The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-10-24
Sacrifice, Education, Contributed
By Sisters ToKey West Progress


sative of the great commander, w.
IT. Sherman, together with his
wifd@ and small son, received
Z baptism. in the Convent chapel,
and a little later, on March 25,
18eO..General Sherman and his
wife made their first Holy Com
munion in the same chapel. This
distinguished man was always a
devoted friend of the Sisters and
upon his departure from Key
West in April, 1871, he presented
to the Sisters his carriage and a
span of handsome horses. In the
letter of presentation, which is
still preserved, we find the fol-
lowing request:
SHOULD l deem it necessary
to attach any condition to the ac-
ceptance of my proposed gift, 1t
would be that my long-cherished
horses would always have a
groom and driver who will ap-
preciate them and treat them
kindly ss4sfsned,,
"F. w. SHERMAN,
Major G eneralyeiUnited States
Army" .Iose
For a few months the classes
progressed Steadily and nearly
one hundred and fifty pupils
were enrolled, but on January
is, 1872, an epidemic of small
pox compelled the Sisters to
close their school, and so great
was the CONSERVATION that United
States marines guarded every
house on which a contagion flag
had been placed. There being an
urgent need for nurses, especially
among the poor, stricken colored
residents of the island, the Sis
tiers of the Holy Names Offered
their services to the city Off
Gals, and Immediately were as
signed for duty to hastily con-
structed pest house on the out
skirts of the city. This house
had been constructed in a week
and was in a most isolated loca-
ton. Close by, the city officials
constructed a room ten feet
square as a habitation for the
Sisters, who then left their con-
vent, little knowing whether or
not they would ever return.
Sister Mary Octavia and Sister
Mary Monica were the first to ac-
cept the charge and when they
were worn out by toiling day and
night, the mayor of Key West
and DR.. Daniel Whitehurst in
sisted uponla rest being taken,
Sister Mary Maurice and Sister
Mary Germaine took up the work
of charity and remained at their
posts until the pestilence had
subsidized in March.
During those months the Sis
] tiers had no source of income,
and so were very poor, but when
they re-opened the convent pros
perity blessed them, and soon the
''old barracks" proved too small
for the increasing number OF
students. In June, 1874, the old
convent was sold for $4,000 with
the understanding that the
premises were to be held until
the new convent was ready for
occupancy. On January IA, 1875,
the foundation of the new con-
vent was laid on tract OF
ground, then considered far from
tn city. but in reality but mile,
and during their hours of leisure
the Sisters worked on the grounds
themselves so as to save their
entire income for the building
Although not finished the Sisters
had to movelntupthes new build
ing, being obliged % vacate their
old quarters on July 70. 1875.
AAC HoA ttOlA VI tAAC AtCW NNtttClit
then erected WAS Just half the
size of the present building. but
many thought the Sisters too am
bilious, and expressed surprise
that they should think of erect
ing so large a school, so far out
in the country. Since that time,
the property surrounding the
convent has become a high class
residential district, and the city
realizes that the Sisters paid a
gracious compliment TO Key
Vests future when they built
such a school in what was then
called the country"
The convent of 1875 is built of
native stone. quarried on the is
land, but even then. the expense
WOULD have been beyond their