To the Editor of the New-York Times:
R.F. DOWNING & CO.
New York Tuesday, Feb. 18, 1890.
-- © The New York Times, February 19, 1890
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Before leaving New York today Miss Amy C. Fowler -- Sister Rose Gertrude -- the young English lady on her way to the leper hospital at Molokai, desired us to express on her behalf her most sincere gratitude for the great generosity displayed by the public toward her mission and the many acts of personal kindness shown her during her stay in the United States. The delays of travel that prevented her sailing at once from San Francisco on Feb. 8 -- a detention which Miss Fowler then considered most unfortunate -- have given the people of this country, and of New York City in particular, an opportunity which they did not neglect of testifying substantially to a noble work of humanity and heroism.
Miss Fowler especially desires us to thank the American press, and especially the newspapers of New York and Brooklyn, as it was largely through their kindly treatment and interest that these gifts came. As we had the honor of receiving for Miss Fowler the contributions from the public, we feel that a statement of general results would be appropriate and of interest. Wherever practicable these gifts have been acknowledged personally and in detail. Many articles and letters with money came without the names or addresses of the givers, and represented the generosity of the people, literally from Maine to California. As in England, no distinction of creed or nationality appeared.
The contributions to the lepers amounted approximately in value to $2,200. This includes $334 in cash.
Among the later gifts not noted were a handsome new typewriter, presented by the Smith Premier Typewriter Company of Syracuse; an order for a grand music box from James B. Murray, Esq., of this city; two large cases of table linen, including 600 napkins and 50 tablecloths, from Mrs. A. L. Ashman of the Sinclair House of this city; four cases of silks, books, and pictures, together with $50, from the Misses Merrington and Mr. Merrington of New York; a dozen handsome shawls from Miss A. Rice of Brooklyn; boxes of toys and pictures from Mr. E.J. Kilbourne of this city and Mrs. Conly of Brooklyn; a gift of 100 books from Miss Flannigan of New York.
Checks of $10 each were received from Mr. Frederic R. Coudert, Mr. F. Cummisky of Brooklyn, and D.G. Yuengling, and Miss White of Fifth Avenue sent $25. Mr. L. Benziger contributed $25, and Mr. Peter McQuade of 33 Pearl Street gave four large cases of wine for use in the hospital.
The Sisters of the Sacred Heart, on Seventeenth Street, sent a large case of valuable vestments and ornaments for the use of the church at Molokai and Kalawao.
Through the courtesy of Messrs. John Scheidig & Co., a large discount was secured on a photographic apparatus purchased by Miss Fowler. One of the handsomest gifts is the Steinway piano presented by Mr. George G. Haven. This has been sent forward to San Francisco free of charge through the courtesy of the Southern Pacific Railroad and Mr. H. Hawley, of the General Eastern Agent.
The New York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad, through Mr. J. Buckley, the General Passenger Agent; the Inter-State Dispatch, through Mr. Charles F. Case, General Eastern Agent, and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Company, through its General Eastern Agent, Mr. Sanderson, have extended the greatest courtesy to Miss Fowler in the matter of allowing extra baggage and arrangements for travel. Through this kindness the gifts received here, packed in five large cases, will go forward to Honolulu in the steamer with Miss Fowler.
Miss Fowler's first unwillingness to have any public mention of her arrival and purposes was overcome by the universally kind treatment she received and the public interest in her work. She left New York this afternoon, traveling alone to Chicago, where she will meet friends, and thence direct to San Francisco, sailing Feb. 28 on the steamer Mariposa.