The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-01-26
THE CATHOLIC PROTECTORY.

Sketch OF Its History-Descriptive View Of
the Institution-HOw 1t il C0nducted-Its
Routine Of Labor, study md Recreation.
At church anniversary celebration, held in
the village Of West Farms few months since, an
eminent clergyman of the Episcopal Church re-
marked, in the course Of an address, that "our
Roman Catholic friends put us to the blush by the
noble extent Of their charities" Doubtless the
reverend gentleman merely referred to the we'll
known liberality Of the Catholic people towards
every movement having for its object the amelio.
ration of the condition Of their poorer brethren.
Had the reverend gentleman glanced at an insti.
tuition located but mile or so from where
he was standing he would there have found
this heavcnborn virtue practiced in its pures st and
most beautiful form. There he might have seen
q select number OF men (the Christian Brother
hood) and women (he Sisters of Charity leading
lives In keeping with the simplicity Of their attire
earnestly devotng their best efforts to accomplish
the reclamation to society Of about eight hundred
little creatures who would otherwise, in all proba
bility, have been lost to themselves and the world
or, much worse, have swelled the number of Grim
mails daily brought before the magisterial benches
of the metropolis. These have been happily
snatched from a course Of life worse than death
and placed in charge Of those good shepherds
under the roof Of
THE CATHOLIC PRoTECTORY.
This institution is located about one mile from
West Farms village, on the old Westchester turn
pike. 1t owes its origin to the late DR.. L. Siman
Ives who, when he became Catholic, perceived
the great necessity there existed for providing
home for destitute children of Roman Catholic
parents, many Of whom were then, as now, picked
up in the streets by the officers Of justice and sent
to institutions where, in nine cases out Of ten,
their moral and religious training was totally
ignored, and they became irreclaimably lost to
every Christian virtue. The Doctor made known
his plans to number OF influential citizens who
entered into the movement with much spirit. In
the fall Of 1862 number Of philanthropic Catholic
scripsions in sums from 81 900 70 IS 900.
After encsuntering much opposition DR.. Ives pro-
cured, April H. 1863, the passage Of act grant
| ing charter to the institution, Though fierce
struggle had to be maintained in order 10 get IL
through the Legislature. In accordance with its
| provisions the following officers were duly
elected IL Siman Ives, President; Charles M.
Connolly, First Vice President; Frederick Z. G.
bert, Second Vice President; John O'Brien, Treas
urer; Edward c. Donnelly, Secretary, and an Ex-
ecutive Committee consisting of the following gen.
tlemsn:-Henry James Anderson, Eugene Kelly,
Henry l.. Hoguet, Daniel Devlin and Lewis J.
White.
The sum Of SIS, 900 was subsequently appropri-
ated by the State and additional 81 900 donated
by the city Of New York.
Towards the fall Of 1858 contributions poured in
rapidly. Among the latter was one from an "Un-
| known Friend" for IS 900. Several fruiuess At
tempts were made to discover the name of the
generous donor As soon as . sufficient sum Of
| money was on hand the Society turned its atten-
ton to the selection of proper site on which to
| erect the proposed buildings. After examining .
number OF places 1t was ultimately decided to pur-
| chase the Varian Farm, about one hundred and
twelve acres Of splendid land, at Westchester, for
i the ann Of $40 OO0 where the institution In now
| permanently located. In the meantime temporary
shelter was provided for the little ones in two mod
crate sized tenement houses In Tbrtysxth street,
fitted up for the accommodation Of the boys, and
| similar habitation In Eighty-sixth street for the
| girls. The former were afterwards removed to
more roomy quarters In Eighty sixth street, near
Fifth avenue. After studying all kinds Of economy
the erection Of suitable and substantial building
on the farm was commenced, completed in the
spring Of 1866 and taken possession Of by the boys
shortly after. At later period the girls were
moved to the old farm house and homestead on
i the property.
| During the occupancy Of the house in Yorkvills
| by the female department nearly the entire num-
Der Of the little ones, together with seven Of those
| noble minded women, their guardians, were pros
| trated with malignant typhus fever. Through
| the incessant watchfuness and untring careful
ness Of the Sisters even more than skiful medical
attendance, due the recovery Of the entire num-
| Der Of girls. Unfortunately Il proved different
| with their over attentive nurses, three Of whom
died. Among those was the rectresA, Sister Domi.
tian- This sstimabls lady was a. American and
| The disease broke out second time, but was
| quickly subdued not before, however, another
OF the sisters and ons Of the little girls we're carried
OF. Al sooa a. practicable ths girls were re-
moved 70 t is more hsslshy quarters and the
Althoyyh the society has lately suffered great
| afnictiQ6 y the death Of DR.. Ives, II had been
| formed IN 20 sound sad nrm basis that even bic