The Key West Citizen Newspaper, October 24, 1938, Page 3

| MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1938 Sacrifice, Education, Contributed CONVENT CELEB THE KEY WEST CITIZEN Crusoe, 1900. By Sisters To Key West Progress. wae] —_———— 8 CAPPICK !General F)W. SHérmah, Ja rel- athe exceflénty aeiaeertive of the great commander, W. <ingtitutions of Key of-Mary Immaculate the. distinction " of~-being the Pionkter <since its establish- ment dates batk to 1868, when five Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary left their northern home in Montreal, Can- ada, to labor in the distant south- land in behalf of Christian educa- tion. In 1859 twelve Sisters of the "Holy Names order, bound for the far west, on a similar mission, “had visited Key West for a few hours while their ship was in port; and it was through this in- cident happening that, almost a decade of years later, Bishop Augustine Verot, bishop of Sa- vannah, Ga., requested the Sisters of the Holy Names to open a school.in Key West for the educa- tion of girls, believing with the i Bisho aiding that fitted to cultivate in? of Key West’s young women those vi which are ‘a _woman’s chief glory, and, lacking which, no degree of mental culture can make her beneficent and de- lightful. That it is the Sisters’ chief aim to ineulcate pure- + mindedness, modesty, patience, piety, reverence, gentieness, ami-, ability and helpfulness is con- ceded by friend and foe, for on such a foundation must we build if we would raise woman’s mind t@ the ethereal heights of intel- lectual truth, without risking the of her heart, of goodness and love. » The Sisters of the Holy Names left New York on October 17, 1868, and, after a very tempes- tuous voyage, on the merchant- ship “Sedwidge,” bound for Texas, reached Key West on Oc- tober, 24, thankful to God for their delivery from shipwreck, for the vessel which had braved the storm from New York to Key West went down in the Gulf of Mexico a féw days later, with its entire passengers, crew and cargo. were kindly received by the itable people of the island, thus it was that the aid of quickly made friends friends helped them to make habitable Ahe old bartacks which had been vacated by the federal soldiers af- ter the Civil War. Old Key West- ers remember that goats abounded on the island in those early years, and so the Sisters found a plenti- ful supply of domestic animals in © their new home. Within a month, however, the first school of Mary Immaculate was opened and -“twelve young women, like the apostles of old, responded to the call of those whose love for souls had made them face cheerfully the hardships of those early years. In the Spring of 1869, shortly after the Sisters arrival, yellow fever broke out and claimed many victims, among them being Reverend Father McDonald, the i pastor, who had contracted the disease while ministering to the spiritual needs of his people. Hearing of the death of Father McDonald, Reverend Father En- ciso, S. J., came from Havana, but fwithin six days after his arrival, he, too, succumbed to the fearful . malady, and was replaced by two more Jesuit Fathers from Ha- vana, Fathers Nubiala and Avig- » non, the latter of whom died on _ the 16th of August, 1869. During « this time of suffering the con- vent was closed and naturally the Sisters had to depend for support ~ upon their limited means and up- on the neverfailing kindness of friends, for in Key West religion has never been a question when “the Sisters or their school stood in need. In the early history of the convent we read that Major- 3201 z (seesssssaersrees. \ We Salute’ Convent of Mary Immaculate On its THREE SCORE AND TEN BIRTHDAY. May years bring continued success to one of Key West's most treasured . 