The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-26
MISSING NUNS,
Escape OF Two Sisters From the Ursu
linn GnnuonA M IsiAAn


line Convent at Pittsburg.
Pittsburg Special to the Gobe-Democrat
Sensation has again scaled the walls Of
the beautiful Ursuline convent in the
fashionable section OF Pittsburg. The Or
der OF the Ursuine Nuns is OF French
origin, and they have always held them
selves aloof from the charity nuns. Diff
Guilty arose between the French and the
American nuns. Sister Alphonse, tho
former mother superior, is French wo-
man OF noble birth. She has her whole
fortune in the Oakland property, and from
the founding OF the order in Pittsburg I'M
Ill quite recently, has been mother super
Tor. At the last election the American
element entered their protest and Sister
Gertrude was elected mother superior.
Sister Gertrude is one Of the three Burns
sisters who ARE at the convent, and have
also their large private fortunes in this
property. The matter was appealed 10 the
bishop, who sustained Sister Ger
trudc. Feeling at the convent ut
the time ran high, and II was even said
that Sister Alphonse WINS practically kept
q prisoner with all her supporters. Threats
OF accommodation failed TO win their
submission, and they finally advertised
their property for sale over the heads Of
the American sisters, but the $4,000
asked scared of purchasers.
Rumor has had II lately that the dcposcd
French women have weakened under their
trials. Today IL was announced that n
number Of them have been successful in
escaping from the convent. Last week q
number Of sisters were seen nj, the .uniop
station about the time for tho dhy oxpfeA
10 start for the east. Their peculiar and
sombcr attiro made them conspicuous,
though no especial attention was paid to
them nj tho Time M the sisters frequently
make journeys from one home 20 another.
Since then II has been developed that they
were sisters Of the Usulipp order.
Good fortune seemed TO sflilc upon them.
They bought tickets and Md their trunks
checked and started on their journey with
out creating suspicion that they were flee
ing from Pitisburg. Shortly after their
departure another sister might have been
seen walking through the depot closely
scanning all tho benches TO see whether
shc could catch a glimpse OF any one
dressed in the attire Of Der. sisters, but
they had gone. She afterward said that
she was the mother superior, and looking
for two sisters who had escaped from the
UHuline home, at Oakland. Sho was
greatly ngitatcd and seemed 10 think that
the silent departure OF the sisters was the
greatest calamity which could have ne.
fallen the order. She made inquiries Of
several persons who were employed at the
depot, and even trace the ttHpks Of IN,
departed ones. She obtained enough evi
dence 10 lead her TO believe that they hat
gone 10 Baltimore.
Tho bishop had been previously con
suited, and his orders were emphatic tina
they must be found at any cost and b
taken back 10 their Oakland home. "A
their arrangements were all made secret,
II could only be conjccturcd wheft Che,
proposed fleeing. II IN Eurmiscd thong
j that they intended 10 return either 4
France, whence they came, or 10 90 dircc
TO Rome, 10 lay the troubles Of the orie
before the high authorities.
Mr.. q. i. Mckcnna, who was one OF III
counsel In the litigation regarding the "
suline college, when asked about the Al,
tens leaving the home, said:
81 have Information that committee {
two were delegated 10 20 20 Rome @
France openly aud without conccalmcnI
They wcrc delegated by Mother Alphonst
ex-superior, with q view Of getting III
difficulties existing settled. There wa
nothing clandcstinc or sensational In thcI
leaving. Bishop Phclan gave pcrmissio
some time ago for n committee Of two Z
the sisters designated by Mother Alphons
30 visit Washington and see tho frcnc
ambassador ON the business, which they
NJ natives Of the same country, dctcl
mined 10 lay before him. Iprcsumc Of
the last mission the same permission ha
been given"