The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-08-31
From the Catoctia Clarion.
St. Joseph's Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md.

The Rev, VIM. v. Dubourg, at one
time President Of Mt. 81. Marys Semi
nary, Baltimore, selected the vicinity Of
Emmitsb urg for the location Of the
Sisterhood projected by Mother Seton;
It was ut his suggestion that the site on
which the old aud new buildings are
erected was purchased of Mr.. Robert
Fleming; he bought the land now held
by the Daughters of Charity about half
mile south Of the village. At that
time the only tenement on the farm was
very small stone building, forming
about one half Of what is now used as
the wash house Of the Institution. The
property was settled in the joint teu-
antship Of the Rev. V. Dubourg, Rev,
John Dubois and Samuel Cooper. The
Rev. John Dubois was at that time
(1908,) located near Emmittsburg, be.
ing Pastor Of several congregations in
Frederick county, aud Principal Of
school which he had recently establish.
ed. His important connection with the
subsequent history Of Mrs Seton re
quires that we should introduce him
more fully to the reader.
Born 10 Paris, on the 2ath Of August,
l764, he was remarkable from his early
years for those qualities which distin.
guished him 10 after life-piety, energy
aud perseverance. Traits of character
which Mr.. George Trisler, a close OBJ
server of human nature, said he pos.
scssed in a remarkable degree. Having
flushed his scholastic course with great
honor to himself, he embraced the &c.
elesiastical state aud was elevated to
the priesthood in 1887.
The magnificent building now erect.
ing by the Sisters Of Charity, the dis.
ciples Of the order Of St. Vincent de
Paul, close by the old building, aud the
primitive house of Mother Seton, when
that good woman, the Good Samaritan
Of Mount Moriah, first commenced her
career 10 the Vale of St. Joseph, are
all fresh before US. We propose briefly
to notice this elegant addition to St.
Joseph's House.
The front Of the main building, the
entrance to which will be from the
South or TOMS creek side, is $50 feet
long. 1t is magnificent structure. 1t
is four stories high, exclusive of the
tower, belfry aud cellar. The walls are
three feet thick aud built of solid ma
sonry, stone aud brick. There are Que
aud quarter million Of brick in the
building. The stone work was exeeu-
ted by Mr.. Washington III. Croager, Of
Rocky Ridge. The porches, water
tables and sills are Of cut granite from
the manufaetory of Messrs Powers 4
Atkinson, OF Gettysburg; loo, 900 bush
els Of sand have been consumed in
making the mortar used in the exten-
sive pile.
The 1st floor of the building will
have s large rooms Of ample capacity
for Parlor, Secretarys Office; Treasury's 5
Office, eet The I'd floor or s more
rooms airy aud of ample capacity for
Library, Museum, Art Gallery, etc
The Sd floor some Is or l6 spacious
class rooms Of which are 16 by %
feet. The 4lh floor has some or
large rooms, besides the Dormitory,
which is 50 by 55 feet, with 81 aleoyes.
The rooms will be all well ventilated
aud lighted with gas, aud supplied with
water in every part Of the building.
Two large Iron Water Tanks, con.
taing $4,000 gallons each, have been
put up on the tower. The water will
be sent up by force pumps and pipes
from Toms creek, so that in the event
Of fire or other accidents, the water can
be carried instantly to any part Of the
building.
The corridors are 10 feet wide, and
the windows are of large size, nine feet
six inches high and five feet wide
They are Of thick enamelled glass to
prevent the rays OF the sun coming
through. Half million feet of plank
furnished BY Mr.. Il. Lynch, of West
minister, has been used up in the build
ing. The gas house and fixtures, laying
pipes, etc, are under the charge Of Mr.
Nathaniel Rowe, Of Emmitsburg, The
brick mason work was executed by
Messrs. Link q Myers, OF diminishing
Thomas Manning, of the Emmitsburg
District, is executing the painting. Mr.
Bennet Tyson, Of Emmltsburg, is the
Master Carpenter and Superintendent
OF the building, which when completed
will be an ornament 10 Emmitsburg and
the whole country around, as well as a
proof of the indomitable will, zeal aud
energy OF Father Burlando aud the
Confraternity OF Sisters who have car
ried through this massive undertaking