Ot1r Catliolic Heritage in Texas
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Like Haydon, Paquin died a martyr to duty and charity. He was buried in the old church, but when St. Mary's Cathedral was built in 1847 his body was reburied in front of the altar. The obituary printed in the Metropolitan Catholic Almanac declared that he had died "a martyr to his insatiable zeal." His career was epitomized in these words: "Tender piety, entire obedience, profound humility, a spirit of sacrifice and self-abnegation marked his conduct uniformally during his clerical career." 65 Brands recovered slowly from his serious illness but in due time he was better than ever before. It seems that the attack of yellow fever purged his system of minor ailments. In the spring of 1845 he cheer- fully told Timon "Thanks be to God! I am now enjoying excellent health ... my strength has quite returned and the dizziness of my head has quite disappeared. I feel now nothing of it anymore. I am now able to write, learn by heart, and preach two sermons per week, besides discharging my other duties." 64 The Vicar's vi.sitation of tlie West. When the epidemic broke out in Galveston in July, the good Vicar was in San Antonio. He did not learn of the death of Paquin until mid-September, shortly before returning to Galveston. The new Vicar had been anxious, ever since his consecra- tion, to undertake a visit of his Vicariate. As soon as he had installed Paquin and Brands in Galveston, he had gone to Houston, then pro- ceeded to the Brazos, going through Columbus to the Lavaca district, where he visited with Clarke before he returned to Houston. Here he met Prince Charles of Solms-Braunfels and Messrs. Bourgeois and Decos. Accompanied by Oge and the Prince of Solms, he set out for San Antonio on July 21, where he arrived four days later after passing through Gonzales, Seguin, and the Flores ranch. Fathers Calvo and Estany had been doing excellent work. Of Estany Odin said, "he has been truly a missionary, bearing patiently with all kinds of privations and bringing back to the practice of their duties many cold and indif- ferent Catholics." 65 He found San Antonio bustling with activity. Many new colonists were waiting to be taken to the new settlements that were to be founded by Henri Castro and the Prince of Solms. During his stay in the city he visited the missions of San Jose, San Juan, and Concepcion, and
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61 Metro,;olitan Catllolie Almanac and laity's Directo,,y for 1845. 64 Brands to Timon, March 2 s, 1845 1 C. A. T. 65 0dln to Blanc, December 10, 1844 1 C. A. T.
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