Chronicles of Notre Dame du Lac
Edward Sorin, CSC -- Translated by John M. Toohey, CSC, 1895

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1855

pg 233       Immaculate Conception, will always remain one of the most 
             remarkable in the records of this mission.  More than any other 
             since the commencement of Notre Dame du Lac, it was marked by 
             blessings and by trials, by joys and by crosses.  The death of 
             Bro. John of the Cross and of Mr. Devos renew all the agonies of 
             the previous autumn; the pecuniary embarrassment of Notre Dame and 
             the continuance of the fatal epidemic; and the well-founded fear 
             that soon the place would be judged unhealthy--which would have 
             meant certain destruction--; the compulsory acquisition of the 
             Rush property in order to lower the lakes and dry the 
             surroundings; the necessity either of building at Mishawaka and 
             Bertrand or of removing the two academies to the new property, 
             which had every advantage for the Sisters' establishment in 
             connection with the Priests and Brothers; the additional expenses 
             arising from this unavoidable resolution; the donation meanwhile 
             by Mr. and Mrs. Phelan, which, whilst not immediately filling the 
             treasury, supplied a fund to meet claims such as the house had not 
             previously had, the sale of a portion of this donation to the