Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-07

The boldness of the Nun of Kenmare in
securing an entrance into the Ursuline Con-
vent yesterday and interviewing the de-
posed Mother Alphouse caused considerable
of stir In Catholic circles. In her ac-
count of the visit Miss Cusack made
number of allegations against the institu-
tion and the treatment of Mother Alphonse.
A DISPATCH reporter visited the convent
yesterday afternoon for the purpose of CIV
ing Mother Gertrude, who is now in charge,
an opportunity Of making a statement.
The idea was to give both sides OF the
story.
When the reporter visited the convent he
was told that Mother Gertrude would not
talk about the matter, preferring to allow
the charges to 60 unanswered until the pro-
per time comes to refute them. She main
tains dignifed silence, upon the advice of
Bishop Phelan, on the ground that any at
tempt st denial would only keep the mat
ter stirred up. She thinks the proper
course to pursue is to let the Nun of Ken
mare" alone, and when she has no opposi
tion the latter will drop out Of public sight.
In conversation with a lady who visits
the every INV
light has been thrown on the matter. She
SAYS the statements of Miss. Cusack are
false when she says Mother Alphonse and
her two adherents are kept in few rooms
and are shut off from the balance of the
household. She stated that the three nuns
are out on the street almost every day and
they are allowed the greatest freedom about
the place. Not only this, but they get bet
ter treatment than any of the other inmates
about the house. Telling the story in her
own way, the lady said:
HOW SHE SECURED ADMISSION.
"Had the attendant who admitted the
Nun of Kenmare' known who the visitor
was, the latter would never have got in.
The reason is not because the Sisters do not
want anyone to see Mother Alphonse, but
they think that Miss Cusack is in about the
same condition as Sister Gonzales, who is
now confined in Dixmont. At the convent
it has been known for years that insanity
ran in Sister Gonzales family, and it would
only be matter of time until she would go
out of her mind. When Miss Cusack says
that Sister Gonzales was driven insane, she
only shows how her own mind is affected.
''The Nun of Kenmare' says she repre-
sented herself to be an English lady, and
this got her into the convent. This is un-
true. No question was asked who she was,
and it was not necessary for the nun to 60
to the trouble of telling what she was.
When she saws the three Sisters were barred
from communication with the rest of the
house, she speaks an untruth, or she is ig-
norant of the subject. Any visitor to the
convent or grounds can find the three Sis
ters in any part of the house to which they
have access.
THEY ARE NOT IMPRISONED
in few rooms. One would imagine from
what Miss Cusaek saysthat Mother Alphonse
and her supporters are kept in a cell and
their meals thrust into them through a
wicket. The three Sisters are out more days
in one week than all the other nuns in the
institution put together. They have be-
come familiar figures on the streets and in
Horne's and other large stores. No restrain.
is put upon them. They are always out
around the grounds, and their movements
are in no way interiered with. 1t is an easy
matter for any visitor to the house to go to
any part of 1t. There are no barred or bolted
doors to rooms out of which the three
Sisters are kept. They go where they
please, do as they please and no person
about the institution interferes with them.
Bishop Phelan grati6es their every whim
and caprice and there is nothing that
Mother AIphonse wants that she does not
get. At meal time they are served first and
their meals are carried to them. They get
the best on the table and often to the neglect
Of the other nuns. The latter never fare
better and seldom as we'll. 1t is nonsense
to say that the Sisters are deprived of doing
needlework and the publication of this
caused considerable merriment.
81 do not understand what the nun
means by going to the bottom of the case
At the convent it is sincerely hoped that
she will Mother Gertrude will not pay
any attention to her, and will say nothing
until advised to do so by Bishop Phelan."