Our Catleolic Heritage in T ezas
74
celebrated a High Mass, and proclaimed Mary Immaculate the patroness of Texas. Prophetically envisioning the future, he declared, "The more I see of San Antonio the more I am convinced that the interests of religion require a good convent [school] here." He could not help discerning the great need of educational facilities. for girls in this old metropolis. "Unless children, especially little girls, are formed to piety," he wrote, "it will be impossible to eradicate their fatal propensity to loose habits." A school, however, was not the only need. The church of San Fernan- do needed a set of candlesticks for the altar, two censors, and two incense boats. Father Calvo desired a good book of Spanish sermons and as many Spanish prayer books as could be obtained. Three large pictures for the church would be most welcome--one of the crucifixion, one of the Virgin Mary, and one of Saint Joseph or Saint Anthony. 15 Deat/i of Fatlter Haydon. The little band of devoted missionaries suffered an irreparable loss in the death of Father George Haydon. A young Kentuckian, he had come to Texas as a volunteer, filled with the enthusiasm born of zeal. With Father Clarke he had labored well among the settlers on the Lavaca and the Colorado. When late in September, 1841, a yellow fever epidemic broke out in the Galveston Bay area, he rushed to give aid and comfort to the sick and dying. His zeal drove him beyond his physical endurance with the result that he contracted the malady, and died in early October near the mouth of the San Jacinto. "We find ourselves sorrow-laden," Odin wrote, "at the loss of Mr. Haydon in October. He died two hundred miles from his confrere. It is a great loss for our reviving Church in Texas. He was a great aid in visiting the dispersed Catholics." Timon, upon hearing of his untimely death said, "His zeal and tender charity had endeared him to all who knew him." Haydon had died a martyr to Charity. 16 Te:xas becomes a vicariate 1mder tlie jurisdiction of Bishop John Odin. While Odin worked faithfully in Texas, his return of the Bulls and Timon's plea that the Vice Prefect be allowed to remain were being considered. Both Timon and Odin had felt a bit uneasy concerning the final outcome. Timon who had set out for Europe on June 8, arrived in JSThe above summary of Odin's activities and experiences from June to December. 1841, is based largely on his letters to Blanc, July 8, 1841; to Timon, July 16, and September 30, 1841, and to Etienne, February 7, 1842, C. A. T. 16Qdin to Etienne, February 7, 1842, C. A. T. A brief sketch of the life of the zealous missionary was printed in Tlte Religious Cabinet of Baltimore, based on data submitted by Timon, under the title, "The Church in Texas."
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