REVIEW OF THE YEAR. Leading Events in the Career of the Society, for 1905, or of Special Interest to the Members.

Jan. 2.

Among the mayors inaugurated in Massachusetts cities today were the following: Hon. Augustine J. Daly, Cambridge; Hon. James B. Casey, Lowell; Hon. Cornelius B. Lynch, Lawrence; Hon. John T. Coughlin, Fall River; Hon. M. F. Dwyer, Medford; Hon. Lawrence P. Reade, Woburn; and Hon. T. M. Connor, Northampton.

Jan. 2.

The following mayors, among others, were inaugurated in Rhode Island cities today: Hon. Patrick J. Boyle, Newport; Hon. James H. Higgins, Pawtucket; and Hon. Thomas H. McNally, Central Falls.

Jan. 12.

A meeting of the Council of the Society is held at the Hotel Manhattan, 42d Street and Madison Avenue, New York City.

Jan. 12.

Thomas D. O’Brien, St. Paul, Minn., is today appointed insurance commissioner of Minnesota by Governor Johnson.

Jan. 16.

Hon. Thomas H. Carter, a member of the Society, is today again elected United States senator from Montana.

Jan. 24.

The annual meeting and dinner of the Society takes place at the Hotel Manhattan, New York City.

Jan. 24.

Died today in Dorchester (Boston), Mass., Mary, the widow of Thomas O’Neil, a veteran of the Mexican and Civil wars. In view of the death of his widow, a few words regarding O’Neil will be of interest. He served bravely in the Mexican War, during which he distinguished himself by saving Franklin Pierce, afterwards president of the United States. Pierce was badly wounded, when O’Neil rescued him and taking him on 136his own horse, dashed away with him to a place of safety. In the home of Mrs. McFarlane, her daughter, where Mrs. O’Neil spent the latter part of her life, are two interesting testimonials of the bravery of O’Neil during the war. One is a Bible, the gift of President Pierce, with this inscription: “For the children of Sergeant Thomas O’Neil, who was in my military family during the war with Mexico, and by his courage and fidelity earning my confidence and affectionate regard. Franklin Pierce. Washington, D. C., May 22, 1853.” The other is a beautiful silk Mexican flag, finely worked and colored, which O’Neil captured. It was made in a convent. It now hangs over his portrait in the parlor. O’Neil promptly responded to Lincoln’s call for volunteers when the Civil War broke out. He received the distinction of being offered in one day two commissions, one from Governor Andrew of Massachusetts, as captain, and one from New York. He accepted the latter and as captain recruited and went to the front with a regiment which afterwards became part of Meagher’s Irish brigade. For his distinguished services on the field of battle he was promoted to the rank of major. He resigned in 1862, with the intention of returning to Boston to raise another company for the war, but a few days afterwards fell from his horse and died of his injuries.

Jan. 28.

Dr. Patrick J. McGrath, a member of a prominent family in Dublin, Ireland, died today at Bellevue Hospital, New York. He sailed on one of the Peary expeditions to the Polar regions, as medical adviser; enlisted in a volunteer regiment during the war with Spain, and also served throughout the Philippine campaign. Shortly before his death he had received from Washington, D. C., an appointment as surgeon in the canal zone in Panama.

Jan. 28.

The Irish-American, New York City, of this date, has the following: “President Roosevelt in sending some details of his Irish pedigree to the American-Irish Historical Society ... has made known some information not generally current, though often desired. To his credit be it said, that he always was proud of his 137Irish blood, and from the very outset of his public career, years ago, vaunted it as one of his most cherished possessions. He has been following this up by the nomination to public office of candidates with decidedly Hibernian patronymics. W. D. Murphy of this city, it is said, is to be the new Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, and a diplomat named O’Brien, from the Northwest, is to be sent as Minister to Denmark. ‘Think of old Brian, war’s mighty lion,’ who smote the Danes at Clontarf and drove them into the sea, looking down from his celestial mansion above and seeing one of his descendants made ambassador to his old enemies from the greatest nation of the world, a nation to the prosperity and prestige of which his countrymen have contributed so much! Mr. Roosevelt in his genealogical list included the O’Briens. He must have had some idea of the poetical and historical retributions of the case when he thought of one of the great Munster families for the Republic’s representative to Denmark.”

