Jewels from Jane, May 20

"At 6:00 o'clock a.m. we resumed our journey and May 20 [1870] we came to a ranch about noon. The proprietor treated us very kindly, and presented us with some canned fruit and a new towel for our journey, which we resumed until 7:00 o'clock p.m. when we camped for the night, suffering from cold.

"We started on our way at 4:00 o'clock a.m., and passed many recently made graves of persons who had been killed by the Indians. One of these, we were informed, contained the remains of a father, mother and five children.

"These burial places looked so sadly neglected; the wolves had even made holes in them. The desolate, lonely places in which these poor creatures were laid to rest, and still more, their melancholy and frightful death, cast a damper over our spirits, as we had no certainty of not meeting the same fate. And yet, why should we be sad? Did we not risk our lives for the love of Jesus? And would it not be glorious to have the happiness of dying for Him? But poor nature is weak, and although in spirit we coveted the privilege of so glorious an end, yet our frail, earthly bodies shrank from so trying an ordeal.

"We passed at night the Indians' place of worship. It is a natural construction of huge, immovable rocks, on which they cut the figures of their gods. There were various planets, different animals of the forest and even reptiles. The figures appear to be well made, and are quite interesting to look at. Oh! How my heart burned to make known to them the true and only God! We camped about 8:00 o'clock and took our supper by brush light as usual.

"We had a lamb this morning for breakfast; we called it our Passover. After offering up our prayers and placing ourselves with renewed confidence under the protection of Heaven, we resumed our journey at rather an advanced hour of the day under the rays of a scorching sun, the average heat in the shade being 125 degrees. We reached a ranch at noon and were accommodated with a room where we enjoyed the luxury of a 'good wash and change of clothing,' a refreshment of which we were sorely in need.

"We dined at 3:00 o'clock and after getting a supply of fresh water for our journey we started at 6:00 o'clock p.m. We entered the Arizona desert, traveled all night, and were so much fatigued, that almost everyone fell asleep, the driver permitting the horses to go at will. Father and his driver slept so soundly that Sister Martha was obliged to drive nearly all night.

"At 8:00 o'clock a.m. we refreshed ourselves with a cup of coffee, and traveled on until 2:30 p.m. when we were out of the desert. We took dinner at 5:00 o'clock p.m. and lodged at the house of a generous-hearted Irishman, Mr. Cosgrove. Whenever we had the good fortune to come across Irish or Mexicans, we were sure of meeting with a cordial reception, and of finding in them all the characteristics of true friends.

"We started early, entering upon the most dangerous portion of our journey, as we were in danger of being attacked and massacred by the savages at any moment; but placing ourselves in the hands of Providence, to whom we had consecrated our lives, we courageously advanced, feeling assured that His all-seeing eye would protect His chosen ones from danger; at all events, that whatever might befall us would be in accordance with His most holy will.

"When we stopped at noon, there was no room for us in the inn, so that we had not even a tree to shelter us from the burning rays of a tropical sun. The ruins of some old buildings were near; Mother went there to rest, and fell asleep. A troup of nude Indians came in the meantime, who are peaceable. They had the consideration to be quiet and let her sleep. Sister Martha was resting on an old cowhide. A noble warrior perceiving her, stole softly up and sat down beside her as her guardian angel.

"The remainder of the Sisters were in the wagon, while I employed myself in washing our stockings and handkerchiefs, and amused myself by taking notes for my 'Journal.' Father and the boy prepared dinner, after which we resumed our journey. About 4:00 o'clock p.m., we passed through the valley of the Pima Indians. Their dwellilngs are constructed of straw, and are shaped like a bird's nest in an inverted position; they vary from four to five feet in height, and have a small hole as a place of entrance.

"Their costume consists of two pieces of calico or flannel, extending to the knees, one piece hanging in front, the other behind. The young squaws are clothed with the inner bark of trees, in the same manner. The 'old ladies' are not so modestly attired; they dress their hair with a mixture of mud and water, which has the double effect of destroying the vermin and keeping the hair in its place. They are a brave-looking tribe; very unlike the poor, timid Indian of the frontier."

From Trek of The Seven Sisters: Diary of Sister Monica Corrigan, 1870

Jewels from Jane, May 7

Saturday, May 7, 1870 Leaving San Diego

"The wagon was too small for all to ride inside, consequently one was obliged to ride outside with the driver. Sister Ambrosia volunteereed to make the great act of mortification and humility. It is beyond description what she suffered in riding two hundred miles like this, without protection from the rays of a tropical sun. Yet poor Sister did this.

"About 10:00 o'clock we passed a white post that marks the southwest boundary of the United States. We dropped a few tears at the sight of it, then entered Lower California. At noon we halted and took lunch in a stable 12 miles from San Diego.

"Sister Maxime and I went in search of gold; seeing quantities of it, we proposed getting a sack and filling it. Just think, a sack of gold! -- but we soon learned from experience that "all is not gold that glitters."

"We camped, about sunset, at the foot of a mountain; made some tea, and took our supper off a rock. All were cheerful. We wished Rev. Mother could see us at supper. After offering thanks to the Giver of all good, we retired to rest -- Mother, Sisters Euphrasia and Martha under the wagon, others inside where there was room only for two to lie down.

