founded by Ven. Antonio Margil, however, 
 were maintained. These were Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe, 
 near the present city of Nacogdoches, and the missions of Los 
 Dolores and San Miguel. Near here was also maintained the 
 Spanish frontier presidio or military post, which the missionaries 
 attended as chaplains, as they did also Nacogdoches, when it was 
 made a parish. 
 
 What is now known as the Alamo is the transferred San An- 
 tonio de Valero Mission, said to have been begun in 1722. It 
 appears to have been the chapel of the Mission of San Antonio 
 de Valero. 
 
 Almost from the beginning the work in Eastern Texas there 
 seems to have been some among the Spanish who distrusted the 
 system of colonizing by means of missions. In 1727 General 
 Pedro Rivera made a round of inspection among the established 
 missions in Texas. He found them all in bad shape and recom- 
 mended that they be suppressed. The missionaries protested. 
 The presidios were suppressed, but the Friars obtained permis- 
 sion to move their missions to the San Antonio River. 
 
 In 1755 Governor Barrios of Texas learned that the French 
 intended to establish a colony on the Trinity River. He reported 
 the danger to the viceroy in Mexico and provided at once to se-
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON II 
 
 cure the position for his country, ]\Iexico, by estabUshing a pre- 
 sidio and mission at the mouth of the Trinity, which was called 
 the mission of Nuestra Senora de la Luz. Fray Romero, Chavira 
 and Satereyn were the active missionaries in this territory among 
 the Orcoquisac and Bidai Indians. The site was fixed two leagues 
 from the head of the Bay or near the north line of present Cham- 
 bers County. It was called also San Augustin de Ahumada. 
 Barrios soon complained that these missionaries were unsuited for 
 their task, because the one was very young and the other. Father 
 Chavira, was old and feeble in health. Fie carried his complaint 
 to Father \'allejo at Adaes, further east, who promised to hav? 
 them removed and others sent. Before long Father Chavira suc- 
 cumbed to the unhealthfulness of the country and died. Father 
 Satereyn remained. The Indians here were very tractable and 
 friendly. They professed anxiety to enter the mission ; they built 
 a house for the missionaries and planted six "almuds" of corn. 
 The church was made of wood all hewn, and beaten clay mixed 
 with moss and had four arched portals. To select a site for the 
 villa. Barrios commanded Lt. del Rio and Don Bernardo de Mir- 
 ando to make a survey. The first "ojo" examined was three 
 leagues west of the San Jacinto River, going up stream to the 
 village of El Gordo, they found a large stream and dividing at a 
 short distance into two smaller streams, one running from the 
 northwest and one from the south. This was regarded as the best 
 place for the site and is marked on Mirando's map, 1757, as Santa 
 Rosa. It was apparently where Houston now is. (Page 350, 
 foot note, Bolton.) Farther up the Trinity River was founded in 
 1774 the mission called Nuestra Senora de Pilar de Bucareli, 
 named for Antonio Maria Bucarelli y Ursua, viceroy of Mexico. 
 It was, according to Gil y Barbo, a two days' march from the 
 Texas village at Nacogdoches, near P>idais Creek, which flows 
 into the Trinity River between Walker and Madison Counties. 
 (Bolton, page 406) and near Robbins Ferry at the old village of 
 Randolph. This nn'ssion was established for the exiles from Adacs 
 in Louisiana, with fill y P.arbo as their captain. A year after 
 its beginning this mission had innnerous jacales, or huts, twenty 
 houses of hewn wood grouped around the plaza, a wooden church 
 and a guardhouse or stocks. In 1777 there were more than fifty 
 houses here, corrals, fields, roads cut open and an improved 
 river crossing. A census taken in 1777 showed the i)Mi)ulalion 
 of the place to consist of three hundred and forty-.seven persons. 
 There was no resident missionary here; it was attended from 
 San Antonio missions by leather Garza, who was sent later on 
 to Nacogdoches and subsec|ucntly became president of all the 
 Zacatecan missions in Texas. . . 
 
 Towards the middle of the i8th century. 1747. three missions 
 were established on the San Gabriel River, a western tributary
 
 IJ HISTORY OF THE 
 
 to the central Brazos River. The first was called San Francisco 
 Xavicr. the second San lldefonso and the third Nuestra Senora de 
 la Candelaria. The chief missionaries here were Fray Mariano and 
 hVay Gonzahal, the latter being killed for the cause of the Faith. 
 These missions were located in Milam County in the neighbor- 
 hood of Rockdale and San Gabriel. In 1750 there were in the 
 three missions four hundred and eighty resident Indians and the 
 book^ of the mission showed that two hundred and sixty-six had 
 received baptism. Some progress was also made in building and 
 agriculture and in October, 1750, the construction of an irriga- 
 tion ditch and a dam was begun. Felipe de Rabago Teran was 
 made military captain of these missions. Hardly did he arrive 
 when a dispute arose over the mission guards. He hampered 
 very much the progress and work of these missions and was not 
 at all friendly towards the missionary fathers. He was exhorted 
 by them to change his immoral life, but not heeding their prayers 
 he was reprimanded publicly for living openly in adultery and 
 was finally excommunicated. His soldiers in the presidio were 
 likewise leading scandalous lives and giving the missionaries 
 much cause for worry. As there was no harmony between the 
 military and the missionaries, the Indians, instigated by Rabago, 
 killed Fray Gonzabel in 1752, as he w^as found standing in the 
 door of the mission of Candelaria. Fray Mariano w^rote to his 
 superiors in 1750 that the Indians were living in insubordination 
 and that the missionaries had little power to restrain them since 
 they saw the King's agents living in strife and sin. Provisions 
 were always short, as the royal officials of the exchequer in 
 Alexico flatly refused aid for these missions. They even denied 
 the missionaries the permission to solicit alms from the other 
 missions on the Rio Grande and San Antonio Rivers. In the 
 summer a terrible epidemic of smallpox broke out that almost 
 swept clean the missions of their neophytes. The scenes were 
 horrible, but the missionaries worked bravely, lending aid where 
 possible and rejoicing at the opportunity to baptize the dying 
 savages. These missions were the scenes of constant trouble 
 from one source or other. The crisis was reached in the murdering 
 of Father Gonzabal. It seems that Rabago instigated the Indians 
 against this missionary for having posted the notice of his ex- 
 communication on the presidio. The Indians went on the warpath 
 and after piercing Fray Gonzabal's heart with an arrow, they 
 made life around these missions impossible and put an end to 
 their usefulness in this locality. They were soon removed to a 
 site on the San Saba and Guadalupe Rivers. On account of the 
 sins of those who were sent to help the missionaries Christianize 
 the Indian savages, Providence made the site of these missions 
 untenable. Father Mariano, the head missionary of these mis- 
 sions, thus described in 1760 the situation to the viceroy of
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 1 3 
 
 Mexico: "The sacrilegious homicides having been perpetrated, 
 the elements at once conspired, declaring divine justice provoked, 
 for in the sky appeared a ball of fire so horrible that all were 
 terrified, and with so notable a circumference that it circled from 
 the presidio to the mission of Orcoquizac (at the mouth of the 
 Trinity River). It burst and made a noise like a loud cannon 
 shot. The river ceased to run and what water remained became 
 so corrupt that it was extremely noxious and intolerable to the 
 smell. The air became so infected that many died of a malicious 
 pest. We all found ourselves in the last extremes of life. The 
 land, so beautiful a plain before, became a thicket in which hor- 
 rible crevices opened that caused terror. The inhabitants were 
 so aroused that in order to escape extermination they moved 
 more than thirty leagues away without any other permission than 
 that granted them by the natural right to' save their own lives." 
 
 The missions around Nacogdoches had not such a sad ending. 
 Monsieur de Pages, a French gentleman, who passed through 
 this territory in 1766, writes thus of the mission established at 
 Nacogdoches and dedicated to Nuestra Sefiora de Guadalupe as 
 seen above. He says he received a hospitable welcome from the 
 Padres there. He describes the fine Plaza at Nacogdoches and 
 its beautiful trees and praises its fine climate. He admires their 
 fine robust horses and says a good horse may be had for a jiair 
 of .shoes. The Indians there were a corn-growing people. In 
 1778 a fort was ])ui]t there for the soldiers. A few huts were 
 clustered about it, which provided a stopping place for travelers 
 ■and adventurers. It became later the gateway through which 
 Anglo-American energy and ambition came into Texas. Vvova 
 its plaza unrolled a panorama full of life and vigor. It opens 
 with Philip Nolan of Irish descent, who in ^y^)y obtained a i)er- 
 nu't from De Nava, the .*~^i)anish commandant general of Texas, 
 to collect in Texas wild horses for the .Xmerican army. They 
 went as far west as where the city of Waco now stands, where 
 they found "elk and deer plenty, buffalo and thousands of wild 
 horses." 
 
 On the lotli of .April, I7<;4, Don Pedro De Xava, Command- 
 ant fieneral of the northeastern internal ])rovinces. of wliich 
 Texas formed a i)art, published a decree 1)\ wlnCli .dl missions 
 were secularized. The Franciscans remained as pastors of their 
 flocks imtil 1824. On the 28th of July, 1801, Pt. Rev. Martin 
 de Porras was elected ilishop of Linares and soon afterwards 
 made a visitation of, his diocese. In 1805 he came to Texas as 
 far as Nacogdoches, where he was received in a splendid manner 
 by the soldiers and peo^^le. 
 
 In Texas the I'>anciscan missions terminated in 1824. when 
 the missionaries were suppres'^rd bv the .'-^jjanish government and
 
 14 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the Tiuliaiis dispersed. Roug-h and tiirl)ulent frontiersmen, full 
 of hatred for the Catholic Church, took their place. 
 
 In 1832 a last attempt was made to seek entrance again upon 
 the Texas missions and the Bishop of Monterey sent Father Diaz 
 ( I ) de Leon to Nacogdoches. But he was not to labor long, for 
 the hand of an assassin was ready to send him to his Maker. The 
 saintly l"'ather de Leon felt that he was among many wolves and 
 prepared to follow his Savior, forgiving all his enemies before 
 he died. The following he left in writing: '''House of Mr. 
 Prentiss Bordon. This Sunday. November 4th, 1834, I returned 
 to this house and as it seems to me to be the last day of my life — 
 God knows why — I address my weak and languishing words to 
 my beloved parishioners of Nacogdoches, bidding them from the 
 bottom of my heart an earnest farewell. Adios, Adios. I salute 
 them with my heart in my eyes and in my tears, especially Mr. 
 Roberts, Lt. Col. E. Bean, etc., etc., and all and every one who 
 believes in Jesus Christ, and let it be clear and well known from 
 this that I beg pardon from each and all the persons whom I 
 have offended and likewise prostrate in spirit, on the ground, I 
 pardon, with all my heart all and every person who may have 
 offended me, be the offense why it may. T press all, without 
 exception, to my heart as my beloved children in the charity of 
 
 (1) Vide Sotomayor, p. 517. 
 
 "Cuando se destruyeron las Misiones de Tejas para que entraron los 
 empresarios estranjeros, pidieron los Gobicrnos secular y eclesiastico, 
 de la federacion y de N. Leon, al Colegio de Guadalupe, que proveyese 
 de ministros los nuevos establecimientos. Como entre los empresarios 
 habia algunos catolicos, uno de cllos, acaso con acuerdo de varios, 
 dirijio una comunicacion al Colegio, en idionia latino, suplicandole al 
 Rmo. P. Comisario que no permitiera fuera ninguno de los religiosos 
 que se pedian, porque le constaba que en varias reuniones de los em- 
 presarios no catolicos. se habia tratado de declarar una oculta perse- 
 cucion a los misioneros. Parece que no creyo la nota anonima en que 
 se daba tan importante aviso, y marcharon para aquellas ticrras los 
 RR. PP. Antonio Diaz de Leon y Fr. Miguel Muro. Este ultimo tuvo 
 aviso de las intenciones de los estranjeros, pero el R. P. Diaz, creyendo 
 buena fe en cllos y no cierto lo que se decia, se interne hasta Nacog- 
 doches, a donde llcgo resolvicndose a vivir en aquel desierto, llcvado 
 I'lnicamente del cclo de las almas. Hizo inmcnsos sacrificios para reedi- 
 
 ficar un temple arruinado Los estranjeros que, sin duda, eran 
 
 protestantes, se disgustaban de vcr aquel apostol de la verdadera Iglesia. 
 ...... y concibieron el impio proyecto de asesin arlo Esperaron la 
 
 ocasion y consiguieron su intento, quitando la vida en despoblado al 
 V. P. Diaz de Leon, y haciendo despues correr, con sumo descaro, la 
 cspecie de que el V. Martir, se habia suicidado. Este martirio sucedio 
 el dia 4 de Nov. de 1834. "El . P.", dice el Rdo. P. Frejes, "quaia 
 preveia su muerte, escribia carta a sus fieles lena de conceptos 
 religiosos y de expresiones las mas tiernas y fervorosas con que un 
 Pastor puede hablar en la hora de su muerte a su rebano".
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 1 5 
 
 our Lord Jesus Christ ; also to the Alcalde of the Ayuntamiento, 
 Don Juan Mora, farewell, I say, farewell. Amen, Amen. This 
 letter with like expressions of affection I address to my dear 
 friend. Dr. Sam Santos, that he may send it to his correspondents 
 to display my heart to all my parishioners, whom I beseech in 
 the bowels of our Savior, Jesus Christ, to persevere firmly in 
 keeping the law of God and the sacred obligations they contracted 
 in baptism. And I beg him to hand this to my nephew, Santos 
 Antonio Aviles, that he may copy it and live in the fear of the 
 Author of his being." Fray Antonio Diaz de Leon. 
 
 He left the house and was never seen again. It is recorded 
 that he was assassinated near the town of St. Augustine, some 
 thirty miles southeast of Nacogdoches.
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 THE VENERABLE ANTONIO MARGIL DE JESUS. 
 
 M^r. W. W. Hume, D. D. 
 
 [The following' sketch is based upon the lives of P. Margil by 
 Espinosa (his companion in Texas), Vilaplana and Ignacio Da- 
 vila-Garibi, upon the Histories of Sotomayor and Tiscarefio. 
 and upon some few notes made by the writer from archives in 
 Mexico. The writer desires to point out that the sketch is wo- 
 fully deficient, for he has not at hand even the Cronicas; he hopes 
 however that it may serve to direct attention to the greatest of 
 all Texan and Mexican missionaries and he begs those who may 
 read it to say a Hail Mary to Our Lady of Guadalupe, to whom 
 Margil was always most devout and in whose hands he placed the 
 keys of his College at Zacatecas, calling her its Superior, that 
 we may soon see the triumphant beatification of him who in his 
 humility used to call himself "la misma waida."] 
 
 The Servant of God, Antonio Margil de Jesus, was born at 
 Valencia in Spain on August i8th, 1657, and from his earliest 
 days gave promise of great sanctity. He entered the Franciscan 
 Order just before he was sixteen, receiving the habit from P. 
 Jose Salelles on April 22nd, 1673, in the Convent of the Holy 
 Crown of Christ in Valencia and making his solemn profession 
 on April 25th of the following year. His life at this time was, 
 as always, most mortified as the following story shows. His 
 custom was to go every night after Matins to the garden of the 
 Convent where he made the Stations of the Cross, carrying a 
 very heavy cross of wood ; after he had finished this task he used 
 to go to a little oratory and pray there for as long as his Director 
 would permit. One day the Director, as a test, asked him if he 
 used to drive away the mosquitoes whilst he was praying or if 
 he endured them in patience. ]\LTrgil replied that he would let 
 them bite him a's they would, and obeyed so literally that the next 
 day he appeared with his face terribly swollen — and the Direc- 
 tor, being a man of sense, put an end to this particular mortifica- 
 tion. After his ordination he was sent to the town of Onda, 
 where his preachings were most successful, and thence to the Con- 
 vent of Denia, where he found the well-known P. Antonio Linar, 
 who was about to leave Spain for his missionary work in the New 
 World. Margil obtained permission to join him and sailed with 
 him and his companions from Cadiz, arriving at Vera Cruz on
 
 Venerable Antonm M.irjMl tic Jesus
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 1 7 
 
 June 5th, 1683, shortly after that port had been sacked by the 
 pirate Lorencillo. The band of Alissionaries started at once for 
 Queretaro, preaching on the way, and reached the Convent of 
 the Holy Cross on August i6th of the same year. Here Margil 
 remained until March, 1684, when, in company with his beloved 
 P. Melchor Lopez, he set out to preach the Gospel throughout 
 the whole of Southern Mexico and what is now Central Amer- 
 ica. The difficulties of the work were prodigious, the country 
 being unexplored, filled with wild beasts and populated by 
 Indians, many of whom were most hostile (some being canni- 
 bals) and all of them sunk in idolatry and superstition. The 
 Missionaries were, in general, dependent upon themselves for 
 their support and they lived as real Apostles uix)n what they 
 could find for themselves or on what the Indians gave them. 
 Margil went through all those desert places, full of rocks and 
 thorns and without tracks for the most part, barefoot (according 
 to Espinosa he only rode once, shortly before the journey to 
 Texas, and then suffered agonies, as he was troubled with a 
 double hernia) and it was noticed after his death, that the feet 
 which had borne him so many leagues "preaching the gospel of 
 peace," which should have been worn and calloused, were as 
 white and supple as those of a child. His work, es])ecially in 
 Cuataniala, was amazingly successful and it is said that in Tala- 
 manca alone he baptized more than 40,000 Indians. In spite 
 of his unceasing labors he found time to study the Indian lan- 
 guages, for which he seems to have had an astonishing facility, 
 and made vocabularies of many of them. After thirteen years 
 of work in Central America he was recalled to Queretaro in 
 April, 1697. and appointed Guardian, lie was again sent to 
 Guatamala in 1701, where he founded the Missionary College 
 of Santa Cruz, of which he was the first Superior; In 1703 he 
 went to Nicaragua, where his main work was the spiritual con- 
 quest of Sevaro. Returm'ng to Mexico in 1706, he founded the 
 Missionary College at Zacatecas, placing it under the patronage 
 of Dur Lady of Guarlalupe. whom he named as its Superior and 
 before whose holy picture he placed the keys of the house. He 
 was the P'ounder, l-Mrst A'isilor and President of this College, 
 many of whose sons were to have a great share in the future 
 history of Texas, amf)ng others, the well-known P. Jose (hierra, 
 of whom Margil used to say: "LI Padre Cluerra cs guerra con- 
 tra el infierno." 
 
 In 171 1 he attempted the thankless task of the conversion "f 
 the Indians of the Sierra of Nayarit. a work in which he failed 
 because, as Mota Padilla says, the Indians were not only heathen, 
 but in many cases apostates as well, and thus the more obstinate. 
 Margil failed and to this day the conversion of Nayarit has been 
 only partially accomplished. After the failure of this expedition,
 
 l8 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Mariiil was occupied with IMissions in the north of Mexico, 
 wliere he founded tlie Hospice at Baco de Leones in Nuevo Leon, 
 wliich was afterwards of such service to the Texas Missionaries. 
 
 About this time it was determined to send an expedition to 
 Texas, the motives being partly to estabhsh posts to provide 
 ag^ainst the danglers of a French invasion and partly, and genu- 
 inely, to send the Gospel to the Indians in North-east Texas, in 
 which region lived "two confederacies of the great Caddoan 
 linguistic stock, the Hasinai and the Caddo proper. The Hasi- 
 nai lived on the Angelina and Upper Neches rivers, and com- 
 prised some ten or more tribes, of which the best knowMi were the 
 Hainai, Nacogdoche, Nabedache, Nasoni and Nadaco. They 
 were a settled people who had been living in the same region 
 certainly ever since the time of La Salle and probably long be- 
 fore. They dwelt in scattered villages, practiced agriculture to 
 a considerable extent, and hunted buffalo on the western prairies. 
 The Caddo, whose culture was similar, lived northeast of the 
 Hasinai, along Red River, betw^een Natchitoches and the region 
 of Texarkana. Of this group the best known tribes were the 
 Adaes, Natchitoches, Yatasi, Petit Caddo, Oadadacho, Nassonite 
 and Nadaes. (Bolton: "Texas in the i8th Century," page 2). 
 
 Captain Domingo Ramon, who was in charge of the expe- 
 dition, left Saltillo in company with St. Denis in February, 1716, 
 the Friars who were to accompany him being the following ; 
 PP. Isidoro Espinosa, Galiriel de Vergara, Benito Sanchez, Fran- 
 cisco Hidalgo. Manuel Castellanos, Pedro de Mezquia, all from 
 Oueretaro ; and from Zacatecas, Matias Saenz, Pedro de Men- 
 doza, Augustin Patron and Margil. Many of these were re- 
 markable men — Hidalgo and Saenz being of great importance in 
 the history of Texas, Espinosa being famous for his writings, 
 and the youngest, Agustin Patron, a Jaliscan, a man of great 
 piety, almost equal to that of Margil himself. 
 
 The party reached San Juan Bautista in April, and there 
 Margil fell so sick wnth fever that he received the last Sacra- 
 ments from PP. Espinosa, who tells us that he did so with extra- 
 ordinary fervor, and that he insisted that he should be left be- 
 hind, the other Fathers going on with the main expedition. 
 Happily the fever abated and by the feast of St. Anthony he was 
 sufficiently recovered to start with two soldiers; thanks to the 
 fact that the tracks of the main party were .still open, he caught 
 up with the rest in a short time. 
 
 Margil, with three companions, spent the remainder of 1716 
 in the Mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe among.st the Nacog- 
 doches, his life there being thus described by Espinosa: "They 
 used to recite the Office in common and had their fixed timc.< 
 for prayer, occupying the rest of the time in manual labor, build-
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON I9 
 
 ing, sowing He treated the Indians as pleasantly and 
 
 jovially as if he had been born amongst them, visiting them at all 
 
 hours and putting up with their follies in fact, he nursed 
 
 them as a mother would her children " In January of 
 
 the following year, 1717, he established the Mission of Our Ladv 
 of Sorrows for the Ais Indians, but his design of erecting an- 
 other for Yatasis was frustrated by the heavy floods of that year. 
 In March he went to the country of the Adaes and there also 
 established a Mission. Whilst there he used to go to the French 
 Fort, some ten leagues away, and say Mass and administer the 
 Sacraments. This seems to have gratified the French, for we 
 are told that the "Vicar General of Mobile" wrote him a letter 
 of thanks — there is unhappily no trace of this letter in Mobile or 
 Quebec. Returning to the Mission of Los Dolores, his difficul- 
 ties were increased by the death of the lay brother who was his 
 companion, so that he was left alone in the desert that was Texas. 
 A still greater difficulty was the unfortunate delay in the arrival 
 of the supplies from Mexico, so that he was reduced to eating 
 wild herbs, with a little boiled corn, and nuts. This and other 
 troubles did not in the least perturb Margil, who writes to Espi- 
 nosa in July, 1718, saying: "the Lord allows this delay for our 
 
 good if God is with us in tribulation, it is not tribulation 
 
 but glory " In August. 1718, he received the news that 
 
 he had 'been appointed Guardian of Zacatecas, but as the message 
 had been despatched at the end of 1716, and so long a time had 
 passed he renounced the honor and went on with his work in 
 Texas, living mostly at the Mission of Los Dolores, where he 
 workcfl as usual, planting and sowing in the fields, uciving 
 baskets and gathering luits and fruits. The food sui)ply remained 
 miserably inaflecpiate and the old man, in spite of his hard work, 
 was comj^elled to live for t!ie most part on boiled corn, with an 
 occasional dish of beans; such vegetables as there were li.'id to 
 be cooked with lard made from geese or deer; at tiines even 
 these wretched [)rovisions failed, when we are (old tli.it he used 
 to eat crows. C>ne may imagine, however, that Margil was rather 
 pleased than otherwise at this diet, for wc know that when h.- 
 returned to the Northern Missions later on and Ii.id the opfwr- 
 tunity to fccfl well with the Governor, he avoided his table, anrl 
 further when he was in San Antonio and within reach of reasoi^- 
 ably decent meals, we are t Id by Feliciana Carbajal, who used 
 to cook for him. that his custom was to gather wild gourds, 
 which she cooked for him in a special pot. without any seasoning! 
 
 When in spite of the manifold difficulties the affairs of the Mis- 
 sions began to move a little and there were sonic conversions 
 war again broke out between the French and the .Spaniards. In 
 consequence in June, 17 19, the French Commandant at Natchi-
 
 20 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 toches — who one may hope was not St. Denis, there is at least 
 a question — at once raided the Mission of San Miguel dc los 
 Adaes, seizing all that they could lay hands on. Wc are told that 
 whilst they were catching tlu- chickens, the Friar in charge 
 seized the opportunity, and, under cover of the noise and con- 
 fusion, managed to get to his horse and escaped through the 
 woods to Margil. All the Spaniards, with the exce|)tio'n of Es- 
 pinosa and Margil, who remained at the Mission Purisima Con- 
 cepcion. retired and even these two rejoined the main party on 
 July T4th. Whilst thoy were waiting for more troops they lived 
 in the best way they could in improvised huts, an altar being 
 erected where the eight priests of the party used to say Mass, 
 Margil serving all tlic otlier Fathers. In October, as the ex- 
 pected troops did not arrive, the whole party went to San An- 
 tonio. Whilst in San Antonio the life of the Friars was most 
 regular, the office was recited in common, and Margil, as usual, 
 served the Masses of all the priests. During his stay in San 
 Antonio Margil founded the Mission of San Jose. 
 
 The Holy Week of this year was celebrated with great fer- 
 vor in San Antonio ; we were told that everyone went to Holy 
 Communion on M'aundy Thursday and that Margil preached a 
 wonderful sermon at the Mandatum. 
 
 Tn this year the new expedition under the Marquis de Aguayo 
 and Fernando de Almazan was organized for recovery of north- 
 east Texas ; it started from Bexar, according to Espinosa, to- 
 wards the end of April, and its progress was, thanks to Margil. 
 more like a Mission than a march, Masses being said every day, 
 frequent sermons being given, and the "Alabado," so dear to 
 Margil, sung every night. The missions were all triumphantly 
 restored and rebuilt and Margil continued his labors until he 
 was recalled to Zacatecas in 1722 He continued his Apostolate 
 to the very end, being taken ill on his way to Mexico City, 
 where he was to arrange a new series of missions. He died at 
 the age of seventy, on the 6th of August, 1726, in the Convent 
 of San Francsico in Mexico. Shortly before his death he said : 
 "I had hoped to die in the woods amongst the wild beasts and 
 not in this holy place ; but let the will of God be done. My heart 
 is ready." Thus he who had suffered and been humiliated 
 throughout his life, he who used to call himself "la nn'sma nada," 
 even to his last breath continued the marvelous humility that is 
 one of the notes of his life. He was buried in the Church of 
 San Francsico. but the body was removed later to the Cathedral. 
 Tn 1836 his virtues were proclaimed heroic by Pope Gregory 
 XVI, who thus summarizes the life of him. whom we may call 
 with the old Texans. "our" Father Margil: "The Venerable 
 Antonio Margil, professed Priest of the Friars Minor Observant
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON ^I 
 
 of St. Francis, completely fulfilled the command of the Divine 
 Master, when He told His Disciples, 'Go into all the world, 
 preach the Gospel and teach all nations.' For no sooner had he 
 ended his novitiate than he occupied himself wholly in spreading- 
 the Word of God. Being soon called to the Missions in the 
 Indies, he gladly received the Apostolic Ministry and leaving his 
 country, crossed the ocean. In the New World he was not con- 
 tent to lahor only in known regions, but penetrating to the fur- 
 thest and most inacessible parts, he visited unfriendly nations, 
 savage tribes, speaking unknown tongues, barbarous in their cruel- 
 ty, overwhelmed in the darkness of ignorance, given over to 
 witchcraft and superstitions, idolaters, everywhere preaching 
 Christ, the true God, and travailing to teach them the commands 
 of the Gospel and a more civilized manner of life. Trusting in 
 God, the Venerable Antonio daily undertook the most arduous 
 journeys, without scrip or purse or shoes; patiently suffering 
 hunger and thirst and all manner of hardships; fearlessl}- endur- 
 ing insults, bonds, arrows, the stake, oftimes the danger of 
 death, and thirsting after martyrdom, if only he might drag 
 these wretched souls from the clutches of the devil and make 
 them subject to Christ. Strengthened by the help of heaven, 
 he brought many thousands of men ; aforetime living like wild 
 beasts, to religion and baptized them ; destroyed the worship of 
 false Gods, did away with superstitions, broke up idols, and 
 built Chapels, Mission Houses and Colleges for the Propagation 
 of the Faith in the remotest regions." 
 
 The biographies of the Venerable Servant of God are full of 
 the accounts of miracles which he is said to have performed, but 
 very few, if any, relate to the time that he spent in Texas. It 
 may therefore be of interest to relate a few which arc said to 
 have hajjpened during this period and which appear to have some 
 authority, at least the writer found them in reliable documents. 
 