Jan. 30.

Hon. Anthony M. Keiley, formerly chief justice of the International Court of Appeals at Cairo, Egypt, died on or about this date in France. He was a native of New Jersey and was about 69 years old. He was educated at the Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. After graduation he founded the Norfolk Virginian and was also editor of the Petersburg Index and News. He first became prominent in the politics of Virginia in the campaign of 1881, when he was chairman of the Democratic state committee. He was also mayor of Richmond for one term and then became city attorney. It was while holding this office, in 1885, that he attracted the attention of President Cleveland, who appointed him minister to Italy to succeed William Waldorf Astor. The Italian government objected, however, to the appointment and it was cancelled. The president then appointed Mr. Keiley minister to Austria, but the government of that country also declared him persona non grata on the ground that he held ultramontane views, which were offensive to a friendly government. This objection was not well received either in official circles here or among 138a large and influential class in Austria. The Austrian government then raised other objections. Secretary of State Bayard addressed a note to the Austrian government in which he spoke plainly on the unreasonableness of race and religious distinctions. He said that the appointment would be allowed to stand even though it resulted in a rupture of diplomatic relations between Austria and the United States. Mr. Keiley, however, saved the administration from further embarrassment by resigning. Afterward, President Cleveland appointed him to the International Court at Cairo, of which he became chief justice. His wife died in 1902, and he was so greatly distressed over her loss that he resigned from the court and sought relief in travel. Mr. Keiley served twelve years as president of the Irish Catholic Benevolent Union.

Feb. 3.

John C. Foley, a veteran of the Civil War, died today in Charleston, S. C., while on a business tour. His residence for some years past had been in New Orleans, La. He belonged to an old and widely respected Irish family favorably known in Kilkenny and Tipperary, members of which emigrated to this country in the early fifties and settled in South Brooklyn, N. Y., where some of them still reside. On the breaking out of the Civil War the deceased joined the Eighty-eighth Regiment, New York Volunteers, of Meagher’s Brigade, in which he was commissioned as first lieutenant in the company of which the late Maj. P. K. Horgan was then captain. He served with his command through all the engagements in which it participated, down to Burnside’s disastrous assault on the fortified lines of the Confederates at Fredericksburg, in which the Irish brigade, in the assault on Marye’s Heights, was so cut up that after the fight the New York regiments originally comprised in it could only muster, all told, between two and three hundred unwounded men. General Meagher applied to the war department to have the brigade temporarily relieved in order that its decimated ranks might be again recruited; but the reply of the secretary of that time,—who had never regarded the Irish organizations with favor,—was 139an order relieving Meagher of his command, consolidating the regiments into four companies, under a lieutenant-colonel, and mustering out the other surviving officers as supernumeraries.

Feb. 6.

Michael Hicks, a member of the Society, died today at his residence in New York City.

Feb. 7.

James A. Walsh died today in Lewiston, Me. He was a member of the Society.

Feb. 9.

Hon. Carlton McCarthy, mayor of Richmond, Va., writes today, expressing his appreciation of “The great value and importance of the work” in which the Society is engaged.

Feb. 11.

Rear Admiral John McGowan, U.S.N. (retired), is today admitted as a Life member of the Society. His father was born in Philadelphia, Pa., but his grandfather was born in Ireland.

Feb. 11.

Brig.-Gen. Michael Cooney, U.S.A. (retired), is admitted to membership in the Society.

Feb. 11.

Brig.-Gen. Peter Leary, Jr., U.S.A. (retired), writes expressing his appreciation of the work in which the Society is engaged.

Feb. 16.

It is announced from Dublin, Ireland, that President Roosevelt has sent to Lady Gregory a contribution toward the purchase of Irish pictures for the Gallery of Modern Art which it is proposed to establish in Dublin. Lady Gregory has been appealing to Americans to assist in buying pictures lately exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy, and President Roosevelt, who sent the contribution “with great pleasure,” has written to her as follows: “I cordially sympathize with you in your efforts to keep such a collection of pictures in Dublin. It would be an important step toward giving Dublin the position it by right should have.”

