Sister Stephen of the Incarnate Word

Subject: Sister Stephen of the Incarnate Word Thu 13 Sep 2007, 9:19 pm

In his 'Romance of Davis Mountains and Big Bend Country: A History' (published 1962), Carlysle Graham Raht tells of a Sister Stephen of the Incarnate Word of San Antonio, who traveled by wagon train to Fort Davis in the spring of 1870, "in the interest of the orphans." She is described as being one of the lone women who then undertook this journey, and as an "entertaining traveling companion, always in a pleasant humor with the trail driver and passengers." The following scene is related:

"One of the trail drivers asked Sister Stephens [sic?] what service could she render in case of an Indian attack.

"'Sir,' she replied with a smile. 'I would have work to do. While you do the fighting, I'll do the praying.'"

Raht also spoke of Sister Stephen as being a "spiritual pioneer." Unfortunately, he stated, little was "known of this outstanding character." (pages v and 298)

Below is a link to a history page provided by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, in San Antonio. It speaks of the arrival of the sisters in 1869, their founding of an orphanage in 1872 and names several of the first nuns to reach San Antonio. A Sister Stephens is not mentioned, however. Does anyone have familiarity with the early history of these veiled pioneers, to shed light on the identity of the sister who may have traveled to Fort Davis in 1870? Also, which orphans there might she have come to assist?

http://www.incarnatewordsisters.org/ourhistory.htm

Thank you,

Holly
_________________
The woman of the frontier made the best of her situation, for she had developed a respect for the land that gave her freedom as well as the courage to live in it.
~~~ from the perspective of Anne Seagraves