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mediately upon his return from Austin. Messrs. Niel and Donellan do- nated a piece of land on which to build the new temple.'° Odin and Timon in Austin. Instead of going directly to Austin, Timon first went to Independence to deliver the letter of Cardinal Fran- soni to ailing President Lamar as previously related. The weary travelers arrived in the capital on December 21 and were lodged in the elegant quarters of the French Minister to Texas. Austin had about twelve hundred inhabitants, with approximately fifty Catholics. An altar was set up by Odin on December 21 and Timon said his first Mass in the capital on December 22. 41 That same day the Prefect sent Father Stehle on a tour of the German settlements on the Colorado and the Brazos. Christmas Eve was spent by Timon and Odin in visiting the Catholic families in the capital. They called on a Mrs. Flood, the Misses Wean from New Orleans, and a Mrs. Hardiman. Christmas morning Odin said two Masses and Timon preached at both. Among the attendants were several non-Catholics who had been attracted by the reputation of Father Timon as a preacher. Bad weather greatly reduced the attendance at the evening service. Two days later, however, a large crowd of Catholics and non-Catholics was gathered in the Capitol to listen to Father Timon. A notice of his sermon had been published in Tl,e Sentinel. For two hours Timon held the attention of the large, mixed audience with what Odin called a "forceful and persuasive explanation" of the chief points of the Catholic Faith. Among the attentive audience were Act- ing President Burnet, cabinet members, senators and representatives, and other high ranking officials. 42 Confirmation of title to cku-rck p-roperty. Ever since Timon's first visit to Texas the importance of asserting the rights of the Church to property held under the Spanish and Mexican regimes had been fully realized by the Prefect. Before Odin left The Barrens for Texas, Timon had instructed him to look into the matter and consult prominent 40 Timon to Nozo, February 12, 1841; Timon to Durando, February 14, 1841, C. A. T. 41 This is reputed to be the first Mass said in Austin. Bayard probably misread the dates in the Diar,y. See photostat copy of the Diar,y in the Catholic Archives of Texas under dates December 21-24, 1840. Odin made the entry on December 21 that he had prepared the altar that night. Timon, and very likely Odin also, said Mass in Austin on December 22, although Odin fails to note having said Mass between November 29, when he arrived in Austin, and December 24, under which date he noted "I celebrated Mass." Cf. Bayard, o-;. cit., p. 167 and n. 17. 42 Odin to Etienne, April 11, 1841, C. A. T.
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