Feb. 19.

Gen. John M. Brennan, a well-known lawyer of Providence, R. I., died. He served on the staff of Governor Davis of Rhode Island as judge advocate general.

Feb. 21.

Eugene M. O’Neill of Pittsburg, Pa., is admitted to the Society as a Life member.

Feb. 22.

John T. Gibbons of New Orleans, La., is admitted to the Society as a Life member. 140

Feb. 27.

William O’Herin of Parsons, Kansas, was today admitted to Life membership in the Society. He is superintendent of machinery and equipment of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway.

Feb. 27.

Gen. Richard A. Donnelly, quartermaster-general of the New Jersey National Guard, died today at Trenton. He was born at Richmond, Staten Island. He served two terms as mayor of Trenton.

March.

John Hayes, of Manchester, N. H., a member of the Society, died this month.

March 3.

Hon. W. Bourke Cockran, New York City, is admitted a Life member of the Society.

March 6.

Among the nominations sent by President Roosevelt to the Senate today were the following: envoys extraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary, Thomas J. O’Brien of Michigan, to Denmark; Edward C. O’Brien of New York, to Paraguay and Uruguay. For consuls general: Robert J. Wynne of Pennsylvania, at London, Eng.; T. St. John Gaffney of New York, at Dresden.

March 6.

Hon. John H. Reagan, postmaster general of the Confederacy, died today at Palestine, Texas. He was the last surviving member of the Confederate cabinet.

March 9.

A meeting of the Council of the Society is held today at the office of the City Trust Co., 36 Wall Street, New York City.

March 10.

Most Rev. John J. Keane, D. D., of Dubuque, Ia., becomes a member of the Society.

March 17.

Gen. Nelson A. Miles reviews the First Regiment, Irish Volunteers, at the Grand Central Palace, New York City, tonight.

March 17.

Hon. Franklin M. Danaher of Albany, N. Y., a member of the Society, read an historical paper before the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, in that city, tonight. His topic was: “An Historical Sketch of some Celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day in Albany, N. Y., in the Early Part of the Nineteenth Century.”

March 17.

A monument was dedicated at Houston, Texas, today to the memory of Dick Dowling, the Confederate hero of Sabine Pass, who with a small company of men of Irish blood defeated, during the Civil War, a large Federal military and naval force. 141

March 17.

President Roosevelt attends the dinner of the New York Friendly Sons of St. Patrick tonight.

March 17.

The Charitable Irish Society, Boston, Mass., observes its 168th anniversary.

March 18.

Francis C. Travers of New York City, a member of the Society, died today.

April 4.

Hon. E. F. Dunne is elected mayor of Chicago, Ill.

April 9.

Michael Murphy, a pioneer oil man of central Wyoming, died at Casper, Wyo. He was one of the best known men in Wyoming. For twenty-five years he represented the oil interest in Fremont County, and recently sold the famous spouting oil wells at Dallas to a syndicate for $400,000. Frank Murphy, who recently died, leaving more than $2,000,000, was a brother of Michael Murphy, and left to him a large portion of his estate, making the latter a very wealthy man.

April 9.

Daniel O’C. O’Donoghue of Portland, Me., was found dead in bed this morning, having passed away during the night, of paralysis of the heart. He was a native of County Kerry, Ireland; was commissioned civil assistant on the ordinance survey of Ireland at an early age. He arrived in New York before the Civil War; volunteered for that conflict and served two years with the Army of the Potomac on engineer duty. In 1865 he was appointed chief clerk in the United States engineer’s office at Portland, Me., charged with the construction of sea coast defenses and harbor and river improvements, holding that responsible position for twenty-seven years. Colonel O’Donoghue was division adjutant-general on the staff of Governor Chamberlain of Maine, and later inspector of the division. He was captain of the famous Montgomery Guards of Portland, Me., bringing the company up to a high standard of efficiency.

April 13.

