On May 4, 1878, Mother Theresia Bonzel, the foundress of the Poor Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, set sail for America. In Nebraska, Mother Theresia and her companion, Sister Deo Gratias were frightened beyond words when the train they were traveling in was held up by robbers. The alarmed passengers were herded into a little restaurant. Thankfully, no one was harmed and they were allowed on their way. (This gives us some idea of Nebraska in the 1870’s!)
In 1880 the Franciscan Sisters, with John Creighton’s help, was able to begin a small hospital in Omaha. It was gradually enlarged until it became the St. Joseph-Creighton Memorial Hospital. This hospital served the Poor Clares in Omaha. Mr. Creighton had erected the hospital in memory of his dearly beloved wife, Sarah Emily, who died in 1888.