Cavan Observer
Published in Cavan, county Cavan
December 4, 1858
FREE EMIGRATION.--In order to obtain the benefit of a free emigration to South Australia each person must enter into a bond, which will be provided free of cost, that he or she will not under any pretence leave the colony of South Australia within a period of two years after arrival at Port Adelaide on pain of payment of £10 to be recoverable by any court of competent jurisdiction in the colony.
THE MAGISTRACY
CAVAN.--The Lord Chancellor, on the recommendation of the Marquis of Headfort, Lord Lieutenant of the county, has been pleased to appoint Caleb BARNES, Esq., Kingscourt, to the Commission of the Peace for the county of Cavan.
LEITRIM.--Hugh M'TERNAN, Esq,, Heapstown, county Sligo, has, on the recommendation of the Earl of Granard, Lord Lieutenant of the county, been appointed by the Lord Chancellor a Justice of the Peace for the county of Leitrim.
MARRIED
On the 2nd instant, in the Church of Cavan, by the Rev. Andrew HOGG, D.D., L.L.D., Rector of Urney, Mr. James HARTLEY, woollen draper, Main-street, to Maggie, eldest daughter of Mr. Matthew LOUGH, merchant, Cavan.
DIED
On the 25th inst., Mr. William MOORE, merchant, Cavan, aged 51 years.
DASTARDLY ASSAULT UPON A PROTESTANT CLERGYMAN--DISGRACEFUL CONDUCT ON FOUR POLICEMEN.--On Wednesday last an assault of a most aggravated and cowardly character was committed upon the Rev. James HERON, the respected Presbyterian Minister of his town. Mr. HERON proceeded to visit a member of his church residing at Pound-street, and having done so immediately on leaving the house was assaulted and knocked down in the street by a butcher named MULROONEY, who, using opprobrious epithets, stood by this aged clergyman, waiting until he rose, that he might again fell his victim. It will hardly be credited, but it is a fact, that four policemen witnessed this barbarous outrage--were present when MULROONEY knocked Mr. HERON down--saw the aged man lying on his back, his grey hairs bedded in the street mud--heard him cry out "police, police, assistance, help," and yet these four policemen walked into a public-house and left the poor gentleman to his fate. Providence however shielded His servant in that trying moment. Several persons at length running up cried "shame!" when MULROONEY skulked off. He was subsequently arrested and committed for trial. We trust that some measures will be taken to punish those policemen. Nothing but dismissal from the force will satisfy public indignation.--"Sligo Journal."
IRISHMEN IN AMERICA.--The gentleman so complimented in the subjoined notice, which we take from an American paper, is an Irishman, a native, we believe of Enniskillen:--"The author of the article 'Ireland, Past and Present,' in the January number of the "North American Review," which has attracted so much attention throughout the country, is E. L. SEARS, of this city. For the last five years, while discharging the duties of literary and foreign editor for a prominent daily paper, there is scarcely one of the first class periodicals of the day to which Mr. S. has not contributed, more or less....
December 11, 1858
THE MURDER OF MR. ELY.--The first installment of taxes--1s.4d. in the pound--for the maintenance of the extra police force station in the parish of Kyle, is now being collected. The levy will fall heavily on the small farmers, who are the occupiers of almost all the parish, holding from Sir Charles COOTE. The lands occupied by the late Mr. ELY and his brother are exempted from payment of any tax, which leaves the burden heavier on the remainder of the parish. There are three temporary police stations. No clue to the accused man has yet been discovered.
CAVAN PETTY SESSIONS--MONDAY
Magistrates present--T. THOMPSON, Esq., chairman; William BABINGTON, Esq., and H. ERSKINE, Esq.
Thomas TYSDALE appeared to answer the complaint of Mr. NAPIER, S.I., for furious driving upon the public highway, and not having his name on his cart.--Fined 5s. and costs for each offence.
ASSAULT
Peter M'CABE v. James and Pat. M'CABE; Thomas GALLIGAN v. James M'CABE, James SMYTH, and Thos. SHEERAN; James M'CABE v. Peter M'CABE, Thomas GALLIGAN, Michael GALLIGAN, Philip BOYLAN, and Peter BRADY.