Thomas S. Lonergan of New York City, a member of the Society, lectures in Newark, N. J., on “Irishmen in the American Revolution.”

April 19.

A patriotic pilgrimage, under the auspices of the Society, took place today to Lexington, Mass., the occasion being the anniversary of the battle of Lexington, 1775. 142

May 18.

Secretary T. H. Murray of the Society, received a letter today from the New York State Library, saying that “We are making as complete a collection as possible of books and pamphlets on the Irish in America,” and asking for copies of works issued by the Society.

May 27.

The remains of Capt. John Drum, Tenth United States Infantry, who was killed in action before Santiago de Cuba, July 1, 1898, were reinterred today in the National Cemetery at Arlington, Va. Interment had previously taken place at Brookline, Mass. Services were conducted at Arlington by his son, Rev. Walter M. Drum, S. J. Captain Drum was a member of our Society. He was a native of Ireland, a veteran of the Civil War, and saw much service in campaigns against the Indians; was at one period military instructor at St. Francis Xavier’s College, New York City.

May 28.

A memorial to Molly Pitcher, the heroine of the battle of Monmouth in the Revolution, was dedicated today at Carlisle, Pa. The memorial consists of a cannon placed over her grave. The cannon weighs 1,400 pounds, and resembles in design the field piece which Molly helped to fire after her husband had fallen in battle. Molly Pitcher was “a young Irishwoman.”

May 29.

A dinner was given at Delmonico’s, New York City, tonight, to Thomas Addis Emmet, M. D., LL. D., by his medical friends, in honor of his seventy-seventh birthday. Over one hundred physicians attended. Dr. E. C. Dudley, Chicago, Ill., presided. Dr. Emmet is a Life member of our Society.

May 30.

Michael Brennan, a member of the Society, died today at his home, 2 West 75th Street, New York City.

June 2.

Rev. John Harty, Pawtucket, R. I., a member of the Society, died today.

June 8.

Hon. Henry F. Naphen, Boston, Mass., a member of the Society, was found dead in bed today. He had been in poor health for some time.

July 4.

A bronze equestrian statue in honor of Gen. Thomas Francis Meagher was unveiled today in Helena, Mont.

July 10.

A paragraph in the New York Irish American of this date, states that Lieut. Martin L. Crimmins, U. S. A., 143has just been graduated from the Infantry and Cavalry School at Fort Leavenworth, successfully passing his examination for a captaincy. Captain Crimmins is a son of Hon. John D. Crimmins, president-general of the Society, and is himself a member of the organization. He was a member of the “Rough Riders” in the Spanish-American War, and later was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Sixty-ninth New York Volunteers, and still later a second lieutenant in the regular service. He served four years in the Philippines, and a year at Fort Lawton, Seattle, where he was selected from his regiment as a student officer to attend the school at Fort Leavenworth.

July 31.

A letter is today received from James Connolly of Coronado, Cal., in which he presents nineteen candidates for membership in the Society.

August. Hon. John C. Linehan, Concord, N. H., treasurer-general of the Society, resigns his position as such owing to ill health. He was one of the founders of the Society, and has been treasurer-general of the latter ever since its organization. His resignation is received with much regret.

Aug. 14.

Hon. James C. Monaghan of the Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C., a member of the Society, lectured at the Catholic Summer School, Cliff Haven, N. Y., today, on “The Game of Empire.”

Aug. 28.

William G. Stanard, corresponding secretary and librarian of the Virginia Historical Society, writes concerning Colonel Fitzgerald, a friend and staff officer of General Washington.

Sept. 2.

Michael P. O’Connor, Binghamton, N. Y., qualifies as a Life Member of the Society.

Sept. 7.

The Elizabeth (N. J.) Times, of this date, has an editorial headed, “Cox again President.” It refers to Capt. William T. Cox, a member of our Society, who has again been reëlected chairman of the Fire Commissioners of that city. The editorial mentioned pays a high tribute to Captain Cox.

Sept. 8.

