THE AMERICAN
A WEEK.t MEflPAPlft. "AUCftlCM FOR AUiftlCAHS."W hold tSat all men art American uht 8uar Allrgtunc to th United Stattt without a nwntal ruin ation in favor of th Pop: PHUt fltl t tUT
Volume IV. ONUlfATB m:il in, 180 1." Numbkb 4V
BEYOND ENDURANCE.
The Treatment of Protestant
Girls Imprisoned In Roman
Institutions.
Beautiful But Friendless Orphan (Jirl
Escape From the Convent In
Louisville, Kj.
Sunday's Louisville Commercial said:
'Late Friday night when the Rood
sisters of the convent of the Good Shep
herd were asleep, Mary Ellen Gibbs, a
16-year-old girl, who has been an in
mate of the place, arose fr )m her bed
and made her escape. She is an orphan
and is a girl of prepossessing appear
ance, and it is thought she has been
Induced to t un away by some of her
former friends on the outside, who
managed to see her since she has been
in the convent. The matter was re
ported to the police yesterday after
noon, and General Taylor instructed
them to be on the lookout for her. It
Is thought she is still in hiding in this
city, as she has no relatives living to
take care of her."
The Courier-Journal gives as the
reason for her darlnff escape that she
had been punished. But do these
papers really known that this girl ac
tually scaled the walls, left the place,
or was even taken away alive? Would
they tell the truth just now, or at any
time, about the happenings in any of
these holy institutions? We shall see
later on. This chapter is not ended.
But in the meantime we shall introduce
other interesting matter concerning
this same Institution. Says Freedom's
Banner as follows:
EVANSVILLE, Ind., Oct. 25, 1894.-I
herewith send the statements, under
oath, of Mrs. Mary Groves, the mother
of Nettie and Josie Grant. Nettie will
be 19 years of age in January next;
Josie is now 16 years of age. Mrs,
Groves says she consulted a lawyer
while in Louisville last August, and
was informed that she could recover
her children by legal proceedings, but
demanded a fee of $30. She had no
money with which to pay a lawyer,
conseouentlv she was compelled to
leave her children in that den of in
iquity. How long are the American
DeoDle coiner to submit to such out
rages?. It seems incredible that such
a hellish institution can be tolerated
for a single day in this land over which
the stars and stripes float inall its
glory. After Mrs. Mary Grant was
divorced from her husband, Patrick
Grant, she married her present hus
band. She is poor and respectable. 1
send this slatement to you, in the hope
that some Dne in Louisville may be in
duced to assist her in regaining her
children. Respectfully,
C. L. Roberts."
State of Indiana, j
Vanderburgh County, f
Personally appeared before me,
notary public in and for the county of
Vanderburgh, aid state of Indiana,
Mary Groves, who on her oath declares
and says that she is a citizen of Evans-
ville, residing at No. 1002 Mulberry
street, in the county and state afore
said: and further says that she was
born and reared in the city of Louis
ville. Jefferson county, state of Ken'
tucky; that her maiden name was Mary
Shirley; that she was married to
Patrick Grant, in Louisville, June 29,
1873; that four children were born to
them as the fruit of said marriage,
three ofrwhom are still living Nettie,
Josie and John; that subsequent to her
said marriage she removed to Evans
ville, Indiana; that on the 13th day of
December, 1886, she was granted a
divorce from her said husband, as ap
pears of record, in order 9, at page 323,
of the superior court of Vanderburgh
county, Indiana, and by the decree of
said court, given the custody and con
trol of her said minor children, viz.,
Nettie, Josie and John Grant; that she
was very poor and could only support
herself and children by her daily labor
at sewing, house-cleaning and such
other work as she was able to perform;
that at that time her children being
too small to be of any assistance to her,
and in her distress she was induced to
place her two daughters in the institu
tion known as the Convent of the Good
Shepherd, situated at the corner of
Eighth and Madison streets, in the city
of Louisville, state of Kentucky, which
was done six years ago last April; that
she was promised and assured that she
should have them back at any time she
wanted thera, when she felt able to
take care of them; ttyit she was told
that they would be well taken care of,
educated and taught sewing and house
keeping so as to be prepared for useful
lives and citizenship; that she let them
remain there three years, at which
time she called for them; that 'she was
then informed that they must remain
two years longer, in order to pay for
their tuition and care bestowed upon
" "!J'M0$M ? : M Sill
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S i K y TOM ?'?
A A
UNCLE Sam. It's been many a year
them; that she finally consented to let
them remain the two years longer, as
requested; that at the expiration of
said two year she again called for
them, at which time she was informed
that she could not have them, that, in
fact, they refused to let her have them.
