The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1904-11-19

popularly called Judge Almond. His decisions
were at that time more notorious for their "horse
sense justice than they famous for legal
depth or any exhibition of eminent knowledge in
jurisprudence In fact the old judge never used
great amount of law III his practice. Previous To-
1850 California was governed by the Mexican codes
and Judge Almond by hocus-pocus system Of
unparalleled equity, reconcied the United States
constitution and statutes with these laws.
The greater part of his business was done i'm
settling claims against owners and masters OF
ships and it was often maciously remarked that
Judge Almond always gave judgment against those
who were best able to bear the costs. Moreover
his honor completely sat down any young
lawyers who attempted to make spread eagle"
speeches. Things came to such Iaughabe and
ridiculous pass finally that the ship owners pre-
ferred to compromise affairs with their employee
and others, rather than run the dircfuI risk of
leaving matters IN the mercenary hands Of judge
Almond.
Queer results and happenings laughabe in
their way, took place in many official quarters lu
1852 census of the population taken for the
purpose of securing basis of congressional repre-
sentation. San Francisco. at that time, had %
political rivalry with I'll Dorado county The lat
ter district however, furnished no returns. but
the political necessity of the times caused 1T to be
credited with a population of $4,000 The mos.
ludicrous means used in San Francisco to
stuff the returns, and it was a notorious fact
accomplished civil resurrection Of the dead by
transcribing their names from the tombstoncs on
the register! Truly indeed Is it said that "ueccs-
sity is the mother of invention"
The First Catholic Church.
Up to 1849 there was but one Catholic church
in the young city, and in July of that year Fahc~
Anthony Langlois, pious French priest, erected
the first St Francis church. Becoming too small
it torn down. and larger, barn-like strur-
ture hauled to the site and made into a church
1t was lined the inside with cotton muslin
which huttered and shook ominousy whenever
strong gusts of wind whistled through the cracks
between the wall timbers The church reached
by scrambling over uneven. rough hills. and largo
congregations of worshippers attended every Sun
day. Of course they were thoroughly cosmopolitan
in caste. There were the dreamy Spaniard with
the high sombrcro and gorgeous serapc, the
phlegmatic Indian, some Portuguese. Frcnchmen
Americans, and many Irish-faithful old race.
emn services were being celebrated, only stones
throw away, around Washington and Clay street,
gambling saloons would be thronged with the
desperate devotees to the goddess of Luck. Their
curses, high words and blasphemy contrasted
strangely with the humble duplication of the
adoring priest. The mighty scenes at these dens of
vice and degradation were wild, fascinating and
The gambling room was brilliantly
lit with lamps and candles and frequently at the
back of the hall, or in front of it. band of music
played execrably with the idea of attracting the
ubiquitous miner to the place. much after the way
Of the Caprean siren who wiled her victims with
a lutte. 1t is hardly necessary to say that the
proprietors of these saloons did not fear arrest
Gambling at that time was INDUCED in b. all
classes and kinds of people, and was the principal
of the reckless and eztravagant Still
he Catholic element of the population was very
devotional, and attended Mass regularly. The two
churches, St. Francis and Mission Dolores used
% be more than crowded on the Feasts of Good
Friday, Easter and Christmas On these great
festivals the ceremonies and services were very
and impressive, and always attracted
he entire population, irrespective of creed or
We have made mention of two
churches only because they were all that wero
erected prior to 1857.
st. Patrick's Parish.
In June of that year ST. Patrick's parish was
organized by Rev. John Maginnis. who had left St.
Andrews church. New York, to labor in this dis
ant charge Father Maginnis was of naturally
irritable disposition, but he was Jealous and truly
evout He erected church, school and orphan
sylum and subsequently received the assistance of
i've Sisters of Charity in the management of the
after. In 1854 new brick orphan asylum was
'uilt. and amongst the prominent laity who as
listed it were Messrs. Philip A. Roach John Par
OF, Gustave Touchard E. P. Seymour, P. Dunno.
,. Donahue. d. j. Oliver, John O'Meara, Peter
lhrystal and others.
Uninviting were conditions in 40, Gods
egion prospered. the city grew out of its nothing
ess into great commercial and industrial center
nd, we are happy to add, great Catholic center