 On one occasion the Venerable I-'ather was summoned t(j 
 the house of an Inrlian tailed 'i'arruca, who lived near the Adaes 
 Missif)!!, who was sick. The soldii-r who tells the story savs that 
 he saw "he I'athcr go and return, that 'i'arruca lived on the far 
 side of an arroyo, which was in flndd, ilini there was no meain 
 of crossing, that llie two sold'ers who accompanied the i''atiier 
 said that he crossed the arroyo witliMut getting wet, and that 
 this was the ajni'ion talk amongst the Indians and members of 
 ♦he garrison. 
 
 In the year 1721 some of the buildings caught fire and, as all the 
 roofs were of tliatch, there was great fear that the whole I'residio 
 wouUl be burned. I'. Guerra imj)lored the i'^ather to stop the 
 fire, but he replied, "I'.rother, what have wc to do with it, if 
 it is the will of God?" P. Guerra finally induced the h'ather to
 
 22 IllSIOUY OF TllK 
 
 act and he began to pray. No sooner had he done so than the 
 fire stopped, only the wood of the houses remaining on fire — the 
 flames not reaching the other buildings, wliich were only a few 
 feet away. 
 
 On another occasion he was preaching and had candles in 
 his hand to illuminate the Crucifix ; these set fire to the thatched 
 roof of the Chapel and a considerable area (more than a vara) 
 was burning; the Governor called his attention to the danger and 
 he extinguished the fire by blowing at it. 
 
 In 1721 he was on his way to the French Fort in the month 
 of June with a body of soldiers commanded by Don Diego Boey 
 Quintano; at midday they reached a dry arroyo and the Com- 
 mander told Margil that though there was no water they would 
 stop there for the noon meal. The Venerable Father told him 
 to go on a little further and he would find water; they did so 
 and found a water-hole with enough water for all, including the 
 horses. This hole was at the edge of the road and no one had 
 seen it before. The next day they came back the same way and 
 they saw no trace of the hole, and there was no sign that there 
 had been rain for a long time. 
 
 The writer protests that in all that has been said in the above 
 article he submits entirely to the relative Decrees of Urban VITl.
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 SAN JACINTO'S GLORIOUS FIELD. 
 
 The battle of San Jacinto changed the civiHzation ol a con- 
 tinent. If the proud spirit of the Texas colonists had been broken 
 by defeat, Spanish would now be tlie tongue of that great terri- 
 tory west of the Mississippi. We present a short sketch of 
 General Sidney Sherman written "by Col. A. M. Hobbey, and 
 published in the Galveston News under date of August 2, 1872. 
 
 LIFE AND TIMES OF GENERAL SIDNEY SHERMAN. 
 
 This disinguished soldier of the Texas revolution died at his 
 residence in this city, early last night, in the 68th year of his age. 
 He displayed great gallantry, and the splendid qualities of a 
 patriot in the campaigns of 1836, and bore a conspicuous part in 
 the decisive battle of San Jacinto, which established forever the 
 independence of the struggling Republic. 
 
 If distinguished for ardent and daring spirit in the early his- 
 tory of the country and for unselfish ambition and sincere de- 
 votion to the general weal, he was not less pre-eminently the 
 object of historic intere.st in being the last surviving field officer 
 that participated in the closing battle of the war. 
 
 The presidents, vice-presidents, aii<l the members of their 
 respective cabinets, together with the commander-in-chief and 
 the general officers of the Texas army, had been borne by loving 
 hands to their final resting place, before the brave and honest 
 heart of Sherman was stilled by the hand of death. I'or years 
 he had lingered alone on the battlefields of Texas, partly made 
 famous by his intre|)idity and valor, resigned and patient, await 
 ing the summons to join the fearless brother spirits of the revo- 
 lution, who have long ago laid aside the weajjons of war and 
 passed into the Kingdom of Peace. 
 
 The last few years of Sheini.'in's life uc-re spent in this city, 
 and like most of the surviving heroes of the Ripnblic. he ha.i 
 long withdrawn from the public gaze. IVrsonally. they are al- 
 most entire strangers to the generation that has ajjjjeared since 
 their day of .service ancf distinction. I'.ut their deeds are not for- 
 gotten, and death revives the memory of their exploits, and re- 
 stores them to an exalted place in the gratitude and affection of 
 their countrymen.
 
 24 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Tlic subject vi ihis skclcli was horn in Marlboroui;h, Massa- 
 chusetts. 11 is ancestors were from Wales, and settled in Am- 
 erica in 1 63 1. He was descended from the Hon. Roger Sherman, 
 lono- ilic Nestor of the American Conoress, and is the last male 
 member of the Texas family of that ancient and widely-extended 
 name. His only brother, Dana Sherman, died on the San Jacinto 
 bay in 1839. His wife dying the same day, they were consigned 
 to the same grave. The only son of General Sherman, a lieu- 
 tenant in the Confederate army, was killed in the battle of Gal- 
 veston, at his gun in the front, on the first of January, 1863. 
 
 The early life of General Sherman was devoted to mercantile 
 pursuits. In 1831 he moved to Cincinnati, thence to Newport, 
 Kentucky. Individually, he was the first to manufacture sheet 
 lead west of the Alleghany Mountains, and was one of an asso- 
 ciation that first put into successful operation an establishment 
 for the manufacture of bagging for cotton by machinery. While 
 engaged in the active prosecution of this business, the tidings 
 of a contest between the hardy pioneers of Texas and the troops 
 of Mexico were heralded throughout the United States. The 
 generous spirit of Sherman kindled with enthusiasm, and he 
 zealously espoused a cause which, contemplated under the most 
 favorable aspect, might well have intimidated the boldest heart. 
 The extraordinary vigor displayed by the Mexican Dictator, 
 Santa Anna, in his warlike career, and the military strength at 
 his command, gave Texas little reason to hope for successful 
 resistance, and still less to expect mercy, if defeated. Notwith- 
 standing the few inducements offered, and the little encourage- 
 ment to be derived from a calm survey of the relative strength 
 and resources of the combatants, many undaunted spirits volun- 
 teered, generously giving their services and fortunes to a cause 
 environed with dangers, which if unsuccessful, would terminate 
 in imprisonment or death. 
 
 By a happy coincidence General Sherman commanded at the 
 time a volunteer company, by commission from the Governor of 
 Kentucky, which afforded him facilities for raising troops for 
 the service of Texas. He organized a company of fifty men, 
 required each volunteer to sign stringent articles of subordination 
 before they could be enrolled. Some flinched from the energy 
 and rigidity of the requirements, while those who signed the 
 military compact discerned in it evidences which gave promise 
 of a sagacious and able commander. Amid the snows of winter 
 he established a regular camp, and enforced discipline as strict 
 as if in the face of the enemy. 
 
 On the last day of December, 1835, '^^ embarked on a steamer 
 from Cincinnati. His men were well armed, handsomely uni- 
 formed, and with a full supply of munition and provisions. On
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 2$ 
 
 the day of departure, notwithstanding- a violent snowstorm, the 
 United States troops at Newport barracks turned out, and thou- 
 sands of the citizens, of all ages and both sexes, lined the river 
 banks, to honor the occasion, and manifest their sympathy in 
 the heroic enterprise by enthusiastic and repeated cheers. Amid 
 tears and touching farewells, waving flags and beating drums, 
 the bow of the decorated vessel was turned toward the setting 
 sun and passed down the great river with a company of brave 
 volunteers, whose subsequent trials and triumphs form a splendid 
 chapter in the proud history of our state. 
 
 Sherman and his company debarked at Natchitoches, Louisi- 
 ana, and marched at once to Nacogdoches, in Texas, and thence 
 to Washington, on the Brazos. There he found all confusion. 
 The governor and lieutenant-governor were at deadly feud ; the 
 convention was not assembled ; the brave Travis and his heroic 
 band surrounded by an overwhelming force, called for aid from 
 the beleaguered walls of the Alamo. The people were enthusi- 
 astic and determined, but without arms or organization, and no 
 one present to instruct or lead them. Sherman paraded his 
 company, and called upon the citizens to volunteer and march 
 on the following day to the relief of the Alamo, after which 
 service he declared his intention to return with his company to 
 the United States, if the independence of Texas was not speedily 
 declared by the convention then about to assemble. 
 
 On arriving at Gonzales, he found about two lumdred citizen 
 volunteers — a force totally insufficient to justify an attempt to 
 break through the besieging Mexican forces, some seven thousand 
 strong. I-'ourteen days were consumed in concentrating men and 
 supplies, when General Houston arrived and assumed command. 
 On the ensuing day the first regiment of Texas volunteers was 
 organized and Sherman nominated for the colonelcy ; this he 
 declined in favor of (ieneral i'.iuleson, an old citizen and tried 
 warrior. Sherman was elected lieutenant-colonel. ( )n the even- 
 ing of the same day intelligence was received that the Alamo had 
 fallen, and its brave defenders had been indiscriminately slaught- 
 ered. How truly grand and heroic that defense hail been, is 
 best told in that immortal sentence inscribed <ui the architrave 
 of the monimient constructed «-l' the stones stained b\ tlie blood 
 of heroes, which stands under ihe lofly portico nf the Stale 
 Capitol, that 
 
 ^^ThcnnopxUtc had its iiirssciif^cr of defeat, hiil Ihc 
 .lldiiio had iioiic.^' 
 
 The army retreated to the P.razos. where the second regiment 
 was organized, and Sherman was elected to command it. On 
 the Colorado, being detached from the main body of the army.
 
 26 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 he endeavored to obtain permission to attack General Sesma, 
 who was camped on the opposite bank of the river, on the spot 
 where the town of Columbus now stands, and thus save Fannin 
 and his comrades from inglorious slaughter. Sherman fell back 
 with the retreating army, which was determined to make a last 
 stand at the first strategic point that should be reached on the 
 line of march. 
 
 During the retreat, Sherman displayed all the soldierly quali- 
 ties which, at such a crisis, were necessary to promote enthusi- 
 asm, and preserve the army from demoralization. He was equal 
 to every emergency. On the retreat from the Colorado he was 
 ordered to put the army in marching order, and, by direction 
 of the commander-in-chief, personally superintended the danger- 
 ous crossing of the Brazos. On the 20th of Ajiril, 1836, he led 
 a squadron of cavalry in an attack upon a detachment of the 
 enemy, that occupied a position between the hostile camps. 
 
 In the battle of the 21st he commanded the extreme left of 
 the Texas line, and was the first to strike the enemy, shouting 
 at the critical instant, the talismanic battle cry of "Remember 
 Goliad and the Alamo," which was prolonged in fierce enthusi- 
 asm from left to right by the advancing line. It was a day of 
 vengeance and retribution. The victory was overwhelming and 
 complete, and in its consummation Sherman acted a conspicuous 
 and splendid part. But when the perilous battle was over, he 
 turned from the triumph to stay the tide of violence and slaugh- 
 ter, which, however righteously it may have overtaken the en- 
 emy, he mercifully endeavored to prevent. Happily for human- 
 ity, it not unfrequently occurs that he who leads the forlorn 
 hope with incomparable courage and energy, carries the out- 
 works and enters the breach, braving the terrors of explosion, 
 turns from the hazardous enterprise when the victory is com- 
 plete, unfurls the banner of mercy, and extends a generous and 
 beneficent protection to the van(|uished. Sherman possessed 
 boldness and valor in the crisis of danger, and made humane and 
 vigorous efforts to restrain excesses in the hour of triumph. If 
 he felt that violence was necessary in war, mercy and moderation 
 were not less wise and essential in establishing an enduring 
 peace. 
 
 After remaining several months with the army in the West, 
 and finding that the enemy did not return, he tendered his resig- 
 nation, which President Burnet refused to accept, but gave him 
 a commission as colonel in the regular service, with orders to 
 enlist his men in the United States. When about to leave his 
 companions in arms, the secretary of war presented him with 
 the stand of colors which he had brought to the country, accom- 
 panied with the following communication :
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 2/ 
 
 REPUBLIC OF TEXAS 
 War Department 
 
 August 6, 1837. 
 
 This stand of colors, presented by the ladies of Newport, 
 Kentucky, to Captain Sidney Sherman, is the same which tri- 
 umphantly waved on the memorable battle field of San Jacinto ; 
 and is by this government presented to the lady of Colonel Sid- 
 ney Sherman, as a testimonial of his gallant conduct on that 
 occasion. 
 
 A. SOMMERVILLE, 
 
 Secretary of War. 
 Approved : 
 DA\'ID G. BURXET, President. 
 
 Colonel Sherman's health was much impaired by exposure 
 and fatigue in the army, and before reaching Kentucky he was 
 seriously ill for many weeks. Nothwithstanding his condition, 
 he succeeded in sending out some troops and a quantity of cloth- 
 ing for those in the field, who were extremely destitute. 
 
 In January, 1838, he returned to Texas with his family, and 
 settled upon San Jacinto Bay. In 1842 he was elected as a repre- 
 sentative to Congress from Harris County, and was appointed 
 chairman of the military conmiittee. lie introduced a bill pro- 
 viding for the election oi a major general of militia, and the 
 protection of the frontier. The bill was vetoed by Presideni 
 Houston, but became a law by the vote of a constitutional ma- 
 jority in both Houses of Congress. General Rusk was the first 
 elected to that position. General Sherman succeeded him at the 
 next election by the popular vote, which position he held until 
 the annexation of Texas to the United States. 
 
 r)n his retirement frf)ni military service, .Sherman lost none 
 of the energies which had characterized him in the field, i)Ui 
 displayed in the occupations of private life useful enterprise, 
 creative talents of a valuable order. 
 
 In 1846 he conceived the idea of rebuilding the town (if Har- 
 risburg, which had been (lcstroye<l by Sant;i Anna in 1836. 
 With this view he purchased a large interest in tlie town site, 
 and 4000 acres of land a<ljoining it. lie then proceedeil in I'os- 
 ton, where he enlisted capitalists and organized a company to 
 buibl a railroafl from Harrisburg westward. The difficulties to 
 contend with were neither few nor small. The country was new 
 and but imperfectly known abroad ; the population and agricultural 
 productions were inconsiderable, and lal>or of every character 
 difficult to obtain. \v{ his unabated perscvcrcnce removed ob- 
 stacles and success finally crowned the enterprises: the rebuild-
 
 j8 history of the 
 
 iiii:^ i)f tlic town ami the conslnaiicjii i)f llic first railroad ui 
 Texas. 
 
 The shrill whistle of the "General Sherman" was the first 
 glad sound of the locomotive that broke upon the solitude of 
 Texas forests, and roused to new life the slumbering energies 
 of her hardy people. This locomotive was the first that appeared 
 west of the Sabine, and the second west of the Mississippi — one 
 at St. Louis introduced but a few months before. Thus the 
 name of Sherman will not only be remembered as a chivalrous 
 soldier, whose best years were spent in the service of Texas, but 
 as the father of a railroad system, which has conferred inestim- 
 able blessings upon the people, but whose future benefits will be 
 more profoundly appreciated when our population shall be quad- 
 rupled and the whole area of our extensive territory traversed 
 by a net- work of railways. 
 
 In chronicling the events of the past few years of his life, 
 it is but a record of successive misfortunes. In 1853 he lost a 
 valuable sawmill by fire. Subsequently his dwelling in Harns- 
 burg was burned, then one of the finest buildings in the state. 
 Being homeless, he sent his family to Kentucky, and removed 
 to the railroad office, which was shortly afterwards consumed 
 by fire. His remaining possessions and valuable papers, which 
 had been accunudating for thirty years, were destroyed. They 
 were not only important to himself, but as relating to public 
 affairs, would have been of great value to the future historian 
 of our country. 
 
 Like most soldiers and statesmen who participated in tha 
 early struggles of the country, he derived little material benefit 
 from its redemption. 
 
 If we turn from the public to tlie private life of Sherman, 
 we find that the spirit so restless and daring in the field, was 
 indulgent and affectionate at home. Between himself and mem- 
 bers of his family existed a devotion singularly close and tender, 
 and in the long years of repose that followed an active and event- 
 ful life, he found all the domestic endearments that filial affec- 
 tion and gratitude could bestow. 
 
 In 1830 he married Miss Cox, of Kentucky, who was dis- 
 tinguished for great moral worth, intellectual accom|)lishments 
 and personal beauty. J lis wife and a son and a daughter have 
 preceded him, but he had the gratification of seeing his four 
 remaining daughters grow into womanhood and become honor- 
 able members of society. Assiduous and devoted, they watched 
 the day and night by his bedside, alleviated his sufferings, cheered 
 him by their pre.sence, and received his last blessing and farewell. 
 
 I>et Texans follow, as a last mark of respect, this patriot to 
 his grave, and moisten, as they deserve to be, the ashes of glory 
 with the sweet tears of gratitude. By an historical propriety,
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 29 
 
 the remains of General Sherman should rest in the same ceme- 
 tery by the side of the first and last president of the Republic 
 of Texas. They are inseparably connected in the inheritance of 
 a conmion glory ; and they had been friends in early life, closely 
 bound too^ether by public and private ties. The same grand aims 
 had inspired their souls to hazard life and fortune in the cause 
 of independence; to look down with disdain on temptations, 
 aggrandizement and danger; and to perform the unselfish office 
 of laboring zealously for the public good. The friendships which 
 had existed in full vigor through the storms of revolution, re- 
 splendent with the virtues of manhood and courage, have been 
 dissolved only by the hands of death. Let the dust of our illus- 
 trious pioneers and statesmen mingle witli the dust of our illus- 
 trious soldiers. Together they endured the vicissitudes and tur- 
 moil of time ; together let them enjoy the repose of eternity. 
 
 General Sherman was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral 
 Parish and was buried from the Cathedral August 3. 1872, 
 Father Chambodut celebrating the Mass. 
 
 Closely associated with Bishops Timon and Odin in the 
 building of the first church of Galveston was Dr. N. D. Labadie, 
 a sketch of whose life we present from the Texas Almanac. Dr. 
 I.abadic was also a veteran of San Jacinto. 
 
 Memoirs published in Texas Alimiiiac, 1868. 
 
 NICHOLAS B. LAP- \I)IE, M. D., 
 Galveston. 
 
 Nicholas D. Labadie was born al Windsor, Canarla West, 
 December 3, 1802. llis parents were Antone Louis and Mrs. 
 Charlotte I'.. Labadie. llis inotluT was the daughter o{ Tierrc 
 and Charlotte Chapaton and before lur nianiagc to Mr. I.aliadii', 
 the widow of Lieut. Louis Kaume. 
 
 Antone Louis Labadie was three times married and t!ie 
 father of thirty-three eliildfeii, the youngest of wlmm w.is tin- 
 subject of this memoir. 
 
 I'Vancis Labadie, an ancestor of I )r. i^abadie, was burn in 
 the diocese of Xanitcs. I'"rance. in 1644, and when a young man 
 moved to Canada, where he married and permanently settled. 
 Some of his descendants (among them the representatives from 
 whom Hr. Labadie is innnedialely descended) returned In 
 h'rance. 
 
 An old chronicle, speaking of Pierre Dc.scomptes Labatlie, 
 grandfather, and Antone Louis Labadie, father of Dr. Labadie. 
 says they "settled on the western frontier at any early date and,
 
 30 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 siihscquciitly. in company with several members of their family, 
 moved to Detroit, after retiring from military service, where 
 they spent the remainder of their lives." 
 
 Dr. Labadie was reared on the frontier in Canada West ; 
 emigrated to Missouri when twenty-one years of age; studied for 
 the Catholic priesthood at an institute at Barrens, Perry County, 
 Mo., from 1824 to 1828; for some cause .abandoned his intention 
 to take holy orders. ( He ever remained a devout communicant 
 of the Mother Church), anrl about the year 1829 went to St. 
 Louis, where he clerked in a store, read medicine, and secured 
 his degree of M. D. ; went to Fort Jessup, Louisiana, in 1830 
 and there divided his time between clerking in a store and attend- 
 ing to professional "calls" among the soldiers and civilians resi- 
 dent at the post ; made a prospecting trip to Nacogdoches and 
 thence to San Felipe, in Austin's colony, where he met Col. Sam'! 
 L. Williams, who went with him to Brazoria and other points 
 of interest ; returned to Louisiana, and a month later set sail from 
 New Orleans with a stock of medicines aboard the schooner 
 Martha, bound for Anahuac, at the mouth of the Trinity ; on 
 reaching his destination was made post-surgeon by Col. Brad- 
 burn, who commanded tiie Mexican garrison (300 men) at 
 Anahuac ; also opened a store in co-partnership with Mr. Wilcox, 
 and engaged in the general practice of his profession ; not long 
 after taking up his residence in the town, met and married Miss 
 Mary Norment (born in Mississippi), sister of Thomas Nor- 
 ment (afterwards a soldier at San Jacinto) ; joined the Texa.? 
 jwtriot army IMarch ii, 1836. as a soldier in Capt. Wm. M. 
 Logan's company, 2nd Regiment of Volunteers, on its organiza- 
 tion at Liberty, and with the command reported to General Hous- 
 ton at Benson's on the Colorado on the 20th of the same month ; 
 was on a scout with a detail under Captain Karnes when the 
 retreat to San Felipe began ; rejoined the army at Groce's and 
 was there, April 6. made surgeon of the ist Regiment of the 
 Regulars and placed in charge of the medicine chest by General 
 Houston ; fought in the battle of San Jacinto as a volunteer in 
 Captain Logan's company, part of the left wing, commanded by 
 Gen. Sidney Sherman ; was ordered some days after the battle 
 to report to General Rusk at Galveston ; stopped on the way at 
 Anahuac to see his family ; fotmd that during his absence one 
 of his houses had been burned and the other pillaged, that his 
 little son had died, and that his wife and remaining children 
 were without the necessaries of life; was himself taken danger- 
 ously sick and. upon recovery, found that he had become totally 
 deaf (his hearing was never restored ) : lived for a short time on 
 Lake Charlotte, in what is now Chambers County, and in 1837 
 moved to Galveston, where he afterwards resided until the time 
 of his death, March 13, 1867.
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 3 1 
 
 He was one of the first actual residents of the city and one 
 of the first to engage in business there, opening a drug store 
 at the corner of Twenty-second and Market Streets, where the 
 Alvey building now stands. 
 
 The yellow fever epidemic took away his wife and left three 
 little girls, the eldest six years and the youngest a babe of five 
 months. During that and subsequent visitations, up to and in- 
 cluding the last, that of 1867, he stood bravely at his post, "prov- 
 ing himself," as a writer well says, "worthy of the title bestowed 
 on St. Luke — 'Beloved Physician'." 
 
 December 9. 1840, he married Mrs. Agnes Rivera, then living 
 at Galveston, a daughter of John and Mrs. Jennet Harkne<;^. 
 Only one child was born of this union, Joseph. His second wife 
 died in 1843. He afterwards married a third time, but without 
 issue. The following children, born of his first marriage, lived 
 to maturity : Sarah, wife of Solomon Wallis ; Charlotte L., and 
 Cecelia. 
 
 Dr. Labadie established a line of sailing vessels tiiat ran in 
 early days between Pensacola, Florida, and Galveston, and 
 brought much of the lumber used in building the first business 
 houses and residences on the island ; built the wharf at the end 
 of Twenty-second Street that still bears his name ; built the first 
 marine ways : purchased lots in the new town and erected sub- 
 stantial buildings ; contributed liberally to the construction of the 
 first Catholic Church in the city; was one of the first to sub- 
 scribe to the building of the Charity Hospital, erected after the 
 war between the States, and in every way that lay in his power 
 contributed to the welfare and l)uilding up of the city. 
 
 During the war (being too old for active field duty) he was 
 appointed a member of the medical examining board of the 
 1st Brigade. Texas state troops, and served as such until the 
 close of hostilities. 
 
 A few years before his death Dr. Labadie published the fol- 
 lowing account of Santa Anna's being brought into the Texas 
 camp and the interview with General Houston; it differs ma- 
 terially from that .so long given currency by writers of Tcxa.s 
 history : 
 
 "While I was engaged in attending the wounded Mexican 
 prisoners, a Mr. Sylvester rode up to the prisf)n-s(iuare with a 
 prisoner, who refused to enter. 1 was called U])on to interpret, 
 as neither the .seiUinel nor Mr. Sylvester could speak Spanisli. 
 I told him that this was the place where all prisoners were kept. 
 He replied, "f want to sec General Houston. Is he in camp.-'" 
 'Yes." I rei)li(d. 'Mr. Sylvester, take this man to yf)nder oak tree, 
 xvlliere General Houston lies.' As they were (Icparting. tho 
 prisoner whose wounds I was dressing, a Mexican lieutenant.
 
 3 J HISTORY OF THE 
 
 whispered to me. 'Es el presidciitc' (lie is the president). 1 
 at Diice folded my instruments and followed after them, and met 
 Colonel Hockley calling- me to come quickly, as I was wanted. 
 I found General Houston lying on his hack on the ground under 
 the oak tree (he was wounded) ; and on his left the prisoner was 
 sitting on a chest. He politely returned my salute, and I said to 
 him in Spanish, pointing: This is General Houston. Do you 
 want anything- of him?' He replied, 'Tell General Houston that 
 General Santa Anna stands before him a prisoner.' General 
 Houston, hearing this interpreted, appeared much surprised and 
 turning on his left side, said: 'General Santa Anna, in what 
 condition do you surrender yourself?' 'As a prisoner of war,' 
 said he. and continuing: 'Whilst I was in the camino royal — 
 the public highway — T met two of your soldiers, to whom I sur- 
 rendered myself a prisoner of war.' 'Well,' said Houston, 'tell 
 Santa Anna that, so long as he shall remain in the boundaries I 
 shall allot him, I will be responsible for his life.' Upon hearing 
 this, Santa Anna's countenance brightened. He said : 'Tell 
 General Houston I am tired of blood and war and have seen 
 enough of this country to know that the two people cannot live 
 under the same laws, and I am willing to treat with him as to 
 the boundaries of the two countries.' In reply General Houston 
 said : 'Tell him that I cannot treat with him. but that the Cab- 
 inet that is in Galveston will make a treaty with him.' Here the 
 crowd pressing against us, interferred with the conversation 
 and the guard' had to force them back. Colonel Hockley appear- 
 ing with young Zavala to serve as interpreter, I returned to my 
 wounded, who had been taken across the bayou to the Zavala 
 place, which was thereafter used as a hospital." 
 
 As we learn from the letter written by the Propaganda to 
 Bishop Blanc, President Sam Houston was favorably disposed to 
 the Catholic Church, and when Father Timon visited Austin in 
 1840 as Vice-Apostolic of Texas he carried a letter from Cardinal 
 Fransoni to President Mirabeau B. Lamar which was accepted as 
 the recognition by the Pope of the independence of Texas. 
 
 General Sam Houston was always favorably disposed to the 
 Catholic Church and is traditionally credited with having been 
 baptized. The deposit of faith was not lost, for two of his 
 grandchildren are most devout communicants at our Seminary 
 Chapel.
 
 BISHOP JOHN TIMON, C. M. 
 
 Prefect- Apostolic of Irx.i^. iK^o
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 THE AWAKENING BY THE LAZARISTS. 
 
 The last Franciscan had departed from the Missions of East 
 Texas, and the people met at Nacogdoches under the guidance 
 of an old beadle for the recitation of prayers and the teaching 
 of Catechism. Texas had severed the civil bonds of Mexico and 
 had been recognized as an independent Republic. In some form 
 news of the sad condition of religion in Texas reached the 
 Sacred Congregation of the Propaganda in Rome and with that 
 tender solicitude for souls that has ever characterized the Holy 
 See, the following letter was sent to Rt. Rev. Anthony Blanc, 
 Bishop of New Orleans. 
 
 Illustrious and Reverend Sir: 
 
 It has been made known to the Sacred Congregation that, 
 in the whole province of Texas, no Catholic priest is to be 
 found, that there is a great multitude of Catholics, dwelling 
 there, eagerly solicitous for religion, and that the President of 
 the Republic shows himself to be benevolently disposed to the 
 Catholic faith. I have judged it proper to write to you this 
 letter that I might connnend thjs serious matter to you. and to 
 say that you will do a thing most pleasing to the Sacred Con- 
 gregation, if without any delay you send some priests to the 
 aforesaid Province. When afterwards the Sacred Congregation 
 shall have received a true relation of conditions, from the priests 
 whom you shall have .sent, then the Apostolic See will determine 
 what is best for procuring of the permanent good of religion. 
 Asking God etc. 
 
 Sacred Congregation of the Propagation of tlic I'aith, 
 
 16 January 1S38. 
 I. I'h. Card. P'ransonius 
 
 Prefect. 
 
 I lime et Rme Dne. 
 
