Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-02-28
THE TOMBS ANGEL.

mendous material and intellectual de
velopment we sometimes find a pure
and beautiful character. touched, ami
mated and guided by the spirit of the
Master Such an one was Father
Damien, the Roman Catholic priest
whose life was devoted to the lepers of
Molokai and another life which in al
most equal measure was consecratcd
to the service of others was that of
Mrs. John w. Foster. or Rebecca
Salome Foster. who perished in the
Park Avenue hotel fire. She was
known as the "Tombs Angel, and she
was not only the most genuine friend
the criminal class had, but she was
also helpful assistant to the officers
Of Justice. One writer says:
She was ever on hand to sympa-
thize with misery. to succor distress,
TO give heart to discharged convicts
and help them to secure another
chance in life. 1t is said that she so
won the confidence of prison officials
that she went and came at will at all
hours and that the city magistrates. in
nine cases out of 10. would respect her
judgment in the matter of discharging
persons accused of petty crimes. Each
Christmas large sums of money were
placed in her care for distribution
among the poor and distressed. 1t
was a great and remarkable work this
woman performed. She was the
widow of an army officer"
a notable tribute was paid to Mrs.
Fosters memory in the court of spec
ial sessions at New York Monday. All
of the justices and 40 lawyers were
present The court adjourned until
after Mrs. Fosters funeral. but before
adiourning a short address was made
by District Attorney jerome. speaking
for his office; by James Lindsay Cor
don. speaking for the lawyers. and by
Justices Hinsdale and Holbrook
Many of those present were greatly
affected as the speakers spoke of the
dead wOman's great charity to unfortu-
nate prisoners. Tears coursed freely
down the cheeks of Mr.. Jerome and
Justice Hinsdale, as in terms of warm
appreciation they told of her innumer-
able charities.
Mr. Jerome said in part:
What she was to the court and to the
unfortunate people with whom II has to
deal is too wc!' known to need statement
For many years she came and went
among us with but a single purpose;
THAT men may rise on stepping stones
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And only the Master shall praise them,
And only the Master shall blame.
p.,..ia;no, I,,s+ico uolhrool, ranIv.
N0'"''s
ing 10 DlstrlCI Attorney JeIoIle' Sdlu =
II is cminently proper that We should
briefly interrupt our regular proceedings
and pause for the moment to plant a
flower of remembrance, eVincing our re-
gard for that noble and sanity woman,
Mrs Foster not inaptly called and known
az the "Tombs Angel whose tragic and
pathetic death has so greatly saddencd
our hearts Mrs. Foster was known to
and highly respected by all who frequent
this court. Perhaps none knew her better
than the members OF this bench, on whom
she was wont to call almost daily in the
performance of her benevolent work and