Traces of Texas reader Beverly Eliese Theriot graciously sent in this remarkable historical photo of children and nuns at the tragically doomed St. Mary's Orphans Asylum in Galveston, taken not too long before the horrific 1900 hurricane washed the two structures away, killing 10 of the sisters and 90 children. The orphanage was operated by the Sisters of Charity. The Sisters had established St. Mary's Infirmary in Galveston in 1867, making it the first Catholic hospital in Texas. They had been summoned to Galveston by Catholic Bishop Claude M. Dubuis the year before to care for the many sick and infirm in Galveston, which of course was Texas' first major seaport. The sisters were also entrusted with the task of caring for orphaned children, almost all of whom had lost their parents during various yellow fever outbreaks. Initially, the Sisters of Charity established the orphanage as part of the hospital, but subsequently relocated it to a beach-front property three miles west of the hospital, on the former estate of Captain Farnifalia Green. It was supposed to be an ideal location as it was distant from the town and the threat of yellow fever. As the new millennium approached, Galveston was one of the wealthiest cities per capita in the United States and one of the largest cities in Texas. With a population of 36,000, it was a prosperous community with a bustling port, poised for greatness. And then came that awful, harrowing day. Reading the accounts, how anybody survived is beyond miraculous. Thank you, Beverly. This is a SUPER DUPER piece of Texas history.