Creation of a Secular Clcr gy
the Superior General, "The people here are different to those in the North. It has been a heavy blow for the house that Brother Boniface did not come back; [we] have lost many boys on account of that change, as he was well-known and well-liked.... The Southern people do not like to be governed by Northern superiors." He concluded by saying, "We all desire Father [John] Toohey, as he is a Southern man himself and we \'ery much need a French teacher." 37 The End of St. Mary's College. Conditions continued to deteriorate during the year. The enrollment dropped to 70 students with only 3 boarders. "This has given us a hard time . . . as the boarders," explained Brother Charles, "are the best help to pay our bills. The day scholars don't pay much and many poor boys are sent here by the priests who pay nothing.... We had expected applications from 25 or 30 boarders before Brother Boniface left." Little wonder that Brother John was sick with worry and plaintively queried, "I do not know if we are to improve and beautify the place, which would cost at least $800. The receipts will not be sufficient to pay ali our debts.... Are we to keep the college up next year on the same plan as this year, or only as a common school? The prospects for next year are not at all flattering." 31 The fears of Brother John were fully realized in 1874. He now found himself involved in apparently insurmountable difficulties. "On account of [another] yellow fever panic and (the] financial crisis, we find our- selves in difficulties that are very trying to me," he wrote to Father Sorin. "The butcher, grocer, and baker must have their money." He had been forced to borrow money the previous year, which he had not been able to pay back. "I do not know how to make ends meet," he confessed in his confusion. "Our monthly receipts are S240; our expenses $250, including professors' salaries," he explained. But the Congregation continued to persevere, ever hopeful that things would improve. Conditions continued to go from bad to worse, however, and the college steadily declined until 1878, when St. Mary's was given up for want of patronage. Two years before its abandonment, the Reverend Joseph Carrier had been made president. Bishop Dubuis was loath to see the Brothers leave Galveston. and as late as March, 1879, wrote Father Sorin: "Have the kindness to 37 Brother Chrysostom to Father Sorin, September 24, I 873. Brother Charles to Father Sorin, September, I 87 3. Pr<1vincial Archives, Notre Dame. Excerpts by Drother Bonaverture Foley. 38 Excerpts from P1"fmi1lcfol Arc/1h1es, Notre Dame. furni~hed by Rrother Bonayen- ture Foley.
-
Powered by FlippingBook