2 ‘ : : . , : ‘T. Sherman, together with his’ wif@" and“small _son, received baplista. im the Convent chapel, ang a little later, on March 25, 189 Q~General Sherman and his wite'made their first Holy Com- munion in the same chapel. This distinguished man was always a devoted friend of the Sisters and! upon his departure from Key; West in April, 1871, he presented to the Sisters his carriage and a span of handsome horses. In the letter of presentation, which is Ellie Fogarty, Fannie O’Brien, 1902. ; Lottie Sweeney, Ellie Johnson, Lorraine Lightbqurne, 1904. Adele Brossier, Angela man, Minnie Sweeney, 1905. Leoleen Archer, Sadie Baker, Salome Chili, Florence Alvarez, Josephine Cash, Ethel O’Brien, 1906. Jennie Williams, Rosalind Gar- funkle, Susie Johnson, Isabel Sweeney, Birdie Waite, 1910. Beul&h Curry, Clarise Roberts, Norma Roberts, Gloriana Gard- ner, Elsie Garfunkle, Tillie Wein- stein, Marie Watrous, Lauriette Roberts, 1911. Minnie Roberts, Amelia Cas- tillo, 1914. Ruth Canfield, Lorraine Gar- funkle, Anna Haskins, Mary Re- Hay- still preserved, we find the fol- lowing request: “Should I deem it necessary to attach any condition to the ac- would be that my long-cherished horses would always have a groom and driver who will ap- preciate them and treat them cock proved himself a real bene- kindly. ‘ |factor by. obtaining permission TPB ed). AN. for the Sisters to quarry this “Mai M ohh. sitni tes: Stone without other eostitian ithe Major Generali>’ United . S1@425 tabor of those who-dlid:she work, For a fey migrths the classes for, the quarry framirwhich the progressed, .steadi and nearly rock was cut was then and is now one hundbed, as fifty pupils €overnment PrOpaEN. 7 @ were entblied,.but ‘on January | On account of hard times, and 16, 1872, an epidemic of ‘smali-, 4 lack of funds, the, completion of pox compell the Sisters to! the building had to be postponed, close their schobl, and so great | but at that time there was was the consternation that United|€nough room in the completed States marines guarded every Wing for ‘all the needs of the house on which a contagion flag pupils and the Sisters, so work had been placed. There being an | WaS discontinued until an expan- urgent need for nurses, especially | S10n of the ‘school work again among the poor, stricken colored made more room and a_ larger residents of the island, the Sis-| number of teachers imperative. ters of the Holy Names offfered | The colored children’s desire to their services to the city offi-| be taught by the Sisters had been cials, and immediately were as- frequently considered, and now signed for duty to a hastily con- ; this work was begun and resulted structed pest house on the out-' in the establishment of St. Fran- skirts of the city. This house cis Xavier's School on Virginia had been constructed in a week street between Duval and Simon- and was in a most isolated loca- ton streets. tion. Close by, the city officials, In 1881 St. Joseph’s College for constructed a room ten feet white boys was opened and has square as a habitation for the always had the support of Key Sisters, who then left their con-, West families, regardless of vent, little knowing. whether or creed. not they would ever returh. | Thus life ran on at the Convent Sister: Mary Octavia and Sister of, Mary Immaculate peacefully Mary Monica were the first to ac-'.and! progtessively, and.in 1897 cept the.charge and when they. Avent recorded an attend- were worn out by toiling day and, ance of 609:pupils. In; February, night, the mayor of Key West 1898, white’ the graduating exer- ia thie Tee the siete Dr. Daniel Whitehurst in- | ¢jses of Miss Sybil Curry (Mrs, sisted uponja rest beirig’ taken, | Frank Delaney) were being held Sister Mary Maurice and Sister inthe San Carlos Opera House, Mary Germaine took up the work the explosiqn of the United States Key West Gas Company ° PIPL IIVIIIIVGIVDIDIIS. of charity and remained at their posts until’ the pestilencé had) subsided in March. During those months the Sis- ters had no source of income, and so were very poor, but when they re-opened the convent pros- perity blessed them, and soon the “old barracks” proved too small for the increasing number of students. In June, 1874, the old convent was sold for $5,000 with the understanding that the premises were to be held until the new convent was ready for occupancy.. On January 14, 1875, the foundation of the new con- vent was laid on a tract of ground, then considered far from th city, but in reality but a mile, and during their hours of leisure the Sisters workedhon the grounds themselves so as to save their entire income forthe building. Although not finished the Sisters had to moveg ing, being ol vacate ver old quarters J@y 22, 1875. The portion of the new convent then. erected Was ‘just. half the size of the present building, but many