Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-01-29
THE WOES OF
The Daughter Of a Rabld Anti Catholic
Journalist Induced to Forsake
Her Fathers Faith and
Enter a Convent.
Cleveland Press.l

various rumors flying about the city
that there were some violent domestic
turbulence taking place in the family
of Mr.. Edwin Oowles, the magnate of
the Leader, but nothing definite came
to the surface until that high func-
tionary left the city, Monday night, for
an indefinite period. The fact that he
was somewhat cautious in making
known his destination, and that the
employees of the Leader had been
around the cityattempting to suppress
something they did not wish to ex-
plain, set old Dame Rumor at work
again, and soon it became whispered
around that he had suddenly departed
for Rome. One rumor after another
was started, readily gained credenee,
and under the untiring search of the
curious soon melted away to give place
to some new creation of a fertile i'm
agination. At last it went forth that
Miss Helen Cowles, second daughter
of the editor, had been converted to
the Roman Catholic faith. Like wild
fire this scrap Of news spread over the
town, and eXtravagant stories were in
stautly flying through the city of al
most every nature. One was to the
effect that Miss Cowles, who is in
Rome, had contracted a marriage with
a French nobleman who was a very
unyielding Roman Catholic, and all of
whose family were the most strict and
devout Catholics. This it was said
was entirely Objectionable to the
father of the young lady, and he had
resolved to stake his all on breaking
up the match. To that end, it was
claimed, he had fastened to New
York, where Mrs. COwles is visiting
at present, from where he and his
lady were to Immediately sail for
Europe.
Another rumor was that Miss
COwles had been converted to the Ro-
man Catholic faith and was about to
take the veil, and enter one of the
many cOnsecrated orders of that
church.
The widest story of all, perhaps,
was that the conversion of Miss Cowles
was the direct work of a plot origin
ating in the Vatican. 1t was said that
the inyeterate hostility of Mr.. COwles
to the Catholic Church had aroused a
bitter feeling against him among all
Catholics, which had extended even
to the holy father, and they lad deter
mined upon revenge. To this end it
was stated that the church here was
instructed to introduce in a s%urrepti-
tious manner Catholic servants into
Mr.. Cowles' family, with the instruc-
tons that they should quietly and
gradually influence the most s%uscepti-
bic of the young members of the fam
lily to the Catholic faith. This, the
wild rumor said, was Systematically
done, and when Miss Helen started
for Europe over a year ago she was
more than half converted to the faith
her father so relentlessly waged a bit
ter wal against. In the meantime the
rumor stated that the Vatican was
kept thoroughly posted Of the progress
Of the plot here, and had early infor-
nation of the contemplated European
tour of the family. Then, it is stated.
plans were made to secretly present to
the young lady the most imposing por-
tions Of the Catholic rituals and cere-
monies, and TO always keep before her
eyes, without exciting her relatives
suspicious, the most self-sacrifcing.
charitable and christian acts of men
and worhen whose lives were pledged
to the work of the mother church.
As the story goes, the emissaries Of
the church were around the young
lady in every conceivable position,
from dressing-maid to a~ristocratic
companions, from the time she landed
upon European soil until she reached
the Eternal city and stood in the pres
enee Of the mighty pontif himself
amid all the grandeur Of the Vatican.
As she trOd through the pope's palace.
amid the art treasures of centuries.
and listened to thecunning and devout
stories Of her guides; as she walked
through the grand corridors of the
majestic St. Peters and witnessed the
meek and endless devotions of the
multitude of worshipers who con-
stantly throng that imposing structure,
her mind fell a prey to the plotting
and the deceptive surroundings. and
she consented to secretly take the OBJ
legations of the Roman Catholic
church. The ceremonies. the rumor
claimed, were administered in secret
by a priest from America, who had
once met her and had been summoned
directly from the Vatican for the pur-
pose Of meeting her accidentally in
different parts Of Europe, and to per
form the final services which should
place Miss Cowles within the pale of
the Church of Rome.
These rumors at once started a CORPS
OF Press reporters out in search of the
facts in the case, and they learned that.
strange as it my seem, it is none the less
true that Miss Helen Cowles. Youngest
daughter of Edwin Cowles. is now A
member Of the Roman Catholic
Church, having been baptised while in
Rome, May p, on her European trip
with her parents.
For years, it is stated by those who
ought to know, Miss Cowles actions
and words showed plainly an inclina-
ton toward Catholicism. She often
praised the dOmesties i'm her father
house, all Of them Catholic, for being
so punctual in their religious duties
and expressing a wish that she could
believe with them.
Although months have passed since
she joined the Papal church. her
parents were not made aware of the
fact until a few weeks since. when a
letter came indirectly to them bearing
the intelligence. Miss Cowles did not
seem DESTROYS Of letting her Cleveland
acquaintance know Of her conversion.
90 che ronrogtad , .., ~