The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1913-12-11
THE .JEFFERGONIAN

slowly dying of consumption and begging pite-
ously to be allowed to go to bed, yet kept at
their task until death mercifully rescued them
from their tyrants they sat in their chairs.
One also sees the poor girls, whose digestive
faculties have been ruined by insufficient and
unwhoesome food, being punished. for vomiting
by being foFcibly compelled to swallow their own
vomit. One sees these poor slaves working in
the cold winter-time. nsufciently clad plying the
needle with hands chapped and bleeding. They
were even robbed of the natural warmth of their
own hair, which was cut off and sold by the
greedy Sisters to augment the revenues of the
Home of the Good Shepherd. These poor slaves
were not taught to read or write, and one case
cited of a young woman, detained there
against her will, who ignorant that she
did not even know the names Of the days of the
week.
The atrocious conditions revealed at this trial
led to an enquiry to how far similar conditions
prevailed in other establishments of the same
order The conclusion arrived at was that they
were all conducted on similar lines. Here, for
instance, is the evidence Of inmate of the
Home Of the Good Shepherd Of the neighboring
town of Dole. This town is in the Department
Of the Jura, the foothills Of the Alps, where the
air is keen and cutting. a certain Mile. 5Dupre
gave her experience OF sojourn within the walls
Of the Good Shepherd prison at Dole:
'From- 1871 to 1880 I was inmate of the
House Of the Good Shepherd at Dole where
suppose the same conditions prevail at Nancy.
During that time I was extremely unhappy. 1
was very young and they gave me task beyond
make one shirt per day. Then they doubled the
task, and, as it almost impossible to accom-
plish it, were subjected to very severe punish
ments The mattress OF our bed was placed
under the veranda, in the open air. Dressed only
in night DRESS compelled to lie
down upon it, The sisters all walked by us,
and each one in passing, administered stroke
by way Of punishment have several times been
punished this way. One day, because [ had not
been able to accomplish my task was at that
time thirteen of fourteen years old was shut
IN in q WI hn q hat h
room. was kept there twenty-four hours. It
excessively cold. The material of the shirts
1 was working on was frozen stiff; had enor-
NOUS chilbains on my fingers; I bear the marks
Of them to this day. I wrought up to
degree of nervous excitement. [ was sick with
fright which brought an affection of the liver
from which I have suffered since I
never permitted to see doctor, and although I
suffered much, they gave me any RENE
dies. In order that my parents might not know
how thin | was, they told that | had been
very unruiy, and that, for punishment, l could
not be permitted to come down to the parlor
All my companions were unhappy like me; some
always sobbing. Our letters inter
Cepted One day girl Of twenty-eight, who had
escaped, was brought back by the gendarmes. I
have seen young girls die they sat at work
in their chairs. They had been 1l-treated up till
the last moment. I have seen a large scalp
wound made the forehead of child by Sis
ter who struck it with an earthen ware bowl.
The food they gave to execrabe. The
vegetables were badly prepared and the prov-
sions parsimoniOusly served out that we
were hungry nearly att the time. I have seen
young girls do extra hemming in order to earn
a piece of bread. The arrangements for personal
cleanliness were very insufficient. Each year
had knitted vest handed out to us, but had
hardly any underware. There was no bowl for
to wash in. We had only a little pitcher of
water, out of which poured water
hands"
Enough has been said to demonstrate very
clearly that the professed charitable and philan-
thropic features of these institutions is merely
bait to the girls and the patronage of the
nIhIi