thought the Sisters too am- bitious, and expressed surprise that they should think of erect- ing so large a school, so far out in the country. Since that time, the property surrounding the convent has become a high class residential district, and the city realizes that the Sisters paid a gracious compliment to Key West’s future when they built such a school in what was then called “the country.” The convent of 1875 is built of native stone, quarried on the is- land, but even then, the expense Nat eae have been beyond their the future TOOIIIIDAIS MIS ‘no battleship Maine occurred in the harbor of’ Havana, and the fol- lowing day war between the United States and Spain seemed imminent. The Sisters knew that hospital services would be need- ed, and so. ai few days before the formai declaration of war, Mother M. Florentine, superior of the Convent called on Commander J. M. Forsyth of the Naval forces here and placed the Convent, St. Joseph’s and St. Francis Xavier's schools at the disposal of the government for hospital purposes, and to offer the services of her- self and the Sisters as nurses. The original Convent which was established in 1868 as a school for: girls. the girls assembled on the balcony, the cupola, and the two tiers of balconies built in ceptance of my proposed gift, it accordance with the style of other old houses in the city. , means had not Mr. George Bab- syth of the naval station, Key West, and they will rejoice that; West, on April 11, 1898. On April 21, Dr. Hall arrived from Wasnington, D. C., to over- see the preparing of, the new hos- pital and on April 22,.al), pupils were dismissed: dmiorder, that ;the Convent might be»given over to the attack’ ofthe hummiets. A building if'theeity was se- cured and within two days desks, pianos, libraries, a else that was of the Convent school were placed in storag The Sisters kept for their own use the small- ple quarters. The par- a drug dispensary, and adjoining it were the offices and operating rooms, while the class rooms were converted into wards for wounded soldiers and sailors. The two buildings later used as kindergarten and music hall were erected by the govern- ment for various purp s and afterwards given to the ters. Father Chadwick, chaplain of the ill-fated Maine, was among the first admitted to the hospital, suffering from erysipelas, and several sailors afflicted with measl and heat prostration were among the early patients to be admitted to the hospital and cared for by the Sisters. On May 12, Lieutenant Berna- dou and his wounded men of the; torpedo boat Winslow were en-, rolled as subjects for hospitaliza- tion at the Convent, and from day to day other wounded men were brought in. On July.5, the day following the decisive battle of Santiago, a hundred tents were utilized to give space to the twenty officers and three hun- dred men who came or were brought to the Convent. The war over, schools again were opened, but so large were the classes that a new building became necessary and in 1904 the Convent of Mary Immaculate was enlarged to nearly twice its orig- inal size at an added cost of $22,- 000. Improvements have. been made during the y , until the Con- vent is acknowledged the most beautiful in Florida. No effort becca Kemp, 1915. Jane Roberts, Isabel Coralia Galindo, 1916. Marian Lester, Sarah Curry, Mary Curry, Meroba Jenks, | Elaine Albury, Antoinette Pas- torini, 1918. Mercedes Gato, Emmie Curry, | the Sisters of the, Holy Names of Bessie Maloney, Anna Rosa Chili, Jesus and Maty Have reached the 1919. * three 1 i Christin, amos, Amanda} ScOrs, and. Aga as peccwebd Anita Gato, Gladys ' ey West. \BiérnayBlnca Santana, Blanche ; AIRE |Guitierrez, Flora Lumley, Mary Abbas Caupent MARY Hose Curry, Mary Pastorini, Car- | IMMACULATE ‘rie Lester, 1920. | Annie Alderslade, 1871. Grace Kemp, art department, Agnes Herman,’ 1872. 21 Kate Jackson, _ 1373. Marian Albury, 1876. Emma Curry, 1877. Emily Williams, 1878. Josephine Smith, 1879. Note Sands, | Sybil Albury, Cornelia Boll, Pauline Cassidy, Miriam Curry, Hortense Guitierrez, Dorothy | Knowles, Virginia McCook, Cora Perez, Rae Perlitz, Margaret ) Roberts, Anna Sweeting, Gene- Mamie Gwynn ——. rosa Tagle, Mary Whalton, 1922. Mary Ann Harris, 1880. Claudia Demeritt, Adella Dav Florida Curry, Mollie O’Brien,| Hortense Gomez, Ida Meltzer 1882. Anita Wilson, Barbara Watki) Mamie Babcock, Lizzie Fo- Mary Cabrera, Mildred Brown, garty, 1884. Josephine Arnold, Myrtisse Mamie Duffy, Carrie Messina, Thawley, Edna Quinn, 1923. 