CONVENT DESTROYED BY FIRE.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 70, 20 March 1877, Page 3

CONVENT DESTROYED BY FIRE.

Thirteen of the Inmates Perished. The Covent otthe Sisters of Providence at St. Elizabeth, Montreal, was burnt on the evening of Christinas Day. At the 8.45 inspection there were no signs of fire, and at 9.20, when all were abed, the buildings were burning so rapidly that none of the occupants had time to clothe themselves. The fire probably originated between the floors. There were forty-eight boarders in the convent. Thirteen perished in the flames. Theire names are—Angele Dauphin, aged 63; Elizabeth Gravel, aged, 19; Maria Louise Geoffrey, aged 10 ; Pomella Desmario. aged 9 ; Mare Drolet, aged 10; Leo Guilbalt, aged 7 ; Gcorgina Lavealee aged 10 ; Luzana Lavalee, aged 10 ; Rosanna Massau, aged 10; Delina Massau, aged 11, of St. Thomas; and Melina Jolly, of St. Felix. At one o'clock eight bodies had been recovered, all burned to a crisp. Some of the parents were present, seeming to recognise their children by the fragment of clothing clinging to their bodies. Elizabeth Gravel, one of the victims, was out oflhe convent while it was burning, but re-entered to render assistance. The Sister Superior perished in remaining in the convent to save the children, who only escaped with difficulty. The convent was situated at St. Elizabeth, nine miles from Joilliette, and was under the management of the Sisters of Providence. The community building formed two wings, the sisters and fifty lady boarders occupying one, while the other was occupied by some fifty orphans and infirm persons. The structure was one of wood. There being no fire apparatus in the village, the fire could not be checked. Nothing was saved from the building. Insurance, 24,000 dol.