Sne further ssys that she arranged
with her eldest daughter before she
left home that in case she and 1 er
sister desired to be taken away from
said institution she could indicate that
fact by making a private mark on her
letters; that she could do that in such
a way as not to be detected by any one
reading her letters before mailing
them. She further says that in the
letters received from her children they
usually speak of how well they are
treated by the so-called sisters, and
how happy they are, but the tell-tale
mark is always found on the letters,
informing her thus of the fact that they
are not happy nor well treated, and of
their desire to leave the institution:
that it was one year ago in August last
that she last called for them, and was
positively refused their custody, ard
told that they did not wish to return
with her. She further says that she
was not allowed to see her children by
themselves, or hold any conversation
with them, unless one of the so called
sisters was present; this was evidently
done in order to prevent them from
expressing their desire to leave the in
stitution or of informing her of the
actual facts as to their treatment, as
the following facts will clearly show;
that when she asked her children, in
the presence of said so-called sister
superior, if they wished to return home
with her, they huDg their heads after
looking into the cold, cruel eyes of said
so-called sister superior, and answered
no; and when asked if it was their de
sire to remain in the institution, in
like manner they hung their heads and
answered, yes; that while this conversa
tion was going on some one knocked at
at the door; that said so-called sister
turned to answer the summons at the
door; that her eldest daughter immed
iately, with streaming eyes, said to her:
"Oh, mamma, take us away from this
place!" that she did not say anything
about what her daughter had said to
her, for fear it would only make it
harder for them; and further says that
for six long years and more her child
ren have been shut up in that institu
tion, ani never been allowed to step
outside of the gate; and further says
that she is fully satisfied that they are
unlawfully, wrongfully, cruelly and
forcibly being kept in said institution
and restrained of their liberty against
their wills. Mary Groves.
Subscribed and sworn to before me
this 25th day of October, 1894.
Charles L. Roberts,
Notary Public.
OTHER SWORN STATEMENTS.
Frank Ncy, Bessie Ney and Miss
Laura Cox personally appeared before
- & ait ' ' 1
IN HARNESS ONCE MORE.
since I put on these fixin's, but I guess there's got to be someone "on guard"
too many onery cusses prowlin' this way lately!"
me this 29th day of September, 1894, in
Kansas City, Kas., and having been
duly sworn, declare and say that the
statetrents herein made by them, re
spectively, are correct and true:
B'irst Allegation. Mr. Frank Ney
says: "After the deth of my wife, be
ing desirous -of giving my daughter,
Bessie, a good education, I made in
quiries with that view, and was recom
mended to send her to the House of the
Good Shepherd. I accordingly called
to consult the mother in charge, and
inquired concerning their school and
terms. The mother stated that they
taught all kinds of fancy work, music,
drawing, grammar, geography, and all
of the elementary studies, and that they
would give her a good education. Terms
being satisfactorily, I placed my daugh
ter in the House of the Good Shepherd
Feb. 23, 1893, and repeatedly sent her
money. I occasionally received a let
ter from my daughter (as I supposed) to
the effect that she was p'eased and all
was well. Frank Ney.
Mr. Ney having been in'ormed that
his daughter desired her liberty, and
that instead of being educated she was
held a prisoner, at hard labor, for
warded a power of attorney to J. W.
Hile to precure her release, and a let
ter to his daughter; also an order to
the mother superior to deliver his
daughter, Bessie, to Mrs. J. W. Hile,
Mr. Ney, having learned that his orders
were insufficient for her release, came
to the city and demanded her release.
As she had neither shoes, hat or un
mentionable clothing to wear, her
father procured them for her ard took
her out.
Second Allegation Miss Bessie
Ney says, under oath, that she did not
receive any money from her father,
while incarcerated at hard labor in the
House of the Good Shepherd, and that
she was poorly clothed, and supplied
with insufficient food, of bad quality
mostly scraps begged from hotels, board
ing houses, restaurants, and discarded
meat from packing houses; that she
was not permitted to have or read any
books, except the catechism; that she
was compelled to go to mass and to ob
serve the Roman Catholic ceremonies.
Her education while there consisted of
three music lessons, after there was an
effort made to take her out; that the
punishment received by some of the
girls in that institution is frequently
almost unendurable.
Third Allegation. Miss Laura
Cox says, under oath, that she received
the same kind of treatment food, cloth
ing, and instruction in Romanism,
while at the House of the Good Shep
herd, as Bassie Ney received, except
that she went without shoes three
months during last winter.
Laura Cox.
Subscribed and sworn to before me
this 27th day of September, 1S94.
