Jewels from Jane, January 7, 1867

Kanzas City, Mo Jan. 7th, 1867

Mother Agatha [Guthrie],

Madame,

I presume Mother Francis [Joseph Ivory] told you all about our educational prospects in Kanzas City, especially about our Grand Festival by which, I think, 1,500 dollars will be realised. The only partial difficulty on the part of the people, that I dread, will arise on account of the rigid enforcement of a Rule excluding boys of twelve years and upwards from the boys school. I apprehend this difficulty for the following reasons. The members of my congregation have contributed some $15,000 to the convent building with the hope that their children would there find a catholic education. The Sisters have now about 150 parochial children at one dollar per month some 75 are boys, eight of whom are aged from 12 to 14 years. Now, Mother Francis informs me that all the boys from 12 upwards must be dismissed. That is, dismissed already out of the building which their liberality has just completed, and for no other cause but for the misfortune of being 12 years of age. Mother Francis gives me as a reason, that they apprehend trouble in governing or correcting these larger boys. The sisters inform me that these very boys have given no trouble yet, on the contrary, that they are quiet innocent children. So say the Sisters. My own experience enables me to say that I found boys of 14 less troublesome by far than boys of 8 or 10 years of age. What makes the matter worse for us just now is the fact that we have neither teacher nor schoolhouse for these boys. I had, until lately a catholic teacher but the high rent of schoolhouse and difficult times caused him to discontinue. I have now no other chance for them but the convent school if they be excluded from that, then they will run wild about the streets, -- it will be impossible to get them to church on Sundays or to attend at catechism etc. This I am very sure will be the consequence. The parents will express their indignation in the presence of the children, everyone will say that they have been disappointed etc. etc.

I felt so trouble-minded over the announcement that I concluded to address you, -- requesting you to authorise the Mother here to suspend this Rule, for a time at least, and give me the time of next Summer to provide for the larger boys. If this request be not granted, then, I fear, my hopes regarding the first communion and other religious practices of these children will be sadly disappointed.

Please send me a reply as soon as possible. -- I have begged the sisters not to dismiss anymore until I will have heard from you.

Most respectfully yours etc.,

Bernard Donnelly

Parish children were taught at St. Teresa's Academy at this time.

It was written in the Custom book of this time that the Sisters were not allowed to teach older boys.

Mother Agatha Guthrie was assistant to Mother St. John Facemaz.

Jane Behlmann, csj
Province Archivist
Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
6400 Minnesota Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63111-2899
Phone: 314-678-0320
FAX: 314-481-2366
email: jbehlmann@csjsl.org

Jewels from Jane, August 21

, August 21st, 1866

Sister St. John [Facemaz],

Madame,

We are now approaching the end of August, the period at which you encouraged me to expect furniture etc. to arrive here for our expected Academy [St. Teresa]. The building is all but completed. The plaistering is finished, carpenter will be through this week and the painters are at work. I thought it my duty to announce to you that the building will be finished on or before the first of September. I have also been expecting a prospectus from you for insertion in the local papers. Please write and send me instructions.

I have to announce to you that there is a great deal of sickness here this season--chiefly fevers. A party of Emigrants, passing this way to Southern Kanzas had several deaths in their camp outside the city limits. I visited three persons who had symptoms of cholera who all got well in a few [?]--but at the present writing I do not know of a single case of cholera in Kanzas City.

Memoranda--please return the draught of our new building--also a new acct with the girls for last year. I have somehow mislaid the acct first furnished.

There is no occasion to be uneasy about the title to the convent lot and appurtenances because the conveyance belongs to the Archbishop. You know there will be no difficulty with him. His Grace is not now at home but he can make the conveyance at any time. The understanding is that I advise the whole square be attached to the building. Please write immediately and inform me when the Sisters may be expected.

The Roses are well,--they long to see the Sisters.

Respectfully yours, etc.

Bernard Donnelly

Father Donnelly was commissioned by Archbishop Kenrick to build missions on the western border of the state.