Aunt Helen Leddy Accused of Cruelty to Horses

Los Angeles Herald, Volume 36, Number 362, 28 September 1909

 

Casa Verdugo

 

YOUNG WOMAN ACCUSED OF CRUELTY TO HORSES
Charged with Overdriving Steeds in Ride from Pasadena to Casa Verdugo
PASADENA, Sept. 27 —The two most surprised young women in Pasadena are Miss Helen M. Leddy of 723 North Raymond avenue and A Edith M. Smith of 421 Mundell drive. Yesterday they learned to their surprise they were under arrest for alleged cruelty to horses which they had ridden to Casa Verdugo. They hired the animals at a local livery stable and went out for a horseback ride. They had no idea they were overdriving the animals, but nevertheless they were taken in charge by Deputy Constable Bergman, who turned the case over to the humane officer in Pasadena, R. I. Stillwell.

This morning the case was called before Judge McDonald and the young women experienced a rather bad half hour. They told about their ride, and while they admitted hitting up a rather fast clip they denied any intention of cruelty. C. E. Post, of the livery stable where the horses were hired, thought the women were getting rather a hard deal, and in view of fact and the stories told by the girls themselves, the judge dismissed the cases with a probationary warning. Both young women made up their minds they would never take another horseback ride.

My Great Aunt Alma Leddy Parties

Mrs. John Haynes of North Raymond avenue entertained on Thursday a large party, of young people in honor of the birthday anniversary of her daughter. Miss Grace Harriet Haynes. Pink and white were the colors used In the elaborate decorations, and no evening affair for older people could have been more perfect in detail than 'this largest juvenile party of the early fall. Among those present were Misses Mary, Lillie, Margaret and Baby La Spada, Ruth and Esther Evans, Alma Leddy, Margaret Thomas and Inez Winans.

Los Angeles Herald, Volume 32, Number 344, 10 September 1905

Los Angeles Herald, Volume 37, Number 120, 29 January 1910 — Page 14

Hotel Maryland, Pasadena, 1908, Haines Photo Co. (Conneaut, Ohio)

"AUTO RUNS INTO 2 WOMEN; BOTH HURT
PASADENA, Jan. 28. 1910—Miss Katberine Egan and Miss Helen Leddy were run into by a seven-passenger touring car at Colorado street and Raymond avenue this evening at 6 o'clock. The car was driven by C. W. Howard, a winter guest at the Hotel Maryland and father-in-law of J. Hawkes if the Kendall company. In the car with Mr. Howard were Mrs. Howard, Mrs. Hawkes and Howard Hawkes.

The machine was proceeding slowly in Colorado street, going west, and a street car was standing at. the intersection. The young women started to cross Colorado street, and believing the car was about to start, passed to the rear of it. They did not notice the auto until it was close to them. Miss Leddy screamed for her companion to jump, and in some manner seized hold of the machine. She was dragged for a little distance and her clothing was torn, but she escaped serious injury and was able to go home unassisted.

Miss Egan was knocked down, and the big six-cylinter [sic] machine passed over her chest. She was taken to Pasadena hospital, where it was found one rib was broken and the young woman probably was suffering from internal injuries and nervousness. Mr. Howard went to the hospital and offered every possible assistance. He expressed considerable concern over the accident, and said this is the first accident ho has had in twelve years.

Miss Leddy is the daughter of John T. Leddy of 725 North Raymond avenue and Miss Egan Is a former schoolmate from Philadelphia and is visiting with the Misses Leddy."

Helen Leddy was Harold Leddy's sister.   She was 21 at the time.

West Colorado Street, First National Bank, Fair Oaks and Colorado, Pasadena, 1910

Follow-up

X.RAY REVEALS FRACTURE
PASADENA Jan. 30.—After taking an X-ray photograph last evening, Dr. S. J. Mattison discovered that Miss Katherine Eagan is suffering from a fracture "i' the ridge, or spine, of the shoulder blade. -Miss Eagan was struck by, a seven-passenger automobile Friday evening on Colorado street and a wheel ran over her chest before the machine was stopped. Dr. Mattison states that the fracture of one rib is so slight as to be negligible and that the internal injury to the lungs is rapidly mending. The shoulder blade itself acts as the splint for the more serious injury. Both Miss Eagan and Miss Leddy, her companion, who was unhurt, are still suffering from nervous shock.

