The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-11-20
A Miraculous Cure.

mans journal. Mr. Blackwell is a lawyer of St. Loui
in respectable standing and there doubt that hi
writes with sincerity. The Journal says:
Robert A. Bakewel Esq, the writer of the following
letter. is well known in St Louis very sound anC
hardheaded lawyer. Outside of his profession, also
and especially Catholic, he is far too thoroughly
instructed, to be in danger of running after marvel
Gus stories His simple narrative of what God bas
done for one of his children tells the story of his in
disposition to accept the miracle-not, certainly as
doubling Gods power but as fearing to yield to any
delusion.
We congratulate dear old friend and Join hin
and bis family in thanking God for the favor He has
done them, and for the glory He still continues tc
bestow, ever anew, on his saints
MR. BAKEwELL's LETTER.
ST. LOUIS, Missouri, September 30, 1867.
Dear McNaSter-Yor friendship for me will make
the following details interesting you. If you Judge
it expedent to do so, you are welcome to publish
them:
My eldest child, eleven years old last February
whom we call Cissey at home has for some time suf-
fered from pain in her right leg About four weeks
ago. four weeks last Saturday, think she took to her
bed and has not since left it, had her clothes on
since then, think, except one day during a visit of
my BROTHER two weeks since when she was carried to
Sofa and except as hereinafter stated. My brother
ln-law DIR. HOrnsby, of Carondeet, and my family
physician, DR.. Bosniere one of our Oldest and most
successful practitioners feared that the child had the
hip dsease-a complaint which attacked her first
cousin in early childhood, and from the consequences
of which that poor girl has been cripple for ten
years. A consultation of physicians held last
week-Dr. Gregory, of this city, one of our leading
surgeons being called into consultation the request
of the other two The unanimous opinion of all was
that the child had the hip disease. On Thursday
week, she was measured for apparatus by the sur
gcal instrument maker. The leg affected was already
percepubly longer than the other limb. For weeks
she could not have touched her toe to the ground
much less have attempted to walk. On Saturday
Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday last the child suffered
more than she had hitherto DONE she passed very bad
nights from pain.
On Tuesday night, 18th of this month Of September
my wife, who almost worn out with broken sleep
and anxiety, paid visit to some of the devout ladies
of the congregation of the Sacred Heart this place
One of these ladies told her that steps now being
taken to commence proceedings at Rome, for an ex-
animation OF the virtues, &c, of Madame Barrat, the
toundress of the order who died time since in
the odor of sanctty that fourteen miracles had al
ready been worked by her relics and gave my wife
relic which she advised her to apply. | may state
that the maternal grandmother of my child had been
educated at the Sacred Heart in Paris and was espe
cally loved, believe by the venerable lady of whom
! speak. Of all this conversation, and of the app
cation of the relic, knew nothing at the time NY
wife applied the relic on her return home that evening
and the child, shortly AFTER fell asleep, as did her
mother, also, whose bed she shared, and they both
passed the first quiet night that they had had for some
time. Next morning was reading in my room in the
third story, at about hafpast o'clock, when nv
wife came in, pale, with expression that startled
me- She could not at first speak, and when she tried
to do So burst into tears
At last understood her to say, Cissey is cured by
miracle | did not believe word of it. and when I
heard the story of the relc &c. told my wife not to
allow herself to give way to false impression, which
could only end in increased misery to all concerned
The chances, | said, are ten millions to one that Won
have mistaken some natural symptom of the disease
which causes this temporary cessation of pain for
NV ms in Cof
wisdom having no effect upon her, so far as | could
see. In about twenty minutes went down stairs sat
upon the chid's bed and resumed my lecture adding
many sage reflections certainly with the most chart
table Intentions The little girl heard me patiently
and, when | was quite through merely said But
papa, | am cured Her assurance surprised me-
told her to get up and walk then, which she did at
once, standing for some seconds my request on her
right leg alone then told her to 60 to bed and stay
there till the doctor came to her, and went to
breakfast. After seeing my parish priest, who is a
neg hbor and requesting him to call at the house
| went to my office, leaving word the way for DR.
Boisiniere to call at the house Immediately.
When 1t was time to go home in the evening began
to almost expect to find poor Cssey suffering worse
than ever. On reaching the house, | found no one
but servant at home Ny wife and all the children
Cssey included, had gone the Sacred Heart convent
ION foot and by the street cars,) distance of three
quarters of mile each way, to return thanks Thew
soon returned in the best of health and spirits The
oOSsoi
permitted her to get up and go out at o'clock To
make long story Short the child is now (Fridav \
after the lapse of two whole days. WELL and has mean
while been, as well she ever was in her life She
was playing football in the garden with her brothers
when left home this morning. She made her first
year ago last Easter, and Yesterday
communicated at the Mass of Thanksgiving that was
celebrated for her recovery
DIR. Gregory examined the child last night and pro-
nounced her entirely cured and said to me on leaving
the house: You have my authority for saying that
Csseys the most clearly developed case of incpi
ent hip disease that ever in my whole practice y"
lforgot to state in its place. that on the morning of
the cure the first word the child spoke waking was
Mamma, am cured, nor has she ever doubted for
moment. Her mother fell on her knees, but put on
her bonnet and to before she told me any
thing OF it, or afforded me opportunity of making
any display of superior wisdom according to the
prerogatlse of my sex, recorded above
The above, my dear MeMaster are the simple facts
of the case. Simply stated, hope. Myself nv wife
my child her grandparents uncles and aunts the sery
ants the instrument man, and the doctors are all pre-
pared II called upon, to corroborae them and will if
required do SO upon oath each one as to the fact or
acs within his or her personal knowledge of the case
Yours very truly and affectionatelv,
R. A. BAKEwELL. &
The registry law of Indiana requires that al h,ua. u