The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1913-05-03
Testimony Of Miss Mseksy.

II was born Of Roman Catholic par.
ents. my mother being q French, nv
father Irish Catholic. was kept
away from Protestants entirely, not
even being allowed 10 play with our
heighbbr children unless OF the same
dnith. This made me very bitter
hgalnst the Protestants. ] was a
berson who loved the world and Us
pleasures Ny being Catholic made
a. possible for me 10 attend theatets,
play cards, dance. drink wine end
lother liquors. without Il being counted
"a sin. I travelled much about the
world and saw much OF life. My father
twas n saloon keeper and one Of the
irichest men In Detroit. Mich. He never
Withheld money or pleasure from me
in any respect. When ! was about
the age Of sixteen my Oldest sister died
OF consumption. A year later my only
sister left, was taken 10 meet her COO.
! was the only child left They loved
me very dearly. The custom OF the
Catholic church IL 70 give one daugh-
ter TO the church, usually the Oldest
Is chosen. My mother had withheld
her daughters The priest told her
that Il was a punishment sent from
God because she had done so, and that
their only salvation depended on their
giving me to the nunnery as n nun
which would mean separation from
home, friends and the world for life
in reality Il meant death. Even my
parents could not see me any more
cead or alive. after I took the black
veil. Il mean a sacrifice 70 me, but
in order TO save my parents l was
willing 10 20. so I entered the con.
vent walls. While there ! saw many
things would not dare 20 print.
found twenty sisters in a dungeon,
Wing on huddles OF straw. without
covering, and getting only bread and
water 10 live on. I had the privilege
or was fortunate enough 10 plan the
escape OF one from the dungeon and
saw her gain her freedom one year
before I myself made my escape.
was severely punished one time for
looking around In forbidden places.
] chanced to run upon priest in the
convent and I found that he had
secret passage from lis home TO the
convent, under ground. | was amazed
He was angry at the discovery ] had
made. He showed me another part
2f the convent, taking me down stairs'
Hanging me up By the wrists tlll my
Koes Just touched the floor. NY arms
twere pulled out Of their sockets and the
tInlna Of my lungs were torn, and ev'
kry cord In my limbs were strained
tnaklno them crooked to this day. They
left me In this position for more than
In hour marching all Of the inmates
I'm to see me. ! was then taken down,
land not being able 10 walk, was car
Tried to my room, where lay for
lover a month. suffering intensely.
4 was also shown the lime pit where
they threw the bodies Of innocent
babes and was told that u ! ever told
what ! had discovered would be
thrown there, also. I was then shown
the rack room where II we did not
obey we would be stretched. How
longed to be freed from the awful life
that was staring me in the face.
"0ne sister In the chapel impressed
me very much. wondered why she
was always praying there from six in
the morning tin six In the evening.
went and asked her and she told me
that che was dlsobedient 20 the priest
and re had put her eyes out ard hef
lies work was 70 pray In the chapel
tkose hours. She was fed on bread
AID water. oh. how my. heart went out
for her. but I was helpless, could do
npthing. I made up my mind to make
ihy escape. j was soon TO so home 10