The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-12
YELLED FROM THE WORLD.
Miss Kate Drexel, the Heiress, in Her
Convent Home.

Convent Home.
pittsburg Special to the New York World.
Miss Kate Drcxel, the heiress worth
&, 900, 900, is in the Convent Of the Sisters
OF Mercy. When she alighted from the
train yesterday she was driven quietly to
the home OF the Sisters. The doors were
opened, she entered and that is all that
can be said about Miss Drexel or her
movements.
Stories innumerable are being told and
written OF what Miss Drexel did and OF
the robes she donned when she passed
the doors OF the convent. They are only
tho ianciul tales OF irresponsible and silly
writer's. Miss Drexel said she entered
tho convent to retire from the world. She
has retired, and the veil which shields her
cannot be pierced by the eyes OF the peo-
pie of the world.
There is nothing special, so far as the
outside world knows, involved in the re-
ception OF candidate. II is safe TO say
that Miss DreXel today appeared with the
other members OF the order in the chapel
OF the mother.house, made her p roiessio n
and went through the customary devo-
tional exercises. During the coming six
months she will be required to conform TO
the routine and discipline Of the Order
but her attire will DO largely optional. She
will be put 10 many Tests" however, 10
prove her iaithfulness, and the conventual
life will be very different from that which
she has been leading. The habit OF the
Sisters Of Mercy is the most picturesque
aud dignifed OF all the orders OF the Cath
-. -. a. 4
wear trains and deep collar that entirely
covers the breast, and small, close'iitung
caps that come under the chin.
Unless at the end OF the probationary
period OF six months Miss Drexel con.
cludes 10 rcnounco her intention and pro-
iession, one Of the greatest horesses in
America will be henceiorth dead 10 the
world" and the circles OF Walnut street,
where she has been so familiar, will know
her no more. No incident Of the sort
since the beautiful Miss Mclayish, OF BAL
timore, entered convent has caused so
great q social sensation, Us it was utterly
unexpected, and until now has been abso-
| lulely unknown outside OF her family.
The parting between Miss Kate Drexcl
and her sister was very sad. Mr.. and Mrs.
Morrcll, after their marriage. started on
| their bridal tour, and up TO the time they
returned, n week or two ago, had travelled
10000 miles. 1t was a part OF the program
that they should, on their return, 20 TO
Europe Joining Mrs. Morrell's uncle. A.
]. Drexol, in his annual summer trip to
Carlsbad. Miss Lizzie Drcxcl had not
contemplated going, but upon the de-
termination OF Miss Kate becoming known
the sister determined TO go, and did SO,
sailing with the others on the Lain from
New York today.
She did not desire TO be left alone ut san
Michael, near Torresdalc, the extensive
country place where all three OF the sisters
have spent most OF their lives; whore
every tree and flower aud nook has some
| family association, aud In sight OF which
| their father aud mother arc Inferred IN a
grand sarcophagus, over which mcmur'
| church, adjoining the Convent OF
| Sacred Heart, has been erected. 80 t.e
country place was closed and the Family
| town house WIS closed, AMI Nlrl Nor ell
also shut up the new country place ans
residence on RittenhOusc square, both
| purchased since her wedding. There was
! something very pathetic about this closing
| up aud separation OF sisters 80 long inscp-
| a,able Ono married and going TO a foreign
land, another going with her uncle else
where aud third going into convent
Tho old servants showed great grief an,
appeared 10 look upon IL rs complete
breaking UP OF the family
So.ncth ng more than local interest Is
attached 20 this act OF Miss DcXcl from
the fact that she X one OF the three sisicr
who inherit fortune Of about $1,000 600
which IL said 30 have increased 10 about
81, 100000 since their fathers death
This fortune Is invested not only in rca
estate all over Philadelphia and Ia sccuri
ties and bonds OF various organizations and
industries In anl out of Ph Ia lo.phii,
but in the great banking house Of which
her father was q member. The way 10
which Il WIS lett also has an impUrtan
bearing. In case either Of tho tire
daughters should marry aud have an hci
the heir inherils the whole fortune ate
the daughters deaths. II neither shout,
leave an heir the entire fortune goes lO lh
Catholic Church. Mas Kate DrcXcl, VIII
entered the convent yesterday. has quite
largo fortune Independently iuhcrilc.
from her mother. who died before lac
father, but should she rcmain IN tlie orlu
her income from her intcrcst IN be-
fathers estate and probably her share d
the principal, amounting to S6,OOD,OJ1 20
sLOlO,OO, will be rclinqushcd 10 ih
church.