 S. Congrii relatum est in tnta Pro7-incia Texas nullum Saeer- 
 dotew Catholicuw reperri, wagnam nutem Catholicnruw niult:- 
 tudineni in ea commorantcm Religionis esse ralde studiosatn 
 ipsumquc Provinciae Presideni Cathoiicae Religinni sc in /ti/m/v 
 henez'olum demonsfrare. Serihcndani igitur Ampli. Tuac luine 
 cpistolant iudicavi, uf Tihi enmmendarem rei gravUirtew, n-
 
 34 TrTSTORV Ol' THK 
 
 biquc sigiiificarctn Tc rem gratissiniam S. Congrii. esse factii- 
 rum, si si)ic mora aliquos ad memoratam Provincias Sacerdotcs 
 mittas. Postqitam z'cro S. Congr. rclationem rcrnin Religionein 
 in ea Provincia respicienitiim siia^ tempore aceeperit a Sacerdoti- 
 hus, qitos miseris, tunc Sedcs Aplica decernet quae ad Religionis 
 ban urn stabili fatione ibi procurananda magis opportuna vide- 
 buntiir. Precor Deum, ut Amplem. Tuant din sospitem et 
 feliccm servet. 
 Amplitiidini Tuae 
 
 Romae ex aedibus S. Cong, de Prop. Fide i6 lanrii 1838. 
 
 idi frater studiossimus 
 
 P. Ph. Card, Fransonius Praef. 
 Rdo. P. Dno. Antonio Blane 
 Epo. Nozme Aureliae. 
 
 On the 25th of November 1838 Bishop Blanc made known 
 to the Cardinal Prefect his determination to send Father Timon, 
 Superior of the Lazarists to Texas to make an investigation and 
 on the 22nd of February 1839 Cardinal Fransoni asked him to 
 do nothing without consulting Monsignor Rosati, Bishop of 
 St. Louis. 
 
 Illmo e Rmo Signore. 
 In replica alia lettera da V. S. scrittami in data 25 di Novembre 
 mi credo tennto a parteciparle che circa la spedisione al Texas 
 ch' Ella pcnsercbbe di fare del Signore Timon Superiore dei 
 Lazzaristi in codeste parti, tale spedizione non la faccia se non 
 dopo ottenuto il consenso e beneplacito di Mgr Rosati Vescovo 
 di St. Louis. Sicuro che V. S. di biton grado si coniormera a 
 questa mia comnmnicasione, prego il Signore che lungamente 
 La conservi: e La pros peri. 
 
 Di V. S. Roma dalla Propaganda 22 Febbrajo 1839. 
 
 Come F rat ell affnio. 
 
 G. J. Card. Fransoni Praef. 
 Mgr Antonio Blanc 
 Vescovo di Nuova Orleans. 
 
 But Bishop Blanc had evidently acted at once and in Novem- 
 ber, 1838, Father Timon and Father Lleberia, C. M., made ar- 
 rangements to visit Texas and left New Orleans on Christmas 
 Eve. Their story is best told by their own letters : 
 
 Letter to Father Nozo, Superior General, C. M. Annales de 
 la Propagation de la Foi. Tome XII Janvier 1840 No. LXVIII. 
 The text of this letter is incomplete; the complete text is found 
 in the following letter;
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 35 
 
 My dear Superior : 
 
 For some years, Texas, an obscure province of Mexico, was, 
 so to say, neither known nor inhabited ; there was known only 
 the City of San Antonio, founded in i6g8; Bahia, built in I7i6, 
 also called Goliad; Nacogdoches, founded in 1732, and a little 
 later Mctoria and Refugio, constructed by the Mexicans. Aside 
 from these villages which were not much, Texas was nothing 
 but a vast desert overrun by savages. About the year 1820 Mr. 
 Austin, an American of the United States, demanded and ob- 
 tained permission to found there a colony of his compatriots, 
 and the Mexicans accorded him ample privilege to encourage 
 an eriterprise that they deemed useful. A little afterwards Mex- 
 ico declared its independence from Spain and the United States 
 recognized that independence in 1823. The same year the Em- 
 peror Augustine Iturbide published a law according great privi- 
 leges to the inhabitants of Texas. I lis intention was to favor 
 immigration into that country and to increase the population. 
 In 1824 Mexico adopted a federal constitution formed after that 
 of the United States, and, in consequence the provinces of Texas 
 and Coahuila formed one of the states of the new federation. 
 As a result a great number of Americans passed into Texas and 
 settled there. 
 
 In 1832 they wished to change the form of government and 
 Texas opposed with very earnest resistance ; but soon General 
 Santa-Anna succeeded in founding a Central Republic upon the 
 ruins of the Federal Rej)ublic. The Texans renewed their objec- 
 tions and demanded the Constitution of 1824. Finally seeing their 
 views rejected, they separated from Mexico. Then Santa Anna 
 turned his armies against them. This was in 1836. He failed in 
 his enterprise, v.as defeated and made prisoner. 
 
 The population of Texas at this time is about two hundred 
 thousand, and it is increasing daily in a wonderful maimer. As 
 the area of the State is 70,000 square leagues, there is a vast 
 quantity of land that lies uncultivated, and the land is very fertile. 
 In this vast extended state there are now only two Mexican 
 priests, and their conduct unfortunately is not irreproachable. 
 They live at San Antonio, a city of 1.500 Catholic Mexicans, 
 50 Catholic Americans and about one hundred Protestants. That 
 city has a beautiful Church, which could not be built today for 
 750,000 francs, but it has been damaged by fire, and more by the 
 carelessness of those who have left it in a state of uncleanlincs.s 
 positively revolting. The faith is still alive. The Church pos- 
 sesses considerable property, and the country roinid about is the 
 most beautiful and the most fertile of all Texas, in fact of all 
 America. The climate also is very healthful. Al)out three leagues 
 from San Antonio is Goliad, that citv. sufficiently populated
 
 36 IllSTOUV OF TIIIC 
 
 before the war, is now reduced to 15 or 20 families, the greater 
 part Mexicans. It was in the Church at GoHad that w^ere placed, 
 as a secure location, all the vestments, chalices, etc., of the 
 Churches round about, but nothing- was saved; all were lost in 
 the war, the walls of the Church alone remain. 
 
 At ten leagues to the southwest of Goliad is found the city, 
 or rather the village of Refugio, which has for its whole popula- 
 tion forty Irish Catholic families. One sees that the Church here 
 also suffered much from the war, but that it will be easy to 
 restore it anew. It possesses sufficient land to support it and 
 a little revenue assured by the Mexican laws. Four square leagues 
 of land are set aside to sustain the establishment built for the 
 instruction of youth. They desire to effect the conveyance of 
 this immense property into the hands of a Catholic institution. 
 They have reason to believe that the Government of Texas will 
 consent thereto. 
 
 Four leagues from Refugio is San Patricio on the Nueces 
 River. There existed a Church and a hall but the war destroyed 
 everything. There is not an inhabitant left. 
 
 Ten leagues to the east of Goliad is situated Victoria. The 
 population is largely Irish ; there are about two hundred Catholics 
 and thirty or forty Protestants. There is a frame Church fifty 
 feet in length and twenty wide, and also two bells, according 
 to the custom long established every property holder of the city 
 gives two and a half francs to the priest who serves the Church.. 
 
 To the east of Victoria and as far as the Colorado River, and 
 to the south to the Gulf of Mexico, there are scattered Catholics 
 but few in number. 
 
 The Texans claim as the borders of their state, on the west 
 the Rio Bravo or Rio Grande. The country between the Rio 
 Grande, the Colorado and the Gulf is magnificent. It is never 
 cold in the winter and the heat of the summer is tempered bv 
 the breeze that blows from the sea. But the fear of being at- 
 tacked by the Mexicans or by the savages, causes this country 
 to be lightly populated. As soon as effective means are obtained 
 to repulse the attack of these enemies, there will certainly be a 
 large population. 
 
 The Senators of San Antonio w^sh to ask from the govern- 
 ment a piece of land of about four square leagues for a Catholic 
 college. They believe that it will be easy to obtain if they can 
 secure Catholic priests to take charge of the establishment. A 
 college at San Antonio would be of immense good. As the site 
 is the most healthy in all America and there would be a great 
 number of pupils and no difficulty in attracting students from 
 Mexico. I desire very much to occupy myself soon with this 
 work, which would be a great resource for the Mission. 
 
 Houston is the Capital of the new Republic. About two years
 
 DIOCESE OF GALN'ESTON -i^-J 
 
 ago there was not a trace of a house where it now stands nor for 
 two leagues round about, and now there are five thousand people, 
 of whom three hundred are Catholics. We arrived in this city 
 on the 3rd of January, in bad weather. I searched for some time 
 to find a place to lodge. Congress was in session and the town 
 was crowded and every place filled. 
 
 I had no letter of introduction to anyone and everybody to 
 whom I applied seemed to be afraid of priests and ashamed to 
 acknowledge that they were Catholics. We found ourselves from 
 a human standpoint, sufficiently sad, and without any resource.s 
 except the Providence of God to which we confided ourselves 
 and it did not fail us. There was on board the vessel which 
 brought us from New Orleans, a poor Irish woman to whom 1 
 had been able to render some service. She acted in our behalf 
 and so disposed a Protestant lady with whom she had relation 
 that she gave us a little room, miserable and apart from her home. 
 That room was so located that it facilitated our contact with in- 
 fluential persons. We erected an altar, and the following day. 
 the Octave of St. John, the Evangelist, we said Holy Mass in 
 the place, where without doubt the Holy Sacrifice was offered 
 for the first time in Houston. The same day I had the pleasure 
 of meeting a senator and two members of Congress. They gave 
 us their confidence on learning who we were and what the pur- 
 pose of our trip was. They put themselves at our service to 
 furnish all the information that we might desire. It was through 
 them that we were able to meet all the important personages of 
 the Republic. Things went so well that I was invited to preach 
 the following Sunday in the Capitol in presence of the representa- 
 tives of the State. There was a great concourse of people, and 
 even four Protestant ministers. After the sermon Mr. Burnet, 
 the Vice-President of the Republic, made known his desire to see 
 me and invited me to visit him. Many senators and other pcrson> 
 of distinction came to offer their services with every evidence of 
 earnest good will. In conse(|ucnce noliody was ashamed to ac- 
 knowledge that he was a Catholic, and I saw with consolation 
 that there were many sheep in Houston who belonged to the 
 sheepfolfl of the Savior. Many came to look us up .inil we coun- 
 sclcfl together to obtain a small piece of ground and sufficient 
 means to build a Catholic church. Everyone worked zcalous'y 
 and they gave us the assurance that it would be soon accomplished. 
 It will be the first religious edifice built in Houston. 
 
 There are a great number of Protestant ministers in this town, 
 but their ministry is sterile. They have not as yet succeeded iii 
 building any church. Some of them who assisted at my instruc- 
 tion, heard the development of Catholic dogmas. They have not 
 ventured a criticism of the truths 1 preached, either at the Capitol 
 or in the assemblies of their own co-religionists. It is true that
 
 38 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 r tried on that occasion to imitate St. Francis de Sales and to start 
 controversy without seeming to go too far. Every day we had 
 some people at Mass, and on Sunday a great number. I heard 
 seven confessions, the first fruits of our Mission to Texas. 
 
 I was introduced to General Houston, the ex-President of the 
 Republic, lie invited me to lunch with him, and did not hesitate 
 to start a conversation on religion, with arguments extremely 
 honest. He confided to me all his difficulties and appeared satis- 
 fied with my explanations, and as I had to take my departure soon, 
 and time was lacking to treat the grave questions on which he 
 desired light, he permitted me to send him some books which may 
 carry conviction to his soul. I see clearly that there is in the 
 hearts of a great many a well-defined penchant for the Catholic 
 religion, and that much good can be done here. I have found 
 nevertheless among some hostile feelings. The Protestants of the 
 United States, and in particular the Presbyterians, are making 
 incredible efforts to establish their sect ; to one of their ministers 
 they have just sent twelve thousand five hundred francs, and he 
 is to receive a like sum every year. This minister is securing 
 some aid in the state also, so that he is being made rich but is not 
 making spiritual conquests. The gentlemen have made many at- 
 tempts to claim lands belonging to the Catholic Church. At 
 Nacogdoches they attempted to build a church on ground belong- 
 ing to the Catholic Church. Although the Constitution declares 
 that all religions are equally protected by the law, and forbids 
 favoritism to any one, I see nevertheless by the power accorded 
 since the revolution to the municipalities of the old towns, that 
 there is danger of our lands being declared public property if 
 respectable priests are not here to defend the rights of Catholicity. 
 
 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 Sublctt, 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 
 
 I
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 39 
 
 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. Aloreover, 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 arc 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 liomagc of my respect, I have the honor to l)c, etc. 
 
 TTMON. 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 pa.«;s 
 over in silence.
 
 40 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 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. 1 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 
 rnorning. He commenced his discourse at two o'clock and did no: 
 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
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 4! 
 
 that he understood now the truth of the CathoHc 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 ou: 
 interiorily, "O ! Lord ; what a beautiful and vast field there is here 
 presented for the zeal of the Children of St. \'incent!" 
 
 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 Iloii.>5c 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 toucn 
 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. I le was sur- 
 rounded, after his sermon, by a great number of the Senators 
 and Deputies, who exprcssefl their satisfaction and asked him to 
 ])reach again, if his stay in Houston could be pniliniged. I lis 
 sermon was transcribed by many for insertion in the public prints. 
 P'rom that moment, his friend, the Representative, stayed with us 
 and tricfl to rlo everything possible for his cntertniiunent. There 
 was no longer question of human respect, 'ihe ("athoiics made 
 open confession of their faith and were respected. Many Protest- 
 ants indicated their respect for our faith. One of them said to 
 nic, "I am a Protestant, but nevertheless T wish to sec 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-
 
 42 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 olic faith, if \vc had here a man Hke 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. 
 
 1 do not know whether 1 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 visitc 
 
 au Texas. lis I'ont parcouru a entier, presque, et sont enchantes 
 de la perspective pour I'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. 
 
 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. Ill 8), so that like Timothy of Paul, we know his "doc- 
 trine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, pa- 
 tience." (II Tim. Ill lo). 
 
 May 2d, 1840. I left St. Alary '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 ot 
 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 
 Kmanucl l>lanc, 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. Brozicr at Natchez. 
 
 July 1st, 1840. I embarked on schooner Plenry, master. Ed- 
 ward Auld, for Linnville, Texas. 
 
 2nd. At 9 o'clock we left the balize. Calm during the day. 
 
 8th. We saw land anfl entered the pass, Cavallo. anchored 
 for a moment at the Custom House, where the brig Sam llous- 
 ton laid at anchor, and then continued as far as Indian, where 
 we remainefl aground until the iitli. 
 
 I2th. We arrived in the evening at the port of Linnville. 
 
 13th. Went ashore and met Messrs. James JMilkcrson 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. 
 
 i6th. I went to \ictoria in company with Col. McDonald,
 
 44 HISTORY OF THE ' 
 
 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. 
 
 21st. We started for San Antonio, leaving Fr. Estany, Pas- 
 tor of X'ictoria 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 tho 
 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 
 accourt of a letter he had written to General Aristo to inform 
 him of movements of the Federals. 
 
 nth. Mr. Calvo carried, publicly, the Blessed Sacramen: 
 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. 
 
 I
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 45 
 
 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. 
 
 i6th. 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. 
 
 1 8th. 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; T 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 (iarza. 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 rcj)lied on the spot. 
 I wrote to Ft. 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. Tie recollectcrl that thirtv-fivc 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. I'lores' ranchio. on the bank 
 of the Guadalupe. Great many people living at the ranchio. 
 We crossed the Guadalupe and visited Seguin. a small town laitl 
 out in the early part of 1838 and composed of about fiftcfti 
 scattered houses. The loratirm is liandsomc. but luiimprovcd. 
 We had a very heavy rain during the greater part of the dav. 
 We encamped at nirht upp'- ^''' ''''""■'<; hottse, about nine miles 
 from Gonzales. Heavy rain during the night.
 
 I 
 
 46 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 nth. 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 2M(1 day of July, 1826, it was destroyed 
 by tile 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 \^ictoria 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 DeLeoii 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 
 \'ictoria 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. 
 
 1st 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.
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 47 
 
 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, 11 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." 
 
 loth. 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. 
 
 nth. 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. Ilill, 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. 
 
 1 6th. I wrote to Cardinal Fransoni. We had dinner witli 
 General Sam Houston and General Harrison. 
 
 2 1 St. 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 mc that T hatl been 
 designated to act as chaplain for the Senate. I accepted. 1 
 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. 
 ^j assisted in the morning and some few in the evening. 
 
 28th. We celebrated mass. My petition that had been re- 
 ferred to a select conmiittec was brought before the house and 
 referred to the committee of the State of the Republic. In ilu- 
 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. 
 
 30tli. Very cold weather. Rain and sleet,. My bill canif 
 before the house at the retjuest of Col. Mayficld. Messrs. Van- 
 Zandt, Mayficld. Porter and Houston spoke in favnr. 
 
 At the request of Mr. Van Ness 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 sujjported. 'ill..; 
 bill passed by 30 yeas and 4 nays.
 
 48 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 31st. 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. 1st. 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 l'>lipe-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. \^ery rainy weather, we went about through the mud. 
 In the evening we fixed an altar. 
 
 loth. 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. 
 
 nth. 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. 
 
 I2th. We arrived at Galveston at about 11 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 vi^as 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, 
 180.5, died in Galveston September 2, 1856. After a life illustrated by
 
 BISHOP J. M. ODIN. C. M. 
 
 [•ir»t Bislicip of G.ilvcsinn
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 
 
 49 
 
 13th. We celebrated mass and afterward went about to visit 
 the town. 
 
 14th. We celebrated mass. Steamship "Neptune" arrived 
 from Xew Orleans and brought a nun of the "\''isitation," by 
 the name of Cournace. with a novice. She said she was comin.<j^ 
 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 v.hile at Galveston. 
 
 1 8th. 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. 
 
 21 St. 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 11 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. 
 
 31st. 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. Pagan's and 
 went to Refugio. Visited the church and got it cleaned. I said 
 mass at Refugio. I'reached and came back to Don Carlos. 
 
 public and private virtues he rests in the country who.sc infancy he 
 arlopted and in the city which he fou.ulcd. His deeds arc recorded in 
 the history of his state. His memory is embalmed in th<- hearts ot lii:, 
 family and friends. Requicscat in Pace." 
 
 The Rravc was for nearly half a century shaded by a Riant 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 VMU) s oni ann 
 shortly afterward the wreck was removed, the stump burned out an.i 
 the present monument erected.
 
 50 IIISTOKV Ol' 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 nth, 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 11 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 
 1 2th of December, feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, great con- 
 course. On the 25th I celebrated mass at San Jose. We went to
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 5 1 
 
 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. 
 
 31st. I made a burial, heard some few confessions — 8 con- 
 fessions and 6 Communions. 
 
 Feb. 1st. 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. 1 
 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 T 
 found Mr. Boullier. 
 
 24th. I began my retreat at the ITrsuline 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 • 
 opoHs 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 nth. I left New Orleans for Galveston at 11 o'clock 
 a. m. on board New York. 
 
 13th. Arrived at Galveston. 
 
 15th. I preached at Galveston. 
 
 I7tli. r bought Mr. Burger's house and moved into it. 
 
 June 1 2th, 1842. I preached twice. The sacristy was com- 
 pleted yesterday. 
 
 Julv 4th. I received letters from Rome relative to the Jubi 
 lee. Dr. De Saligny gave $100 for alms and bench m church. 
 
 17th. I opened and celebrated for the first time the holy 
 mysteries in the Church of St. Vincent de Paul m Houston. 
 Several members of Congress present. I preached twice.
 
 $2 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. Mall were great sufferers, and many other 
 people. 
 
 2 1 St. 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 nth of this m^nth ; 
 1,300 strong under command of Gen. Woll, fifty-three Ameri- 
 cans were taken. 
 
 Dec. loth. I heard three confessions and gave two Com- 
 munions. On this day Mr. Cassiano arrived from San Antonio 
 on his way to New Orleans. On this day I bought a lo-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. T preached, heard one confession, and gave 
 one Communion. The Houston bell was cast on this dav. 
 
 6th. T heard one confession and gave one Communion. An 
 election was held for sherifif and Magnus S. Rodgers was elected. 
 The bell was carried all over town by the Germans. 
 
 /th. 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. 
 
 nth. We concluded the work of the steeple at Houston and 
 suspended the bell. The inscription on the bell, D. O. M. 
 Ccross) 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 nth, 1844. Messrs. Paquin and Brands arrived at 
 Galveston. 
 
 Sept. T2th. T 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, T846. 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. 
 
 nth. Fathers Domeneck and Dubuis arrived at Galveston. 
 
 iQth. Father Domeneck left for France. 
 
 .lune 2 1 St, 1 85 1. T bought an organ, which cost $800.
 
 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 I'raef. 
 
 R. P. D. Antonio Blanc 
 F-po. Novae Aureliae. 
 
 The Sui)erii;r (icncral of tlic Lazarists cvi<!cntl\- aclcd at once, 
 as on April 12th, 1840, l^'alhcr John Tinitjii was appointed Pre- 
 fect-Apostolic of Texas, with the power to administer confirma- 
 tion and on May 2nd, 1840, Father Jean Mario ( )(lin. C. M.. left 
 St. Mary's Seminary, Perry County, Missouri, for Texas, with 
 
 the title of Vice-Prefcct-Apostolic. ( )n June 8th. 1840. he wrote 
 
 "We are Ftill at Xcw r)rlcan5:, but we shall leave tomorrow 
 moru'ng on 1 oard the schooner Henry, commande 1 by Captain 
 AuKl."' On July Mth. 1840, hi- wrote from Lyniivillc to I'athcr 
 Tinif-n.
 
 54 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 fron) 
 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 com- 
 pany with the merchants who came with us from New Orleans 
 
 I
 
 DIOCESE OF GAL\-ESTON 55 
 
 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 verv 
 anxious to hear from you. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 Your obt. and hum. servt. 
 
 J. M. ODIN. I. S. C. M. 
 
 Address) \'ery 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 nth, 1841, he summarized them for the 
 information of the Superior General of the Congregation of the 
 Mission in the following letter : 
 
 Galveston, Texas, April nth, 1841. 
 
 (Father J. I>. Etienne, Supr. Genl. C. M. Annales de la Congre- 
 gation de la Mission, Tome VIII, pp. i8i-2n.) 
 
 My dear Confrere : 
 
 Last year the Holy See deigned to confide to our Congrega- 
 tion the spiritual direction of the Catholics of the young Rc]niblic 
 of Texas, and with the title of Vice-Prefect-Apostolic 1 wa.s 
 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 mc, and separated me from a people who had 
 become very dear to mc and from a flourishing institution that 
 I had seen born 
 
 As no means oi transpf)rtation was im our ani\al at New 
 Orleans we had to remain there six weeks. On the first of July 
 we embarkcfl on the schooner Tfcnry and on the i.vli we arrived 
 at Lynnville. Our trip though short was sufficiently trying be- 
 cause of the calms we encoiuitered in the Gulf of Mexico and the 
 insupportable heat of the burning sim. and the crowded quarters, 
 as we were one hundred and thirty on board.
 
 56 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
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 57 
 
 the attacks of war, and are of such beauty that they do honor to 
 the taste and zeal of the Missionaries. 
 
 ReHgion 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 cnurch, 
 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 Balua. 
 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 tiie 
 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 transjjorting 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 sk)wncss of march wc 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 abr)Ut sunset we would take up our march, but often wc had 
 scarcely started when one of our wagons would break flown. 
 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
 
 c;g HISTORY OF TITK 
 
 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, 
 sooai 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 
 towm 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-
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 59 
 
 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. 
 
 Once we took over the administration of the Church, we ha.st- 
 ened to call the children to catechism, to visit the sick, and to ful- 
 fill the other duties of our sacred ministry. Little by little wc 
 gained the confidence of the people, and when the pastor returned 
 from Austin he found everybody in our favor. Knowing that the 
 work of God is not solid except it repose upon the cross and its 
 tribulations, I began to fear, seeing our first steps had such happy 
 and unhoi)cd-for results, that we were doing too well. The storm 
 was not long delayed. Abuses contrary to all the rules of dis- 
 cipline had been introduced. It was permitted to ring the l)clls 
 to celebrate a victory in a horse race, for the burial of those tiot 
 of the faith. It was an abuse difficult to correct. I look my stand 
 by the laws of the Church. In the meantime a celebrated Protes- 
 tant gentleman died, known for his military exploits and the ser- 
 vices which he had rendered to the country. Sonic people came 
 to ask that the bells be tolled. On my refusal their heads went up 
 in the air, and they cried out ; they called nic injurious names. 
 I put myself in the hanfis of Providence. I showed my.self kind, 
 polite but firm and when finally they understood that it was duty
 
 6o HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and not caprice that ruled my conduct, they became calm; the 
 most ardent persecutors became the most devoted friends. A few 
 days after our arrival at San Antonio a ceremony took place that 
 g-ave us much comfort and proved to us that there was still faith 
 among the Mexicans. A sick person in danger of death wished 
 to receive Viaticum. We deemed it right to carry the Blessed 
 Sacrament publicly and with all the pomp possible. As soon as 
 the bell announced the ceremony the people ran in crowds to the 
 church, all accompanied our Blessed Savior in the streets and tears 
 came to the eyes of the aged. For fourteen years they had not 
 seen that consoling act of our religion. Many cried out that they 
 did not fear death since heaven had sent them priests who would 
 assist them at that dreadful moment. Truly heaven blessed our 
 feeble efforts. Deprived for a long time of the word of God, they 
 received it with avidity. Every day a great number assisted at 
 Mass and on Sundays, at the two Masses, there was considerable 
 of a crowd. More than a hundred children came to catechism ; 
 penitents who for twenty, thirty and forty years had neglected 
 their Easter duty, presented themselves at the tribunal of penance, 
 and many made it a rule to receive Holy Commiunion once a 
 month. Twelve crooked marriages were straightened out and 
 we hope soon to have no scandals of that kind. Fond of danger- 
 ous amusements, they have promised to avoid them. I took heart 
 to repair at once the church and to pay the expense I sold some 
 silver ornaments that had escaped the revolution. The people, 
 despite their extreme poverty, showed a will to contribute to the 
 good work. We were not able to complete the work. With our 
 feeble resources we could only repair the roof. 
 
 After a sojourn of three months in San Antonio, seeing that, 
 thanks to God, everything w^as on a good footing, I commenced 
 to visit the scattered Catholics along the San Antonio River to the 
 inumber of a thousand, and finally I went to Seguin, Gonzales 
 and Victoria. My stay in those places was very short, not being- 
 able to separate myself from my companions of the trip, on ac- 
 count of the danger of being killed by savages. I finally went 
 alone along the Lavaca River, the peril being less great im that 
 section. I found more than seventy people who at one time be- 
 longed to our Congregation at the Barrens. It was consoling 
 to find myself among old acquaintances, and to see that they had 
 lost none of their faith and primitive piety, although deprived for 
 a long time, since their arrival in Texas, of the succor of their 
 religion. _ All presented themselves at the sacred tribunal and had 
 the happiness of receiving communion. I could only spend a week 
 with them. From Lavaca I went to Austin, a small growing 
 town designated to be the seat of the Texas government. Con- 
 gress was then in session and I desired to obtain from the legis- 
 lative body an act granting to the Catholic Church all the church
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 6l 
 
 buildings that had been constructed under the Spanish govern- 
 ment. With the exception of Concepcion and San Jose, these edi- 
 fices are almost entirely destroyed. In the meantime they can be 
 repaired, and seeing the poverty and small number of Catholics 
 it will be a long time until prosperity gives us the facility of build- 
 ing them anew. Providence caused me to find at Austin Mr. de 
 Saligny, charge d'affaires of his Maiesty, the King of France. I 
 do not know how to tell you all that he did for me. Not content 
 with giving me hospitality during my stay in the town, he deigned 
 to use all his influence in the interest of religion. The signal 
 services which he has rendered to the young republic have won 
 for him the general esteem and gained the confidence and good 
 will of the people and he esteems it a pleasure to be able to help 
 me in my undertaking. He has spoken to the different members 
 of Congress of the justice of my claims and has reenforccd it by 
 his perseverance and his eflForts to secure the recognition of my 
 rights. His great devotion to the cause of religion has given him 
 a just title to our benevolent recognition. Father Tinion arrived 
 at Austin about the 20th of December. This unexpected visit was 
 very agreeable and produced happy results. On Christmas Day 
 we celebrated Holy Mass at which many members of Congress as- 
 sisted. All were well satisfied, but the place was so small that 
 only a few could be present. The following Sunday they offered 
 us the Senate Chamber. The attendance was general and con- 
 siderable and the eloquent and solid explanation that Father Ti- 
 mon gave of the principal points of our religion was received with 
 lively satisfaction. 
 
 From Austin we went to Bastrop, a small town situated on the 
 banks of the Colorado. There are hardly twenty Catholics, but :!]1 
 the inhabitants, because the sight of a priest was a novelty, wished 
 to assist at the ceremonies, and various addresses that were made 
 seemed to produce a sensible effect. They were pleased to lean, 
 that the Catholic religion was not the monstrous thing that had 
 l)een represented to them. 
 