Hon. C. B. Tillinghast, state librarian of Massachusetts, writes requesting a copy of Early Irish in Old Albany, 144N. Y., With Special Mention of Jan Andriessen “De Iersman Van Dublingh.” The foregoing pamphlet was issued by the Society, 1903, and comprises a paper by Hon. Franklin M. Danaher of Albany. Mr. Tillinghast desires the pamphlet for the Massachusetts State Library.

Sept. 10.

In the New York Herald today, Mrs. Clara H. Manning has a contribution setting forth many interesting facts concerning the family and ancestry of Gen. Richard Montgomery. Mrs. Manning credits the information to “L. W., London, England.”

Sept. 12.

Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, president of the United States, writes as follows to the management of the Irish Industrial Exhibition in New York City: “Gentlemen: I greatly regret that it is not in my power to be present at the Irish Industrial Exposition, to be held at Madison Square Garden. Not only should I be much interested in the display of industries of Ireland in the matter of textiles, laces and other branches of industrial art, but I should be particularly pleased with the educational feature, which I understand is to symbolize and interpret the ‘Irish revival.’ Unfortunately, it is simply out of my power to make another engagement of any kind whatsoever now, and all I can do is to send you my hearty good wishes for the success of so worthy a movement. It is peculiarly appropriate that in our country, where so large a portion of the blood of our mixed people is drawn from Irish stock, there should be this movement on broad lines, and carried out in such a wholesome and comprehensive manner, for the purpose of illustrating the industrial talents and artistic and literary genius of the Irish race. With all good wishes for the success of the exposition, believe me, sincerely yours, Theodore Roosevelt.”

Sept. 14.

Hon. Patrick A. Collins, mayor of Boston, Mass., died today at Hot Springs, Va. He was a member of the Society.

Sept. 19.

Death this evening of Hon. John C. Linehan, state insurance commissioner of New Hampshire, a founder of the Society. He passed away at his home in Penacook (Concord), N. H. 145

Sept. 22.

Hon. Charles T. O’Ferrall, ex-governor of Virginia, died at Richmond, Va., today. He served in the Confederate army during the Civil War, attained the rank of colonel, and was wounded three times while in the service. He was a member of the 49th, 50th, 51st and 52d Congresses.

Sept. 22.

Funeral at Penacook, N. H., today, of Hon. John C. Linehan. A requiem high Mass was celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Conception. The eulogy was delivered by Bishop Delany of Manchester.

Sept. 26.

Death today of Edward F. Galligan, M. D., Taunton, Mass., a member of the Society.

Sept. 27.

In accordance with an army order issued at Washington, D. C., about this date, Capt. Michael M. McNamee, Fifteenth Cavalry, is detailed as a member of the examining board at Fort Ethan Allen, Vt.

Sept. 27.

Mrs. Aaron Morley Wilcox writes from Washington, D. C., for information regarding the Society.

Sept. 29.

Col. James Moran, Providence, R. I., writes making practical suggestions for a celebration next year of the anniversary of the battle of Rhode Island.

Oct. 1.

A monument is dedicated today, in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden, Mass., to the late Rev. Thomas H. Shahan of that city, who was a member of the Society. The monument was erected by the parishioners of the deceased clergyman.

Oct. 7.

Among the nominations made today at the Massachusetts Democratic State Convention in Boston were the following: For state treasurer, Daniel J. Doherty, Westfield; for state auditor, Patrick J. Ashe, North Adams; for attorney-general, John P. Leahy, Boston.

Oct. 7.

Notices were issued today for a meeting of the executive council of the Society to be held on the 19th inst., at the Hotel Manhattan, New York City. The latter date is the anniversary of the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. The council is to be entertained at dinner by Mr. Crimmins, president-general of the Society.

Nov. 3.

Anniversary of the birth of Gen. William Irvine, a soldier of the Revolution. He was a native of Fermanagh, Ireland. 146

Nov. 23.

Anniversary of the birth of Edward Rutledge, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was of Irish parentage.

Nov. 29.

Anniversary of the birth of Charles Thomson, the “perpetual secretary” of Congress; a native of Ireland.

Dec. 2.

Died on this date, in 1783, Thomas Burke. He was a native of Ireland, and was chosen governor of North Carolina in 1781.

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