This was a rather complicated case, of which "John Barleycorn" would seem to have been the originator, as the parties were all enjoying themselves on Tuesday evening last, in Mr. M'QUILLAN's public house, where the row first commenced; but was subsequently adjourned to Mr. RUDDY's in Bridge-street.
Peter M'CABE, the first complainant, stated that on the market night he was in Mr. M'QUILLAN's, and had occasion to go into the tap-room, where James M'CABE and two other men were sitting; some words were exchanged between M'CABE and complainant, and eventually M'CABE got to his feet and guzzled him; Pat M'CABE also struck him.
Thomas GALLIGAN was next sworn and said that on the night in question he and some friends were drinking in Mr. M'QUILLAN's; that he went into the tap-room for the purpose of passing into the kitchen to light his pipe; M'CABE, who was sitting in the room at the time, put up his foot for the purpose of tripping him; complainant, as a matter of course, remonstrated with M'CABE on the impropriety of his conduct, and the result was that blows were resorted to; in a short time the affair was settled, and complainant went to Mr. RUDDY's of Bridge-street, where he had taken lodgings for the night; he had just taken his supper, and was sitting in the kitchen smoking, when M'CABE came in, took hold of complainant, and dragged him out through the shop into the street, where he and the other defendants kicked him.
Mr. M'QUILLAN, who was next examined, said the "country men" were drinking up stairs in his house during the greater part of the evening; he did not see who was the aggressor; James M'CABE appeared to have got the worst of it.
Mr. RUDDY was also examined, and testified as to M'CABE having dragged GALLIGAN through his shop to the street.
James M'CABE was next examined--He said that on the above night, himself and two others went into Mr. M'QUILLAN's, and called for a naggin of "scaultheen;" when they were waiting for the drink to be prepared, Peter M'CABE came into the room, and when he saw complainant, said he was "a swaggering fellow;" that "he was not as good a man as he thought," &c., and caught hold of him by the collar; complainant told him to take off his hands, or he would choke him, and immediately got to his feet and run him against the wall; Thomas GALLIGAN then came in and shortly after left the room again; M'CABE then modulated his tone and began to flatter complainant, saying "he should be a decent fellow, for his father before him was a decent man," &c., and kept him in conversation until GALLIGAN returned with his party, when he (M'CABE) immediately altered his tone, and called complainant "a blackguard;" the rest of the party then fell on him, and had like to kill him; Mr. M'QUILLAN and some others interfered, and separated them; the two men who were with complainant had left him in the meantime; and he then went in search of the police; Constable M'NAY ordered him to make out where the parties were, in order to get their names; and, having heard GALLIGAN was in RUDDY's, he went in and dragged him out, but did not kick him; he merely held him until the police came up; Michael GALLIGAN then struck complainant; his brother (Pat M'CABE) merely took complainant's cap off the head of one of the opposite party.
Luke ALWILL, one of the men who was with last witness in M'QUILLAN's, was then examined, but could not throw any light on the matter, as to who gave the first offence.
Their worships then retired for deliberation, and after a short time returned into court, when
Mr. THOMPSON delivered judgment as follows:--The charge against Pat M'CABE dismissed; James M'CABE, James SMITH, and Thomas SHEERAN, to be imprisoned for one week each. Thomas GALLIGAN and his party to be bound to keep the peace towards all her Majesty's subjects--themselves in £10 and two sureties in £5 each.
A few trifling cases were disposed of, after which their worships rose.
BIRTHS
December 4, at Ballyconnell, county Cavan, the wife of Moses NETTERFIELD, Esq., of a son.
December 5, at Ballinacargy, county of Westmeath, the wife of Jemmett G. FOX, Esq., late 75th Regiment, of a son.
DEATHS
On the 7th instant, at Cootehill, Charles M'DERMOTT, Esq., solicitor, aged 79 years.
December 6, at Rockfield, in the county Westmeath, Louisa, the beloved wife of Matthew CRAWFORD, Esq., and daughter of the late Lieutenant-General CRAWFORD.