 From Bastrop we went to Houston, a town of three thousand, 
 of whom five hundred at least profess the Catholic faith. We 
 offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in a private home but 
 gave instructions in the old government house. After a short 
 sojourn at Houston, we rleparted for dalvcston. a f)Iacc pretty 
 well populated and in which at present there are a few Catholi*' 
 fann'lies. The lack of churches in these places is a great obstacle 
 It is so flifficult to procure an apartment large and spacious 
 ctiough. There is great good to be done in these two towjis but 
 when shall we be able to establish churches. A simple structure 
 could be built for a thousand rlollars. but where can we procure 
 the funds? Although admirably situated for trade these two 
 towns are in a state of financial embarrassment and lack 01
 
 62 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 trade that can hardly be conceived without seeing it. The most 
 opulent families can hardly procure the money necessary for liv- 
 ing- expenses and the other necessities of life. Poverty is ex- 
 treme in all parts of Texas. 
 
 At Galveston we had the happiness of baptizing one young 
 lady reared outside the Church. She made her first Communion 
 and received confirmation with most lively sentiments of faith 
 aoid piety. 
 
 Our sojourn in each place was short, our principal object 
 being to administer the most needed comforts of religion to 
 the scattered people and to gain an exact knowledge of the coun- 
 try and its needs ; and so, despite the solicitation of the people of 
 Galveston who desired to detain us a long time, we could only 
 give them a week. We went on board a steamboat for Houston, 
 where we had left our horses. We went as far as Lynchburg, 
 where we found several Catholic families. These good people 
 had large children who had not been baptized. Our visit was 
 a great consolation and encouraged and fortified their good 
 resolutions, and after some days with them, we turned to Hous- 
 ton. A small row'boat was the only means of transportation ; 
 we boarded it with our luggage, but the river was running full 
 from abundant rains, and the current was so rapid and so strcng 
 that it was impossible to row and advance against it. Every 
 moment we were in danger of being swamped. We secured a 
 horse to carry our effects and on foot we continued the journey 
 across the inundated prairies and roads covered with water. 
 It was not a very agreeable trip, above all in the month of 
 January. God however gave us strength. Covered with mud 
 and wet to the ears, we finally arrived at Houston. The night 
 was spent in drying our altar linens, our cassocks and our brevi- 
 aries, and the following day we went out to visit the eastern 
 portion of Texas. What difficulties and obstacles presented 
 themselves in this long trip ! Sometimes a creek was to be 
 crossed by swimming, sometimes a long and treacherous swamp 
 where we ran the danger of losing our horses. At one time 
 hunger manifested itself and nothing to appease it, or a heavy 
 rain against which there was no protection or cover. And so, 
 overcoming a thousand obstacles, we visited Montgomery, Hunts- 
 ville, Cincinnati. Crockett, Douglas, Nacogdoches and San Au- 
 gustine. Truly we were compensated by the eagerness which 
 the people of these different places manifested to hear our ser- 
 mons. Neither rain nor business kept them away. The con- 
 course was general and rarely have I heard the word of God 
 listened to with more joy and delight. That visit, though short, 
 contributed not a little to dissipate prejudice and to reawaken 
 pious sentiments in the hearts of the faithful. In 1837 Nacog- 
 doches had a pretty strong Catholic population. There were at
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 63 
 
 least three hundred IMexican families, besides a large number 
 of American Catholics, but in 1838 trouble arose between the 
 Mexicans and the inhabitants, following which came a civil war 
 and the poor Mexicans with the exception of perhaps fifty fami- 
 lies were killed or expelled. Nacogdoches had then a wooden 
 church, today it is entirely destroyed. I had occasion to see in 
 that city how Mary loves to help those who place their trust 
 in her. A lady from Maryland was given, on her departure from 
 that state to Texas, a Miraculous Medal. Her confessor, when 
 giving it, encouraged her to never miss the recitation of the 
 prayer "Oh Mary! conceived without sin, etc." and said that 
 the Blessed Mother would not let her die without receiving the 
 last sacraments. She was faithful in following the advice given. 
 For four years she was sick in bed and often thought it was her 
 last moment, but her confidence in Mary made her hope that 
 she would have before leaving the world the happiness of re- 
 ceiving the Sacraments. As soon as she heard of our arrival 
 she demanded that we be called. She received \'iaticum and 
 Extreme Unction, and expired a few days later, full of gratitude 
 to her Benefactress. 
 
 At San Augustine I had to separate from Father Timon. 
 He returned to the United States by way of Natchitoches and 
 I returned to San Antonio by a new route, visiting on my way 
 .Alabama, Washington, Independence, Huntsville, Rutaville, La 
 Grange. Victoria, El Ranchio de Don Carlos, Refugio and Go- 
 liad. T arrived the nth of March, having made more than two 
 thousand miles of a journey. The number of Catholics in Texas 
 is pretty close to ten thousand. Many American Protestants 
 on arriving in this country had themselves baptized in order to 
 secure the concession of land, but it was not agreed that they 
 must follow the Catholic faith. (\) 
 
 O) After the departure of the Franciscans and before the Lazar- 
 ists came, there appeared at several places in Texas Irish priests, and 
 the memories of Father Doyle and Father Mnldoon survive. VVc could 
 find nothing re^ardinK Father Doyle, but we do know that Rev. Miguel 
 Muldoon was "parish curate" at .Austin in 1H3], and that he was Riven 
 a grant of eleven leagues of land by the Supreme Government of the 
 .State of Coahuila and Texas on February 4th, 1H:H, from the vacant 
 domain of the State in such locality as might best suit him and that 
 as a portion of that concession he selected two leagues of land in (I.il- 
 veston County known in the abstract as "The Muldoon Two-League 
 (irant." because it suited his "interest to own lands near the coast." 
 In 18:5.5 the Rev. Doctor Miguel Muldoon of the City of Mexico gave 
 to Stephen F. Austin, Impressario, "his devoted friend." the pov. rr of 
 attorney to sell his eleven leagues of land and on the 12th of December 
 Crail Borden Jr., acting on a power of attorney given him by Austin, 
 sold the entire eleven leagues for S.-inoooo to Peter W. f.rayson. There 
 were many "Muldoon Catholics" in Texas. Like the term "Maverick
 
 64 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 This manner of acting was not the result of conviction ; it 
 was only to conform to the law and the greater part received 
 baptism without knowing Catholic doctrine, so I would not dare 
 to include them in the number of our Catholics, Prejudice against 
 our religion is quite strong in some parts of Texas, in others there 
 is very much indifiference. I hope that when the country shall 
 possess a greater number of laborers (priests) there will be many 
 conversions. In this country as in the United States there will be 
 much need of instruction and then little by little prejudice will 
 disappear. There are also in Texas a great number of savage 
 tribes with whom it will be necessary to labor. The Comanches 
 are at least twenty thousand in number, then come the Tona- 
 kanies, the Lipans, the Tankanies, the Bidais, the Caronkaways, 
 the Nacoes and many other tribes. 
 
 The greater part of these savages are cannibals; they love to 
 eat human flesh. The feet and the hands above all are their 
 favorite dish. I have already made some attempts among the 
 Caronkoways to reunite them in a Mission. Mr. Estany has gone 
 to visit them and they desire very much to have a priest. It was 
 for them that the Mission of Refugio was first founded. As 
 they have no land and live by fishing on the shore of the Gulf, 
 it will be necessary to get a league of land and construct houses 
 and a chapel and they may come later to settle there. But what 
 can be done without money? The Comanches will be very diffi- 
 cult to win. From the origin of Texas they have always been 
 at war with the civilized inhabitants, and the other tribes. Ready 
 horsemen, adroit thieves, they throw the arrow, the lance with 
 the greatest dexterity. In small bands of ten, twenty, thirty or 
 fifty they run through the country incessantly. They hold them- 
 selves on the highest places and when they discover a party of 
 travelers too weak to resist them they fall upon them with the 
 rapidity of lightning and scalp them unpityingly. It would be 
 impossible to say how many unfortunate people have succumbed 
 
 they took their name from Mif?uel Muldoon, who had no qualms of 
 conscience in either baptizing them or giving them baptismal certifi- 
 cates even though he had not conferred the sacrament. To hold land, 
 under the colonist arrangement made with Stephen Austin, Impres- 
 sario, the State of Coahuila and Texas demanded a certificate of Cath- 
 olic baptism. Father Muldoon is credited by tradition with having 
 baptized Stephen F. Austin and most of his colonists. Personally I 
 have known Captain J. C. Borden of Galveston, who was that type of 
 Catholic. Father Muldoon seems to have been fortified with quasi- 
 pastoral authority by the Bishop of Linares, and he was the devoted 
 friend of the colonists who came from the United States with Stephen 
 Austin. He seems to have viewed the civil requirements of baptism 
 as uncalled for, and where there was question of securing the posses- 
 sions of his friends, when a mere technicality would void their titles, 
 he furnished the certificates.
 
 ST. MARY'S CATHIiDKAL 
 
 Corner stone laid M.ircli if, 1847
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 65 
 
 under this treatment and how many women and children have 
 been carried away prisoners. A short time before my arrival 
 in Texas, a party from five to six hundred penetrated even to 
 Lynnville. The inhabitants of the place, who did not expect this 
 visit, were compelled to take refuge in Lavaca Bay in order to 
 secure for themselves protection from their arrows. Seven or 
 eight were killed and a young woman, married only ten days 
 before, after seeing her husband fall at her side pierced with 
 arrows, was made prisoner. The warehouse, filled with mer- 
 chandise, was despoiled, and after searching most carefully for 
 every kind of booty, the town was given to the flames. I lost 
 by that affair many books and church articles. The animals even 
 were not spared ; they seized all the horses and mules and dis- 
 emboweled the other cattle. From Lynnville they went to Vic- 
 toria. The first house attacked was the one in which our con- 
 frere, Mr. Estany, was stopping. He passed through the incident 
 without being wounded, but they took all that he had, linens, 
 books, ornaments, nothing was saved. There were some deaths, 
 women and children were taken prisoners before the savages were 
 forced to take their departure Soon the alarm spread through 
 the country. Everybody took arms and pursued them vigorously ; 
 they met near the Plumbercock and San Marcos rivers and there 
 was a bloody combat. Eighty-four Comanches lost their lives and 
 a great number of others of them could not long survive the 
 wounds they received. The wicked savages attempted on the 
 approach of the Texans to slay all the prisoners that they had 
 taken. A poor mother who had fallen into their hands with her 
 small child scarcely ten months old, had the sorrow of seeing her 
 child crushed before her eyes and then she herself was pierced 
 with arrows. Their attacks against San Antonio and the .sur- 
 rounding country are very frequent. Nothing more tcrrifynig 
 to the cars of women and children than their cry. I have counted 
 in the space of two months nearly two hundred people scalped 
 by these savages. Horses disappear every day. They have taken 
 two of mine. 
 
 Heaven has commenced to bless our feeble labors. I'luin the 
 9th of August, 1840, to the ist of March, 1841, we have heard 
 nine hundred and eleven confessions. There have been four hun- 
 drcfl and seventy-eight communions, two hundred and ciglity-ouc 
 baptisms, twenty-four marriages, forty-five burials, thirty-one fir^t 
 communions, eight confirmations, fifteen baptisms of Protestant 
 children and six converted adults. We have built a small chapel 
 at the Ranchio de Don Carlos and repaired that of \'ictona and in 
 part that of San Antonio. The good of religion demands at once 
 chapels at Galveston. Houston, Nacogdoches. San Augustme. 
 Lavaca and at the Capital of the country. Austm, but where 
 shall we find the means? We are altogether without resources
 
 <)t) lllSTOUV Ol- THE 
 
 The people are poor aiul tlu- expense of travel considerable. In 
 the course of my trip 1 have spent the nij^^ht in the woods and in 
 tlie open prairie. 1 have done my own cooking, and yet my 
 expenses are heavy, and finally I have had to pay twenty-four 
 dollars to two armed men to accompany me for three months. 
 There ought to be schools at San Antonio and at Galveston, but 
 how can we raise the first cost? We are often without a lodging 
 place, and are obliged to seek hospitality from Catholics and 
 Protestants and are often compelled to recite our office amidst 
 the cries of children or in the shining sun in the open prairie. 
 In Texas one learns how to be a Missionary. I believed that I 
 had already served long as an apprentice but since my arrival here 
 I see well that I was not even initiated. 
 
 Good-bye, dear Confrere, and sometime soon I shall give other 
 details of our Mission. 
 
 Your ever devoted servant, 
 
 J. M. ODIN, I. S. C. M. 
 
 The letter of Father Odin and the report of Father Timon 
 had impressed the Congregation of the Propaganda with the 
 merits of the Prefect-Apostolic of Texas, and Father Odin was 
 named Bishop of Claudiopolis and Co-Adjutor Bishop of Detroit. 
 
 Monsieur J. Timon, 
 Rue de Sevres, No. 95, 
 Paris. 
 
 Houston, 16 July, 1841. 
 Very Rev. and Dear Sir : 
 
 I arrived last night at this place, and found the people in pretty 
 low spirits. Everything looks dull. No money in the country, 
 people move back to the States much faster than they came in. 
 Every steamboat going to New Orleans carries a great many 
 passengers. My intention was to spend the summer and fall at 
 Galveston and Houston, but until churches are built in both 
 places, little can be effected. I have then thought that my best 
 plan would be to go about through the country and visit the few 
 scattered families that are to be found mostly in every place. 
 Next Tuesday I will start out to go to Fort Bend County. I per- 
 ceive also that we are very unwelcome guests in every house, if 
 our stay is beyond a few days. To speak to you candidly, T think 
 that it will never do for us to pretend to leave our priests to the 
 charity of lay people. At Galveston and Houston, Nacogdoches 
 and at every other point where clergmen will have to be stationed 
 a house must be provided for the priest, and some means furnished 
 for his maintenance. The spirit of our vocation will soon be lost 
 if we have to be amongst seculars all the time, if we have not a
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 67 
 
 little room where we can retire to make a spiritual readin^^, &c. 
 The cold reception you meet with, the small piece of bread they 
 seem to regret to give you, all this is enough to discourage any 
 man. 
 
 Mr. Stehle started last Monday for the States. I did my best 
 to make him stay until my return from my little tour, but could 
 not prevail on him. 
 
 The church here is not begun, and there is no prospect of its 
 being soon undertaken. I am informed that the best among them 
 have scarcely money to go to market. Still a church is indis- 
 pensable. What shall we do? 
 
 As I informed you. Dr. Labadie was going to give up the 
 Church at Galveston, when I arrived; out of my little means, I 
 gave him $100.00. Yesterday morning he came to me again and 
 told me that he was still without any hope of pushing on the 
 church, because he could hardly get enough out of his daily sales 
 for the support of his family. He has had a great many debts 
 to pay, his stock of goods is quite small, and it is impossible for 
 him to advance much. When I saw that I wrote to Mr. Moni 
 to send me the window glass and the nails, and to Mr. Manhaut, 
 the oil and white lead, promising them to say Masses for the 
 cost. Perhaps they will assist me in that way and the church will 
 in that case be more speedily completed. I am really out of heart. 
 In the States a log church may at least be put up, but here in 
 Texas there is nothing to be done without money, and money can 
 be had nowhere. 
 
 The crops on the Colorado and in many of the northern places 
 have failed in a great measure; sickness has been quite fatal oi\ 
 the Brazos, Colorado and Trinity, great many have died especially 
 
 at and in Fort Bend County. 
 
 The Church of the Lavaca is going on slowly. 
 Judge Webb, who was sent to Mexico to treat with the gov- 
 ernment, could get no admission. The people here seem to be 
 very much offended ; thev speak a great deal of going to war, 
 but I think that all the fighting will be done in their meetings. 
 
 Prav Almighty God to give me the necessary courage and zeal. 
 My health is not' very good. The heat and water do not agree 
 very well with me at this season of the year. My respects to all 
 
 Very respectfully. 
 Your obedient and humble servant. 
 |. M DOIX. 1. S. C. M.
 
 68 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Upon receipt of the following: letter, Bishop Blanc wrote to 
 leather Odin to come to New Orleans at once. 
 
 Illnie at Revme Dne. 
 
 His literis Amp. Tua adiectum reperiet literarum fasciculnm, 
 quem Sacra haec Cong-, dat ad R. P. D. loannem Mariam Odin, 
 modo \'icarium Apostolicum Ditionis Texas designatum. Te 
 itaque rogo ut eumdem fasciculum ei mittas qnamprimum nh;- 
 cumque enm morari reperiveris, ac deinde de eiusdem receptione 
 ct ad R. P. D. Odin transmissione Cong, certiorem faccrc 
 dedigneris. 
 
 Romae ex aed. S. Cong, de Prop. Fide die 31 lulii, 1841. 
 
 J. Ph. Card. Fransonius, Praef. 
 Uti, etc. 
 
 R. P. D. Antonio Blanc, 
 Epo Novae Anreliae. 
 
 Illustrious Sir: 
 
 To these letters your Lordship will find annexed a bundle of 
 letters which this Sacred Congregation gives to the Reverend 
 Father John Mary Odin, designated sometime ago Vicar-Apos- 
 tolic of the Dominion of Texas. I ask that you send this packet 
 to him as soon as possible, wherever you shall have found him 
 to be staying ajid that you shall not fail to inform this Congre- 
 gation of its reception and transmission to Rev. Father Odin. 
 Rome, The Cong, de Prop. Fide, 31st July, 1841. 
 
 J. PH. CARDINAL FRANSONIUS, Prefect. 
 
 To Anthony Blanc. 
 Bishop of New Orleans. 
 
 Father Odin tells this story in the following letter to Father 
 J. B. Etienne, Proc. Genl. C. M. (Annales de la Congregation de 
 la Mission, Tome VHI, pp. 213-231.) 
 
 Galveston, Feb. 7, 1842. 
 My Dear Confrere : 
 
 For a long time I desired to write you but almost continual 
 trips, and the difficulty of procuring a table or an apartment in 
 the places where I made a short stop, have deprived me of that 
 pleasure. I have not yet a fixed residence in Texas. I go from 
 house to house and all the time I can give in each neighborhood 
 is employed in teaching catechism, giving instructions or ad- 
 ministering the Sacraments. Here I am on my return to Galves- 
 ton, they have given me a small room and I profit by the first 
 opportunity to give you the information regarding our mission 
 in Texas.
 
 DIOCESE OF GAIA'ESTON 69 
 
 Last year I wrote you rather fully about our first labors in 
 this Republic' I hope that you received my letter. A little time 
 after I sent it, Monsignor Blanc wrote me to come immediately 
 to New Orleans to receive important news that he wished to 
 communicate to me from the Holy See. What was my surprise 
 on arriving at his house to hear that I had been named Co-Adjutor 
 to Detroit. The desire of His Holiness was that I should accept 
 this very responsible obligation without hesitancy. I could not 
 determine, the intimate conviction of my own unworthiness and 
 incapacity caused me to send back the Bulls and after a short 
 sojourn in the United States, I set out again for Texas. My 
 intention was to pass the summer in Galveston, but after spending 
 three weeks preparing for their Easter duty those who had not 
 yet fulfilled the precept, I was told that the house which served 
 me as a chapel was to be occupied by a family recently arrived 
 in the country. Not wishing to move the altar, having already- 
 moved from garret to garret, I believed that while awaiting the 
 construction of a small frame church that had been started, my 
 time would be more usefully employed in visiting the Catholics 
 dispersed here and there in the districts. 
 
 I went to Houston. Sickness manifested itself and all who 
 were indisposed hastened to reconcile themselves with God, and 
 many presented themselves at the tribunal of penance and at the 
 communion table. In the meantime the apartment that I occupied 
 was converted into a dancehall and I had to proceed further. 
 
 On the banks of the Brazos, thirty miles from Houston, there 
 live twenty Catholic families who came some years since from 
 Kentucky and Missouri. I had not been able to visit them and 
 I was edified with the zeal and cordiality with which they re- 
 ceived me. Every one, from children to old men. went to confes- 
 sion. There were some sick in every household. I celebrated 
 Mass in each home to give them the comfort of assisting at the 
 Holy Sacrifice. On Sunday I celebrated in the most central house 
 and a great nunil)er of Protestants came to assist at the instruc- 
 tions. They desired to build a small chapel but lacked the means. 
 I hope that later on I can accomplish it. A Protestant gentleman 
 who had been sick for a long time asked me to visit him. W'c had 
 long discussions upon religion, and finally he embraced our Holy 
 Faith. When I felt that he was sufficiently in.structcd I adminis- 
 tered the Sacraments and T have since learned that he died in a 
 most edifying manner. I left this very hospitable place to go 
 to Mill Creek, between the Brazos and Colorado, hut on the second 
 day of the trip T was taken down with fever, accompanied by 
 almost continual vomiting. Finding myself in a sparsely popu- 
 lated district where I knew no one. I determined, despite the 
 fever, to go to the Lavaca River, where some colonists live, who 
 had formerlv resided in Missouri. Tt was sixty-five miles away
 
 TO 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and you can imagine how I suffered from the heat of a burning 
 sun, from lack of water and running a temperature and on the 
 second day I thought my end was at hand. 
 
 I saw in the distance smoke and presumed I would find a 
 house. I hurried in that direction and found a family recently 
 arrived from Michigan. They gave me every assistance that the 
 most tender charity could suggest. I passed the night under their 
 tent and the following morning continued my journey and reached 
 my old friends from Missouri 
 
 Finding at Victoria travelers who were going to San Antonio, 
 
 1 joined them, convinced that the salubrious air of that beautiful 
 
 valley would restore my former strength. The heavy rains that 
 
 fell during the trip threw me into a decline, and I was obliged 
 
 to spend a longer time at San Antonio than I had contemplated. 
 
 In order not to lor<e time I began to direct the repairs of the 
 
 church which were under way. We found it in a very bad state. 
 
 We accomplished the task. All the interior was replastered. We 
 
 cut five new entrances, built a sanctuary and a communion rail 
 
 and on the outside restored the bell-tower and the front and closed 
 
 all the breaks which the cannon had made. The work received 
 
 the hearty .sympathy of the people and the Protestants showed 
 
 themselves as generous as Catholics, but the greater part of the 
 
 expense fell upon me, and I was compelled to contract debts. 
 
 On the 5th of December we sang a High Mass with exposition of 
 
 the Blessed Sacrament to thank heaven for the work w€ had just 
 
 finished." 
 
 Father Odin gives in this letter a brilliant description of 
 the celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Decem- 
 ber I2th, 1841. 
 
 "I left San Antonio on December 27th to visit the different 
 stations formed in the western portion of Texas." 
 
 The Comanches were on the warpath, but despite many close 
 calls he reached Goliad. 
 
 "I made only a short stop at Goliad, at the Ranchio de Don 
 Carlos and near the mouth of the San Antonio River. Mr. Es- 
 tany had visited these different places a short time before. I 
 spent five days at Victoria, preaching once or twice a day. Many 
 persons who had not been to the Sacraments in six, eight, ten and 
 even fourteen years, went to confession. From Victoria I went 
 to the Lavaca River, which I followed almost to its source, to 
 Brushy Creek and to Navidad. where I stopped two or three 
 days. Having met some Catholics on this trip I gave communion 
 to one hundred and fifty and the number of confessions was 
 greater.
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 7 1 
 
 "I hoped on arriving at Houston to find a small chapel. I 
 had left a hundred dollars to buy the first material, hoping that 
 when the work was commenced they would make some effort to 
 complete it but as soon as the amount was spent, they stopped 
 the work. x\fter some search I found a small apartment, erected 
 an altar and called together the small flock. There were some 
 confessions and comunions. I spent some days in an effort to 
 arouse their zeal to build the church, and when I received fine 
 promises upon which I can place little reliance, I left for Galves- 
 ton. I had the consolation of offering the Holy Sacrifice in the 
 chapel which had just been constructed at Galveston. I could noi 
 restrain my tears when I thought that at least our Divine Lord 
 had a small sanctuary in a country where up to now we had been 
 compelled to carry the altar from house to house. I now regret 
 that it is so small ; it will not hold all those who desire to assist 
 at the divine offices. It is only fifty feet long and twenty-two 
 feet in width. It is not plastered ; we have not even a small bell- 
 tower ; it is a large room, rather than a church. The structure 
 cost $900.00, and I had to pay $700.00. I cannot accuse the 
 people of bad will, the poverty of the country renders it impos- 
 sible almost for them to procure the necessities of life, and so it 
 has been impossible, despite their good will, to make any but a 
 small offering for religion. 
 
 "Thanks to God. I have succeeded since last spring in repair- 
 ing the churches at San Antonio and Victoria and building two 
 new chapels on the banks of the Sau Antonio River, one on the 
 Lavaca and a fourth here at Galveston. These different enter- 
 prises have cost more than two thousand dollars. I have had to 
 make debts, but Providence will come to my relief. 
 
 "Mr. Calvo at San Antonio and Mr. Estany at Ranchio dc 
 Don Carlos labor with much zeal. God seems to bless tlicir 
 efforts. Mr. Estany visits regularly seven places, not large it is 
 true, but destined one day to become very important. Mr. Clark 
 is in charge of the church at Lavaca and a small school for chil- 
 dren. He visits al.so from time to time X'ictoria and Texana. 
 We had the misfortune to lose Mr. llayden (priest) in Octoi)er. 
 He died at the mouth of the San Jacinto River two hundred niilcs 
 from any confrere, lie is a great loss to the growing church 
 of Texas. He was of iininctise help in visiting the scattered 
 
 Catholics. 
 
 "Texas has passed through frightful .scenes during tlie pas. 
 year. The Indians have slain many unfortunate travelers an<l 
 bands of robbers have committed many murders and depredations. 
 
 Your verv humble and obedient servant. 
 T. M. ODIN.
 
 / 
 
 1 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Despite his reluctance to be consecrated a Bishop, Father Odin 
 was compelled to yield. In a letter to Father J. B. Etienne (An- 
 nales de la Congregation de la Mission, Tome VIII, pp. 233-237) 
 he describes the selective draft. There is no copy of the Bulls at 
 Galveston, New Orleans, nor in the Archives of the Lazarists in 
 this country. We know that the old title of Bishop of Claudiopolis 
 was retained and that he was elevated to be Vicar-Apostolic of 
 Texas. 
 
 New Orleans, March 28, 1842. 
 My Honored Confrere : 
 
 I am writing from New Orleans. His Holiness has refused 
 to accede to my wishes, and the Bulls which I sent back to Rome 
 were expedited anew and arrived here the eleventh of last Oc- 
 tober. The letters of His Holiness Father Fransoni were so in- 
 sistent, and the desire of our Holy Father so formal, that I could 
 not refuse a second time. Despite all the repugnance that I had 
 shown, I had to make the sacrifice, and accept a burden almost 
 unbearable and far above my strength. I was consecrated by 
 Mgr. Blanc, assisted by Mgrs. Portier and Chance, on the 6th of 
 March in the Cathedral of this city. Pray for me and have pray- 
 ers said that I may obtain the graces that I need to carry this new 
 burden and to fulfil the duties confided to me. 
 
 A few days after consecration I received sad news from our 
 mission in Texas. Mexico, which never agreed to recognize the 
 independence of the Republic, has tried to reconquer it. The 
 Mexican army has already penetrated to San Antonio, which it 
 took without the least resistance. Detachments marched against 
 Goliad, Victoria and Matagorda. 'Tis believed that the forces 
 amount to twenty thousand men. The Texans ran to arms from 
 all sides. The women and children have taken to flight from 
 the western parts and have retired to the Colorado to avoid falling 
 
 into the hands of the Mexicans The Indians have 
 
 profited by the general confusion to commit depredations 
 
 I do not know what has become of our Confreres. They are pre- 
 cisely in that portion of the invaded country. All our beautiful 
 beginnings and our sweet hopes for the future lie in that direc- 
 tion. We have organized a number of stations which gave prom- 
 ise of becoming flourishing parishes, and in an instant all is de- 
 stroyed ! 
 
 The will of God be done ! I expect to leave for Galveston in 
 a few weeks. My intention was to seek religious women to place 
 in San Antonio and priests for the Caronkoways' Mission and for 
 Houston and Nacogdoches, but the confused state of the country 
 has caused me to renounce my purpose. I shall try if it is pos-
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 73 
 
 sible to have ]^Iessrs. Calvo and Estany come to me. It is barely 
 possible that we shall have to take flight 
 
 I was astonished on arriving at New Orleans to find that 
 Father Timon had already arrived from Europe on the 14th of 
 January, and I had a few days afterwards the consolation of 
 greeting him. He gave me your letter, that of Mr. Possou and 
 the different objects that you and the Sisters of Charity had tht; 
 goodness to send me, also the funds that you had decided to allo- 
 cate to our mission in Texas. I thank you very sincerely, and 
 ask you to express to the good Sisters my thanks. I paid at once 
 all the debts that I had contracted last year, and I shall try to 
 take the best possible care of the needs of all our Confreres. 
 
 I beg, etc. 
 
 J. M. ODIN, 
 Bishop of Claudiopolis and Vicar-Apostolic of Texas. 
 
 The disturbed condition of Texas continued and the Texas 
 Militia in those early days functioned somewhat true to form, as is 
 shown in the following letter to Father Timon. (Original in 
 Catholic Archives of America, Notre Dame, Ind. Case Lazar- 
 ists, L. 32.) 
 
