This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: LoisKindlaSmith Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.texas.counties.bexar/855.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Thanks to Larry C. for researching this article. Excerpt from San Antonio Express, March 17, 1935, Section D possible page 3 or 5. This 1935 article may be a reprint. See the reference to 1927: "This cemetery is already (1927) the silent abode." The first paragraph is missing so the author is unknown. The legible portion begins: "1868 - Sept 17, the corner stone of the new Cathedral of San Fernando is laid with impressive ceremony on Sunday." And continues with entries for 1872, 1873, 1874, 1877, 1879, 1880, 1881, 1883, 1884, 1885, 1898, 1902, 190?, and 1916. Then: "The Grounds around old San Antonio served for many years, the purpose of a cemetery. Based on the records, we may ascertain that the Old Cemetery was not opened until 1808. Then, the grounds which are today the Santa Rosa Infirmary, were blessed for a new cemetery. The first person buried in this new spot in 1808, Nov. 1, was the renowned citizen Don Angel Navarro of Corsica, married to the noble Spanish lady Josefa Ruiz. Nearby this Campo Santo was the Protestant graveyard, but time pushed aside all the little mounds of earth and in their place stood macadamized Houston Street, Milam Park and later, the Market House. Fourteen years after the brave Milam fell in the Veramendi property, the Masonic Order of which he was a member, exhumed his remains and under escort of a detail of the United States Army, placed them in the center of the old City Cemetery. When the cemetery was discontinued Milam's remains were undisturbed, and the square has since been known as Milam P! ark. His grave is marked by a handsome granite monument erected by the Daughters of the Republic, July 11, 1878. Milam Square, or Park, was so named at the request of Alderman Lockwood, Jan 9. 1984. On May 18, 1855, Rt. Rev. J. M. Odin, first Bishop of Texas, bought the burial grounds known today as San Fernando No. 1. We found out that the name of the first parishioner buried in this blessed place was Ellen Clark. This is another of San Antonio's landmarks. It is enclosed by a stone wall with its wide gate and stone arch bearing the inscription "Cemetario de San Fernando." It lies far from the din and noise of the city, but well within the environs of "Little Mexico" with its humble "jacals" and tiny stores carrying characteristic Mexican wares. ...Many of the oldest and best known Mexicans, also members of the early German, Irish and French families, and others, descendants of the old Spanish grandees, are sleeping here. Their well kept graves and simple or gorgeous monuments, bear such names as Juan Cortez, Santa Ana Aya, Marian Oca de Cantes, Venesladita Chagoya, Castanola, Mocegemba, Giraud, Jacques, Bryan Callaghan (father of the many years' mayor of San Antonio), Dunbar and John Twohig. Near a large statue of Christ in the center of the cemetery lies Bishop Neraz. To the left of the statue is a plot set aside for the nuns. ...The growth of San Antonio and of the San Fernando parish, says Father Camilo Torrente in his Old and New San Fernando, made necessary the purchase of a new burial ground, so His Grace the Most Rev. A. J. Drossaerts, D.D., acquired the spacious burial grounds of San Fernando Number Two. San Fernando Number Two was dedicated March 13, 1921, and open for burials on March 2, 1921. This cemetery is already (1927) the silent abode and necropolis of 5,039 dead people, all of Spanish or Mexican descent, except one hundred of other nationalities. ...Father Torrente's is a fitting Conclusion for Old and New San Fernando: Old San Fernando is a silent, living monument of history and romance in America. Before Washington was born, this venerable place was a center of human activity and culture, and 70 years before the liberty bell rang out in Philadelphia the rebel cry of Independence from England, the Old San Fernando bells pealed the message of Christ to the Indian Commanches as well as to the sturdy Spanish conqueror and colonist. .The city that lives on the realities of the present and on the memories of the past is immortal. That is why San Antonio is immortal." Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.