December 1, at his residence, Lismoyle, county Leitrim, Francis WALDREN, Esq., J.P., in his 44th year.--He was loving, affectionate, and sincere as a husband, parent, and friend,--just and impartial as a magistrate and a grand juror.
ARREST OF A MAN FOR MURDER COMMITTED THIRTY YEARS AGO.--Sub-constable Robert FOSTER, of the Draperstown constabulary, arrested a man named Paul GROOGAN, in Maghera fair, on Tuesday last, who stands charged with the murder of William SMYTH, at Ballynure, county Londonderry, in August, 1828. It appears that the deceased, William SMYTH, who was a bailiff on the Drapers' estate, was executing a Manor-court decree, obtained at Moneymore against the GROOGAN family, when Paul GROOGAN struck him with a beetle and fractured his skull. From the effect of his injuries he died eight days afterwards. A reward was offered for his apprehension at the time, but he fled the country, and the authorities have not been able till lately to hear of him. It is said that he has wrought for several years at the public works at Toombridge, under a fictitious name, but he was not discovered. GROOGAN was marched into Moneymore next day, and identified, and is not remanded until an investigation be held, and the records of the county examined. Some of the persons are still alive who saw the occurrence.--"Belfast News Letter."
December 18, 1858
MORE GOVERNMENT ARRESTS
BELFAST SUNDAY EVENING.--This evening considerable excitement was caused by the general report that a Ribbon lodge had been captured in Belfast. The facts are as follows:
At six o'clock a party of constabulary, fully armed, surrounded a public house in Cromac -street kept by a woman named M'KEEN, and arrested some fifteen persons, who were therein assembled, on the charge of being members of an illegal society. The prisoners were immediately marched to the police-office, where Mr. TRACEY, R.M., and the Inspector and Sub-Inspector of Constabulary were in attendance. The committal was made out, and the men were immediately marched off under a strong escort, and lodged in the County Antrim Gaol.
The men who have been arrested are believed to be all Roman Catholics, and of course the report goes that they were members of a Ribbon lodge. They are of the class of working men, and of ages ranging from mere lads to grey-haired men. The authorities are believed to have been in possession of the information since last night. Whether the arrests be expedient and justifiable or not, there can be no question of the promptness and dexterity with which they have been effected. There is considerable excitement in the part of the town adjoining Cromac-street, but no apprehension of any disturbance exists.
THE ARRESTS
The proclamation of the Lord Lieutenant would appear to be producing its fruits. Immediately in the wake of the arrests of the "Phoenix" men in the South, we have a batch of fifteen or sixteen captured in the metropolis of the North. What the special designation of the Norsemen is we have not been informed; they are alleged merely to have been members of an "illegal society." They met in a public house, in an "upper room," where, it is stated, they had been in the habit of meeting for years; and it is insinuated by the "Northern Whig" that they had several bottles of whiskey on the table before them at the moment of their arrest, and that, therefore, they were merely enjoying themselves "convivially." It does not appear that any documents or books were discovered, and therefore there is probably no evidence against them but that of the approver. But taking the mixed character of the company into consideration, we are inclined to think that it affords "prima facie" grounds for coming to the conclusion that the fraternity was something more than what might be supposed to be involved in mere boon companionship. Here are the names and occupations of the parties:--
James KELLY, law clerk.
Patrick KELLY, law clerk.
Hugh CARLETON, law clerk.
Henry SMITH, waterman.
James DONAGHY, huxter.
Daniel M'KENNA, operative.
Daniel M'VEIGH, green grocer.
Bernard SMITH, waterman.
John FINLAY, labourer in provision store.
William James M'AULEY, factory worker.
William LAVERTY, baker.
William FINNIGAN, quay porter.
Daniel BARR, labourer.
Francis M"GERAN, labourer.So that we have "law clerks," watermen, huxters, grocers, labourers, and porters! Rather diverse elements in character and position, and such as no man can suppose met together for merely convivial purposes. However, it is not proper that we should anticipate what may be the real charge against them, or what may be its nature, and therefore we shall leave them to await their trial. But there can be no doubt that the "Corps de Ribbon" has been of late rather successfully recruiting throughout all parts of Ireland, and that the CRONINS, KELLYS, SULLIVANS, with LEAHYS, LEARYS, and numerous descendants of the real Milesians, have been erecting themselves into "guards" against the arrival of the good time coming when they might have a full sweep of the abominable and heretical Saxons.