 Galveston, June 20th, 1842. 
 Rev. John Timon, 
 St. Mary's College, 
 Perry County, Mo. 
 
 Very Rev. and Dear Sir : 
 
 I have not had the pleasure of receiving any letter from Mis- 
 souri since I returned to Texas. Be kind enough to write to me 
 as often as you can. 
 
 I have spent my time at this place since I came back. Tho 
 people of Galveston appear very anxious to attend our church on 
 Sunday; it is a great pity it was not built according to ilic plan 
 you gave them ; it is quite too small to receive those who would 
 wish to attciifl. There is always a good number of the most 
 respectable people every Sunday. I have been obliged to have a 
 little sacristy built, and I am getting some benches, the whole will 
 cost me very near two hundred dollars, though, I hope, the people 
 will pay something for those seats. 
 
 The church at Houston is nearly completed, it will be scaled 
 inside; it has a steeple and some kind of pews and measures 50 
 feet by 25. The whole expense will amount tn nearly $1,100.00, 
 of which I must pay at least $950.00. 
 
 You cannot form an idea of the distressed situation of this 
 country ; the corn crop will fail for want of rain in many sections
 
 74 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 of the land. There is no business going on, ,no money in circula- 
 tion and provisions are extremely scarce. 
 
 The Texan Militia has entirely ruined poor San Antonio. They 
 have robbed all the cattle and horses of the poor Mexicans, every 
 grain of corn they had ; they have destroyed entirely the Rancho 
 of Dona Calvilla, the most flourishing and most numerous of the 
 San Antonio Valley, and killed or scattered all the people. Great 
 many Mexican families in consequence of these violences have 
 been forced to leave the country and go seek a home beyond the 
 Rio Grande. Five hundred volunteers stationed at Corpus Christi 
 are starving to death and doing all the mischief they can. A party 
 of Mexican traders came in sometime ago with $3000.00 and 
 about one hundred mules and horses ; they took them prisoners 
 and possessed themselves of everything they had. Gen. Houston 
 gave orders to set them at liberty and to restore their property, 
 but the volunteers would not obey ; they still retain the traders 
 captives and keep all the property. 
 
 We have about one hundred of these volunteers here at Gal- 
 veston, and every day we hear of some new depredations com- 
 mitted. Beeves, fowls, store provisions are stolen, houses burnt, 
 shooting and stabbing ; this is a daily occurrence. Two days 
 ago a man was killed in the middle of Tremont Street before a 
 crowd, and another severely wounded, and the perpetrations of 
 such deeds are allowed to go unpunished. 
 
 Congress will meet at Houston on the 27th of this month, 
 but it is supposed that the western members will refuse to come. 
 They are going to discuss whether they must invade Mexico 
 or not. Houston seems to be opposed to the undertaking, but 
 the people are clamorous about it. 
 
 I have written Mr. Estany to go and live with Mr. Calvo 
 and Brother Sala, and to visit occasionally the few people who 
 still remain in the San Antonio Valley. 
 
 Mr. Ducos and Mr. Bourgeois have obtained a grant of two 
 million acres of land ; they are gone to New Orleans, and pro- 
 pose starting very soon for France to gather emigrants. 
 
 Two French vessels are daily expected with one hundred and 
 twenty emigrants ; the chief is already here ; he came by the S. 
 Packets. I have already given Mr. Ducos $130.00, the receipt 
 of which I enclose in this letter. I do not think that the money 
 of Baton Rouge has been collected, nor the order of Mr. Careta. 
 
 I sent some coffee, sugar, wine, shirts and clothing to Messrs. 
 Calvo, Estany and Clark, and begged Mr. Cassiano to furnish 
 the two first with the money they might need. He promised 
 me to do so. 
 
 I wrote again by Mr. Ducos to Mr. Etienne.
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 75 
 
 I have not as yet got a deed for the church lot ; the directors 
 of the Company can never be found together. 
 
 Sometimes I feel almost discouraged. I would like to have 
 a priest for Houston and one for Galveston, and still I dare not 
 write you to send them in the present unfavorable circumstances. 
 Their health would be very much exposed. We have already a 
 good many cases of fever. 
 
 My best compliments to all the confreres ; pray for me. 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient and humble servant, 
 * JOHN MARY, Bishop of Claudiopolis, 
 
 and Vicar-Apostolic of Texas. 
 
 P. S. We have twenty-two scholars in our little school. 
 Mr. Xash is the teacher. Every day I have from twelve to 
 sixteen children to Catechism. 
 
 Very Rev. John Timon, 
 St. Mary's College, 
 Perry County, Mo. 
 
 (Original in the Catholic Archives of America, Notre Dame 
 Indiana. Case Lazarists, L. 25.) 
 
 Galveston, August 20th, 1842. 
 Very Rev. and Dear Sir : 
 
 Since we parted at New Orleans, I have not had the pleasure 
 of receiving a single line from you; T wrote several letters and 
 received no answer. 
 
 The country continues to be in a great state of uneasiness, 
 perplexity and misery. General Houston assembled Congre.>s 
 on the 27th of June to determine on what should be done to restore 
 the peace of the country. A bill was passed in both houses for 
 an offensive war, putting the public duniain at the disposition 
 of the president, to raise means for the operation and give him 
 the entire control of everything to carry it into execution ; but 
 to the great dissatisfaction of the population bo vetoed it. He 
 pretended that it was unconstitutional, giving him more power 
 than what he ought to have, and he said that destitute of means 
 it was ridiculous to attempt a war against Mexico. After read- 
 ing his veto the people began to cool off gradually. The volun- 
 teers, five hundred strong, have di.sbanded and left the west, 
 where they were stationed waiting for the militia of Texas to 
 commence operations against Mexico. They were actually star- 
 ving, destitute of clothes and of everything else. 1 hey go back 
 to the U. S. quite disgusted with Texas. Wo received letters 
 from Mr. Smith, minister to France, announcing that he had
 
 76 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 sig'iiecl at last a treaty with England, and had ohtained a promise 
 from that government to mediate in our favor. Still it seems 
 that the English have little hope of success. Two splendid steam 
 vessels of war left Liverpool for Vera Cruz, manned by English- 
 men to act against Texas. We calculate, then, that if the Cabinet 
 of Washington and of England do not succeed in their attempts 
 to obtain an amicable settlement we shall have hard work to- 
 wards the fall. 
 
 I continue to divide my time between Galveston, Houston and 
 the Brazos. I go every six weeks to Houston, where I spend 
 three Sundays, then to the Brazos for eight or ten days. The 
 church at Houston is covered in. It has twenty pews, a com- 
 munion table, a pulpit and a steeple ; it looks very well outside. 
 The length is fifty feet and the breadth twenty-five feet. It was 
 too small every Sunday for the congregation that desired to at- 
 tend. There seems to be a favorable disposition towards our 
 religion even among Protestants. The number of Catholics is 
 much larger than I anticipated at first ; they appear pleased to 
 have a church. Still the number of confessions is not as great 
 as I would wish. Perhaps the jubilee will have some tendency 
 to awaken them. I began it here last Sunday, and good many 
 have already commenced their confession. The work of reform- 
 ation will be slow ; there are so many obstacles in the way. 
 
 We will build shortly a chapel below Richmond on the Brazos. 
 General Sommerville gave me ten acres of land for that purpose, 
 and the people have signed money enough and work to put up 
 a small building. The workman has agreed to take up the sub- 
 scription list in payment of the w-ork. I signed myself fifty 
 dollars, but told them positively that I would not contribute any 
 more. 
 
 The amount contributed by the inhabitants of Houston to- 
 wards their church does not exceed $150.00. We sold eleven 
 pews for $143.00, which I hope will be paid; the whole cost of 
 the building is about $1100.00, so for my own share I have had 
 to pay about $800.00. In Galveston I have thirty excellent 
 benches as comfortable as pews ; twelve only have been rented. 
 Times are so hard and the good will of the people so weak that 
 we could not dispose of more. 
 
 I received whilst at Houston letters from Messrs. Calvo and 
 Estany. They were both well, but the country in which they live 
 is in a most deplorable condition. The volunteers and the Texas 
 militia have ruined it entirely. Cattle, horses, ewes, everything 
 has been taken away. There are only two American families 
 living now at San Antonio; more than twenty Mexican families 
 left for the Rio Grande, most of the people are moving from the 
 valley of San Antonio and from the Colorado, for fear of a new
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON "J-J 
 
 invasion. The crops have failed in many parts of the countrv 
 on account of the drought, during the spring and beginning of the 
 summer, and the heavy rains that have been falling most everv 
 day since the middle of July do a serious injury to the cotton 
 crop. 
 
 Mr. Van Ness was killed about three months ago. The In- 
 dians are committing a great deal of mischief around San An- 
 tonio and Austin. Every week there are some few persons 
 killed. Mr. De Saligny left Texas in consequence of bad health. 
 I put his house at Austin under the care of a good family ; it 
 would be impossible to rent it at present, as more than half the 
 population has left the town and people are happy to put families 
 in their houses during their absence. General Houston tried 
 his best to remove the archives of the government from there, 
 but he could not succeed, and the next Congress will be held 
 at Austin. It is the impression of many that the seat of govern- 
 ment will not be removed from there. 
 
 Several French emigrants have lately arrived, and about one 
 hundred are daily expected, to be followed by a great many 
 others. The principal agent of the emigrating company has 
 purchased one-third of the town of Harrisburg, below Houston, 
 the charter for a hank and railroad of the same place, and four 
 leagues of land around the city. Several large grants have 
 l)cen made lately to French, English and German companies for 
 emigration, if wc had only peace, there would be soon a great 
 tide of emigration. Mr. Ducos and Bourgeois are gone to P^aris 
 to induce settlers to move to this country. I furnished Mr. 
 Ducos with $130.00, the receipt of which I have alrculv for- 
 warded to you. 
 
 I would need very much one priest for Galveston and one for 
 Houston ; it would ahso be necessary to visit the Trinity, where 
 there are good many Catholics. Still I feel afraid to see them 
 coming before the summer be over and before the clouds that 
 hang over Texas be a little dispelled. If the war docs not break 
 out before November, I woubl be glad if you would send nv 
 two priests about that time. 
 
 The nun who came to Galveston whilst you were here writes 
 to me continually wishing to return to the place. She will bring 
 with her three French and two English Sisters and about $8000; 
 she requested the Superior of the Seminary of Grass to write 
 also, anrl that gentleman tells me '\\\ his letter that she belongs 
 to a respectable and wealthy family, that she is an excellent nmi 
 and that she will be permitted to come only at my request. Tf 
 I insist for her, they will let her come to Texas with her -om- 
 pajiions, but not otherwise. They seem tr) be f1issatisfie<l at tlv 
 treatment experienced at New Orleans. 
 
 I wrote to Mr. E.stany to go to San Antonio to make a re- 
 
 kh
 
 78 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 treat and give Mr. Calvo the opportunity of doing the same. 
 I think he must be gone there if the fear of the Indians has not 
 deterred him from the journey. It is probable that after the 
 jubilee, I will go myself to visit them. It will not take me more 
 than three or four weeks. Be pleased to remember me to all 
 and to pray for me. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient and humble servant, 
 
 * JOHN MARY, Bishop of Claudiopolis 
 and Vicar-Apostolic of Texas. 
 
 Rt. Rev. Dr. A. Blanc, 
 For Very Rev. J. Timon, 
 New Orleans, La. 
 
 (Original in Catholic Archives of America, Notre Dame, Ind. 
 Case Lazarists, L. 24.) 
 
 Houston, February ist, 1843. 
 
 Very Rev. and Dear Sir : 
 
 I have just received your two letters, one from St. Louis 
 and the other from New Orleans. It would afford me a great 
 deal of pleasure to go to see you at this moment, but it is not 
 in my power. I am o.n my way to San Antonio. For a long 
 time I have not heard from our priests who are in that quarter, 
 and I would like to see them before going to the States. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Uquhart, who lives with Mr. Mullen at St. 
 Patrick's, wrote to me, expressing a wish to come to Texas. 
 I wrote back to him not to come until I would go over myself. 
 I am anxious to ascertain what kind of recommendations he 
 •brought with him. and what were his dispositions. Do me the 
 favor to inquire about him. and if you think that he will suit 
 for this mission send him on by the first boat, directing him to 
 celebrate one Sunday at Galveston and to proceed immediately 
 to Houston, where he will remain until I come back from the 
 west. My intention is to give him the charge of Houston and 
 of the neighboring missions. Let him know that the country 
 is extremely poor, and that zeal, pure disinterested zeal, should 
 prompt him to dedicate himself to this mission. When he arrives 
 at Galveston let him go straight to our house and the sacristan 
 will direct him where to take his meals. At Houston Mr. De- 
 chene will give him a room. He ought to bring with him a bed 
 and some little furniture. If you think that he would not suit 
 for this mission, send me a few lines. I had written about him 
 to Mr. Rousselon, but I have not heard anything from him. 
 
 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
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 79 
 
 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. l*!i<jht 
 hundred more are expected between now and spring. The> 
 have been sent by Mr. Castro, who is authorized to settle two 
 thousand families on the Rio Frio. General Flouston 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. T feel very often .severe pains 
 of stomach. Pray for me and write before you leave New 
 r)rleans. I will remain only a week in San Antonio. 
 Very respectfully, 
 Your obedient and humble .servant and brother, 
 *JOIIN MARY. i',ishop of Claudiopolis 
 and \icar-Apostolic of Texas. 
 
 \'ery Rev. J. Timon, 
 St. Louis Seminary, Mo. 
 
 (Original in Catholic Archives ol America. Xt trc Dame. Intl. 
 Ca.se La/.arists, L. 17.) 
 
 Galveston, Decenil)er 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 fo 
 Galveston have not left me any leisure. 
 
 On the very day on which we reached home, we went to
 
 I 
 
 80 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 house-keeping, and you may be assured, it was a great comfort 
 to me, to be dispensed from the necessity of begging hospitality. 
 A httle 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 for 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 toi/ 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 paitl, 
 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. H 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 Germar. 
 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
 
 
 J^g^w/^ 
 
 O ^- 
 
 2 i 
 
 LU o 
 
 X S 
 
 < Ji 
 
 < S
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 8l 
 
 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 i6th, 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. 1 nuust. 
 no doubt, have given you some displeasure or otherwise 1 can- 
 not imagine why you have forgotten me entirely. Do. for (jod 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 increa.sed rapidly considering the dif- 
 ficulties of the times, and most of the new settlers belong to our 
 Church. Our chapel is liy far too small for our population ; every 
 Sundav it is crowded and many whf) would like to as.sist at t.ic 
 divine service arc obliged to go away for want of room, ihe 
 interests of religion require that I should soon make prri)ara 
 tions for a more spacious edifice. A convent likewise hccoim-s 
 of absolute neccssitv. The Protestants will make every ctforl 
 to start up schcxjls and I could soon commence an establishment 
 with the good feeling which is entertained towards the C athohcs, 
 there is no doubt, we would have the best chance of success. 
 The more T reflect on the different measures which would con-
 
 82 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 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 mc to visit places 
 where Catholics are becoming more numerous and have children 
 growing up unhaptized and destitute of religious instructions; 
 hut alone as I am, what can I do? If I leave this place even to 
 go to Houston, on my return T 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 prcparatio^n 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 a.s 
 T calculated, relying on Mr. Collins' coming, I have no doubt 
 the greatest part of our Catholic population v.'ould have fulfilled 
 the Easter precept. The dispositions of the people are good, 
 they only need instruction. T 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 Texa.^ 
 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? Rut 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 
 nrospect of being able to undertake something in earnest.
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 83 
 
 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 ajid 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. T 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 hmi 
 with me, and scarcely had he arrived when he is taken a\yay. 
 I recommend him to'vour prayers. I shall leave here in eight 
 days and I hope to arrive in Galveston about the first of No- 
 vember. T shall write you then and also to Monsignor. 
 Your devoted and humble servant. 
 
 * lOHN M.AKY. Bishop of Claudiopolis 
 
 and Vicar-Apostolic of Texas. 
 
 Very Rev. John Timon. 
 
 New Orleans, La. 
 
 (Original in Catholic Archives of America. Notre Dnme. Ind. 
 
 Case Lazarists, L 15.) 
 
 Galveston. December 11, i'M4- 
 
 \'crv Rev. and Dear Sir : 
 
 i returned last Wednesday from the west after an ab.scn.e 
 of more than five months. When I started for Galveston ah
 
 84 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 enjoyed a good health and Httlc did ihcv 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 tliat 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! T 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
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 85 
 
 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 o])inion 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 journev 1 will go to see vou before I leave 
 the U. S. ' 
 
 I often wished to write you during my travels, but the dif- 
 ficultv of procuring paper or conveyance for letters prevented 
 me from doing so. 
 
 Farewell, my dear Sir, and pray for 
 
 Your old friend and brother, 
 
 * TOHX .M.\RY, Bishop of Claudiopolis 
 and \'icar-Apostolic of Texas.
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 EARLY PIONEERS. 
 
 We append a short sketch of some of the pioneer co-laborers 
 of Bishop Odin. 
 
 THE MOST RE\'. 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, i860; 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."
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 8/ 
 
 Father Paquin lies buried in St. Mary's Cathedral, according 
 to the following entry in the Liber Alortuorum : 
 
 "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 nth of August. 1844. a victim of vellow 
 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. IMarie Ounnen, Daniel Cochin, 
 Mary Ann Fortney, Stephen Campien. Louise 111. John Kreiner. 
 Henry Reed, Mary Morrison, James Kehoe. Peter Wni. Dinke- 
 laker. and James H. Klahn. 
 
 TIIF \'FRY REV. JOTTX BRANDS. C. M.. V. G. 
 
 Father T.rands 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 tlic Cathedral register.^ 
 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 lattcr's death, he 
 was appointed vicar general bv I'.ishop Odin. He took a prom- 
 nent part in the ceremonies of the corner-stone laying and (h.- 
 consecration of the Cathedral.
 
 88 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 THE RE\'. BARTHOLOMEW ROLLANDO, C. M. 
 
 In 1842 and 1843, Eather Rollando was pastor of the church 
 of St. John the Baptist at Springfield. 111. When the diocese of 
 Chicago was established toward the end of 1843, ^"<^1 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. 181 2. 
 
 Obiit die Octobris 11, 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 1 2th 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 to, 1847, '""C entered the following 
 baptism : 
 
 "On the loth day of September, 1847. i" 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
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 89 
 
 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: "Hie jacent RR. DD. J. C. Melton, ]. 
 Baudran. J. P. Bajard, G. Metz. Obierunt A. D. 1853 185^. 
 Seigneur, donnez lui le repos eternel. Que \'otre Lumiere I'e- 
 claire pendant I'eternite. Monumentum pietalis fidelium. R. 
 I. P." 
 
 On the other side: "Hie 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 pietatii> 
 fidelium. R. I. P." 
 
 On the south side. "In memory of E. Hug. Born Nov. 29, 
 1809. Ordained June i, 1833. Died Sept. 2"], 1853." 
 
 On the east side: "Zum Andenken unser gcliebten E. Hug- 
 Grunder der Deutschen Congregation. Starb am i"] 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 Septcmbris. in Coemetcrio 
 Catholico sepulta est Maria I'.icling, uxor Guliclmi X'onbein. 
 Per dies octo febri atra bilosa laboravit, et antequam c vivis dis- 
 cesserit, omnibus sacramentis quae Ecclesia moribundis adniinis- 
 trat, refccta fuit. Decem diebus ante ejus mortem, fralcr ejus, 
 Fredericus Bieling. e vivis discessit. 
 
 "E. Hur.." 
 
 Of the seven priests named on the marble shaft, six died of 
 yellow fever; one, the Rev. Joshua Dixon, died of coiisumjjtion. 
 as the following record shows : 
 
 "Kh\ the 4th of September, i?S53, I. the undersigned priest, 
 performed the funeral of Reverend Joshua Dixon, native of Eng- 
 land, who died the same day of consumption, aged i}^ years. 
 
 "J. F. Bauuran."
 
 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, ^^ 
 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 vv^ere Chris- 
 topher Fox, etc. 
 
 "N. Stehle, Cong. Miss." 
 
 Then follows the record of the baptism of a slave, viz. : 
 
 "I, the undersigned, this ninth day of December, eighteen 
 hundred and forty, baptized Marie Rose, born March 12, 1840, 
 of Joe and Adelaide, servants of M. B. Menard. The sponsors 
 were Medard and Su.sanna Menard. 
 
 John Timon, P. A T."
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 9 1 
 
 Others baptized in 1840 were : Sarah Labadie, Charlotte 
 Labadie, Robert Alexander McCallum, Margaret Bergstrom and 
 Maria Ounnen. 
 
 For the year 1841 we find recorded the baptism of Caroline 
 DeLacy, Daniel Cochin, Mary Ann Fortney, Stephen Campion, 
 Louise 111, John Kreiner, Henry Reed, Mary Morrison, James 
 Kehoe, Peter William Dinkelaker, James K. Klahn, and the fol- 
 lowing two, the first baptisms administered here by the future 
 bishop of Galveston, then vice-prefect apostolic, the Very Rev. 
 John Mary Odin : 
 
 "I, the undersigned, priest of the Roman Catholic Church, the 
 seventh of July, 1841, in the city of Galveston, baptized Anna 
 Josephine, daughter of Denis Campion and Anna Murphy, born 
 on the i8th of June, 1841. The sponsors were John M. Odin 
 and Mary Murphy. 
 
 "J. M. Odin, Vice Prefect Apost. 
 
 **I, the undersigned priest of the Roman Catholic Church, on 
 the eleventh of July, 1841, baptized Mary Cicily, born on the 
 twenty-fourth of May, A. D. 1841, of Nicholas D. Labadie and 
 Mary Norman. The sponsors were Charles F. Labadie and 
 Rosine J. Menard. 
 
 "J. M. Odin, V. P. A. T." 
 
 The first baptisms in 1842 were those of John Heffcrman, 
 Edward Francis Byrne, and Marie Felicite Romaine. 
 
 The Republic of Texas was elevated from a prefecture apos- 
 tolic to a vicariate apostolic March 6, 1842. The first baptismal 
 entry of the vicariate reads as follows : 
 
 "Die 17 Maii, 1842, ego Joannes Maria Odin, Cong. Miss., 
 miseratione divina et Sanctae Sedis Apostolicae gratia cpiscopus 
 Claudiopolitanus et vicarius apostolicus Texensis. baptizavi Jo- 
 annam Theresam Elizabeth, natam die 17 Marlii. 1842. filiam 
 Joannis B. Moscr et Mariae Magdalcnac Illig. Patrinus fuit 
 Petrus Hyacinthus Moser et matrina Joanna Moser. 
 
 "Joannes Maria, Epis. Claudiopo.. 
 
 "Et Vic. Apos. Texensis." 
 
 The other baptisms of 1842 were those of Mary Magdalen 
 Smith, Ann I^lizabeth Reed, John Adoph rtc. Pauhno Henrietta 
 Cobb. ITcnrv Francis Cobb. Susan Earl. Jf).scphme .Ann ( )f f.cier. 
 Elizabeth Siavcn. Stani.slas Mavkowsky. Cathernie Harriet I'ort- 
 ney. Sarah I'.utlcr, and Caroline Huete dc Condc. who^e bapt:8- 
 mal record reads : 
 
 de 
 
 "12 Septembre. 1842. j'ai baptise Caroline Francoise Ihictc 
 Conde, nee le 10 Septembre a bord du grand Condc. fille de
 
 92 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Barthelemy Denvs Huete et de Marie Maurean. Le parrain a 
 ete M. Charles Hyacinthe Maria Rogerie, et la marrainc Fran- 
 ooise Plot. 
 
 "Jean Mar if.. Eve. de Claudiupolis. 
 "Et \'ic. A. du Texas." 
 
 The sacrament of haptism was administered, in 1843, to 
 Mary Lecompte, Stephen Albardier, William Keogh, John Fahey, 
 Marg-aret Fahey. Benjamin Daniel Conden, Louis F. Officier, 
 Anthony, F. Clausen, Theresa De Young, John De Young, 
 Josephine Seitz and Mary Ann Byrne. 
 
 The year 1844 shows the baptisms of Louisa Schneider, 
 Sophie Hannaur, Julius P. Philipp, Sarah Elizabeth Lang, Mary 
 Schmitt, Elizal)eth Arsega, Rosa Hillmann. Adolph Billmann, 
 Joseph Marie, Isidore Gustave Menard, Joseph Stetson, Anna 
 Marv Stetson, Mlary Ellen Stetson, Thomas Gilbert, Pauline 
 Harriet \'illemain, James Edward Campion, Sophie Amelia 
 Soehnlen. Francis Oliver Stetson, Coralie Testard. Michael B. 
 Baudin, 'Sla.vy Ann Lux. ]\Iary Rooney, Adeline Michel. Petet 
 Kappas. Mary Brucker, Michael Ohnschlaeger. Henry Netzen- 
 heim, Nicholetta Meixner, and Pauline Hede. Likewise the fol- 
 lowing interesting entries : 
 
 "On the 8th of September. 1844, I. the undersigned R. C. 
 priest, baptized Richard, born March 10, 1844. of Louisa, servant 
 of Nicholas Fitzsimmons. The sponsors were William and 
 Theresa. 
 
 "John Brands, C. M. 
 
 "On the 8th of September, 1844, I, the undersigned R. C. 
 priest, baptized Martha, born June 5, 1842, of Louisa, servant 
 of Nicholas Fitzsimmons. The sponsors were Jack and Ma- 
 thilda. 
 
 "John Brands, C. M. 
 
 "On the 8th of September, 1844, I, the undersigned R. C. 
 priest baptized Richard, born March 10, 1844, of Louisa, servant 
 of Nicholas Fitzsimmons. The sponsors were Jack and Melinda. 
 
 "John Brands, C. M." 
 
 The persons baptized in 1845 were: James Samuel Hunt, 
 Mary Catherin Jay, Joseph Labadie, Leo Anthony Drouet, Oc- 
 tave' Simeon Spear, August Richard. Mathilde Richard. Joseph- 
 ine Richard, William Dickinson. Frances E. Schevalm, Laura 
 Fitzsimmons. John Condon, Mary Jane Law^s, Mary Ann Quinn, 
 Erasmus Brown, ^Margaret Cahill, Mary D'Ah^d'- ''- ^''--''n. 
 mena Moser. Elizabeth Nash. Mary Ann Tordnn FmoiiV ri^ire, 
 Matthew Cahill, Charles Peter Hotz, Mary Ann Daum, Mar-
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 
 
 93 
 
 g-aret Ziedermann. Margaret Rodsch, Elizabeth Wening. Anna 
 Erk, Mary Catherine Heimann, Alexander, born o^ - servant 
 woman belonging to Nicholas D. Labadie. 
 
 The year 1846 saw the baptism of thirty-one slaves, twenty- 
 eight of whom belonged to John Gillard, of Liberty, Texas. On 
 baptizing a certain colored woman, Rev. R. Hennesy, C. M., re- 
 corded : 
 
 "She is a colored person, liut free." 
 
 The names of the remaining seventy-four persons christen 
 ed in 1 846 are : 
 
 Mary J. De Young, Catherine Reinhart, Peter Hehl, An- 
 toinette Officier, Agnes Jane Byrne, Mary Layendecker, John 
 Henry Sandscreiper, Johanna Wedig, Frances Fastelling Marv 
 Geroult, Mary Ann Dirks, Caroline linz, Robert Hillcbrant. 
 Mary Ellen Campion, Anna Mary Schmidt, Ellen Cleary, Mary 
 Kleck, Josephine Keller, Elizabeth Rothemer. Mary Giles, Eliza- 
 beth Aeiman. Ennna Schneider, Philumena Rollet, Peter Resch, 
 August Rciley, \ incent Plittner, Catherine Nester, Mary Con- 
 den, Robert Henry Neal, Jane Keogh, August Bruhn, Catherine 
 Slevin, John Darage, Octove Dupas. Joseph Aull, Magdalen del 
 P.reuille, Anthony Leonard, Mary Falvey. Frederic Leinniillor. 
 Joseph Brandis, Robert Stanger, Catherine Stanger, Mary Fran- 
 ces Dirks, Elizabeth Kramer, Mary Philumena Dirks, (iodfrcd 
 Heidrich. Joseph Bonot, Mary \\'hite, Catherine White, Joseph 
 White, John Gillard, John de lilanc, Ap])olinaris Gillard. John 
 Gillard, Josc])h dc Blanc, Catherine Jones, John Markey, Peter 
 Markey, Sarah Chism, Anne Chism, Fanny Abshier, Alexander 
 Jackson, James Jackson. Patrick Adams. Jane Adams, Robert 
 Adams. Emma Dunman, Sarah Dunman, Rebecca Dunman. Mar\ 
 Gillarrl. Mary de Blanc. 
 
 Slaves arc indicated in the early register by the letter S. Thus: 
 
 "On the 17th of January, 1847. •" ^l- M'»ry"s Church. 1. th? 
 undersigned, ])aj)ti7.cd John Price, two years of age. born of 
 Diana \\illiams. servant of Widow Moore. The sponsors were 
 Henry Benjamin, S. (slave of) Cobb and Antoinette Marie S. 
 (slave). 
 
