The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1912-07-04
TO TAKE BLACK VEIL.
Woman Who Gave Up Fortune Of u
Million for Religions Sake.

Having Just received the white veil
of a postulant in the Convent of
Marie Reparatrice, 16 East 29th
street, Mrs. Gertrude Halle Lanman,
of Norwich, widow of William Camp
Lanman, who gave up a fortune of
nearly million dollars when she
entered the cloister, will leave next
week for the mother house of the
Order, in Belgium, to spend two
years in study and devotional eXer-
cises, preparatory to receiving the
black habit of a professed nun.
Mrs. Lanman is strikingly beau
tiful woman, widely known in So
ciety in this city and abroad. On
her mothers side she is descended
from the Mays, of Savannah, Ca, a
family of wealth and prominence.
Her father was DR.. A. B. Halle, who
died fifteen years ago. On his death
she inherited a fortune of close to a
million dollars. She entertained
lavishly at her home, GhlanboWer,
in Washington street, Norwich, which
she had beautifed by a wonderful
collection of art works, tapestries,
porcelains and old laces, gathered
during her many trips abroad. She
was a noted horseWoman, but when
the automobile came into promi-
nence she sold her stable and pur-
chased expensive cars. She gave
many entertainments here at the
Waldorf-Astoria and the Hotel AS
tor, and summer residents along the
Sound enjoyed the hospitality of her
Norwich home.
Though born a Presbyterian, she
became member of the Episcopal
church after the death of her hus-
band, nine years ago. She joined
Christ church, in Norwich, and be-
came active in philanthropies. Her
favorite enterprise was the Halle
Club for Working Girls, in Norwich.
For this she bought a three-story,
double residence, and fitted it with a
library, gymnasium and restaurant.
A French chef was hired to furnish
meals to the members at cost, and
the girls were taught domestic sci
ence and useful arts.
AS her interest in philanthropy
grew, Mrs. Lanman turned more and
more from society. Two years ago,
when revisiting France and Italy,
Mrs. Lanman joined the Roman
Catholic church. After her return
she left her mansion and took up
her abode in two rooms at the club.
Instead of proselyting among the
members she took measures to pro-
vide for the clubs future. First, she
offered her collection of old laces
for sale among her wealthy friends.
They were quickly disposed of. Then
Sue SOlu LII Iul 1Sl oA ~ OoJSSSS NNN
finally her collection of jewelry.
From the proceeds she created an
endowment for the club.
Although her change of faith was
known, her friends were not prepar-
ed for the next step, which was to
enter the Convent of the Sisters of
the Reparation as novice.
Before taking this step, last Sep
tember, Mrs. Lanman is reported to
have turned her estate into cash and
turned it over to the Order in order
that she might take the vow of volun-
tary poverty.
Mrs. Lanman refused to discuss
the step she had taken, but 70 friends
who have seen her recently at the
Convent of Marie Reparatrice she
said she never had been completely
happy until she had renounced all
her earthly possessions in order to be
free to work and pray for Others
Waterbury American.
A Mighty Athlete.