Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-08-24
GIVES Up WEALTH
TO BECOME NUN
Mrs. Lanman of Norwich, Conn.
Society Leader, Disposes of
All Valuable Belongings.

been dominant factor. aided by
abundant wealth and high intellectual
attainmcnts-Mrs. Gertrude Halle Lam
man, widow, came to this city yester-
day from her home In Norwich, Conn, to
be received into the convent Of the Sisters
of tho Repatriation on East Goth street.
Exclusive society In New York In which
Mrs. Lanman was welcomed will be no
less surprised than that in her homo
town. where she was n social arblter. to
learn that at the conclusion Of three
weeks Of prayer and meditation she will
begin her novitiate
~ have tried all the pleasures that the
world has to Offer" Mrs. Lanman said, in
parting with one of her dearest friends.
AN are unsatlsfylng. My happiness
henceforth will lie in following in our
Lords footsteps and in humbly trying 70
do His work in laboring for others"
In keeping with the scriptural in
junction that it is "easer for a camel
to pass through the eye of a needle
than rich man to enter the Kingdom
Of Heaven" Mrs. Lanman has disposed
Of her Jewels, art objects, her beautiful
residence. Ghlambower, one Of the finest
in Connecticut in fact, all of her pos
sessions except some property the In
come from which will be devoted to
philanthropy.
1t was known to society both in this
city and Norwich that Mrs. Lanman
contemplated some radical change when
she sold her home recently and took up
her abode In two rooms at the Halle
club In Norwich, an organization for
working girls which she founded four
years ago. She confded In none, how
ever, the fact that she planned to take
the Veil. she declined even last night
to discuss her decision although she VIII
to-day begin her spiritual retreat.
Mrs, Lanman is the widow of William
Camp Lanman, who was a nephew of
Commodore Lanman. Her father was
DIR. A. b. Halle. and on her mothers
side she comes Of the Mays of Savan-
nah. Ga, a southern family of distinc-
tion and wealth. Her conversion in the
fan of 1909 to the Roman Catholic Church
attracted much attention.
The foreword of her Pronunciation OF
the world. it now develops. was the
sale of her magnificent residence fac
ing the park at Lincoln avenue and
Washington street, Norwich. She next
disposed of her limousine car and
other accessories of a pretentious dom
icile. Friends were next surprised
when she offered to them her collec-
ton Of rare laces which she had as
sembled during years Of travel and
residence abroad. They eagerly pur-
chased them Previously less COM
ment was caused by her dsposing Of
| some OF her splendid Jewels because 1t
| was known that the proceeds were de-
voted to the maintenance of the Halle
club. During the past week she has
sacrificed the finest of those remain
inE-a diamond and pearl brooch, a
diamond scrafpin. a string of rare tur-
quoises, antique corals and other or
namcnts-to provide additional funds
| for the club.
| In becoming a Roman Catholic Mrs
! Lanman assumed new obligations which
made possible her present plans, AL
| though born OF Presbyterian parents. sh,
had Joined Christ Episcopal Church afte,
| the death of her husband eight wears ago
It was at the time of DR. Worcester's EN-
| manuel movement and Mrs. Lanman
| who had spent much time in Europe
| where she had learned to love the beauti
ful forms of the church as exemplifed IL
the old cathedrals of Italy and France
had lost sympathy. as she told friends
with the austerity Of Presbyterianism
She Immediately took a prominent par
in the social life of Christ Church parisl
in Norwich. was active In Red Cross worl
and became much interested in social set
Elements. Her entertainments at Ghlan
bower We're lavish and brilliant, an,
mer homes in Connecticut were he
guests. At that time it was whlspere,
that Mrs. Lnnman might marry again
This gossip stopped when she departe'
for Europe TO renew her studies in Ian
guages and religion.
She returned TO New York In 1907
went later to Norwich and became es
pecialy interested in the workinl
girls of the town. It was observed
that her activities in Christ Church
work were less sustained. She organ
tied a girls club where the workers
could meet for social enjoyment. stud.
and recreation. The girls named #
the Halle club. Soon It was housed II
n three story block in which was in
stalled restaurant, with French
chef where meals We're supplied at
actual cost; beautiful reading rooms
n circulating library, gymnasium
dancing hall, baths and everything
that would supply comfort If not com
parative luxury to the girls AS NJ
present conducted. instruction in art
music. housekeeping, dressmaking and
embroidery are to be had free.
II seemed that Mrs Lanman was
making the ncipation OF the work
ing girl her life work, Her English
head gardner on her estate developed
"A pure whrte chrYsanthemum which
was hailed by hortiCulturists as a val
liable production. II was exhibited NJ
tho New York flower show and other
shows throughout the country and
profits aCCruing from sales were de-
voted to the Halle club.
II is understood that Mrs. Lanman''
| VOWS on taking the white veil two years
| hence will probably be made in one OF
| the European houses of the order. either
| I'm Rome. Belgium or England. Mean
| time she will assist the New York nuns
| I'm their charitable work for the poor
the aged and for destitute children
teaching, sowing. etc. Mrs. Lanman re
| ceived from her husbands estate gen
erous fortune. and she also inherited
the wealth of her father and of hel
mother 1t is that part OF her private
fortune invested In securities which Miss
Lanman will retain and devote to phil
! anthropy.
Since her baptism as a Catholic Mrs
| Lanman has spent many weeks at diff
| IN, rafr