The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-07-14
THREE NUNS JEERED
AND FORCED TO FLEE FROM A MOB
OF ECUADoRIAN INSURGENTS.
Escaped by Night I'm a Canoe and Pad
died Twenty-Seven Miles-"old
Glory No Protection.

NEW YORK, July 13.-The Columbian
line steamer Allianca. which has arrived
from Colon, brought three Benedictine Sis
ters, named Gerovar. Josephine and Fran
ces, who, eight years ago, were sent TO
Ecuador with several other sisters to es-
tablish schools. The sisters belong to the
st. Walburga's Convent. at Elizabeth, n.
j., where they went Immediately after
their arrival here.
At the convent Sister Genovar told of
their experience in Ecuador. I'VE left here
nearly eight years ago." she said, "and
joining several other sisters who had been
detailed for the work, started schools in
Rocafuerte. Bahia de Caraquez. Jipijapa.
Esmeraldas and Calceta. We three. with an
Ecuadorian woman who got interested in
our work. devoted our attention exclusive
ly to the school at Calceta, where we had
eighty pupils The natives were very kind
to US and gave us protection until the re-
cent outbreak. which occurred about three
months ago. Even then the revolutonists
or patriots, as they call themselves. did
not molest us until June 90 when Bishop
Schumacher. who, with six priests. was
passing through the village on his way to
the capital-a journey of eight days on
norseDack-stopped at our convent for din
ner:
cipally of thieves and bandits. most Of
whom are polygamists. They are generally
a lawless set, who fight not for honor or
patriotism, but because of a malicious de-
sire to do mischief and TO plunder. Bishop
schumacher, who was stationed in Quito,
the capital, has long been preaching
against plurality Of wives, which has great
ly incensed many Of the natives, and when
one of the papers published calumny TO
the effect that the Bishop had seized
sword and led the troops in a charge
against the insurgents their anger knew
no bounds.
$50. when it became known in Calceta
that the Bishop and six priests were stop
ping at the convent, mob surrounded the
house and demanded entrance. We forti-
fled ourselves as well as possible by lock-
ing and barring the doors and windows. AS
the men became more riotous, / opened
window, and, extending an American flag,
Informed them in short speech that we
were Americans. and that any violence we
might meet with would be avenged by the
United States. This, as well as everything
else / said, merely met with jeers and de-
mands to open the doors. At the same
time 1T had a quieting effect on some of
the better educated and more rational of
the men. who exerted their influence with
the others and kept them from forcing an
entrance or burning the house, which we
were momentarily in fear Of.
They would not disperse, however, but
remained around the house nearly twenty
four hours, when the wilder element again
the doors ~ and demolished everything within
their reach. They broke open our trunks,
taking everything of value, broke the fur
niture, cut our travelling bags and valises
into strips. and malciously destroyed
everything in sight.
Meanwhile the priests had been tied
with ropes and were dragged down stairs
to be used as shields In the battle which
followed with the government troops One,
who offered slight resistance.
stabbed through the body. The women
were ordered out of the house and told TO
leave the country Immediately or we should
sacrifice ourselves. Sister Josephine who
was praying at the altar, was approached
by several burly men. who fiourished long
knives. and ordered her to desist and leave
the house.
I'VE were taken in by a kind woman,
hiding US when the insurgents approached.
During the third niSns we escaped in
canoe, in which re drfted and padded
ltwenty-seven cl1es to Bahia de Caraquez.
There we received assistance and took the
boat for banana, and, after crossing the
isthn1us, arrived in Colon just in time TO
| catclf the Alliance for New York
I'VE were unable to save anything. and
were destitute when We reached Bahia
Caraquez. The consul at Colon helped us.
We heard before leaving that the insur-
gents had been routed and the priests lib
Grated by the troops, but / am not inclined
to place much credence in the report. There
are still nineteen sisters scattered through
the five cities before mentioned, and We
are fearful of their. fate.
1--WE intend to make an appeal to the
minister at Washington, and we hope the
United States will take action in the mat
ter