 "15. Koi.LA.M'O. C. M. 
 
 "The 23rd day of March, A. D. 1847. '" -"^t- Mary's Church. 
 I, the imdcrsigned, baptized Richard, 3 years old. son of Mar- 
 garet Melinda, slave of Widow Moore. The sponsor was Helen 
 
 Blossman. 
 
 " I', RorxAMX). C. M.
 
 94 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 "The same day, ibidem, I baptized Thomas, i6 months old, 
 son of Margaret MeHnda, slave of Widow Moore. The spon- 
 sor was Eliza Blake. 
 
 "B. ROLLANDO, C. M." 
 
 On the margin of the records these names appear thus : 
 
 John Price, S. 
 Richard S. Moore. 
 Thomas S. Moore, 
 
 The St. Mary's Church mentioned in these baptisms is the 
 old St. Mary's Church, a wooden structure, which stood on the 
 site of the present Cathedral, and was moved out into the street 
 during the erection of the present edifice. The corner-stone of 
 St. Mary's Cathedral w^as laid a few days before the last two 
 baptisms were administered, viz., on March 14, 1847. 
 
 The first persons baptized in St. Mary's Cathedral were 
 Francis Delbrel, Carlos Delbrel and Celina Delbrel. On the 
 margin of the register we find this note in Bishop Odin's hand- 
 writing: "These two brothers and sister were the first children 
 baptized in the new church of St. Mary." 
 
 INTERMENT REGISTER — SOME MORE RECORDS 
 
 FROM THE OLD ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL 
 
 SHOWING EARLY DEATHS. 
 
 During the seven years (1841-1848) in which the wooden 
 St. Mary's Church stood on the site of the present St. Mary's 
 Cathedral, the mortality of the parish was very light. In fact, 
 while the registers of baptisms and marriages open with the year 
 1840, the first entry in the Liber Mortuorum was made in June, 
 1842. It reads as follows : 
 
 "On the 2d day of June, 1842, I, the undersigned, interred, 
 according to the rites of the Catholic Church, the remains of 
 Mrs. Jane Smith who departed this life this morning. fifl 
 
 "J. M. Odin, 
 "Bishop of Claudiopolis and Vicar Apostolic of Texas.'' 
 
 The cornerstone of St. Mary's Cathedral was laid March 14, 
 1847. Up to that time we find recorded only eighteen deaths, 
 five children and the following thirteen adults : Caspar Frank, 
 John Copley, Henry Edward Reisacher, Peter Kapps (July 27, 
 1844; three days later his wife), Elizabeth Kapps, Gabriel Dol- 
 quis, Louisa Rossi, Martin Muller, Elisa Roddy, Mary Sand- 
 scheiper, Catherine Fink, Frederic Brandis and Catherine Keller.
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 95 
 
 Yellow fever, it would seem, raged in 1847; ^or within the 
 space of three months we find recorded as many as seventeen 
 deaths : 
 
 Catherine O'Neil, Jacques Tacquard, Henrietta Jeannotot, 
 Francis Betz, Leonard Schneider, Francis Jeannotot, Joseph 
 Kirker, John Igonet, Nicholas Lodie, Catherine Fuchs, Mary 
 Jane Menard (consort of Col. M. B. Menard), Max Joseph Mol- 
 ler, John Leinmiller, Lutgarda MoUer, Herman Moller and Jo- 
 hanna Stofehl. 
 
 From 1848 to 1853 the entries are few. They show the deaths 
 of Susan Long, August Tegely, Francis Nash, Francis Doyle, 
 David Gilbert, Terence Nugent, an infant slave, Fidelis Tegely, 
 Jean Leonard Wilkin, Mary Lender. Charles T^Ioser (the first 
 person buried from the present Cathedral). Mary Laws, John 
 Lender, Mary Lindenberg, Estelle Leroy, Mary Lender, Johanna 
 Hartosy, James Nash, Mary Boatman, Henry Coeurs, vSarah 
 McGee, John Waters, Eliza Joannet, Maria McDonnell, Mat- 
 thew Gauthier, Margaret Guyot Ballard, Desire GolHfet. Ed- 
 ward Cannon, Francis Moreau. Timothy Molloy. Adelaide Ego- 
 ux Cardon, Sophia Marke, James Conlan, Emma Sauter, Ar- 
 nientine Henoc, Sarah Hale. J. Adolphe Toumie, Emily Guticrez, 
 Emeline Bieling. Louis Funke, Catherine Gengler. Joseph "Ricke, 
 Mary ?Ioffmann and Louis Neetsch. 
 
 Of the funerals in 1853-54, Father Hug conducted those of 
 1'heresa Seller, Frederic Fdeling, Louisa Hutz, Odelia Kimley, 
 Isidora I^clere, John Nieblin and Mary Vonhein ; Father Baud- 
 ran that of the Rev. Joshua Dixon ; Father O'Driscoll those of 
 Margaret Henratty and Elizabeth Walsh; Father Foltin those 
 of John Hermann, P. J. Carroll and Mary Knapp; Father Melz 
 those of William Schaeffer, T^uisa Wehmeyer. Caroline Rickc, 
 Mrs. Fortener, Mary Ricke and Louis Marke: Father Vigna'lc 
 those .of John Peter Lacosta, Theresa Licnnrt, Francis Frote and 
 Peter Lienart : F'ather Chambodut those of Chapuis Jean Detour. 
 Geortre Weaver, John Boibieux, Margaret Salter. Joseph Bielin/s:. 
 and the following, which are summarily recorded as follows: 
 
 YELLDW FEVER r)F 1854. 
 "The following persons were buried by the unflersignc(L 
 
 "Aug. 8— Mr. I'itzpatrick. " Aug. 30— Mary Kk-iber. 
 
 "Aug. 13— Mrs. Fitzi)atrick. "Sept. i— Mr. OT.rien. 
 
 "Aug. 23— Mary Comdon. 3 "Sept. 2— Mr. M. Downy, 
 
 vears old. "Sept. 4— Thomas Krrow. 
 
 "Aug. 27— Ann O'Driscoll. "Sept. 6— Catherine Kelly. 
 
 "Aug. 29— Elizabeth Miles. "Sept. 6— Ann Dayly.
 
 96 
 
 HISTORY OF Tin; 
 
 "Sept. ij—Mrs. Jockusch. "Sept. 18— Mary Frost 
 
 "Sept. 9 — -A German girl, "Sept. 26 — Mr. Gay Jean, age 40 
 
 name unknown. " Sept. 29 — Marchand. 
 
 " Sept. 1 1— Mr. P.aulartl. " Sept. 29— \'alerio de Go'ndolfo 
 
 "Sept. 12 — George. "Sept. 30 — Marchand. 
 
 "Sept. 12— Julius Hermann. "Oct. i— Marchand. 
 
 "Sept. 12— Bridget O'Driscoll. "Oct. 2— Margaret Froba. 
 
 "Sept. 15— Johanna Hecker. "Oct. 3— M. Froba. 
 
 "Sept. 15— John Hecker. "Oct. 16— Mrs. Kerker. 
 
 "Sept. 17— Mary Froba. "Oct. 16— Mary Waters. 
 "Sept. t8— Mich?el Havn. 
 
 "L. C. M. Chambodut, V. G." 
 
 MARRIAGE RECORDS — INTERESTING DATA CON- 
 CERNING EARLY MARRIAGES IN GALVESTON. 
 RECORDS OE SLAVE MARRIAGES. 
 
 "O. that hallowed form is ne'er forgot which first love traced; 
 Still it lingering haunts the greenest spot on memory's waste. 
 
 Twas odor fled 
 As soon as shed ; 
 'Twas morning's winged dream, 
 
 'Twas a light that ne'er can shine again on life's dull stream ! 
 O, 'twas a light that ne'er can shine again on life's dull 
 stream!" 
 
 Thus in Moore's sweet rhythms the widowed consort may 
 sing the heart's plaint, as today memory opes her mystic door and 
 dreams of youth return. Others, long since laid low, in their 
 children's girls are courting and go wooing in their children's 
 boys. 
 
 The first marriage recorded in the Cathedral register is as 
 follows : 
 
 "I. the undersigned priest of the Roman Catholic Church 
 and prefect apostolic of Texas, have this 9th day of December, 
 1840, united in marriage Nicholas D. Labadie. son of Antoine D. 
 Labadie and Charlotte Barthe, with Agnes Rivera, daughter of 
 John Lang and Jeannette Hoekness. The witnesses were Peter 
 J. Menard, Medard Menard, and many others. 
 
 "John Timon, P. A. T." 
 
 Then follow in quick succession the plighted vows of Andrew 
 Jackson Van Winkel and Jane Lawrence, James W. DeLacy and 
 Caroline Winship, Edmond Quirk and Elisa Kelley.
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 97 
 
 In 1842 and 1843 we find recorded only six marriages in all — 
 Joseph Arsega and ]\Iary Martin, Louis Thuner and Louisa Bart, 
 Charles Giesecke and Margaret Schlosser, William Xewell and 
 Elizabeth Ward, Kosciusko Morgan and Caroline Cox, Peter 
 Kapps and Augusta Moser. 
 
 But the year 1844 was a leap year, and leap year evidently 
 meant for the young ladies of the early days what it means for 
 their granddaughters today. The result was a happy one. 
 Twenty couples marched up to the altar. They were : Peter 
 Lawson and Elizabeth Heimann. Alexander McCleland and Cath- 
 erine Rooney, Jacob Matossy and Marie Bauliere, Henry Edward 
 Reisacher and Anna Pauline Parguet, John Kircher and Mary 
 Pigely, Peter Delbrel and Theresa Thompson, John De Young 
 and Theresa Wetzel. John Stephan and Anna Schmidt, Andrew 
 Holtz and Henrica Beckmann, Isaac D. Knight and Anna Haff, 
 Henry Reiser and Sophie Oualline, Felix Testar and Julia Oual- 
 line, Joseph Aull and Catherine Desalme, Lawrence Schaeffer 
 and Theresa Denny. Peter Reis and Mary Catherine Michel, 
 \'alentine Fey and Catherine Eckart. John C. Heidet and Jeanne 
 Bonat, Frank Dirks and Catherine Franklin. Michael Jordan and 
 Mary Corcoran, Peter D'Abadie and Emilie Natalie Ratisseau. 
 Edmond Logre and Jennie Bricheux. 
 
 The record for 1845 is adorned with the magnificent si.gnaturc 
 of W. B. Ochiltree, who was married by Father Brands. The 
 entry is as follows : 
 
 "On the 17th of June. 1845, I. the undersigned Roman Cath- 
 olic priest, joined in the bonds of matrimony the lion. William 
 B. Ochiltree, 34 vears of age, son of David Ochiltree and Coriali 
 Ann Beck, and Maria Louisa Reid, 24 years of age. daughter of 
 Nathan Smith and Jane Hamilton, the witnesses were Gen. 
 M. Hunt and Henrietta Moffitt. 
 
 "W. B. Ochiltree. M. L. Reid. Witnesses: Mcmucan Hunt. 
 
 H. Moffitt. ^ ,, „ 
 
 "JoTiN Br.anii??. C. M. 
 
 The other marriages of the year were those of j.nnc'^ Mr- 
 Kinley and Margaret Morris. Andreas Holtz and Marie Bilerlo. 
 H I',' lakes and Rebecca Gravson, Martin Keller aiul ( atherme 
 r.urrer; Chnrles Baehling and T>sula Weinot, Jean (artier .yul 
 Maralnlcn Desalme, Nicholas Fitzsimnif.ns and Elizabeth J '-^rtcr 
 B. Matthews Balderschwitter and Theresa Dennis John Hnnnol 
 and Florence Carron, George Delbrel and Magdalen Des.nlme. 
 Pierre Francois P.londeaux and \'irginia Euphrasia l-irn. i.au- 
 rence Bruhn and losephine Mueller. John P. Christian and Chris- 
 tiana Onalline. lohn Pfeifer and Johanna \\ lehmann
 
 98 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 The first slave marriage contract entered on the Cathedral 
 records is the following : 
 
 "On the 15th of Fel)ruary, 1846. I, the undersigned R. C. 
 
 priest, married John Waters, servant of and Helev.. 
 
 a servant girl of Mr. J. Leclere. The witnesses were Edward 
 and Marv Kellev. 
 
 "John Brands. C. M." 
 
 In the year 1847. ^^'^ '"" across another slave marriage: 
 
 "On the 2nd day of October, 1847, !» the undersigned priest 
 of the R. C. Church, joined in the bonds of matrimony Martin, 
 30 years old. son of Nancy, slave of Mr. O'Con'ncll, and Henri 
 etta, 2)7 years old, born of Silvey, slave of Mr. O'Connell. The 
 witnesses were Mr. Thorn and Matilda Thorn. 
 
 Rich Hennessy, C. M." 
 
 The last slave marriage recorded reads : 
 
 "On the 27th day of December, 1857, I jomod in the bonds 
 of matrimony Jack, 21 years old, servant of Thomas Westroo, 
 and Ann, 16 years old, servant of John Brown. Witnesses, 
 Thomas Brown and Kate Carter. 
 
 "J. M. Odin. P)ishop of Galveston." 
 
 Rut to return to the marriages of 1846. They were : Bernard 
 Hagemann and Johanna Schwalenberg, James Doling and Doris 
 Rochteheber, Martin Paeske and P'rancisca Bulechal, Peter Mo.5er 
 and Elizabeth Schumacher, George Net and Anna Staesker, Law- 
 rence Wittmann and Anna Ertel, Peter Ertel and Theresa Bruner, 
 Bernard Stokenburg and Catherine Bockman, Peter Nielsen and 
 Catherine Butzhel, Henry Adeling and Ernestina Deiman, Fran- 
 cis McHugh and Charlotte Silsbury. 
 
 Father Brands must have been very busy on Jan. 6, 1847, 
 for, on that day, he performed the marriage ceremony for no 
 fewer than six couples : Leonard Truth and Theresa Wolf, 
 Anton Pfeifer and Mary Tienhart, George Seger and Catherine 
 Gnauer, John Herring and Catherine Meyer, Michael Sielpe and 
 Mary Pfeifer, Michael Herring and Elizabeth Fiste. These 
 couples were apparently dear friends, if not relatives, for they 
 stood as witnesses for one another. Two days later Father 
 Brands married John Rohrmiller and Theresa Mausner, Martin 
 Bretner and Mary Disner. 
 
 Before the laying of the cornerstone of St. Mary's Cathedral, 
 March 14, 1847, there were three more marriages: Anthony 
 Morgante and Mina Yonka. Charles Lang and Mary Cabe, 
 -Michael Chalz and Magdalen Men.
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 
 
 99 
 
 We come now to the first marriage ceremony performed by 
 the \^ery Rev. L. C. M. Chambodut : 
 
 "On the 4th of May, 1847, I- the undersigned, joined in the 
 lawful bonds of matrimony Peter Darras, aged 21 years, and 
 Cecile Hectorn, aged 15 years. The witnesses were Francii 
 Bachelier and John Francis Petit. 
 
 "L. C. M. Chambodut, Miss., Tex." 
 
 In his day, this beloved rector of the Cathedral assisted at 
 no fewer than 469 marriages. His last marriage entry reads as 
 follows : 
 
 "Die 29 Septembris, 1879, ego infrascriptus omissis denunti- 
 ationibus et mutuo contrahentium consensu habito, per verba de 
 praesenti matrimonio conjunxi B. L. Morse, ex loco New York, 
 et Luciam Johnson, ex loco Galveston, filiam Judge R. Johnson 
 et Mary Johnson ; praesentibus testibus Col. H. McCaleb, Mrs. 
 Mary McCaleb et Mrs. Sarah Pearson. 
 
 "L. C. M. Chambodut, V. G." 
 
 While St. Mary's Cathedral was building, tlie following mar- 
 riages took place in the old wooden church, moved out into the 
 street : Jean Leonard Wilkin and Jeanne Pierre Gayot, Desire 
 Greaux and Marie Bouchard, Ludwig Petri and Gertrude Tlard- 
 enberg, Henry Ruwalt and Helen Reinarts, John Menton and 
 Catherine Ploeflin, Philip Schaefer and Catherine Genglcr, An- 
 dre F.mile Bourge and Anna Metzger, Benjamin C. l-Vanklin and 
 Bernice Maxwell, John Ilerling and Wilhelmina Koh, Marc Ber- 
 trant anrl Helen Kraus, John Dandt and Theresa P.rokojjf, Wil- 
 liam Warner and Catherine Elwert, William B.akcr and Caroline 
 Funke. Max Pannifax and Louisa Mbeller. Daniel Philips and 
 Jane Opperman, Nicholas I^lpert and Louisa Ditmer, hVcderic 
 Stoppelberg and Fliza Weber, John Jockusch and Elisa Moeller, 
 Gustave Young and b" ranees Schneider, Theodore Giraufl and 
 Catherine Thorne, Christian Schaefer and Anna Maria Schcng. 
 Francis Metzger and Anna Lindmann. Daniel II. i'alais and 
 Mary Sheng, William Dunkin and Flisa (iillard. Jose|)h Tac- 
 quard and Lucine Guyot. 
 
 The first couples to be married in the new .St. Mary's Cathe- 
 dral were: Leonard Hirtzfelder anrl Barbara Dcnzcr. Hubert 
 Wohland anrl Elizabeth Kuntz, Andrew \crbcrne and bredcrica 
 Hitzfcld. 
 
 But here this review must end, for the new St. Mary's Cathe- 
 dral connects the past with the present, as is shown, too. by the 
 marriage records. Notice the familiar names of H. McNamnra 
 and Mary Pritchard. Peter Maurer anrl Lucia Rablcr. Peter 
 A. Ratisseau and Rosa A. Gondermann. John Leduc and Joseph
 
 lOO HISTORY OF THE 
 
 ine Baulard, \'ictor J. Uaulard and C. L. Gillett, Jean Gay and 
 Armance (jadifet, Charles H. Leonard and Adeline B. Reilly, 
 Solomon B. Wallis and Sarah Lahadie, Clement Girardin and 
 Justine Hectorn, Leonard C. Baudenon and Sophie Rousseles, 
 John Michels and Mary Majii^dalena Maurer, J. B. Stuhbs and 
 Catherine L. Kauffman, J. B. Borelly and Eulalie Denois, F. 
 J. Gillet and Ambrosine Bavoux, Peter Gengler and Helena Her- 
 mann, Thomas Dignan and Bridget Stack, Bernard Tiernan and 
 Marv Ann Conlan.
 
 BISHOP C. M. DUBUIS 
 
 Second Biihop of Galvpjion
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 THE DIOCESE OF GALVESTON— 1847. 
 
 In 1845 both Father Timon and Bishop Odin were in France. 
 The good Bishop wrote to his friend from Paris, May 30th, tell- 
 ing him that he had presented his memorial to the Council of the 
 Propagation of the Faith, but "as yet I do not know what will 
 be the result ; I have given them as good an idea as I could of the 
 wants of Texas," and in a postscript he tells him that "Mr. 
 Etienne is very much opposed to the erection of a Bishopric in 
 Texas. I shall say nothing about it when in Rome. Mr. Castro 
 came to see me last week and told me that seventeen thousand 
 Swiss were going to move to his grant. There will be twenty 
 or thirty vessels sailing for Texas next winter from Antwerp to 
 Port Lavaca." 
 
 On August 1st, 1845, he again wrote to Father Timon from 
 Turin: "I have asked the Superior General for the Sisters of 
 Charity at Galveston and San Antonio. I do not know if he 
 will let them come. Insist upon my request, perhaps you may 
 be able to obtain it. I have found at Lyons five or six subjects 
 for the Mission of Texas. They are all deacons or sub-deacons. 
 I shall send them to Missouri to complete their theology and to 
 learn English." He was solicitous about Castro's colonists and 
 thought of going to Vienna and asking the Rcdemptorists to 
 come out to care for them. 
 
 On August 8th, 1845, '^^ again wrote to Father Timon from 
 Turin: "Mr. Durando, whose zeal is known to you. advises 
 me to open a college at San Antonio. The Alamo wcnild l)c an 
 admirable place for the site. T have there more than four acres 
 of land." 
 
 In September he wnHe from Rome: "I have been here since 
 the 5th." The Holy Father Gregory X\ I and Cardinal Fran- 
 soni, Prefect of the Propaganda, showed him the greatest con- 
 sideration and honor. 
 
 He spent the winter traveling about Italy, Spain, Austria. 
 Germany and bVance seeking priests and religious women atid 
 was at Havre on the 23rfl of March to witness the departure of 
 Fathers Dubuis and Giraudon, Messrs. Domenech. Lacour. 
 Chambodut. Charion. Chazelle. I'adey. deacons or clerics of the 
 dioce.se of Lyons, with other ecclesiastics of Spain, Ireland and 
 Italy, who sailed on the Elizabeth-Ellen. 
 
 He went to England and afterwards to Ireland to visit the
 
 I02 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 seminaries and make an appeal for laborers. "Four will leave 
 after Easter, and others will follow later. My trip into Bel- 
 gium has secured for me five hundred thousand bricks which 
 will be transported free to Galveston. 1 hope to construct soon 
 a beautiful church at Galveston, the principal city of the dio- 
 cese.'' In Delirium he secured much help and several vocations. 
 Germany furnished him with some workers. "The German 
 priests who are destined for Texas will leave from Antwerp 
 with the immigrants. The greater part of the eclessiastics who 
 are to accompany me are already here with the exception of the 
 Piedmontese and Irish, who will leave after Easter." 
 
 In 1847 the whole State of Texas was erected into a diocese 
 and Bishop Odin was named as the first Bishop of Galveston. 
 There were thirteen priests in the diocese. The Ursuline Sis- 
 ters, whose glorious story has just been told in their Diamond 
 Jubilee, had opened their convent in Galveston. He had al- 
 ready commenced the construction of his Cathedral and o'.i 
 March 14, 1847, the cornerstone was laid. 
 
 Laying of the Corner-stone of St. Mary's Cathedral, 
 March 14, 1847. 
 
 DOCUMENT. 
 
 Anno reparatae salutis MDCCCXLVII, 
 
 pridie Idibus Martii, 
 
 SS. Pii Xoni Summi Pontificatus anno I, 
 
 Americae Independentiae declaratae et vindicatae anno LXXI, 
 
 Jacobo K. Polk Americae septentrionalis statuum unitorum 
 
 praeside, 
 
 Pinkney J. Henderson status Texani gubernatore, 
 
 Joanne D. Sydnor civitatis Galveston praefecto, 
 
 Revmus. et Illmus. Joannes Maria Odin Episcopus Claudi- 
 
 opolitanus et V'icarius Apostolicus de Texas, 
 
 Assistentibus Revdis. admodum Joanne Timon, Congregationis 
 
 Missionum in America visitore, et Joanne Brands, 
 
 C. M., Vic. Gen., 
 
 Et Revdis. Dnis. Bartholo maeo Rollando, C. M., Ludovico Cluadio 
 
 Maria Chambodut, Matthaeo Chazelle et Antonio 
 
 Maria Chaurion, 
 
 Revdo. admodum Dno. Joanne Timon coram magna populorum 
 
 multitudine Congregata sermonem habente, 
 
 Lapidem istum primarium Ecclesiae. Deo Optimo Maximo, 
 
 sub invocatione Sanctae Mariae Semper Virginis 
 
 Aedificandae, 
 
 Solemniter benedixit et in fundamentis 
 
 posuit. 
 
 L. C. M. CHAMBODUT.
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 
 
 103 
 
 The work was rushed to completion and on Xovember 26. 1848. 
 the Cathedral was consecrated. 
 
 Consecration of St. Mary's Cathedral, 
 November 26, 1848. 
 
 DOCUMENT. 
 
 Anno reparatae Salutis ]\1DCCCXL\'III, 
 Sexto Kal. Decembris, 
 Ego, Joannes Maria Odin, C. M., 
 Episcopus Galvestoniensis, 
 Assistentibus Reverendissimis et Illustrissimis Antonio Blanc 
 Episcopo Xeo-Aureliensi et Joanne Timon, C. M., Episcopo 
 Buffalensi; atque Reverendis Dominis X. J. Perche, capellano 
 conventus Ursulinarum in Xeo-Aurelia, officio archidacoui ; 
 Eduardo Clarke, rectore S. Vincentii Houstoniae, et Jacobo 
 Giraudon, missionario ad Lavaccani. et Joanne Brands, C. M., 
 officio diaconi ; Jacobo R. Miller, missionario Brazoriae, et Carolo 
 Padey, missionario ad Lavaccam, officio sudbiaconi fungentibus ; 
 Josepho Anstaett cantore : Eduardo D'Hauw, pastore Ecclesiac 
 Sancti Josephi Xeo-Aureliae, et Ricardo Hennessy, C. M., magis- 
 tris Caerimoniarum ; nenon magna populorum multitudine prae- 
 sente ; Ecclesian nostram Cathedralem consecravi et Deo Otnnipo- 
 tenti sub invncatione Bcatae \'irginis Mariae solcmnitcr dedicavi ; 
 (juibus finitis, Reverendissimus ct Illustrissinuis Episcopus Xeo- 
 Aureliensis Missam Solemnem celebravit, infra (|uam Episcopus 
 Bauffalcnsis, cpii ct co tempore quo consecratio intra ecclesiam 
 fiebat. foris coram populo fuerat sermocinatus, scrnKnicm fecit. 
 
 ^ r. M.. Erus. Galveston iiiNsis. 
 
 * Ant. Epus. Neo-Aureliensls. 
 
 * Joannes. Ei-. Brir aij-:nsis. 
 
 N. J. Perche. Jacobus Giraudon, 
 
 E. D'Hauw, Joseph Anstaett. 
 
 jANfEs A. MlfJ.ER. Eduardus A. Clarke. 
 
 Richard Hennessy, Carolus Padev. 
 
 Jacobus Fitzgerai^d, Joannes Brands, 
 
 Jamks r. Xash. 
 
 In 1849 I'ishop Odin attended the Seventh I'rovincial Coun- 
 cil of P.altimore and took advantage of the opportunity to go 
 into Canada and induced the Oblates of Mary Immaculate to 
 take charge of Brownsville and the missions along the Rio 
 Grande. He took with him Rev. P. Gaudet. O. M. I., and the
 
 104 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Rev. p. Soulerin. C). ]M. I. After a short experience they with- 
 drew, but eighteen months afterwards six Oblate Priests under 
 Father Gaudet took up the work anew. 
 
 In 1852 Bishop Odin attended the First Plenary Council of 
 Baltimore. 
 
 In 1853 Bishop Odin writes, July 23, from Galveston, that 
 he is engaged in a very serious work. "We are trying to build 
 an institution that will serve as a Seminary and as a college in 
 the meantime. The O^blate Fathers will take charge. The 
 workmen are already busy," and on May 15, 1854, he wrote to 
 Rev. J. M. jMignard : "We are working at the construction of a 
 college and Semniary which the Oblate Fathers will direct. The 
 edifice will soon be finished and classes will open in October. 
 I promised to give $8,000.00 for this work and I have paid my 
 total contribution. The Oblates have agreed to raise the bal- 
 ance." .^Bs\M 
 
 In a letter written to his sister in 1855 Bishop Odin sum- 
 marizes conditions: "The clergy of Texas is composed of forty 
 priests and one poor bishop. All have to make long trips in 
 order to carry the consolations of religion to the scattered peo- 
 ple of this vast State. I have had the great sorrow of losing 
 seven priests in the space of one year. Yellow fever has deso- 
 lated the southern portion of the State." 
 
 "The religious women of the Incarnate Word, whom I 
 brought from Lyons on my last trip to Europe, spent seven or 
 eight months at Galveston to study English and Spanish. 1 
 have sent them to Brownsville, in the Rio Grande valley. We 
 shall have to build additions to the two convents of the Ursu- 
 lines at Galveston and San Antonio. The first has more than a 
 hundred and sixty girls and the latter more than a hundred. 
 The Brothers of Mary, whom T also obtained on my last trip, 
 have a very well attended school at San Antonio." 
 
 On June 26, 1856, he wrote to his sister, Josephine: "Eight 
 missionaries are in the Rio Grande valley and I propose to add 
 four more. I propose to establish a new convent at Laredo." 
 That letter also gives an interesting account of the colonization 
 attempted by the Phalanges of Fourier. They were conducted 
 to Texas by Victor Considerant. "Some of them have stopped 
 in Galveston, and have returned to the practice of their reli- 
 gion. I am going to send a priest to Dollar, where they are 
 establishing their colony. I hope they will return to the true 
 faith." 
 
 On July 12, 1858. he wrote to Mr. Duplay, superior of the 
 Seminary at Lyons: "June 20th, the close of retreat for the 
 priests, was followed by a diocesan Synod. Mr. Dubuis has con- 
 structed a beautiful church at San Antonio and I will consecrate
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON IO5 
 
 it August 15th. The Oblate Fathers have built an elegant 
 church at Brownsville. Pentecost I gave confirmation at Gal- 
 veston to sixty, of whom eight had been recently baptized. Our 
 educational institutions are rendering the most signal services, 
 they are more flourishing than ever, despite the efforts of preju- 
 dice and bad faith, launched against them. My financial diffi- 
 culties are great. We have to do so much to respond to the 
 wants of our population, constantly increasing." 
 
