The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-05-24
TRAGIC CLOSING
0F CHARIREUSE
Catholic Monks Barricaded
Against Government
FAITHFUL FEW ON GUARD
Correspondent Visits Pictur-
eSque Place


Che Post. Of New York, says:
The excitement of the Catholics IN
!. France over the present expulsion of the
religions orders. which has already result
ed in riots in different parts Of the coun-
try. and in the resignation OF seVerai
Isrrnv oficers-among them the dlstin-
gllished Colonel Of the Fourth Dragons
1 Monsieur de Coubertin-is particularly ap-
j parent here in Grenoble and the surround
} ing Daupnine region.
For a time il was supposed that the
, Carthusians OF La Grande Chartreuse
would not beincluded in the forced exc
sdus Of the 'religieux" because Of the
financial benefits accruing TO the country
from their presence. When, however
Monsieur Combes. the "defroque, as ne
is invariably called by the Catholics, ow-
ing 10 his being an ex-priest, sent forth
the order expelling also the monks or
Ia Grande Chartreuse the Indignation
was great in all Dauphine.
In Grenobie especially, these monks are
highly regarded and beloved Their IL
uueur factory at Fourvoirie gave employ
ment TO a large number of workmen;
they built and sustained a free hospital
at ST Laurent-du-Pont, as well as an
asylum for the deaf mutes near the mon
astery 1t is claimed that a large part OF
their immense revenue was given away
yearly in charity.
The majority of the monks have already
gone. taking with them their treasures,
their library. their chronicles, and the
appliances for making their precious Ii
queur Only a handful of brethren re-
main to represent their order in that
bleak monastery high up in the mount
aims Of the Iassif de la Chartreuse,
wnere since 1S9 Carthusian monks have
lived. prayed. and died. 1t is true this
handful had bene carefully selected, and
only able-bodied men, keen-witted, and
of cool judgement were allowed to remain
TO hold the monastery against the Gov
eminent They have barricaded the doors,
no one is given exit or entrance; they are
provisioned for three months, and it IS
their ovowed intention to compel the
government to forcibly eject them, and
by so doing. said Father Clovis violate
in our persons the rights Of citizens"
AS the expulsion was expected to take
place on the night of the 18th. a small
party of Americans, myself among the
number. determined to visit without de-
lay tTe famous monastery before its ex-
tinction.
it is not the time of year the average
tourist selects for visit to La Grande
Chartreuse. The nsow lies too deep yet
on the mountains. the road is not without
its dangerous places, and the air is far
too cold for comfort Nor are the vol
lures de service" running. and those who
contemplate an excursion must either
walk or engage private carriage.
Al seven o'clock on the morning of the
2eth of April. we accordingly started for
the monastery.
We were accompanied by Madame Ia
ComteSse c.. whose husband. an ar
dent Catholic. is among the vast numbers
arranging a manifestation when the
moment Of EXPULSION comes.
We drove past the little village of Cor
enc, along the ledge of the col de
Fence," where We commanded a magni-
ficent view Of the valley Graisivaudan,
watered by the winding Isere, and the
more distant lying Drac The white white
houses Of that " coqUette Vile Grenoble
glisteaed sayly far below. unawed by the
Il. On our right lowered Mount Saint
Eynard. its bleak fort isolated in the
clouds
The snow became less deep as we de-
Seconded into the valley of ST. Hughes,
where small hamlets Struggled cosely on
the side of protecting mountains. But If
we left a snow storm above us We found
driving rain storm awaiting us. We ar
rived at Saint PierTe-de-Ch artreuse wet
and cold and hungry. We halted at the
small hotel for lunch. There was an air
Of suppressed excitement about the inn.
and indeed in the usually quiet little
Vinage Us well. From the direction of
The convent came a succession of women
and children, trudging along in the pour
ing rain. carefully balancing under their
arms cheap-framed pictures of saints.
OF the Virgin. of the infant Christine
farewell gifts of the Chartreuse monks
But a longer procession passed them,
ascending the steep mountain road to the
convent. a procession composed of pea
SAINTS some white haired their backs
bent with age. others i'm the fun vigor
Of manly strength. and still others not
out Of their boyhocd days. Not for monk
" gifts were these peasants coing-they
LEFT that 10 their women-kind-but II
Join the army of campers outside the
convent walls.
Ny attention was. however. particular
y attracted to quiet. elderly man. mill
tary in appearance. and possessing a fine
air Of distinction. lie was keenly alive
To all that took place in the dining room
~ Nm -
Once his stern features relaxed and
saw him smile kindly upon a tall young
man who entered. Madame c. whis-
perod to me indicating the new arrival
that Is Monsieur Poncet. the 'avocat
OF the Charreux brothers" This Young
lawyer has for many days past remained
behind the convent walls with the monks
advising them. directing them in every
step they take in resisting the govern
mcnts action against their order
Later during lunch Madame c. learn
&c that our uilitsry-looking neighbor Wa:
Count p de c.. with whom her hus.
band was well acquainted She promptly
made herself known TO him. at the sans
time introducing us. We had a most in
teresting conversation with him For
eight days he had been in camp beyond
the walls Of the Monastery. He came IL
on the first rumor that geudarmes were
20 be sent 10 eXpel the monks. and such
was his haste that he stopped for no.
thing. not even Tor a change Of clothing
lie was IN white velvet hunting cos
tune. very much soiied as 20 color from
his Ions exposure in the mountains. lie
Intended. he added. 70 remain 10 defend
TIE monks il any violence was offered
them. We heard him give an order e