Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1898-12-24
The First Picture of the Great
City That Greets the Eye
of the Stranger.
What This Noble Institution
Has Done for Unprotected
Immigrants.
INTENDED AS THE HOME OF A TORY

Some time ago the Kentucky Irish
American published a very interesting
article concerning the great number of
beautiful Irish girls arriving in New York
City, in which reference was made to the
mission for their protection and the work
of the good fathers in charge. This week
we print the following complete history
of the institution from the pen of Pat
rick J. Enright in the Syracuse Catholic
Sun:
lust within the gateway of the New
World, overlooking Battery park and the
blue expanse of the Atlantic, stands
quaint looking brick mansion of colonial
architecture upon which time has left its
indelible imprint Bv reason of its loca-
ton, it is the first picture of the great
city of New York that greets the eye of
the stranger as he presses on to the Amer
lean shore. To those whose visit to
America is for the purpose of seeking
pleasure and recreation, this unimposing
structure can furnish but little interest
except that the contrast between it and
the more modern buildings that line New
York bay indicates the process of the de-
velopment of our metropolitan city. But
to the Irish immigrant girls who come as
exiles to our shores, seeking the liveli-
hood which the soil of their native land
is unable to furnish, this unpretentious
edifice of other days is much more at
tractive than the surrounding structures
which are more pleasing to other eyes
and more elegant in design. For them
it is refuge which they may enter, and
there experience, even among strangers,
the goodness of charitable hospitality
Even to that less fortunate class, this
bnilding itself might not be more than
the object of casual glance were it not
for the words inscribed over its portals
and the golden cross that stands out
prominently before it. The emblem of
the crucifed Savior speaks silently and
yet with eloquence to the wanderer
among strangers, while the inscription
makes knUwn to All that may pass-ttifiatt
the curious old building is the Home for
Irish Immigrant Girls.
1t is strange that this edifice, which
was constructed at the time when Ireland
was in the throes of insurrection, and
which was originally intended as the
home of an American Tory, should ulti-
mately become an institution to which
the exiled daughters of Erin might turn,
upon their arrival in America, as a refuge
where they might receive counsel and
advice yea, even financial assistance to
aid them in their new ventures and un-
dertakings. The adaptability of the edi-
fee for the purpose for which it is now
used, and its proximity to the water
front, probably furnished the reason for
its selection as the home for girls of the
Irish race, who, through their benighted
circumstances, are compelled to turn to
our country to maintain an existence.
Fifteen years have now passed since
the hopes and ambitions of the late
lamented Father Riordan of New York
City were realized in the founding of
this home. For years the venerable and
unselfish spirit of that noble priest had
battled with the discouraging obstacles
which had frequently presented them
selves and which at times seemed des-
tined to undermine and destroy the plans
which he had made for the protection of
Irish maidenhood, but finally he tri-
umphed over ali difficulties in the estab-
lishment of this charitable institution.
To the zeal of that noble priest of God
did the home owe its life in the trying
days of its early existence, and to his
ideas of administration, as followed by
his successors in this charitable work,
does it owe its prosperity. This grand
man whose mind had conceived the idea
of protecting the simple and innocent
Irish maidens from the wickedness of
human land sharks that infest the sea-
port cities of America continued his
charitable work with incessant zeal even
to his last breath, upon which fingered
the beautiful expression, "Take care of
the immigrant girls" That the injunc-
ton so solemnly pronounced has been
faithfully obeyed by his successors is
evidenced by the continued growth and
success of the institution.
That 1t may give the readers of the
Sun an idea of the work which Is being |
done by this institution, through its eff
cient directors and especially through |
the charitable zeal of its present chief
director, Rev. Michael ]. Henry, and its !
agent, Mr.. Patrick McCool, we will give
the objects for which this charitable
refuge was established, as we find them
recited in the fifteenth animal address to
the friends of the home.
First. To establish Catholic bureau
at the landing depot to supply informa-
ton to immigrants and to protect their
interests against those INSCRIPTIONS in
dividuals who would make capital out Of
ignorance and innocence.
Second. To open home for the pro-
lection of young girls to guard them
from the dangers of great city, to aid
them in securing employment, and to
assist those going to friends to reach
their destination.
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