L. S.l John s. Cox,
Notary Public.
1
My commission expires March 31st,
1895.
Miss Myrtle Jones states, under oath,
that she was an inmate of the House of
the Good Shepherd, near Kansas City.
Mo., and owing to ill-treatment and
poor food I concluded to risk my life
attempting to escape by jumping from
a window on the second floor, and by
so doing I broke my left lower limb and
was left unattended by a physician
from Sunday evening until Monday
afternoon.
The mothers compelled me to leave
my bed and walk up and down stairs
and work bard all day In the sewing
room before I was able. Dr. McVey
left orders that I was not to walk or to
stitch on the sewing machine, yet I was
compelled to work day after day. The
food which was given mo was not on'y
insufficient for the work I had to do,
but frequently contained maggots. I
was either obliged to pick out the mag
gots and eat the food that was given
me or go hungry. I have not entirely
recovertd from my injury.
I am personally acquainted with
Misses Bessie Ney and Laura Cox, and
know that they have stated the facts
regarding their treatment in the House
of the Good Shepherd as specified in
the foregoing article.
Myrtle Jones.
Miss Bessie Ney, under oath before
mc, deposeth and saith that the pun
ishment received by some of the in
mates of the House of the Good Shep
herd was at times exceedingly severe.
They wore frequently placed in
straight-jackets, locked up in rooms,
and fed on broad and water from two
to ten days for very slight offenses, and
sometimes for no offense whatever.
Sometimes no food or water would be
given them for two days in succession.
When Protestant girls were requested
to kneel to the mothers, on refusing to
do so the Roman Catholic girls were
permitted to whip and pound the Pro
testant girls; in addition the mothers
would subject the girls to various forms
of punishment, such as compelling them
to make crosses on the floor with their
tongues, kneel on the floor for hours at
a time, or perform additional hard
labor. Washing and ironing for the
Coates House, barber shops, Staley &
Dunlap's restaurant, Staley 's restaur
ant, the Jesuit college, the stock yards,
and family washing, for which the nuns
receive pay.
After working from twelve to sixteen
hours we were compelled to retire t J a
bed infested with vermin. The dread
of the institution and the longing de
sire to escape can only be compre
hended by myself and the girls who
bear witness with me in tho foregoing,
and those having had simiiar experi
ences. Bessie Ney.
Subscribed and sworn to before me
tnis 21st day of October, 1894.
L. S. M. O. Fields,
Notary Public,
while that galoot sleeps. There's been
LETTER FROM TEXAS
Sir: 1 was once a prisoner In the
House of the Good Shepherd, but, thank
God, esciped by jumping out of the
laundry wir.dow, running a gauntlet of
ferocious dogs, and climbing over the
front gate, then running I do not know
where, I. bid in tha grass until morn
ing, and then made my way to the
home of a friend.
I once had Mother Cisson to take a
brass-tipped ferule and beat nie until I
was bleeding, black and blue all over,
and could scarcely crawl around for
over a week. I was also fed nothing
but bread and water for over a week, at
the end of which time I was almost
dead; all this was for the heinous of
fense of smiling while she was scolding
several of us girls for not getting
through with a very large washing,
enough for twice the number of girk;
wanting me, almost 18, to get down on
bended knees and kiss tho dirty floor.
I have often had fruits and letters
sent me by friends, which never reached
me, bu were eaten up by the greedy
mother superior and others, and the
letters stopped. I never saw a book or
paper during the whole time I was in
captivity, except the catechism, which
is always before you. I have eaten the
hard bites of bread begged of hotels
and restaurants, and have more than
once picked maggots out of the meat
and soup, as told by Miss Dover in The
Sim. I have seen poor, weakly, girls
kneel on the floor until they have
fainted, for failing to do heavy work
they were unable to perform.
I honestly believe that, if the editor
could conceal himself inside of those
walls for a few short hours it would be
the greatest blessing ever bestowed on
a great number of poor, suffering girls.
I believe that if the good citizens could
see through the silver plating on the
outside of that institution, it would be
broken up inside of twenty-four hours.
I thank God I escaped, and am now
happily married, and living near Dallas.
I beg of all parents, having daughters,
for God's sake to keep the poor girls
away from this place. Yours very
truly, Mrs. P. S. Sinclair,
Dallas, Texas.
another instance.
