Re: Sister Rose Gertrude (Amy C. Fowler) To Die For The Lepe
Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2018 8:29 am
Hawaii, Kingdom. Legislature, Select Committee on Rose Gertrude
Legislature of 1890. [rule] Select Committee on Complaint of Rose Gertrude in regard to Kalihi Hospital, Honolulu, H.I.:, Robert Grieve, Steam Book and Job Printer, 25 and 27 Merchant Street, 1890.
Hawaiian National Bibliography, 1780-1900: 1881-1900
by David W. Forbes
NOTICE: THIS WORK MAY BE PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT
8VO. 20.5 x 13 cm (BPBM). Cover title, [1] + 2-39 complaint and testimony, 40-42 majority report, 43 minority report, [44] blank pp.
Following the death of Father Damien, Miss Amy Fowler, a Roman Catholic convert and daughter of an English clergyman, announced to the world that, as Father Damien had done, she would travel to the Hawaiian Islands and devote the rest of her life to the service of the lepers. She received a great deal of publicity. When as Sister Rose Gertrude she arrived at Honolulu, she was "attired in the dress of the order of St. Dominic" (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, March 1-, 1890). The President of the Board of Health writes in his 1890 report to the legislature (pp. 10-11):
Sister Rose Gertrude, whose mission to this country to devote her life to the care of the lepers was heralded by the press of the whole civilized world, arrived here early in March, and, although she expected to be assigned to duty at Molokai, it was the opinion of the Board that she could be more usefully employed, for the present, at the Receiving Station, where the services of a trained nurse were very much needed, and she has therefore been installed as its matron. Her field of labor, though limited, is an important one. She is in charge of the "Suspect" side of the establishment and has her residence in a detached cottage in the grounds. She has already entered upon her work with a zeal and judgment that bid fair to be of great benefit to those who are placed under her care.
Sister Rose Gertrude, however, soon found herself at cross-purposes with one Charles Kahalehili, who acted as a sort of luna (overseer) at the Kalihi establishment. He had on numerous occasions counseled fellow patients not to take prescribed medicines, and Sister Rose reported that whereas she, acting under the orders of Dr. Lutz, had prescribed rest for the patients, Kahalehili was forcing ill patients to work in various capacities, threatening to send them to Molokai if they did not perform. Recreational outings by the doctor and Sister Rose "into the surrounding country, amusing themselves by amateur photography on the way," reported in the Pacific Commercial Advertiser (Sept. 30, 1890,) had also become the source of town gossip. Sister Rose first demanded that the Board of Health dismiss Kahalehili, and, while this was under consideration, she also managed to get the legislature involved in the investigation.
In its report the committee states that it had investigated matters at the hospital and interviewed the patients and had come to the conclusion that the conduct of Charles Kahalehili had been improper, and that W.F. Reynolds of the Board of Health had also acted in an unsatisfactory manner; it recommends the removal of both from office. The majority report is signed by John W. Kalua (Chairman), A.P. Paehaole, H.G. Crabbe, and Wm. H. Halstead. The minority report is signed by T.R. Lucas.
Following this report Sister Rose Gertrude resigned, and, as Miss Fowler, was subsequently employed as a children's governess for the John Ena family.
Legislature of 1890. [rule] Select Committee on Complaint of Rose Gertrude in regard to Kalihi Hospital, Honolulu, H.I.:, Robert Grieve, Steam Book and Job Printer, 25 and 27 Merchant Street, 1890.
Hawaiian National Bibliography, 1780-1900: 1881-1900
by David W. Forbes
NOTICE: THIS WORK MAY BE PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT
YOU ARE REQUIRED TO READ THE COPYRIGHT NOTICE AT THIS LINK BEFORE YOU READ THE FOLLOWING WORK, THAT IS AVAILABLE SOLELY FOR PRIVATE STUDY, SCHOLARSHIP OR RESEARCH PURSUANT TO 17 U.S.C. SECTION 107 AND 108. IN THE EVENT THAT THE LIBRARY DETERMINES THAT UNLAWFUL COPYING OF THIS WORK HAS OCCURRED, THE LIBRARY HAS THE RIGHT TO BLOCK THE I.P. ADDRESS AT WHICH THE UNLAWFUL COPYING APPEARED TO HAVE OCCURRED. THANK YOU FOR RESPECTING THE RIGHTS OF COPYRIGHT OWNERS.
8VO. 20.5 x 13 cm (BPBM). Cover title, [1] + 2-39 complaint and testimony, 40-42 majority report, 43 minority report, [44] blank pp.
Following the death of Father Damien, Miss Amy Fowler, a Roman Catholic convert and daughter of an English clergyman, announced to the world that, as Father Damien had done, she would travel to the Hawaiian Islands and devote the rest of her life to the service of the lepers. She received a great deal of publicity. When as Sister Rose Gertrude she arrived at Honolulu, she was "attired in the dress of the order of St. Dominic" (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, March 1-, 1890). The President of the Board of Health writes in his 1890 report to the legislature (pp. 10-11):
Sister Rose Gertrude, whose mission to this country to devote her life to the care of the lepers was heralded by the press of the whole civilized world, arrived here early in March, and, although she expected to be assigned to duty at Molokai, it was the opinion of the Board that she could be more usefully employed, for the present, at the Receiving Station, where the services of a trained nurse were very much needed, and she has therefore been installed as its matron. Her field of labor, though limited, is an important one. She is in charge of the "Suspect" side of the establishment and has her residence in a detached cottage in the grounds. She has already entered upon her work with a zeal and judgment that bid fair to be of great benefit to those who are placed under her care.
Sister Rose Gertrude, however, soon found herself at cross-purposes with one Charles Kahalehili, who acted as a sort of luna (overseer) at the Kalihi establishment. He had on numerous occasions counseled fellow patients not to take prescribed medicines, and Sister Rose reported that whereas she, acting under the orders of Dr. Lutz, had prescribed rest for the patients, Kahalehili was forcing ill patients to work in various capacities, threatening to send them to Molokai if they did not perform. Recreational outings by the doctor and Sister Rose "into the surrounding country, amusing themselves by amateur photography on the way," reported in the Pacific Commercial Advertiser (Sept. 30, 1890,) had also become the source of town gossip. Sister Rose first demanded that the Board of Health dismiss Kahalehili, and, while this was under consideration, she also managed to get the legislature involved in the investigation.
In its report the committee states that it had investigated matters at the hospital and interviewed the patients and had come to the conclusion that the conduct of Charles Kahalehili had been improper, and that W.F. Reynolds of the Board of Health had also acted in an unsatisfactory manner; it recommends the removal of both from office. The majority report is signed by John W. Kalua (Chairman), A.P. Paehaole, H.G. Crabbe, and Wm. H. Halstead. The minority report is signed by T.R. Lucas.
Following this report Sister Rose Gertrude resigned, and, as Miss Fowler, was subsequently employed as a children's governess for the John Ena family.