MARRIAGE
December 14, at St. Peter's Church, Dublin, by the Rev. Charles WALSH, A.M., Adrahumsee, Clones, county Monaghan, James ATKINSON, Esq., Clonedragole, youngest son of the late Arthur ATKINSON, Esq., Killough, county Down, to Mary J. FOY, only daughter of Hugh FOY, Esq., Dublin.
DEATHS
On Tuesday night, after a few hours' illness at her residence, Main-street, Cavan, Catherine, relict of the late Mr. Michael BRADY, aged 75 years.
December 6, Albyn-place, Edinburgh, Catherine ROBERTSON, relict of George T. HINDS, Esq., of Mitchelstown, Westmeath.
December 13, in London, aged 80, Barbara Herbert CHARLTON, relict of Captain James Wolfe CHARLTON, of Curratown, county Meath, Adjutant of the Royal Meath Militia, and one of H.M.'s Justices of the Peace for that county.
December 25, 1858
MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT--About eight o'clock on Sunday evening a respectable young man, named Michael MURPHY, was accidentally drowned in the basin of the Grand Canal. It appears that the deceased was walking with a young woman, named Mary LAWLOR, to whom he was betrothed, along the quay of the basin of the Grand Canal. The path was dirty, and in endeavouring to pick his steps he accidentally fell in and was drowned, notwithstanding that Miss LAWLOR used every exertion in her power to save his life. The unfortunate young lady became almost distracted at seeing her lover perish, and was, with difficulty, restrained from throwing herself in after him. She had to be removed to the College-street Police-office until her friends took her home. The deceased had made arrangements for his marriage with Miss LAWLOR, which was to take place in a month.--"Express."
DR. PUSEY--It is stated that this well-known gentleman has married Miss SELON, the superioress of a Protestant convent.
THE "PHOENIX" CLUB.--Further arrests of the members of this society have taken place in Tralee, Kenmare, and Skibbereen. The prisoners are all respectable young men.
INCOME TAX--Mr. George JONES, of Tullervy, one of the poor rate collectors of the Cavan Union, has been appointed collector of Income Tax for the year 1859, for the electoral divisions of Ardue, Belturbet, Carafin, Grilly, Kilconney and Milltown, in the room of Mr. FITZPATRICK, of Milltown, Belturbet. This is a most judicious selection, and we have no doubt will give general satisfaction in the district.
CAVAN PETTY SESSIONS--There were only a few cases of any public importance for hearing before the magistrates--Mr. BABINGTON and Mr. MONTGOMERY--at our petty sessions court on Monday last.
Hugh REILLY complained of Pat WELSH, sen., and Pat WALSH (sic), jun., for assaulting him on the 17th instant, while on his way from Ballyhaise to his own house. From the cross-examination of complainant by Mr. KNIPE, and the testimony of several witnesses who were examined for the defence, the bench was of opinion that REILLY himself was, in a great measure, the originator of the quarrel, and fined the defendants who, it appeared, bear an excellent character, in the nominal sum of sixpence each and costs.
Patrick M'NALLY, who has been in custody for the last month, pending the recovery of a young man named BRADY, whose life has been imperiled from the blow of a loaded whip, which he received on the head, at Mr. BRADY's public house, on the Nov. fair night of this town, was put forward and sworn to be BRADY as the person who gave him a box prior to his being struck with the whip; for which their worships sentenced the prisoner to a fortnight's imprisonment from the date of his conviction.
Andrew SMYTH, John MAGUIRE, Edward MALLON, and Thos. CASSIDY, were fined 2s 6d. each and costs for not having their dogs logged; and T. REILLY was ordered to pay a fine of 5s. for being drunk on the last fair night of this town, and giving Sub-Constable WALLACE a kick while the latter was passing him by in the street.