"The report of the escape of May Mc-
Guire from the House of the Good Shep
herd, and of her sufferings and perse
cutions while an inmate of that institu
tion, will perhaps convince a good many
who have been skeptical as to the re
ports of cruelty practiced by those
hooded sisters of charity (?) upon the
inmates of such institutions. Many
residents of Seattle would hardly be
lieve that right here in our beautiful
city, amidst schools and churches, with
the American flag waving over us, iu
the last quarter of this the Nineteenth
century, mere children are treated in
the same manner by the Roman Catho
lics as they were in the dark ages.
"May McGuire told the reKrter that
at the ronfi i-r-Iontt! he oil anked ques
tion by the priests that were not fit to
frpeak of anywhere, and question whic I
she never knew anything about until
v was Bfkt-J them in the confct-hional.
"licit, a young glrl.juht at tho U nder
age when a mother's en re Ix the most
needed, this jmkit child (falling Into tho
hands of thoo bister of misery) Is rob
bed of her home, of a mother's care and
love, is comellcd to stand upon a cold
floor eleven hour a day, and toll from
one year's end to another ft A slave.
She is half clothed, fed on tho coarsed
food, knocked down a whole fight of
stairs hy a uisU-r of charity, kept with
her hands pinioned behind her for half
a day at a time, pulled down stairs by
her hair, beaten with a led-slat until
her flesh Is black and blue, then, when
driven to disobedience by erecutlon,
she Is frightened Into submission by
the sister's story of spooks and devils,
"This poor little helpless creature,
when sluj csca'tcs and comes crying to
her mother's door, has not fifty cents
worth of clothes on her whole body.
She is broken down In health and her
mind Is perceptibly Injured by cruel
treatment. She Is pale, sad, and looks
old. She has received no teaching of
any kind, not even to read. All this Is
done 'in the name of Christ.'
This child was baptized, confirmed,
and sent to the confessional. How can
any human believe In such a dastardly
religion as this, that enslaves, beats,
and returns for tho unpaid swoatof in
no jent girlhood, blows, and every man
ner of persecution? Tho day has come
when in free America these so-called
charitable institutions shall he open to
public Inspection. A lotof city authori
ties who will let such thing! as this go
on In their midst, are not tit to have a
place under the American flag,"
Seattle (Washington) litforrncr.
The constitution of the United States
says:
ARTICLE XIII.
1. Neither slavery nor Involuntary
servitude, except as a punishment for
crime, whereof the party shall have
been duly convicted, shall exist within
the United States, or any place Bubject
tQ their jurisdiction.
The American government Btands
for equal rights to all and exclusive
privileges to none, and that a so-called
celibate prk'Kt.hood should establish ita
harems and imprison its victims, in
open and persistent defiance of all pa
rental, municipal, state and national
authority, making slaves or some for
the dellctousenjoym-nt of others, In an
Intelligent and populous country, la
amazing; and to call this deceitful djv
Iltry a "mot holy religion," Is appal
ling to common seme.
Mormonism is not tolerated, and,
though offensive and demoralizing, is
not comparable, even to this involun
tary and enforced obedience in ALL
things, behind impenetrable walls and
beyond the help of all human friendsl
The very walls and locks and bars of
these prison-hells are enough for their
utter condemnation by all decent
American people, without tho pitiable
testimony of the tortured beings who
escape from them.
Theso little sketches alone will stir
your manhood if manhood and father
hood you possess and the?e are but
inklingsof the horrors and heart-bidden
histories of tr.e inmates of these baleful
institutions. We have been told of
wicked and mean th ngs which are not
published, for the reason that the per
sons most intimately related and Inter
ested In the t flairs fear further trouble,
and perhaps lots of property and life,
should theirdivulgenees become known.
Yojr city daily papers have recently
published tho fact that a prominent
Cathol'c lawyer could not take his own
sister from a convent, to s :e her dying
mother, without resorting to violent
threats and physical force, and creating
much consternation. They had defied
parental authority in their own mem
bership in placing her in a convent,and
then would not let her go with her own
Catholic brother to see her dying
mother, only a few blocks awav!
Reflect on these sworn statements,
where helpless girls have been beaten
and bound, made to kiss the floor, eat
the filthiest of food or starve, and work
like slaves within those tomb-like
walls, and decide for yourself about the
religion there is in it.
The undisputed and undeniable boast
of the selfish priesthood that they hold
the keys of authority from Almighty
God, to command all men and people
and nations, by divine right, to obey
their mandates: that all must submit to
their teachings under penalty of pun
ishment here and eternal torments
hereafter, is the most blasphemous,
dangerous and detestable doctrine
known among men! It is the withering
blight of every god-like aspiration of
the human soul, where its i a flue nee
prevails, and the walled convents are
the hot-house nurseries wherein every
thought is forced from the yearning
mind, except those of slavish obedience
t'outtnued on I'w5.