Catholic Ed11cational Endeavors
3 2 9
been paid, all the rest and residue of her property was to be sold and the proceeds paid to the Most Reverend Claudius Dubuis, Bishop of Gal- veston, and held by him and his successors in office "in trust for the sole use and behalf of St. Mary's School in the city of Austin." 78 By her will Mrs. Doyle bequeathed the remaining 100 acres of land of her homestead to William E. Sneed, husband of her granddaughter, which he sold De- cember 24, 1881, to Father Sorin for $2,000. 79 Since Mrs. Doyle had stipulated in the transfer of her property to Father Sorin that she would continue to live on the premises until her death, Father Sorin took no !;teps to start a college at once. Formal, Establislm1e11t of St. Edw~rd's University. Mrs. Doyle died February 4, 1873. Immediately upon receiving notice of her death, Father Sorin communicated with the Bishop and began to make plans to take over St. Mary's parish and to establish a college. Not until May 4, 1874, did Father Daniel J. Spillard, C.S.C., arrive in Austin to assume his parochial duties. With him came Father John Lauth, C.S.C., who was to assist in the parish duties while waiting to open the projected college on Mrs. Doyle's land. In August of that year the new Diocese of San Ant.mio was erected and the Colorado River was designated the boundary between the Diocese cf Galveston and the new Bishopric. Before the first two Brothers of Holy Cross, Maximum and John of the Cross, came to Austin to take over the property of Mrs. Doyle, it had passed into the jurisdiction of the new Diocese of San Antonio. The two Brothers arrived in Austin on September 21, 1874, and found one large building, the Doyle homestead, and a smaller building that had been used as kitchen and living quarters by the domestics of the Doyle estate in the tract where St. Edward's Univer- sity was later erected. The Brothers, who immediately proceeded to reno- vate the old buildings, received an advance from Notre Dame University of $1,000, besides a team of mules, a few cows am? a wagon. While wait- ing to start the college, some needed farm implemrnts for the cultivation of the land were purchased. Twice a week, the Brothers went to St. Mary's Church in Austin to hear Mass and to receive the Sacraments. In Novem- ber, 1875, three Sisters of Holy Cross came from Indiana to take charge 78 It was in connection with this last provision in the codicil that the Bishop was able to help the Sisters of Holy Cross establish St. Mary's School previously discussed. 79 Deed of sale executed by William J. Sneed and wife. Mary E. Sneed. in favor of Edward Sorin, December 24, 1881. Notes on the Congre,iration of Holy Cros.~. C.A.T.
Powered by FlippingBook