BALLINAGH PETTY SESSIONS--At the petty sessions court held in the above town on the 16th instant, before Wm. M. HICKSON, Esq., R.M., Peter DOLIN, of Legaweel, and Patrick KELLY, of Ballintemple, were convicted of waylaying and assaulting Daniel BRADY, Michael BRADY, and Charles BRADY, of Middletown, on the evening of the 17th of November last, while the latter parties were proceeding home from the fair of Crossdoney, and fined in the sum of £2 each, or one month's imprisonment.--Farrell SHERIDAN, of Crossdoney, was likewise convicted of waylaying and assaulting Hugh M'GURK and Patrick LARKEY, of Cavan, on the 4th inst., at Kilmore, and not bearing a very good character, was sentenced to pay a fine of £2 and £1 costs for the assault on M'GURK, and for the assault on LARKEY to enter into bail--himself in £20, and two sureties in £10 each--to keep the peace for three years, or be imprisoned for three months. A number of cases of minor importance were then disposed of, after which his worship adjourned until that day fortnight.
THE CONSTABULARY
Sub-Inspector McKENNA, Ballinamult, has been moved to the county of Cavan, to take charge of the district; vice Sub-Inspector COOKE, exchanged from Virginia, county of Cavan, to Ballinamult.
Sub-Inspector M. B. KELLY, Swords, County of Dublin, has been appointed County Inspector; vice J. SAUNDERSON, Esq., C.I., county of Monaghan, also retired from the force.
The County and Sub-Inspectors of the Constabulary are about to present their late Inspector-General Lieutenant-General Sir Duncan M'GREGOR, with a magnificent and massive service of plate, as a tribute to the gallant veteran's good and noble qualities.
BIRTH
On the 19th inst., at Rosserk, Ballina, county Mayo, the wife of R. J. C. GREEN, Esq., of a son, still born.
MARRIAGES
On the 21st instant, in the Presbyterian Church, Croghan, Killeshandra, by the Rev. William SWEENY, A.M., James BERRY, Esq., of Drominagh Lodge, Co. Tipperary, oldest son of James HENRY, Esq., of Sandville, Co. Cavan, to Margaret, youngest daughter of the late Charles MAGEE, Esq., of Tully, same county.
December 9, by special license, at St. Mary's Church, by the Rev. Alexander LEEPER, John REILLY, Esq., A. B., T. C. D., Monaghan, to Maria Georgia, eldest daughter of A. H. YOUNG, Esq., the Terrace, Monaghan.
DEATHS
December 16, at Whitewell, county Westmeath, Eleanor, relict of John Roger NORTH, Esq.
December 14, at his residence, Ross, Manorhamilton, county Leitrim, Major ARMSTRONG, late of her Majesty's 57th Regiment, deservedly regretted by a numerous circle of friends.
RUMOURED ARREST OF DELANY--A report prevailed in Birr that DELANY, the supposed murderer of Mr. ELY, has been arrested in the Queen's County mountains. He was concealed in a rick of straw, and while searching for him, he received four stabs in different parts of the body.
QUEEN'S COLLEGE, GALWAY--The Professorship of English Law in the Queen's College, Galway, is vacant by the resignation of Hugh LAW, Esq., one of the leading juniors of the North-East Circuit. Forty candidates are said to be in the field for the vacant office--the value of which is 150l. per annum.
CARRICKMACROSS PETTY SESSIONS
A NEW PHASE OF RIBBONISM--FRIGHTFUL CONSPIRACY
A trial of an all-important and probably unparalleled character commenced on Friday before an unusually full bench of magistrates. The following were those who presided on the occasion:--Evelyn SHIRLEY, Esq., M.P., chairman; Sir George FOSTER, M.P., Lieutenant-Colonel FOSTER, George MORANT, Esq., William S. TRENCH, Esq., Thomas Johnson, Esq., Rev. E. TARDY, John Thomas HOLLAND, Esq., Plunket KENNY, Esq., Mathew SINGLETON, Esq., R.M., and Charles HUNT, R.M., of the county Antrim, who attended by order of the Government.
