Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1869-09-03
WALHALLA, $. c, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1869
Cruel Treatment of a Nun.

~ " -
Carmelite convent in Cracow. On Tuesday,
the 10Th ult., IN anonymous notice reached
tho Criminal Court at Craoow to the effect
that in the convent Of Carmelite barlefooted
nuns, one of the order, named Barbary
Ubryk, had been forcibly kept in close CON.
%finement in a dark cell for twenty.one years.
The Woe President of the Criminal Court,
Ritter Won Antoniewiez, immediately laid
this information before a Judge of Inquiry,
who, in company with the Public Prosecutor,
repaired to tho Bishop ven Gaiecki, with the
request to permit them to enter tho convent.
Having overcome the obstacles that were Of
fered against their search, the representatives
Of the law discovered the particular part of
the building where unhappy woman was con-
confined. The place was a cell. This cell,
which was situated at the extreme end of the
corridor, between the pantry, close to the
dung-holo, had a walled.up window and a
double wooden floor, in which there was a
movable grating, through which very proha.
ably food was handed. Through a very small
open window-niche some rays of light could
now and then penetrate into this dismal dun
geon. The cell, seven PAGES long by six pa
oes wide, was opened, but it is almost i'm
possible to describe the view this place of
inquisition of the nineteenth century pre-
sentcd. In a dark, infected hole adjoin-
ing the sewer sat, or rather covered, ON
a heap of straw, an entirely naked, totally
neglected, half insane woman, who, at the
unaccustomed view of light, the outer world
and human beings, folded her hands and pit
fully implorcd Z" am hungry, have pity
on me give me meat and [ shall be obedicnt.
x = r." This hole, for it can hardly be
called a chamber, besides containing ali kinds
of dirt and filth, and dish of rotten potatoes,
was deficient Of the slightest accommodation.
There was nothing--no stove, no bed, no ia,
bic, no chair lit was neither warmed by a
fire nor by the rays of the sun. This den the
intlumsn sisters who call themselves women,
spiritual wives, the brides Of heaven, had SIC.
lccted as a habitation for one of their W
sex. and kept her therein in close %confinc-
ment for twcnty.one years-sincc 1913. For
twenty,one years the gray sisters dnily pissed
this cell, and not one OF them ever thought
of taking compassion Oh this poor oitoast
prisoner. Half human being, half animal,
with a filthy body, with thin, knock .kneed
legs, hollow cheeks, closely shorn, dirty head,
unwashcd for years, came Il Notwithstanding
being forward, such as Dante in his widest
imagination was unable to picture. With her
deep sunk eyes staring on ono spot knelt this
wretched victim in her cell in the convent of
the Carmelitcs. The Judge instantly order
ed tho nun to be clothed, aud went himself
for Bishop Galecki. Tho Bishop was deeply
moved, and, turning to the assembled nuns, no
vehcmently reproached them for their inhu.
mainly. els this he said, "what you call
love of your neighbour. Furies, not women.
that you are, is it thus that you propose to
enter the kindom Of heaven 2". The nuns
vcntured to excuse their conduct, but tho
Bishop would not hear them. "Silence, You
wretchesP he exclaimed; "away out of MY
Gig t, you who disgrace religion" The faith
or oonfcssor, Piantkiewiez, an old priest who
was present, dared to observe that tho ecole.
s~iastical authorities wore aware of this scan
dial, whcreupon tho Bishop and prelate, Spi.
tai, denied his assertion, and at once suspen.
ded the fat her confessor, and olso tho superi.
Dress, who is descended from au honorable
Polish noble family. The Bishop ordered
Nun Barbara Ubryk to be brought into a
clean cell, and there to be dressed and nursed,
which lady superior obeyed very reluctantly.
When the unhappy nun was led away ahe
asked anxiously whether sho would be brought
back to her grave, and when asked why she
had been imprisoned, she answered, ~ have
broken the vow Of chastity, but" pointing
with a f~earfully wild gesture, and in great OK
oitement to the. sisters, "they are not angels"
The investigation has oomnonced, but its
progress 10 much impeded by difficulties on
account Of the strict rules Of the order Of the
Carmelites. ii
THE Davenport (Iova) Democrat tells
Of a singular case Of superatition /: HChatting
with an aged lady, We noticed the wonderful
preservation aud beauty of her teeth, and
could7not refrain from mentioning t., YES,
said sho, saI hover had a toothachs or lost q
tooth, beoauseI bit the snake." On inquiry,
she statedlth when children at home, her
~ e.Aala 4. a ~. SIefl tl...8 AYIL .bAA AtLlaIt.s u