 On June 20, i860, Consignor Blanc, Archbishop of New Or- 
 leans, died. At this time Bishop Odin was engrossed in his la- 
 bors in Texas. A letter tells the story. "Texas is filling up 
 so rapidly that I shall have to secure more priests. I have onlv 
 forty-six and I need sixty. It is difficult to get away and .50 
 I must try and attract new helpers by letter. The diocese pos- 
 sesses forty-five churches. A new convent has been opened at 
 Liberty on the Trinity River. The Ursulines took possession 
 the first of January and the house is filled. I have been prom- 
 ised the Christian Brothers for next year. In a short time we 
 shall commence a hospital at Galveston. The Sisters of Charity 
 will take charge. The railroads, which are being constructed in 
 Texas, have drawn many strangers. Last year the Benedictine 
 Fathers came to establish a monastery of their order in the dio- 
 cese. I have confided many missions to them, and I have given 
 them the old property of San Jose. Fifteen days ago I intro- 
 duced Franciscan Recollects. There are only two as yet, but 
 more will come." 
 
 On the 19th of April, 1861, the Bishop of Texas was called 
 by the Sovereign Pontiff to the Archbishopric of New (Orleans. 
 He wrote to the Superior General: "This sad news has affiicte<l 
 me greatly so that for many weeks I have not been able to de- 
 cide to accept so heavy a burden." On the 19th of May. 1861, 
 he arrived in New Orleans and on Trinity vSunday, May 26th, 
 he was enthroned. IJis love for Texas was voiced in his first 
 pastoral letter." For the more than twenty years that we have 
 lived in Texas, we have received from all the people the evidence 
 of good will and affection. I Tow fliffimiU it has been for us to 
 leave Texas, to which we had vowed our life-work with the hope 
 that there our ashes would find repose. It was a deep sorrow 
 to separate ourselves from the venerable priests, religious and 
 secular, who were associated in our labors and who made such 
 generous sacrifices, and who submitted to so much j)rivation. 
 fatigue and suffering to help us plant the Cross of Jesus Christ 
 in a land where it was little known. Loving them with all the 
 tenderness of our heart we cheri.sh the conviction that death 
 alone can separate us."
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 BISHOP JOHN TIMON. 
 
 One of the remarkable priests connected with the history of 
 Texas after the withdrawal of the Franciscan Monks is Father 
 John Timon, first Prefect-Apostolic of Texas, afterwards first 
 Bishop of Uuffalo, New York, and the choice of most of the 
 Bishops of the country for the Archiepiscopal See of Baltimore 
 after the death of Archbishop Eggleston. 
 
 This great priest and orator was born at Conewago, Pennsyl- 
 vania, February 12, 1797, of Irish parents. Conewago had been 
 a Catholic settlement since 1740. When he made up his mind 
 to be a priest, he cast his lot with the Vincentian Fathers, and 
 came to the Barrens in Perry County, Missouri, to finish his 
 studies. In June. 1825. he was ordained at St. Louis by Bishop 
 Rosati. Ten years later the Vincentians of the United States 
 were formed into a separate province, and Father Timon became 
 the first Visitor. 
 
 Before his appointment to this office, as well as while \^isitor. 
 he was devoted to missionary work, and made with Father Odin, 
 at least one visit to Texas during the time of its struggle for 
 independence. In 1838 Bishop Blanc of New Orleans wrote 
 Bishop Rosati of St. Louis and also Father Timon that the Holy 
 See wanted a report on the condition of religion in Texas. Father 
 Timon at the request of Bishop Blanc undertook the work. Late 
 in December, 1838, he reached Galveston, and there on the feast 
 of the Holy Innocents said the first Mass, perhaps, ever offered 
 on the island. The same day he started for Houston, then the 
 capital of the new Republic. After some difficulty, he succeeded 
 in finding lodging for himself — the town was crowded because 
 of a meeting of the legislature — and many were chary of the 
 strangers. But so well did he manage his opportunity, and so 
 good an impression did he make, that on December 3Tst, he was 
 invited to speak before the law-makers of the new Republic, and 
 won their sympathy, as well as the friendship of General Sam 
 Houston. 
 
 On January 9th, 1839, ^e returned to Galveston, and arranged 
 for the purchase of the ground on which the present Cathedral 
 stands. 
 
 Father Timon now returned to New Orleans and made his
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON IO7 
 
 report to Bishop Blanc, and then made his way back to St. Louis 
 again. 
 
 Although Father Timon had refused the appointment as Co- 
 Adjutor Bishop of St. Louis in September, 1830;, he was per- 
 suaded to accept the Prefecture Apostolic of Texas April 12th, 
 1840. He appointed Father Odin \'ice-Prefect-Apostolic and 
 sent him at once to Texas. 
 
 On December 5th, 1840, he came a second time to Galveston, 
 pushed the building of a church, and went on to Austin, now 
 the capital, to meet Father Odin. He presented letters from 
 Cardinal Fransoni, Prefect of the Propaganda, to President Mira- 
 beau G. Lamar, which were virtually the recognition, by the 
 Pope, of the Republic of Texas. On December 23rd, 1840, he 
 said Mass in Austin, and on the same day preached at the Capitol 
 With the assistance of Mr. de Saligny, minister of France to 
 Texas, he succeeded in having presented to the legislature a bill, 
 prepared by Father Odin, for the return to the Church Authority 
 all the old Franciscan missions and churches. 
 
 Early in January he returned to Galveston, and gave on Janu- 
 ary 18th, 1841, confirmation for the first time on the island to 
 one of his own converts. After this he went back again to his 
 duties as X'isitor of the Vincentians. But zeal, learning and 
 piety such as his was not to be given ease ; in a few years he was 
 selected as the first Bishop of Buffalo. A wonderful record of 
 conversions to the faith, and development of the Church mark 
 his labors there. He made two trips to Galveston as Bishop of 
 Buffalo, to preach at the cornerstone laying, and again at the 
 consecration of the Cathedral.
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 BISHOP CLAUDE MARIE DUBUIS, D. D. 
 
 Second Bishop of Galveston. 
 
 (The facts in the life of Bishop Dubuis have been gleaned 
 largely from the "Vie de Monseigneur Dubuis, L'Apotre du 
 Texas, Par I'Abbe J. P." It is rather singular that excellent 
 lives of both Archbishop Odin and Bishop Dubuis have been 
 published in France, and have had extensive circulation, while 
 nothing of permanent form has seen the light of day in Texas, 
 which they both served long and well.) 
 
 Claude Marie Dubuis was born at Teche, a short distance 
 from Roanne, France, March 8, 1817. He was named after his 
 uncle, who was the Vicar of Violay. His parents were small 
 farmers. From childhood he loved the open spaces and was the 
 only youth of his native village who was an expert swimmer. 
 
 His early education was given by his mother, and in his aftei 
 life as a bishop he boasted that his mother's advice and counsel 
 had been and was ever his 'best guidance. It was not easy to 
 acquire an education then in F^rance. The revolution had spent 
 itself, but its views prevailed. France had no need of savants. 
 The universities remained open under difficulties, but there were 
 no schools for the poor. 
 
 On May 12, 1827, he made his first holy communion, and 
 his discerning uncle. Abbe Dubost, seeing the evidence of a 
 priestly vocation, took him to his home and for five years 
 taught him Latin and other secondary requirements. 
 
 In 1832 he entered the secondary ecclesiastical institute 
 I'Argentiere, conducted by the priests of the Society of St. 
 Irenaeus, diocesan missionaries of Lyons. He knew no Greek 
 and they thrust him back into the third-year class, and to the 
 chagrin of his parents he returned home and for two years 
 helped to farm. Attaining his eighteenth year he renewed his 
 studies under a private instructor, and in 1836 entered the Petit 
 Seminaire of Saint-Jodard. In 1840 he entered the Grand Semi- 
 naire of Lyons, was ordained priest June i, 1844, and was as- 
 signed to St. Martin de Fontaine near Lyons. 
 
 When Bishop Odin, Vicar-Apostolic of Texas, visited Lyons 
 and made an appeal for priests, Father Dubuis volunteered to go 
 to Texas. The Archbishop of Lyons readily consented, but his 
 parents were reluctant to grant their consent. Bishop Odin 
 appealed personally to his father, and in February, 1846, Father
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON IO9 
 
 Dubuis and eight clerical companions and three future Ursuline 
 Sisters left Lyons for Paris. They embarked at Havre. March 
 20, 1846, and reached New Orleans May 25th. They went up 
 to St. Louis and Father Dubuis entered the college at the Bar- 
 rens to learn English. After six months he set out for Galves- 
 ton, where he arrived January 4, 1847. He was immediately 
 assigned to Castroville. Belgians, Hollanders, Hanoverians, 
 Prussians, W'estphalians, Huns and Austrians composed the pop- 
 ulation of 1.300 souls. In three weeks he preached in the native 
 tongue, which he declared to be a combination of German. 
 Spanish and French. There was no bigotry and many were 
 eager for religious instruction. \\'ithin a short period five 
 hundred had gone to communion. 
 
 His own description of his capture in June of that year by 
 the Comanche Indians, their regard and respect for "The Cap- 
 tain of the Church" suddenly terminated by their securing some 
 whisky, is told with considerable naivete. 
 
 Father Chazelle was assigned to help him, but soon was 
 taken down by typhoid and died. Then Father Domeneck came 
 as assistant, and with the help of a few carpenters they built a 
 church which cost three thousand francs, and on Easter Sunday. 
 1850, the first mass was celebrated in the new structure. In 
 1852 he went to P'rance to obtain students and priests for the 
 rapidly growing diocese of Galveston. He succeeded in obtain- 
 ing fourteen, but the Propagation of the Faith, in the lack of 
 credentials from Bishop Odin, refused to pay the passage. He 
 conducted his charges to Havre, engaged fourteen first-class 
 places and then assumed the duties of a physician on board 
 "The Queen of the Sea" to help pay their way. 
 
 On his return to Galveston lie was named Vicar-General 
 and sent to San Antonio. He built St. Mary's Church, doing 
 much of the manual labor himself, and refuscfl to give up his 
 rharge when his health failed because his conscience would not 
 permit his leaving eight thousand Catholics witluMit a priest in 
 the city. 
 
 He experiencefl the bigotry of Know-.\'othing days, but was 
 fearless in the face of danger nnd persecution. 
 
 When l')ishop Odin was transferred to New ( )rlcaiis l-'nthc 
 Dubuis was appointed T'.ishop of Galveston to succeed him 
 October 2T. 1862. He was con.sccrated in the chapel of the 
 theological seminary at Lyons by Archbishop ChWu on the 23rd 
 of November, 1862. 
 
 Bishop Dubuis immediately .started for Texas. When rrady 
 to sail he had sixty all told. '.seminarians, priests and rcbtrious 
 women, in his partv, among whom was John Anthony forest, 
 afterwards P.ishop of San Antonio, and Thomas Heslin. des- 
 tined to be Bishop of Natchez. They had spiritual cxcrcisps
 
 1 10 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 daily and a lesson in theology, and the voyage lasted sixty days. 
 They reached Xew Orleans April 4, 1863. The Civil War was 
 at its height and the city had l)een taken the previous April by 
 the fleet of I'arragut, and they were all forced to take the oath 
 of allegiance and promise not to take up arms against the United 
 States. Bishop Dubuis left his seminarians at New Orleans 
 and took a boat to Matamoras. Galveston had been taken in 
 January, but the Federals were repulsed after three days auri 
 obliged to give up the city. The South was far from, despairing. 
 It was determined to conquer or die. 
 
 In the midst of all these trials Bishop Dubuis arrived in his 
 diocese. The I'rsuline Convent had been turned into a military 
 hospital. 
 
 At the end of the year, finding the need of priests importu- 
 nate, he determined to liring back from New Orleans the semin- 
 arians whom he had left there to complete their studies. Under 
 date of April 3. 1864, Archbishop Odin writes: "We have the 
 consolation of having Bishop Dubuis at New Orleans. He arrived 
 Easter Sunday, after a long and trying journey across Texas 
 and Louisiana." He started back to Texas in May, leading his 
 band of priests and students, and had to pass through 'both the 
 armies. One little wagon conveyed all their effects and they 
 footed the bad roads and waded the swamps.. 
 
 The war ended, Bishop Dubuis attended the Second Plenary 
 Council of Baltimore, October 7 to 21, 1866. He was late in 
 arriving because he had been in France. 
 
 In 1852 Bishop Odin had brought the first Sisters of the 
 Incarnate Word to Texas, and they had later established schools 
 at Brownsville, Victoria and Flouston. He had made frequent 
 requests for the Sisters of Charity in vain, but Bishop Dubuis, 
 seeing the necessity of hospitals, asked Mother Angelique of 
 Lyons to train subjects who would be able to care for the sick 
 and aged in his diocese. "Jesus Christ suffering in a multi- 
 tude of poor, sick and infirm of every kind appeals to you for 
 aid." On September 23, 1866, in the chapel of the Incarnate 
 Word at Lyons three young women — Sister Mary Blandine, 
 Sister Mary Joseph and Sister Mary Ange — received the habit 
 of the "Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word" at the hands 
 of Bishop Dubuis. Two days later they left with the Bishop 
 for America, and from this humble foundation has grown the 
 mighty army of devoted souls who march under the banners of 
 the Incarnate Word and spread from Galveston and San Antonio, 
 'by the ministry of service, the gospel of gentle mercy. 
 
 On his return from the Council he was compelled to go 
 immediately to the Rio Grande territory that had been ravaged 
 by storm and flood.
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON III 
 
 In 1869 he held the Priests' Retreat and Diocesan Synod. 
 Twenty-three priests were present. He attended the \'atican 
 Council the same year. He was a strong advocate of Papal 
 Infallibility. He arrived in Galveston March 17, 1870. He 
 had completed a visit of the North and East of the diocese on 
 horseback on his way home, and he was, as a Texan, charac- 
 teristically proud of his horse. In fifteen days he commenced 
 a visit of the West, and confirmed more than fifteen thousar.d 
 children and adults on both trips. 
 
 In 1874 Rome consented on his petition to the division of 
 the diocese. San Antonio and the X'icariate-Apostolic of 
 Brownsville were established. Bishop Dubuis chose to remain 
 in Galveston, and as the change resultant from the division ren- 
 dered more priests necessary, he started for France. On the 
 boat he met with an accident and broke his arm. He believed 
 that Our Lady of Lourdes restored the use of his arm. On 
 his return to Galveston he was able to travel by rail from New 
 York. A new era of prosperity had set in. There had been 
 a marvelous growth of religious women and convent schools. 
 His confirmation tours demanded great effort on his part, for 
 his health was failing, and in 1877, while on a visit to Rome, 
 he asked for a Co-Adjutor. Rt. Rev. P. Dufal, C. S. C, Pjishop 
 of Delcon and Vicar-Apostolic of Bengal, was appointed, with 
 the right of succession, in May. 1878. 
 
 Bishop Dubuis returned to France in 1880, and siiortly after 
 his departure Bishop Dufal resigned. In June, 1881, I'isliop 
 Dubuis resigned and Very Rev. John Mayer of New York was 
 appointed to the See of Galveston, but sent back the bulls, and on 
 .April 30, 1882, Bisho]) Gallagher was consecrated as Bishoj) of 
 Ganopus and Adiriinislrator of Galveston. Bishop Dubuis was 
 finally appointed Archbishop in partilnis infidclium and spent the 
 remainder of his days in France. 
 
 In 1894 he celebrated his golden jubilee and the memories 
 of the fine, zealous apostolic work of the past was evidenced 
 by the gratitude and j)raise of his old friends in Texas. 
 
 He died May 21, 1895, at X'ernaison. France. His remain^ 
 were interred at (outouvre. 
 
 I
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 BISHOP NICHOLAS ALOYSIUS GALLAGHER. 
 Third Bishop or Galveston, 
 
 Nicholas Aloysius Gallagher was t)orn in Temperanceville, 
 Belmont County, Ohio, on the ninth of February, 1846. 
 
 The Gallaghers were natives of the County Meath, Ireland. 
 Edward Gallagher, the grandfather, was one of the aides of 
 Lord Edward Fitzgerald and Robert Emmett during the stormv 
 days of 1798. Compelled to flee from his native land to escape 
 the vengeance that England inflicted on the brave, patriotic and 
 liberty-loving sons of Ireland, he emigrated to America and 
 settled in Chester County, Pennsylvania. A few years later the 
 family removed to Belmont County, Ohio. 
 
 John Gallagher and Mary Brinton, the parents of Nicholas, 
 were Godfearing, Christian souls, as appears from the following 
 appreciation in the Catholic Telegraph from the pen of Father 
 Jacquet upon the death of John Gallagher in 1859: "Jo^" 
 Gallagher was a worthy man and true Christian. He frequently 
 spent two or three hours a day in pra3'er ; attended mass regu- 
 larly at Washington, five miles distant ; and received Holy Com- 
 munion every month. His house was the home of the priest. 
 It was like a church where the Catholics of the neighborhood 
 fulfilled their Christian duties. It was always open — free of 
 charge — to the orphan, the poor and the afflicted. Many will 
 miss him, I the most." 
 
 With parents of such solid Catholic piety, it was but natural 
 that Nicholas was raised in a spirit of prayer and generous self- 
 sacrifice. When but ten years of age he was, like another 
 Samuel, placed by his devout parents under the charge of a 
 priest of God — the Rev. J. M. Tacquet, of Coshocton, Ohio. With 
 this saintly tutor as his guide he soon learned to realize the 
 vanity of the things of the world and the lasting worth of Chris- 
 tian virtue, and he determined to dedicate himself entirely to 
 God. 
 
 BiddinsT adieu to his home, he entered Mount St. Mary's of 
 the West in September. 1862. Here he took up, and completed, 
 his course of philosophy and theology. So proper was he in 
 deportment, so attentive to his studies, so conscientious in living 
 up to the Seminary rules, that he was termed by his fellow 
 students "the future bi=hon" of his class. But mindful of the 
 injunction of the wise man : "Mens sana in corpore sano," he
 
 BISHOP N. A. GALLAGHbR 
 
 Third Bishop of Galveston
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON II3 
 
 always found time for athletic sports, and in these he was not 
 easily excelled, though his modest demeanor never allowed the 
 envy of anyone to be excited. He received tonsure and minor 
 orders from the hands of Hishop Purcell on September 20, 1867; 
 subdeaconship, on December 21, 1868: deaconship, on December 
 22, 1868; and, on Christmas Day of the same year, he was or- 
 dained priest by his beloved Ordinary, the Rt. Rev. S. H. Rose- 
 crans. 
 
 For many years Bishop Gallagher was known as a zealous 
 and talented priest of the diocese of Columbus. From 1869 to 
 1871, he was assistant at St. Patrick's Church, Columbus. From 
 1871 to 1876, he was president of the diocesan seminary. Jr. 
 1876, he was appointed pastor of St. Patrick's, where his unas- 
 suming ways, his deep piety, and his extraordinary executive 
 powers are still held in cherished benediction. 
 
 Upon the death of Bishop Rosecrans, Father Gallagher was 
 appointed administrator of the diocese. This arduous office 
 he discharged witli such rare prudence, energy, and ability, that 
 he was selected by the Holy See to fill the vacancy caused by 
 the resignation of the Rt. Rev. P. Dufal, D. D.. administrator 
 of the diocese of Galveston. He was, accordingly, consecrated 
 titular Bishop of Canopus and Bishop-Administrator of the Dio- 
 cese of Galveston in St. Marv's Cathedral, Galveston, April 30, 
 1882, by the late Rt. Rev. Edward Fitzgerald, D. D., of Little 
 Rock. Upon the promotion of Bishop Dubuis to an arch- 
 bishopric, in 1892, Bishop Gallagher became, what he had vir- 
 tually been since his consecration in 1882, Bishop of Galveston. 
 
 Bishop Gallagher labored quietly but assiduously for the good 
 of religion, and his labors bore fruit. This a comparison of 
 the Church Directory of 1882 with the Church Directory of 1918 
 abundantly proves. 
 
 In 1882 the undiviflcd diocese of Galveston (the .sec of Dal- 
 las was. at Bishop Gallagher's request, formed out of the north- 
 ern portion of Galveston diocese in i8<)o). boasted 43 priests. 
 50 churches anrl chapels, 2 ecclesiastical students, 3 parochial 
 schools, r college for boys, 12 academies for young ladies, i 
 orphanage, i hospital. 107 religious women and a Catholic popu- 
 lation of 30,000 souls. 
 
 In if;iX the diocese of Galveston had too priests. lof) churches 
 and chapels, 35 stations, a diocesan seminary Cthe only one in 
 the South outside of New Orleans), 4" parochial schools. 4 col- 
 leges for boys. 9 academics for young ladies, t orphangc. 1 home 
 for the aged. 7 hospitals. 516 religious women and a Catholic 
 population of 70,000 souls. 
 
 Under his zealous care of church and school there came to 
 the diocese the Jesuit Fathers, who took charge of St. Marys
 
 I 14 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 University ami have ever been the zealous helpers of the diocesan 
 clergy, the r.asilians. the josei)hites. the Paulists, the Dominicans. 
 and the Oblates of Mary Immaculate returned anew to the ter- 
 ritory. He introduced the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de 
 Paul" at Austin and Waco. He induced the Sisters of the Holy 
 Family (colored) to labor among the negro Catholics of the 
 diocese. He brought the Good Shepherd Sisters to Houston. 
 He built up a new body of clergy and when he passed away none 
 of the priestly workers who were in the diocese in 1882 sur- 
 vived him. 
 
 In 1901 Bishop Gallagher bought the old Sylvan Hotel at 
 La Porte and opened his own seminary with the Basilian Fathers 
 in charge. 
 
 In 1907 he celebrated the Silver Juibliee of his Episcopacy 
 The evidence of the place he held in Galveston is recorded by the 
 Galveston Tribune in its description of the first night of the 
 celebration. 
 
 "Never in the history of Galveston, perhaps, has there been 
 such a parade of Catholic men, and never in the history of the 
 Grand opera house has the playhouse been graced with such an 
 assemblage of bishops, prelates and clergy as last night at the 
 mass meeting held in honor of the silver jubilee anniversary of 
 Bishop Gallagher. Higher tributes of love, veneration, esteem 
 and well-wishes were never paid a man either as a dignitary of 
 a church or a private citizen than were accorded Bishop N. A. 
 Gallagher last night. Nearly 2,000 men paraded the streets in 
 his honor and joined in the eulogies to his name in the mass 
 meeting assembled. 
 
 Few are the occasions where men have been made to feel 
 so clearly the appreciation of the people among whom they have 
 labored so faithfully for years. Seldom do men assemble by 
 hundreds to attest in visible manner the love and esteem in which 
 they hold a fellow mortal, and the occasion last night, by its 
 heartiness, sincerity and every token of veneration, will doubtless 
 live long in the memory of Bishop Gallagher. 
 
 A man. and a godly man, who has labored for twenty-five 
 years in a community, building and constructing, ministering to 
 his people, and bringing honor to the city in which he resides. 
 Bishop Gallagher was forced to listen to words of praise and 
 commendation from which he, in his modesty, would have 
 shrunk. 
 
 Not only the Catholic laity of the city attested to Bishop 
 Gallagher the joy it gave them to assist in celebrating his silver 
 jubilee, but Galveston, as a city, did honor to its beloved citizen." 
 
 Speaking for the laity, the Hon. Charles J. Stubbs voiced 
 their admiration. "Next in importance you have our gratitude
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 1 15 
 
 for the saintly sisters you have brought to us : those angels of 
 the poor. They carry the light of their holy lives amid the en- 
 circling gloom of poverty, sickness and death. They are sus- 
 tenance of the helpless infant and the aged infirm. They are 
 the beatitudes incarnate, the corporal works of mercy, moving 
 in forms of flesh. There are 360 of those holy women, working 
 in every field of charity and of spiritual and intellectual devel- 
 opments. There were 'but fifty here twenty-five years ago. You 
 have established a diocesan seminary for the education of young 
 men for the priesthood. You have increased the number of 
 churches and chapels from twenty-five to ninety-one, and every 
 cross and spire and altar pinnacle is a silent prayer for your sal- 
 vation. Thirty-five stations, that is to say. places where at fixed 
 intervals mass is celebrated, have been established. There were 
 none before your coming. There was one hospital when y(»u 
 came; now we have seven. The parochial school system is prac- 
 tically due to your efforts. There were two parochial schools 
 when you came ; we have thirty-two now. Boys' colleges and 
 girls' academies have sprung up in increased numbers. These 
 are your works. 
 
 "Your power and authority we acknowledge. Your min- 
 istrations and your sympathies we appreciate. We desire to 
 express to you the soul felt sentiments of gratitude and love ami 
 honor. Is the voice of the people the voice of God? So let it 
 be. Today the voice of the people is one of blessings upon you 
 and thanksgiving to the God that sent you. Your life has been 
 a pure, clear stream growing in beauty and majesty as it fhnvs 
 toward the sea. You have scattered the sunlight of faith and 
 hope. Sweet flowers of charity blossom as you pass. Long may 
 you live and may honors be added to your years. And at life's 
 end. beyond the veil, may you rank among the heavenly hier- 
 archy, and may every good deed of your life be a l)right jewel 
 in your crown. This is the wish of your laity to our wcll-bclovcd 
 and illustrious bishop." 
 
 In 1908 P.ishop Gallagher dedicated the new concrete build- 
 ing at the Seminary. 
 
 In 191 1 Bishop Gallagher placcfl the diocesan Seminary 
 under the direction of his own priests. Hefore his death he saw 
 more than one-half of the clergy of the diocc.se, alumni of his 
 own foimdation. His interest in higher cflucation and the reali- 
 zation that many Catholic young men and wf)mcn had no nltcTiia- 
 tive but to attend the State University caused him to bring the 
 Paulist Fathers to care for the young men. and later to estab- 
 lish under the wise direction of the Dominican Sisters Newman 
 Hall for the young women. 
 
 In 1914 he made his ad liniina visit to Rome and upon his 
 return the greatest public demonstration and testimonial of love
 
 I 16 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and affection for any man that Galveston had ever seen was 
 staged by the Catholic laity. 
 
 The great world war had broken out while he was in Europe, 
 and when the United States entered the conflict Bishop Gal- 
 lagher displayed his fine loyalty to country. He offered the 
 services of Father Chataignon as chaplain to the Texas National 
 Guard. He visited the camps and cantonments. He celebrated 
 Pontifical Mass at Camp MacArthur, Waco, on November 25, 
 1 91 7. before the largest assembly of soldiers ever gathered to- 
 gether in Texas. He visited Hou.ston to dedicate the Knight.s 
 of Columbus building at Camp Logan and to administer con- 
 firmation. Upon his return to Galveston he reluctantly took to 
 his bed, and on January 21, 1918, he passed to his eternal reward. 
 His body was interred January 24, 1918, at the foot of the 
 Blessed Mother's altar in the St. Marys Cathedral in the tomb 
 which he had prepared himself. Galveston voiced its tribute of 
 regret by closing every business house the morning of his funeral. 
 The following excerpt from a sermon delivered in his own 
 Temple by Rabbi Cohen shows "a good testimony of them who 
 are without." (i Tim., iii, 7.) 
 
 "Judging by the life and work of Bishop Gallagher, Galves- 
 ton has lost an incalculable power for good. Participating in 
 every civic activity, bending the influence of his exalted posi- 
 tion in furtherance of that which was right and just in our 
 everyday existence, the bishop will long be remembered as an 
 exemplification of probity of the highest type. A simple, modest, 
 kindly gentleman, a scholar, teacher and moral enthusiast, it was 
 a privilege to share his human interest in all things. Notwith- 
 standing his quiet carriage, he would rise to righteous wrath 
 at an injustice, and would score sham and hypocrisy in no un- 
 certain terms. He was particularly severe upon those who, bom 
 and reared of the faith in which he was so shining a light, tacitly 
 repudiated tlieir birthright by making overtures for social pre- 
 ferment to an alien faith. Talking to me of this defection he 
 once averred that the people who sacrifice their spiritual belief 
 on the altar of worldly fashion and who make light of their 
 heritage for mundane things bring nothing to themselves but 
 ridicule, for they are thoroughly understood by the very people 
 whose good will they seek even at the loss of their self-respect. 
 
 "We Jews owe Bishop Gallagher's memory a debt of grati- 
 tude. T recall that, in the interests of truth and justice, he was 
 one of the first of this city in each instance to sign a protest to 
 the French government upon the unfortunate Dreyfus affair; to 
 the Russian government on. the Kishineff massacre, and again to 
 the Russian government on the preposterous Beiliss blood accu- 
 sation ; anrl he voluntarilv subscribed to whatever funds were 
 
 \
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON II7 
 
 collected for the relief of the victims of Russian persecution as 
 well as to the Jewish war sufferers' fund. No narrow, partisan 
 spirit could have done this ! 
 