The case, which notwithstanding the ample investigation it received in the course of a two days' hearing, is yet to a great extent shrouded in mystery, disclosed a succession of facts of the most alarming and suggestive character. In the district itself, although outwardly confined in the form of an excise information, the trial assumed all the importance of a state prosecution....It would appear that the Rev. Mr. REED, rector of Inniskeen, has for some years been an active promoter of the missionary movement, and has given much encouragement to Scripture readers in the district over which he has control, earning for himself, as a natural consequence, the ill will of the opposite party. To such an extent is this said to have reached that Mr. REED has in his possession a large collection of threatening notices forwarded to him from time to time. On the morning of the 12th October last he was from home, but according to the evidence of two of his sons an attack was made on the house by an armed party, and in replying to a shot which they fired, a chance shot from Mr. Chichester REED was believed from blood which was found and a groan which was heard, to have taken severe, if not deadly, effect upon one of the persons outside. On the same day that informations were lodged to this effect, however, discredit was ought to be cast upon the story by contrary informations......The police, strange to say, heard none of the shots, although the barracks is within a short distance of Mr. REED's house; but this fact is accounted for by the high railway embankment which runs between them. Mr. Thomas Robert BARRY, S.E., and Acting County Inspector, stationed at Carrickmacross, has since been indefatigable in his efforts to discover on which side the truth lay;...
The charge preferred against Mr. Chichester REED was at the suit of Michael CARIGG, officer of excise, for having, on the 12th of October, at Lannett Hill, county Monaghan, kept a gun for the destruction of hares and other game without a certificate, as required by the 6th Victoria.....--whereby he forfeited a sum of £20; and there was a further information against Mr. REED for having used a gun for the destruction of game contrary to the same statute, whereby he forfeited a further sum of £20.
Mr. STORMONT appeared to conduct the prosecution.
Mr. EXHAM, instructed by Mr. BROWNRIGG, appeared on behalf of Mr. REED.
Mr. John REA, of Belfast, together with Mr. Charles M'MAHON, solicitor, claimed permission to take part in the investigation on behalf of the much maligned inhabitants of the district.
The Chairman said the magistrates could not recognise the interference of any persons except those concerned for the Crown and for the defendant.
Pierce DUFFY was the first witness examined--He stated that on the morning of the 12th of October he saw the defendant, Mr. Chichester REED, shoot a hare on his father's ground, take it up, and walk away with it...
Margaret DUFFY, daughter of the last witness, deposed that she saw Mr. REED with a whitish coat on;...[Other witnesses were Peter TUITE, a labourer on the railway, John HUGHES, employed as a foreman on the Dundalk and Enniskillen Railway, Bryan REYNOLDS and Elizabeth FEA.]
SECOND DAY
The inquiry was resumed on Saturday morning at 11 o'clock, all the magistrates attending as before.
Miss Elizabeth Harriet REED was the first witness examined by Mr. EXHAM--She deposed that she was the second daughter of the Rev. Mr. Reed; on the morning of the 12 October witness was sleeping in one of the front rooms with her mother, and was awakened between four and five o'clock, and immediately afterwards heard a shot; a second shot was fired immediately afterwards; it was not quite so quick as the snapping of a double-barrelled gun; it was dark at the time; after the second shot was fired she heard a groan proceeding apparently from under the window of her bedroom; on hearing the two shots she got up and went out on the lobby, where she met her brother, Sidney; she afterwards saw her brothers George and Chichester; two shots were subsequently fired from the window of her brother Chichester's room; her brothers all went down stairs before half-past five, and in about ten minutes afterwards Chichester came into her mother's room where witness was;....[Witnesses Rev. Geo. Fortescue REED, eldest son of the Rev. Mr. Reed, Sydney Reed, the third son, examined]
Several other witnesses were then examined and cross-examined at considerable length, and Mr. William Henry BROWNRIGG proved that it was impossible to recognise any person in the position in which several of the witnesses alleged they saw Mr. Chichester REED.
Mr. STORMONT then summed up the evidence for the prosecution.
The magistrates, who retired for deliberation, returned into court, after an absence of half an hour; and the chairman, Mr. SHIRLEY, M.P., announced their decision in the following words:--The case against Mr. Chichester REED for carrying a gun and shooting a hare on the morning of the 12th of October is dismissed.
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