Jewels from Jane, April 22

April 22, 1870 Happy to Miss Connections

"In the morning we refreshed ourselves with a nice cup of coffee, then proceeded on our journey. The weather was cool and pleasant -- an Indian boy played the violin for the entertainment of the passengers.

"Reverend Mother treated us to apples and maple sugar, and presented us with little statues of Our Blessed Mother as souvenirs; but in spite of all there was a sad cloud overhanging us. It was not surprising, as we were to part from Rev. Mother in a few hours -- and that, perhaps, forever in this world; but, as in similar difficulties, we had recourse to our good Father St. Joseph. We were detained about two hours after time, but yet we feared that the San Francisco train would wait for us, as we wished it gone, for then we could remain one day more with Reverend Mother. As we approached Omaha, some of us were crying and others praying, but all were looking eagerly to see if the train was there. We did not wait long as a messenger came with the welcome news that the train had just left. Thanks be to God! Escaped from every lip, and was in every heart. We then went to the convent of the Sisters of Mercy, where we received the most cordial welcome from those good Sisters. We remained there until the next morning."

From "Trek of the Seven Sisters" by Sister Monica Corrigan

Jewels from Jane, April 24

Sunday, April 24, 1870 Entering Rocky Mountains

"We breakfasted at Sydney, 414 miles from Omaha. From this place onward the scenery became very interesting, and the conversation of our fellow travelers, amusing. In one car were four Protestant ministers and their ladies, who were on their way to China, to convert those benighted idolators. There were almost as many religious denominations represented, as there were persons in the car. Whether owing to our presence, or not, we do not know; but, however, religion was the principal topic of conversation throughout the entire journey. Everyone maintained his own opinion and proved it from the Bible, agreeing only in one point. An elderly respectable-looking gentleman came over to us, and handing one of the Sisters a five dollar bill, proffered his services to us as far as San Francisco, stating that he was not a Catholic; but nevertheless had great respect for Sisters, as he knew them to be 'Angels of Mercy,' and that he regarded it a great privilege to serve them when it was in his power. One of the Sisters gave him a small medal of the Blessed Virgin; he hung it on his watch chain, and said he would keep it as long as he lived. This afternoon we entered the Rocky Range, passed through Sherman, at an elevation of 8,242 feet, and the highest point crossed by the railroad. It is a frightful and desolate region; nothing to be seen but snow-clad mountains of rock, whose summits appear to touch the clouds. The cars pass over frightful chasms; the rails are laid on logs resting on pillars, whose only support are the craggy rocks beneath. Some of these chasms seem to be laid about the length of three city blocks; going over these places every person appeared to hold his breath; and it was only when safe on firm ground that conversation was resumed and commentations made on the terrors and perils of the place. I chanced to be sleeping when crossing one of these places. Sister Martha [Peters-the lay sister in the group] awoke me, telling me to 'wake up and take note of this beautiful scenery.' When I saw where we were, sleep forsook me immediately. I was terrified. The Sisters enjoyed the scenery very much. That night, like the preceding one, we passed with little sleep."

From "Trek of the Seven Sisters", Sister Monica Corrigan's diary

Jewels from Jane, April 21

Thursday, April 21, 1870 On to Omaha

"We were kindly welcomed by our good Sisters, and had the pleasure of meeting there [in Kansas City] Mother Agatha [Guthrie], who had been sick, but was better then. We spent the day quite pleasantly. It again became our duty to say goodbye; but we were much encouraged on hearing that Rev. Mother St. John [Facemaz] had concluded to accompany us as far as Omaha, Nebraska. We took the cars at 7:00 p.m. and were comfortably seated, as the cars were new and clean, and but moderately filled. We changed cars during the night -- it was, indeed, a change in every respect, as the cars were filled with emigrants, crying children, etc. To conclude from the offensive atmosphere in the cars, they must have had any amount of spoiled chickens, eggs, cigars, etc. In this motley crowd we spent the remainder of our second night."

From Sister Monica Corrigan's diary - "Trek of the Seven Sisters"