The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR

DURING THE 1930'S IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A HOUSE OF THE LITTLE SISTERS
RAN OUT OF COAL FOR THEIR FURNACE AND COULD NOT GET ANY MORE FROM THE
COAL COMPANY BECAUSE OF PAST BILLS THAT WERE STILL OWED. SO ONE OF
THE SISTERS PLACED A STATUE OF ST. JOSEPH IN THE COAL BIN AND THE
WHOLE COMMUNITY PRAYED FOR ST. JOSEPH TO HELP THEM. THE NEXT DAY,
WHILE A COAL TRUCK WAS MAKING A DELIVERY TO THE BUILDING NEXT TO THE
LITTLE SISTERS, THE DRIVER BY MISTAKE EMPTIED THE COAL INTO THEIR
BASEMENT, BURYING THE STATUE OF ST. JOSEPH.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT WAS TOLD THIS STORY BY ONE OF THE LITTLE SISTERS AT
THEIR TOLEDO, OHIO HOME.

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO ; DETROIT

Date learned: 09-20-1972