1886. Thelma Hayes, 1924. ‘Anita McDonald, Mamie Pin- Gladys Abramovitz, der, 1887. x ! Bethel, Alice Hamblett, Mizpah Roberts, Mamie Mof-. Lucignani, Lorraine fat, 1891. Miriam Parks, Cleora Grace Fogarty, 1893. Marguerite Quintans, Cecilia Ashe, Mattie Albury, Sawyer, 1925. 1896. Laura Crusoe, Thelma Page, Sybil Curry, 1898. Dolores Cremata, Anita Caldwell, Rosalie Monsalvatge, Sadie Catherine Haskins, Dahlia Men- Moss, 1899. doza, Isabel Vildostegui, Mar- Mirta Monsalvatge, Angelique garet Lacedonia, Rosalie Loun- Lumley, Quintans, Elizabeth SESS OIE SEL ISS SIMS SSS 4M, | son, Claudia § Claudia ; ATES 70th ANNIVERSA The present Convent of Mary Immaculate, the most beautifu! convent in Florida. Half of this structure was constructed in 1875 in what was tI known as the “coun- try’. The final addition was constructed in 1904. It is built of native stone. ders, Lily Bravo, Mary Louise Lee, Anne Kirchik, Mizpah Perez, 1926. Alice Louise Atwell, Pinder, Marg Thompson, Cornelia Miriam Watkins, Mary Lorraine Weech, 1928. Beaver, Ruth = C Juliette E eth Crespo, Marie Crespo, Jane Louise Cu Curry, Roberta Curry, Ora John- Gato, Withe Edna Gato, Irma Kell ie Heidorn. Genevieve Lounders, Grace Lowe, bel Mc Eloise Milord, Ofelia Rios, Emily Harriet Stowers, Virnold, 19 1 Collette Beaver, Conchita Cobo, EdahAdtyypgy Elizz atalie Fernandez, Elizabeth Macie iti, Claudia Johnson, rillion, Marie Haskins, Anita Herminia Lester, Cleora Knight, Kantor, Eva Lee, Ma Light- Amelia Luci ni, Mary’ Rita bourne, Margaret Sanz, Anna : Pawe Four) aret Sanz, Anna Myrtle Mondul, Dorothy Park, Mary Johnson, th Diaz, The Sisters of the Convent of Mary Immaculate receive our sincere wishe: for continued success on this 70th Anniversary of the Founding of a beloved institution. Gibson Hotel and Annex Gibson Brothers, Mgrs. NOI IES IS TIIS LR II ILO SE (LLL SDB IIL aS. ane inate amen ices ae ont ree FF hn a : Congratulations ARE IN ORDER AS A GRAND OLD INSTITUTION PASSES ITS SEVENTIETH MILESTONE AND MARCHES ON WITH CON- TINUED SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE. nniversary May the coming years bring an increasing measure of prosper- ity to a beloved insti- There was to be no remuneration has been spared to make the from the government either for Convent an educational institu- the .use of. the ijdings or for tion of which the people of Key the ‘servicts -of Sisters, the West may jesthy Be iproud, and only condition being that the’té which they! may toolo for; pro- schools should be returned gfter?¥tes¥'alon#@-the lines: im. keeping+ the war in as good condita as SRP tho “best vinterests: off their’! new: buiidgewhen they were accepted mie hare temporal and spiritual ygdvernment. There are ong@ilevWelfaver im the archives of the Corjgpnt®-The!Gonvent ‘hasalways aimed beautiful letters of accep’ mee for heyGong' gitl’s best training | from Admital W. T. Sampson,’ and WweJl being; and many of Key ,then on board the flagship New West's leading women have re- York off Key West on April 7, ived their education at the Con- 1898, and from Commander For-. vent of Mary Immaculate in Key -f MOP M IESE SES ES SMS SS My, Congratulations! Convent of Mary Immaculate is richly deserving of the praise and respect felt by every true Key Wester on this day. Maloney & Peacock BAKERY 812 Fleming Street 3 : N : N N . . . N : . : ‘ N : : . . . MA LALALAALAAALALALALALALLL dA NOIIIILI II II IL IDI IDS. j ha Hotel J.°P. Tonetti; Mer. - LIITIIISOIIIIIISII ILS: LLALLLLLALLAALALLALA LAL A Ab Ah hd A hhh dh hd dadeadbdih Congratulations and Best Wishes May the Convent of Mary Immaculate have many more than seventy suc- cessful years to come. S. H. Kress & Co. 5-10-25c Store TAI PALPCLZLEALAZALALAL AS A .§ tution. MAA kL AAAAAAA AAA AAA , Busy Bee Bakery B. E. Brantley, Prop. TAUPO FFIPCAALLLLALLALA ALAA LZ aN yA a) aN) y \ y % yy NN a | y Ni Sf NN yA 2 wreaerae we, . We Are Proud to offer our Heartiest Greetings to Convent of Mary Immaculate on the 70th Anniver- sary of its Founding. “ONE BOARD OR A CARLOAD” Cieety LUMBER CORT. [AA Abb Lh hedededaded WWIII IIIIIIIIIIaILIIIL Is