THE ESCAPED NUN.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 197, 18 August 1920, Page 5

THE ESCAPED NUN.

LEAVES CONVENT TWICE. SECOND TIME IN NIGHT ATTIRE. The Sydney papers received by mail to-day devote a good deal of space to the ease of "Sister Ligouri" (Bridget Partridge), generally referred to as The Escaped Nun. The ""Telegraph's" Wagga correspondent, writing on August G, said:—"lt transpires that Sister Ligouri left the Mount Erin convent shortly after mid-day on Saturday, July "24, in her convent full attire, and went to the residence of Mr. C. J. Burgess, in Coleman Street, situated at the rear of the convent .grounds. She asked permission to use Mr. Burgess' telephone, arid telephoned to the Catholic presbytery to Father Bairy, the only priest at home. Sister Ligouri stated she had left the consent. Later two sisters from the convent called nt the house, and Sister Ligouri consented to meet them. She subsequently left viJlingly with them, and returned to the convent. On her return, according tc subsequent statements, she was prescribed for by Dr. Leahy. At about 8 o'clock the same evening Sister Ligouri asked for a hotwater bag. as her feet were cold, and in the interval, while the attending sister was absent, plih left her room and the convent. The grounds were searched in vain, but as no trace of the missing sister could be found, the rev. mother rang up the 1 police. On her leaving the convent the second time Sister Ligouri again went to the home of Mr. and Mr.-. Burgess. She arrived there in night attire, and without shoes or stockings, and<nppeared to be in an agitated state of mind, ani asked for heln and protection. Clothing was provided for her by Mrs. Burgess, and a. room for the night offered. Sister Ligouri replied that it was the first house at which a search would lie made for her, and asked to be taken elsewhere, r.s she <lif. not wish to return to the convent. She was thereupon accompanied to the residence of Mr. and Mrs. R. Thompson, in Coleman Street, where she staved over Saturday niffllt nnd Sunday. Here the woman explained that she ran uway on Saturday night in consec|U"iico of what transpired on I'cr return that, afternoon, and that she left in licr nipht attire, as there was no ot'ier means of making her escape.

It transpirps that every effort -was made by (he Roman Catholic community to roeover Sister l.igouri, and the railways and highways were for several days closely watched. Sister I/ipouri's stay in Wnpga, after escaping from the convent, was, however, a short one, for, whilst search nartier. were watching for her, sho wiia enjoying a motor tour through the beauty spots of the district. THE COURT PROCEEDINGS. On Monday morning, August 0, Miss Partridge was brought before the Court at Darlimrhurst. Dressed in ordinary clothes, she presented the picture of a fresh Irish girl. The information set out that she was :i person deemed to i>e insane and was without sufficient means of support. Detective-Sergeant, J. C. Farley related the circumstances of the arrest. He said when he told her he had a warrant for her arrest, Miss Partridge said, ''Could you not leave it till Monday morning, us it is my intention to surrender myself to the authorities. 1 sent my resignation to Bisho-o Dwyer. Why is he making such a iuss7" He (witness) conversed with Miss Partridge on various topics, and did not detect the slightest sign of 'nsantity. The case was remanded for seven days, and orders wore given that no one was to visit AIUs Partridge, without her consent. The case was concluded on August 13, when medical experts having reported that she was sane, Aliss Partridge was , discharged.