And more:

Los Angeles Herald, June 26, 1910, Page 9

"Miss Catherine Egan who has been a house guest for several months of Mrs. John Leddy, 725 North Raymond avenue, left yesterday for her home in Pennsylvania.  Previous to her departure she was tendered a surprise party by numerous of her friends.  The affair was also a surprise on the Misses Leddy."  

That is, she survived being run over by a seven-passenger touring car.   

 

 

 

Photo of Margaret Leddy and her four sons

Don Leddy is on the left.  The twins are Jim and Albert, don't know which is which.  John Barnes (Jack) Leddy is on the right.  This would be in Pasadena, CA. 

This one, presumably taken on the same day, has Harold Leddy.

Holloween, Norwalk, Iowa 1930s

Jane, who is 86 now, remembers when her dad used to take her into Norwalk trick-or-treating.  She and her friend Ester would go to the houses of the "grandmas" (their word for a group of Norwalk widows.)   She also remembers one year in which the boys put an old outhouse on top of the school.

Heart of the Hawkeye Council of Campfire Girls December 12, 1945

Two poems by Jane Winter Leddy [signed Jane Winter]


Candle Flame

We have been led by candles through the quiet
              twilight hours
We have carried candles and searched the yellow
              crown of flame with wistful eyes
Seeking within it's core the mystery of our-
              selves,
Glimpsing instead the pattern of eternity.
           

Vagabond Memories

Navy blue thunderheads against a sunset sky,
 Lovliness enough for you and I;
Flash of scarlet along a woodland trail,
 Such memories will not grow pale;
Bid notes like polished silver
 Float to us across a quiet river.
We have gazed at dying embers lovingly;
 We have grown stronger silently. 

Annie Murray (Sister Mary de Sales) 1879-1920

Villa Maria Convent, West Chester, PA

My grandfather (Harold de Sales Leddy)'s aunt on this mother's side was Sister Annie Murray.  He took his middle name from her religious name, De Sales.  The following information is provided by Tom Wagner who is the son of Florence Barnes, daughter of Samuel Barnes, son of Henry Barnes. Anthony Parone, who is big into the genealogy of the Barnes family.

Annie Murray "entered the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at Villa Maria Convent, West Chester, PA on May 1, 1879.  Annie received the Holy Habit of Religion in West Chester on January 3, 1880 and was given the name, Sister Mary de Sales.  She made Profession of First Vows on January 3 1882 in the Chapel of Villa Maria, West Chester. 
     Although our Community Record Cards usually list the various missions of each of our Sisters this is not true of Sister de Sales. The only other information about Sister is that she died in Villa Maria Convent, West Chester on April 28, 1920 and is buried in the Community plot at St. Agnes Cemetery.  May her dear soul rest in the peace and joy that our most loving Lord promised to all good and faithful servants."  This quote, although coming from Tom Wagner, looks to be based on an earlier document by a member of the community.

One entry in the Menology says "Mother de Sales and a Sister companion, walking through Wanamaker's furniture department, were confronted with two Immaculate Heart Sisters coming toward them.  The companion was not concerned but Mother kept tugging her and finally, wondering at their proximity said, "Sister, I saw these two Sisters before."  They then realized that they were looking in a long mirror in the aisle, directly in front of them and enjoyed a good laugh at their own expense."  Wanamaker's was where my grandfather's father made his fortunate as a cabinet-maker.  So perhaps they were visiting him on this occasion. 

From 1892-1898 she was Mistress/Directress of novices under General Superior, Mother Mary de Chantel (who was General Superior 1886-1904)

Wikipedia provides this information:  "Villa Maria Academy is an all-girls Catholic college-preparatory high school located in Malvern, Pennsylvania. The school was formed and carried out by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Growth and development is key to this institution whether it be spiritually or intellectually. It is operated independently and with the blessing of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia.... The foundation of the academy dates to July, 1872. At that time, the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary transferred their motherhouse, novitiate, and boarding school from Reading to West Chester, PA. Occupying the property formerly owned by the Pennsylvania Military Academy, the school flourished in West Chester until 1914, when Villa Maria moved to Immaculata College, which today houses the retired sisters."

In a notice of her death Reading Eagle, May 4, 1920, it is mentioned that at the time of her death she was assistant to the mother superior.  The notice says she was formerly of St. Peter's convent "this city." There are listings for a St. Peter's convent in Philadelphia, where she was born.

Ned Goode, Photographer July 1958 SOUTH FRONT - West Chester Young Ladies Seminary, 300 Maple Avenue, West Chester, Chester County, PA