"Sisters Euphrasia and I sat in a corner and tried to sleep. We had scarcely closed our eyes when the wolves began to howl about us. We were terribly frightened and recommended ourselves to the safe-keeping of Him who guides the weary traveler on his way. We feared they would consume our little store of provisions and thus let us perish in the wilderness, but the driver told us not to fear. During the night Sister Euphrasia was startled from her sleep by one of the horses licking her face. She screamed fearfully, and we concluded she was a prey of the wolves."

From the Trek of the Seven Sisters: Diary of Sister Monica Corrigan

Jewels from Jane, May 8

"Next morning, May 8 [1870], feast of the Patronage of our Holy Father St. Joseph, we were determined to celebrate it the best way we could. After offering up our prayers, we formed a procession, going in advance of the wagon -- Mother walking in front, bearing a Spanish lily in her hand. We followed in solemn order and imagined ourselves in Egypt with St. Joseph as leader.

"At noon we came to a cool, shady place in which we rested. The ranch-man (a person who keeps refreshments, stable feed, etc., on the western plains), invited us to dinner. He offered us a good meal of all we could desire. There were several ranchmen there from the neighboring stations, but no women. There are few women in this country. After dinner they became very sociable. We retired to the stable, where our driver and only protector was, and they followed. Some of them proposed marriage to us, saying we would do better by accepting the offer than by going to Tucson, for we would all be massacred by the Indians. The simplicity and earnestness with which they spoke put indignation out of the question, as it was evident they meant no insult, but our good. They were all native Americans. For that afternoon we had amusement enough.

"We then resumed our journey. That evening we camped in a very damp place, made some tea, the only beverage we had. We then offered up our evening prayers and retired to rest. Mother, Sisters Ambrosia, Maxime and I mounted a rock; the other three went to the wagon. The night was very cold. I think there was frost.

"We had only one blanket between seven of us. Sister Martha and I had only light summer shawls; the others brought their winter ones along. Yet, we all kept up good spirits, being convinced that we were doing the divine will. We were much fatigued, and though hard the bed, and cold the night, we soon fell asleep.

"Between 2:00 and 3:00 o'clock in the morning we were startled from our sleep by an unearthly yell from Sister Martha, and one from the driver. We hastened to learn the matter. The Sisters in the wagon feeling cold concluded to kindle a fire to warm themselves. Although very dark, they set out in search of fuel, etc. to make it with, and finally succeeded in getting a few sticks and some dry leaves, and started out for more; but this time they had the advantage of a light from the fire. Sister Martha thought she saw a fine, large stick amongst the dry leaves, and eagerly grabbed it, and commenced pulling it towards the fire; when the leaves fell off, she perceived it was a man she had by the leg. She then yelled and he screamed, but only in mischief. It was the driver who was resting himself amongst the dry leaves.

"All were frightened, but none hurt. It was well that they did wake up, for we were almost stiff with the cold. After warming ourselves a little, we made some tea to refresh ourselves. We then recommended ourselves to our Heavenly Father and our dear Mother Mary and set out singing the 'Ave Maris Stella' and other hymns, as we went along."

Trek of the Seven Sisters: Diary of Sister Monica Corrigan

Jewels from Jane,April 30

Saturday, April 30 to Tuesday, May 3, 1870 Voyage to San Diego

"The good Sisters sent us to the boat in their carriage. We took passage on the steamer "Arizona." Captain Johnson, with his officers, treated us with every mark of respect and kindness. Mother was quite sick, and scarcely able to keep up until Monday. In the afternoon Sisters Euphrasia and Martha were seasick, but were quite well next day.

"With the exception of those little occurrences, we had a pleasant trip to San Diego, where we arrived safely on Tuesday morning, May 3. We stopped at a boarding house until Saturday, May 7, when we left in a private conveyance for Fort Yuma."

From Trek of the Seven Sisters by Sister Monica Corrigan

Jewels from Jane, April 28

Thursday, April 28, 1870 Kindness of the Sisters of Mercy

"Reverend Mother Gabriel took us to visit the Magdalen Asylum in the country. Mother [Emerentia Bonnefoy] was rather indisposed, and did not accompany us. Sister Martha [Peters] remained with her. The Sisters at the asylum were extremely kind to us. They wished to load us with provisions for our journey, but as we were inexperienced in these matters, did not think we would need them, and accepted only a few knick-knacks, just to please them. We were heartily sorry, when hungry in the desert, of not accepting their offering. We shall ever feel grateful to those good Sisters, who proved to us 'friends in need,' and lavished so much kindness upon us - they are truly worthy of their calling.

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

Jewels from Jane, April 26

Tuesday, April 26, 1870 Obtained a Second Bed

"Breakfast at Elko, 1,037 miles from Omaha; the morning was warm and pleasant. There were a great many Indians at the depot; we threw them candy and it was really amusing to see these poor old creatures grabbing for it in the dust. Mr. Deobeck occasionally sent us apples, oranges, candy, etc. At noon we stopped at Battle Mountain, where we met Rev. F. Kelly, pastor of Austin, Nev. He invited us to dinner, which, indeed we needed badly, but Mother was afraid to leave the carpetbags, etc., so he had dinner sent in. At supper Sister Martha [Peters - lay sister] was rather indisposed, and the good priest brought her supper to the car. He was extremely kind. That night a lady offered us her bed; we then had two, which enabled us to get a little rest. When we retired at night, the heat was as oppressive as that of a St. Louis July; the mornings as cold as a Canadian March. In several places the railroad is protected by sheds to prevent snow from blocking up the tracks."

From "Trek of the Seven Sisters" – Sister Monica Corrigan’s diary

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