 ■"A splendid example of consideration of other men's religious 
 convictions and an ardent upholder and supporter of his own, 
 Galvestonians can ill afford to lose so eminent a citizen. The 
 Jewish people offer their sympathy to their Catholic brethren 
 in their hour of trial. Bishop Gallagher numbered well his days 
 and applied his heart to wisdom." 
 
 All the bishops of the province were present at his funeral 
 and assisted in the ceremonies, with Rt. Rev. Theophile Meer- 
 schaert, senior suffragan bishop of the province and bishop of 
 the diocese of Oklahoma, as celebrant. The other bishops of 
 the province and priests who attended them as chaplains were : 
 Bishop John W. Shaw of San Antonio, attended by Rev. W. W. 
 Hume and Rev. J. Sheehan ; Bishop Allen of Mobile, attended 
 by \'ery Rev. Father Hackett and Rev. M. M. Crowe; Bishop 
 John B. Morris of Little Rock, attended by Rev. P. A. Heckman 
 and Rev. Father Wernke; Bishop P. J. Nussbaum of Corpus 
 Christi, attended by Very Rev. J. Scheidt and Rev. S. Spinne- 
 weber ; Bishop \'an de \^en of Alexandria, attended by Rev. 
 William Lee and Rev. M. Heintzclmann ; Bishop J. P. Lynch of 
 Dallas, attended by Very Rev. Robert Nolan and Rev. Father 
 Gleissner, and Bishop John Gunn of Natchez, Miss., attended 
 by Rev. J. Schnetzer and Rev. Father Moran. 
 
 \'ery Rev. J. B. Jeanmard. administrator of New (Orleans, 
 and Rt. Rev. John J. Hennessey of Wichita, Kansas, and \'ery 
 Rev. M. M. Meara of St. Joseph's Cathedral, Columbus. Ohio, 
 Bishop Gallagher's former diocese, also were in attendance. 
 Right Rev. I')ishop Hennessey was attended by Chaplains V'ery 
 Rev. Father Dupreitere and Rev. Father Kraemcr. 
 
 The deacons of honor of the mass were Rev. E. .\. ImcUIs, 
 S. J., of St. Mary's University, and Rev. l'\ilher P. M. Lcnnartz 
 of St. Joseph's Church ; deacon of the mass was Rev. John S. 
 Murj)hy of St. Patrick's Church and subdeacon Rev. l-'ather 
 Pelnar of West, Texas. Acolytes were Rev. leather Walsh of 
 the Church of the Annunciation of Houston and Rev. Father 
 Kelley of Waco; book hearer. Rev. Father Ditda of the Church 
 of the Annunciation of Houston; candle bearer. Rev. I. \'a!cnta 
 of Rosenburg. and thurifer. Rev. Father Syzmanski. 
 
 In his sermon of glowing tribute to the departcfl l)isIioi», Ki 
 Rev. Bishop Lynch said in part : 
 
 "When Bishop Gallagher came to Texas he found his juris- 
 diction extended over an area of 150.000 square miles, with 
 a Catholic population of less than 30.000. about fifty churches
 
 Il8 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and a less number of priests. Today within this district there 
 are two sees, Galveston and Dallas, with 236 churches, 208 priests 
 and a Catholic population of upwards of 120,000. When he came 
 there was but one hospital in the district; today there are fifteen, 
 and the same material progress has emphasized every activity 
 in which he has been interested. The spiritual development is 
 best told by the virtuous life of his faithful children as the> 
 obey the laws of God and man, as they are ever dutiful to church 
 and state. God and his angels alone know the full measure of 
 his spiritual success. It will be revealed to the world on the day 
 of judgment. 
 
 "More than this need not be said to emphasize the greatness 
 of the soul, the faith, the zeal aiifl i!ic rli.irity of our departed 
 illustrious father in Christ. 
 
 "We sympathize with his devoted, consecrated clergy, his 
 faithful daughters of the religious orders and his loyal people, 
 in the loss which they have sustained in his death. We beg God 
 to strengthen each and every one of them and to bless and con- 
 sole his ever-loyal friend and steadfast son in Christ, the Very 
 Reverend Administrator of the diocese. And now, dear friend, 
 we bid farewell. Nicholas Aloysius, may your gentle soul find 
 everlasting peace with the God vnn loved and served so well, for 
 you have been, in every true sense of the term, a most devout 
 Christian, a model priest, a zealous bishop and a loyal citizen 
 of our beloved country."
 
 BISHOP C. E. [3YRNE 
 
 lourtli Buhop of Galvffton
 
 CHAPTER XIV 
 
 b 
 
 BISHOP CHRISTOPHER EDWARD BYRNE, D. D. 
 
 Fourth Bishop of Galveston. 
 
 The Rt. Rev. Christopher Edward Byrne, D. D., fourth Bishop 
 of Galveston, was born in Missouri in 1867. His college studies 
 were made at St. Clary's. Kansas, under the direction of the 
 Jesuits. His seminary training was received at St. Mary's Semi- 
 nary, Baltimore, Maryland, from the Sulpician Fathers, a con- 
 gregation which sent some of its priests as missionaries into 
 Texas in the early days. Father Anastase, who was with La 
 Salle at his death, was a Sulpician. 
 
 Bishop Byrne was ordained to the priesthood in St. John's 
 Church by the Most Rev. Peter R. Kenrick, being one of the 
 last group ever ordained by that illustrious prelate. He served 
 as assistant with Monsignor Walsh at St. Bridget's, St. Louis, 
 and after six years was appointed pastor at Columbia, Mo. On 
 invitation of Archbishop Kain, who obtained a dispensation from 
 Rome in the requirement of length of ordination, he entered the 
 examination for the irremovable rectorate of Edina. Mo., and 
 received the appointment. During his eleven years tlicre he 
 built a commodious school and increased the attendance of chil- 
 dred from eighty-seven to over two hundred. A beautiful con- 
 vent was also built for the Sisters of Loretto who teach the 
 school. His next work was in St. Louis at the Holy Name 
 Church. Here the whole interior of the school was reconstructed, 
 and the attendance increased from a little less than three hun- 
 dred to over five hundrcfl. A new church and priests' house 
 was built and a home purchased for the Sisters of St. Joseph 
 who teach the school. At the end of seven years, when he was 
 called to be Bishop of Galveston, a debt of between $40.cxx) and 
 $50,000 remained against this work. 
 
 While in St. Louis he was largely instrumental in forming 
 the Diocesan I'nion of the Holy Name Societies; served on the 
 commission for the betterment of the stage and picture sliow.s; 
 was a member of the Archbishop's Consultors. and for a while 
 editor and manager of the "Church Progress." 
 
 He was consecrated P)ishop of Galveston in the Cathedral 
 of St. Louis on November 10. i«;i8. and arrived in Tialveston 
 on Thanksgiving Day. Possessing much of the prudence, gentlc- 
 Tiess and unselfish zeal of his predecessor in the See. the clergy
 
 I20 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and laity feel grateful to God and the Holy See for his selec- 
 tion. His program was partly voiced in the following appeal : 
 
 "The Church must have native men and women to do her 
 work, or she will be hopelessly outdistanced. Inevitably she will 
 lose her hold upon her people. We can only save the ruins that 
 remain by immediately supplying this crying need of Texan 
 priests. The people who will not make the sacrifice necessary 
 to fill our sanctuaries and our convents have only a diluted 
 Catholicism. Their faith can never weather the storms and 
 tempests of life. By their fruits ye shall know them, and this 
 lack of fruit in the sphere of vocations is a certain sign of de- 
 cayed faith. 
 
 If the Catholic Church is to keep her children in Texas; if 
 she is to advance beyond her present weakness, then she must 
 have native Texans to perform her work. Our own young men 
 must lift the sacred Body of Christ at the Holy Sacrifice of 
 the Mass. Our young men must pour the saving balm of Christ's 
 Blood over the penitents in the confessional ; must carry Christ 
 upon their breasts to the sick and dying. Our own young women 
 must take their places in the ranks of St. Dominic, St. Ursula, 
 the Incarnate Word, and all other great communities of the 
 Church. They must teach our youth; they must nurse our sick; 
 they must care for our orphans and afflicted. 
 
 Coming into the Diocese of Galveston from elsewhere this 
 need of vocations among the native Texans is the fact which 
 strikes me as the most urgent about the religious situation. If 
 that is remedied I am sure that other needs will take care of 
 themselves. If that is not met, then religion can not possibly 
 advance. Native priests and sisters will find means to build the 
 necessary schools and churches and other institutions. 
 
 Therefore, I have set myself, after prayer and study, to the 
 task of developing vocations among the youth of my diocese. By 
 Gods' grace I hope to succeed. When I come to yield up the 
 government of this diocese to another bishop I trust that native 
 Texans will be occupying the pulpits, will be teaching in the 
 schools, will be nursing our sick. As my body is laid to rest in 
 the Cathedral of Galveston beside that of my sainted predecessor, 
 I desire — with ardent desire — that the clergy and sisters as- 
 sembled for the funeral mass may be largely native Texans whom 
 I myself have led on to the consecration in God's service. And 
 in saying this I take not away one bit of praise from those labor- 
 ing here so earnestly today. 
 
 "If I do not accomplish this object of developing vocations, 
 then, no matter what other successes may be attributed to my 
 administration, I shall count myself to have failed, for I am 
 thoroughly convinced that this is the only solid foundation on
 
 DTOCESE OF GALVESTOX 121 
 
 which Gods' Kingdom can be built. The Church may seem for 
 a time to flourish, but if Catholicism has not taken that deep 
 hold on a people which will make them dedicate their youth to 
 God's service, it can not endure. By their fruits ye shall know 
 them. If Catholicism does not bring forth this fruit of vocations 
 then Catholicism is dead." 
 
 His words were followed by action, and thanks to his zealous 
 interest the diocese saw the erection, at the cost of nearly 
 $200,000, of a fine new building at the Seminary, the installa- 
 tion of a modern plant for sieam heating and the construction 
 of a cement water tower for fire protection. 
 
 I 
 
 f
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 HISTORICAL TABLEAUX. 
 
 A series of historic tableaux was presented during the Diamond 
 Jubilee. The work was supervised by Rev. Marius S. Chataig- 
 non and in their presentation he was ably assisted by Adoph D. 
 Dolson. Eugene Coughlin and Charles K. Lulor. 
 
 Tableau I. 
 
 "QUIVIRA WAS ALWAYS JUST BEYOND." 154L 
 
 Personnel : 
 
 Coronado. 
 
 Father Juan de Padilla, Proto-Martyr of U. S. 
 
 Father Juan de la Cruz. 
 
 Indians. 
 
 "Oh, gay they rode with plume on crest, and gilded spur at heel, 
 With gonfalon of Aragon and Banner of Castile, 
 With high emprise and joyous youth, twin marshals of the 
 
 throng, 
 And woke Texas' silent hills with trumpet note and song." 
 
 Francisco Vasquez Coronado started from Compostella on the 
 Pacific Coast, west of Mexico City, February, 1540. Arrived at 
 Culiacan, half way up the western coast of the Gulf of California, 
 March 2^, 1540. Started northward for the "Seven Cities of 
 Cibola," of whose fame they had heard from the Franciscan 
 Friar, Marcos of Niza, who had viewed them from a distant 
 hilltop two years previously. Part of the expedition reached the 
 Grand Canon. They all wintered near the present site of Albu- 
 querque. There from an Indian, Coronado head of Quivira, rich 
 and populous place far away in the east. Started on April 23rd, 
 1 541. Probably crossed the branches of the Colorado River of 
 Texas and reached the head waters of the Nueces. He turned 
 north and not far from the Great Bend of the Arkansas River 
 found the village of Wichita Indian Tepees. When Coronado 
 returned he left behind him among the Indians Padre Francisco 
 Juan de Padilla, who was martyred by the Wichita Indians, and 
 Padre Juan de la Cruz, who was also slain near Cibola. 
 
 The Journal of Coronado, George Parks Winship ; A. S. 
 Barnes & Company, New York.
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 1 23 
 
 Tableau II. 
 DEATH OF LA SALLE, 1687 A. D. 
 
 Personnel : 
 
 Father Zenobius, 
 Father Anastase, 
 La Salle, 
 Larcheveque. 
 
 Seigneur Robert de la Salle followed the Mississippi to its 
 mouth in 1682, returned to France and obtained permission from 
 Louis XR' to establish a colony. His boats were blown out of 
 their course by a storm and he landed at Matagorda Ray Fei)ru- 
 ary 20th, 1685. He established Fort St. Louis and started out in 
 search of the Mississippi. 
 
 La Salle was murdered near the present site of Navasota 
 by Duhaut, one of his companions. 
 
 The story is told in Joutel's Journal as it was gleaned from 
 the lips of Father Anastase, a Sulpician, La Salle's companion 
 on the trip. 
 
 Joutel's Journal. 
 
 Tableau III. 
 
 FOUNDING OF SAN FRANCISCO DE LOS TEJAS. 
 
 1690 A. D. 
 
 Scene — Benediction in the Open Air. 
 
 Personnel : 
 
 De Leon, 
 
 Father Massanct. 
 
 Three other Franciscans, 
 
 Soldiers, 
 
 Indians, 
 
 Processional Cross, etc. 
 
 Tliis Mission was located somewhere near the present site of 
 Crockett. 
 
 Here is Father Massenet's own accoiuil : 
 
 "On the eve of Corpus Christi. Mass was sung. I'.cforc the 
 Mass we had a procession with the I'.lcssed Sacrament exposed. 
 A large number of Indians were assembled. The soldiers had 
 been given leave to fire as many salutes as they could during the 
 procession, at the elevation and at the close of Mass. After Mass
 
 124 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 we hoisted tlie royal standanl. On the morning of the first of 
 June, a week from the feast of Corpus Christi, we consecrated 
 the church. The church and village was dedicated to our Holy 
 Father St. Francis. 
 
 Bolton's "Spanish Exploration in the South West." 
 
 Tableau IV. 
 
 "BRAZOS DE BIOS." 1716 A. D. 
 
 Venerable Antonio Margil died in Mexico City August 6, 
 1726. 
 
 His virtues were declared heroic by Pope Gregory XVI 
 in 1836. 
 
 Personnel : 
 
 Venerable Antonio Margil. 
 
 The Venerable Antonio Margil founded the Apostolic Col- 
 lege of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Zacatecas. With the assist- 
 ance of six religious from the college of the Holy Cross at Quere- 
 taro, Fathers Francis Hidalgo, Gabriel de Vergara, Benedict San- 
 chez, Manuel Castallanos, Peter Perez de Mesquia and Father 
 Isidor Felis de Espinosa, Superior and three Fathers from Zaca- 
 tecas, Mathias Sanz de San Antonio, Peter de Mendoza and 
 Augustine Patron, Father Margil started for Texas, April, 1716, 
 but was delayed, being at the point of death from fever. The 
 others, under Padre Espinosa, reached the Texas missions June 
 28th, 1 71 6. 
 
 Father Espinosa selected a site twenty miles distant among 
 the friendly Asinai, where he established the first "La Purissima 
 Concepcion," afterwards removed to San Antonio. Padre Margil 
 though left in a dying condition, recovered and followed the 
 missionaries to East Texas, whence he wrote July 20th, 1716, hav- 
 ing founded the mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe, among the 
 Nacogdoches. 
 
 The river which we know as the Brazos was then called 
 Espiritu Santo. Because Margil was miraculously transported 
 across it on his way to Nacogdoches, the name was changed to 
 "Brazos de Dios, (The Arms of God)." The first portion of the 
 Spanish entitlement clings to the river. The missionary labors of 
 Padre Margil embraced Nacogdoches, Spanish Lake, Louisiana, 
 and San Jose at San Antonio. 
 
 Shea, '^The Catholic Church in the Colonies," Chapter IT; 
 The Church in Texas. John G. Shea, New York, 1886.
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 125 
 
 Tableau V. 
 
 SAN ANTONIO DE VALERO. 1718 A. D. 
 THE ALAMO. 1722 A. D. 
 
 "Thermopylae had its messenger of defeat. 
 The Alamo had none." 
 
 Father Anthony de San JJuenaventura Olivarez transferred 
 his Xarane Indian Mission of San. Francisco Solano on the banks 
 of the Rio Grande to San Antonio on the ist of May. 1718, by 
 order of the Marquis of X'alero, then X'iceroy. In 1722 it was 
 removed with the Post to Military Flaza. The Alamo Church 
 is all that now remains of the once extensive Mission. "San An- 
 tonio de \^alero." 
 
 Personnel : 
 
 Fray Antonio de San Buenaventura y Olivarez. 
 Fray Mij^uel Nunez. 
 Baptism of first child at the Mission. 
 Sponsors, etc. 
 
 It was in this church that its heroic defenders, March 6, 1836. 
 made their desperate stand for the liberty of Texas. 
 
 Tableau \T. 
 
 "LA PURISSIMA CONCEPCION.'' 
 
 First mission of the name founded by lailicr Fspinosa auKMiu 
 the Asinai near .\acogdoches in 1716. Present mi.ssion near 
 San Antonio, cornerstone laid 1731. 
 
 Personnel : 
 
 l'"nther fJabricl fie \'erc;ara. 
 
 Two other l'"rnn(-i=;rnns. 
 
 Indians, 
 
 Mortar I'ox, etc. 
 
 There is a pious tradition amonj^ the old Indians that when 
 its foundations were laid, (the Padres, to carry the idea of the 
 Immaculate Conception o{ the P>lessed X'irpin, for which do};ma 
 the branciscans were always protagonists, before its declaration 
 [ 1854 1 and for whom Murillo painted the famous Louvre picture 
 [1678I ), tbe Padres asked their Indian neophytes to bring milk 
 sufficient to mix the mortar.
 
 126 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Tableau VII. 
 SAN JACINTO BATTLEFIELD. 
 
 Personnel : 
 
 Gen. Sam Houston, 
 Gen. Sydney Sherman, 
 Surgeon N. D. Labadie, 
 Soldiers, etc. 
 
 On San Jacinto's glorious field the language and perhaps 
 the civilization of a continent was changed. 
 
 General Sydney Sherman, a member of the Cathedral parish, 
 commanded the left wing of the Texan army. 
 
 Dr. Labadie, who was the trusted friend and adviser of Father 
 Timon and Bishop Odin and financial agent of the first frame 
 Catholic Church constructed on the present site of the Cathedral, 
 acted as interpreter for the surrender of Santa Anna. 
 
 Tableau VIII. 
 
 Father Timon, C. M., coming to address the Congress of the 
 
 Republic of Texas, Houston, January, 1839. 
 
 Present site of Rice Hotel. 
 
 Personnel : 
 
 Father Timon, C. M. 
 
 Father Llebaria, C. M. 
 
 General Sam Houston, 
 
 Mirabeau B. Lamar, President of the Republic of Texas, 
 
 David Burnet, Vice-President. 
 
 Father Timon, C. M., afterwards consecrated Bishop of Buf- 
 falo, N. Y., October 17, 1847, came to Texas in December, 1838, 
 at the request of the Congregation of the Propaganda. He was 
 born at Conewago, Pa. He was accompanied to Texas by Father 
 Llebaria, C. M. They landed at Galveston, December 26, 1838, 
 and after spending i'w^ days there, went to Houston, where the 
 Congress of the Republic was in session in the old Capitol, on the 
 present site of the Rice Hotel. 
 
 In his own words: "We arrived in Houston January 3, 1839, 
 and on the Octave of St. John the Evangelist we said Holy Mass 
 On the following Sunday we were invited to preach at the Capitol 
 in the hall of deliberations, in the presence of the assembly of the 
 representatives of the Republic." 
 
 Bishop Timon's Letter, January 9, 1839.
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 12/ 
 
 Tableau IX. 
 BISHOP ODIN. 
 
 Bishop Jean Marie Odin, C. M. 
 
 Born at Hauteville, France, February 25, 1800. 
 
 Ordained priest, May 4, 1823. 
 
 Prefect-Apostolic of Texas, May, 1840. 
 
 Named Vicar- Apostolic of Texas, July 31st, 1841. 
 
 Consecrated with title of Bishop of Claudiopolis. 
 
 March 6. 1842. 
 Diocese of Galveston erected 1847. 
 
 Personnel : 
 Bishop Odin, 
 Workmen, etc. 
 Building the first church in Galveston, February 6. 1842. 
 
 Vie de Mgr. J can-Marie Odin, Paris, 1896. 
 
 Tableau X. 
 BATTLE OF GALVESTON. JANUARY 1, 1863. 
 
 Lieut. .Sydney Sherman being carried into the I'rsuline Con- 
 vent. 
 
 Lieut. Sydney Sherman, son of General Sydney Siicrman of 
 San Jacinto fame, clied in the military hospital of the Crsuline 
 Convent. The Ursuline Nims had turned over their new convent 
 building to Cieneral Magruder to serve as a hospital, and when 
 wounded, Lieut. Sherman was carried there. 
 
 '* Under Six flags.'' 
 
 The Galveston News paid this editorial tribute to young Sher- 
 man, in its issue of Januarv <;lh. \^(\'^. published in Houston. 
 
 LTIU'T. SID.Vh:^' A. Sill.UM.AN. 
 
 The Mf)rning ."^tar iiad risen (»n the field of strife, siiedding 
 its beams of victory upon the champions of the "I>one Star." who 
 had riven the chains of thraldom that held subordinate the "Gem 
 of the Ocean." crushing beneath the iron heel of right the vassals 
 of despotism, aiul adding fresh laurels to the bmw of l^iberty. 
 Pre-eminent among the warriors gathered there, was a noble form 
 of chivalrous bearing, a scion of one of the achievers of Texan 
 independence, with a flush of triumph on his brow — and a sparkle 
 of Texas spirit in that bright dark eye — with the proud, undaupl- 
 ed step of a Soutlirm br.nve. br took his place among the fore-
 
 128 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 most of that gallant hand, to hurl veng^eance upon a foe that had 
 cast the shades of desolation o'er his island home ; hallowed 
 memories of by-g-one days stirred within him a mighty strength, 
 and, with his mother's image as a beacon light to glory, he went 
 forth to meet his country's foes. At his post he fell, surrendered 
 only to the common enemy of man, his spirit rose unconquered, 
 borne aloft by the shouts of victory, while the angel of Freedom 
 wiped the death damp from his brow. He rests with the sun- 
 shine of Fame o'er his slumbers, and a halo of glory encircling 
 his memory — upon his native shore ; he fell a willing sacrifice, 
 and the breezes that float in freedom o'er a freemans grave will 
 chant his requiem. He sleeps well, and 
 
 "Oh how blest are those who sink to rest 
 And close their eyes on victory's breast." 
 
 Tableau XI. 
 BATTLE OF SABINE PASS, 1863. 
 
 Lieut. Dick Dowling, in command; at Fort Griffin. His com- 
 pany consisted of forty-two Irishmen. 
 
 Jefferson Davis in ^^The Rise and Fall of the Confederate 
 Government,^'' says of this engagement: "The success of the 
 single company which garrisoned the earthwork at Fort Griffin, 
 is without parallel in ancient or modern war." 
 
 ''Under Six Flags.'' 
 
 Tableau XIL 
 BISHOP CLAUDE MARIE DUBUIS. 
 
 Born at Teche in the parish of Coutouvre, France, March 8th, 
 1817. Ordained priest at Lyons, June 1st, 1844. Appointed 
 Bishop of Galveston October ist, 1862. Consecrated Bishop of 
 Galveston at Lyons November 23rd, 1862. 
 
 Father Dubuis left Havre March 20th, 1846, in company with 
 Messieurs Domenech, Lacour, Chambodut. Charion, Chazelle, 
 Fadey, deacons or clerks of the diocese of Lyons, and certain 
 other ecclesiastics of Spain, Ireland and Italy, who had been re- 
 cruited by Bishop Odin. On arrival at New Orleans he went to 
 the Lazarist Seminary at the Barrens to learn English. He left 
 New Orleans for Texas on the last day of the year 1849. He 
 labored at Castroville and San Antonio. Was appointed Vicar-
 
 q s 
 
 J a. 
 
 z >^

 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON 1 29 
 
 General by Bishop Odin and upon the transfer of Bishop Odin 
 to the Archbishopric of New Orleans, was appointed Bishop of 
 Galveston and consecrated November 23rd, 1862. 
 
 Vie de Monsigneur Dubiiis, L'Apotre du Texas. Roamu- 
 1900. 
 
 Scene — Welcoming the "Sisters of Charity of the 
 
 Incarnate Word." 
 
 On September 2^, 1866, three "Sisters of Charity of the In- 
 carnate Word" received from Bishop Dubuis in Lyons. France, 
 the habit of their new Order and started for Texas to become the 
 first hospital Sisters and developed the great communities of 
 Galveston and San Antonio with their many hospitals, which 
 preach the gospel of ministry and service. 
 
 "Unshrinking where pestilence scatters his breath 
 Like an angel she moves 'mid the vapors of death." 
 
 Tableau XIII. 
 
 BISHOP GALLAGHER. 
 
 Born Temperanceville, Ohio, February 19, 1846. 
 Ordained December 25, 1868. 
 
 Consecrated Bishop of Galveston April 30, 1882. 
 Died January 21, 19 18. 
 
 A. Welcoming the Dominican Sisters. 
 
 B. Greeting his foundation of religious men and women. 
 
 C. The Accomplishment of his Dream — The Seminary. 
 
 A. The Dominican Sisters came from Somerset, Ohio, and 
 reached Galveston September 29, 1882. 
 
 Under the direction of Mother Agnes, Mother Kose and the 
 late lamented Mother Pauline, they have had remarkable success 
 in convent and parochial school work. 
 
 B. The Jesuits. Josephites, the I'.asilians, the Dominicans, 
 the Paulisls, the Oblates, religious orders of men, and the Sisters 
 of the Holy Cross, Divine Providence, Daughters of (.liarity of 
 St. Vincent de Paul, Holy Family and Good Shepherd have 
 established their ujjlifting work in many institutions. 
 
 C. Bishop Gallagher always wished to conform to the Can- 
 onical requirement: "Every diocese should have its own Semin- 
 ary in a convenient place selected by the Bishop." In 1901 he 
 purchased the old Sylvan Beach Hotel at La Porte. In 1908 he 
 dedicated the first concrete building and in 1921 P.ishop Byrne 
 added many improvements. The Gallagher Memorial Building 
 will accomjjlish the dream.
 
 130 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Tableau XIV. 
 THE MORNING AFTER THE STORM, 1900. 
 
 When the storm king lashed our Island Home, the Sisters 
 of Charity of the Incarnate Word, located at the Orphan Asylum 
 down the hcach, realizing- that death was imminent, tied their 
 helpless charges to them and perished with them. 
 
 "These through the darkness of death, the dominion of night, 
 Swept, and they woke in white places at morning tide." 
 
 Tableau XV. 
 
 THE CATHEDRAL. 
 
 Cornerstone laid March 14, 1847. 
 Consecrated November 26, 1848. 
 Diamond Jubilee March 14, 1922.
 
 DIOCESE OF GALVESTON I3I 
 
 REFERENCES. 
 
 "Spanish Exploration in the Southwest." — Bolton. 
 Charles Scribner's Sons (1916). 
 
 "Texas in the ^Middle Eighteenth Century." — Bolton. 
 University of California Press (1915). 
 
 "With the Makers of Texas." — Bolton and Barker. 
 Gammel-Statesman Publishing Co. 
 
 "Under Six Flags." — Davis. 
 Ginn & Company, 
 
 "Texas, a Contest of Civilizations." — Garrison. 
 Houghton Mifflin Co. 
 
 "History of Texas." — W'ooten. 
 Texas History Co. 
 
 "Catholic Church in Colonial Days." — Shea. 
 
 "Vie de Mgr. Jean-Marie Odin, C. M." 
 D. Duniouiin ct Cie. Paris. 
 
 "Vie de Monseigneur Dulniis." — Par I'.Abhe J. V. 
 Liljrarie Rebe Souers, Roannc. 
 
 "History of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of San An- 
 tonio. — I'arisot & Smith. 
 
 Carrico & Bowen, San Antonio, Texas. 
 
 "The Book of Texas." — Benedict and Loinax. 
 Doublcday Pape & Co. 
 
 "Texas and Texans." — Johnson and Barker. 
 American Historical Society, Chicago. 
 
 "Reminiscences of a Texas .Missionary." — I'arisot. 
 Johnson Brothers, San Antonio. 
 
 Catholic .Vlmanac. 
 
 F. Lucas, Jr., Baltimore. 
 
 Catholic Directory. 
 
 "Brief History of Lower Ri(. ( irandc \'alley."— Frank Cush- 
 man Pierce. 
 
 George Banta Pub. Co. 
 
 Letters of Father Tinion, Bishoj) Odin and others. From the 
 Chancery of New Orleans, Galveston, Xotre i^ame and the 
 archives of the Lazarists. Compiled and loaned by Dr. C. L. 
 Souvay, C. M.
 
 KNAPP BROS 
 
 PRINTERS 
 Galveston. Texas
 
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